Chapter : 23
"That's it for today's class. Use the iron ingots for practice until the next lesson."
As the class ended, the cadets rushed out in a group, and Lee Se-hun, who stood up a bit late, felt his vision blur slightly.
'Ah... here it comes.'
Already low on stamina, he'd been fiddling with the iron ingot throughout the entire class, and now even his mana was depleted.
Exhaustion crept in slowly, accompanied by a rush of endorphins fighting back. As he sensed his mana drying up completely and staggered to his feet...
"Cadet Lee Se-hun."
Kim In-cheol, who hadn't left yet, called out to him.
"Yes?"
"I have something to discuss. Do you have time?"
Today's final class had just ended, leaving no schedule behind. After a brief moment of thought, Lee Se-hun nodded.
"Sure."
"Then let's head to my lab."
Once in Kim In-cheol's lab on the second floor of the main building, Lee Se-hun glanced around the room.
The interior was impeccably neat, without a single personal item, making it hard to sense the owner's presence.
'Well, with blacksmiths, you judge by their workshop.'
As Lee Se-hun scanned the boring room with disinterest, Kim In-cheol sat on the sofa and gestured to the seat across from him.
"Have a seat."
"Yes..."
The moment his butt touched the sofa, tension drained from his body, making him sway. Kim In-cheol's eyes widened at the sight.
"A-Are you okay?"
"Ah, yes. I'm fine. It's just been a busy day..."
"Don't push yourself too hard. Didn't you do intermediate smelting yesterday too?"
"Just a pile-up of tasks. I'm really okay, no need to worry."
His face was ghostly pale, looking anything but fine, but what could he do when the kid insisted?
Curiously, despite the outward appearance, a strange stability emanated from Lee Se-hun's body. With a reluctant nod, Kim In-cheol acquiesced.
"If you say so... Oh, is that the armament you made yesterday?"
Spotting the Ink Spider Ring on his wrist, Kim In-cheol showed interest. Lee Se-hun rolled up his sleeve.
"Yes. Want to take a look?"
"Please."
Handing over the Ink Spider Ring, Kim In-cheol examined the info window and exterior before his face lit up in surprise.
"Impressive. Handling Ink-Heavy Darkness this well already... The internal enchantment is unique. What did you use?"
"I applied a barrier structure I learned separately. Here's how I made it..."
Not something worth hiding, Lee Se-hun explained the creation process. Listening, Kim In-cheol marveled inwardly.
'Mastering a newly learned enchantment and integrating it into an armament like this...'
Learning enchantments and embedding them into armaments seemed similar but were entirely different fields.
Yet this cadet handled both with such proficiency. Long years as a Babel professor, and he'd never seen a cadet with such broad, exceptional potential.
'I had my doubts until just now... but my eyes didn't deceive me.'
Lee Se-hun had the potential to revolutionize the Forging Department, even the entire blacksmithing world.
He'd planned to support and observe steadily through the first semester, but now he was certain no such caution was needed. Composing himself, Kim In-cheol spoke gravely.
"Cadet Lee Se-hun. I have a proposal."
Returning the ring, his tone serious. Sensing the shift, Lee Se-hun pulled himself together and nodded.
"Please, go ahead."
"Have you considered taking the minor course I teach?"
Within expectations. Lee Se-hun looked curious.
"You mean 'Armament Essentials'?"
"Correct. Do you know what it covers?"
"Yes, I looked it up beforehand."
Kim In-cheol's 'Armament Essentials' explored the fundamental essence of armaments, renowned even outside.
Not just taught by a master craftsman of the 100, but Babel's funding ranked it among the top ten courses.
'Ludwig showed particular interest.'
Babel nurtured promising talents while supporting professors' research.
Without such backing, recruiting top heroes as faculty would be impossible.
'Really, it's possible only because the president is who he is.'
A Hero's Tower summiteer wielded immense influence by name alone.
Thus Babel existed, and Kim In-cheol's course naturally drew attention.
'Though the ending wasn't great...'
Pre-regression, Lee Se-hun had never heard of Kim In-cheol or Armament Essentials, dismissed as nonsense.
Likely, Kim failed to produce results, losing Ludwig's support and fading away.
'Thinking of the future, it'd be a waste of time...'
But currently, among Forging Department courses, it received the most from Ludwig.
Shine there, and he'd gain more notice, plus perks.
"Understood."
"Really okay? I hear you've signed up for quite a few minors already..."
"No, adding this makes three... no, four. That's nothing."
Barrier Composition, Body Control, Ancient Chants, and Armament Essentials. Not too few, not too many—perfectly balanced.
'If I need something else later, I can check the circles.'
First semester, this sufficed. Seeing Lee Se-hun's confidence, Kim In-cheol nodded.
"If you're sure, then. Looking forward to working with you."
"Likewise."
No need to prompt; they shook hands naturally. Meanwhile, Lee Se-hun subtly extracted the bond.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
Extracting bond from target 'Kim In-cheol'.
Bond with creator 'Lee Se-hun' is Lv. 1.
'Hmm... No sign of leveling up yet.'
Probably needed to shine in his classes. Brushing off regret, Lee Se-hun completed the extraction and let go.
"Then I'll be going."
"Sorry for holding you when you're tired. Oh, wait—I almost forgot."
Standing, Kim In-cheol fetched a small wooden box from his desk and offered it.
"This is...?"
"An入学 gift. Thanks to you coming to Babel, I've benefited too, so I prepared it."
Surprised by the unexpected gift, Lee Se-hun blinked. Kim In-cheol gave a wry smile.
"Nothing special. Open it."
Nodding, Lee Se-hun opened the box.
Whoosh!
A red hexagonal ore inside, leaking faint light and heat. Lee Se-hun's eyes gleamed with interest.
