Chapter 37
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Perfect Completion
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“It's complete.”
“......”
Reese stared blankly at the two short spears placed before him.
[Crimson Single Spear]
Grade:Advanced | Quality:Mid-High
A spear forged from exquisitely crafted alloy.
Can store fire-attribute mana and assists in forming flame rings.
* Stores fire-attribute mana.
* Increases efficiency when using flame rings.
[Ebony Ten Spear]
Grade:Advanced | Quality:Mid-High
A spear forged from exquisitely crafted alloy.
Can store dark-attribute mana and assists in stabilizing flame rings.
* Stores dark-attribute mana.
* Increases stability when using flame rings.
The balance of the spearheads was excellent, and the integration of the shafts with the mana circuits was flawless. Even judged purely as 'spears,' they were outstanding creations. But the truly astonishing part was their effects.
'To bring weapons that enable flame rings, of all things.'
Anyone reading the info windows might think they simply 'assist in forming flame rings,' but in reality, it was far more than that.
The incantations and auxiliary formulas required to create flame rings—both were embedded within the spears. They would even repel attribute mana if anything went even slightly wrong, serving as an alert.
'At this level, they're basically training tools and manuals rolled into one.'
He'd expected something that could barely produce a flame ring, but to think he'd deliver this.
Reese glanced at Lee Se-hun, who stood calmly amid the absurdity bordering on disbelief.
'What do I even say to this...'
Now he understood why his brother had pushed so hard last night in the meeting to increase Lee Se-hun's budget allocation.
Reese organized his swirling thoughts and slowly spoke.
“First off... excellent work. I've been teaching for a long time, but this is the first time I've seen an assignment completed so quickly and perfectly. I'm genuinely impressed.”
“Thank you.”
“I was planning to grade everything after collecting all the assignments... but honestly, there's no need to delay with this. Consider it full marks.”
“......Full marks?”
“For real?”
The other cadets in the forging workshop buzzed at Reese's words.
Getting full marks from Babel's professors was nearly impossible. Their standards were absurdly high, all in the name of never settling for low goals.
To earn perfect scores, one needed results so impeccable no one could deny them—and Lee Se-hun had produced exactly that on his very first assignment!
“You've submitted your assignment, so you're excused from class until presentation day. Attend if you want, or don't. Up to you.”
Not only had he earned full marks with weapons forged in a single day, but he'd also secured an attendance exemption from the notoriously strict Professor Reese.
The cadets, buried in their blueprints, shot Lee Se-hun envious glances.
'Can't we just bump him up to third-year?'
'He could graduate right now, as far as I'm concerned.'
'Why's a guy like that in our year? Talk about rotten luck...'
It had surpassed jealousy, reaching outright revulsion. Amid the stares, Lee Se-hun glanced at Yeom Seong-ha standing beside Reese.
'See that?'
The spear you dismissed is this impressive.
Yeom Seong-ha met his gaze, pondered briefly, then lifted one corner of his mouth ever so slightly.
“Well done.”
It flipped Lee Se-hun's insides in an instant.
“......”
Do I make others feel like this when I smirk? Lee Se-hun reflected briefly, calmed himself, and nodded.
“Then I'll head out.”
“Sure. Take the spears with you. If you want to sell them, let me know.”
Reese dove back into lesson prep, and Lee Se-hun pocketed the two short spears before leaving the forging workshop.
'No point sticking around for a class with nothing to learn.'
In truth, the Forging Department's major classes weren't so much about learning as building prestige as top students or loosening up stiff muscles—like 'rehab.'
So Lee Se-hun preferred skipping when possible, saving his real curiosity for elective courses.
'Today's... old man Ma Gwang-su's class.'
With metal forging skipped, he had a three-hour gap. He considered the training room but eyed the subspatial pocket holding the spears.
'Been a while—maybe give it a try?'
He'd never fully mastered it pre-regression, but with techniques from Ma Gwang-su and his young, vigorous body, it might work.
Too awkward to practice in public, so he headed to the Body Control lecture hall.
'No class, huh.'
The room was empty—Ma Gwang-su absent too. Perfect timing. Lee Se-hun dashed to the changing room, swapped to workout clothes, and emerged.
“Hm?”
“Oh.”
He bumped into Jake Myers, also in workout gear.
“What, class starting now?”
“Nah, in an hour. He told me to arrive early and warm up.”
“Got it.”
He'd figured Jake might train separately, and it seemed they were doing individual sessions.
'Makes sense with that old man's personality.'
But training in the arena would feel awkward now. The private training rooms were an option, but not fully registered yet.
As Lee Se-hun debated settling for the general training room...
“Um...”
Jake hesitated, then spoke seriously.
“Got a favor to ask. That okay?”
“No. Not okay.”
“......”
Jake's face stiffened at the curt reply. Lee Se-hun met his eyes calmly.
