Chapter 6: Drawing Attention on Purpose
"Shhh—"
The automatic doors of the Student Council Office slid open once more, and Kaiser stepped out.
Inside the office, Claudia's once-composed smile had disappeared.
The golden-haired girl sat in silence, watching as Kaiser's figure receded into the distance.
Then, after a moment, she reached down to her waist and retrieved two small objects.
A pair of strange devices, their design resembling eerie, staring eyes—so lifelike they sent a chill down one's spine.
Claudia gazed at them intently, almost as if locking eyes with the haunting pair.
Her expression was a mix of surprise and intrigue.
"…Was it just my imagination?"
At first, she questioned herself.
But soon, she shook her head.
"No. That boy definitely triggered something just now."
The moment Kaiser turned his back to leave, the eye-like devices on her waist had trembled ever so slightly.
As their wielder—someone who held a deeply complex bond with them—Claudia was absolutely certain that even the slightest reaction would never go unnoticed by her.
And because of that certainty, she was shocked.
"What was that reaction?"
"Fear?"
"Or… reverence?"
She muttered to herself, staring at the Orga Lux in her hands.
Then, after a moment—she chuckled.
It was a mocking, amused smile.
"So, even you are capable of fear and reverence, huh?"
To her, this was almost laughable.
"Interesting."
Unavoidably, Claudia's curiosity toward Kaiser had been piqued.
Originally, she had barely paid attention to him.
A first-year student suddenly showing up at the Student Council Office, boldly requesting to borrow an Orga Lux—it was nothing unusual.
Everyone knew how valuable and powerful Orga Lux weapons were.
Aside from a small group of skeptics, most students desired them in some way.
Any student interested in gaining strength, climbing the academy rankings, or making a name for themselves in the Festa would naturally dream of wielding such a weapon.
Especially average students—
How many times had history repeated itself?
A nameless, mediocre student gets their hands on an Orga Lux—suddenly rising to prominence, dominating the academy, even becoming a legend in the Festa.
These stories weren't uncommon.
There had been many famous figures throughout history who wielded Orga Lux weapons.
It was only natural that students fantasized about obtaining one, seeing it as their ticket to greatness.
At first, Claudia thought Kaiser was just another one of them.
If it weren't for her duties as Student Council President, she wouldn't have given him a second thought.
If Kaiser had left quietly, she would have submitted his application as a formality, then forgotten about him entirely.
After all, with his lack of achievements, his application was doomed to be rejected.
There was no way he would have been granted permission to use an Orga Lux so early on.
But now—
Claudia changed her mind.
"For Pandora to react like that… yet for him to never appear in my 'dreams'—just what makes him so special?"
Walking to the floor-to-ceiling window, she gazed down at the academy grounds, a meaningful smile forming on her lips.
"Let's give him a little push, shall we?"
—
Outside the High School Building, Courtyard
Stepping out into the open air once more, Kaiser instinctively looked up, his eyes drawn to the top floor of the school building.
"She's noticed me by now, hasn't she?"
He murmured under his breath.
Being familiar with the original story, Kaiser knew—
With his current skill level and reputation, there was no way his Orga Lux application would be approved.
Normally, the correct path would have been to improve his ranking, gain recognition, and prove his worth to the academy before applying.
If he stood out among his peers, if he climbed to the top, the academy would gladly grant him an Orga Lux—so he could bring them prestige in the Festa.
But that took too long.
And Kaiser wasn't willing to wait.
So—he needed Claudia's influence.
"If the Student Council President backs me, my approval chances will skyrocket."
Claudia wasn't just a student leader—
Her parents were high-ranking officials in Galaxy, the corporation that funded Seidoukan Academy.
The academy would never ignore her opinion.
Because the true owner of Seidoukan's Orga Lux weapons was Galaxy itself.
If Claudia pushed his application forward, the academy would have no choice but to comply.
And given her personal relationship with her Orga Lux, if he showed even the slightest influence over it, she would undoubtedly become interested.
Once that happened—
She might help him willingly.
Of course—this was only speculation.
Kaiser wasn't certain things would play out this way.
His knowledge of the original story gave him insight into Claudia's unconventional personality.
That was why he took the risk.
But whether it actually worked—that was another matter.
"The question is… will her Orga Lux react to me?"
That part, he couldn't predict.
