The First Magic World War

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Turning past the display of firearms, there was a rack of melee weapons, mainly consisting of canes, rapiers, and daggers. Among these, canes were the most common because they could double as everyday objects and could, therefore, be carried openly without issue.

There were roughly five types of regulation canes issued to the Empire's military: the battlefield cane made of metal, which was heavy and, when swung, had the power to smash a person's skull; it contained a hidden bayonet for close-quarters combat.

The law enforcement cane was made of red pear wood, which is hard but inexpensive. The most important feature was its natural reddish hue that deepened with polishing, making it quite noticeable when dozens were wielded during law enforcement activities.

Another type was a short cane that was not suitable for combat, but by holding the head, one could pull out a dagger. Officially called the convenience-type military cane, it is colloquially known as the short-sword cane.

This was a favorite among soldiers and was widely circulated in the civilian market; it was standard equipment for many regional gangs. During gang brawls, one would mostly see this type of military short-sword cane.

The other two types of military canes were rather crude, mainly supplied to engineers and logistics troops, and were not stocked here.

Besides canes, daggers and rapiers were also common weapons.

The Empire's rapier was similar to the swift sword on Earth but had a thicker and wider blade, was heavier, had less ornate guards, and was similar to Western swordsmanship, but with heavier footwork, faster strikes, and more chopping moves. It was a pure killing technique.

From public school onwards, there were swordsmanship classes that mainly taught rapier techniques.

Charles was not a master of swordsmanship, at best proficient; his basic forms were fine, but if used in combat, he could only laugh off the inadequacy with comments about the nice weather. However, his gunmanship was decent—not a sharpshooter, but he could snuff out a candle within twenty steps.

He did not continue looking at the standard weapons and went into the innermost small room.

The bearded soldier's voice followed from behind, "If you choose one weapon, in honor of the warden, we'll make no extra demands. If you pick two, you'll have to sell one, but you can only keep half of the proceeds."

"If you choose three weapons, you may keep two."

"Three is the limit."

With a slight smile, Charles did not turn around but said, "Three!"

There were profound reasons behind why Lady Pascal personally brought him here and left before he selected his weapons.

This was the unspoken rule.

The unspoken rule of Kilmainham Prison.

Charles had no intention of challenging these unspoken rules.

Having been reincarnated into this world, he simply wanted to go with the flow and had no desire to change it.

The bearded soldier muttered softly, "A good newcomer." His footsteps rustled as he turned and walked away.

Charles mulled over for a moment before beginning to look around the small room filled with confiscated weapons.

All four walls were lined with wooden racks of average wood quality that didn't hold much—just a mere thirty or forty items.

Among these sparse displays, there were hardly any firearms; most bore heavy marks of time.

Charles's attention was soon drawn to a small hand axe.

"A vampiric weapon!"

Charles picked up the hand axe in surprise, having not anticipated encountering such a weapon.

The axe was only as long as half an arm, shorter even than the short-sword cane, and of a deep red hue throughout. That was the natural color of Blood Steel, a special product of the Blood Clan, exquisitely forged with intricate patterns on both the blade and handle.

Charles had studied related subjects extensively at Sheffield University and recognized the patterns as those of the Fanga Family.

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Vampiric weapons are almost exclusively produced by the Blood Clan; it's said that only by using a Blood Core from a baron-grade or higher member of the high-ranking Blood Clan can such sinister weapons be crafted. Even within the Blood Clan, they are rare, and those who possess them tend to be from the grand nobility, each vampiric weapon a treasured heirloom of these inhuman monsters. Not even one might be owned by hundreds of ordinary Blood Clan warriors.

It can absorb the essence of an enemy's blood, providing its master with an endless supply of strength, giving them a significant advantage in battle.

Among humans, vampiric weapons are even rarer.

They are a specialized weapon of the Blood Clan; only in their hands can they activate the ability to absorb the essence of an enemy's blood. Holders of other races can neither activate the Vampire Ability nor will they even be drawn upon by the vampiric weapon for their life force.

In the human Empire, vampiric weapons are known as 'Rebellious Weapons that Doom Their Masters,' and aside from a very few collectors, almost no one is interested in them.

He gripped the small and exquisite hand axe tightly, took a deep breath, and immediately felt a slight prickling pain in the palm of his hand.

Charles Mecklen, too, was a Transcendent.

With a little Special Ability.

The strange energy he wielded was known as: Bloody Glory!

During his studies at Sheffield University, Charles Mecklen had taken an exceptionally ancient and very niche Extraordinary Secret Art.

As the Bloody Glory was activated, the hand axe instantly burst into a sinister red glow.

Since his return from Synis, the Bloody Glory within him had grown every day, and was now no longer imperceptible, no longer faint.

Public schools only teach mundane martial techniques, while the National Academy would impart the Knight Breathing Technique, guide students in concentrating their energy seeds, and awaken their Fighting Spirit. The university, on the other hand, would take it a step further, touching upon Extraordinary Knowledge and stepping onto the path in pursuit of reality.

Even though at graduation, out of a hundred university students perhaps only one or two might master Supernatural Powers, it was still the only divine gift.

Bloody Glory was a path of the Transcendent developed by humanity after studying the Blood Clan, the only power besides that of the Blood Clan that could activate vampiric weapons.

It also was a combat technique created specifically for hunting the Blood Clan; most of the Blood Clan deeply detested Bloody Glory.

The original Mister Charles Mecklen had chosen it, not because he harbored any hatred towards the Blood Clan but for a minor reason: Bloody Glory was one of the rare Transcendent powers that could increase charisma and had a certain life-extending effect.

Yes, that was very Charles!

He had tried and failed to "awaken the Transcendent" several times during his four years at university, which is why he attempted the dangerous ritual of "summoning the Evil God."

He succeeded and completed the awakening ritual, officially becoming a Transcendent.

He also failed, as the Evil God took away his soul.

Huang Haisheng crossed over, inheriting everything!

Charles looked carefully at it for a while and unhesitatingly made this vampiric weapon his first choice.

He had never thought of accumulating enough salary to obtain an Extraordinary Weapon, especially one that resonated with Bloody Glory. Even with ample funds, such a thing seemed more improbable than winning the lottery. Not to mention that a newly promoted level-one Clerk Chief didn't have much money. Now that such an opportunity had arisen, how could he possibly miss it?

Having secured the Vampiric Hand Axe, Charles looked around the room and picked out two more items.

One was the relatively rare cold weapon—a multi-headed flail.

The other was an old Magic Stabbing Sword.

Having selected his weapons, Charles left the armory with pride.

He handed the old Magic Stabbing Sword to the bearded soldier, who accepted the item, checked the other two things Charles had brought, did the registration, and didn't bother him any further.