The Sword of the Black Furnace was renowned even among all Orga Lux weapons for its exceptionally pure, formidable performance and terrifying special abilities. However, it was also notoriously difficult to tame.
In Asterisk's history, only two individuals were recorded to have wielded this demonic blade... though parts of the Sword of the Black Furnace's lending records had been tampered with. Despite no official record of it being lent out, there were inexplicable battle logs. Because of this, Claudia speculated that a third person might have secretly tamed and used this demonic sword without anyone knowing.
But that had nothing to do with the present.
"Sword of the Black Furnace..."
Roy's expression turned strange again.
The moment the sword's name reached his ears, it triggered memories of the original story.
Wasn't this Sword of the Black Furnace the very same one used by the original protagonist, Ayato Amagiri?
He hadn't even brought his signature weapon. If his disappearance was truly due to entering the Rakudai world, how was he supposed to fight anyone?
"Still, that has nothing to do with me right now."
Roy steadied his mind and examined the Sword of the Black Furnace's appearance.
Not only was he completely incapable of crossing worlds on his own, but even if he could, Ayato Amagiri was nothing more than a stranger to him. Though he might feel some familiarity due to his knowledge of the original story, at their core, they were unrelated strangers. Roy typically didn't care about strangers—whether they fared well or poorly was none of his concern, especially since this situation wasn't caused by him.
Since such a powerful weapon like the Sword of the Black Furnace was now available, he naturally had no reason to pass it up. At the very least, he had to try taming it.
"I'll take this one."
"Understood."
Claudia closed the display window.
Immediately after, one of the many hexagonal storage compartments on the wall lit up, smoothly rearranging itself with a seamless motion. Following a low hum, a drawer-like compartment extended from the wall.
Claudia gestured for him to proceed.
Seeing this, Roy stepped into the glass chamber and approached the compartment, retrieving the activation unit inside.
In terms of appearance, the activation unit didn't differ much from other Lux weapons.
The only distinction was the colour of the mana crystal embedded in its core. While ordinary Lux weapons uniformly used green mana crystals, the one embedded in this activation unit—no, it should be called a mana prism—shone with a vivid crimson glow.
"Alright, let's give it a try!"
Confident in his physical strength, Roy channeled his astral power directly into the activation unit.
The construction began from the hilt—the base form of the Sword of the Black Furnace gradually took shape amidst particle-like radiance.
At a glance, the hilt was unusually broad, almost resembling a shield large enough to cover half a body.
Immediately after, the hilt portion opened up, and under the condensation of mana particles, a blade of light formed.
Despite its name, the Sword of the Black Furnace's blade was a transparent, pure white, resembling a massive single-edged lightsaber. Its length was nearly comparable to Roy's own height.
Roy scrutinized the Sword of the Black Furnace closely.
Even just holding it, he could sense the terrifying power contained within—far surpassing that of ordinary Lux weapons. The difference in output was easily dozens, if not hundreds, of times greater!
"Hmm?"
Just as Roy was carefully examining the magic sword, he suddenly sensed something unusual.
It felt as if some monstrous presence had locked onto him—a piercing gaze emanated from the Sword of the Black Furnace, scrutinizing his very being inside and out, as though trying to see right through him.
"Hum!"
Abruptly, Roy felt a searing heat in his hand and instinctively released the hilt.
The Sword of the Black Furnace hovered mid-air, blade pointing upward and hilt downward. To Roy, its posture resembled that of a solitary, proud swordsman.
Outside the glass chamber, the staff watched nervously, their eyes fixed on the man and the sword within, as if fearing a demon king might erupt into violence inside.
Inside the chamber.
The Sword of the Black Furnace began circling Roy. After completing a full rotation, it suddenly dipped and leveled itself in mid-air, its tip aimed directly at Roy's back.
Hum—!
In an instant, an overwhelming heat radiated from the sword, transforming the entire glass chamber into what felt like a steamer.
Even though Roy stood more than ten meters away, the sensation was akin to being roasted over an open flame.
Beep—! Beep—!
A shrill alarm blared throughout the underground facility, accompanied by a disconcerting red light flashing from every corner.
"The magic sword is going berserk! Abort the experiment now!"
"No, this doesn't seem like a rampage!"
Claudia stepped forward, halting the panicked staff.
Her eyes focused intently on the man and the sword inside the glass chamber, a thoughtful expression crossing her face.
"This might be... a test."
Inside the chamber.
Roy turned to face the magic sword, its tip still pointed directly at him.
A determined smile spread across his face.
He could sense it—this sword was testing whether he was worthy to be its master.
Roy stretched out his hand and beckoned to the Sword of the Black Furnace.
"Come here."
Hum!
The sword vibrated as if angered by his command, then shot toward Roy at blinding speed, aiming straight for his head.
Roy sidestepped with a folding step technique, narrowly evading the blade, and reached out to seize the sword's hilt.
A scorching pain shot through his palm, as though his hand had been thrust into flames.
Roy's expression remained unflinching. If anything, the pain only fueled the fire of his resolve.
Tilting his head up, he removed his glasses with one hand, a wicked grin spreading across his face. Channeling his prana recklessly into the sword, he tightened his grip on the hilt.
"If you're a sword, then act like one!"
The moment his words fell, the oppressive heat filling the chamber dissipated instantly.
The Sword of the Black Furnace stilled in his grasp, lying quietly in his hand as though its earlier frenzy had never happened.
Outside the glass chamber, the staff stood dumbfounded.
"He actually did it..."
Claudia, too, stared in astonishment at Roy and the magic sword in his hand.
A magician—taming an Orga Lux?
And not just any Orga Lux, but the notoriously aloof Sword of the Black Furnace?
Stunned by this revelation, Claudia couldn't help but begin applauding.
"What's the compatibility rate?"
At her question, the nearby staff member snapped out of his daze and glanced at the screen on the display window. His entire body jolted as his eyes widened in disbelief.
"99%! Good heavens, it's almost maxed out!"
"Incredible!"
Inside the chamber.
Roy casually swung the nearly weightless greatsword of light in his hand, the air faintly humming as if scorched.
"The power to sever and burn all things—truly worthy of its reputation."
Putting his glasses back on, Roy silently marveled.
Having passed the Sword of the Black Furnace's trial, he could now subtly sense the weapon's emotions.
Like now—the demon sword was radiating confusion toward him, as if there was something about Roy it couldn't comprehend.
"Don't worry," Roy whispered to the sword. "Stay by my side, and you'll understand everything in time."
Only then did the sword's confusion fade away, its emotions vanishing completely as though it had sealed itself off.
But this also meant it would obey Roy's commands without question.
"Though this blade is ridiculously oversized..."
Stepping out of the glass chamber, Roy gripped the massive weapon that nearly matched his height and couldn't help but feel slightly troubled.
"If only it could shrink a little."
***
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