Tech Hero in Another World
Chapter 72: [71] Departure

Chapter 72: [71] Departure

"Urgh... What exactly went wrong?" Ren groaned, ruffling his hair in frustration as he stared at the data panel before him. The holographic model of the rune’s energy flickered red—a clear sign of the latest experiment’s total failure.

Without realizing it, dawn had broken, and Ren had pulled another all-nighter.

From the beginning, Ren approached the research on the Primordial Stone Rune with pure scientific principles. He treated the ancient stone like any ordinary material, attempting to dissect its energy composition and physical structure based on the laws of physics and his expertise in field engineering.

Yet, for some reason, every attempt to integrate the rune’s structure with electromagnetic fields ended in collapse. The hologram displayed how the artificial field he constructed shattered into shockwaves, indicating a fundamental incompatibility.

Ultro, with his characteristic gentle voice, promptly commented on the analysis results.

"Master, analysis number 28 indicates that this experiment has once again failed to maintain the stability of the fluctuating field around the rune’s structure. I calculate the success rate of this method has dropped to 2.7%."

Ren let out a heavy sigh, massaging his temples as he examined the complex lines etched on the holographic rune’s surface. He refused to give up easily, but the reality of the experimental results clearly forced him to reconsider.

"Why... do all predictive models based on electromagnetism, wave mechanics, even quantum resonance... all hit a dead end?"

Ultro’s voice remained calm, yet carried a sharp analytical tone.

"Perhaps, Master, because you’re attempting to apply classical physics paradigms to an object that involves principles not fully defined in conventional science. The Primordial Rune might operate based on laws we don’t entirely understand."

Ren snorted, half-angry at himself, half in awe of the object’s strangeness. He looked again at the rotating rune model in the air, its carvings and contours seeming to move as if dancing to a frequency nearly impossible to comprehend.

The rune itself bore a name clearly inscribed in ancient letters—Uruz, part of the Rune of Endurance. It was hard to admit, but Ren began to wonder if this world had connections to the Norse gods’ concepts he had studied back on Earth.

After all, Ren was now in another world, a foreign land filled with both opportunities and dangers. He was a nobody here, just a second-year high school student who had been dragged along with his entire class into an extraordinary event.

Since childhood, Ren had been a genius—a child capable of understanding thousands of books in five years, absorbing knowledge from three different eras. Achievements that should have been impossible for someone his age, yet Ren accomplished them because he began intensive learning at the age of five.

With all the knowledge he had accumulated, ironically, Ren now still felt overwhelmed facing this new world. This showed that no matter how vast his knowledge was, he still only grasped a small fraction of the universe’s mysteries, especially when Transmutation powers sometimes dulled his original creativity.

"Haah, what went wrong..." Ren muttered, exhaling deeply before grabbing a water bottle from the side of the table to quench his thirst.

As he took a short break, his eyes inadvertently caught his phone lying on the table. A small impulse led him to pick up the phone and start swiping through the screen, just to let his mind drift away from the tension of the continuously failing experiments.

Amid his browsing, Ren found a video he had recorded yesterday during the spirit release festival held in the Elf city. In the video, a tiny fairy named Fia—her petite body resembling Tinker Bell from old fairy tales—was seen flying shyly and hiding behind the large branches of the World Tree.

Ren couldn’t help but chuckle softly at Fia’s bashful behavior, his eyes sparkling with a sincerity he hadn’t felt in a long time. However, the laughter gradually faded, replaced by a serious expression as he noticed something else in the video.

Sunlight filtering through the gaps in the leaves formed specific patterns, refracting light into thin layers like energy webs. In the realm of science, this phenomenon reminded him of wave diffraction and photon particle dispersion—and suddenly, inspiration struck him.

Ren slowly lowered his phone, his eyes still fixed on the image of the light webs formed by the leaf refractions in the video. Something clicked in his mind, like a puzzle piece finally finding its place.

