Fantasia Library

If someone could peer into Aizen's body at this moment, they would see intricate golden patterns etched across his flesh.

These glowing patterns flickered intermittently, at times brilliant and radiant, at other times dim and lifeless, as if pulsating with a life of their own, rhythmically beating like a pulse.

The patterns extended throughout Aizen's entire body—every muscle, every organ—completely integrated with him.

No, they weren't merely integrated; they were a natural part of him, a latent potential within Aizen that had been awakened by the Fantasia Library. They were inseparable, intrinsic to his very being.

As Aizen grasped Ser-Veresta, these golden patterns suddenly flared with intense light.

"Zing!"

The hand gripping Ser-Veresta was now veined with those glowing patterns, as if golden blood was coursing through them. The energy flowed into Ser-Veresta, engraving identical golden markings along its length.

"Buzz!"

Ser-Veresta trembled violently, and its pure white blade began radiating immense heat, unleashing a terrifying wave of energy that swept across the testing grounds.

"What…?!"

On the other side of the glass, the previously composed white-coated laboratory staffs erupted into panic.

"What's happening?!"

Claudia, too, was visibly startled, her hand tightening on the holster at her waist.

It couldn't be helped—at that instant, not only did Ser-Veresta react violently, but Pan-Dora at Claudia's side began to vibrate intensely as well.

The scorching wave of heat turned the entire testing chamber crimson, distorting the air with its intensity.

The temperature in the room skyrocketed rapidly, transforming the space into a massive furnace.

"Is it out of control?!"

"These readings are off the charts!"

"The heat levels have surpassed the critical threshold! This is unprecedented!"

"Activate the defensive barriers, now!"

The laboratory staffs scrambled to operate the instruments, and transparent barriers rose around the testing chamber, sealing in the heat.

Claudia found herself outside the protective enclosure, while Aizen remained inside, standing alone at the eye of the storm. He held Ser-Veresta, his clothes rippling violently in the oppressive heat. The air around him shimmered, distorting his figure into a blur.

Because of this, no one noticed the golden patterns flowing between Aizen and Ser-Veresta. The sword, however, was acutely aware of the changes within itself. It responded by unleashing even greater heat, forming black patterns in the energy surrounding it, which spiraled down into the crimson core embedded in the hilt. The core glowed brighter, emitting an even more intense red light.

At that moment, Ser-Veresta's pure white blade turned pitch black, reflecting its true name.

The sword's blade, originally forged from concentrated heat, could effortlessly incinerate and melt anything. Now, with its amplified heat, the weapon revealed its ultimate form—a black blade radiating a destructive aura far beyond its previous limits.

The extreme heat emitted by Ser-Veresta was lethal even to the genetically enhanced Genestella. Anyone too close to the sword risked melting on the spot.

Yet, standing directly within the inferno, Aizen remained completely unharmed. His grip on Ser-Veresta was steady, and not a single bead of sweat formed on his skin.

He simply gazed at Ser-Veresta, sensing its will.

In his perception, the sword, which had previously lost interest in him, now seemed to awaken with a start. A mix of confusion and astonishment emanated from it, followed by recognition. Slowly, its emotions shifted from shock and disbelief to joy, excitement, and finally, fervent loyalty.

It was as though a vassal had just discovered its rightful king.

The golden patterns flowing from Aizen into Ser-Veresta began accelerating, flooding into the weapon at an unprecedented rate.

In a matter of moments, the golden markings had completely covered the sword. They pulsed rhythmically, at times dazzling, at times subdued, before converging into a complex, mystical geometric pattern that etched itself onto the crimson Urm Manadyte. The marking sank into the core and disappeared.

At that moment, Aizen's ultimate authority over weapons activated fully.

Ser-Veresta accepted Aizen as its master, forging a bond that could only be formed once in its lifetime. It became his first personal weapon.

"Beep-beep—"

A window displaying the compatibility reading appeared within the testing chamber, its numbers climbing rapidly.

The laboratory staffs were dumbfounded as they watched the compatibility, initially at 8%, soar upward at breakneck speed. It quickly surpassed the 80% threshold required for borrowing an Orga Lux at Seidoukan Academy.

The number continued to climb until it hit 100%, then shattered past the limit, turning into a display of incomprehensible garbled text accompanied by a blaring alarm.

"What…?! Compatibility… cannot be measured!"

One staff stammered out a report, their voice trembling.

"He broke the upper limit!"

Compatibility readings maxed out at 100%. Yet, Aizen had somehow exceeded that boundary.

Ser-Veresta, one of the most powerful and temperamental Orga Lux—renowned for being nearly impossible to wield—had not only accepted a user but had achieved an unprecedented level of compatibility.

"Buzz!"

The energy blade of Ser-Veresta vibrated audibly, resonating with power.

Lowering the weapon, Aizen observed the Orga Lux, now radiating a palpable sense of submission, and smiled.

The intense heat began to subside, and the temperature in the testing chamber returned to normal.

"Well then, let's get along, Ser-Veresta," Aizen murmured softly, his voice blending with the dissipating heat and Claudia's complex gaze.

....

High School Division, Student Council Office

"So, that's everything, right, President?" Aizen handed over the final signed document to Claudia, who sat behind her desk.

"Yes, that completes all the paperwork," Claudia replied, accepting the document. She stared at Aizen, her usual composed smile masking a deep curiosity, as though she was trying to see through him.

"When will I be able to retrieve Ser-Veresta?"

Aizen asked casually.

"Once the Equipment Division finishes the final adjustments and inspections, it will be handed over to you," Claudia answered truthfully.

Despite the chaos earlier—including the absurdity of someone surpassing the compatibility threshold—the Academy ultimately approved the loan of Ser-Veresta.

After all, the primary goal of lending Orga Lux to students was to gather combat data.

With someone who could surpass the limits of compatibility, the Academy was eager to see just what kind of results this could yield.

In reality, Aizen could summon Ser-Veresta to his side at any time. The weapon was now his exclusive property, bonded to him on a level beyond mere ownership.

However, Aizen had no intention of revealing this fact.

Unaware of this, Claudia was nevertheless troubled. Even she hadn't anticipated Aizen successfully claiming Ser-Veresta.

"The future… has changed," Claudia murmured.

"What was that?" Aizen asked, confused.

"Nothing." Claudia shook her head, regaining her composure. Smiling, she added, "Ser-Veresta is extraordinarily powerful, but it's also infamous for being difficult to control. I hope you'll handle it with care."

"I will," Aizen replied with a confident smile.