Chapter 10
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: First Class
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In a typical academy, freshmen would be sizing each other up on the first day since most were strangers. But Babel was different.
"Any class today?"
"First day's just a light test, right?"
"Ugh... Gonna sweat buckets again."
The cadets exchanged greetings and fell into easy conversation.
Most departments encouraged pre-enrollment mixers for new students, so bonds had already formed. Naturally, factions emerged to dominate each class. In the Forging Department, the group led by Hans—the runner-up in departmental rankings—held sway.
"Where we eating lunch later?"
"Ah, sorry. Got plans with Senior Howard today."
"Senior Howard? That's Borsippa's third-year top student, right? You two know each other?"
Hans gave a sly smile and nodded at his classmate's surprised question.
"Our families are on good terms, so we hang out sometimes. He offered some academy life advice, so we're meeting up."
"Whoa... Any other seniors coming?"
"Didn't hear details, but a few top students and runners-up from other departments might show."
"So he's introducing you? Lucky..."
Not just his group—nearby cadets perked up their ears too.
Most Babel cadets came from famous hero families, guilds, or corporations, so even if they seemed equal on the surface, invisible hierarchies existed. In this class, Hans was at the center.
'Nothing special.'
The Valmut family led alchemy-forging research and dominated the armament industry worldwide. Even among well-off cadets, their background stood out. Hans dominating the class was inevitable.
"Hm. I'll ask if I can bring friends later."
"For real? Please!"
"Hook me up too, yeah?"
"Don't worry. Place is big, so a few extras won't matter."
Cadets scattered around exchanged glances at Hans's subtle hint. A few hesitated, then rose to approach him cautiously.
Clunk!
The classroom atmosphere shifted sharply with the entrance of a sharp-featured young man—Lee Se-hun.
He looked like he'd just killed someone: eyes honed to a murderous edge, face twisted in disgust ready to explode in curses.
Like a volcano on the brink, his presence made everyone tense involuntarily.
"......"
Lee Se-hun slowly scanned the room, his gaze landing on Hans, surrounded by the others.
"......"
"......"
Lee Se-hun stared with the same grim expression.
Hans kept his composure, but his eyes flickered faintly under that feral glare.
'What kind of eyes are those...'
They looked the same age, but locking eyes made him shrink instinctively. It felt like facing an untouchable superior. Hans bit his lip against the primal fear, and Lee Se-hun smirked faintly.
'He knows his place.'
He'd worried Hans might act cocky or挑衅, but the reaction showed he got the hierarchy.
Having gauged the class vibe, Lee Se-hun plopped into a corner seat.
"Hoo..."
"Whoa..."
As he settled far away, cadets whispered and glanced over. All eyes and momentum flowed toward him.
Hans had slowly built class dominance since the freshman mixer—but in one instant, it shifted to Lee Se-hun.
"......"
Hans bit his lip and clenched his fist at the sight.
"Looks like everyone's here."
The door opened, and Kim In-cheol entered. The rowdy cadets straightened up. He scanned the room from the podium.
"First class, so we'd normally do roll call and intros... but let's skip that. I'll explain how classes work here first."
Kim In-cheol tapped the podium panel, summoning three holograms in the air.
"Babel encourages personal study. Simply put, as long as you pass your major classes, take whatever electives you want."
Borsippa classes were fine, even from other areas. You could juggle dozens per semester—but one catch.
"Enroll in a class, and you must complete it. Three fails means instant expulsion. Remember that."
Freedom came with responsibility—Babel's motto, etched until graduation.
Kim In-cheol warned firmly, as it cropped up often.
"Minor electives for this semester: apply via admin by weekend. Scout around in free time. Got it?"
"Yes."
"Basics covered. Now, your major classes."
He manipulated the panel; categories shifted.
"Majors: 'Mineral Analysis,' 'Metal Refining,' 'Tool Comprehension.' The blacksmith basics."
Understand materials, refine properly, draw out tool performance. Essential for any creator, not just smiths.
"Pass these, and majors split by aptitude and grades. That's半年 later... Come in."
At his call, the door opened. Assistant Instructor Han In-seong wheeled in a cloth-covered cart.
Cadets perked up eagerly.
'What's this?'
Lee Se-hun blinked at the vibe shift. Kim In-cheol unveiled the cart.
'That's...'
Smooth silver ingots. Plain iron at a glance—but the core gleamed transparent, a tiny flame flickering inside.
"This is 'Projection Alloy.' Far more mana-sensitive than regular ore."
He held one up dramatically.
"Inject mana like so..."
Whumm—
Mana flowed in; the inner flame melted slowly. Like alchemy-forging, it liquified and reformed into a longsword.