"Ultro..." Ren called softly, his voice filled with a newfound burning enthusiasm.

"I’m here, Master," Ultro’s voice sounded steady, ready to receive new commands at any moment.

"I want to modify our approach to the Rune of Endurance. Forget all synchronization models based on direct magic field penetration."

Ren spoke quickly, his mind leaping from one idea to another, forming a new scheme in an instant. He stood up, heading straight to his workbench, his hands beginning to activate the holographic panels.

"Instructions received. The new approach... based on refraction phenomena and multi-layer resonance, I presume?"

Ren nodded while swiping his fingers in the air, forming a new three-dimensional diagram. The new model displayed not just one, but several thin energy layers forming a tiered resonance structure, exactly like the layers of light he saw in the video.

"Exactly. No longer penetrating the rune, but surrounding it... forming layer upon layer of fields, allowing the rune to ’resonate’ on its own through external stimuli."

Ultro processed quickly, his voice sounding slightly more enthusiastic.

"This concept will reduce the direct load on the rune’s structure by up to 78%. Additionally, theoretical synchronization stability increases by over 300%."

"Good. Now... let’s apply this approach to my armor as well."

Ren shifted his focus to the design of his new armor, its holographic projection slowly rotating in the air. The armor was still in its early development stage—durable, yes, but still too reliant on raw power and conventional shielding.

"If I can create a thin resonance layer over the armor... just like that web of light... I won’t need bulky shields anymore. Just an adaptive field that can deflect attacks before they even touch the surface."

『Adaptive resonance defense concept. Intriguing. I will begin integrating the algorithm into your mithril armor’s layering system.』

"Don’t make it just defensive, Ultro. We can use that resonance pattern to boost offense too."

Ren gave a slight smirk—one that only ever surfaced when he discovered a breakthrough.

With an adaptive resonance field, Ren realized he could now enhance his unarmed strikes much more efficiently. He could concentrate energy into pinpoint locations with high precision, generating high-velocity penetrative attacks—a deadly fusion of speed, power, and pinpoint accuracy.

While adjusting parameters on the holographic interface, Ren spoke—half to himself, half to the ever-alert Ultro.

"And maybe... I can ditch the jet-reliant Accel Mode altogether."

Ultro responded immediately, as if he had anticipated Ren’s thoughts well before the words came out.

『Are you referring to file 07, Master?』

Ren smiled slightly, satisfied that Ultro was able to follow his train of thought so quickly. He tapped the air with his fingers, opening a holographic file marked [PROJECT-07] in front of him.

"Yeah... With our current level of endurance, feedback effects like G-force won’t be a major issue anymore."

Arms crossed, Ren’s mind raced through the new possibilities opening up before him.

"Instead of speeding up what I wear... I should speed up my body’s own perception of time."

Ultro processed the idea at lightning speed, lines of fresh data flickering to life around Ren. This was no longer just an upgrade—this was evolution.

"This is our next project, Ultro. We’re going to realize true Acceleration Mode."

In his mind’s eye, Ren could already envision the grand concept: a mode in which his entire body—movement, neural reactions, even time perception—operated several times faster than the world around him. Not by pushing machines harder, but by altering the foundational operation of his own physiology.

It would reshape time and space itself—a machine-born defiance of human logic.

---

Princess Elaria and Queen Beatrice stood at the palace gate, seeing Ren off—even though he was technically still within palace grounds. The morning sun cast golden rays over the towers and gardens, making the farewell scene feel warm, yet rich in unspoken emotion.

Queen Beatrice, dressed in the elegant formal attire of the Elves, stepped forward with regal poise. She bowed her head slightly—a gesture of respect rarely given to a mere human.

"For the last time, I extend my gratitude to the savior of our kingdom, Lord Nico," the Elf Queen said, her clear voice echoing across the marble courtyard.

Ren stood casually, one hand in the pocket of his lightweight armor jacket, blinking slowly. He returned the bow with his usual flair—half-serious, half-playful.

