All stepped out of Maren's office, the heavy doors closing behind them with a muted thud. The corridor outside felt quieter, almost subdued, as if even the Academy itself needed a moment to breathe after the intensity of what had just happened.
Ashan lowered his gaze to the medal resting in his palm. It was heavier than it looked, warm to the touch, with a finely engraved sword mark etched into its surface. Light reflected faintly off its golden edges.
'A weapon, huh…'
His thoughts drifted naturally.
'Technically, I don't really need a weapon right now. Kusanagi alone is already more than enough. But… this is a rare opportunity. Access to the Academy's weapon storage isn't something just anyone gets. If I can inspect their collection properly, I might be able to find a sword that suits Nevil perfectly.'
Nevil's face crossed his mind for a brief moment. The boy was talented, but his equipment had always lagged behind his potential. A proper blade could change that.
Before Ashan could sink further into thought, footsteps approached him from the side.
Eirena stepped closer, her presence calm but energetic. The faint scent of heat and metal followed her, a lingering trace of her mana.
"We're planning to go to the weapon storage," she said, glancing at him. "Are you coming with us?"
Ashan looked up and met her gaze. He nodded without hesitation.
"Sure," he replied. "I was thinking about going there right now anyway. Shall we go together?"
A faint smile tugged at Eirena's lips.
"Good. Let's not waste time."
Soon, Ashan followed the group across the Academy grounds. The path led them to a quieter area, slightly separated from the main buildings. There, standing firm like a fortress, was a compact but imposing structure. Its walls were reinforced with mana-infused stone, and a massive metal door dominated the front.
Several guards stood watch, their expressions stern and alert. Each of them radiated disciplined strength, their armor polished and their posture rigid.
As the group approached, one of the guards stepped forward, his boots striking the ground sharply.
"It seems you are the winners of the duels," the guard said, his voice firm and professional. "If you wish to claim your weapons, please present your badges."
Without delay, Ashan and the others raised their medals. The guard inspected each one carefully, his eyes narrowing slightly as he confirmed their authenticity.
After a brief pause, he turned and nodded to the other guards.
They moved in unison. Heavy locks were disengaged, mechanisms clicked and shifted, and finally, with a deep metallic groan, the massive door began to open.
"I believe you've all been informed," the guard continued, stepping aside, "that you may only select weapons below S rank. I will guide you inside. Please follow me."
The guard turned and walked through the open doorway. Ashan and the others followed closely behind.
They passed through a brightly lit hallway, the walls lined with glowing runes that hummed softly with contained energy. The air itself felt different, denser, sharper, as if saturated with countless traces of battle and history.
At the end of the hallway, the space opened up.
They entered a vast chamber filled with weapons.
Swords of every shape and length lined the walls. Spears and halberds stood upright in neat rows. Shields of various designs rested against reinforced racks. Daggers gleamed from glass cases. Mage equipment: wands, staves, rings, and enchanted orbs, floated gently within mana barriers.
The sheer variety was overwhelming.
"Woah…"
The assassin girl froze at the entrance, her eyes lighting up with unrestrained excitement. For a moment, her composed demeanor vanished completely.
Without another word, she rushed toward the dagger section, her fingers twitching as if resisting the urge to grab everything at once.
At the same time, the water mage's eyes locked onto the mage equipment. He practically dashed forward, stopping just short of the floating artifacts, his face glowing with awe.
"What a beautiful collection," he whispered, almost reverently.
Ashan slowly turned in place, taking everything in.
"So many weapons…" he murmured. "Just seeing this feels unreal."
"Exactly," Draven replied, stepping up beside him. "A collection like this doesn't exist anywhere else. Being allowed to see it even once is already a privilege."
Ashan nodded, then glanced at Draven.
"I can tell you already have good equipment," Ashan said, eyeing the black wand at Draven's side. "I'm curious. What kind of weapon are you planning to choose?"
Draven smiled slightly and pulled out his blade, letting it catch the light.