"My Authority is supposed to be the ultimate dominion over weaponry…"
"A weapon with a will of its own shouldn't be able to remain indifferent to it, right?"
With that thought, Kaiser left the courtyard, letting fate take its course.
—
The Next Few Days
Kaiser spent the following days blending into the academy's daily routine.
He attended classes on time.
He practiced swordplay in secluded areas.
He trained his body whenever he had free time.
His new body thrilled him.
It was young, full of energy, and incredibly strong.
For the first time in years, he actually felt like moving, as if all his previous laziness had been cured.
He had no friends in the academy.
Even though he recognized many major characters from the original story, he had no intention of seeking them out.
At most, he felt mild curiosity about seeing them in real life.
But beyond that, he remained neutral.
That said—he kept an eye on online news and the academy's website.
Through them, he saw familiar names, faces, and even duel recordings.
One thing that fascinated him was the technology of this world.
Their smartphones were tiny—barely larger than a laser pointer.
And yet—
They could be operated hands-free, responding to gestures instead of touch.
They projected virtual screens, allowing users to access information midair.
Even video calls could be handled with just a wave of the hand.
"All of this is thanks to Mana technology, huh?"
Kaiser often found himself marveling at it.
Then—finally—
He received the news he had been waiting for.
"Your application has been approved, Kaiser."
That day—
Claudia walked straight into his classroom, carrying a stack of documents in her arms.
Ignoring the stunned whispers around them, she smiled directly at him.
"Let's finish the paperwork first—then we'll head to the Equipment Bureau together."
Chapter 7: Compatibility Testing
The Equipment Bureau of Seidoukan Academy was located beneath the school.
Strictly speaking, it was not underground, but underwater.
After all, Asterisk was an artificial floating city, suspended over a massive impact crater lake. There was no true underground, only the depths below the water's surface.
But since the facility had no windows, stepping inside gave the same sensation as entering a basement, which was why it was simply referred to as the underground sector.
Honestly, it didn't really matter. There was no need to dwell on such minor details.
However—
As Kaiser walked down the hallway beside Claudia, there was one thing he couldn't help but comment on.
"Your popularity is truly something else, President. Our classroom practically exploded."
His tone was a mix of amusement and exasperation.
"Oh?" Claudia tilted her head slightly, as if she had no idea what he was talking about. With her usual polite smile, she replied, "Perhaps everyone was just being overly polite? I really don't think I'm that popular."
…
…Did she just call the entire classroom screaming, gasping, and staring in disbelief "politeness"?
If that was her definition of polite, then she must have a very unique understanding of the word…
"Is something wrong? Did I trouble you?"
Claudia gazed at him with innocent curiosity, making Kaiser sigh.
"I don't know if it's trouble yet," he admitted. "But one thing's for sure—now that you personally came to my classroom to take me away, this news has probably already spread across the entire High School division… maybe even the Middle and University divisions as well. My personal profile is probably being checked by dozens of people right now, and I wouldn't be surprised if wild rumors are already spreading online."
In other words—
Kaiser, who had previously been a complete nobody, had suddenly become the center of attention.
His Orga Lux application and the fact that the Student Council President herself had escorted him to the Equipment Bureau were bound to catch the interest of many.
"Well, there's no helping that." Claudia continued to smile as if the entire situation was completely out of her hands. "Even if today's events hadn't happened, the moment you successfully borrowed an Orga Lux, your information would have been made public anyway. People would have noticed you either way."
That was true.
Orga Lux weapons belonged to the academy, and any student who successfully borrowed one had their information published online, accessible to other students—even those in different academies.
Even if Kaiser wanted to remain low-key, that was no longer an option.
Of course—
"That is… assuming I pass the compatibility test."
Kaiser's tone remained neutral.
As previously mentioned, Orga Lux weapons had their own consciousness.
They chose their wielders.
Only those who could properly resonate with an Orga Lux would be able to wield it.
Compatibility was the measurement of how well a user could tap into the Orga Lux's power.
Higher compatibility meant greater synergy with the weapon, allowing for more of its abilities to be utilized.
Lower compatibility made it difficult to wield the weapon properly, potentially leading to unstable performance.
Extremely low compatibility could result in the Orga Lux outright rejecting the wielder, possibly even going berserk and attacking them.
The compatibility test existed to prevent such incidents—ensuring that only those capable of safely using an Orga Lux were allowed to borrow one.