"Ah, better not thank me too often, Your Majesty," he replied, a mischievous smile curving his lips. "I might start billing the kingdom for hero royalties."

Princess Elaria, standing beside her mother, stifled a giggle, covering her mouth with the back of her hand. Even in a formal setting, Ren always had a way of loosening up the atmosphere with his casual yet respectful tone.

Queen Beatrice offered a faint smile, as if she had come to understand Ren’s nature well after everything they had been through.

"Then I hope you’ll collect in the form of peace... and not in gold," she replied softly, with a teasing edge.

Ren let out a light laugh, his voice echoing gently in the white stone courtyard. He patted the side of his van—now looking far more robust after all the heavy modifications it had undergone for desert travel.

"Peace? Of course," he said with a slight grin, then gave Queen Beatrice a sly wink. "But I can’t promise anything about material expenses. Mithril doesn’t come cheap, you know."

Queen Beatrice responded with a small nod, her lips curved in a gentle smile, as if she had already prepared her answer. She stepped forward slightly, her gown rustling softly in the morning breeze.

"If it’s mithril you need, I can provide as much as you require," she said calmly. "Here, we have more than enough in stock—though beyond this realm, the metal is scarce and its value soars."

Ren nodded slowly, his smile widening just a little at the offer. He knew her words were sincere, but deep down, he also knew he couldn’t keep relying on their kindness forever.

"I know..." he murmured with a light sigh, his voice tinged with a mix of relief and reluctance to truly leave.

He turned briefly, gazing up at the towering spires of the palace reaching into the blue sky, as if carving the moment into his memory. Then, in a tone that was casual yet filled with meaning, he added:

"Haah... maybe we’ll meet again someday—sooner or later."

Ren looked up at the sky for a moment, letting his words linger in the air. He then smiled faintly—barely perceptible—and began walking toward the driver’s seat of his van, as if this farewell was just another Chapter waiting to be turned.

But before he could step inside the vehicle, a gentle voice called out from behind—

"Wait, Lord Nico..."

Ren turned around and saw Princess Elaria standing a few steps behind Queen Beatrice. Unlike her usual composed self, Elaria looked a little hesitant, clutching tightly at the folds of her gown. Her usually calm eyes trembled slightly, holding back emotions that were about to spill over.

"I... I..." Elaria tried to speak, but the words hung in the air, as if she were searching for them.

Ren casually slipped a hand into his pocket and smiled at her, relaxed.

"Another thank you? I told you once was enough," he said lightly, his eyes glinting with mischief. "And you’re strong, you know. Don’t go looking all weepy like this."

Elaria’s eyes widened slightly, her cheeks coloring as she quickly shot back.

"W-who’s weepy!" Her voice jumped half an octave, making Ren almost laugh at her reaction.

Ren pointed playfully at her face, just beneath her eyes.

"Right there... your eyes... getting watery," he said, holding back a grin, teasing.

Elaria turned her face away, her cheeks flushing bright red, and muttered under her breath.

"Muuu!"

Seeing this, even Queen Beatrice, ever the dignified monarch, couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle. Her laugh, like wind chimes, brought a warmth to the air that had previously felt heavy.

Ren just shrugged casually and stepped back toward his car door, acting all innocent.

"Please... come a little closer," Elaria said, her voice soft but clear.

Ren, already expecting something strange from the way this was going, narrowed his eyes with a playful suspicion. Leaning halfway against the car door, one hand still in his jacket pocket, he eyed her with a half-smirk.

"Wait... this isn’t gonna be one of those farewell kiss scenes or something, is it?" he said, his voice thick with teasing.

That remark turned Elaria’s face bright red in an instant. Her embarrassed expression shifted into mild fury in a fraction of a second. Without another word, she stepped forward and—WHUMP!—kicked Ren’s shin with her elegant little shoe.

Ren grimaced hard, bending over slightly from the sharp pain shooting up his leg.

