Chapter 126
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: Exhibition Entry and Expo Access
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After the Body Control class wrapped up in a haze, Lee Se-hun headed straight for the department head's office in Borsippa's main building.
Knock knock.
"Department Head."
"Come in."
Lee Se-hun pushed open the door at the response from inside and stepped in. Ryu Eun-ha, who had been sitting at her desk buried in paperwork, shot up from her seat.
"……."
Her expression didn't change, but her gaze brimmed with anticipation. Seeing that, Lee Se-hun gave a slight smile and pulled out another sub-space pocket.
"I brought lunch."
"Have a seat over here."
Ryu Eun-ha quickly guided him to the sofa, and Lee Se-hun sat across from her, placing the sub-space pocket on the table.
Click!
With the press of a button, the compressed space unpacked, revealing a hefty double-bladed axe and two daggers laid out neatly.
The balanced craftsmanship and the densely engraved spirit language seals on their surfaces.
Having grown more accustomed to the engraving process, they now flowed so seamlessly they resembled intricate spells.
"And for the finishing touch……."
Lee Se-hun infused each with earth and fire attribute mana. The spirit language seals activated, revealing their true forms.
Vmmm!
"……."
The seals rippled across the surfaces like waves, enhancing their performance. Ryu Eun-ha stared intently at their beautiful, appetizing shapes.
Grrrrowl.
A loud rumble echoed from her stomach.
At the blatant reaction, Ryu Eun-ha glanced up at Lee Se-hun, then dropped her gaze and murmured.
"It's lunchtime……."
"I get it, I get it. Everything's ready, so dig in."
What blacksmith would be disappointed hearing that something looked so tasty it made her stomach growl?
Lee Se-hun responded nonchalantly, and Ryu Eun-ha straightened up with a nod.
"Thanks for the meal."
Crunch—crack!
The two weapons went into Ryu Eun-ha's mouth one by one, chewed thoroughly. Her twitching eyes, quivering lips, and flaming hair all betrayed her satisfaction.
'As expected, her emotions are richer than before regression.'
She'd always had reactions like her hair bursting into flames when eating something delicious, but this was the first time her face showed it so vividly.
Was it because she understood the flavor of his artifacts now? Or had something changed since they started meeting?
As Lee Se-hun pondered, Ryu Eun-ha finished her meal swiftly and spoke up.
"That was delicious. It's even better than before."
"Glad to hear it. I was worried you might not like it."
He had to stay vigilant—if she showed even a hint of boredom, he'd switch up his methods immediately.
"……."
Ryu Eun-ha gave him a slightly odd look at his response, then adopted a serious expression, as if resolving something.
"No need to worry so much. Cadet Lee Se-hun's artifacts are always delicious…… I mean, excellent."
"Pardon?"
"What I mean is, you should have more confidence in yourself, Cadet Lee Se-hun."
Caught off guard by her sudden encouragement, Lee Se-hun quickly pieced it together.
'She said it out of politeness, but I took it as lacking confidence.'
Before regression, she'd have just said, "Tasty? Then pay up more." But their positions now forced her to choose her words carefully.
Feeling guilty for worrying her unnecessarily, Lee Se-hun was about to brush it off when he remembered why he'd come.
'Wait. This could work…….'
Convincing her might be easier than expected. Composing himself, he spoke slowly.
"Well…… Speaking of that, there's something I'd like to ask you about."
"Go ahead. I'll help with anything I can."
"I heard Borsippa's hosting an exhibition for top graduates from each department. Know about it?"
"That……."
Ryu Eun-ha rose, fetched a sheet of paper from her desk, and handed it over.
"Is this what you mean?"
[Exhibition 'Future']
A stylish poster with the name and a brief description.
The front listed notable top graduates who'd gained some fame. Lee Se-hun scanned them.
'No familiar names.'
After checking the public list, he asked Ryu Eun-ha directly.
"Is this exhibition only for graduates?"
"Some departments have third- and fourth-years collaborating or submitting separate works."
Cadets could participate too. His eyes lit up at the answer he'd hoped for.
