FANTASY LIBRARY

The Equipment Bureau of Seidoukan Academy was located beneath the school building—though calling it "underground" wasn't entirely accurate. Since Asterisk was an artificial island floating on an impact crater lake, it was technically underwater rather than underground. However, because there were no windows, the area felt like a basement, so everyone simply referred to it as the underground sector.

The distinction hardly mattered. No one dwelled on such trivialities.

Albert, walking alongside Claudia through the corridor, had a more pressing matter on his mind.

"The president's popularity is truly something else. Everyone in our class was completely stunned," he remarked, his tone hovering between admiration and exasperation.

"Really?" Claudia appeared oblivious to the commotion she had caused. With a poised smile, she replied, "Perhaps everyone was just being polite. I don't think I'm that popular. Wouldn't it be wonderful if I were?"

Albert stared at her, incredulous.

"You call those enormous crowds standing by, shouting nonstop, and staring at you with eyes as big as saucers polite?"

If so, she clearly had a fundamental misunderstanding of the word politeness.

"Is it troubling you?" Claudia asked, her expression as innocent as ever.

Albert sighed.

"I don't know if it's a problem yet, but I do know that the fact you came to the classroom personally to call me away has probably spread across Seidoukan Academy's upper divisions and beyond. My personal data must be trending by now, and I wouldn't be surprised if rumors are already circulating online."

In other words, Albert, who had been relatively unknown until now, was suddenly in the spotlight.

Moreover, the fact that he had applied for the loan of a pure Star Glory-style weapon and had been personally escorted to the Equipment Bureau by the Student Council President would not go unnoticed by certain individuals.

"There's nothing we can do about that," Claudia said, still smiling. "Even if today's event hadn't happened, once you successfully borrow a pure Star Glory-style weapon, your information will be made public. Everyone will find out eventually."

Information about the borrowing of academy-owned pure Star Glory-style weapons was generally accessible. The moment someone successfully obtained one, their status as a pure Star Glory-style weapon user would be published online and shared across student networks, including those from other schools.

Even if Albert wanted to maintain a low profile, after today, that would be nearly impossible.

Of course…

"That all depends on whether I pass the suitability test, doesn't it?"

Albert's voice was calm, his expression unreadable.

As previously mentioned, pure Star Glory-style weapons were semi-sentient. They chose their own wielders.

Only those who could unlock their power and be acknowledged by them would be permitted to use them.

The suitability rate was the measurement of how well a user resonated with a pure Star Glory-style weapon. The higher the compatibility, the greater the wielder's ability to harness the weapon's full potential.

Conversely, if a person's suitability rate was too low, they wouldn't be able to utilize the weapon effectively. In some cases, a pure Star Glory-style weapon might even reject an unfit user outright, going out of control and attacking them.

This was why the suitability rate test existed—to determine if an individual could safely use a pure Star Glory-style weapon. If the compatibility was too low, the school wouldn't approve the loan, regardless of circumstances.

Additionally, the Integrated Enterprise Foundation, which supplied these weapons, had its own vested interests. The organization lent pure Star Glory-style weapons to students primarily to gather usage data. If a wielder's suitability rate was too low, their performance would yield little valuable data, making the investment unworthy.

Thus, to obtain a pure Star Glory-style weapon, passing the suitability test was a mandatory step.

The specific suitability threshold varied between academies—some set high standards, others lower.

"In Seidoukan Academy, a minimum suitability rate of 80% is required for the loan to be approved," Claudia explained as they entered the elevator leading to the deepest part of the Equipment Bureau. "Even if the academy were willing to make an exception, the Integrated Enterprise Foundation would not allow it."

She continued as the elevator descended.

"Our academy currently possesses twenty-two pure Star Glory-style weapons—the highest number among the six academies. However, seven of them have already been borrowed. That leaves fifteen available for selection. But be careful, Albert."

She cast him a sideways glance, her tone playfully cautionary.

"The suitability rate test can only be taken once. If you pick a pure Star Glory-style weapon that isn't compatible with you and fail the test, you'll have to wait until next time to reapply."

Even if there was a pure Star Glory-style weapon among the remaining ones that suited him well, if he didn't choose correctly, this attempt would be wasted. There would be no second chance to select a different weapon.

That was how stringent the selection process was.

But for those who succeeded, the reward was immense.

In Seidoukan Academy, four of the top twelve students were pure Star Glory-style weapon users. That alone demonstrated how much of an advantage these weapons provided.

"I hope you'll become one of us, Albert," Claudia said meaningfully as the elevator reached its destination.

Albert didn't respond.

Because at that moment, the elevator doors slid open.

The two stepped out into a vast, enclosed space.

It resembled an underground laboratory, with an incredibly high ceiling and various sophisticated instruments scattered around. Along one side of the room, a transparent glass wall revealed another chamber filled with additional machinery and personnel. Scientists in white coats bustled about, adjusting equipment and conversing—though their words were muffled by the glass.

Albert noticed some of them glancing in his direction, their eyes sharp and assessing.

It made him feel like a test subject in an experiment.

He frowned slightly.

"They're ready for you," Claudia said, having pulled up a holographic window at some point to communicate with the testing personnel. Seeing his frown, she tilted her head with a smile.

"Don't mind them. They don't make the final decision. You just need to focus on what you have to do."

With that, she stepped back, leaving Albert to face the test alone.

He exhaled slowly, shaking off unnecessary thoughts, and strode forward.

Ding!

As Albert reached the center of the testing area, several holographic displays materialized around him.

Inside each window, weapons were showcased in exquisite detail.

Each one was different from ordinary Huang-style weapons, boasting unique designs and vibrant colors.

"So these are the pure Star Glory-style weapons of Seidoukan Academy…"

Albert's gaze swept over them, his curiosity piqued.

The displays provided more than just visuals—each weapon was accompanied by descriptions of its abilities, functions, and combat statistics.

The selection was vast: swords, spears, axes, naginatas, war hammers, gauntlets… even some weapons with forms he had never seen before.

Some of the windows were grayed out, indicating that those weapons had already been borrowed.

Albert now had to make his choice.

If he selected correctly and passed the test, the weapon would become his.

If he failed…

He would walk away empty-handed.

A weighty decision.

Albert hesitated, deep in thought.