Chapter 112
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 112
Chapter Title: After the Ivory Tower Incident
-----------------------------------------------------------------
After the commotion at the Ivory Tower came to an end.
Lea, who had used her spear to block the explosion and reduced the Ivory Tower to ruins, was immediately subdued by Rebecca.
"No, I'm fine..."
Smack!
"You pull that insane stunt and now you say you're fine?! Shut up and come with me!"
"Ow! That hurts more!! I was saving the underclassmen..."
Lea, smacked on the back and dragged by the ear, was hauled off to the infirmary in an instant, while Lee Se-hun and Louise headed to Ur's main headquarters for questioning.
No matter that the Ivory Tower operated as a separate foundation, it was still a facility used by Babel's cadets. Since it could have turned into a major incident, an immediate investigation was launched.
"Just to avoid any misunderstanding, this isn't about suspecting or interrogating you two."
The man escorting them to headquarters while also handling the investigation, Ran Pei, looked at the two seated across from him.
"We're just trying to grasp the doubts you encountered while resolving the situation, to review for the follow-up investigation. Got it?"
Ran Pei spoke with his haggard face softened as much as possible to prevent any misunderstanding.
Lee Se-hun glanced around subtly at the sight.
'He really doesn't seem to have any ulterior motives.'
If they were truly under suspicion, there would have been at least a few interrogation devices prepared.
But the room only had basic protective equipment and was even a reception room for guests.
Confirming nothing amiss, Lee Se-hun nodded on their behalf.
"Understood."
"Good. Then let's go over it from the beginning. You rushed straight to Cadet Lea Clodel when the overload started—why was that...?"
Ran Pei asked about several actions taken at the Ivory Tower, and the two explained exactly what had happened.
They knew Lea's submitted spear was dangerous, so they intervened. Afterward, at Lee Se-hun's suggestion, they acted because it seemed like they could resolve the incident.
One might call it reckless cadet meddling, but since it led to a clean resolution, there was no room for criticism.
'If those three—especially Lee Se-hun—hadn't moved immediately, the damage would have been far worse.'
Ran Pei, jotting down their account on his laptop, suddenly looked at Lee Se-hun with a curious expression.
"But how did you get the confidence that you could resolve it? Embarrassing as this is for a magic engineering professor, it didn't look easy even to me."
Using the overloading submissions as parts to create a machine that controlled the excess mana supply.
It had failed midway due to a sudden explosion, but up to that point, it had progressed flawlessly, without flaw.
'Even for the Forging Department, it's too early for that level of understanding of enchanted armaments.'
Especially since most submissions in the exam hall were more in the magic engineering department's wheelhouse.
To the question laced with doubt, Lee Se-hun pondered briefly before answering calmly.
"I just took one look and knew."
"...That's it?"
"Well... yeah?"
To be precise, it was thanks to his pre-regression experience of forging gear for the Violent Dog for the first time, getting told "You suck at making enchanted armaments," and ego-bruised, devouring every related material in a frenzy. But he couldn't exactly spill that quirky backstory.
So Lee Se-hun gave the simplest answer.
"I'm just a versatile genius."
Anyway, genius. Knows everything.
As the top of his department and a rising star watched by the hero industry, he could say it with confidence.
"...I seriously wanna bonk you."
Louise muttered beside him, genuinely annoyed.
"...I see. Understood."
Ran Pei pondered Lee Se-hun's words before nodding in acceptance.
With any other cadet, he'd dismiss it as nonsense, but Lee Se-hun had the track record and results to back it up.
'Rumors say even the president has his eye on him.'
Lee Se-hun is an incredible genius. With that settled, Ran Pei moved to his final question.
"Then, after you manipulated the spear, how did the explosion happen?"
"I suddenly sensed strange mana waves, so I blocked them. Probably the incantation Lea mentioned that overloaded the emergency engine."
"I see. Indeed, the explosion followed right after."
He hadn't seen it himself, but Lee Se-hun was on-site, so perspectives differed.
After a few more minor questions, Ran Pei finished recording and stood.
"That should suffice for the investigation. Saving the cadets' lives means you'll get some modest reward once the report goes up. We'll contact you when it's sorted."
"Understood."
"Then you're dismissed."
Escorted to the lobby, Lee Se-hun and Louise bowed their heads to leave when—
"Ah, I almost forgot."
Ran Pei added casually.
"Thanks to you two, I got out safely too. Appreciate it."
As a professor, he could protect himself, but that didn't negate their help.
Expressing thanks, Ran Pei headed back in, and Louise watched his retreating figure curiously.
"He's a decent guy."
"Yeah."
His skills didn't seem lacking either; maybe he was someone notable pre-regression that Lee Se-hun just didn't know.
Planning to look into Ran Pei later, Lee Se-hun turned to Louise.
"So, what now?"
"I should be asking you that. Ending it here this time? You looked like you landed a solid hit."
Charles had bolted the moment Ivory Tower staff arrived, claiming an issue. To outsiders, it looked like deference to authority, but they knew better.
A brief lapse in composure—extreme shock. Push now, and they could finish him.
"Better to end it here."
Lee Se-hun shook his head firmly.
"They gave us leeway up to this point, but digging deeper wouldn't look like a normal cadet's reaction."
"Tch... Such a rare opening, and we can't strike. Shame."
Seeing her obvious frustration at not being able to pummel the visibly shaken foe, Lee Se-hun chuckled.
"Don't worry too much. Babel's no fool to let this slide."