If someone failed the test, they wouldn't be allowed to use the weapon, even if the academy wanted to lend it to them.
For two major reasons:
Low compatibility means wasted potential.
An Orga Lux was a rare and valuable resource. Lending it to someone who couldn't bring out its full power would be a waste.
The Integrated Enterprise Foundation is monitoring everything.
The Foundation provided these weapons to collect data on their usage.
If the user had low compatibility, their combat performance would be poor, leading to less valuable data.
Thus—passing the compatibility test was mandatory.
Each academy had different standards for what counted as a "pass."
"At Seidoukan, the minimum compatibility requirement is 80%," Claudia explained as they entered an elevator leading to the depths of the Equipment Bureau.
"If your compatibility is below 80%, even if the academy wanted to lend you an Orga Lux, the Foundation wouldn't allow it."
As the elevator descended, she continued:
"By the way, Seidoukan Academy has the highest number of Orga Lux weapons among all six academies—twenty-two in total."
"Seven of them have already been borrowed, leaving fifteen available. You should choose carefully, Kaiser."
Tilting her head slightly, she added with a mischievous smile.
"You only get one chance at the compatibility test. If you choose an Orga Lux that doesn't suit you and fail the test, you'll have to wait before applying again."
This was another strict rule.
Even if there was an Orga Lux with high compatibility somewhere in the selection, if the applicant failed to choose it, the test wouldn't be repeated.
This was what made borrowing an Orga Lux so difficult.
But if successful—the rewards were immense.
After all—
Among the top twelve ranked students in Seidoukan Academy, four of them wielded Orga Lux weapons.
Their sheer power spoke for itself.
"I hope you'll be joining them soon, Kaiser."
As the elevator came to a stop, Claudia spoke in a meaningful tone.
Kaiser remained silent.
Because the doors had opened.
—
Equipment Bureau: Underground Testing Lab
Kaiser stepped into a vast, enclosed chamber, its layout resembling an underground research facility.
The ceiling was high, and the walls were lined with advanced instruments.
One entire wall was made of reinforced glass, revealing a separate control room beyond it.
Inside, numerous lab-coated personnel bustled about—adjusting equipment, analyzing data, and exchanging observations.
Though their voices were muted behind the glass, Kaiser could feel their curious gazes lingering on him—like scientists studying a test subject.
His brow furrowed slightly.
"They're ready for you."
A holographic screen appeared before Claudia as she communicated with the lab technicians.
Noticing his reaction, she smiled.
"Don't mind them. They don't decide anything. All you need to do is focus on the test."
With that, Claudia stepped back, leaving him to proceed alone.
Taking a deep breath, Kaiser strode forward.
—
"Beep! Beep!"
The moment he reached the center of the chamber, multiple holographic screens materialized around him.
On them—
Rows of weapons, each completely unique in appearance and design.
"These are Seidoukan's Orga Lux weapons?"
Kaiser's eyes gleamed with curiosity as he began browsing through the selection.
Each Orga Lux had a detailed description displayed alongside it—listing its abilities, effects, and combat data.
The variety was staggering—
Swords, spears, axes, and scythes.
Daggers, gauntlets, whips, and even warhammers.
Some of them looked incredibly sleek and elegant.
Others had menacing, ominous designs, almost as if they carried a dark will of their own.
Several options were grayed out, indicating that they had already been claimed by other students.
Now—it was time for Kaiser to make his choice.
Pass the test—and the weapon would be his.
Fail—and he would walk away empty-handed.
And so—
Kaiser hesitated.
Chapter 8: Ser-Veresta
Kaiser had never once worried about passing the compatibility test for an Orga Lux.
With the ultimate authority over weaponry, no matter which Orga Lux he chose, he was absolutely certain he would pass the test.
The only question was—
"Which one should I choose?"
That was the only reason he hesitated.
Standing before the holographic display of Seidoukan's available Orga Lux weapons, Kaiser still hadn't made his decision.
"If I'm choosing, I might as well pick the best."
Orga Lux weapons were inherently superior to regular Lux weapons.
But even among them, some were stronger than others.
Leaving aside raw attack power and energy output, the special abilities of each Orga Lux varied greatly.
Some abilities were useful but not particularly powerful—such as flight or weight manipulation.
Others were overwhelmingly strong—such as the ability to manipulate storms, control gravity, or even invade a target's mind.
