Chapter 30: The Regressor Takes Care of Everything

“……”

At the unexpected appearance, Lee Sehoon's mouth opened slightly, and the other students looked on in shock.

“Eh, eh?”

“What, why is that senior here…?”

“What’s going on?”

To Lee Sehoon, Yan Cheng was just a mad dog, but to the other students, he was different. He had inherited the intangible cultural heritage of the Republic of Korea, Yan Lun Zan Hua Chang, and was a promising candidate for a future S-class hero.

Most importantly, in terms of the martial arts ranking at Babel, he possessed a level of strength that placed him among the top ten, making him, to the average students, someone from a completely different world.

“I am Yan Cheng, a third-year student in the spear technique department of Akalup, and I will be serving as a temporary teaching assistant for this class. You all know how famous I am, so please treat me with respect.”

“……”

Yan Cheng, introduced without hesitation by Ries, merely nodded his head in greeting.

The students, who had been staring at him with wide eyes in surprise, suddenly opened their eyes even wider. A promising candidate with no lack of talent, ability, or background.

Even if they didn’t become close friends, just being remembered favorably by him would be a tremendous advantage for their future.

Just as all the students were burning with enthusiasm to catch Yan Cheng's attention, Lee Sehoon, who had been watching the scene blankly, smiled.

‘He must be in quite a hurry.’

He never expected that Yan Cheng would come on his own before he even sought him out. While it was an unexpected reaction, it wasn’t entirely strange.

After all, he had said that the Yan Hua Gate’s symbol, Yan Lun Zan Hua Chang, would be broken and had actually done so.

Considering the consequences if the method to break the technique were to leak out, it wouldn’t be surprising if he came in the middle of the night, masked.

‘If he came to meet me like this, he’s not here to be hostile.’

Lee Sehoon watched with interest to see how he would act, and Yan Cheng, sensing his gaze, turned his head to meet his eyes.

Just as the other students were about to notice the strange tension between the two,

“Class is in session, you brats.”

Bang bang!

Ries, who had slapped the desk, drew the attention of the students.

“You should show this much enthusiasm when studying… tsk.”

Ries, dissatisfied with the students' attitude, grumbled and slightly lowered the height of his cart before manipulating the panel on the desk.

“Let’s get a basic understanding before we start the practical part in earnest.”

Several phrases and the form of a mana array appeared in the air, and Ries, sitting on the cart, began his explanation.

“The use of residual mana in the creation of magical tools can be divided into two main types: independent, which absorbs and produces mana on its own, and rechargeable, which requires external supply.”

The independent type is specialized in maintaining low output, while the rechargeable type has high output but poor maintenance.

Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, but in terms of difficulty, the independent type is much more challenging.

‘It’s not easy to create a core that can absorb or generate mana, and expanding its range is even more difficult.’

For example, Lee Sehoon’s prayer beads can absorb and store mana, but they cannot be classified as independent because they only absorb mana from the wearer, not from the air.

“Creating an independent type is quite complicated. The method of forming the mana core can vary completely depending on the materials, techniques, and the creator’s mana.”

It’s a method that requires self-reflection and exploration beyond what is presented in textbooks. Therefore, it’s not something that can be easily created without the relevant skills or prior knowledge.

“So, you will start with the rechargeable type. Even if some of you already know how to make it, listen carefully to refine your skills. Teaching assistant.”

At Ries’s call, Yan Cheng stepped forward and slowly moved his hand.

Swish—

The indifferent hand movement gliding through the air and the crimson mana following its path were like a preserved painting, causing the students to widen their eyes in amazement.

“Fire elemental mana is volatile and difficult to use as residual mana because of its diffusive nature.”

Whoosh!

The mana, which had been densely lingering in the air, burst into flames and took shape, defying Ries’s explanation of its difficulty.

Three rings of fire. The ‘Yan Lun’ formed in the blink of an eye slowly rotated in place.

“But if you can suppress its diffusive nature, it can show excellent maintenance as residual mana. An example of this is the technique the teaching assistant is demonstrating, Yan Lun Zan Hua Chang.”

The Yan Lun continued to burn without a continuous supply of mana. The delicate mana manipulation of Yan Lun Zan Hua Chang preserved the burning flames perfectly, and Yan Cheng was maintaining three of them.

“Wow…”

“To be able to handle fire elemental mana to this extent…”

“I find it hard enough to control a flame.”

