Chapter 10: Price, Side Effects, Sacrifice

Two days later, Aize received the Black Furnace Demon Sword from Claudia.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Black Furnace."

In a secluded corner of the Star Guidance Academy, Aize held the Black Furnace Demon Sword—its entire structure pitch-black—and felt the excitement emanating from it. He smiled and activated it.

Clang!

A crimson brilliance shot out from the red Omni-Crystal. The Omni-Element responded to the demon sword's power, forming a massive, heavy sword guard from which a pure white blade extended.

Buzz!

Aize raised the Black Furnace Demon Sword and infused it with starlight energy. Black patterns emerged around the white blade, spiraling and converging into the Omni-Crystal.

Intense heat instantly gathered on the blade, turning the once-white sword black.

Unlike last time, thanks to Aize's control and the full cooperation of the Black Furnace Demon Sword, the heat didn't radiate outward but was fully contained within the blade.

"Hmm..."

Holding the now-black blade, Aize mused aloud.

"Though it feels quite handy like this, the Black Furnace Demon Sword is still too big."

Its form was that of a greatsword—so massive that an ordinary person probably couldn't even lift it, and even most Star Vein Generations would struggle to swing it flexibly. This created significant limitations in battle.

"Smaller is better."

As soon as the words left his mouth, the Black Furnace Demon Sword in his hand began to change.

Clang!

The red Omni-Crystal once again released crimson light. The Omni-Element turned into black markings that wrapped around the sword, spiraling and flowing.

The sword disassembled—not so much breaking apart as being reconstructed.

The massive guard vanished, and the broad blade shrank. The extreme heat was compressed a second time.

Before long, the nearly human-sized greatsword became the size of an ordinary blade—no longer heavy and oversized, but agile, light, and deadly.

Seeing this, Aize smiled as expected.

"You really can adjust your size freely, huh, Black Furnace."

Holding ultimate authority over weapons, Aize could fully command any weapon he held, especially this one which had already acknowledged him as its master and exclusive user.

From the moment he first held it, Aize knew the Black Furnace Demon Sword's capabilities—including its ability to freely adjust size.

"Much better. Much more convenient now."

He casually swung the sword, leaving a trail of warped heat in its wake.

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

Unconsciously, Aize increased his swing speed. His body moved fluidly, unleashing waves of black sword light. With each swing, the sword's heat-infused blade emitted a hum.

Anyone witnessing this scene would never believe it was Aize's first time wielding the Black Furnace Demon Sword.

So deeply immersed, his body moved as if in tune with the sword—a sword dance that even a seasoned swordsman who had wielded the weapon for ten years couldn't surpass.

Those who knew Aize had just received the sword today and had never used it before would be astounded.

At this moment, Aize's movements showed no signs of inexperience.

Even Aize himself felt as if he had fought alongside the Black Furnace Demon Sword for years. Their synergy surpassed that of any of its previous wielders.

"Man and sword as one"—the phrase surfaced in his mind.

Unfortunately...

"The starlight energy consumption is insane."

Without warning, Aize stopped, his face pale, and gave a bitter smile.

"So this is the price of the Black Furnace Demon Sword?"

Though Pure Star Radiance Weapons were powerful, each one came with a cost.

That cost varied from weapon to weapon—sometimes a side effect, sometimes a threshold.

The Black Furnace Demon Sword's price was a massive consumption of starlight energy.

This wasn't just hyperbole.

For an ordinary Star Vein Generation, their energy would be drained instantly.

"The original protagonist had far more starlight energy than others. In terms of sheer quantity, only two or three characters in the entire story could surpass him."

"That's probably the main reason he was acknowledged by the Black Furnace Demon Sword."

"Compared to him, my starlight energy is far too low."

Aize's abilities were average across the board at the Star Guidance Academy—including his starlight energy.

With his current level, wielding the Black Furnace Demon Sword would drain him dry in seconds.

If the sword hadn't already accepted him, it would've sucked him dry without mercy before he even got to swing it once.

Now, he could barely use it for a few minutes thanks to two things: the sword's restraint and its synchronization with his authority, which weakened its negative effects.

Even so, with his mediocre energy reserves, Aize could only use the sword for a limited time.

If he tried to unleash its full power, he'd only manage a few attacks before collapsing.

"In the end, my starlight energy just isn't enough."

Aize said helplessly.

Just then—

Buzz!

The sword trembled, and from the Omni-Crystal, a massive amount of Omni-Element surged forth.

"Black Furnace?"

Aize was startled.

The sword didn't respond. Instead, it gathered the released Omni-Element and infused it into Aize's body.

To his amazement, his starlight energy and physical strength began to grow rapidly.

"This..."

Eyes wide with disbelief, Aize's shock quickly gave way to joy.

"The Black Furnace can boost my power?"

How was this possible?

Nothing like this happened in the original story.

"Wait."

A sudden realization struck Aize.

"Star Vein Generations exist because of exposure to Omni-Element."

"And the Omni-Crystal is the purest form of it—an essence."

"In other words, by using the Omni-Crystal to interact with the human body, it might be possible to create or enhance a Star Vein Generation."

It wasn't something that could normally be done.

But because the sword had accepted Aize and become his exclusive weapon, it could channel its power into him through their link—strengthening him.

"A happy surprise indeed."

As his strength and starlight energy increased, a wide smile spread across Aize's face.

But soon, the smile faded.

He could sense the sword's aura growing weaker.

"Black Furnace! Stop!"

Aize's face paled as he urgently tried to stop it.

But the sword didn't comply. It continued pouring out the Omni-Element, and its crystal grew dimmer.

It was sacrificing itself to make Aize stronger.

"Stop!"

Realizing this, Aize immediately took control and forcibly cut off the release.

Having full authority over it, Aize could override its will and halt it.

Only then did the red Omni-Crystal stop releasing energy and begin to dim.

(End of chapter)

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