Among the fifteen remaining Orga Lux at Seidoukan Academy, some were exceptionally powerful, while others were relatively underwhelming.
Since he didn't have to worry about compatibility issues, there was no reason not to pick the strongest one available.
However—
"No matter how I look at it, this one is by far the strongest."
His gaze had been fixed on one particular sword for a while now.
A massive blade with a black hilt, embedded with a brilliant red Urm-Manadyte at its core.
The blade itself seemed to flicker like flames, shifting in an eerie, molten glow.
It was immense, almost as tall as a person.
But more importantly—
Its combat parameters were beyond anything else in the selection.
Unrivaled energy output
Devastating attack power
A terrifyingly unique ability
Even among Orga Lux weapons, this one stood in a league of its own.
It far outclassed any standard Lux weapon.
It even surpassed most Orga Lux weapons.
Which made sense—
"This is one of the Four-Colored Magic Swords. One of the strongest Orga Lux ever created."
To be honest, Kaiser really wanted to choose it.
But—
"This is supposed to be the protagonist's weapon."
That was the only reason he hesitated.
In the original story, the main protagonist hadn't even arrived at Seidoukan yet.
He was a transfer student, set to arrive a month or two before the Festa.
As part of his special enrollment, he would be given the opportunity to select an Orga Lux.
And this was the weapon he would choose.
Knowing this, Kaiser couldn't help but feel conflicted.
But then—
He made up his mind.
"I'm here first. I have no reason to hesitate over something that hasn't even happened yet."
If another Orga Lux of equal caliber existed, Kaiser might have considered choosing a different one.
But among the fifteen remaining options, none could match this blade's raw power.
It was powerful, unique, and exactly what he needed.
And at this stage, Kaiser didn't have the luxury of holding back.
The first weapon he acquired would directly determine how far he could go in his first life experience.
Would he lay a solid foundation for future encounters?
Or would he hold back for the sake of someone who hadn't even arrived yet?
There was no need to think twice.
"Sorry, buddy. At most, I'll help you find a different one later."
Muttering to himself, Kaiser reached out and tapped the holographic display of the black sword.
"Beep!"
The selection screens vanished instantly.
Behind him, Claudia's expression froze in shock.
"He… actually chose that one?"
For the first time, her composure wavered.
"Why…? Of all the Orga Lux, why that one?"
Her hand instinctively pressed against her waist, where her own Orga Lux was secured.
Her emotions churned in an unreadable mix of reactions.
But it was too late to change anything now.
—
"Shhh—"
A mechanized whirring sound filled the air.
Above Kaiser, a cylindrical storage unit descended from the ceiling.
The compartment opened automatically, revealing a pair of robotic arms that carefully extended a single weapon hilt toward him.
Kaiser reached out and took it into his hand.
A black hilt, embedded with a radiant red Urm-Manadyte.
It was exactly as he had seen in the display.
Unlike standard Lux weapons—whose Manadyte cores were always green—the red crystal was proof that this was an Orga Lux.
Then—
"The compatibility test is ready. Please activate the Orga Lux in your hands."
The voice of the lab personnel echoed through the speakers.
Kaiser nodded, then activated the hilt in his grasp.
"ZING!"
The red Urm-Manadyte flared to life, unleashing a brilliant crimson glow.
The energy surge distorted the air around him, drawing in Mana from the surrounding space.
Then—
It began to materialize.
Like digital constructs assembling midair, the Mana formed an intricate guard, thick and mechanical in design.
A second later—
The blade extended.
A massive, pure-white energy blade, shaped like a single-edged greatsword, emerged from the hilt.
Holding the colossal weapon in his hands, Kaiser's eyes glimmered.
He spoke its name.
"—Ser-Veresta."
—
Beyond the testing chamber, behind the reinforced glass, the observing lab personnel stirred in surprise.
"Did he just pick Ser-Veresta?"
"One of the Four-Colored Magic Swords… the legendary blade said to be undefeatable—capable of burning through anything…"
"A sword that melts anything it touches… a sword that turns the ground into a furnace…"
"That guy… actually picked that?"
"He probably just chose it because of its reputation."
"How naive. Ser-Veresta hasn't accepted a wielder in years. Does he really think just passing the Orga Lux borrowing exam means he can tame it?"
"Enough. It's his choice. Our job is to conduct the test."
