Chapter 40: Louise Valentine

- Second-year student, runner-up in the Akalkuf Elemental Department.

- Both parents were C-rank heroes who died 8 years ago during a mission. Has relatives but no contact.

- Showed outstanding talent from the start of her studies and rapidly progressed through the curriculum.

- In the first semester of her second year, she became the runner-up and was considered a top candidate for the department's top student. She received full support from the Ivory Tower and was invited to the Nobles' Exchange Meeting (declined to attend).

- However, during the summer break six months ago, an accident occurred while sparring with Gerwin Kruger, the top student in the second year of the Akalkuf Command Department. Her wand exploded.

- She suffered a mana crystallization in her neck and right hand, reducing her mana control by more than 50%, and all support from the Ivory Tower was suspended.

- Currently on leave, and it is unlikely she will return...

...

After reviewing the materials given by Yeom Sung-ha, Lee Se-hoon looked out the dark window.

"Life is really f*cked up..."

He thought it was before the incident, but it turned out to have already happened six months ago. Lee Se-hoon, who thought he had prevented Louise's injury, was now in a daze.

'So she ended up with mana crystallization... This is going to be a hassle.'

Mana crystallization is an injury that permanently damages the body's mana circuits. It is one of the most feared injuries for heroes, not only reducing mana efficiency but also causing excruciating pain every time mana passes through the affected area.

'A mage with mana crystallization in her neck and hand... This is as good as a death sentence.'

Every time she tries to cast a spell or form seals, the affected areas feel like they are being torn apart, disrupting her concentration. The materials from Yeom Sung-ha only mentioned a 50% reduction in mana control, but in reality, it was more like 90% or more.

As a mage, she was effectively given a death sentence. The situation was so desperate that it wouldn't be surprising if she became a cripple.

'But at least it's not worse...'

Lee Se-hoon still had a chance to turn things around.

"...She is receiving rehabilitation treatment at the Ur General Hospital, but there has been no significant progress, and the situation is pessimistic internally."

'As long as she's still at Babel, it's fine.'

If he had been a year late, the "contract" would have been made, and he would have had to travel the world fighting insane mages. The thought made Lee Se-hoon feel dizzy.

'I need to resolve this memory issue as soon as possible.'

But first, he needed to deal with the incident surrounding Gerwin and Louise Valentine.

Flipping through the pages of the materials from Yeom Sung-ha, Lee Se-hoon reviewed what he had read.

"Louise Valentine accused Bier Varmut, the top student in the second year of the Refining Department and the maker of her wand, of intentionally creating a defect. However, the investigation found no fault on the maker's part, and Bier Varmut, who was initially sued for defamation, suddenly withdrew the lawsuit, bringing the matter to a close."

The starting point that turned Louise into "Gerwin." Bier Varmut, the current top student in the third year of the Refining Department, was the root of all evil. Reading his name, Lee Se-hoon muttered softly.

"So it was you, not Hans..."

Even though the incident was over, revenge could start at any time as long as the other party was still alive. Rubbing his still numb head, Lee Se-hoon looked at the senior's name with cold eyes.

* * *

The next morning.

Descending to the main dormitory, Lee Se-hoon wore a bored expression at the sight of the bustling students.

'They're really diligent this early in the morning...'

It wasn't the first time, yet they gathered like this every time. Lee Se-hoon was amazed they never got tired of it. He passed through the crowd and stepped outside the entrance.

"Good morning!"

Jake, a blond youth, greeted him cheerfully.

"...Are you guys in on this together?"

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"Never mind. What's up?"

"Ah, the professor came unexpectedly yesterday, and we didn't settle the accounts. And there's something else..."

Jake, who had been checking the situation, answered in a low voice.

"About the proposal we talked about yesterday, I have something to say."

"...I see."

Even without a clear answer, the timing of his visit was significant. Glancing at the surrounding students, Lee Se-hoon nodded.

"Let's talk while we walk. We'll get complaints if we block the entrance."

"Ah, I was too inconsiderate."

The rumor that it wasn't Erica but Jake had spread, and the number of students gathered at the entrance increased. Perhaps because Jake was the top student in the combat department at Akalkuf, some students even tried to approach him. Lee Se-hoon quickly moved to the bus stop with Jake.

"Let's settle the accounts first."

"Here it is."

Receiving the subspace pocket from Jake, Lee Se-hoon took out the black flame hammer.

'Hmm, it's still good.'

While adjusting his grip, Jake, who had been observing, cautiously spoke up.

"You said you'd make a sword I can use, right?"

"I did."

"Is it really possible?"

A question filled with both doubt and hope. Jake, who seemed a bit excited, made Lee Se-hoon chuckle.

