Chapter 35
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: White Radiance Sword's Verification
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"Your seat's over there."
Led by Erika to an empty pair of seats, Lee Se-hun wore a peculiar expression.
"You said earlier that you just happened to run into me."
"Yeah."
"Then why are there seats saved for me?"
Two blatantly empty seats sat there. It was so obviously premeditated that Lee Se-hun stared at her in disbelief, but Erika answered nonchalantly.
"I figured something like this might happen."
"...Right. Of course you did."
At least it was better than standing. Settling into his seat, Lee Se-hun pulled out the catalog in front of him and flipped it open.
'A total of 36 swords, huh.'
The items up for auction today were already set up on stage, with six swords per rack on the tables.
'Hmm... No real standouts among the second-years...'
There weren't even any familiar names from before his regression, and the iron sword supposedly made by the second-year top student was honestly inferior to Hans's work.
Lee Se-hun's expression soured at the disappointingly low quality. That's when the auctioneer stepped out from behind the stage and took position at the podium.
"We will now begin the Forging Department's second-year regular auction. The theme is iron swords. There are 36 items in total, with detailed information listed in your catalogs for reference."
The house lights dimmed slightly as the stage lights brightened, naturally drawing all eyes. Confirming the attention, the auctioneer continued smoothly.
"Before we dive into the bidding, allow me to explain the special quality verification process added for this auction."
As the auctioneer spoke, spotlights converged on the center of the stage, illuminating a pure white cloth draped over a cart. It reflected the light from all directions.
"This white cloth is Seogeum Cloth, woven from threads spun by melting down the fur of the magic beast 'White Tiger.' It's soft yet as tough as metal, with exceptional resistance to slashing."
In sync with the explanation, a staff member holding a sword stepped forward and slashed downward at the Seogeum Cloth.
Kagagak!
Sparks flew in all directions—a sight unbelievable for a mere clash of sword and cloth. As everyone watched in shock, the staff pressed harder.
Kagak—Pang!
The sword snapped in two, unable to withstand the force. Lifting the pieces for all to see, the staff revealed a blade with all its teeth ground down.
"This allows us to easily identify items that sacrifice durability for cutting power. For this auction, we'll use the Seogeum Cloth to weed out such defective products."
"Oh. This should be interesting."
"Looks like they've come prepared."
It was a verification method that could potentially break the entries if mishandled.
The participants looked intrigued by the unusual setup for a typical auction. It clearly seemed designed to highlight this year's departmental top student, Lee Se-hun.
"If they're going for drama, maybe they'll break every second-year sword?"
"Nah, even they wouldn't go that far. Probably something like slicing worn Seogeum Cloth."
Every department pulled some theatrics when promoting promising talents. The participants saw the Seogeum Cloth test as part of that, and from backstage, Michael smiled as he watched.
'Going smoothly.'
The reason for quality verification was clear, and the justification solid. Even if investigated later, it would just be chalked up to the vice department head getting enthusiastic over a new star.
'Assuming the verification succeeds, that is.'
Lee Se-hun's White Radiance Sword was exceptional, but it hadn't overcome the 'limitations' inherent to slash-focused blades.
Of course, demanding it surpass that using mere iron was harsh for a cadet, but that was the vice department head's problem to handle.
'Hope he likes it.'
Michael smirked at Lee Se-hun in the audience as the auctioneer finished his explanations and began.
"With that, let the auction begin. Sword number one, by cadet Joseph..."
At the call, a staff member lifted a sword from the rack and lightly slashed at the Seogeum Cloth.
Kagagang!
"Oh..."
"Different color sparks."
The demo had produced dark, grubby sparks, but this time they were blue. Gasps of admiration rippled through the seats at the unexpected sight. Erika glanced at Lee Se-hun.
"Know why that's happening?"
"It's a property of the Seogeum Cloth—or more precisely, the White Tiger's fur, Western Gold Fur."
The S-rank magic beast White Tiger.
Caught long ago, most knew it only for its toughness, but its abilities were more complex.
Fur, hide, flesh, and bones each had unique properties that combined for ultimate defense. The fur, Western Gold Fur, had a 'mimicry' trait.
"It mimics the sharpness of any metal weapon that touches it, eroding even the best blades. A trash ability, really."
"That's insane."
"No wonder it shattered hundreds of hero-grade items and even legendary gear. Add the hide, flesh, and bones? Untouchable."
