Chapter 37: The Reincarnated One Completes It

"It's finished."

"......"

Upon seeing the two short spears in front of him, Riz wore a dazed expression.

[Red One Spear 赤一槍]

[Grade: High] [Quality: Upper-Middle]

A spear made from a meticulously refined alloy.

It can store fire elemental magic and assist in forming a Flame Wheel.

*Can store fire elemental magic.

*Increased efficiency when using a Flame Wheel.

[Black Ten Spear 黑十槍]

[Grade: High] [Quality: Upper-Middle]

A spear made from a meticulously refined alloy.

It can store dark elemental magic and assist in stabilizing a Flame Wheel.

*Can store dark elemental magic.

*Increased stability when using a Flame Wheel.

The balance of the spear blades was excellent, and the combination of the spear shaft and magic circuits was seamless. Even just as a spear, it was a fine piece. But what truly amazed him was its effects.

'Who would have thought he could bring a weapon that helps form a Flame Wheel.'

From the information window, one might think it only assists in forming a Flame Wheel, but in reality, it was far more than that.

The spell formations and auxiliary symbols needed to create a Flame Wheel were embedded within each spear, and if even a small mistake was made, it would repel the elemental magic to alert the user.

'With this, it's almost like a training tool and a textbook combined.'

I thought he would just bring something that could form a Flame Wheel, but I didn't expect him to bring something like this.

Riz glanced at Isehoon, who stood calmly, feeling a mix of astonishment and disbelief.

'What do I even say about this...'

Now he understood why his brother had tried so hard to increase Isehoon's budget during last night's meeting.

Riz looked at the two short spears, organizing his thoughts before speaking slowly.

"First... excellent. I've been teaching for a long time, but this is the first time I've seen someone complete an assignment so quickly and perfectly. I'm truly impressed."

"Thank you."

"I originally planned to grade all the assignments after they were submitted, but honestly, there's no need to delay this. Consider it a perfect score."

"...A perfect score?"

"Really?"

Riz's words caused a murmur among the other students in the refining room.

Generally, getting a perfect score from a professor at Babel was almost impossible, as the standards were unrealistically high.

Thus, to get a perfect score, one had to produce something so perfect that no one could deny it. And Isehoon had done just that with his first assignment!

"Since you've submitted your assignment, you're exempt from attendance until the presentation day. Feel free to attend or skip classes as you wish."

Not only did he receive a perfect score with a weapon made in just one day, but he also earned an attendance exemption from the strict Professor Riz.

The other students, who had been struggling to create their designs, glanced at Isehoon.

'Can't we just move him to the third year?'

'From what I see, he could graduate right now.'

'Why am I in the same year as this guy? I really have no luck...'

Now, it was more than just jealousy; it was outright resentment. Isehoon glanced at Yeongseongha, who stood next to Riz.

'Did you see that?'

This is how impressive the spear you ignored is.

Yeongseongha, noticing Isehoon's gaze, turned to face him and seemed to ponder something for a moment.

Then, as if coming up with an appropriate response, she slightly lifted one corner of her mouth.

"Good job."

Isehoon's heart skipped a beat.

"......"

Maybe when I smirk, I make others feel this way too. Isehoon took a moment to reflect on himself, calmed his heart, and nodded.

"Then I'll leave."

"Sure. Take the spears with you. If you want to sell them, let me know."

Riz immediately began preparing for the class, and Isehoon took the two short spears and left the refining room.

'There's nothing left to learn, so there's no need to attend classes.'

In fact, the specialized courses in the refining department were more about enhancing one's reputation as the top student or providing a form of "rehabilitation" rather than learning something new.

Thus, Isehoon preferred to skip them if possible, and the courses he really wanted to learn were mostly electives.

'Today... it's Ma Guangshu's class.'

Having missed the metal refining class, he had a three-hour gap. Isehoon considered going to the training room but then glanced at the subspace pocket where he had stored the two short spears.

'Should I try it out?'

Before the reincarnation, he hadn't fully demonstrated it, but the self-defense techniques he learned from Ma Guangshu and his young, agile body might make it possible.

Since he couldn't practice in front of others, Isehoon headed to the lecture hall for body control.

'There's no class... it seems.'

The lecture hall was empty, and Ma Guangshu was also absent. Thinking it was a good opportunity, Isehoon quickly changed into his sports uniform in the changing room and came out.

"Hmm?"

"Oh."

He met Jake, who was also in a sports uniform.

"What's up? Is class starting now?"

"No, it's in an hour. I was told to arrive early and warm up."

"Got it."

Isehoon thought they would be in the same class, but it seemed they were having individual sessions.

'Given his personality, it's better to teach individually.'

However, this made it a bit awkward to train in the practice hall. The private training room was an option, but he hadn't officially registered yet.

As Isehoon pondered whether to go to the regular training room and train normally, Jake hesitated for a moment before speaking seriously.

"Can I ask you for a favor?"

"No, not really."

"......"

Jake's face stiffened at the sharp response, and Isehoon looked at him calmly.

"I can tell your sister asked you to get a weapon. I'm not interested, so give it up."

"Without even hearing the conditions?"

