The instructor led them to a restricted area of the academy, heavily guarded and lined with security seals. After walking through several corridors, they arrived at a massive storage hall whose entrance was secured by a steel door equipped with a biometric scanner. The instructor placed his hand on the device, and once his identity as authorized personnel was confirmed, the heavy doors opened with a low mechanical hum.
"Welcome to the main armory," the instructor announced with a hint of satisfaction as his gaze swept across the rows of weapons. "Here, you'll find any weapon you can imagine — from the most traditional to the latest in hybrid technology."
The place was immense, just as one would expect from an armory of that scale. Endless rows of shelves stretched as far as the eye could see.
There were swords of every length, spears, halberds, heavy axes, maces, combat knives, and even magical firearms — pistols, rifles, and mechanical crossbows adorned with glowing runic engravings.
At the center stood several display tables showcasing unique pieces, their designs so intricate they resembled works of art. Each weapon was crafted from the finest materials available, their quality leagues above anything one could find outside the academy.
They could easily be classified as pseudo-artifacts crafted by human hands.
The instructor clasped his hands behind his back, his expression growing stern.
"You may choose any weapon you wish — but only one," he explained. "Once chosen, it becomes your responsibility. You'll maintain it, clean it, and repair it if damaged. For severe damage, you'll have to file a restoration request with the armory at least one day in advance. Understood?"
"Yes, Instructor!" the cadets answered in unison.
"Good. You may begin."
The students scattered like an eager swarm, each following their own instinct. Some rushed straight toward the weapons they had already set their hearts on; others, more cautious, examined the racks without making a decision.
The air soon filled with the clatter of metal being tested, the ring of blades crossing lightly, and the murmur of excited voices.
Aiden stepped ahead, stopping before a silver longsword. He unsheathed it carefully; the sound of metal sliding free was crisp and clean.
"What are you going to pick?" he asked, turning the blade and admiring its flawless craftsmanship.
Kain shrugged, keeping his hands in his pockets.
"Not sure… anything will do, I guess. You're going with the longsword?"
"Yeah," Aiden replied, smiling faintly. "It's well-balanced. A greatsword has power but lacks speed. A saber is fast, but weak in impact. The longsword has the best of both — precision and strength, though it sacrifices in other areas."
Kain raised an eyebrow. "A sword, huh? I thought guardians used shields."
Aiden turned to him with a confident grin.
"Of course I'm a guardian," he said, raising the sword. "I protect my allies by cutting down the enemy before they can lay a finger on them."
Kain let out a short laugh. "Sounds like an excuse to play the hero."
"Maybe," Aiden said with a wink. "But it works."
Meanwhile, the instructor watched from a distance, a faint smile on his face.
"Most have chosen already. Some will need to change weapons later… but that's part of their own discovery."
Kain kept walking between the aisles. Each step brought him to a new row of weapons, each one more striking than the last. The craftsmanship was impeccable — none looked inferior to another. It was clear that the forgers had tried to include every possible type of weapon; though some were missing due to their rarity, the collection still felt as if it encompassed every weapon ever created by humankind. The ceiling lights reflected off the polished metal, sometimes so brightly that it nearly blinded him for an instant.
"Let's see…" Kain muttered as he ran his fingers along a row of hilts. "A spear, maybe. Or a short sword. Perhaps a pair of daggers."
He picked up a short spear, lifted it, and spun it lightly in the air. The motion was smooth, but it didn't feel natural — it was obvious he wasn't comfortable with it. He set it back down and tried a short sword instead. It felt better in his hand, yet still not quite right.
"Nothing catching your interest?" Aiden asked, returning with his new sword already sheathed at his belt.
Kain shook his head. "I don't know… it's like none of them fit me."
"It's not like you've used many weapons," Aiden reminded him, frowning slightly. "Even when we trained, you were never comfortable with blades or melee weapons in general. Maybe that's just not your style."
"You mean I should try ranged weapons?" Kain asked.
"Exactly. Maybe a bow — even if it's unusual," Aiden suggested. "It's quick to learn and deadly in the right hands."
Kain grimaced. "No, thanks. I tried once, but it's not for me."
Aiden studied him for a moment, then pointed toward a corner of the armory. "Then how about that?"
"What's that supposed to be?" Kain asked, squinting. There, resting on a reinforced rack, were several firearms: rifles, shotguns, and sniper weapons.
"Firearms, huh? They're useful," Kain remarked as he examined them. "Hunters use them since they work for both short and long range. But I've never handled one before."
Aiden grinned and picked one up. "Take a look at this."
Kain raised an eyebrow. "A rifle with a bayonet?"
The weapon Aiden held was a long rifle with a gray metal barrel, black accents, and a curved hatchet-like blade attached at the muzzle.
"Why would I use something like that?" Kain asked, still skeptical.
"It's versatile," Aiden explained, running his hand along the weapon. "Easy to handle, effective at a distance, and it's got the blade for close combat. You're agile — you'll move well with it."
Kain gave him a doubtful look. "Hmm…"
"Try it," Aiden insisted, holding it out to him. "You might like it."
Kain took the weapon with both hands. It had some weight to it, though it was much lighter than a mace or any heavy weapon. He raised the bayonet and tried a few cutting motions; the rifle felt balanced, though slightly awkward at first.
"You load it like this," Aiden said, pressing a small switch on the rifle's side. The weapon's core began to hum softly, glowing with a faint blue light — ready to fire continuously.
"It doesn't use regular ammunition," Aiden explained. "It runs on a first-grade energy core. You'll be able to fire without worrying about reloading."
Kain blinked in surprise. "Wow… you really know your weapons."
Aiden shrugged with a mischievous grin. "Can't help it. I love them too much. I know almost all of them — but in the end, I stuck with a simple sword."
Kain studied the rifle for a moment, turning it in his hands. "Well… it's not bad," he murmured.
"It suits you," Aiden said, watching him closely. "You should use it."
"You really think so?" Kain asked. After a brief pause, he nodded. "Alright, I'll use it for now."
"Glad to hear it," Aiden said with a smile.
Kain adjusted the rifle over his shoulder, rotating slightly to test its balance. "We'll see. If I can't get used to it, I'll request a change later."
Aiden nodded knowingly. "No rush. What matters is that you feel comfortable."
The instructor gathered them once again at the center of the armory, clapping his hands twice to get their attention.
"Alright, cadets. I trust you chose wisely. Remember — once you've selected your primary weapon, you won't be allowed to change it for at least a month." His gaze hardened. "Treat it as an extension of your body. Weapons are not mere tools to discard at will — they are your most loyal companions, the ones that will stand beside you through countless battles. Trust the weapon in your hands, and never let it fall."
A few students swallowed nervously, while others looked eager, ready to begin.
"With that said," the instructor continued, "we'll start with a short paired exercise to test your weapons in action."