"It's not impossible, as long as your grip strength isn't beyond the level of a top-tier blacksmith."

"Well, it's not that extreme..."

Jake, looking at his hands, muttered hesitantly.

"But I've broken hero-grade swords before..."

"Hero-grade?"

Jake's words made Lee Se-hoon stop and look at him.

"What about the durability bias?"

"Um... 20% attack, 80% durability. It was specially enchanted to withstand my grip, but it broke immediately."

Setting the durability at 80% meant all the potential was poured into withstanding Jake's grip, yet it couldn't hold up for a moment.

Looking at Jake's hands with a subtle expression, Lee Se-hoon gestured to the side.

"Follow me for a moment."

Moving to a nearby park, Lee Se-hoon, after confirming no one was around, gestured to Jake.

"Give me your right palm."

"Why the palm all of a sudden?"

"Do you not want a sword?"

"Here it is."

Jake immediately extended his right palm, and Lee Se-hoon supported it with his right hand while holding the black flame hammer in his left, raising it over his shoulder as if ready to strike.

Jake's eyes widened in surprise.

"Wait, what are you—"

"Relax your hand and don't move your mana."

"Wait, explain first—!"

*Bang*!

Before Jake could finish, Lee Se-hoon struck his palm with the hammer. The sound echoed through the park, and Jake's face and hand turned slightly red.

"Ugh... F*ck..."

Swallowing the scream and curses, Lee Se-hoon examined the red palm, specifically the mana that had reflexively been released.

'So, you didn't enhance your grip strength but changed the material...'

With this structure, it would indeed be difficult to make a usable sword with ordinary materials and skills. Confirming Jake's "talent," Lee Se-hoon extracted a connection.

[Extracting a connection from Jake Myers.]

[The connection with the maker Lee Se-hoon is at Level 1.]

The connection seeped into his body. With a rough estimate, making it wouldn't be too difficult, but Lee Se-hoon paused, looking at Jake, who seemed slightly angry.

"What's this all of a sudden?"

"I think I can make it."

"Really?"

Jake, who had asked as if he had forgotten his anger, received a nod from Lee Se-hoon.

"The materials might be a bit tricky, but you should be able to get them easily. It won't take long to make. Including preparation, about a week?"

"A week..."

Even the famous craftsmen sponsored by his family had given up. To hear that he could make it so casually...

He wondered if it was just a casual statement, but the unwavering attitude made it seem genuine.

'Besides, there's no reason to lie about something that would be obvious...'

Considering Lee Se-hoon's genius, he might really be able to make a sword that suits him. Thinking this, Jake swallowed and cautiously asked.

"Then, can you—"

"Not now."

"Why not?"

Putting the hammer back into the subspace pocket, Lee Se-hoon answered Jake's flustered question.

"I have something to take care of first."

Jake's connection level could be raised anytime, but Gerwin was a ticking bomb. If things went as before the regression, he would be safe for a year, but the butterfly effect he created could ignite the fuse at any moment.

'Best to resolve it as soon as possible.'

So, he needed to check Gerwin's status and establish a connection as soon as possible.

Lee Se-hoon's firm answer made Jake bite his lip anxiously.

"Can't you wait a week?"

"No."

"Even if I triple the payment?"

"Even if you offered ten times, no."

Jake would have accepted if Lee Se-hoon had said it was difficult or would take a long time. Living without a sword wasn't new; he had spent months without one when he was at the main house.

But a week. If the materials were ready, he could have his sword in a week. Feeling the possibility, even waiting a day was a torment.

"Is there a set end date?"

"I'll have to see, but it might take a while to gather information."

"What if I help?"

Lee Se-hoon, surprised by Jake's offer, asked.

"You'll help?"

"I'll do whatever I can. In return, promise to make my sword as soon as this is over."

Jake, determined to get his sword no matter what, made Lee Se-hoon think for a moment before nodding.

"Sure, why not."

Jake, the second son of the Myers family, would have better information than Yeom Sung-ha, who was just a student at the Flame Academy.

'Besides, this one is free.'

He had been reluctant to demand information as payment, but this was perfect. Looking at Jake, Lee Se-hoon mentioned two people of interest.

"Gerwin Kruger, the top student in the third year of the Command Department. Bier Varmut, the top student in the third year of the Refining Department. Do you know them?"

Jake nodded.

"Gerwin is the 25th son of President Wurgen. Bier is the second son of the Varmut family."

"Are they connected in any way?"

"Connected...?"

Jake thought for a moment and then recalled something.

"Oh, they're both members of the Nobles' Exchange Meeting. You know about it?"