"This is Crimson Flame Crystal."
"Heard you handle Crimson Flame, so I thought it'd help."
Crimson Flame Crystal held the pure essence of Lee Se-hun's fire-attribute mana, Crimson Flame—a highly useful item.
Extracting and absorbing the essence permanently strengthened Crimson Flame.
'Says it's nothing special, but high purity.'
This could not just strengthen but evolve it. Satisfied with the apt gift, Lee Se-hun bowed his head.
"I'll put it to good use."
"Glad if it helps. Ah, can you extract it alone?"
Extracting essence was like cleanly separating fruit peel from pulp without damage—not easy for new cadets or even upperclassmen.
"No problem."
Irrelevant to Lee Se-hun.
"This much, I can handle alone."
Kim In-cheol smiled knowingly at his casual tone and nodded.
"Got it. Rest well."
"Yes. Goodbye."
Bowing briskly, Lee Se-hun exited as if fatigue never touched him. Watching, Kim In-cheol chuckled wryly.
'Youth is great.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Back at the dorm, Lee Se-hun changed into comfortable clothes and checked his body.
"Around... 7% residual mana."
Most mana sensations had faded; his body felt heavy like wet cotton.
Close to his pre-awakening pure human state. Satisfied, he smiled.
'Ideal is under 1%, but for a first time, this is fine.'
Sitting cross-legged on the living room floor, he examined the Ink Spider Rings on his wrists and ankles.
A blue line in the center of each, about a third thick—indicating stored mana.
'Enough for tempering... Time to start.'
All preparations set, he pulled out the Crimson Flame Crystal.
[Crimson Flame Crystal]
[Grade: Rare] [Quality: Top]
Ore containing the essence of Crimson Flame.
Specialized in melting ore into liquid.
*Can rapidly melt mixed ores.
'Nice.'
This quality was worth nearly a thousand. Precious for a cadet, his eyes sparkled.
'I'll squeeze every last drop.'
Placing the crystal in his palms, he closed his eyes, contemplating the 'forging' ahead.
Normally, without special skills, one handled only 2-3 attribute manas.
Multiple types clashed inside the body.
'Higher grades increase risk; even control doesn't prevent interference.'
Fine for combat jobs, but fatal for precision blacksmithing.
Most blacksmiths stuck to one fitting attribute. But not Lee Se-hun.
"Hoo..."
Exhaling lightly, he focused on the crystal.
The pulsing essence—far purer than his own. Slowly, he drew it inward.
Sizzle!
Smoke rose from his palms, body flushed red, sweat pouring like rain.
Normally mana blocked the heat, but near-empty now, impossible.
Bubble bubble─
Blood boiling, essence spreading via arms through body.
Depleted body instinctively pulled similar essence, dispersing everywhere.
"..."
Flames coursing head to toe.
The inner burning agony would break most heroes, but Lee Se-hun merely winced.
'Youthful body... full of vigor.'
Pre-regression dying body felt like a lighter burn; now, like hot iron searing all over.
Amid pain, he sensed the rampaging essence and guided it to specific paths.
'This way.'
Building a mana circuit solely for Crimson Flame, preventing future clashes.
A single path piercing his body. Visualizing the blueprint, the flame settled instantly.
Vmmm!
Crimson Flame raced joyfully through its circuit.
Unchecked, it'd dissipate. Calming his mind, Lee Se-hun forged an imaginary hammer.
Then slammed it full force at his body.
Clang─!
Metallic ring in ears, body jolted.
"Cough!"
Mind snapped awake amid pain, dry cough bursting.
Dazed as if crushed by a hammer, he steadied breath and checked inward.
'Done.'
New mana circuit and essence settled. Confirmed 'forged', he unleashed Ink Spider Ring mana.
'Mana Burst.'
Vmmm!
Mana cooled the heated body, flooding parched limbs.
Refreshing chill erasing prior heat. Exhaling held breath...
"Hoo..."
Steamy breath dispersed.
Process complete, he glanced around. Hours passed; outside darkened.
Viewing Babel's nightscape, he grinned—then windows popped.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
You have acquired the skill 'Spirit-Forged Tempering (S)'.
Due to the effect of 'Spirit-Forged Tempering', all stats greatly increase.
Attribute mana 'Crimson Flame (F)' has been strengthened to 'Crimson Lotus (E+)'.
⚔ STATUS ⚔
⚡ Strength:D (105)
💨 Agility:E (87)
✨ Magic Power:D (119)
🛡️ Endurance:D (100)
[Spirit-Forged Tempering 靈硏身磨㳒] 『S』
The body is the most primal material a blacksmith hones.
Forging internal mana circuits enhances physical abilities and strengthens contained power.
*Mana Circuit [Crimson Lotus]: Strengthens control over flames and enables 'Flow'.
[Crimson Lotus] 『E+』
Fire-attribute mana evoking vivid crimson flames.
Specialized in melting metal to liquid; can imbue contacted flames with 'Flow'.
"Oh..."
Pre-regression, already established, so little change post-acquisition. But now, massive stat jumps.
From abysmal base, but solid gains regardless.
'Still below freshman average... but efficiency matters.'
Not just stats, but mana handling efficiency rose—effectively 1.5x the window values.
Feeling the surge, Lee Se-hun recalled first learning Spirit-Forged Tempering.
'Resources there, yet giving up without trying? No way.'
The peerless genius casually attempting what others called suicide—and succeeding.
Forcing it into ordinary him, nearly killing him—the two-faced monster.
Recalling his master's ever-confident face, Lee Se-hun clenched and unclenched his fist.
'Right. Use everything available.'
Ally or foe in the future—didn't matter.
To leave no regrets this time, he steeled himself and recomposed his body.