"Agreed. Let's begin the compatibility measurement."
The technicians resumed their work, refocusing on the instruments.
Meanwhile—
Claudia remained silent, watching from the observation deck.
Her eyes stayed fixed on Kaiser, her thoughts unreadable.
—
In the center of the room, Kaiser closed his eyes.
No one noticed.
No one could hear it.
But at that moment—
He was listening.
Listening to the voice of the Orga Lux in his hands.
Orga Lux weapons had consciousness.
And right now—
Kaiser could feel it watching him.
Observing.
Evaluating.
It was judging his worth.
Then—
As if disappointed by what it sensed—
The presence turned away.
"Current compatibility: 8%."
The lab technician's voice came through the speakers.
Kaiser's eyes opened.
He smiled.
"So, you don't acknowledge me in my current state?"
Then—
"Alright then… let's get serious."
Chapter 9: The First Exclusive Weapon
If someone could peer into Kaiser's body, they would have seen golden inscriptions coursing through him.
These intricate markings pulsated rhythmically, at times shining brilliantly, at times dim and subdued, almost as if they were alive—like the steady beating of a pulse.
They covered every inch of his flesh, every organ, and had become one with him.
No—these markings had always been a part of him.
The Fantasy Library had merely awakened them—bringing forth a power that had always existed as his potential, now made real.
The moment Kaiser grasped Ser-Veresta, the golden inscriptions flared to life.
"ZING!"
The markings flowed from his hand, spreading onto the hilt of Ser-Veresta.
As if liquid gold had seeped into the weapon, the intricate engravings etched themselves onto its surface.
"WHUM!"
The great sword shuddered violently.
Its pristine white blade suddenly radiated immense heat, unleashing a shockwave of scorching air that engulfed the entire testing chamber.
—
"What…?!"
Beyond the reinforced glass, the lab personnel erupted into panic.
"What's happening?!"
Even Claudia, usually composed, tensed sharply, her hand gripping the holster at her waist.
Because at that moment—
Not only had Ser-Veresta reacted violently, but the Orga Lux at her side had begun trembling intensely as well.
The blazing heatwave swept across the testing grounds, distorting the air with an unbearable rise in temperature.
The entire chamber became a furnace.
—
"It's going out of control?!"
"These readings are insane!"
"The heat levels have exceeded all previous records!"
"Activate emergency barriers—NOW!"
The technicians frantically operated their consoles, triggering the activation of energy barriers around the chamber.
A transparent force field rose around the perimeter, containing the heat within the sealed area.
Even Claudia was kept outside the barrier, leaving only Kaiser inside.
Standing at the epicenter of the blazing storm, gripping Ser-Veresta, his clothes fluttered in the scorching winds, his silhouette blurred by the heat distortions.
And yet—
He was completely unharmed.
Not a single drop of sweat trickled down his face.
Kaiser simply stood there, gazing at Ser-Veresta, feeling its will.
A moment ago—
The sword had dismissed him, its consciousness disinterested in his current abilities.
But now—
It had been startled awake.
It hesitated.
Then—it stared at him anew.
As if it had realized something impossible.
As if it had just met a king it was destined to serve.
The initial doubt and indifference faded—
Replaced by awe. By reverence. By a blazing, uncontrollable exhilaration.
And then—
The golden markings surged forward, pouring into Ser-Veresta in a blinding cascade.
The inscriptions etched themselves across the blade, glowing in synchronized pulses—until they merged into a single, intricate sigil upon the crimson Urm-Manadyte core.
This was—
The True Authority of Weapons.
—
In that instant—Ser-Veresta was forever bound to Kaiser.
Its one and only wielder.
Its true master.
—
"BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!"
The compatibility readings skyrocketed.
The researchers froze in shock.
The number soared past the 80% threshold required for borrowing an Orga Lux.
Then—
It hit 100%—and kept going.
"WARNING! ERROR! ERROR!"
The screen flashed with red alerts, numbers corrupting into unreadable static.
Silence fell over the control room.
Then—
"The compatibility value… CAN'T BE MEASURED?!"
A technician's voice trembled.
"He's exceeded the limit!"
100% had always been the maximum possible value.
No one had ever surpassed it.
Until now.
Ser-Veresta—one of the strongest Orga Lux ever created—
A sword that had rejected wielder after wielder for years—
Had now found its master.
