Sharpness Test: Lucas'' Dagger 192, Hozier-ss Halberd 182


    Hardness Test: Lucas'' Dagger 182, Hozier-ss Halberd 191


    Strength Test: Lucas'' Dagger 185, Hozier-ss Halberd 192


    Durability Test (physical aspect) : Lucas'' Dagger 52 seconds, Hozier-ss Halberd 45 seconds.


    "Howe?"


    The durability test involved exposing the vestige to varying proportions of pressure and force over time, aiming to figure out the vestige''s longevity and resistance to wear, fatigue and environmental factors. Due to this, simr to the other tests, it had more than one phase.


    When done in ab, it was moreplicated, but for a vestige duel, the process had been simplified into three phases; the physical, chemical and environmental aspects.


    The scores disyed were for the physical aspect of the durability test, which many expected the Hozier-ss Halberd to easily win. After all, it performed greatly in the hardness and strength tests, so by logic, it should be much more durable than the dagger. Yet, the results turned many speechless. The dagger has actuallysted longer.


    "This should be impossible, right? I mean, the halberd is stronger and harder which implies it''s of a better build and material. So logically, it should be more durable." Someone couldn''t help but utter.


    "What do you know? A vestige''s durability isn''t only dependent on the material used. Some vestige-smiths can make their vestiges longersting even if they make it with in stic." Someone said.


    As it turned out, the performance of Lucas'' dagger in the vestige duel was so splendid that it had managed to garner some fans. Some of the vestige-smiths were at the lowest rank andpared to a hugepany like the one behind the Hozier-ss Halberd, they were nothing. It has always been a dream of theirs to top such an entity, but theycked the talent to do so.


    With someone capable of pulling off such a miracle, while some might be envious, it was natural for a few others to support him.


    "Indeed. There''s a ster matrix known as Hulmit''s Prism. It''s a somewhatplicated ster matrix and quite difficult to inscribe. One would have to be at least a Tier 1 Elite vestige-smith to be able to pull it off. However, it''s capable of increasing the durability of a vestige by making some ethereal changes to its internal physical structure.


    Because of this, the vestige''s hardness and even strength might not exhibit much improvements, but its durability would skyrocket." Another exined.


    Tier 1 Elite vestige-smith was the rank for vestige-smiths capable of making Grade 3 vestiges, and it was a very respected rank in Bands city-state, second only to Tier 1 Master.


    The frencer doubted the score and was about to protest, but he held back the urge. The overseer has already confirmed that the pieces of equipment weren''t tampered with. If he protested, not only was his doubting the overseer''s judgement, but the frencer would inadvertently be questioning his victories.


    The frencer''s anxiety couldn''t be helped, after all, he had wagered one hundred federal coins for this duel.


    ''It''s not over yet. There are still two more phases and even if I lose this, I still have two wins. My halberd should also be able to win the Steller energy categories, so the win is still in the bag.''N?v(el)B\\jnn


    The chemical aspects tested a vestige''s resistive ability towards toxic chemicals that could be found in certain deste beasts and regions. Most of these toxins were harmful to the hyuman body, but they could also damage vestiges. As such, a vestige-smith had to consider making their vestige durable against such toxins, hence why this test came to be.


    The environmental phase test measured a vestige''s resistive ability to various environments, such as cold, hot, increased gravity and so on. This was because each had different environmental parameters and in somes, the regions drastically differed. Take for instance Earth, where the north and south poles were exceedingly colder than the regions along the equator.


    Vestiges had to be made considering contrasting environments in mind.


    Nheless, this didn''t mean that the average vestige could be used in all environments, but that they were made to still maintain their form at least for a while and a few short battles; the longer the period was, the better. However, there were still unique vestiges for special regions which differed from the typical vestige.


    Despite his hopes, the frencer actually went on to lose the chemical and environmental aspects. When all three results were coted and formted into the final durability test rating, Lucas'' dagger won by arge margin.


    Durability Test : Lucas'' Dagger 196, Hozier-ss Halberd 184.


    "Incredible. This is a score equivalent to some of the top premium model vestiges."


    "Indeed. Beyond the 189 mark is left for top ss premium models at Grade 2, but above 195 is for the best of the best. This dagger could alreadypare to them in terms of durability."


    "Hey, forget about that. Haven''t you guys noticed it yet?" Someone said.


    "Noticed what?"


    "They''re tied." Experience exclusive tales on empire


    "!!!"


    The statement finally brought the crowd''s attention back to reality -the vestige duel. Both sides had two wins each from the four physical tests and were now tied. Even though the majority of the crowd didn''t believe Lucas would win, drawing with a premium model vestige while using an unknown vestige model was downright unbelievable and breathtaking.


    It was enough to appear on the front page of vestige magazines and frencer gossip sites.


    In fact, some had even begun hoping, praying even, for a miracle to happen.


    "It would be remarkable  if that dagger can somehowe out on top."


    "Heh. Why do you think that?" A supporter of the Hozier-ss Halberd scoffed.


    "Isn''t it obvious?" Someone else replied. "The dagger was able to win the durability test by relying not only on its materials but the matrices inscribed on it. This means that in terms of ster matrix designs, the vestige-smith is better."


    The doubter was stumped and didn''t have a reply.


    "Delusional." A vestige-smith who wore sses sneered.


    "What did you say?" The man who had replied before snarled.


    "I said you''re being delusional. So what if he won based on a matrix? It could just mean that he was more knowledgeable about unique stellr matrices. Also, the Hozier-ss Halberd is a finished design; adding an extra ster matrix would be difficult, which would exin why itcks something like the Hulmit''s Prism ster matrix.


    The material used is also firm and of good quality, so there''s no need to abandon an existing attack matrix for a durability-boosting. We can see that from its score. The dagger just won simply based on luck, so saying that the result already implies that the vestige-smith of the dagger is better than the veterans of the Ninth Arc Company is absurd and risible."


    The nearby vestige-smiths, frencers and other attendees froze. They thought deeply on the words and realised that he was right. Even the new supporters Lucas had just gained were slowly losing their newfound fervour.


    Even after tying after four tests, the odds still weren''t in his favour.


    "Now that we''re more than halfway through, why don''t we take a short break?" The overseer suggested.


    "No need. Let''s round this up quick." The frencer said.


    He was scared that Lucas would try to pull something sneaky during this break, so he wanted to finish things right away.