Chapter 25

The Regressor did it all, Chapter 25

[White Light Long Sword]

[Grade: Advanced] [Quality: Excellent]

A long sword polished to a pristine white.

The finely honed blade, when combined with the arrangement of magical power, becomes both robust and sharp. It is the work of a skilled blacksmith.

*The cutting power is enhanced when magical power is imbued.

“Hmm…”

“This is…”

“Sigh…”

The three professors of the Refinement Department, upon seeing the white iron sword, the White Light Long Sword, could only stare at it in silence, unable to find words.

While there were many iron swords of higher quality in Babel, the important thing was not that.

“Mr. Han, did you really use only iron ingots? No other materials or skills?”

“Yes, yes… that’s correct.”

“Are you sure?”

“Are you really sure?”

The professors, as if doubting their own eyes, asked again. Han In-sung, feeling wronged by their suspicious gazes, replied with a pained expression.

“Really! Don’t you see it, professors…!”

“Well, that’s true.”

“But still, even so, isn’t this level of completion strange?”

The professors, still skeptical despite being convinced, muttered to themselves. Han In-sung felt not just wronged but also bewildered by their reaction.

No matter how well a student made it, to doubt the eyes of a teaching assistant like himself was too much. Though he felt hurt, he could also understand why they reacted this way.

“How can a freshman make something like this? They’re not even active students.”

“Active students? I doubt even one in ten of them could make something like this.”

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a sword so proficient in the basics. Really…”

The professors, who had evaluated countless students’ swords, found it hard to believe the high level of completion.

This was the iron sword, the submission of Lee Se-hoon, right in front of them.

“Brother, if it’s this good, there’s no need to hesitate, right? Let’s just go for the highest price.”

The short, stocky middle-aged man, Professor Rhee, suggested, but Kim In-cheol shook his head.

“Still, we need to measure the value accurately. If we don’t, we might create a genius image.”

“You worry too much, brother. He made an advanced grade with just a regular iron ingot and basic skills. Would he be treated that way?”

“True, but rumors spread among those who don’t know. We need to be cautious.”

If their actions affected Lee Se-hoon’s future, it would be a great regret.

While pondering the appropriate amount to avoid any misunderstandings, Kim In-cheol was interrupted.

“Is this the sword made by the top student of the department?”

Led by Michael, ten professors entered the workshop.

The atmosphere in the workshop instantly became heavy, and a suffocating tension filled the air.

The Pure Refinement School, led by Kim In-cheol, and the Modern Refinement School, led by Michael Barmut.

The heavy atmosphere created by the two factions made Han In-sung tense and observant.

“Indeed, it’s excellent. As expected of the top student… I have high hopes.”

Michael, with a calm smile, praised Lee Se-hoon’s sword. Though it was a bit unexpected, the professors of Kim In-cheol’s faction still looked at him with caution.

Because Michael’s specialty was to stab people in the back after showing a friendly face.

“What brings you here? We were assigned to inspect this sword.”

“Why are you so cold? I just wanted to see the sword made by the top student.”

“Then you can leave now.”

Kim In-cheol, as if to end the conversation, didn’t even look at him. Michael’s expression slightly twisted.

‘After being pushed to the brink, he’s acting so arrogantly just because he got one chance.’

Though he wanted to get rid of him without hesitation, Michael was still a faculty member and a favorite of the dean, Ludwig.

With a monster like Lee Se-hoon under him, he couldn’t be easily dismissed.

‘The more cautious I am in such situations, the better.’

It’s only a matter of time. The result won’t change. With this thought, Michael composed himself and spoke again.

“But is it really okay? He made such an excellent sword. Wouldn’t it be better to give him more opportunities…?”

“We’re busy with the evaluation, so please be brief.”

“Since competing with his peers is meaningless, how about including it in the regular auction for second-year students next week? The theme ‘iron sword’ fits perfectly.”

“What? Are you serious…?”

Rhee, at Michael’s suggestion, looked flabbergasted.