"Your mental image becomes a weapon, just like that."
Whoosh—
The sword sliced air smoothly. Cadets gasped in awe.
A basic longsword, yet its perfection shone.
'Hm. Better than expected...'
Even Lee Se-hun admired it inwardly. Solid fundamentals, no flaws—befitting a top-100 artisan. But not flawless.
'Felt it from the Bond Stone too... This guy's got issues.'
Lee Se-hun spotted faint traces on the blade. His eyes narrowed.
Kim In-cheol noticed and turned. Their gazes clashed midair.
"......"
"......Continuing the explanation."
Kim In-cheol turned away casually, tossing the sword under the cart.
"Too sensitive for real weapons, but reflects subconscious traits for self-reflection. That's why Projection Alloy arms are called 'doppels.'"
Weapons revealing hidden selves. Cadets' eyes lit up.
"So intros use Projection Alloy doppels. They'll display in the main building for a week—shape up. Understood?"
"Yes!"
Lee Se-hun got why the mood flipped: their creations would go public to classmates, seniors, all of Babel.
'Babel gonna Babel—intros are a spectacle.'
Each ingot worth over ten million won, just for intros? Extravagant, but effective. Dopples reflected the subconscious, revealing potential—and flaws.
'Lucky, might spot demon cult plants.'
Undiscovered research in this era—handy for him.
As Lee Se-hun pondered, Kim In-cheol distributed ingots.
"Front to back, one by one."
Cadets stepped up, forging steadily despite nerves.
'Not bad... but nothing special.'
Lee Se-hun watched bored. Better than other academies, but no 'peak' talents Babel sought.
"Ooh..."
"Wow..."
Hans's ornate triple-sword drew cheers—still meh.
'Flashy shell, empty core.'
Usable now, but personal arms later? He'd hit a wall.
Wondering how Vulcan would've rated them, Lee Se-hun yawned.
"Last: Lee Se-hun. Up front."
"Yes."
All eyes converged as he descended.
First departmental top in twelve years—what talent lurked?
Lee Se-hun eyed his ingot amid curious stares.
'Projection Alloy, huh.'
Pre-regression, he'd handled tons mastering a technique—useless metal then. Could hide skill now, but no point.
'Already top—hiding's pointless.'
Battle hid cards for surprise; smiths hiding got undervalued as hacks.
For future talents and Babel support, show real deal.
'Go big then.'
Too perfect? Suspicious. Unfathomable? Safe.
He infused mana into the flaming core.
Whumm—
It shifted form. What to craft for shock? Designs piled up, blueprints solidifying.
Stack after stack—
────BOOM!!!
The Forging Department's main building, seventh-floor gallery.
Usually quiet, showcasing alumni theses with few visitors. But freshman doppel season drew crowds hunting talent—or slaves—for commissions.
This exhibit? Extra buzz.
"Wow, packed."
"All for that Lee Se-hun?"
"Couldn't miss it."
First top in twelve years. Rare-grade arms on day one, demo crushing Jake and Erika—prodigy heirs. Hype unmatched; crowds swarmed.
"Heard Jake and Erika already checked it."
"Yeah, Erika waited hours, viewed first, left."
"And others too..."
Rumors of famous cadets pulled more eyes.
Skepticism bubbled too.
"Still just freshmen."
"Cadet work's all same. 'Lines differ, vibes differ'? Laughable."
"Exactly."
Cadet level, period—tech trade gospel. Skeptics entered.
Deep inside: Lee Se-hun's solo massive hall spot.
"......"
"......"
The 5m monstrosity silenced them.
A huge orb sprouting swords, spears, shields, axes, scythes, claws, gauntlets, staves—endless weapons omnidirectionally. Grotesque, but each protrusion masterfully crafted.
"Looks... insanely good."
"Better than mine."
Knowing Projection arms were trash, yet superior somehow. Overwhelmed by perfection, they spotted the placard below.
[During creation, it absorbed 19 nearby Projection Alloys in an anomaly. Deemed Lee Se-hun's innate talent, displayed as-is.]
Accidental masterpiece. Mixed reactions.
'This...'
'What even...'
Unlike past entries—opinions split wildly.
"Skill fluke."
"Happens sometimes."
Just unique skill. Nothing special—majority view.
"How judge from this?"
"Multi-Alloy explains it. Different conditions—why display?"
"Pushing 'genius' for first top in ages."
Can't assess properly—negative tilt over wild result.
"I see it differently."
"Same."
Some positive—and oddly unanimous: that much Alloy couldn't fully express Lee Se-hun.