While Yan Cheng’s spear technique at the martial arts hall had given the impression of mere ‘strength,’ the sight of him maintaining the Yan Lun evoked a sense of ‘awe’ as a blacksmith handling fire.

Everyone knew how unpredictable and violent fire elemental mana could be.

“Well, the teaching assistant might make it look too easy, so it might not fully sink in. Another example is…”

Ries, glancing around the students, met eyes with Lee Sehoon, who was sitting in the front row.

“The top student of the department would be appropriate. Do you have fire elemental mana?”

“Yes.”

“Then try to form a ring of fire elemental mana like the teaching assistant.”

A technique that only a few second-year students could perform. The selection was to give the impression that even the famous top student of the department couldn’t easily do it.

“Like this?”

A ring of fire formed lightly above Lee Sehoon’s hand.

The Yan Lun created from his palms, unlike Yan Cheng’s, was connected to his palms but showed no signs of receiving additional mana.

Though the method was different from Yan Cheng’s, Lee Sehoon successfully created and maintained the Yan Lun using residual mana.

“……”

“……”

Ries’s mouth opened slightly, and Yan Cheng’s eyes twitched at the sight.

The atmosphere in the classroom became awkward instantly. Lee Sehoon, however, continued to look at the Yan Lun he had created.

‘Hmm. As expected, it’s quite challenging to follow with my current body.’

Creating the Yan Lun wasn’t difficult because he had heard about it from Guangjian before the regression, but maintaining it was quite burdensome.

He managed to do it thanks to the ‘flow’ property of the Lingyan Divine Magic and Honglian; otherwise, it would have collapsed immediately.

‘…He’s not just the top student for nothing.’

Although he failed to provide an example, the reactions of the students, who were stunned, suggested that there was no need to explain how difficult it was.

Ries cleared his throat and continued the lecture as if nothing had happened.

“Well done. You can stop now.”

“Yes.”

“Cough. Well, the explanation was a bit long, but to summarize the theme of this class, it’s this.”

Ries, who had cleared his throat to regain the students' attention, manipulated the panel to display a word in the air.

[Yan Lun]

“Since we have a good teaching assistant, let’s make the most of this opportunity. You can create anything, but you must maintain the theme of fire elemental mana, rechargeable residual mana, and Yan Lun.”

Ries, standing up from his cart, smiled and looked at the students.

“The submission deadline is next Thursday. You can submit early and spend your time freely, but of course, that means you’re confident, so I’ll be more strict.”

If you submit a half-hearted creation and try to do something else, I won’t let you off. Ries’s warning made the students tense up, but their eyes sparkled.

Last week, there were restrictions on the refining methods under the pretext of focusing on the basics, but this time it was different. Moreover, the presence of an important audience like Yan Cheng made it even more significant.

“The explanation is over, so let’s move to the refining room. I’ll show you a few examples, so move quickly.”

Ries, on his cart, led the way out of the classroom, and Yan Cheng continued to stand silently on the podium.

“……”

“……”

The students, who were about to leave the classroom, glanced at each other.

They wanted to approach and talk to him, but Yan Cheng’s indifferent expression and heavy presence prevented them from doing so.

Just as this awkward game of eye contact continued, one person stepped forward boldly.

“Hello, Senior Yan Cheng.”

Hans, who had been flinching under Lee Sehoon’s gaze, now stood with a neat attitude and a gentle smile.

“I am….”

“Go away.”

“…Yes.”

Yan Cheng’s cold words made Hans retreat pitifully.

It wasn’t the right time to approach him. The students, realizing this, left the classroom one by one to avoid catching his attention.

When only the two of them were left in the classroom, Yan Cheng slowly spoke.

“Lee Sehoon.”

Yan Cheng, standing on the podium, looked up at him silently.

Lee Sehoon, sitting in his chair, looked down at him, who resembled a flame about to burst.

“Why?”

“Who are you?”

It was a somewhat random question, but for Yan Cheng, it was the only one he could ask. Over the weekend, he had only found out about Lee Sehoon’s unfortunate family history due to a disaster.

He had no outstanding teacher or remarkable talent before enrollment. How could he have broken the Yan Lun Zan Hua Chang?

‘I don’t know.’

The information was so lacking that he couldn’t even make a guess. Therefore, Yan Cheng decided to ask him directly.

‘He still goes straight to the point.’

Instead of investigating or observing, he goes directly to the person and asks.

It seemed reckless, but this was the most important moment when dealing with Yan Cheng.

‘This guy doesn’t think, so…’

If he tried to test the waters with a meaningful statement, Yan Cheng wouldn’t think but would immediately make a judgment and act.

