The once-violent, near-exploding Star Core had transformed into a long, transparent sword. Its blade was as clear as star crystal, with calm streams of blue light flowing within.
No cracks. No vibration. Silence.
Gusti caught the falling sword and weighed it briefly in his hand.
"Not bad," he said flatly. "For engineered trash."
Then, without ceremony, he hurled the sword forward.
It shot through the air, its tip slamming violently into the metal floor just steps away from Varon.
DUM.
The sword stood upright, humming softly.
From the point of impact, fine cracks spread outward in all directions. But instead of random, chaotic fissures, the cracks moved with deliberate precision.
Several young blacksmiths stared, their eyes widening.
Across the plaza floor, the fractured metal formed two distinct words, perfectly legible from the Star Empire delegation's platform:
LEARN AGAIN
The crowd fell dead silent for several seconds.
