Chapter 221: Starfall!
Luke naturally didn't know about Principal Kurono and Kurogane Ikki's conversation outside.
He was currently in the contestant preparation room, experiencing the new power of 'Magic'.
[Magic (Temporary)]
[Only usable in the current world. After the mission ends, Agents can solidify temporary skills by consuming exchange points.]
It was exactly the same as when he obtained Prana in Academy City.
As a necessary condition for participating in missions, Luke similarly obtained this temporary 'Magic' skill.
Of course, like before, the amount of magic he received wasn't particularly outstanding - by this world's standards, it would probably only be around C-rank.
Speaking of which, there was something that concerned Luke.
This world evaluated Blazers on six attributes.
Luke's ability values were:
[Attack: A]
[Defense: A]
[Magic: C]
[Magic Control: A]
[Physical Ability: S]
[Luck: D]
When Luke obtained magical power, he also obtained the corresponding control techniques.
Theoretically, C-rank magic should come with C-rank control techniques.
Even if it was like Prana where Luke's innate qualities allowed for improvement, it should at most reach B-rank.
But in the background information provided by the Main God Space, Luke's magic control rating was A.
This meant the Main God Space judged that Luke should currently be capable of demonstrating A-rank magic control.
After much consideration, Luke finally focused his attention on the 'Precise Operation' skill.
However, due to limited time, Luke had to temporarily set aside his testing plans.
He focused his attention elsewhere, specifically on something that had been calling to him since he arrived in this world.
As Luke concentrated his consciousness and magic surged, endless starlight gathered and took form in his hand.
However, just as the starlight was about to solidify, a crisp notification sound rang in Luke's ears.
[Ding——!]
[Detecting Agent has triggered special conditions! Whether to materialize Soul Armament?]
Without hesitation, Luke immediately confirmed 'Yes'.
There was no so-called transformation, no mysterious sensation.
After Luke made his choice, it was as if nothing had happened, but he could feel something different about the weapon formed in his hand.
['Starfall']
[B+ rank Soul Armament]
[Can switch to Illusionary Form.]
[Has the effect of strengthening Prana.]
[Possesses the conceptual ability 'Severance/Cut'.]
[??? (Divine power nurturing, not unlocked)]
Luke carefully examined the weapon in his hand.
It was a slender sheathed sword similar to a tachi.
With a slight draw, Starfall's blade appeared before his eyes.
The black blade adorned with starlight made the sword appear like a painting of the night sky.
Soul Armaments were called 'Devices' in this world.
Their forms varied wildly depending on each person's soul essence, and could switch to 'Illusionary Form' according to the user's will.
Devices in Illusionary Form lacked physical killing power, instead directly reducing the opponent's stamina.
(Note: Due to it being a Soul Armament, Luke's could inflict mental damage according to his will.)
Since Devices were manifestations of the user's soul, if destroyed, they would shock the user into unconsciousness.
Luke felt this new weapon in his hand, a subconscious smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.
"I never expected the second weapon I've been searching for would come in this form."
However, at this moment, Ser-Veresta, which had always been quietly obedient, suddenly became agitated.
Buzz, buzz, buzz——!
Hanging at his waist, Ser-Veresta kept vibrating, seemingly expressing dissatisfaction to its master.
This sudden vibration startled Luke.
Since obtaining Ser-Veresta, the sword had always hung quietly at his waist.
It had been like an ordinary weapon, never expressing its own opinions.
Not knowing what had happened, Luke quickly grabbed Ser-Veresta to find the cause of this change.
However, when he gripped Ser-Veresta and felt its emotions, he was left standing there, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
Grievance! Sadness! Heartbreak!
Unhappy!
These were roughly the emotions coming from Ser-Veresta.
This was Luke's first time dealing with his weapon throwing a tantrum, and honestly, he had no idea how to handle it.
Fortunately, Ser-Veresta wasn't the only weapon with consciousness.
The Sword Sheath of Tranquility, made by Fan Xinlu using Urm Manadyte, also possessed consciousness.
Compared to Ser-Veresta, though, the Sword Sheath of Tranquility was more like a shy little sister.
The current situation was like an older sister throwing a tantrum while the younger sister kept trying to calm her down.
Facing this situation for the first time, Luke couldn't think of any good solutions, but at least he could sense that Ser-Veresta seemed dissatisfied with him using other weapons.
"Really now, you never reacted when I used those ordinary weapons and Lux armaments before."
"Why suddenly act like this?"
After much thought, Luke couldn't come up with any good solutions.
Finally, he looked at Ser-Veresta, then at Starfall.
With the thought 'Maybe they'll be fine after getting to know each other?', Luke hung Starfall at his waist alongside Ser-Veresta.
Maybe because it sensed his aura from Starfall or something else, Ser-Veresta suddenly calmed down.
As if the earlier tantrum had never happened.
"???"
Luke stared at Ser-Veresta in confusion, completely unable to understand what had happened.
...
As internationally recognized armed forces, Mage Knights naturally needed corresponding combat techniques.
As a school training Mage Knights, Hagun Academy had many dome-shaped arenas, known as 'training grounds'.
Now, Luke and Stella stood facing each other in the center of Training Ground Three.
Meanwhile, the surrounding spectator seats gradually filled with onlookers interested in their match.
"Is that girl the 'Crimson Princess' of Vermillion?"
"Wow, that figure is really something!"
"But who's her opponent?"
"Never seen that face before, is he also a freshman this year?"
"No matter what, he can't be stronger than Her Highness, right?"
Since school hadn't officially started, there weren't too many students present.
In this relatively empty environment, Stella easily heard the surrounding discussions.
However, she didn't take those random comments to heart.
Just now, the moment Luke appeared on stage, an immense aura had swept over Stella.
Luke in battle mode was completely different from how he had been in the principal's office.
"Come forth and serve me, Lævateinn!"
Instinctively, Stella summoned her Device without waiting for Principal Kurono's signal as referee.
A golden greatsword appeared in her hands amid flames, accompanied by an earth-shaking amount of magical power.
Seeing this, Principal Kurono decided not to waste words either.
After seeing Luke also deploy his Device, she announced:
"Battle begin!"
The instant Principal Kurono's words fell, Stella launched her attack first.
Enhanced by massive magical power, the girl approached Luke at extreme speed.
Her Lævateinn, wrapped in flames, struck down without hesitation!
BOOM——!
The golden greatsword crashed down, shattering the floor into countless fragments. The entire Third Training Ground violently shook as if struck by an earthquake, the tremors reverberating through the entire structure!