The grand master smiles, "Congratulations, apprentices," he said, "You have been assessed and now possess the power to see the divine properties of your Beastblade. You and your Beastblades are now considered awakened. Some of you received an impressive classification."
A few smug faces stand tall while lifting their awakened Beastblade, flattered by a handful of adoring lackeys. They received a weak round of cheers and howls.
"Your weapon's class won't matter. Once you use them, you might die." Lupin said. The room falls silent. "With no formal training, you will die. That is why we, in the Golden Ascension Academy, offer our services to help you adjust to your new powers."
Everyone in the room glances, stepping towards the grand master. Bella soon follows after them, standing just at the very back of the forming crowd. She was holding me tight.
Bella woke up after the assessment concluded, and we found ourselves in a room with at least thirty other apprentices. I think we were divided into sections, and this is the class Bella belongs to.
"As I have said, you can now see the divine properties. If you haven't guessed it yet, the texts and symbols that you see on your awakened Beastblade are the divine property."
So, I can see it, too? I guess being an awakened Beastblade gives you the same perks as your owner.
Bella nods as she inspects my properties. Lupin points at one of the apprentices' Beastblade.
"You will see your Beastblade's name," Lupin said, "Then the classification, followed by the affinity, and then the ability."
Wait. What about the soul count? What's with that?
The eager newly inducted wielders in front of the grand master smile, attentively listening.
"You might be wondering why you can't see others' Beastblade properties," Lupin raised a finger, "It's because only Beastblades you touch can show their properties. Unless you are inside a ritual circle, the properties will be hidden from others."
Am I the only one seeing the soul count?
There was a collective astonishment coming from the lectured apprentices. Whoa, Bella even whispered to herself.
Lupin continued, "So, be careful, because Beastblades are not bound to you. They can be stolen and taken." he blows a dry chuckle.
No one in the room knew how to react to his statement.
"Anyway," Lupin clears his throat, "I understand that the terms are confusing—Beastblades, divine properties, abilities, and affinities. Over the years, no one has had a good explanation for this power. All you have to know is that the Beastblades are not only a weapon, but also a companion."
"Companion?" someone hesitantly stammers, then shoots a look at the person beside them.
Lupin shrugged and pursed his lips. The lids of his eyes are halfway closed, "Companion, pet, slave. You can name it anything you want. But, I assure you, this is what separates us from common people."
"What for?" Alexios finally speaks. He was standing a few feet away from the gathered crowd around Lupin. His gauntlet is still worn on his arms.
"For battle." Lupin said, "In time, you will gain the ability to summon the physical form of your Beastblade."
"Summon?" Alexios asked, "How?"
The gathered crowd quietly expressed their amazement. Bella gave me a longing look, clenching, as if she also wanted to summon me.
"Yes," Lupin strokes his chin, "Beastblades possess a living soul. Summoning it requires a passive skill, a skill that demands you to use a soul in order for your Beastblade to manifest its physical form."
Whoa!?
"Wait," Alexios said, "Don't we need souls to upgrade our Beastblade's classification?"
There was a murmur of confusion among the crowd, and they looked at each other, puzzled. Bella, however, clutches me on her hand near her chest. I can feel she also has questions.
"Eager minds couldn't wait, I see." Lupus stared down Alexios, his brow lifted, impressed at the young man's inquiry. He closed his eyes and finally let out a sigh, "There is a certain number that your Beastblade requires for it to move on to the next classification and evolve. You will learn more about this passive skill soon."
The crowd immediately became restless. The smug faces of a few couldn't wait to step outside and capture some souls in the Bloodwaste. It was a loud commotion, one that Lupin let happen.
How to capture a soul, though?
"How to capture a soul?" Bella stammered. She had her hand raised, but her voice was loud enough for everyone to hear.
The crowd shot her a funny look. "Why would you ask? Your butter knife won't get you one!" someone from the crowd jests, and the room bursts into laughter, except Alexios, who was deep in his thoughts.
"Silence." The grand master's raspy, stern voice shuts the noise. He frowns and sighs, "Capturing a soul requires you to defeat a wild, restless beast of the Darkwaste. Once slain, your Beastblade will acquire it."
"So, when do we start killing one?" a random snotty, noble apprentice asked.
"The Darkwaste can wait," Lupin answered, "For now, the Academy wants you to learn in our fine institution."
"Learn what?" Alexios turns to the hairy grand master.
"First, you have to train your body," Lupin said. His tone has a tinge of strictness."Then you will train how to use your Beastblades. You will attend classes on theory, affinities, abilities, and then combat. Combat lessons will be catered depending on what type of weapon your Beastblades are."
"What about a butter knife? I heard we don't have cooking classes here!" another one from the crowd, a boy with a bowl-cut hair, teased. There was another round of laughter directed towards Bella.
Bella's other hand formed into a fist, nails pressing on her skin, trembling. Poor girl.
I couldn't help but feel sorry for her. I just know she must feel terrible having an F-Class Beastblade like me. But, don't you worry, Bella, I may not know you enough, but I've seen enough of you. You're a good person with high hopes and dreams.
I will help you achieve your—
Before I could finish my thought, Bella smacked my hilt's wooden bottom on the boy's top skull. His bowl-cut hairstyle rattled as if struck by a powerful impact.
The boy fell on his knees, covering his head. The crowd gasps. Alexios was stunned that a small girl like Bella did what she did. Lupin, however, was dead silent. I couldn't even see his eyes or his reaction.
"If you all wanna talk shit about my Knifey, you gotta deal with me!" She proclaims, Bella raise me, her other thumb pointing at herself while breathing heavily.
Oh no.