The Equipment Bureau of Seidoukan Academy was located beneath the school.
Strictly speaking, it was not underground, but underwater.
After all, Asterisk was an artificial floating city, suspended over a massive impact crater lake. There was no true underground, only the depths below the water's surface.
But since the facility had no windows, stepping inside gave the same sensation as entering a basement, which was why it was simply referred to as the underground sector.
Honestly, it didn't really matter. There was no need to dwell on such minor details.
However—
As Kaiser walked down the hallway beside Claudia, there was one thing he couldn't help but comment on.
"Your popularity is truly something else, President. Our classroom practically exploded."
His tone was a mix of amusement and exasperation.
"Oh?" Claudia tilted her head slightly, as if she had no idea what he was talking about. With her usual polite smile, she replied, "Perhaps everyone was just being overly polite? I really don't think I'm that popular."
…
…Did she just call the entire classroom screaming, gasping, and staring in disbelief "politeness"?
If that was her definition of polite, then she must have a very unique understanding of the word…
"Is something wrong? Did I trouble you?"
Claudia gazed at him with innocent curiosity, making Kaiser sigh.
"I don't know if it's trouble yet," he admitted. "But one thing's for sure—now that you personally came to my classroom to take me away, this news has probably already spread across the entire High School division… maybe even the Middle and University divisions as well. My personal profile is probably being checked by dozens of people right now, and I wouldn't be surprised if wild rumors are already spreading online."
In other words—
Kaiser, who had previously been a complete nobody, had suddenly become the center of attention.
His Orga Lux application and the fact that the Student Council President herself had escorted him to the Equipment Bureau were bound to catch the interest of many.
"Well, there's no helping that." Claudia continued to smile as if the entire situation was completely out of her hands. "Even if today's events hadn't happened, the moment you successfully borrowed an Orga Lux, your information would have been made public anyway. People would have noticed you either way."
That was true.
Orga Lux weapons belonged to the academy, and any student who successfully borrowed one had their information published online, accessible to other students—even those in different academies.
Even if Kaiser wanted to remain low-key, that was no longer an option.
Of course—
"That is… assuming I pass the compatibility test."
Kaiser's tone remained neutral.
As previously mentioned, Orga Lux weapons had their own consciousness.
They chose their wielders.
Only those who could properly resonate with an Orga Lux would be able to wield it.
Compatibility was the measurement of how well a user could tap into the Orga Lux's power.
Higher compatibility meant greater synergy with the weapon, allowing for more of its abilities to be utilized.
Lower compatibility made it difficult to wield the weapon properly, potentially leading to unstable performance.
Extremely low compatibility could result in the Orga Lux outright rejecting the wielder, possibly even going berserk and attacking them.
The compatibility test existed to prevent such incidents—ensuring that only those capable of safely using an Orga Lux were allowed to borrow one.
If someone failed the test, they wouldn't be allowed to use the weapon, even if the academy wanted to lend it to them.
For two major reasons:
Low compatibility means wasted potential.
An Orga Lux was a rare and valuable resource. Lending it to someone who couldn't bring out its full power would be a waste.
The Integrated Enterprise Foundation is monitoring everything.
The Foundation provided these weapons to collect data on their usage.
If the user had low compatibility, their combat performance would be poor, leading to less valuable data.
Thus—passing the compatibility test was mandatory.
Each academy had different standards for what counted as a "pass."
"At Seidoukan, the minimum compatibility requirement is 80%," Claudia explained as they entered an elevator leading to the depths of the Equipment Bureau.
"If your compatibility is below 80%, even if the academy wanted to lend you an Orga Lux, the Foundation wouldn't allow it."
As the elevator descended, she continued:
"By the way, Seidoukan Academy has the highest number of Orga Lux weapons among all six academies—twenty-two in total."
"Seven of them have already been borrowed, leaving fifteen available. You should choose carefully, Kaiser."
Tilting her head slightly, she added with a mischievous smile.
"You only get one chance at the compatibility test. If you choose an Orga Lux that doesn't suit you and fail the test, you'll have to wait before applying again."
This was another strict rule.
Even if there was an Orga Lux with high compatibility somewhere in the selection, if the applicant failed to choose it, the test wouldn't be repeated.
This was what made borrowing an Orga Lux so difficult.
But if successful—the rewards were immense.
After all—
Among the top twelve ranked students in Seidoukan Academy, four of them wielded Orga Lux weapons.
Their sheer power spoke for itself.
"I hope you'll be joining them soon, Kaiser."
As the elevator came to a stop, Claudia spoke in a meaningful tone.
Kaiser remained silent.
Because the doors had opened.
—
Equipment Bureau: Underground Testing Lab
Kaiser stepped into a vast, enclosed chamber, its layout resembling an underground research facility.
The ceiling was high, and the walls were lined with advanced instruments.
One entire wall was made of reinforced glass, revealing a separate control room beyond it.
Inside, numerous lab-coated personnel bustled about—adjusting equipment, analyzing data, and exchanging observations.
Though their voices were muted behind the glass, Kaiser could feel their curious gazes lingering on him—like scientists studying a test subject.
His brow furrowed slightly.
"They're ready for you."
A holographic screen appeared before Claudia as she communicated with the lab technicians.
Noticing his reaction, she smiled.
"Don't mind them. They don't decide anything. All you need to do is focus on the test."
With that, Claudia stepped back, leaving him to proceed alone.
Taking a deep breath, Kaiser strode forward.
—
"Beep! Beep!"
The moment he reached the center of the chamber, multiple holographic screens materialized around him.
On them—
Rows of weapons, each completely unique in appearance and design.
"These are Seidoukan's Orga Lux weapons?"
Kaiser's eyes gleamed with curiosity as he began browsing through the selection.
Each Orga Lux had a detailed description displayed alongside it—listing its abilities, effects, and combat data.
The variety was staggering—
Swords, spears, axes, and scythes.
Daggers, gauntlets, whips, and even warhammers.
Some of them looked incredibly sleek and elegant.
Others had menacing, ominous designs, almost as if they carried a dark will of their own.
Several options were grayed out, indicating that they had already been claimed by other students.
Now—it was time for Kaiser to make his choice.
Pass the test—and the weapon would be his.
Fail—and he would walk away empty-handed.
And so—
Kaiser hesitated.