Chapter 22
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: The Iron Enigma
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A bond has been established with the target Inoue Erika.
"...What the hell."
Lee Se-hun's eyes widened at the notification window that popped up the moment he exited the forest.
Why had a bond suddenly formed with Erika, of all people, when he'd heard nothing from her until now?
Caught off guard by the sudden development, Lee Se-hun naturally recalled what had just happened.
'Did she catch a glimpse after all?'
His previously ambiguous evaluation must have shot up after witnessing his fight with Seitz, finally establishing the bond.
It might seem like a stretch, but considering how Erika had kept popping up out of nowhere to stare at him intently, it made perfect sense.
'Still, no idea what she's thinking.'
She seemed pragmatic, given that the bond formed right after he revealed his abilities, but he couldn't for the life of him figure out why.
Lee Se-hun pondered Erika for a moment before quickly shoving the thoughts aside.
'Whatever. Doesn't matter.'
The bond was established either way. He'd figure it out next time they met.
For now, he decided to check his status first. He examined the bond stone from Ryu Eun-ha mounted on his right arm.
Bond - Iron Devourer
Grade: AdvancedQuality: Top
An iron that devours other iron to generate heat.
It corrodes contacting iron, melting its core into itself.
*Devours iron to produce Mineral Blood.
*Remaining Durability: 78%
'Must be the high quality. It's holding up better than expected.'
At this rate, he could probably use it another two or three times. Smiling at the smaller-than-anticipated consumption, Lee Se-hun recalled the sensation he'd felt moments ago.
'That must be the "taste" Ryu Eun-ha feels when devouring artifacts.'
The flavor that had coursed through his entire body the instant he consumed the artifact. He'd tried fancy foods before, but this was on a whole different level—structurally incomparable.
An overwhelming presence no ordinary meal could replicate. The thick, lingering aftertaste still coated his mouth, and Lee Se-hun found himself licking his lips unconsciously.
'No wonder they say there's a reason behind her stone-faced expression...'
Living with such intense flavors constantly must dull reactions to normal stimuli. It only made sense.
Gaining deeper insight into pre-regression Ryu Eun-ha, Lee Se-hun savored the artifact's taste lingering in his mind.
'Hmm. With this, I might even aim to nail her tastes going forward.'
Matching her palate had been the trickiest part when forging for her. Experiencing the flavor firsthand was an enormous gain.
Leverage it right, and he'd not only secure smooth bond stones from her but level up faster too.
'These look decent enough.'
The ten daggers he'd taken from Seitz as compensation.
Crude as they were, a few tweaks would link them nicely with Black Spirit Thread, making them serviceable.
A bit tedious, but a solid haul. Satisfied, Lee Se-hun checked the time.
'Afternoon's Mineral Analysis, right?'
Professor Kim In-cheol handled it solo—one of the Forging Department's most popular majors.
'Gotta be that Master Artisan rank.'
One of the top hundred artisans worldwide. Hero-grade A-rank, but practical value on par with S.
'Wonder how he'll run the class...'
Musing as he arrived at the Forging Department main building, Lee Se-hun headed straight to the lecture hall.
"......"
"......"
The somewhat rowdy hall fell silent in an instant, all eyes snapping to him.
Used to the stares by now, he shrugged it off, slumping into a back corner with a sigh.
'Kinda wiped...'
The spar with Jake, fight with Seitz, then Iron Devourer's boost and crash. His body throbbed everywhere.
Exhaustion creeping in from depleted stamina and mana. As that floaty haze settled over him...
Creak—
The door slid open, and Kim In-cheol entered.
Trailing behind was a large cart rolling along autonomously. Lee Se-hun's face lit with interest.
'A golem.'
People thought blacksmiths only made weapons, but they handled anything ore-related.
Golems, especially, were popular collabs with mages. Pre-regression Lee Se-hun had built a few himself.
'Come to think of it, Louise was great with golems too.'
Recalling Violent Dog Louise Valente of the Three Dogs, just then—
"Let's begin class. Everyone turn to page 16."
Kim In-cheol started promptly from the podium. Listening, Lee Se-hun soon looked bored.
'Just theory lecture?'
Kim mixed textbook explanations with anecdotes. Useful enough for others, who listened intently—but for Lee Se-hun, whose experience rivaled the prof's, it dragged.
'Expected too much, huh...'
Metal forging and tool comprehension involved hands-on work, but this was pure sitting and listening. Torture.
As Lee Se-hun half-tuned out with a blank expression—
"That covers the basics. Time for the real thing."
Kim closed the book, pulling small iron bars from the cart and setting them on the front table.
"As explained, even identical metals take wildly different forms depending on mana array tweaks."
Whirr—
Mana rose from his fingertips. He tapped the bars lightly.
Whirr—
They quivered faintly, then transformed in diverse ways.
Crunch! Pop! Screech!
Curling inward, twisting spirally, blooming open—the iron bars shifted variously. Cadets watched in awe; Lee Se-hun smirked faintly.