"Yeah, I just don't feel like it."

The conditions set by the Myers family would be more than generous, but Isehoon had two reasons for refusing.

First, Aria Myers, who might awaken as the God of Extinction, was a problematic figure.

Second, no matter what he made now, it would disappoint her.

'She has very high standards.'

He hadn't decided how to handle Aria, but he needed to keep her interested in him.

Aria Myers, who was once a perfect student, turned into the God of Extinction because she could no longer rely on anyone.

'Keeping a distance but not too far... this is the best approach for now.'

Until he figured out what Aria wanted in a "sword," this was the right method.

Isehoon's firm refusal made Jake bite his lip and then spoke.

"Then how about this?"

Jake reached into his subspace pocket and pulled out a small hammer.

A black handle, a silver body, and the head on both sides were colored red and black, emitting a strong sense of elemental magic.

Isehoon's eyes narrowed at the valuable-looking item.

"Take a look."

Isehoon took the hammer and immediately checked the information window.

[Black Flame Hammer]

[Grade: Hero] [Quality: Upper-Middle]

A hammer made from dragnite.

Coated with fire and dark elemental magic on each side, it amplifies both elemental magics.

*Amplifies both elemental magics.

*Can use the skill 'Elemental Convergence.'

"Wow..."

A Hero-grade, upper-middle quality hammer.

It was specialized for maximizing elemental magic and had decent performance.

Most importantly, it could be improved, which appealed to Isehoon.

'Not bad...'

This could fetch a high price in the market. After confirming all the information, Isehoon looked at Jake.

"So, what's this for?"

"Let's have another sparring session. If I win, I'll give you the Black Flame Hammer."

"If I lose, I'll make a weapon for your sister?"

"Right. Of course, I'll pay the normal price."

To others, it seemed like a win-win bet, but Isehoon, who couldn't show his true strength to Aria, had no reason to accept.

'The hammer is useful, but... it's not worth the risk.'

Just as Isehoon decided to refuse again, he noticed something.

'...Hmm?'

Jake, who had been staring at him, seemed determined to win.

The determination to defeat him. Isehoon realized this was an opportunity and spoke.

"Let's add one condition."

"What is it?"

"If I win this time... don't mention your sister for a month. Pass that on to her too."

"......"

A month. A short time, but a long time considering the pressure. For Jake, it was a bitter pill to swallow.

"Fine."

But Jake nodded, accepting the bet. He had to win, and he was confident he wouldn't lose like last time.

"Alright, let's start then."

The two stepped onto the practice hall, and the protective gear, which previously only covered vital points, now covered their entire bodies.

'Last time, I allowed the unexpected counterattack... this time, I'll go all out from the start.'

Jake gathered his magic, and blue mist enveloped his fists.

Even a steel sword could be easily shattered, but Jake pushed it further.

Crack!

As he clenched his fists, the magic inside compressed even more, and blue steam rose from the gaps between his fingers.

The concentration of magic grew denser as impurities were expelled, and Jake's fists turned a deep blue. Isehoon's eyes widened.

'Just by clenching his fists, he can compress magic to this extent...?'

An abnormally high grip strength, far beyond his physical abilities. Isehoon recalled Jake blocking Yeongseongha's punch.

'He must have been confident he could block it even at full power.'

He knew Jake had potential, but not to this extent. Isehoon focused his mind.

'If I let my guard down, I'll be finished.'

While he couldn't win with pure physical strength, he could change the game by using all his resources.

Isehoon raised his hands, crossed them in front of his chest, and released the Yinyuan Jiaoyin on his left hand.

[Yinyuan Jiaoyin 'Sijie Shi' is released.]

The Sijie Shi began to emerge from his left palm. After confirming its feel, Isehoon activated the Yinyuan Jiaoyin on his right hand.

[Yinyuan Jiaoyin 'Tan Tie' is activated.]

As the Sijie Shi was absorbed into his body by Tan Tie, Isehoon felt all his muscles moving independently.

It felt like thousands of threads were controlling his body. In this strange situation, his body gradually adjusted to the correct posture.

"Hmm..."

Without much movement, his posture became more precise. Confirming that his entire body was perfectly aligned, Isehoon immediately drew his weapons.

Whoosh!

The two short spears emerged from his subspace pocket, and Jake looked intrigued.

'He uses short spears too.'

He seemed quite familiar with them, showing no weaknesses.

Jake, confirming that Isehoon was not to be underestimated, looked at his tightly clenched fists.

'I'll break his weapon on the first move.'

It would be a bit rough, but it was a surefire method.

The compressed magic 'Qing Shuo' at its limit. Jake, determined to win, slowly took his stance.

Without a referee to start the match, the two stood facing each other in a tense silence.

Clank!

The protective gear, unused for a while, made a small noise. At that moment, both of their eyes flashed.

Bang!!

They pushed off the ground and charged at each other.

'I won...!'

Choosing to evade rather than flee, he would be completely overwhelmed by the force.

Jake, eyes flashing, launched his Qing Shuo-infused fist with all his might.

Whoosh!

"......Huh?"

Flame Wheels sprouted from the tips of Isehoon's two spears.