"My wand is considered S rank," he explained. "It can withstand my mana output, which is why I can cast high-level spells without restraint. But this blade…" He tapped it lightly. "It's only A rank."
Ashan listened carefully.
"It's a good weapon," Draven continued, "but I've learned something over time. Relying on a single blade is dangerous. In a real fight, you never know what might happen. Losing your only weapon can mean death. So I'm planning to choose a second blade. A backup."
Ashan nodded in agreement.
"You're right," he said. "Proper equipment can decide life or death. I once nearly died in a dungeon just because I didn't have the right gear."
Draven raised an eyebrow, clearly interested, but before he could respond, a sudden surge of heat caught their attention.
Eirena had reached the sword section.
After carefully examining several blades, she selected one from the A-rank rack. The sword had a flawless finish, its design both elegant and deadly.
She infused her mana into the blade.
Flames danced along the edge instantly.
Eirena swung it a few times, her movements smooth and precise. The sword responded perfectly, cutting through the air without resistance. After a few tests, she canceled her mana and nodded.
"This is perfect," she said confidently. "It handles my mana well and has excellent balance."
Draven approached her, curiosity flickering across his face.
"I hope this doesn't come off as rude," he said carefully, "but I heard a rumor. Someone broke your sword recently. Is that true?"
For a brief moment, silence fell.
Eirena's grip tightened. Veins popped subtly on her hand as old memories surfaced. She held the new sword firmly.
"I'm not hiding it," she said coldly. "Yes, it's true. An unknown man wearing a mask broke my sword not too long ago."
Ashan, who had been browsing nearby, stiffened.
"A masked man?" he said, feigning surprise. "I don't know if it's the same person, but I heard someone like that joined Lady Sorin and Rowan during a recent dungeon raid."
Eirena nodded.
"I heard the same," she replied. "But when I tried to find information, there was nothing. It's as if his existence is being erased. The Honor Association is clearly hiding something."
Draven narrowed his eyes.
"That's suspicious," he said. "If he were a criminal, they wouldn't hide his identity. There must be another reason."
Eirena clenched her fist.
"I don't care who he is," she said sharply. "The next time I see that sneaky rat, I'll cut off at least one of his limbs. That will be payment for my sword."
Behind them, Ashan smiled awkwardly to himself.
'I really messed up, didn't I… Breaking her sword might have been a terrible idea. If she ever finds out I'm that masked guy, she'll probably try to hunt me down personally.'
Trying to redirect his thoughts, Ashan moved toward the A-rank sword section. His eyes scanned the blades carefully until one caught his attention.
He picked it up.
—--------------------------------------
Black Hound Sword (A)
A sword with high durability and exceptional sharpness.
—--------------------------------------
"This one…" Ashan muttered. "Lightweight, fast, and balanced."
He nodded to himself.
'Nevil would love this.'
Satisfied, Ashan placed the sword back into its sheath and approached the guard overseeing the chamber.
"I'd like to take this sword," Ashan said.
The guard examined the weapon briefly, then looked back at Ashan.
"It's the Black Hound Sword," he confirmed. "Are you certain this is your choice?"
Ashan nodded firmly.
"Yes."
The guard handed it back to him.
"Very well. You may leave."
Ashan waved at the others before exiting the weapon storage.
Back in his room, he carefully placed the sword on his table. After taking a quick shower and changing into casual clothes, he finally lay down on his new bed, exhaling slowly.
"It's time," he murmured.
He stretched out his hand.
The Kusanagi appeared in his grip.
"So this is the Kusanagi sword…" he said softly. "Just holding it feels different."
He slowly channeled chakra into it. The blade began to glow faintly.
"It's recognizing my chakra now."
Ashan lightly brushed his finger against the edge.
His skin split instantly.
"…Ridiculous sharpness," he muttered. "I could clear an entire dungeon with this alone."
He paused.
"But I'll need a special sheath. Carrying this as it is would be suicide."
He sent the Kusanagi back into storage and stood up.
"Right. Almost forgot."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"I need to design my suit. The one I've always admired."
He clenched his fist with determination.
"Let's give it a shot."