"Could I join, then?"
Ryu Eun-ha looked mildly surprised at his question.
"Mind if I ask why?"
She'd help with anything, but a weak reason might get shot down.
Recalling that, Lee Se-hun set the mood and began.
"My name's getting out there as department top…… but so many doubt my skills, it's denting my confidence."
"We handled those last time…… Hm. Go on."
"……So I want to showcase my work at this exhibition and get a proper evaluation."
Playing the passionate cadet to the hilt—challenging and positive—Ryu Eun-ha looked slightly shocked.
'Cadet Lee Se-hun looking that angry…….'
Maybe resentment had built up from those undervaluing him. After pondering her fierce expression, she nodded.
"Participation shouldn't be hard. It's more of an event than a formal thing, and as this year's top cadet, we can frame it as promotion."
"Then……."
"But to avoid backlash, stick to the theme. Can you prepare something fitting by next week?"
Lee Se-hun glanced at the "Future" theme and flashed a confident smile.
"No worries there."
No one else exhibiting would showcase the future as clearly as he could.
Ryu Eun-ha nodded at his conviction.
"Understood. I'll propose it at the next meeting. Have it ready by Thursday next week."
"Yes. I'll contact you when it's done."
Lee Se-hun bowed and left. Watching his back, Ryu Eun-ha's expression hardened.
"Still some of those people around……."
Maybe the sword aura mass-production topic from the Ivory Tower special selection had stirred up dissenters again.
She resolved to clean the list soon and shoot a new review video.
Vmmm.
Her pocket buzzed. She pulled out her phone and checked the caller.
[Yuriel Oppenheimer]
"……."
Seraphim Guild Master and her sponsor.
Not thrilled, her eyes twitched, but she answered.
"Speak."
—Straight to business, no greetings. How long…….
"Hanging up. Text me."
Click.
She cut off the nonsense, rejecting follow-ups.
A message arrived reluctantly.
[Got the research materials we discussed. Experiment next weekend—come to HQ.]
—Yuriel Oppenheimer.
"……."
Her eyes narrowed at the content.
Back to that dreadful place. But the oath-bound contract left no choice.
'Not much longer…….'
Steeling herself, she replied.
[Understood.]
'Exhibition's locked in…… Now the expo.'
The massive magitech expo showcasing new tech and products from Babel-based companies.
The biggest of the three departments' events—and what Lee Se-hun was most wary of.
'Perfect for 『Dawn』 to sneak in.'
Only Dream Demon from the Ten Evils and Watcher 『Offering』 confirmed in the Black Arms raid, but he wasn't lowering guards elsewhere.
Ten Evils and Watchers might feud, but they were all Myriad Demons' Mire ultimately.
No prior coordination needed—one mishap, and others would pounce for gain.
'Especially 『Dawn』…… They might try snatching Louise now.'
Not certain it'd happen, but reacting after was pointless.
As he mulled expo approaches.
Vmmm.
Pocket buzzed. Unknown number on the screen.
'Who?'
Not many knew his number. Answering curiously, a familiar voice came.
—Cadet Lee Se-hun. Professor Ran Pei from Magitech. Got a sec?
Weary tone. He replied promptly.
"Yes, of course."
—Called about the reward package we discussed. Prefer to talk in person. Where's convenient?
For blocking the Ivory Tower incident.
After a moment's thought.
"I'll come to you."
—Meet at my lab then. 22nd floor, Magitech main building.
"Got it."
Hanging up, he eyed his phone.
'Magitech…….'
Feeling like a path to the expo opened, he hopped the maglev to Ur's Magitech Department.
'Sleek and corporate.'
Less school, more office tower—the pristine main building.
Scanning as he entered, a familiar face leaned against the wall, phone in hand.
"……."
Louise Valente, expression twisted in irritation.
'Why here…… Oh, called us both like last time?'
Perfect. Approaching, she snapped her head up at the footsteps.
"Scram…… What? You?"
Instinctive curse halted. Lee Se-hun stared, then wiped a mock tear and nodded.
