chapter 10
10 episodes
first class.
In a normal academy, most of them were new to each other, so the cadets would fight each other, but Babel was a little different.
“Did you have class today?”
“On the first day, you only take a light test.”
“Ugh. I’ll be sweating again.”
The cadets greet each other and chat naturally.
Since most faculties encourage exchanges between freshmen even before the entrance ceremony, a relationship has already been established.
And in the process, a faction that naturally dominates the entire class is bound to arise. Among them, it was the faction of Hans, who was the deputy head of the faculty, that led the smelting department.
“Where would you like to have lunch later?”
“Oh sorry. I have an appointment with Howard-senpai today.”
“If it’s Howard-senpai… … You’re the head of the department in the third year of Borsippa. Did you know each other?”
Hans smiled slightly at the surprised classmate’s question and nodded.
“It’s just that we are close friends with each other, so we see each other often. He said he would give me advice on life at the academy, so I’ll see you this time.”
“Wow… … Are there any other seniors there?”
“I didn’t hear the details, but how many seniors or seniors from other faculties are coming?”
“Then I’ll introduce you this time. Envy you… … .”
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Not only the party, but also the cadets who were sitting apart secretly listened to Hans’s story.
Most of the cadets who entered Babel were children of well-known heroes, guilds, and corporations.
That is why, even though they appear to be equal on the surface, there is an invisible hierarchy between them. And in this class, Hans was the centerpiece.
‘It’s nothing.’
The Barmut family, a leader in the research of alchemy methods, and renowned throughout the world for the arms industry.
It was a truly unique background among cadets from good families, and it was a natural result for Hans to dominate the class.
“Hmm. I’ll ask the senior if I can take my friends with me later.”
“really? I’ll beg you!”
“Let me ask you too. yes?”
“don’t worry. After all, the place is set up in a large place, so it won’t matter how many people you bring.”
The cadets scattered around Hans’ subtle story take a look at each other.
And the moment when a few people hesitated for a while, then got up from their seats and cautiously approached Hans.
Tickle!
The atmosphere in the classroom changed rapidly with the appearance of Lee Se-hoon, a young man with a sharp impression.
A face full of dissatisfaction, as if it would burst into double lust at any moment, with two brutally forged eyes that even killed people.
The cadets looked at the volcano-like appearance just before the eruption, unwittingly nervously.
“… … .”
Sehun Lee, noticing the atmosphere, looked around slowly, and soon his eyes met Hans, who was surrounded by other cadets.
“… … .”
“… … .”
Lee Se-hoon looking at him with the same expression as when he came in.
At that bloody expression, Hans kept his calm expression, but his eyes trembled faintly.
‘What kind of eyes… … .’
They appear to be of the same age, but when you look into those eyes, you will feel atrophy without realizing it.
It feels as if you are facing a superior you can’t control. At that instinctive fear, Hans bit his lip, and Sehun Lee laughed lightly.
‘They seem to have figured out the subject.’
I wondered if I might lose my mind and look down on myself or have an argument, but when I saw the reaction, it seemed that the up and down were clearly understood.
After checking the atmosphere of the faculty, Sehun Lee went to the corner seat and sat down.
“Whew… … .”
“Uh… … .”
As Sehun Lee sat far away, the cadets glanced at each other and chatted, and the whole atmosphere flows towards the center.
The leadership within the class, which Hans had been taking slowly since the freshman exchange meeting, was transferred to Lee Se-hoon at once.
“… … .”
When Hans saw that and clenched his fists, biting his lip.
“It looks like everyone has gathered.”
The classroom door opened and Kim In-cheol entered.
The cluttered cadets straightened their postures, and Kim In-cheol, who stood in front of the podium, took a look inside.
“It’s my first class, so I’ll have to introduce myself and attend, but… … Let’s put this aside for a moment and briefly explain how the class will proceed.”
As Kim In-cheol lightly tapped the panel on the podium, three materials floated in the air.
“Babel encourages the autonomous learning of individual cadets. To put it simply, it means that there is no problem in taking any classes as long as you complete the major classes.”
It doesn’t matter if you take classes from other faculties inside Borsippa, and it’s no problem to go to a faculty in a different area to take classes.
If you wanted to, you could take dozens of classes in one semester, but there was only one thing to note.
“Instead, the class you have applied for once must be completed for one semester, and if you accumulate three failing points, you will be expelled from Babel immediately. Don’t forget this part.”
You are free to take responsibility for your choices.
That was Babel’s motto, and it was something the cadets had to remember until the day they graduated.
It happened every time I had to forget it, so Kim In-cheol gave firm attention and continued the story.
“You can apply for this semester’s minor classes through the General Affairs Department until this weekend, so it would be better to go diligently to find out while classes are not in session. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
“I think the basic explanation is this much, so I will tell you about the major classes you will be taking.”
As Kim In-cheol manipulated the panel, the data changed and three categories came to mind.
