Chapter 23

Reincarnationer 23rd Episode

"Let's end today's class here. Use the iron ingots for practice until the next class."

As the class ended, the students rushed out, and Iseun, who got up late, felt his eyes slightly relax.

'Ah... He's coming.'

Already in a state of low stamina from constantly handling the iron ingots during class, his mana was now completely drained.

The creeping fatigue and the endorphins that resisted it. Iseun, feeling his mana drying up, tried to take a step but wobbled.

"Student Iseun."

Kim Incheol, who hadn't left yet, called out to Iseun.

"Yes?"

"I have something to talk about... Do you have time?"

Since this was the last class of the day and there were no more schedules, Iseun, after a moment's thought, nodded.

"Sure."

"Then let's go to my lab."

Iseun, who moved to Kim Incheol's lab on the second floor of the main building, glanced around the room.

The lab was neatly organized with no personal items, and there was little to no trace of its owner.

'Well, you have to see a blacksmith's forge to know them.'

Iseun, finding the lab less interesting than expected, was about to look around when Kim Incheol pointed to the opposite sofa and sat down.

"Sit down."

"Yes..."

As soon as he sat down, the tension in his body relaxed, and he swayed. Kim Incheol's eyes widened at the sight.

"Are you okay?"

"Ah, yes. I've been quite busy today..."

"Don't overwork yourself. Didn't you do intermediate refining yesterday?"

"It's just that a lot of things piled up. I'm fine, so don't worry."

Although his complexion was turning pale, it didn't seem like he was fine, but what could be done if he said he was?

In fact, despite his appearance, Iseun exuded a strange sense of calm, so Kim Incheol nodded with a dubious expression.

"If you say so... Ah, is that the weapon you made yesterday?"

Noticing the prayer beads on Iseun's wrist, Kim Incheol showed interest. Iseun rolled up his sleeve.

"Yes. Would you like to see it?"

"Sure."

Kim Incheol, who received the prayer beads from Iseun, examined the information window and the exterior, and was soon surprised.

"Remarkable. To already be able to handle black jade to this extent... The internal spell pattern is unique. What did you use?"

"I applied the structure of the barrier I learned this time. The process was..."

Since there was nothing to hide, Iseun explained how he made the prayer beads, and Kim Incheol, listening to the story, was inwardly impressed.

'To be able to integrate a recently learned spell into a weapon so skillfully...'

Learning a spell and integrating it into a weapon were similar but entirely different fields.

Yet, to be able to do both so skillfully. Kim Incheol, who had been a professor at Babel for a long time, had never met a student with such broad and outstanding potential.

'Even though I was unsure until just now... My eyes were not wrong.'

Iseun, standing before him, had the potential to bring significant changes to the refining department and the blacksmithing industry.

Kim Incheol, who initially planned to support and observe Iseun gradually over the first semester, was now confident that it wasn't necessary and composed his expression.

"Student Iseun. I have a proposal."

Kim Incheol, returning the prayer beads and speaking seriously, made Iseun, who noticed the change in atmosphere, straighten up and nod.

"Go ahead."

"Would you consider taking the elective course I teach?"

A proposal within the expected range. Iseun, curious, asked.

"Is it the 'Weapon Originology' course?"

"Yes. Do you know what it covers?"

"Yes, I looked it up beforehand."

Kim Incheol's 'Weapon Originology' was a course that explored the fundamental nature of weapons, and it was well-known even outside Babel.

One reason was that it was taught by a Master Craftsman, but the main reason was that Babel provided a budget that ranked among the top ten of all courses.

'Ludwig was particularly interested in it.'

Babel was an academy for nurturing promising students and a research institution that supported professors.

Without such conditions, it would be difficult to hire skilled heroes as professors.

'Actually, it's possible because the principal is who he is.'

A hero who has climbed the Tower of Heroes has a significant influence just by their name.

This is why Babel exists, and Kim Incheol's Weapon Originology, which has the attention of such a figure, naturally receives attention.

'The ending wasn't good, but...'

