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Chapter 18 - (Chapter 18) {Admission Complete}

Scene: On Ground D, Lior, Precious, Shai, and the other students stand with the teachers. Joki and the other staff are present, while Principal Rana has already returned to his office.

Joki: "The students who passed this test are—Shai, Runjan, Chaman, Lior, and Precious! These five have officially passed. The rest, unfortunately, failed. Those who passed can join Doramai School starting Monday. Tomorrow is the final day for entry exams, and Sunday is a break. School begins on Monday. Is that clear?"Everyone: "Yes, sir!"Joki: "Good."

The crowd disperses, and everyone leaves.

Scene: At Precious and Lior's home.Precious, Lior, and Shai are relaxing together.

Shai: "So, what should we do for the next two days?"Lior: "Good question. What can we do to pass the time here?"Precious: "Simple — let's explore the city! We're going to stay here for a while anyway."Lior: "Good idea."Shai: "Let's go!"

Scene: The trio wanders through the city, visiting various food stalls — ice cream, pastries, and a dish called Samery (a noodle-like food, similar to chow mein, usually homemade).They also explore clothing stores and fun shops filled with trinkets.

Shai: "Hey, look! A weapon shop! Since we're about to start school, how about we each get a weapon?"Lior: "Yup, let's go!"

Scene: Inside the weapon shop.An old man sits behind the counter.

Lior: "Hello, sir."Old Man: "Ah, welcome, customers! Welcome!"

They walk up to the counter.

Lior: "We're going to join Doramai School in a few days. Could you show us some good weapons?"Old Man: "Got it."

The old man stands up and starts walking toward the back.

Old Man: "So, you're entering Doramai School? That means you're either very strong… or very rich."Shai: "Haha, nothing like that — just a bit of luck."Old Man: "Then may luck follow everyone the same way!"Shai & Old Man: "Hahaha!"

The old man opens a large chest and lifts three swords using a magic barrier that makes them float in the air.

Old Man: "These three swords are powerful — but each comes with a condition."Lior: "What kind of condition?"

Old Man: "First sword…" (He points to a sword with a diamond-like blade and a handle shaped like a dragon's face.)"This sword is made of diamond infused with Dark Water and Ore energy. Its wielder must have at least four elemental affinities. I named it 'Diamander.'"

Shai & Lior: "What?! That's insanely rare!"Old Man: "I know — I wanted to forge something powerful, so I created it."

Old Man: "Next is the second sword…" (A dark brown blade with a light green handle covered in 'X' marks.)"Its blade was forged from the Tree of Magma, and its handle from the grass that grows around it. To wield this, you must have at least five elements — including Land and Fire. I call it 'Gredrame.'"

Lior: "Are you kidding me?!"Shai: "Five elemental powers? That's crazy!"Old Man: "Not inside the sword — the user must have at least five elements."

Old Man: "Finally, the third sword took me a year and a half to create." (It has a red blade with a straight black line down the middle and a purple handle marked with a white '' symbol on both sides.)*"It holds three elemental powers and required rare materials, which made the forging difficult. The wielder needs eight to nine elemental affinities. I named it 'Ballista.'"

Lior: "Wait—how did you even make these?!"Old Man: "I used the blood of an Arc Demon, the skin of a Five-Tailed Fox, wood from the Tree of Magma, Spirit Spell essence, and the bone of a Thunder Valley Scorpion — a dark purple scorpion with ten legs and two tails."

Shai: "How did you even get all those materials?!"Old Man: "Haha, that's a secret."Lior: "You're definitely not a normal old man…"Old Man: "Maybe not."

Shai: "But why sell such weapons to us?"Old Man: "Who said I'm giving them to you? If you can lift them, you can buy them. Simple."

Lior: "Precious, you've been quiet all this time. Aren't you shocked seeing weapons this strong?"Precious: (whispers) "These weapons aren't even stronger than the one you already have, Lior. Why not use that instead?"Lior: "True… but it's good to learn to handle other weapons too."Precious: "Hah… I get it now. You made these swords, but your shop isn't famous enough for worthy users to find them — so you're offering them to us."Old Man: "Heh heh… maybe. Anyway, do you want them or not?"

Precious: "Lior, Shai — you decide."Lior: "Well, I've got eight elements, but I doubt I can master Ballista yet. So, I'll take Gredrame."Old Man: "Alright. If you can lift it, it's yours."

The sword Gredrame floats in the air. Lior reaches out and touches it — the sword stops floating and gently settles in his hands.

Old Man: "Oh my! You actually lifted Gredrame! I knew you kids were something special!"Lior: "Hehe."

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