The Equipment Division of the Seidoukan Academy was located underground.
Although technically, since Asterisk was an artificial island floating on an impact crater lake, it was more accurate to say it was underwater rather than underground. But because there wasn't even a single window down here, the place gave off a basement-like vibe. Thus, it was simply referred to as the underground area.
Well, it's basically the same thing—no need to be too picky about small details like that.
However, walking down a corridor with Claudia, Ayato had something else on his mind.
"The president's popularity really is something else. Our entire class was in an uproar."
Ayato said this in a tone that was somewhere between complaining and stating a fact.
"Was it?" Claudia responded with her usual elegant smile, as if she hadn't done anything particularly impressive. "I think it's just that everyone was being polite. I don't think I'm that popular."
…You call that polite? That mob of people screaming and bug-eyed like it was the end of the world?
You must have a very different understanding of the word "polite"…
"Did it cause you trouble?" Claudia asked innocently, making Ayato sigh.
"I don't know if it's trouble yet, but I do know this: the fact that you personally came to class to get me has probably already spread throughout the upper division of Seidoukan Academy, maybe even to the other divisions. My personal profile views are probably spiking right now, and I wouldn't be surprised if some wild rumors started popping up online."
In other words, the once-invisible Ayato had likely drawn a lot of attention.
And the fact that he had been brought to the Equipment Division by the student council president herself for a Lux compatibility test was surely noticed by a lot of people with vested interests.
"There's nothing we can do about that." Claudia smiled as she said, "Even if this hadn't happened, once you borrow an Orga Lux, your profile would go public anyway. People would still find out."
All Orga Lux usage records that belonged to the academy were generally made public.
As soon as someone successfully borrowed an Orga Lux, their status as a user would be posted online and shared with students from other academies.
So even if Ayato wanted to stay low-key, that was clearly no longer an option after today.
Of course…
"That's assuming I pass the compatibility test," Ayato said expressionlessly.
As mentioned before, Orga Luxes had a form of consciousness and could choose their own wielders.
Only those who could draw out a certain amount of their power—and who were approved by the Lux itself—would be allowed to use it.
Compatibility rate measured how well someone could resonate with and utilize the powers of an Orga Lux.
The higher the compatibility rate, the better the synergy between the user and the Lux, and the more power they could draw out.
Conversely, if the compatibility rate was too low, the user might barely be able to wield it or might even cause it to reject them. In worst-case scenarios, the Lux could lose control and attack others.
This is why the compatibility test existed—to determine whether a person could safely use an Orga Lux. If the rate was too low, the academy would refuse to lend the weapon out, regardless of the user's wishes.
First, because lending a powerful weapon to someone who couldn't use it effectively was a waste.
Second, because the Integrated Enterprise Foundation—which provided these Luxes—was mainly interested in collecting combat data. A low compatibility rate wouldn't yield useful data.
Therefore, passing the compatibility test was essential to borrowing an Orga Lux.
Each academy had its own standards for the test, some higher than others.
"At Seidoukan Academy, the minimum compatibility rate required to borrow an Orga Lux is 80%. If it's below that, the Integrated Enterprise Foundation won't allow it—no matter what the school says."
As they talked, Claudia and Ayato entered an elevator that led deeper into the Equipment Division.
"By the way, Seidoukan currently has twenty-two Orga Luxes—the most out of the six academies. Seven have already been borrowed, so Ayato-kun, you'll need to choose carefully."
Claudia tilted her head slightly, smiling at him.
"You only get one chance at the compatibility test. If you choose an Orga Lux that doesn't suit you and fail, you'll have to wait until the next application cycle."
In other words, even if there's a better match among the remaining Luxes, the test ends after the first selection. No do-overs.
This really showed how hard it was to borrow one of these weapons.
But if you did succeed—it would be life-changing.
Of the top twelve students at Seidoukan, four were Orga Lux users.
That said a lot about how powerful these weapons were.
"I hope you'll be one of us soon," Claudia said as the elevator stopped at the bottom level.
Ayato didn't reply.
Because the elevator doors opened.
They stepped into a wide, enclosed space.
The setup resembled a subterranean lab.
The ceiling was high, and the area was lined with all kinds of machinery. One wall had a large window looking into another room filled with even more equipment and bustling scientists in white coats. Some were busy with the devices, others running around giving instructions—it seemed like they were the personnel handling the test.
The rooms were soundproofed, so Ayato couldn't hear anything, but he could see the way they were staring at him—like a lab rat. His brow furrowed slightly.
"They're ready."
A digital screen appeared in front of Claudia. She seemed to be communicating with the test team. Noticing Ayato's expression, she tilted her head and smiled again.
"Don't worry about them. They can't decide anything. You just need to focus on your own task."
She then gave Ayato the instructions for the operation and procedures. After that, she stepped back, watching quietly from the sidelines.
Seeing this, Ayato pushed his thoughts aside, took a deep breath, and stepped forward.
"Beep beep!"
As he reached the center, several virtual windows appeared around him.
Each screen displayed a different weapon—each completely unlike any standard Lux in both shape and color.
"So these are Seidoukan's Orga Luxes?" Ayato couldn't help but be captivated by the scene and started interacting with the interface.
Each Orga Lux display included its appearance, functions, capabilities, and detailed combat data.
There were all types—swords, sabers, spears, axes, and even exotic weapons like naginatas, war hammers, and gauntlets. The designs were flashy and unique. Some screens were grayed out, indicating that those had already been borrowed.
Now, Ayato had to choose one from the remaining options and take the compatibility test.
If he passed, the weapon would be his.
If not, he'd leave empty-handed.
Ayato stood still, hesitating.
(End of Chapter)
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