The First Exclusive Armament

If someone could peer inside Azer's body, they would discover gilded markings running through him.

These gilded markings flickered between bright and dim, sometimes dazzlingly radiant, sometimes utterly dull. Like living things, they pulsed in a steady rhythm like heartbeats.

They spread through every piece of Azer's flesh and every internal organ, completely fused with him.

No, it would be more accurate to say that they were possibilities born from Azer himself, merely awakened by the Library of Fantasies. They were inseparable from him.

The moment Azer grasped the Black Furnace Magic Sword, the gilded markings spread throughout every corner of his body suddenly flared brilliantly.

"Clang!"

Gilded markings appeared on the hand gripping the Black Furnace Magic Sword as well. Like golden blood, they flowed into the Black Furnace Magic Sword, carving identical gilded markings across its body.

"Buzz!"

The Black Furnace Magic Sword suddenly trembled. Its pure white blade abruptly radiated astonishing heat, forming a terrifying heatwave that swept across the entire testing ground.

"What...?"

Beyond the glass window, the white-coated personnel who had been working in orderly fashion immediately panicked.

"What happened?"

Claudia's expression changed as well, and her hand tightened around the sheath at her waist.

It could not be helped. In that instant, not only had the Black Furnace Magic Sword reacted with unprecedented intensity, but the Pure Star Radiant Armament on Claudia's person had begun to shake violently too.

The violent heatwave swept outward, dyeing the entire testing ground fiery red and causing the air itself to ripple and distort.

The temperature in this space soared at an alarming rate, turning the surroundings into an enormous furnace.

"Is it out of control?!"

"These readings are unbelievable!"

"The heat has exceeded the critical threshold! Th-this is a level we've never reached before!"

"Activate the defensive barrier!"

The staff beyond the glass hurriedly operated their instruments, raising transparent barriers around the testing ground.

All of the heat was sealed within the barrier. Even Claudia was shut outside it, leaving Azer alone within, holding the Black Furnace Magic Sword that radiated terrifying heat. His clothes billowed as he stood at the very center of the raging heatwave, his figure blurred by the wavering, distorted air.

As a result, no one present noticed the gilded markings on Azer or the Black Furnace Magic Sword. Only the Black Furnace Magic Sword clearly sensed its own abnormality and unleashed its astonishing heat, causing the Omni-Response Element around it to form black patterns that drifted down around the blade before finally pouring into the red Omni-Response Crystal, making it shine an even deeper crimson.

At that moment, the pure white blade of the Black Furnace Magic Sword turned black beneath the surge of incredible heat.

The Black Furnace Magic Sword's blade had originally been formed by condensing immense heat, capable of easily burning through all things and melting steel. Now that its heat had grown even stronger, the magic sword finally revealed the pitch-black blade worthy of its name, its output surpassing anything it had ever displayed before.

Even a member of the Star Vein Generation could not withstand such terrifying heat. Anyone who approached the magic sword too closely might even be melted on the spot.

Yet Azer, standing directly before that unbelievable heat, remained completely unharmed. His hand held the Black Furnace Magic Sword steadily, and not a single drop of sweat appeared on his body.

He merely stared at the Black Furnace Magic Sword close before him, feeling its will.

To him, the Black Furnace Magic Sword, which had lost interest in him moments ago, now seemed as though it had been awakened. It first felt bewildered and alarmed, then turned its attention toward him once more. Soon after, as if it had encountered something incomprehensible and realized something astonishing, its emotions gradually shifted from confusion, surprise, and incomprehension into delight, joy, and fervor.

It looked like a loyal minister who had beheld its king.

Thus, the gilded markings flowing from Azer's hand into the Black Furnace Magic Sword immediately poured into it at their fastest speed.

Before long, the gilded markings covered the Black Furnace Magic Sword entirely. Flickering between light and dark, radiant and dim, they formed an immensely complex and mysterious geometric pattern that branded itself upon the sword's red Omni-Response Crystal and sank into it.

