Chapter 4: The Real Role of Permissions

"Heavy Colour-Style Armed..."

Looking at the light blade in his hand, Erend's eyes trembled slightly.

In this world, the weapons commonly used by people are no longer cold weapons or hot weapons made of metal steel.

The meteorites that fell to the earth through the Falling Star Rain brought the universal element. The universal element not only influenced the birth of new humans, known as the Baby Boomers, but also formed a special ore called the universal ore through natural crystallization.

Using this universal ore, many scientific fields in this world achieved breakthrough developments. One of the most representative developments was the universal element transformation energy weapon, with the universal ore as its core.

This weapon used the universal element in the universal ore as its power. It was completely recyclable and zero-consumption. One only needed to start the machine inlaid with the universal ore, and the ore would materialize the elemental pattern memorized in advance, clustering the universal element into a beam-like blade, arrow, or bullet.

This kind of universal transformation energy weapon was called the Heavy Colour-Style weapon.

Heavy Colour-Style weapons could not only adjust output and power manually but also remained as small as a handle when not activated, giving them an absolute advantage in combat. Because of their convenience, almost all weapons held by individuals were Heavy Colour-Style weapons. Their popularity had even reached the civilian stage. Whether as a prop for self-defense or a toy for children, they were widely used.

Naturally, in this Asterisk built for the purpose of dueling, and in the six academies designed to train contestants for the Star Martial Festival, such convenient Heavy Colour-Style weapons were indispensable.

Students studying in the six academies of Asterisk could apply to the equipment bureau of their academy to receive a Heavy Colour-Style weapon unconditionally. They could also request modifications based on their own fighting style.

At this moment, the weapon Erend held in his hand was a Heavy Colour-Style weapon.

Then...

"————"

Clutching the hilt of the Heavy Colour-Style weapon tightly, Erend felt something completely unexpected.

Before this, he had never touched a weapon. The sharpest objects he had held were kitchen knives, fruit knives, scissors, and nail clippers.

In this situation, he should have felt unfamiliar with the weapon in his hand, unsure of how to use it.

However, the moment he gripped the Heavy Colour-Style weapon, his heart didn't feel any resistance. Instead, he felt an incredible sensation—almost like omnipotence.

It was as if something was telling him:

"The thing in your hands is an extension of yourself."

"It is a part of your body."

"You already know how to wield it."

"It is your subject."

"Buzz!"

Suddenly, Erend swung the sword.

His eyes were closed, as if he had entered a mysterious state, and he danced the sword naturally.

The Heavy Colour-Style weapon in his hand felt like his own limb. His body moved as if he had practiced for years.

He had no prior experience with weapons, and his newly strengthened body should not have allowed him to move this smoothly. Yet, at this moment, he swung the light blade with the precision of a seasoned warrior.

"Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!"

The energy blade hummed as Erend's sword movements became faster and more fluid. Soon, countless sword lights flickered in the air, interweaving into a web of dazzling slashes.

"Swish! Swish! Swish!"

As Erend's movements became sharper, sword marks started appearing on the ground. The flowers and grass around him swayed violently under the sword wind.

"Boom!"

With a final slash, a powerful sword wind erupted from Erend's blade, sweeping across the lawn in front of him. The force was so strong that it overturned the grass and sent dirt flying into the air.

Instantly, dust rose, stones scattered, and countless blades of grass were cut apart as if by invisible swords.

"Was that… me?"

Erend finally snapped out of his trance. Looking at his posture, then at the destroyed lawn in front of him, his eyes widened in shock.

"What was that sound just now?"

"Something just crashed—what happened?"

"Could it be a duel?"

"Let's go check it out!"

The noise had been too loud. It had attracted the attention of people nearby.

Seeing figures rushing toward his direction, Erend didn't hesitate—he quickly deactivated the Heavy Colour-Style weapon, making the light blade vanish. He stuffed the weapon's engine into his belt and turned to run away.

Fortunately, he was fast enough. By the time the others arrived, the place was already empty.

People stood around the ruined lawn, pointing at the damage left behind, discussing what might have happened.

——

"Phew..."

On the other side, Erend stopped running after reaching an isolated corner. He exhaled in relief.

"Wait, why did I run?"

Slapping his forehead, Erend realized his mistake.

This was Asterisk, a city built for duels. Battles between students were commonplace here, whether inside the academy or in the urban areas.

Even if public property was damaged, it wasn't as serious as it would be outside. In most cases, there was no need to compensate.

Of course, there had to be a legitimate reason.

"Practicing my sword in a spacious area should count as a legitimate reason, right?"

Shaking his head, Erend dismissed the thought and focused on what had just happened.

He took out the launcher of the Heavy Colour-Style weapon again and activated it.

"It wasn't an accident. It wasn't an illusion. It was real."

Holding the weapon once more, Erend confirmed that he could truly control it perfectly.

He didn't need training. He didn't need experience. The moment he held the weapon, he could instinctively display its most effective techniques—just as he had demonstrated moments ago.

"Is this the role of authority?"

Excitement surged through Erend.

"No, authority isn't just this."

He could feel it—the power of authority allowed him to do more than just control a weapon.

He could imprint his essence into the weapon.

If he chose, he could use his authority to bind the weapon to himself completely.

Once a weapon recognized him as its master, it would undergo transformations based on his power. It would grow alongside him, repair itself when damaged, and could even be summoned back to his hand no matter how far away it was. No one else would ever be able to take it from him.

"This is the real role of authority!"

Realizing this, Erend's mind became active.

But he didn't bind the standard Heavy Colour-Style weapon in his hand.

This was merely an ordinary, standard-issue weapon. Even with custom modifications, it was far from strong enough.

Now that he understood the true nature of his authority, he couldn't settle for something ordinary.

If he wanted to grow stronger quickly, he needed a far more powerful weapon.

His gaze shifted toward the school building.

"I have no choice but to go there..."

Clenching his jaw, Erend put away the Heavy Colour-Style weapon and took a step forward, heading back toward the academy.