Chapter 10

The Reincarnated One Takes Charge - Chapter 10

First Class.

In a typical academy, freshmen would engage in subtle power struggles on their first day, but Babel was a bit different.

“Do we have class today?”

“On the first day, we just take a light test, you know.”

“Ugh. I’ll probably be sweating buckets again.”

The students greeted each other and naturally engaged in conversation. Since most departments encouraged freshmen to interact before the opening ceremony, relationships had already been formed.

And through this process, factions that naturally dominated the entire class were bound to form. Among them, the faction led by Hans, the second-in-command of the department, was the most prominent.

“Where do you want to eat lunch later?”

“Ah, sorry. I have a meeting with Senior Howard today.”

“Senior Howard... He’s the department head of the third year in Borsipa, right? You two know each other?”

Surprised by his classmate’s question, Hans nodded with a slight smile.

“It’s just that our families are close, so we meet from time to time. He said he wants to give me some advice on academy life, so we’re meeting this time.”

“Wow... Are other seniors coming too?”

“I didn’t get all the details, but a few seniors who are department heads or second-in-commands from other departments are supposed to come.”

“So you’ll introduce us this time? That’s great...”

At Hans’s words, not only his group but also the students sitting apart subtly perked up their ears.

Most of the students admitted to Babel were children of somewhat well-known heroes, guilds, or companies. Thus, while they appeared equal on the surface, there was an invisible hierarchy among them. And in this class, Hans was at the center of it.

‘Nothing special.’

The Barumut family, leading the research in alchemy and renowned globally in the armament industry, was a truly unique background even among the relatively well-off students. It was only natural that Hans would dominate the class.

“Hmm. I’ll ask the senior later if I can bring my friends.”

“Really? Please do!”

“Can I ask too? Please?”

“Don’t worry. Since the place is spacious, it won’t be a problem to bring a few more people.”

At Hans’s subtle words, the scattered students exchanged glances.

And after hesitating for a while, a few of them cautiously got up and approached Hans.

Click!

The atmosphere in the classroom suddenly changed with the appearance of a young man with a sharp expression, Iseun.

His eyes, as if he had just killed someone, were fiercely sharpened, and his face was full of complaints, as if he was about to burst into curses at any moment.

The students, sensing his presence, involuntarily tensed up.

“...”

Noticing the atmosphere, Iseun slowly looked around and his eyes met Hans, who was surrounded by other students.

“...”

“...”

Iseun’s expression remained the same as when he entered, but Hans, despite maintaining a calm demeanor, subtly trembled.

‘What kind of eyes...’

Though they were clearly of the same age, just meeting his eyes made one feel inferior.

It felt like facing a superior one couldn’t handle. Instinctively afraid, Hans bit his lip, and Iseun smiled slightly.

‘He seems to have a good grasp of the situation.’

Iseun had thought Hans might not be aware and might look down on or provoke him, but from his reaction, it seemed he had a clear understanding of the hierarchy.

After confirming the atmosphere of the department, Iseun went to a corner and sat down.

“Phew...”

“Wow...”

As Iseun sat far away, the students glanced at each other and whispered, and the entire atmosphere centered around him.

The leadership in the class that Hans had been gradually building since the freshmen interaction event had instantly shifted to Iseun.

“...”

As Hans bit his lip and clenched his fists, Kim In-cheol entered the classroom.

The students, who had been in a state of confusion, immediately straightened up, and Kim In-cheol, standing at the podium, scanned the room.

“Since it’s the first class, we should start with attendance and introductions, but let’s put that off for a moment and briefly explain how the classes will proceed.”

As Kim In-cheol lightly tapped the panel on the podium, three documents appeared in the air.

“Babel encourages individual autonomy in learning. In simple terms, as long as you complete your major courses, you can take any other courses without issues.”

You can attend classes from other departments within Borsipa, or even go to departments in other areas to attend classes.

If you wish, you can take dozens of courses in one semester, but there is one point to note.

“However, once you apply for a course, you must complete it for the entire semester, and if you fail three times, you will be immediately expelled from Babel. Remember this.”

While it offers freedom, you must take responsibility for your choices.

This was Babel’s motto, and it was something the students had to remember until graduation.

Since it often came up just when they were about to forget, Kim In-cheol firmly warned them and continued.

“The application for minor courses this semester is possible through the general affairs office until this weekend. It’s best to go around and check during your free time. Understand?”

“Yes.”

“Now, I’ll explain the major courses you will be taking.”

