Chapter 28 – Artifacts (Part 1)
Zane's fingers traced the edge of the fabric with a slow, curious touch. "Hmm, I can feel some subtle energy in the fabric," he muttered under his breath. There was something about it—a cool, almost tingly sensation crawling along his skin, subtle but unmistakable. It wasn't just some high-end textile; this uniform breathed with power.
"It's infused… Core Energy, most likely." He pinched the sleeve lightly between his fingers. "They must've reinforced it—makes sense, considering this is battle gear."
After his recent experiences with Core Energy, Zane was beginning to understand how versatile the force really was. It could enhance physical strength, speed, endurance... and, apparently, even be embedded into clothing. The implications were interesting, but the specifics were beyond him for now.
"I'll figure it out later," he muttered, straightening up. He turned his attention to the second box. It was labeled Personal Documents—not nearly as exciting as a uniform, but arguably more important.
Inside, he found a neatly organized folder filled with paperwork. Most of it looked standard—details about him, likely pulled from government and school databases. Tucked among the pages was a sleek metallic card etched with glowing lines and a stylized border. It had his picture, full name, and a few small symbols he didn't recognize.
"Looks like an official ID," Zane said as he held it up to the light. "These designs look… arcane." The carvings had a strange, shifting quality to them, as though they were etched into something more than metal. "Now, what's this?"
He reached for the next item—a ticket. Glossy and golden, it shimmered with detailed art along its border. Across the center, in bold black letters, read:
Phantom Express
Zane's brow rose. "Phantom Express? Isn't that the bullet train that runs through the core of the city?" He flipped the ticket around, noting the date and departure time. It was scheduled for two days from now.
"So that's how we're getting there," he mused. "I thought they'd make us fly, but I guess this is faster—or safer." It made sense, really. The Phantom Express was known for being private, high-speed, and heavily guarded.
He set the ticket aside and reached for the last item in the box: a sealed envelope, pure white with a crimson wax seal. Embossed on it was the same emblem as his uniform—a featureless knight standing in fire, blade held upright.
No name, no address. Just the seal.
Zane broke it open and slid out a single sheet of golden paper, heavy and smooth to the touch. "Wow. Very grandiose," he muttered with a roll of his eyes before reading.
{Dear Aspiring Knight,
First, allow us to congratulate you on your Awakening. You have passed the first trial—one many do not achieve. Ahead of you lies the true challenge, the one that determines who is worthy of our greatest honor:
The Knighthood of All Realms.}
Zane blinked, the title rolling over in his mind like thunder. "The Knighthood of All Realms, huh? That's… a pretty cool name." He smirked slightly, but his tone remained subdued. There was something about the letter's tone—formal and heavy—that tempered his reaction.
He kept reading.
{Along with this letter, you will have received your official identification documents, your Knight Candidate Card, and your ticket for travel. Do not misplace any of these. They are critical to your acceptance.
On the day of departure, you are required to arrive at the specified location in full uniform, with your documents and Candidate Card on hand. Most importantly, you must be wearing your Lunar Sigil Necklace.}
Without it, you will not be permitted entry under any circumstance.
Zane's brow furrowed. "Lunar Sigil Necklace? What the hell is that?" He rubbed the back of his head, confused. "It's not in this box… must be in the artifact crate."
The letter continued:
{Once again, we offer our congratulations. May your journey be long, and may the Dimensions prolong your path.}
That last line made him pause.
"'May the Dimensions prolong your journey'?" he repeated aloud, his voice uncertain. "Is that like… a prayer? A blessing? Or just poetic nonsense?" It lingered in his mind for a few seconds before he folded the letter neatly and set it aside with the rest of the documents.
Now, all that remained was the final box—labeled Artifacts. And it was easily the most mysterious one.
He pulled it closer, noticing immediately that it was heavier than the rest. The lid came off with a slight snap, and inside was a protective foam interior, fitted snugly around something gray and cylindrical.
"What the…" Zane murmured, reaching inside. He pulled the object out with care, inspecting its smooth, featureless surface. It was about the length of his forearm and fit perfectly in his hand. "Looks like a baton… or maybe a case?" He tapped it once, but nothing happened.
Then, a thought struck him—and his expression shifted. "Wait a minute…"
Excitement rising, he gathered his Core Energy and funneled it into the object. His eyes flashing with eager curiosity.
The change was instant.
Veins of glowing violet energy pulsed through the device, traveling up to its tip. Then, with a sharp whirr and a burst of light, a shimmering blade of pure energy extended outward with a hiss, casting a faint purple glow across the room.
Zane's mouth parted in awe. "Woah… it's a sword," he whispered, mesmerized.
The blade was sleek, elegant, and entirely composed of his own Core Energy. He could feel the connection—like an extension of his own body. It was light, yet solid. A perfect blend of familiarity and awe.
"I've seen these before," Zane muttered. "It's the standard weapon of the Dimensional Knights…"
Just then, a blue notification screen popped up in front of him.
[Item Identified]
Name: Knight Core Blade
Item Type: Weapon
Item Rank: F
Item Attributes: Slicing / Stabbing / Minor Energy Wave
Description: A blade forged of the user's own energy. Its strength mirrors its wielder. It shall never be stronger than its swordsman.
"Knight Core Blade… right," he nodded, reading the description. "Thanks for the info, System."
His eyes flicked to the rank. "F rank… yeah, not very impressive." But it didn't bother him. He understood that this was only the beginning. The strength of the blade wasn't what mattered—he would grow stronger, and the weapon would grow with him.
His gaze lingered on the attributes. "Slicing and stabbing—obvious. But Minor Energy Wave? That sounds useful. Maybe like a ranged slash?" He glanced around his room.
A pause.
"…Yeah, not trying that in here," he said flatly, deactivating the blade. The light disappeared instantly, retreating back into the gray handle.
Zane held it in his hands for a few more seconds, quietly absorbing the weight of what it meant.
The uniform. The documents. The blade.
This wasn't some fantasy anymore.
This was real.
And his journey as a Dimensional Knight had already begun.