And that master had broken the known limits of compatibility.
—
"WHUM—!"
The burning energy blade hummed violently, its form shimmering with raw power.
Kaiser lowered his grip, letting the great sword rest at his side.
A silent understanding passed between them.
The sword's will had become clear—
It recognized him.
The scorching heat began to fade.
The air cooled.
And with a quiet chuckle, Kaiser spoke—
"From now on… I'll be counting on you, Ser-Veresta."
His words vanished into the dissipating heat.
Beyond the barrier—
Claudia watched in silence.
Her gaze—complex and unreadable.
—
Seidoukan Academy: Student Council Office
"That should be everything, right, President?"
Kaiser handed over the final signed document to Claudia, seated at her desk.
"Yes. With this, all procedures are complete."
Claudia accepted the files, her gaze lingering on Kaiser.
Her expression was calm as always—but her eyes searched for something beneath the surface.
"When will I receive Ser-Veresta?"
Kaiser asked casually.
"Once the Equipment Bureau completes its final tuning and analysis, it will be officially transferred to you," Claudia replied.
Despite the chaos of earlier, despite shattering compatibility records, the academy had ultimately approved the loan of Ser-Veresta.
After all—
The school and the Integrated Enterprise Foundation were eager to see what would happen next.
An Orga Lux that had exceeded compatibility limits…
How powerful would its wielder become?
That was something they couldn't afford to ignore.
Of course—
If Kaiser wanted, he could summon Ser-Veresta right now.
The sword was already his.
It was no longer a borrowed weapon—it belonged to him alone.
The academy thought he had merely qualified to borrow it.
They had no idea—Ser-Veresta had been permanently claimed.
And Kaiser had no intention of letting them find out.
Claudia, unaware of this hidden truth, simply regarded him with a complicated expression.
Even for her—this turn of events was beyond belief.
"The future… has changed."
She murmured under her breath.
—
"Hm?"
Kaiser tilted his head.
"Did you say something?"
Claudia quickly recovered, shaking her head with a smile.
"Nothing at all."
Then—
With her usual calm demeanor, she offered him a final piece of advice.
"Ser-Veresta is a powerful Orga Lux. But it's also known for being… difficult to control."
"I hope you'll be able to handle it well, Kaiser."
To which he responded—
With an unshaken smile.
"I will."
Chapter 10: Cost, Side Effects, and Sacrifice
Two days later, Kaiser finally received Ser-Veresta from Claudia.
—
Standing in a secluded corner of Seidoukan Academy, he turned the black hilt over in his hands.
Feeling the excitement radiating from the sword, he smiled.
"I made you wait, huh, Ser-Veresta?"
With that, he activated the Orga Lux.
"ZING!"
A brilliant crimson glow burst forth from the red Urm-Manadyte embedded in the hilt.
Mana surged in response, forming the thick mechanical guard, from which the pure white blade extended.
"WHUM!"
Kaiser raised the sword, channeling Prana into it.
Immediately, black energy lines coiled around the glowing white blade, spiraling upward and sinking into the Manadyte core.
A surge of immense heat condensed along the sword's form—
Turning the brilliant white blade… pitch black.
This time, however—
The heat did not radiate outward uncontrollably like before.
Instead, it was fully contained within the blade itself.
—
"Hmm…"
Holding the now-darkened sword, Kaiser mused aloud.
"It feels good in my hands, but… Ser-Veresta is too big."
It was a greatsword, nearly as tall as a person.
For most, merely lifting it would be impossible.
Even among Genestella, wielding such a massive weapon in agile combat would be highly impractical.
"Something smaller would be better."
As soon as he spoke—
—Ser-Veresta began to shift.
"ZING!"
The red Manadyte pulsed, releasing another wave of energy.
The black energy lines coiling around the blade began to spiral inward—
And then—
The entire sword dismantled and reconstructed itself.
The thick guard shrank, the massive blade compressed, the heat condensed even further.
Within moments—
The once towering greatsword had been resized to a standard-length one-handed longsword.
Now, it was sleek, swift, and dangerous.
Seeing this, Kaiser grinned knowingly.
"You really can adjust your size freely, huh, Ser-Veresta?"
With his ultimate authority over weapons, the moment he touched a weapon, he fully understood it—
And Ser-Veresta was no exception.
From the very first time he held it—
He had known.