"Aww, that actually hurt!" he grumbled, half hopping as he clutched his leg.

While Ren was still busy muttering and wincing, Elaria stepped in close. In a flash, she grabbed the collar of his jacket and tugged him down slightly.

Before Ren could react, Elaria pressed her lips to his in a kiss—brief, but deep. Not a clumsy, teenage peck, but the kind of kiss from someone who knew exactly what they wanted to convey: sincerity, courage, and a gratitude too great for words.

Ren froze, eyes wide, the pain in his shin instantly forgotten. Every joke, every snarky remark, every ounce of casual charm vanished in that one instant.

When Elaria finally pulled away, she was still gripping his collar, her hand trembling slightly. Her face was flushed, her eyes sparkling with embarrassment and the boldness she had just shown.

"Idiot..." she whispered quickly, barely audible.

Ren stood there motionless, one hand still raised in midair, his mind struggling to catch up with what had just happened. For the first time in a long while, he was completely speechless.

Elaria stepped back quickly, her cheeks still burning, and scampered back to Queen Beatrice’s side. The Queen gave her daughter a small, knowing smile—a mix of quiet amusement and pride.

Ren finally let out a long breath and rubbed his face, still warm from the kiss.

"Well... guess my shin pain got some compensation," he muttered with a faint smile.

The Queen only giggled behind her hand at her daughter’s antics.

Still limping a little from the lingering ache, Ren opened the side door of the van with a soft click, and tossed his backpack inside. He turned for a moment to glance one last time at Queen Beatrice and Princess Elaria, then raised a hand in a laid-back wave.

"See you around... Try not to get into trouble without me, yeah?" he said jokingly, making Princess Elaria stifle a laugh behind a polite smile.

Without waiting for a reply, Ren climbed into the front cabin and started the engine. The newly-tuned vehicle purred to life, its hum steady—a result of the work he’d pulled off the night before.

At that moment, he heard a soft scratching sound on the side of the van.

Ren looked over and saw Bella—a female Penal Plains tiger, about the size of a large dog—scratching the door with both paws, clearly asking to be let in. Her golden-white fur gleamed under the sun, and her eyes sparkled with childlike excitement, like she couldn’t wait for the trip.

Behind her, Alfred, a male Penal Plains tiger about the size of a big housecat, sat calmly. His tail flicked lazily on the ground—thump... thump...—giving off a calm air but clearly wanting in.

Ren chuckled at their antics.

"Yeah, yeah, hold on... You guys are big enough to hop in yourselves. Don’t act like you need to be carried," he said, opening the back door of the van.

As soon as the door opened, Bella leapt in gracefully. She landed smoothly on the van floor and immediately flopped over on the carpet like it was her own personal mattress. Alfred followed, hopping lightly and settling into a corner with dignified poise, like a little noble who didn’t want to show too much emotion.

Inside the van were already three of their cubs—each about the size of a teenage cat—playfully tumbling in one corner, chewing on straps and seat cushions with the energy only young ones have.

Ren sighed deeply, smiling and shaking his head with a resigned expression.

"A long trip with two and a half sacks of furballs... can I stay sane till we get there?" he muttered as he locked the doors and set the navigation to autopilot for the first few kilometers.

Bella, now comfortable, snuggled up behind the front seat and nudged her head against Ren’s back, purring loudly like a giant cat demanding attention.

"Yeah, yeah, I get it... you’re happy we’re on the road again," Ren said, instinctively scratching Bella’s head while keeping his eyes on the road.

Meanwhile, Alfred glanced over with his trademark calm look, flicked his tail once more, and closed his eyes tight—his face saying, "I’m just here for the nap. Don’t bother me."

With his little crew all settled in the van, Ren smiled contentedly and gently pressed the gas. The van rolled smoothly out of the courtyard, past the palace gates, setting off on a new journey under the clear blue sky.

Behind them, Queen Beatrice and Princess Elaria stood still, watching them leave with peaceful but hopeful expressions.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.