“There are three major classes: ‘Mineral Analysis’, ‘Metal Smelting’, and ‘Understanding Tools’. You can call it the foundation of a blacksmith.”
Understanding materials, smelting them correctly, and extracting performance as tools.
These were the virtues that not only blacksmiths but also producers of something should have.
“After completing three courses this semester. Depending on the grades and aptitudes, the major classes will be divided in more detail. This is a story from half a year later, so let’s talk about it later… … come in.”
At Kim In-cheol’s call, the door to the classroom opened and Assistant In-seong Han entered with a large wagon covered in cloth.
As if the cadets who saw it were waiting, they adjusted their postures and their eyes twinkled.
‘what?’
At that time, Sehun Lee was puzzled by the atmosphere of the classroom that had changed in an instant. Kim In-cheol removed the cloth covering the cart.
‘That’s… … .’
A silver ingot without a single tickle. At first glance, it looked like a simple iron, but there was only one difference.
Unlike other places, the center of the ingot is transparent. A small flame is burning softly within.
“These ingots are called ‘projection alloys’. It is an object that has been adjusted to be several dozen times more sensitive to magical power than ordinary ore.”
Kim In-cheol took out a projection alloy and held it out in front of the cadets.
“So, if you inject magic into the projection alloy like this… … .”
Woong-
As Kim In-cheol’s magic was injected, the flame at the center of the projection alloy slowly melted inside.
And, as if using the alchemy method, the shape collapsed like a liquid in an instant and changed into a single long sword.
“The weapon that I pictured in my head is made so easily.”
hoo-
The long sword in Kim In-cheol’s hand gently cut through the air, and the cadets reflexively exclaimed in admiration.
Even though it is a long sword in the form of an ordinary long sword that can be seen anywhere, it was felt at a glance that the degree of perfection was different.
‘Hmm. It’s better than I thought… … .’
Sehun Lee, who looked at the long sword, was also deeply impressed.
As far as basic skills are concerned, the level is flawless. It was the skill of proving that he was not one of the world’s top 100 artisans for nothing, but that did not mean that he had nothing to say.
‘I felt it in the natural seat… … This man is serious.’
Lee Se-hun’s eyes narrowed when he found the very faint traces on the long sword in Kim In-cheol’s hand.
And Kim In-cheol, recognizing that gaze, turned his head and the two’s eyes collided in the air.
“… … .”
“… … Continue the explanation.”
Kim In-cheol, who turned his head as if nothing had happened, roughly put his long sword under the cart and continued the story.
“Because of this sensitivity, it is difficult to use the projection alloy as a weapon, but it reflects the characteristics that you are not aware of, so you can look back on yourself. That’s why weapons made of projection alloy are often called ‘self-immolation’.”
A weapon that reveals itself that you do not know. At the introduction, all the cadets lit up their eyes.
“Therefore, the self-introduction of the smelting department will be replaced with a weapon made of projection alloy. After the introduction, it will be exhibited in the exhibition room of the main building for a week, so please be alert. Do you understand?”
“Yes!”
Sehun Lee understood why the atmosphere had suddenly changed at the roaring answers of the cadets.
From now on, the items to be made will be revealed to classmates and seniors in the department, and furthermore, to everyone at Babel, so there is no reason not to be nervous.
‘Because someone is not Babel, he introduces himself in a grand way.’
With that kind of projection alloy, each one would cost more than 10 million won.
It might be a bit excessive, but considering its efficacy, it was not a waste. As Kim In-cheol said, a weapon made of projection alloy is an alter ego that reflects the unconscious.
This is because not only can you see the potential of a cadet, but you can also see what might be a problem.
‘If you’re lucky, you can also find the devil’s knapsack.’
This is a research result that has not yet been discovered in this era, but it may be useful to you depending on the situation.
When Sehun Lee is thinking about various things. Kim In-cheol took out a projection alloy and looked at the cadets.
“Then come out in order from the front.”
At Kim In-cheol’s call, the cadets came out on the podium one by one, and were handed a projection alloy to make weapons.
“Ugh!”
Whoa!
The cadets are nervous about the unfamiliar projection alloy and start making their own weapons without being shaken.
Lee Se-hoon, who was watching the scene carefully, quickly lost interest and made a sad expression.
‘It’s not bad… … I have nothing to say.’
Compared to the cadets of other academies, he was definitely on the better side, but none of the cadets had the talent equivalent to the ‘peak’ that Babel was pursuing.
“Five… … .”
“Wow… … .”
If anything, it was Hans, who was admired by his classmates by making a gorgeous three swords, but this one was also not noticed.
‘It looks good on the outside, but it’s empty on the inside.’
You may get a decent treatment now, but if you make a weapon with ‘self’ in the future, you’ll get stuck right away.
When Se-Hoon Lee looks bored, thinking what it would be like if it was the Vulcan Academy that Kim In-cheol told him to go to.
“Finally, Sehun Lee. come forward.”