As Kim In-cheol operated the panel, the documents changed, and three categories appeared.

“The major courses are ‘Mineral Analysis,’ ‘Metal Refining,’ and ‘Tool Understanding.’ These are the basics of being a blacksmith.”

Understanding materials, refining them correctly, and extracting their performance as tools.

These are the essential skills that all creators, not just blacksmiths, must possess.

“After completing these three subjects this semester, you will be divided into more specific major courses based on your performance and aptitude. We’ll discuss this in six months... Come in.”

At Kim In-cheol’s call, the classroom door opened, and Assistant Han In-sung entered with a large cart covered in cloth.

The students, who had been waiting, straightened up and their eyes sparkled.

‘What is it?’

Just as Iseun was wondering about the sudden change in the classroom atmosphere, Kim In-cheol removed the cloth covering the cart.

‘This is...’

A silver ingot without a single flaw. It looked like ordinary iron, but there was one distinct difference.

The center of the ingot, unlike the rest, was transparent, and a small flame was gently burning inside.

“This ingot is called ‘Projection Alloy.’ It is a material that is tens of times more sensitive to mana than ordinary ores.”

Kim In-cheol took out a piece of Projection Alloy and held it up for the students to see.

“So, when you inject mana into the Projection Alloy like this...”

Whirr-

As Kim In-cheol injected his mana, the flame in the center of the Projection Alloy slowly melted into the interior.

Then, like using alchemy, it instantly collapsed into a liquid form and transformed into a long sword.

“A weapon you imagine in your mind can be created this easily.”

Whoosh-

The long sword in Kim In-cheol’s hand smoothly sliced through the air, and the students involuntarily gasped in admiration.

Even though it was a common long sword, the level of completion was clearly different.

‘Hmm. Not bad...’

Even Iseun, who scrutinized the sword, was inwardly impressed.

The basic skills were flawless, proving that he wasn’t just a top 100 craftsman for nothing. However, there was still something to say.

‘I could feel it from the Inyan stone... This guy is serious.’

Iseun’s eyes narrowed as he noticed a very faint mark on the blade of the sword in Kim In-cheol’s hand.

Noticing his gaze, Kim In-cheol turned his head, and their eyes met in the air.

“...”

“...Let’s continue the explanation.”

Pretending nothing had happened, Kim In-cheol turned his head and casually placed the sword back on the cart, continuing his explanation.

“Projection Alloys are difficult to use as weapons due to their sensitivity, but they reflect unacknowledged traits, allowing you to see yourself. That’s why weapons made from Projection Alloys are often called ‘Avatars.’”

Weapons that show aspects of yourself you didn’t know. The students’ eyes lit up at this introduction.

“Therefore, the introductions for the Refining Department will be done using weapons made from Projection Alloys. After the introductions, they will be displayed in the main hall for a week, so be on your best behavior. Understand?”

“Yes!”

At the students’ loud response, Iseun finally understood why the atmosphere had suddenly changed.

The items they would create now would be publicly displayed to their peers, seniors, and even all of Babel, so it was impossible not to be nervous.

‘Who would want to make a grand introduction to avoid being seen as just another Babel student?’

Each Projection Alloy costs over 10 million won, and using such an amount just for an introduction seemed a bit excessive. However, considering its effects, it wasn’t entirely wasteful. As Kim In-cheol said, weapons made from Projection Alloys reflect the subconscious, showing the student’s potential and potential issues.

‘With luck, it might even reveal a minion of a mind flayer.’

This was a research result not yet discovered in this era, but it could be useful in certain situations.

While Iseun was thinking about this, Kim In-cheol took out a Projection Alloy and looked at the students.

“Then, let’s start from the front.”

At Kim In-cheol’s call, the students came up to the podium one by one, received the Projection Alloy, and began to create their weapons.

“Huh!”

Whirr!

The students, though nervous about the unfamiliar Projection Alloy, began to create their weapons without wavering.

Iseun, who had been carefully observing, soon lost interest and wore a bored expression.

‘Not bad, but there’s nothing particularly impressive...’

Compared to students from other academies, they were certainly outstanding, but none of them possessed the talent that Babel aimed for, the ‘peak.’

“Oh...”

“Wow...”

Among them, Hans, who created a flashy set of swords and received admiration from his peers, was the best, but he was no exception.

‘He looks good on the outside, but he’s hollow inside.’

While he might be considered decent now, once he has to create a weapon that reflects his true self, he will hit a wall.