As Lee Se-hun explained the White Tiger to Erika, a pre-regression memory surfaced, and he stroked his chin.
'Come to think of it, the Western Gold Tiger King armor should be in production around now.'
A legendary-grade armor made from White Tiger byproducts.
The only piece using its 'heart,' it was praised for nearly perfectly recreating the original's defense.
'I'd love that heart... Wonder if there's a way.'
Made by an unknown smith and first spotted on the black market, it wasn't easy to track. Lost in thought, Lee Se-hun heard Erika speak up, eyes narrowed in realization.
"So sharper swords are at a disadvantage, right?"
"Exactly. High cutting power usually means lower durability."
Balanced swords wouldn't suffer much from a Seogeum Cloth slash. Most prioritized stable durability over excessive sharpening.
But the White Radiance Sword had its edge honed to the limit. Thus, its relative fragility.
'High chance of breaking against the cloth.'
To those in the know, it was blatant sabotage. But criticizing it was tricky.
Cadets often prioritized cutting power, skimping on durability and drawing complaints.
'If the White Radiance Sword breaks now, it'll just be seen as another defective product.'
Especially with other second-year swords passing. Failing alone would invite scorn.
Afterward, anything he made would be dismissed as Forging Department or Kim In-cheol tricks, tarnishing his reputation.
'Once that perception sticks, it's hard to shake.'
Then recruitment attempts or outright rejection, like the Forging Department professors.
'Smarter than I thought.'
Securing Seogeum Cloth and boldly acting under Babel and Ludwig? The vice department head earned his position.
As Lee Se-hun inwardly reevaluated Michael, Erika eyed him curiously.
"You okay?"
"With what?"
"Sharper swords are disadvantaged. Yours is the sharpest."
"Yeah, pretty much."
Gazing at the standout White Radiance Sword on stage, Lee Se-hun smiled faintly.
"If I hadn't made it properly."
Kagang!
Each slash produced sparks of different colors, most ending with minor edge wear.
"Sword 25 verified. Starting bid: 2 million won..."
Bidding started immediately after verification, most swords falling quickly after a few calls, no drama.
High-grade with no weapon skills, and among 1,000 participants, eyes were on one item only.
"Now... finally, sword 36. Quality verification for cadet Lee Se-hun's White Radiance Sword, Borsippa first-year departmental top."
The staff carefully lifted the last White Radiance Sword, displaying it to the audience.
Under the lights, its pristine white edge gleamed coldly. The razor-sharp aura made everyone stare in awe.
"Hoo..."
Facing unprecedented attention, the staff steadied his breath and slowly brought the blade to the Seogeum Cloth.
Kiiiiing!
A bizarre scene unfolded—unlike before, no edge wear, but a interlocking grind. Simultaneously, the white edge around the blade flared, leaking outward.
Kang!
Sparks flew from the staff's protective glove gripping the hilt.
"Hup...!"
Realizing his hand nearly got sliced, the staff recoiled in shock, dropping the sword.
Puk!
The White Radiance Sword pierced straight through the auction floor.
Stunned silence blanketed the hall amid the sudden chaos.
What just happened? Even the auctioneer froze, speechless.
"Mind if I explain?"
Lee Se-hun stood calmly.
"Uh... well..."
"Send him up."
Kim In-cheol from the front row spoke as the auctioneer hesitated.
"The maker can explain best."
"Ah, yes. Of course."
It was his advising professor. Why not? With permission, Lee Se-hun ascended the stage.
Intense gazes dwarfed those from the seats. Meeting them leisurely, he effortlessly pulled the embedded White Radiance Sword.
"Um... your protective glove..."
"It's fine."
He wouldn't cut himself on his own sword.
Dismissing the staff, Lee Se-hun lightly ran his finger along the blade and faced the audience.
"First, the precise properties of the Seogeum Cloth—Western Gold Fur from the White Tiger—used in this test."
He repeated his earlier explanation to Erika. The audience buzzed.
Anyone perceptive realized the test heavily disadvantaged Lee Se-hun's slash-focused sword.
"Thus, edge-heavy swords should break easily... but my White Radiance Sword is different."
Presenting the blade prominently, he caressed its gleaming white edge.
"This 'edge aura' isn't mere reflected light. It's mana circulated through the blade, coalescing."
"Mana?"
"I don't sense any..."
Mana-made aura should've been detectable.
