Academy [3]

Professor Verres stood tall and imposing in front of the class again today.

A hush fell over the room.

"We will be heading to the Academy Armory today. You will select your first cadet weapon."

A ripple of excitement passed through the students like a contagious wave. The kind you only see in overly enthusiastic puppies.

I blinked.

Weapon selection, huh.

That was… good.

Because as much as I liked the sleek, deadly feel of that cursed black sword hidden in my bag—the one with [Murderous Intent] and [Shadow Sword Domain]—walking around campus with an evil aura blade was not exactly "laying low."

And I very much wanted to lay low.

So I followed the class in orderly fashion. Professor Verris walked ahead, sharp heels echoing with authority. One look from her and even the rowdiest students straightened like military recruits. Her cold beauty probably launched a thousand crushes on day one.

Even I wasn't immune.

My only saving grace?

I had enough existential trauma to smother my libido.

Probably.

We arrived at the Armory.

It was massive—lined wall to wall with every kind of weapon imaginable. Rows of swords, spears, bows, even halberds. A few unique weapons glowed faintly in their display cases.

The boys couldn't contain themselves.

I found a spot in the back and observed.

Kaleb was already swinging a longsword with an annoying amount of natural skill. Rydell was checking out a broadsword with a smug grin. Keesha was eyeing a hybrid bow-spear with all the interest of a magpie spotting shiny loot. Candice examined her options with the ruthless calculation of someone about to negotiate a billion-dollar deal.

Me?

I just scanned the room like I was window shopping at a mall I couldn't afford.

Then my eyes landed on something strange.

Tucked away in the far corner of the Armory—almost like an afterthought—was a weapon that didn't belong.

A gun.

No, not a crude mana bow or enchanted crossbow like the rest of this magic-obsessed world.

An actual gun. Sleek. Matte black and white with glowing lines, one red, one blue. It looked like something out of a cyberpunk fever dream.

I blinked again.

Guns didn't exist in Hero Chronicles. Not like this.

The closest thing were mana rifles, but even they looked like chunky toys compared to this clean, deadly piece of art.

Drawn to them, I picked them up.

One in each hand.

The black gun pulsed with faint crimson light—[Eclipse].

The white one shimmered in soft blue glow—[Luna].

Together, they were called: [Twin Moon].

An appraisal window opened in my mind.

>

[Twin Moon - Luna & Eclipse]

Tier: F (Upgradeable)

Type: Ego Weapons (Incomplete)

Status: Dormant

Trait: Resonant Sync / Personality Fragment (Unformed)

—

My heart skipped a beat.

Ego Weapons.

Weapons that could eventually develop consciousness.

Sentience.

Like Ruby.

I glanced down at the guns again. My fingers curled around the triggers with a strange familiarity.

I don't believe in fate.

But sometimes, it feels like the universe leaves breadcrumbs.

This?

This was one of those times.

---

When I looked back, everyone was already forming cliques. Main characters surrounded by lesser-ranked hopefuls. Rydell laughing with his lapdogs. Kaleb making conversation with Alice—how typical. Keesha surrounded by admirers, Candice keeping a polite but shrewd distance from everyone.

And me?

Still on the outside, as usual.

I was like a spectator behind a window, watching a party I was never invited to.

Funny thing is—back in my previous life, it was always like this too.

I'd stream for thousands, laugh with teammates, talk strategy, but when the game ended, the silence in my room was louder than any crowd.

You get used to being alone.

Doesn't mean you stop wanting to be included.

...Not that I'd admit it.

"Yo, rank 1509! You gonna train with those, or just stare?"

Someone laughed. I ignored them.

Being in Class A with a rank like mine was an invitation for mockery. I was a walking mystery. An anomaly.

They didn't know what to make of me.

Good.

I'd rather let them underestimate me.

---

I headed to the shooting range alone.

It was early, the hall mostly empty. Perfect.

The moment I stepped into the sterile silence of the shooting range, something clicked.

I raised the pistols.

Exhaled.

Squeezed the trigger.

One shot.

Luna fired a faint blue pulse of energy. A clean hit.

Then Eclipse.

Another round.

Red light. Bullseye.

Again.

And again.

Aim. Fire. Repeat.

For forty minutes, I fired until my arms felt like lead. 98% accuracy. Zero wasted motion. [Eagle Eyes] and [Super Cognition] carried me through—calculating wind, trajectory, recoil, stance.

My reload time was Too slow.

Grip strength wasn't enough.

Overheating? Minimal—but noted.

I catalogued every weakness, every inconsistency.

My heart was calm.

Focused.

For the first time since I woke up in this world, I felt like I could breathe. Think. Slow down.

---

By the time the training hall started filling up, I was gone.

I returned to my dorm. Quiet. Clean. Home—for now.

Ruby floated toward me, her usual glow flickering with delight.

> "Master~! Welcome back!"

I held up the guns.

"Hey Ruby, meet your new twin siblings."

> "???"

She tilted in confusion.

But I could already imagine it.

If I modified them—like the old Axel modified her (Ruby's) Rubik's cube body—they'd become full ego weapons. Sentient. Customizable. My style of combat would finally have some breathing room.

No one used guns here.

They were too inefficient.

But I did.

And that… made all the difference.