While Lee Se-hoon’s White Light Long Sword was undoubtedly excellent, it was not at the level to participate in the upcoming second-year regular auction.

It wasn’t due to a lack of skill, but because the items submitted by second-year students were enhanced with various skills and processed materials, making the conditions inherently unfair.

“With the top student’s ability, it seems possible.”

“The second-year students have been preparing their submissions since winter break! It’s not fair to include it there…”

“That’s fine.”

Kim In-cheol’s calm acceptance made both of them turn their gaze to him.

“Then we will measure the budget for Lee Se-hoon based on the auction price, like the second-year students.”

“No, brother, that’s…”

“Be quiet.”

Blocking Rhee’s words, Kim In-cheol looked at Michael with a calm face.

“Do you have any other opinions?”

“…No.”

“Then leave now.”

Kim In-cheol, without even a glance, turned away. Michael, unable to read his thoughts, stared for a moment before leaving.

Rhee, who had been watching, looked at Kim In-cheol with a puzzled expression.

“Brother! Do you know what that guy will do in the auction and still send the item there!”

“With the top student representing the department, he wouldn’t do that.”

“No, this isn’t the time for jokes…!”

Rhee, frustrated by Kim In-cheol’s calm response, hit his chest. While others might not know, Michael would consider tarnishing the department’s reputation to maintain his power.

Indeed, many professors had been dismissed due to his schemes, and the decline in the Refinement Department’s status was largely due to Michael, or rather, the Barmut faction.

“If this continues, the department might really fall into their hands!”

The other two professors also looked worried, agreeing with Rhee. Kim In-cheol, seeing their reactions, stared at them.

“Tsk tsk…”

He clicked his tongue, pointing at the White Light Long Sword.

“Look.”

“Yes?”

“Can’t you feel anything?”

Rhee, puzzled by Kim In-cheol’s words, asked.

“What do you mean?”

While it was well-made, it didn’t seem relevant to the current situation. The other professors also didn’t react much differently, so Kim In-cheol sighed.

“Just wait and see.”

He then looked at the shining white blade with a meaningful smile.

“What will happen.”

* * *

Saturday morning.

On the first weekend since entering Babel, freshmen were all dressed up and heading out, and upperclassmen were out to recruit them for their circles.

The most bustling time in Babel, except during events, was a perfect opportunity to see the scenery freshmen had dreamed of before entering.

“Here…”

Lee Se-hoon stood alone in front of a lecture hall in the Enchantment Department.

[Ancient Enchantment]

The elective course in the Enchantment Department introduced to him by Rea. Upon arriving at the lecture hall, Lee Se-hoon lightly knocked on the door.

“Ah, come in!”

A familiar voice from inside. As Lee Se-hoon opened the door, the cluttered lecture hall was revealed.

“…What a mess.”

The shelves, desks, and floor were crammed with items, leaving no empty space.

The messy scene, more like a warehouse than a lecture hall, made Lee Se-hoon frown.

Puff!

“Welcome to Ancient Enchantment!”

Rea, hidden among the clutter, burst out loudly to greet him.

“…”

Rea, covered in unknown cloths and talismans, looked like a mess. Lee Se-hoon, seeing her, remained silent.

No matter how thick-skinned a person might be, such a cold response would make anyone feel embarrassed, but…

“Wow, that’s good.”

Rea, instead, looked intrigued.

“Your eyes, cold as if doused in cold water. I like it.”

“…What do you like about it?”

“People who get excited in such situations don’t suit enchantment. Someone cold and rational like me is better, I guess.”

Rea, peeling off the talismans, smiled.

“In that sense, you’re excellent. Your mental potential is on par with mine.”

While it was hard to tell if it was a compliment or a challenge, Lee Se-hoon, assuming it was a good thing, looked around.

“Is this lecture hall usually like this?”

“No, it’s not usually this bad…”

Rea, looking around the lecture hall, had an embarrassed expression.

“I thought there might be something to show you, so I took everything out.”

“Really… impressive.”

“Isn’t it? A senior who does this much for a junior is rare.”