Smiling at the puzzled faces, Lee Se-hun replied.
"Normal not to feel much. It's made from trace ambient mana—like fireflies."
He swung lightly in the air; the white aura sharpened, more mana infusing from the swings.
"But it's not just glowing like fireflies. I tuned the mana array for compressed release... Think of it as an ultra-thin sword overlaying the blade."
Not dense enough for sword aura, too sharp for light—hence 'edge aura.'
"So the earlier clash was auras meshing?"
Erika's apt question; Lee Se-hun nodded.
"Right. Identical auras resonate, not cancel. And that enables something fun."
Exhaling softly, he eyed the Seogeum Cloth.
'Mess up, and it might actually break—or slice through.'
Either would blemish his rep. Needed perfection, but his condition wasn't ideal.
Night work aiding Yeom Seong-ha lingered in his fatigue.
'Confident, but better safe.'
Reviewing options, he spotted Erika staring intently.
'Right, at entrance ceremony, she enhanced a plain crow perfectly.'
Flawless spell alignment. Her barrier demo on the invite too—precision incarnate.
'Targets set, executed without error. Perfect efficiency, boldly pursued.'
Her profile crystallized, manifesting in his hand.
Wung!
'Perfect.'
Gripping the Filigree Stone, its properties ideal.
Bond Engraving: 'Filigree Stone'
Chwarak!
Silver threads leaked from his grasp, linking to the White Radiance Sword. Its wavering aura settled into a pristine white blade.
Perfectly tuned ripples formed a sword aura-like shape.
"Such a vivid form from so little mana..."
"No way it's actual sword aura...?"
Unbelievable feat. Smiling amid shocked stares, Lee Se-hun inspected the blade.
'Good enough.'
Extending the sword, he slowly lowered it onto the Seogeum Cloth.
Kiiiiing—
Auras meshed perfectly, enveloping the blade in a V-shape.
Confirming, he pressed firmer.
Kagagang!
Sparks from clashing auras. In one motion, he pulled the blade toward himself.
Skaaaang—!
A sharp metallic ring honed the edge further.
Weapon 'White Radiance Sword' grade has risen to 'Rare'.
'Hm. Not bad...'
A public whetstone couldn't hone it this far. Inferior to special stone, but fine for a first auction item.
Noticing the dazed stares, Lee Se-hun added.
"Ah, upgraded from high to rare. Adjust starting bid accordingly."
"Pardon? Does it have a weapon skill...?"
"White Edge. See?"
Wung!
Activating the skill, a sharper aura surged atop the blade.
"Simple edge reinforcement."
"Th-then... per manual, starting bid from 1 million to 5 million won."
One skill quintupled the price—mere starting bid. Final sale unknown.
"Shall we begin?"
All swallowed hard at the displayed sword.
Departmental top's creation. Now rare 'upgraded' item. Scarcity skyrocketed.
"7 million!"
"10 million!!"
"15 million!!!"
Bids climbed furiously.
Precision compressing trace mana to sword aura levels. Utility for aura training.
More research material than weapon—bids soared endlessly.
Front rows dropped out; units hit hundreds of millions. Two remained.
"200 million."
Erika raised her hand calmly, eyes gleaming.
"Ugh... 210 million!"
Jake countered desperately.
Fellow first-year tops from elite houses. From stage, Lee Se-hun marveled sincerely.
'Upper crust spending, huh.'
Burning hundreds of millions on a mere rare? Insane—but his money, his budget base.
"290 million. Ending here? Fine going home empty-handed?!"
Brandishing the sword, Jake's eyes twitched, hand rising again.
"...300 million!!"
"310 million."
"320 million...!"
"340 million."
Erika coolly upped; Jake groaned but followed.
Overkill for low rare, even with rarity. Now looked like Inoue-Myers recruitment proxy war. All gawked—then:
"600 million."
The hall froze.
A red-haired woman at the entrance raised her hand stoically. Department head Ryu Eun-ha's arrival hardened Jake and Erika's faces.
Famed for devouring any weapon she targeted. Weapon Eater, gourmet Ryu Eun-ha.
'600 million... even for this...'
'Can't confirm that value...'
Beyond expectations, they hesitated.
"Too low...?"
Ryu Eun-ha muttered amid silence. They sighed, shaking heads.
"White Radiance Sword... sold for 600 million won."
Lee Se-hun's debut auction ended triumphantly.