While Iseun was thinking about this, considering what it would have been like if he had gone to the Vulcan Academy as Kim In-cheol had suggested, he was bored.

“Finally, Iseun. Come up.”

“Yes.”

At Kim In-cheol’s call, Iseun walked down to the podium, and the surrounding gazes immediately focused on him.

A freshman who had achieved the department head position, which had not been achieved in 12 years. How much talent and skill did he really have?

Curious gazes followed Iseun as he looked at the Projection Alloy in his hand.

‘Projection Alloy...’

Before his reincarnation, he had handled this useless metal countless times to master a certain skill.

If he used that experience, he could have hidden his skills from Kim In-cheol, but he didn’t feel the need to do so.

‘Already the department head, what’s the point of hiding my strength?’

In a real battle, hiding a move might catch the opponent off guard, but for a blacksmith creating weapons, hiding his skills would only result in being underestimated.

Considering the future talents he would meet and the support he would receive from Babel, it was better to show his true abilities here.

‘If I’m going to do it, I might as well go all out.’

If he was too perfect, people might find it suspicious, but if the result was something they couldn’t understand, they wouldn’t doubt it.

Iseun decided and injected his mana into the center of the Projection Alloy, where the flame was.

Whirr-

The Projection Alloy began to change shape as it absorbed the mana.

What could he create to surprise the others? Various forms appeared in Iseun’s mind, and the designs were naturally completed.

As the completed designs piled up in his mind, a loud explosion echoed through the classroom.

* * *

In the exhibition hall on the 7th floor of the main building of the Refining Department.

Usually, this place displayed the graduation works of past students, and there weren’t many visitors. However, during the period when the freshmen’s avatars were displayed, it was a different story.

Visitors from all over the academy came to find new talents and potential slaves, either for collaboration or to take on projects.

And this exhibition was particularly different.

“Wow, there are so many people.”

“Is this all because of Iseun?”

“Honestly, I can’t help but see it.”

The department head of the Refining Department, produced after 12 years, had already created a rare-grade weapon and had a demonstration that overshadowed Jake and Erica, two well-known freshmen from prestigious families.

The topic alone was so significant that spectators flooded from all directions.

“Jake and Erica have already seen it.”

“Oh, I heard that. Erica came a few hours ago, waited, and was the first to see it.”

“Come to think of it, there were others besides them...”

Not only the freshmen department heads but also famous upperclassmen had visited, and naturally, attention was drawn.

As a result, skeptical comments about Iseun began to emerge.

“He’s just a freshman, after all.”

“Honestly, the weapons made by students are all the same. It’s a bit funny to say they have different lines and textures.”

“You’re right.”

In the technical field, it was an inevitable evaluation, and some people entered the exhibition hall with such a dismissive attitude.

And they arrived in front of Iseun’s avatar, which occupied a large hall by itself.

“...”

“...”

Everyone was speechless at the 5-meter-tall exhibit.

A massive sphere with swords, spears, shields, axes, scythes, claws, gauntlets, staffs, and countless other weapons protruding in all directions.

The form was already impressive, but what was even more astonishing was that each protruding weapon was exquisitely crafted.

“It looks... really good.”

“It seems better than the weapons I use.”

Even though they knew that weapons made from Projection Alloys were trash, they somehow looked better than the weapons they used.

The high level of completion made everyone feel overwhelmed, and they eventually noticed the sign placed below the exhibit.

[During the creation process, an unusual phenomenon occurred where 19 surrounding Projection Alloys were absorbed. This is considered a reflection of Iseun’s potential, and the exhibit is presented as is.]

An unexpected event led to the creation of this work. The explanation left everyone with an ambiguous expression as they looked at the exhibit.

‘This is...’

‘What can I say?’

The result was so different from the other exhibits that the reactions varied widely.

“It’s probably just a fluke due to a skill.”

“Such cases aren’t unheard of.”

Many believed it was just a unique skill and not particularly impressive.

“How are we supposed to judge based on this?”

“Since multiple Projection Alloys were used, this is what came out. The conditions were different from others, so I don’t understand why this was displayed.”

“It’s been a while since a department head appeared, so they’re probably trying to push him as a genius.”

Most people believed that this item couldn’t properly judge Iseun.

The unexpected result led to more negative reactions than positive ones.

“I have a different opinion.”

“Me too.”

However, there were a few positive reactions, and interestingly, they all said the same thing.

That the amount of Projection Alloys used was not enough to fully express Iseun.