Before the regression, Iseun had never heard of Kim Incheol, and Weapon Originology was considered a ridiculous subject.

Perhaps Kim Incheol failed to produce significant results for some reason, and Ludwig's support was cut off, leading to his being forgotten.

'If I think about the future, it might be a waste of time to take it, but...'

Considering the present, it is the course in the refining department that receives the most support from Ludwig.

Whether Weapon Originology succeeds or not, if he performs well in it, he might receive more attention from Ludwig and benefit from the fallout.

"Understood."

"Are you sure? I heard you've already applied for several electives..."

"No, this will be my third... or fourth, that's all."

Barrier Construction, Body Control, Ancient Chants, and Weapon Originology. It seemed like a well-balanced selection, neither too few nor too many.

'If I need something else, I can look into the circles later.'

The first semester is enough. Kim Incheol, seeing Iseun's confident demeanor, nodded.

"If you say so. I look forward to working with you."

"I look forward to it as well."

Without hesitation, the two naturally shook hands, and during this, Iseun naturally extracted a connection.

[Extracting a connection from 'Kim Incheol'.]

[The connection with 'Iseun' is at Level 1.]

'Hmm... It doesn't seem to be leveling up yet.'

It seems he needs to show more active participation in the class to level up. Iseun, feeling a bit disappointed, finished the extraction and let go of his hand.

"Then I'll get up now."

"You must be tired. I'm sorry for keeping you. Well... Ah, I almost forgot."

Kim Incheol, getting up from his seat, went to his desk and brought a small wooden box.

"This is...?"

"A welcome gift. I prepared it to thank you for coming to Babel."

Surprised by the unexpected gift, Iseun looked at Kim Incheol, who smiled wryly.

"It's not much. Open it and see."

Following Kim Incheol's suggestion, Iseun nodded and opened the box.

Whoosh!

A hexagonal red gemstone inside the box. The faint light and heat emanating from it made Iseun look interested.

"This is a Red Flame Jade."

"I heard you handle red flames, so I thought it might be helpful."

Red Flame Jade. As the name suggests, it was a gemstone containing the essence of the red flame, a fire attribute mana that Iseun had acquired. It was a very useful item.

By extracting the essence and absorbing it into his body, he could permanently enhance the red flame.

'This isn't just any ordinary one. He must have obtained a high-purity one.'

With this quality, it was not just a simple enhancement but could even evolve the red flame to the next level. Iseun, satisfied with the appropriate gift, nodded.

"I'll use it well."

"I hope it helps. By the way, can you extract the essence on your own?"

Extracting the essence is like separating the fruit's flesh from its skin without damaging it.

It's not something that even upperclassmen can easily do, let alone a newly admitted student.

"I can."

This was irrelevant to Iseun.

"With this quality, I can do it on my own."

Seeing Iseun's nonchalant response, Kim Incheol nodded with a smile, as if he had expected it.

"Got it. Then go and rest."

"Yes, I'll go now."

Iseun, who nodded, quickly left the room, and Kim Incheol, watching his back, smiled wryly.

'Youth is good.'

* * *

Back in the dorm, Iseun changed into comfortable clothes and examined his body.

"At this level... 7% residual mana."

Most of the mana he could faintly feel was gone, and his whole body felt heavy like a wet sponge.

Before he realized his mana, his body was that of a pure human. Iseun, now close to that state, smiled in satisfaction.

'The best is less than 1%, but... It's my first time, so this is appropriate.'

Sitting on the living room floor, Iseun crossed his legs and examined the prayer beads on his wrists and ankles.

A blue line in the center of the prayer beads. It was about one-third thick, indicating that much mana was stored inside.

'With this amount, I can temper... Should I start?'

Confirming that all preparations were in place, Iseun took out the Red Flame Jade he received from Kim Incheol and examined it.

[Red Flame Jade]

[Grade: Rare] [Quality: Superior]

A gemstone containing the essence of red flame.

It has the ability to melt mixed ores quickly.

'Sure enough, it's good.'