"Of course."

The Nobles' Exchange Meeting, where influential students invite talented ones to join their ranks. And Gerwin, who had declined the invitation. Whether it was a coincidence or not, Lee Se-hoon was certain.

'They covered it up.'

The explosion of Gerwin's wand was no accident.

"Six months ago, a second-year student in the Elemental Department was severely injured during a sparring match with Gerwin Kruger. Check if Bier Varmut is involved."

"...This is more complicated than I thought. I'll look into it. Anything else?"

"And..."

After a moment's thought, Lee Se-hoon smiled and said.

"Break my arm."

"..."

"Cleanly."

"..."

* * *

At the Askus General Hospital, located at the eastern end of Ur.

This facility, three times the size of an average department building, was well-known both inside and outside Babel for its outstanding reputation.

"Ha... Ha..."

Askus, one of the world's top three hospitals, was especially renowned for its rehabilitation programs, which were crucial for heroes.

"Phew... Phew..."

But even they had patients they couldn't treat.

In the center of a white room, a girl in a patient's gown stretched out her right hand. Her pale silver hair, reaching her chin, swayed with each breath, and cold sweat trickled down her white skin.

In a state where she could collapse at any moment, the girl, instead of sitting down, opened her blue eyes wide and muttered through gritted teeth.

"159th... Starting now..."

Regulating her rough breathing, she focused on the tip of her right hand. Mana began to flow from her heart, like lava rising through veins to her fingertips.

Imagining the process of drawing out and firing the lava, the girl naturally recalled the incantation, forming it at her fingertips.

*Crack*!

The sudden, intense pain.

The sensation of a giant blade piercing her palm made her gasp, and her mana almost reversed. But she bit her lip and continued to form the spell.

*Hum*!

Mana gathered at her fingertips, and a spark of fire began to grow. The moment she released it, the spell she had visualized in her mind would be complete. Opening her mouth, she began to chant.

"Lava—"

*Crack*!

Her throat tore, and blood spewed from her mouth.

"Ugh...!"

Blood pooled on the floor, and despite knowing it was from her bitten lip, the girl, Louise Valentine, felt her body tremble as her mana began to reverse.

The pain, similar to the one she had experienced before, and the sight of the blood spreading on the floor, made her think her wound might have reopened.

[Mana reversal detected. Initiating mana freeze.]

The magic circle in the room quickly stabilized Louise's mana, and the medical staff outside rushed in.

"Stop the experiment. Administer the mana neutralizer and a sedative immediately."

"Yes!"

"Check the mana circuits for any new crystallization."

Following the professor's instructions, the assistant professors quickly began their work. As the sedative and neutralizer took effect, the pain she had felt moments ago gradually subsided.

Realizing it was all an illusion, Louise, still breathing heavily, looked at the professor, who had a stern expression.

"I'm fine... I just need a short break... and I'll continue the experiment..."

"No, that's enough for today. Rest now."

"But—"

"And for the time being, limit the rehabilitation experiments to 50 times a day. We'll also adjust the spells to beginner level."

"..."

Reducing the number of attempts to a third and using only beginner spells was essentially a suspension of her rehabilitation. Louise, shocked, quickly spoke up.

"Wait, Professor. I—*cough*—!"

"Go rest. Everyone, clean up."

The professor, turning away, clearly didn't want to hear any more. Louise, about to say something, felt the sedative take effect, and her consciousness faded.

When she opened her eyes again,

"...Ah."

Looking at the familiar ceiling of the hospital room, Louise, with a dry throat, muttered.

"Damn... this place..."

Being dismissed just because she felt nauseous.

Despite the numerous complaints that came to mind, Louise swallowed them, knowing she had pushed for the 150 attempts herself.

'100 would have been enough...'

She had overexerted herself, thinking something would work, and lost her chance.

Lying in bed, she sighed repeatedly before forcing herself to sit up.

'If the rehabilitation doesn't work, I need to try something else.'

She needed to exercise, read, or even meditate to heal the mana crystallization in her neck and hand and regain her original abilities.

In a situation where most would have given up, Louise, burning with determination, stepped out of the room.

*Thud*!

She collided face-first with a young man's chest as she passed the door.

"Ugh! Ah... damn..."

She had tried to stop before the collision, but the sedative hadn't fully worn off. Embarrassed, Louise looked up at the man she had bumped into.

"..."

His jet-black hair and sharp eyes, as if he had just killed several people, gave him a fierce, almost canine appearance. Louise, intrigued by his appearance, was met with a harsh greeting.

"What are you looking at?"

The young man, with a cast on his right arm, Lee Se-hoon, greeted her with a rude tone.