“Yes.”
At Kim In-cheol’s call, Lee Se-hoon walked down the podium, and the eyes around him gathered at once.
A freshman who received the head of a department he hadn’t been able to get for 12 years. To what extent are those talents and abilities?
With curious glances, Sehun Lee looked at the projection alloy in his hand.
‘It’s a projection alloy… … .’
before return. A useless metal that I used to get tired of dealing with in order to acquire a skill.
If I made use of that experience at that time, I could hide my skills from Kim In-cheol, but I didn’t feel the need to do that.
‘I’m already the head of the department, but what does it mean to hide my power?’
Hiding a number only in actual combat may be a good thing, but if a blacksmith who makes weapons hides his skills, he will only be undervalued as a poor guy.
Talents of the future to meet. And even considering the support to be received from Babel, it would be right to show it properly here.
‘Should I go ahead with what I’m doing?’
If it’s too perfect, people around you will look at it suspiciously, but if you don’t know what it is, you won’t be suspicious.
Having made the decision, Se-Hoon Lee injected magical energy into the projection alloy containing the flame.
Woong-
A projection alloy that begins to change shape while retaining magical power.
What can you make to surprise those around you? Various shapes popped up in Sehun Lee’s mind, and the drawings were also completed naturally.
The moment when the completed drawings were piled up one by one in Lee Se-Hoon’s head.
────Quaang!!!
A huge explosion erupted from the classroom.
* * *
The exhibition hall located on the 7th floor of the main building of the Faculty of Refining.
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Normally, there were not many visitors to the place where the graduation works of past graduates were displayed, but the duration of the display of the new students’ clones was different.
Visitors come from all over the academy to find new talents and slaves, such as collaborating or entrusting them with work.
And in the case of this exhibition, the situation was particularly different.
“Wow. There are a lot of people.”
“Is this all because of Lee Se-hun?”
“Honestly, I can’t let it go without seeing it.”
The head of department produced by the Faculty of Refining for the first time in 12 years.
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Not only has he already created rare-grade weapons, but he also presented a demonstration that overwhelms two people from a prestigious family, Jake and Erica, who were famous as prodigies before entering the school.
As much as it was a topic of discussion, it was so great that it was considered one of the top department heads in history, so spectators came from all directions.
“I heard that Jake and Erica have already seen it.”
“ah. I heard that Erica came a few hours ago, waited, and was the first to see it and go back.”
“By the way, besides those two… … .”
Rumors spread that not only the head of the department of the same freshman, but also famous cadets among the current students had visited, naturally attracting attention.
So naturally, skeptical stories about Lee Se-hun began to appear here and there.
“Isn’t it supposed to be a freshman?”
“Honestly, everything the cadets made is there. It’s a bit ridiculous to say that the lines are different and the grains are different.”
“Because that’s what I mean.”
Yes, at the cadet level.
It was an inseparable evaluation from a technical position, and some entered the exhibition hall with such disdain.
and the innermost. I arrived in front of Se-Hoon Lee’s alter ego who occupies a large hall alone.
“… … .”
“… … .”
Everyone was at a loss for words at the huge 5m-long exhibit.
A sword and a spear, a shield and an ax in a large sphere. An innumerable variety of weapons such as scythes, claws, gauntlets and staffs rise up in all directions in a bizarre form.
It was amazing just looking at it, but what is even more surprising is that each of the protruding weapons is made with great precision.
“Something… … It looks great.”
“I think it’s better than the weapon I’m using now.”
Even though he knows that the weapons made of projection alloy are garbage, for some reason he looks better than the ones he uses.
Everyone looked at it, overwhelmed by the high-quality form that made people think like that, and belatedly discovered a sign placed under the exhibits.
[An abnormal phenomenon occurred during the production of 19 pieces of projection alloy that were nearby, but it was judged to be the quality of Sehun Lee’s cadet and displayed as it is.]
A work created by an unexpected event. At the explanation, everyone looked at the exhibits in front of them with ambiguous expressions.
‘This… … .’
‘What should I say?’
A result that differs from the exhibits submitted so far. As a result, opinions on him were very different.
“It must be a skill-based coincidence.”
“It’s not like this isn’t happening at all.”
It’s just the specificity of the skills you have. A lot of opinions say it’s not great.
“How are you supposed to judge something like this?”
“Isn’t something like that because I used several projection alloys? The conditions themselves are different from other people, but I don’t know what they were thinking when they exhibited such a thing.”
“It’s been a while since a head of department came out, so I guess you want to pretend you’re a genius and push him.”
Most of the opinions are that it is impossible to properly judge Lee Se-hoon with these things.
There were more negative responses than positive responses to the result that was so different from what was expected.
“I have a different opinion.”
“It’s the same.”
There were, however, a few favorable reactions, and, strangely, they all said the same thing.
With that amount of projection alloy, it was impossible to fully express Lee Se-hun, he said.