A Red Flame Jade of this quality would be worth nearly a thousand.

Before the regression, it might not have been noticeable, but as a student now, it was a valuable item, making Iseun's eyes light up.

'I'll extract every bit of its essence.'

Holding the Red Flame Jade in both hands, Iseun slowly closed his eyes and recalled the 'tempering' process he was about to start.

Basically, attribute mana can only handle 2-3 types without special skills.

If multiple attribute manas exist in the body, they often conflict with each other.

'As the grade increases, the risk increases, and even with careful control, they often affect each other.'

For combat classes, such minor effects might not matter, but for a blacksmith who needs precise work, it is very detrimental.

Therefore, most blacksmiths only handle one attribute mana that suits them, but Iseun was different.

"Hmm..."

Iseun, taking a light breath, focused his mind on the Red Flame Jade.

The pure red flame essence pulsing inside. Feeling a purity far beyond what he could handle, Iseun slowly drew it into his body.

Sizzle!

Smoke rose from his palms, and his whole body turned red, drenched in sweat.

Normally, his mana would have protected him from the heat, but with his mana almost depleted, it was impossible.

Bubbling...

The red flame essence, rising through his arm and spreading throughout his body.

His almost depleted body reflexively drew in similar red flame essence, spreading it to every corner.

"..."

The sensation of flames flowing from head to toe.

The pain of his insides melting was so intense that even great heroes might not endure it, but Iseun only slightly distorted his eyes to bear it.

'Is it because I'm young...? My body is really vigorous...'

Before the regression, his body was almost dead, and it felt like being burned by a lighter. Now, it felt like being branded by a hot iron.

In the midst of the pain, Iseun recognized the red flame essence wildly invading his body and began to guide it along a specific path.

'You go this way.'

To prevent confusion when using any attribute mana in the future, he constructed a new mana circuit in his body dedicated to the red flame.

A single path running through his whole body. As he drew a blueprint in his mind, the red flame seemed to understand and quickly took its place.

Rumble!

The red flame, excitedly racing through its assigned mana circuit.

If left unchecked, it would eventually dissipate, so Iseun slowly calmed his mind and created an imaginary hammer.

And as he swung it with all his might at his body,

Clang!

A metallic sound echoed in his ears, and Iseun's body jolted.

"Cough!"

The pain brought him back to his senses, and he coughed dryly.

Feeling as if his whole body had been crushed by a hammer, Iseun, catching his breath, looked down at his body.

'It's done.'

The new mana circuit and red flame essence inside his body.

Confirming that his body had been 'tempered,' Iseun released the mana stored in the prayer beads into his body.

'Explosion.'

Rumble!

The mana that burst from the prayer beads cooled his body, heated by the red flame, and seeped into his dry body.

The refreshing sensation that made him forget the heat he had just felt. Iseun, feeling the sensations throughout his body, exhaled the breath he had been holding.

"Hmm..."

Steam-like breath spreading out.

Confirming that all the processes were complete, Iseun naturally looked around. It was already dark outside, and he had no idea how many hours had passed.

Looking at the night view of Babel through the window, Iseun smiled.

[You have acquired the skill 'Spiritual Refinement Magic (S)'.]

[The effect of 'Spiritual Refinement Magic' significantly boosts all stats.]

[Attribute Mana 'Red Flame (F)' has been enhanced to 'Crimson Flame (E+)'.]

The notification windows appearing one after another in front of his eyes.

Iseun, seeing the dramatic content, immediately checked how much his body had changed.

[Iseun]

Strength - D (105) Endurance - D (100)

Mana - D (119) Agility - E (87)

[Spiritual Refinement Magic 灵研身磨] [S]

The human body is the most primitive material a blacksmith can refine.

As the internal mana circuit is refined, physical abilities increase, and the power contained within is enhanced.

*Mana Circuit [Crimson Flame]: Enhanced control over flames and the ability to create 'flows'.

[Crimson Flame] [E+]

A fire attribute mana that evokes the image of a crimson flame