“Let me guess—your sister told you to get weapons from me. No interest, so drop it.”
“......Without hearing the terms?”
“Yeah. Just doesn't appeal.”
The Myers family wouldn't skimp on payment. Lee Se-hun's refusal stemmed from two reasons.
First, Aria Myers herself—the potential future Demon God of Annihilating Light—was a thorny existence.
Second, anything he made now was bound to disappoint.
'She's got sky-high standards.'
He hadn't decided how to handle Aria yet, but losing her interest was off-limits either way.
Aria Myers, the former Summit Climber turned Demon God of Annihilating Light, had fallen because she'd lost all faith in others.
'Irritating enough to notice, but not enough to approach... that ambiguous distance is best for now.'
Until he uncovered the 'sword' she desired, this was the play.
Jake bit his lip at Lee Se-hun's firm expression, then spoke.
“How about this, then?”
He pulled a small hammer from his waist subspatial pocket and offered it.
A black handle sized for one hand, silver body. The peen on each side gleamed red and black, dense with attribute mana.
Clearly valuable. Lee Se-hun's eyes narrowed.
“Take a look.”
Lee Se-hun took the hammer and checked its info.
[Hammer of Black Flame]
Grade:Heroic | Quality:Mid-High
A hammer forged from dragoonite.
Coated on each face with fire- and dark-attribute mana, amplifying both attributes.
* Amplifies both attribute manas.
* Enables skill 'Attribute Convergence'.
“Oh...”
A mid-high quality heroic-grade hammer.
Designed for forging from the start, it excelled at maximizing attribute mana, with solid performance overall.
Best of all, it had ample room for 'improvements.'
'Not bad at all...'
Market value would be steep. Lee Se-hun eyed Jake.
“So, what's this?”
“Spar me again. If I lose, the Hammer of Black Flame is yours.”
“And if I lose, I make a weapon for your sister?”
“Right. Payment as usual, of course.”
A win-win bet to outsiders, but Lee Se-hun had no reason to expose his bottom line to Aria.
'Hammer's useful, but not worth the risk.'
As he decided to refuse again...
'...Hm?'
Jake stared intently, waiting. Unlike the auction reluctance, he burned with determination now.
A raw resolve to win. Sensing opportunity in Jake's honest emotion, Lee Se-hun spoke.
“One addition.”
“What?”
“If I win this time... no sister talk for a month. Tell her too.”
“......”
A month—short or long, depending. But considering the scolding ahead, it was hell for Jake.
“Deal.”
He nodded. He had to win, and this time, he wouldn't lose like before.
“Alright. Let's start.”
They mounted the arena. Safety gear now covered them fully, not just vitals.
'Last time, his counter caught me off guard... This time, full power from the start.'
Jake channeled mana into his fists, blue haze forming.
Enough to shatter iron swords effortlessly—but he pushed further.
Krunch─
Clenching compressed the mana denser, blue steam leaking between fingers.
Impurities purged, concentration deepened. His fists turned deep blue. Lee Se-hun's eyes widened.
'Compressing mana that much just by clenching...?'
His grip strength outstripped normal physique. Suddenly, Jake blocking Yeom Seong-ha's punch flashed back.
'He stepped in then because... he was confident even against full power.'
He'd known the potential, but not this level. Bracing himself at Jake's unexpected prowess.
'Slack off, and I'm done.'
Pure physicals? No chance. But using everything? Different story.
Lee Se-hun raised his hands, interlacing fingers before his chest, then released the Bond Engraving on his left.
Bond Engraving 'Fourfold Stone' released.
Fourfold Stone emerged from his left palm. Confirming the texture, he activated the engraving on his right.
Bond Engraving 'Prospecting Iron' activated.
The moment the Fourfold Stone melted into his body via Prospecting Iron, Lee Se-hun felt every muscle twitch wildly.
Like thousands of threads puppeteering him. Amid the eerie sensation, his body gradually adjusted to proper form.
“Hoo...”
Barely moving, yet his posture was now far more refined. Confirming his body united perfectly, he drew his weapons.
Whoosh!
Two short spears from the subspatial pocket. Jake looked intrigued.
'Uses short spears too.'
Seemingly proficient—no openings more than before.
Reconfirming Lee Se-hun's formidability, Jake eyed his clenched fists.
'Shatter his weapon first move.'
A bit rough, but surefire.
Mana compressed to limit: 'Azure Compression.' Full power unleashed, Jake shed hesitation and assumed stance slowly.
No referee to call start. Amid the eerie silence between the unmoving pair...
Thump─
Safety gear hummed faintly from long inactivity. Both eyes flashed simultaneously.
Boom!!
They kicked off, charging headlong.
'Got him...!'
Evasion over flight this time meant crushing under raw power.
Jake thrust his Azure Compression-wreathed fist with all might.
Roar!
“......Huh?”
Flame rings erupted from Lee Se-hun's spear tips.