He didn't know if they grasped the massive "Observer" trunk, but exposing a tail threatening Babel would lead them to torch the whole ass too.
This incident would significantly diminish Dawn's influence inside the Ivory Tower and Babel alike.
"If so, guess I'll head back and rest. Pushed too hard earlier; everything aches now."
Louise grimaced, rolling her neck and shoulders. She'd controlled the vast exam hall's mana alone, so ending merely fatigued was impressive.
"Good work. We survived today thanks to you."
Not empty words; without Louise's aid, things wouldn't have wrapped so smoothly.
At Lee Se-hun's sincere gratitude, Louise's eyes flickered, and she averted her gaze.
"If you get it, treat me right. Don't just call me for grunt work."
"Ahem."
Lee Se-hun coughed awkwardly at her prickly response.
Thinking about it, lately he'd only summoned her for forging gear or prepping for the selection tournament—pure exploitation.
'Hits a bit close to home.'
Maybe make time to treat her next. As he pondered how, Louise glanced over calmly.
"Still."
"...Yeah? Thought it'd just be a hassle."
"It was a hassle. Wondered why I was doing this crap, cursing you out in my head."
Her old self would have grudgingly stepped up but fumed at being dragged into unwanted mess.
'Th-thank you.'
'We survived thanks to you.'
'Thanks.'
But when those she'd helped thanked her sincerely, the irritation in her heart eased somehow.
Why the change? No need to dwell; the answer was obvious.
"Surprisingly not bad, though."
Chuckling, Louise eyed the culprit, Lee Se-hun.
"Helping people, like someone."
You have properly guided Target 'Louise Valente'.
A Bond Stone is generated for Target 'Louise Valente'.
"...?"
Staring blankly at the alert and her words, Lee Se-hun froze as Louise's face flushed crimson.
"...I'm out! Call me for work again and you're dead!!"
Thwack!
She smacked his shoulder hard and bolted away. Watching her flee, Lee Se-hun chuckled.
"Really something you live... no, survive twice to see."
The Violent Dog herself saying helping strangers wasn't bad.
She'd probably scream and try to explode every witness if she knew.
"Pff."
Amused by the absurdity, Lee Se-hun laughed softly, his steps lighter than usual as he walked out.
Inside a darkened lab.
Charles, chair pulled up beside the window letting in starlight, stared silently into the gloom.
"...?"
Passing time without thought or purpose. Soon, dawn broke, and as the horizon lit with 'Dawn's' light—
Vmmm—
Dawn's rays flooded the lab through the window.
An empty desk for assistants. The gathered light took form, soon fully manifesting.
Four lights in human shapes. Identical like mannequins, yet each lacked different parts.
Left arm, right arm, eyes, torso, and legs—neatly excised as if never there.
As Charles regarded the grotesque forms—
[Charles.]
Intent from the armless light reached his mind.
[I told you to be cautious in the Ascendant Emperor's garden. Do you know how much damage your greed has caused?]
To the furious left arm's interrogation, Charles replied calmly.
"It was necessary."
[Necessary? Absurd.]
The left arm scoffed, pouring rage and malice into him.
[Your 'necessity' severed half our years-long Babel supply chain. The rest is under suspicion now.]
"...?"
[You nearly botched our Ivory Tower control too, and call it necessary...? Curious what was so vital. Speak.]
Charles, waiting silently, answered readily.
"I found new 'Region' candidates."
[...!]
Even the silent lights stirred, and the left arm pressed.
[Who?]
"Louise Valente and Lee Se-hun. They showed aptitude for 'Voice' and 'Heart,' respectively."
[Heh. Voice and Heart.]
[Those elusive candidates pop up together in Babel? That's a stretch.]
Charles nodded to the skeptical right arm's light.
"See for yourself."
Closing his eyes, verdant mana emerged from deep within.
Cracklerumble
Roots descended over his body, linking sensations. Moments later, exclamations from the lights.
[No way, it's real. Both have the talent?]
[Purification! What of the Heart's purification?!]
The bodiless light, the Vessel, exclaimed excitedly, and Charles replied politely.
"No chance yet for the Heart."
[The Voice... the girl who assimilated post-purification before? Louise Valente?]
"Yes."
The legless light, Footstep, admired.
[Then she's as good as confirmed. Makes your efforts worthwhile.]
They too bore fragments of 'Him,' nearing magic's truth, but as extremities, paled against Voice and Heart symbolizing will and life.
They barely qualified as Regions. Finding such prizes made supply chains trivial.
[Heart.]
The eyeless light, Eye, regarded Charles.
[More crucial than the confirmed Voice.]
[But isn't Lee Se-hun risky? Not just the Ascendant Emperor—tons of S-ranks entangled.]
[Heard the Puppeteer and Tuner are interested too. Those lunatics might pick a fight anytime.]
[Purify! Purify him quick!]
Intent tangled chaotically in his mind. Charles narrowed his eyes slightly but spoke slowly.
"One more thing to report."
[What?]
"The Puppeteer proposed collaboration."
[From the Puppeteer?]
To the puzzled lights, Charles summoned verdant mana again, recalling the evening encounter.
'Lucky you.'
Heading back after handling the Ivory Tower mess. A navy-haired youth suddenly approached—Borsippa's third-year top student, Howard Grant.
'Was gonna kill you and puppet the corpse... but old memories surfaced, put me in a good mood. So, special offer.'
The Puppeteer, speaking through him, grinned ominously.
'Wanna raid the garden together?'