In other words, if he said something unnecessary and was perceived as an ‘enemy,’ he could be ignored and attacked indiscriminately.

‘It might be less so than in the Guangjian era, but… there’s no need to complicate things unnecessarily.’

Yan Cheng’s interest was not in Lee Sehoon’s personal information. Therefore, Lee Sehoon slowly spoke.

“I heard that the achievement of Yan Lun Zan Hua Chang is determined by the number of Yan Luns one can maintain simultaneously… Was that the Yan Lun just now?”

“……”

“Since you could handle three with ease, you could probably maintain five… no, six if you really tried.”

The current head of the Yan Hua Gate, A-class hero Lin Da Wen, who is close to S-class, can maintain eight Yan Luns simultaneously, known as the Eight Wheel level.

Yan Cheng, who had already caught up to the head’s technique, despite being decades behind him.

“What’s your point? Answer the question.”

But this was a commonly known fact. Therefore, Yan Cheng urged for an answer, and Lee Sehoon continued with a smile.

“You. Didn’t you once maintain up to seven Yan Luns? Then one day, you suddenly couldn’t maintain them anymore.”

“…!”

Yan Cheng’s stoic face showed a crack at Lee Sehoon’s words.

How could a freshman know something he had only told one person, not even the head?

Just as Yan Cheng’s thoughts were about to stop due to this unexpected situation, Lee Sehoon continued.

“You would have noticed at the enrollment ceremony that I have a bit of a talent for handling flames. You could call me a genius, I suppose.”

Although it felt a bit presumptuous to call himself a genius, to persuade someone who often acted impulsively, he had to be straightforward.

“But when I observed the flames you wielded at the martial arts hall, something seemed off. You had the power, but you couldn’t fully unleash it, just letting it fizzle out…”

“……”

“So, I thought about the cause and came to this conclusion.”

Looking down at Yan Cheng, who couldn’t deny it, Lee Sehoon spoke with confidence.

“Your skills were originally higher, and now they have declined.”

Others might think it was nonsense, but surprisingly, everything Lee Sehoon said was true.

Because he had heard it all from the pre-regression Guangjian Yan Cheng.

‘When my skills regressed, I couldn’t even properly perform the Six Wheel technique. Others didn’t notice the difference, but that’s what made it more frightening. I thought I had changed.’

He felt something was wrong, but only he could sense it.

Because of this, Yan Cheng wandered at the Six Wheel level for years. This stagnation was the turning point that twisted everything, as Guangjian Yan Cheng had said.

‘It sounded like nonsense back then, but now I can see it a bit more clearly.’

Perhaps because he already knew, but to Lee Sehoon, there was a serious distortion in Yan Cheng’s flames.

If he didn’t recognize and correct this, he would never expect any growth in his technique.

“…Do you know the cause?”

“I can’t be sure, but I have an idea.”

“Can you prove it?”

“I can.”

Meeting Yan Cheng’s burning eyes, Lee Sehoon smiled slightly.

“I don’t feel the need to show it, though.”

When the hierarchy is clearly established, it’s important to test the waters.

If he helped Yan Cheng without expecting anything in return, he would only get a rude response like, “What do you want?”

“…Tell me what you want.”

Perhaps desperate enough to accept a freshman’s proposal, Yan Cheng’s cooperative attitude made Lee Sehoon extend two fingers.

“First, you will pay a fair price for all the advice and help I give you in the future.”

To make it clear that this was a transaction, not just a favor.

“Second, if you feel like you’re losing focus on anything, you will consult me.”

To create a connection to deal with variables he couldn’t grasp in detail.

Yan Cheng looked at Lee Sehoon with a slightly strange expression.

‘The proposal itself isn’t bad.’

It was a form of collaboration, not exploitation. Given his current situation, it could be a significant advantage, but Yan Cheng felt uneasy.

It was like being a pig walking into a butcher’s shop. It sounded absurd, but it was the only way to describe it.

“Will you do it or not? We need to go to class, so speak quickly.”

“……”

“Will you ignore it if I don’t answer by the time I leave?”

Seeing Yan Cheng’s continued silence, Lee Sehoon stood up and walked down. Just as he was about to leave the classroom,

“…I’ll do it.”

Yan Cheng, squeezing out the words, spoke.

“If you show me the proof.”

Looking at him with a clearly reluctant expression, Lee Sehoon smiled and pointed to the door.

“I’ll show you right away.”