It was an adaptive weapon, capable of altering its form.
And now, he had confirmed it himself.
"This is much better."
Kaiser gave the smaller blade a few test swings.
Each movement left behind a distorted heat ripple in the air.
"WHUM!" "WHUM!" "WHUM!"
He gradually increased his speed—
Blurring into motion, his blade cutting through the air in rapid arcs.
The pitch-black blade hummed with intense power, the heat of a furnace compressed into its very form.
—
If anyone were watching—
They would have never believed that this was his first time wielding Ser-Veresta.
His fluid movements, his seamless execution, the way his entire body moved in sync with the sword—
Even a seasoned master swordsman would have thought he had trained with Ser-Veresta for years.
But in truth—
This was the first time he had ever swung it.
Even Kaiser himself—
Felt as if he and Ser-Veresta had been together for a decade.
Their harmony, their understanding, their instinctive coordination—
It was something far beyond natural compatibility.
"One with the blade."
That phrase echoed in his mind.
—
Unfortunately—
"The Prana consumption is insane."
Without warning, Kaiser stopped abruptly.
His face paled slightly, and he let out a wry smile.
"So this is Ser-Veresta's cost, huh?"
—
Every Orga Lux required a price to use.
Each had different drawbacks, different tolls that made their overwhelming power come at a cost.
For Ser-Veresta—
Its cost was absurdly high Prana consumption.
And when it was said to be "high", it wasn't just an exaggeration.
For a typical Genestella, even just activating it would completely drain them dry.
—
"The original protagonist had an absurd amount of Prana—one of the highest in the entire series."
"That's the only reason he was able to wield Ser-Veresta in the first place."
"Compared to him… my Prana reserves are nothing."
Kaiser's overall capabilities were average by Seidoukan standards.
His Prana capacity was no exception.
With his current limits, using Ser-Veresta at full power would drain him within seconds.
If the sword hadn't recognized him, it would have mercilessly consumed all his energy the moment he activated it.
Right now, it was only thanks to two things that he could still stand:
Ser-Veresta was deliberately restraining itself.
His Authority had strengthened the weapon, reducing its drawbacks.
Even so—
Kaiser could only wield it for a few minutes at most.
And that was with the blade holding back.
If he ever pushed its full output to the limit—
He would only last a few attacks before collapsing.
—
"In the end, my Prana is just too low."
Kaiser sighed in frustration.
But then—
"WHUM!"
Ser-Veresta trembled.
And in the next moment—
It released a surge of raw Mana.
—
"Ser-Veresta?"
Kaiser frowned.
The sword did not respond.
Instead—
It poured massive amounts of Mana into him.
The energy surged into his body, infusing his cells, altering his very being.
Then—
Kaiser realized something shocking.
"My Prana… is increasing?"
No—
Not just his Prana reserves.
His entire body was rapidly getting stronger.
His reflexes, speed, and endurance—
All of them were evolving.
—
"Ser-Veresta can… boost my power?"
That wasn't supposed to happen.
Nowhere in the original story had this ability ever been mentioned.
—
Then, it hit him.
"Wait…"
"The Genestella species was created due to exposure to Mana, right?"
"And Urm-Manadyte is essentially the most concentrated form of Mana."
"So if a weapon infused with Urm-Manadyte were to transfer its energy directly into a person…"
—
It could forcibly enhance them.
—
"This… is incredible."
Feeling his rapidly rising power, Kaiser's lips curled into a wide grin.
But then—
His expression froze.
Because—
He suddenly realized—
Ser-Veresta's presence was weakening.
"Wait… STOP!"
His eyes widened in shock.
Ser-Veresta wasn't just strengthening him—
It was sacrificing itself to do it.
It was burning its own power—
Just to make him stronger.
—
"STOP, SER-VERESTA!"
Panic surged through him.
But the sword refused to listen.
Instead—
It continued pouring its essence into him, its crimson glow fading.
It was willing to destroy itself—
If it meant making him stronger.
—
"NO!"
Kaiser forcibly activated his Authority, cutting off the Mana flow.
—
The red glow faded.
The sword stilled.
And silence fell.
—
Standing there, clutching the slightly weakened Ser-Veresta, Kaiser clenched his jaw.
—
"You idiot…"
"If you destroy yourself, what use would that be?"
Even if his power grew—
He wasn't willing to lose his sword to achieve it.