'Skilled.'
Perfectly mapping arrays for that size bar required seasoned insight and senses.
"A weapon's versatility hinges on applying such changes. Thus, blacksmiths must master their metals' potential."
Tap tap!
Another tap, and the bars reverted seamlessly.
"Whoa..."
No overt skill use, yet perfect restoration. Cadets marveled; Kim continued nonchalantly.
"Today, practice transforming these bars. They're tuned hypersensitive, so handle with care."
Bars distributed. Lee Se-hun took one and inspected it.
'Hmm. Linked mana array to ore core for hyper-reactivity.'
Thought Kim rejected magitech forging after grinding with Vice Head Michael, but no—nuanced.
As Lee eyed it curiously, Kim raised his bar.
"Basics first. Manipulate the array to scratch 3cm deep in the center, then restore. Ten minutes."
Cadets placed hands on bars, attempting array tweaks as taught.
"Uh, wh-what? Why's it doing this?"
"...Won't revert?"
Hearing differed vastly from doing.
Most failed transformations; even top cadets struggled with precision.
But two remained unfazed.
"Done."
"Complete."
Top cadet Lee Se-hun and runner-up Hans Valmut.
"You two, advance. I'll show the next array—apply it."
Kim projected the next via hologram. They tweaked without pause, reshaping flawlessly.
Nearly identical speed. Lee edged ahead, but barely. Attention drew to their silent rivalry.
'I can do it... This time...!'
Slight speed gap, comparable finesse. Hans gritted teeth, pushing to catch Lee Se-hun.
Kim watched impassively, projecting the next.
"...Next array. Apply."
Incomprehensibly complex. Here, reactions split.
"......"
"This is it...!"
Lee Se-hun stared motionless. Hans dove in, transforming immediately.
The X-split bar curved slowly upward into a four-arced orb. Hans inwardly cheered.
'Got it!'
Picture-perfect.
Lee still idle. Hans smirked confidently.
As he moved to declare victory—
"Hans Valmut."
Kim's icy tone cut in.
"Restore the bar."
"...Pardon?"
"Exactly that. Restore it."
Flustered, Hans complied—eyes widening.
No matter what, it wouldn't revert.
"Th-this..."
Irreparably "damaged."
Kim spoke calmly as Hans gawked.
"That bar couldn't handle the transformation. Wrong method from the start. Knew that?"
"I-I just followed your lead, Professor..."
"Said it earlier. Master the metal's potential."
Not just transform—ensure it endures. Hans bit his lip at the rebuke.
"Don't just apply; check viability. Failed restoration warps quality and performance. Be meticulous."
Hans nodded glumly.
"Understood."
His rare chance, squandered.
Fuming, he glared at the still-motionless Lee Se-hun.
'He spotted it instantly?'
Or maybe just froze, unable to mimic, and lucked out.
As Hans scowled—
"Hm."
Lee murmured, suddenly shaping his bar into an orb like Hans's. All eyes puzzled—
"It'll hold."
Shhrrk—
The bar restored flawlessly.
"......"
"......"
A heavy silence blanketed the room, broken by one voice.
"...Cadet Lee Se-hun."
Forced calm, laced with tremor—all felt it. Lee finally looked up.
"Yes?"
"Come down with the bar."
"Ah. Sure."
Perplexed, Lee descended. Kim eyed the bar sternly.
"That transformation. Again?"
Red glint and mana in Kim's eyes—skill active for verification. Lee grasped the misunderstanding.
'Oh, damn. Gave him the wrong idea.'
Kim seemed rattled by the unexpected.
Explanation tempting, but demonstration faster. Lee reshaped.
Shirrk—
Split four ways, curved to orb—then rewound perfectly, with subtle flair.
Improvised perfection unbelievable for a freshman. Kim sighed, awed yet deflated.
"...So that's it. Possible because of this 'iron bar.'"
Kim's demo based on standard international bars; these had additives for ease.
Thus, feasible here—not on plain iron.
'And I jumped to conclusions...'
Kim wryly smiled at his blunder. But his shock had reason.
The textbook transformation? Created by none other than Summit Climber "Holy Flame Artisan," peer to President Ludwig.
'Impossible for anyone normally.'
Decades-old "Iron Truth," unbroken challenge for all blacksmiths—a foundational enigma.
'Maybe this kid could crack it.'
Overkill for a newbie, but given his feats, who knew the future?
Decision crystallized on a nagging dilemma. Kim eyed Lee resolutely.
"Adapting on the fly to the bar's state? Impressive. Well done."
"Thank you."
"Back to your seat."
Lee returned bar in hand, drawing furtive glances.
Praise from Kim In-cheol? They felt anew his on-the-spot mastery.
"......"
Among them, Hans—drained of spark by the gulf. Lee smirked, then refocused on his bar.
'Iron's enigma, huh...'
Holy Flame Artisan Ri Ken-se, that boisterous old coot.
Recalling him, Lee chuckled unwittingly.
'Second time I'd shatter it, then.'