Whether she was doing it knowingly or unknowingly, Rea’s shameless response made Lee Se-hoon look at her with a bewildered expression.

“Where’s the professor?”

“Oh, he has something to do today. He left the application to me, so don’t worry.”

“Is there some kind of test?”

“Not really, just a simple interview. Wait a moment.”

Rea, skillfully navigating through the clutter, went behind a large, ornate box and pressed a red gem embedded in the lid.

Whoosh!

The items scattered around the lecture hall were instantly sucked into the box, and in a moment, all the clutter except for the items on the shelves disappeared.

Lee Se-hoon, witnessing the scene in a blink, looked at the box with interest.

“Does it store enchanted items freely?”

“Oh, you figured it out? For a first look, that’s impressive…”

“But it shouldn’t be able to do that with just that… Ah, it’s a split enchantment.”

“…Huh?”

Rea, surprised, didn’t notice as Lee Se-hoon continued to admire the box.

“It absorbs items by assuming they are in perfect condition when stored and adds a spell to isolate them within the enchantment to prevent them from merging. Right?”

“Ah, yes. That’s right…”

“Your level is higher than I expected. I didn’t think I’d see something like this right away.”

Rea, seeing Lee Se-hoon’s interested examination of the box, had a slightly dazed expression.

I thought I’d have to hype him up, regardless of his talent, to get him to take the elective, in case his interest had waned over a few days. What’s this?

‘Without even seeing the info window, he could figure it out just by watching the storage process?’

While it’s easy to recognize enchantments if you’re sensitive to magic, identifying the applied spells isn’t just a matter of having a good sense.

It means he’s either well-versed in the field of enchantment or has a keen sense. Given that he’s a freshman, the latter is more likely.

‘He’s really good…’

Rea, suppressing a twitch at the corners of her mouth, pointed to the neatly organized space.

“Let’s do the interview first, and we can take a leisurely look around later.”

“Sure.”

As Lee Se-hoon sat down, Rea sat opposite him, straightening her posture.

“Student Lee Se-hoon.”

“Yes.”

“What do you think is the most important thing in enchantment?”

A question that varies depending on one’s inclination. There was no right answer, so Lee Se-hoon answered immediately based on his thoughts.

“Harmony, I think.”

No matter how skilled one is in enchantment, if the base item is poor, the result will be weak, and vice versa. Therefore, harmony is the most important, according to Lee Se-hoon.

“Hmm, I see.”

Rea, nodding seriously at Lee Se-hoon’s answer, suddenly smiled and clapped.

“Great, you passed the interview! I look forward to working with you, junior!”

“Really, that’s quite a lack of sincerity…”

“That’s because your answer was so straightforward. Anyway.”

Rea, sitting close to the chair, looked at Lee Se-hoon with sparkling eyes.

“Now that the interview is over, how about we have a more constructive and forward-looking conversation?”

Seeing through her intentions, Lee Se-hoon smiled and asked.

“You mean the enchantment of the Mookjuwan?”

“That’s good, and if you have anything else you made, that’s also good. I feel like anything you made would be great.”

“Enchantment… Well, that’s not bad.”

Rea, at Lee Se-hoon’s positive response, opened her eyes wide and jumped up from her seat.

“Then let’s go to my workshop right now…”

“On one condition.”

Lee Se-hoon, cutting off Rea, looked at her dispassionately.

“Show me your current skill level.”

While he was confident in the future Rea Cloedel’s skills, he was currently in a slump he didn’t even know about.

If he was going to entrust the Mookjuwan, which he would use for a while, he needed to be more picky.

‘I also need to see what kind of slump she’s in.’

Rea, seeing the multiple reasons in Lee Se-hoon’s proposal, stared at him for a moment before nodding.

“What exactly do you want to see?”

“Let’s start with the basics.”

“Hmm… Okay.”

Rea walked briskly towards the door, and Lee Se-hoon, looking at her back, had a puzzled expression.

“Where to?”

“To show you the basics.”

Rea, turning around, smiled.

“Let’s go to my workspace.”