Luna perked up instantly. "I want to see."


She had a weird obsession with weapons. She shoved past him and tried to tilt the box away from the wall.


"This thing... is freaking heavy..." She grunted, straining with both hands, but the ebony box didn't budge an inch.


Lucas smirked. "Maybe you should let the professionals handle it. You know, since you've got those noodle arms."


"Ugh, whatever. Just open it." Luna shot him a dirty look.


Lucas stepped up. He braced himself and lifted the vertical box, carefully lowering it to the floor. He moved in slow motion, terrified of making a thud that would wake his parents. When it finally settled silently on the floorboards, he let out a breath.


His arms were actually burning a little.


"Since when are you that strong?" Luna asked, staring at him. To her, that box had felt like it was bolted to the floor, but Lucas moved it like it was nothing.


System Alert: Shock from Luna, Credits +10.


"That's the power of Arm Tempering," Lucas said casually.


"Arm Tempering?"


"Master the Origin Force first, then we'll talk advanced stuff."


"Come on, open it already!" Luna was practically vibrating with impatience.


"Alright, alright." Lucas shook his head. He had no idea she was such a gear-head.


He unlatched the lid.


"Is it... art?" Luna whispered.


A cold, metallic gleam reflected in her eyes. Resting on the thick velvet lining was the Sky Halberd. It was disassembled into two parts to fit in the box. Luna covered her mouth.


"It's a killing tool," Lucas corrected her. "Razor sharp. It cuts through iron like it's butter."


"It's amazing... and modular..." Luna looked like she was falling in love. Her eyes were practically heart-shaped.


She reached down, grabbing the shaft to get a closer look. She heaved, her face turning red, but only managed to lift it a fraction of an inch before it clunked back down into the velvet.


Thankfully, the padding muffled the sound.


"Huff... huff..." Luna panted, wiping sweat from her forehead. She thought the box was heavy, but the weapon itself was insane.


"Like I said," Lucas snickered from the sidelines. "Noodle arms. You couldn't even swing that thing."


"I totally could," she huffed.


"Sure. Anyway, show's over. Get out of here so I can sleep." Lucas started ushering her toward the door.


Luna cast one last longing look at the Halberd before dragging her feet into the hallway.


"Wolfe is way too nice to you..." she muttered as she walked out.


In her mind, there was no way Lucas got the Art of Cultivation or this insane weapon on his own. It had to be a gift from their mentor figure, Wolfe.


Lucas just smiled and didn't correct her.


It was better if she thought that. Explaining the System would be way too much of a hassle.


"Time to test this out."


Lucas closed his bedroom door and stared at the Sky Halberd lying on the floor. After a moment of hesitation, he snapped the weapon together.


Hum.


Origin Force surged the moment the pieces connected, pooling in his palms. He could feel the energy amplifying his strength instantly. Gripping the shaft with both hands, Lucas began to swing the heavy weapon. Thanks to the system, he had already leveled his Basic Halberd Mastery to "Proficient." Every slash and thrust sliced through the air with a terrifying, high-pitched shriek.


It was going great, right up until the moment it wasn't.


CRACK.


Lucas froze. He had gotten a little too enthusiastic on the follow-through and cleanly sliced off the corner of his wardrobe.


"......"


Lucas stared at the splintered wood, a massive headache already forming behind his eyes. Okay, note to self: My room is way too small for this. He was going to need a bigger practice arena.




The next morning arrived way too quickly.


Today marked a change. Lucas was officially transferring to the Combat Prep Course.


"Heh-heh." Luna strutted next to him as they walked to school. "Allow moi, the Great and Powerful Luna, to escort you to the Elite Combat Class!"


Lucas looked at her smug expression and curled his lip. "I need you to escort me? Really?"


"Duh," Luna said, nose in the air. "You've never even been to the Elite Class before. You'd probably get lost."


"Right, right," Lucas muttered.


Luna suddenly dropped the act and sidled up to him, lowering her voice. "Hey, Lucas? I feel like I've almost got my Origin Force under control. When are you going to teach me Body Tempering?"


"Not yet," Lucas said through a yawn. He hadn't slept much the night before and was dragging his feet. "It's too early. Wait until you have total control, then we'll talk."


They reached the school gates, and Lucas paused, looking back at the familiar old teaching building with a twinge of nostalgia. No more regular classes starting today.


Just as he was zoning out, a crisp voice cut through the air.


Lucas turned to see a gaggle of girls trotting toward them.


"Luna! You showed up with a boy today?" A girl with a ponytail grinned, elbowing her friend. "Is that your boyfriend?"


"Him?" Luna looked at Lucas with exaggerated disgust. "Please. I wouldn't pick a boyfriend this stupid!"


Stupid Lucas, she thought, fuming. He never compliments me, and he keeps patting me on the head like a dog. Old people say if you get hit on the head too much, you stop growing! He's trying to keep me short!


“This is Lucas."


"Wait... the Lucas!?"


[Shock from Zoe Miller, Credits +10]


[Shock from Molly Moore, Credits +10]


[Shock from Autumn Hayes, Credits +10]


[Shock from Sylvia Snow, Credits +10]


The notification chime pinged in Lucas's head four times in rapid succession.