At last, the Ultimate Authority of the Anti-Armament formally took effect.

The Black Furnace Magic Sword acknowledged Azer as its master in the once-in-a-lifetime bond it would form, becoming his first exclusive armament.

"Beep beep—"

Within the testing ground, the window displaying the Suitability Rate began continuously climbing amid a series of sound effects.

The white-coated staff were stunned by the sight.

Before their eyes, the Suitability Rate, originally only 8%, climbed at a frightening pace, quickly surpassing Seidoukan Academy's 80% standard for approving the loan of Pure Star Radiant Armaments.

The value continued soaring until it reached the maximum of 100%, then turned into a screen full of garbled symbols amid blaring alarms.

At this sight, not only Claudia but every white-coated staff member wore dumbfounded expressions.

"Th-the Suitability Rate... cannot be measured!"

One staff member reported in a trembling voice.

"He exceeded the limit!"

Without question, the highest possible Suitability Rate was 100%.

But now, someone had surpassed that maximum.

The Black Furnace Magic Sword was a magic sword considered top-tier even among Pure Star Radiant Armaments. Like the other Four-Colored Magic Swords, it had gone unused for years and was famous for being extraordinarily difficult to control.

Now, someone had not only obtained it, but their Suitability Rate with it had also exceeded the limit, reaching an unprecedented height!

"Buzz!"

The energy Light Blade formed from the Omni-Response Element vibrated with a humming sound.

Azer lowered the hand that had been holding the Black Furnace Magic Sword aloft. Looking at the Pure Star Radiant Armament that conveyed an obedient will to him, a smile appeared on his face.

Inside the testing ground, the incredible temperature began to fall, and the heat gradually dispersed.

"Looking forward to working with you, Black Furnace."

That quiet chuckle mingled with the fading heat, vanishing alongside the complicated look in Claudia's eyes from afar...

On the top floor of the High School Building, in the Student Council Office.

"That should do it, right, President?"

Azer handed the final signed document to Claudia, who sat behind her desk.

"Yes, that completes all the procedures."

Claudia accepted the document. While gazing at Azer as though trying to see through him, she wore her usual composed smile.

"When can I get Black Furnace?"

Azer asked casually.

"Once the Equipment Bureau completes its final adjustments and investigation of the Black Furnace Magic Sword, it can be handed over to you, Azer."

Claudia answered honestly.

Although quite a few things had happened just now, including the absurd event of the Suitability Rate surpassing its limit, the academy had ultimately decided to approve the loan of the Black Furnace Magic Sword.

Presumably, they also wanted to know what kind of power could be displayed when someone wielded a Pure Star Radiant Armament capable of exceeding the Suitability Rate limit in battle.

Collecting usage data had been the purpose of lending Pure Star Radiant Armaments to students in the first place.

Therefore, Azer had successfully obtained the Black Furnace Magic Sword and gained a Pure Star Radiant Armament. After some time, he would be able to receive it.

Of course, if Azer wished, he could summon the Black Furnace Magic Sword right now.

The Black Furnace Magic Sword had already become his exclusive armament and could be summoned into his hand at any time.

Others believed Azer had merely borrowed a Pure Star Radiant Armament this time, but in truth, this Pure Star Radiant Armament had already changed owners.

Naturally, Azer would not reveal that.

Claudia did not know about this, of course, but she still felt conflicted.

Even she had never expected Azer to truly obtain the Black Furnace Magic Sword.

"The future has been changed."

Claudia murmured softly.

"What?"

Azer had not heard her clearly and looked at her in confusion.

"Nothing." Claudia came back to herself, shook her head, and smiled as if nothing had happened. "The Black Furnace Magic Sword is an extremely powerful Pure Star Radiant Armament, but it is also famous for being difficult to control. I hope you will use it properly, Azer."

Azer nodded at that and replied with a smile.

"I will."

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