"Fine…… I'll go."
"Wait, no……."
He headed for the elevator. Urgent steps followed.
"Hey! You messing with me?"
"Not messing. I'm hurt."
"Want me to actually hurt you?"
Her narrowed glare made him chuckle.
"Starting with curses? Harsh, no?"
"No, just…… weirdos keep hitting on me. You know that, but still freak me out……."
Embarrassed, she explained. Intrigued, he asked.
"Hitting on you?"
On her, of all people. Then it hit him.
'Right, she's not Violent Dog yet.'
Pre-regression, infamous for toppling buildings on Dawn mages. Now, just a tame cadet.
"What kinda guys?"
"Dunno. Saw my spirit language magic, won't stop bugging for collab…… Next time, I'll beat one."
Visibly fed up. He stroked his chin.
'Spirit language magic—definitely intriguing.'
Utterly different system from standard magic—endless research potential.
Pre-regression, her full involvement sparked huge advances.
'Worth pursuing as her minor advisor.'
As he schemed.
The elevator dinged at 22, doors opening.
They walked the hall, spotting "Ran Pei" on a plaque.
Knock knock.
"Professor. Lee Se-hun."
"Come in."
They entered. Towers of neatly stacked papers, a fortress of energy drink cans. Tidy chaos. Lee Se-hun's expression turned peculiar.
'Neatly messy feels like this.'
Impressed oddly, as Ran Pei's voice echoed from behind a paper tower.
"Sit on the guest sofa there. Finishing up, then I'll join."
"Yes, sir."
They sat side by side. Pen scratches droned endlessly.
Soon, Ran Pei navigated the towers and sat opposite.
"Sorry for the mess. Pulled old files hunting data……."
Awkward self-awareness. Lee Se-hun waved it off.
"Your lab, no big deal. Don't worry."
"Appreciate it. Now, rewards."
He slid a binder across.
"Ivory Tower's compensation list. Browse and pick."
They flipped through together.
[To cadets who quelled and resolved the rampage: 3 billion each.
If no cash needed, equivalent value from Ivory Tower holdings…….]
Basic rundown, then item lists.
Rare hero-grade materials, artifacts galore—many worth more than 3 billion.
'Pure value, ignoring rarity or hype.'
Ivory Tower eating a loss to avoid Babel/Ludwig ire.
'Pretty solid…….'
As he scanned, Louise beside him pondered then said.
"Pick for me too."
"Why suddenly?"
"Nothing jumps out, and you see better anyway."
"Alright then……."
Rechecking, his expo thought resurfaced.
'Magitech prof—might have expo ties.'
Worth a shot. To Ran Pei.
"Professor, any duties for next week's magitech expo?"
"Duties?"
Quizzical, but answered.
"Overseeing facilities, yeah. Company reps only manage their own stuff."
Mana waves from magitech could interfere when clustered.
Needed an overall manager—Ran Pei.
'Skilled guy. Facility oversight…….'
Idea sparked.
"Could I join as on-site staff?"
"Staff? Why?"
Lee Se-hun smiled faintly.
"World-class companies' gear. Wanna see up close."
Public vs. insider info differed.
Companies secured, but leaks inevitable.
'Sloppy ones, more so.'
Access granted, rest easy.
"Hmm……."
Ran Pei eyed him, then.
"Corporate spy?"
"No."
"Hired by a snubbed company?"
"Nope."
"Just wanna peek at overhyped corps' tech levels?"
"Exactly."
Ran Pei pondered, nodded.
"Fine then. Hands short anyway."
"Thank you."
"But."
Leaning forward, he tapped the list.
"Half your Ivory Tower reward covers your 'ticket.' Fair?"
Precise cut, neither greedy nor stingy. Lee Se-hun smiled.
'Useful guy.'
Bold, balanced greed, flexible—got the hint quick.
Knowledgeable, self-assured.
"More than fair."
"Good. Call when needed."
"Yes. We'll work hard."
Satisfied, they shook. Then.
"……We?"
Louise muttered, miffed at her halved reward.