Chapter 5: The Regressor Completes It All

Babel Academy.

One of the training institutions for climbers of the Hero's Tower, which suddenly appeared worldwide, Babel Academy was renowned for its overwhelming prestige. It possessed top-tier curricula and facilities for combat, support, and technical roles, and through its infrastructure, it produced numerous heroes every year.

In terms of overall scale, it was on a level that could not be compared to other training institutions. Among these, the most overwhelming aspect was its size.

'To create an artificial island in the Pacific and build a school on the scale of a city... whoever came up with this idea, it's truly impressive.'

I heard it started as a small island, but after endless expansions over time, it now boasts a size comparable to a major city.

This is because it houses facilities for over 100 departments and living quarters for cadets and faculty. Additionally, with the establishment of facilities from external companies that have invested in or collaborated with Babel, it couldn't help but grow.

'In a sense, it's practically an independent nation...'

As I was lost in thought, gazing at the buildings passing by outside the window, an announcement echoed from the light rail's speaker.

- The next stop is the Metallurgy Department Main Building.

The light rail, powered by mana, stopped at the station, and as I stepped out, I looked up at the main building of the Metallurgy Department.

'Still so big...'

Before the regression, I failed to enroll in Babel, but I had visited once after being invited when I had secured a position. At that time, the Metallurgy Department had been repurposed, but the exterior was still somewhat similar.

'Let's see. It was the 3rd Metallurgy Lab...'

After checking the sign, I moved forward, and before long, the acrid smell of fire and the scent of heated metal tickled my nose.

The smell, which was both pungent and invigorating, made me smile unconsciously as I quickened my pace.

'Here it is.'

I confirmed the sign that read "3rd Metallurgy Lab" and pushed open the tightly closed door with both hands, entering the room.

Dozens of mana-powered furnaces and various equipment lined up, all of which were state-of-the-art and incredibly valuable at this point. I marveled at the sight.

'For a minor department, this level of support... the scale is still different.'

I had heard about Babel's generosity before the regression, but seeing it firsthand was a different experience.

As I was inspecting the interior with a curious expression, a cold voice echoed from the front.

"Cadet Yisun."

A middle-aged man with a sharp expression sat at a desk, his platinum blonde hair slicked back and his white suit immaculate, giving off a slightly paranoid vibe. He looked like someone with a bad temper.

"Everyone is waiting. Take your place quickly."

Even though there were still 10 minutes left, the man urged me as if I were late. The overt hostility in his reaction made my eyes narrow.

"Still 10 minutes left, Deputy Head."

Kim Incheol, standing at the podium, pointed out calmly.

"Since the Head hasn't arrived yet, there's no need to rush."

"It's about your attitude."

"Then I will remind you."

Kim Incheol spoke firmly, relaxed his expression, and looked at me.

"The Head will be here soon, so take your seat and wait."

"Understood."

Sitting in an empty chair to the side, I watched the two who had just engaged in a brief confrontation.

'They said the Metallurgy Department was in trouble... and it seems I've also fallen out of favor with the Deputy Head.'

If the department's performance is already poor and there's friction with the upper management, it's no wonder they'd pick on me at every opportunity.

As I began to understand why Kim Incheol had recommended other institutions, I felt a gaze from the side.

"Hmm?"

Another cadet, sitting opposite, glared at me.

His platinum blonde hair was neatly styled, and his cadet uniform was perfectly ironed, in stark contrast to my crumpled appearance.

"...Tsk."

After scanning me from head to toe, he clicked his tongue and turned away. The overtly hostile reaction made me feel ridiculous.

'What kind of day is this?'

Not just one, but two people are starting off by getting on my nerves.

Just as my hand was about to reach for the hammer beside me,

"I'm sorry. I'm the last to arrive."

The door to the metallurgy lab opened, and a calm voice echoed.

"...?"

Recognizing the familiar voice, I turned my head to look at the speaker.

Her red hair was neatly tied up, and her face was expressionless, showing no emotion. Objectively, she was a beauty, but the black suit and her expression gave off an intimidating aura. Recognizing her, my eyes widened.

'...Ryu Eunha?'

S-Class Hero 'Weapon Eater' Ryu Eunha.

A hero with the unique skill of consuming weapons to amplify her power, and the regular customer I dealt with the longest before the regression. Her sudden appearance made me frown.

'I heard she worked at Babel for a year... was she the Head?'

The mismatched position left me flabbergasted. As I was still processing this, Ryu Eunha walked forward and sat in the empty seat next to the Deputy Head.

"Let's begin."

"Understood. Both of you, stand up."

As the two stood up, Kim Incheol continued his explanation.

"The topic of this additional exam, as previously announced, is to create a weapon that can be used with the 'sword' you previously made."

As Kim Incheol manipulated the panel on the podium, an iron box beside the furnace opened, revealing the materials inside.

"Oh..."

Unlike the previous exam, which only had basic materials, this time there were many high-quality materials containing mana.

It seemed they wanted to thoroughly evaluate not just basic skills but also the use of skills and mana.

'With this setup...'

Even a quick glance at the materials gave me a clear idea of what to make and how to make it.

As I was mentally designing the blueprint with sparkling eyes, Kim Incheol continued.

"The weapons you create will be evaluated by Head Ryu Eunha and Deputy Head Michael Barmut. Both of you, make something you can be proud of."

"...?"

Focused on inspecting the materials, I frowned at Kim Incheol's words.

'Barmut... I've definitely heard this name somewhere.'

It felt oddly irritating, as if I had just overheard it. As I was trying to recall, Kim Incheol manipulated the panel to display a timer in the air.

"Time limit: 180 minutes. Start!"

As the timer started, the furnace's lock was released, and the cadet beside me began selecting materials.

'Let's start by making the weapon.'

Deciding to think about Barmut later, I quickly took off my cadet uniform jacket, threw it behind me, and rolled up my shirt sleeves.

The uniform, which was supposed to have temperature regulation and protective functions, only got in my way.

"Such a lack of decorum..."

The cadet beside me muttered disdainfully at my unhesitant actions, and Kim Incheol looked at him.

"Hans Barmut. Avoid comments unrelated to the exam."

"I will be careful."

After a polite response, the cadet resumed selecting materials. Recognizing the surname, I looked at the Head, Michael.

'So... it's not just a bad relationship.'

I hadn't expected the Deputy Head's son to be my competitor. While others might have been shocked, I smiled.

'I was only planning to deal with one... but now I can take care of both.'

Feeling a surge of motivation, I inspected the materials. The cadet, Hans, who had already chosen his materials, placed them on a table beside the furnace.

"Lazulite and aquamarine. High-quality materials with high mana content."

The two types of minerals, glowing with a blue light, caught Ryu Eunha's interest, and Michael added with a smile.

"Yes. They also contain water attribute mana."

Materials containing mana are generally difficult to handle, but those with specific attributes are on a different level.

"Water attribute mana is particularly sensitive to fire, making the refining process more challenging."

"Usually, that's true... but it depends on who handles them."

Michael spoke confidently, and Hans, who had completed all preparations, began channeling his mana.

Rumble─

Gray mana gathered in his hands. Moving his hands in the air, complex patterns were etched, and soon a large circular magic circle was formed.

Whirr─

The magic circle, glowing brightly with mana supplied by the minerals, caught Hans' attention, and he placed the lazulite and aquamarine inside with a confident smile.

Rumble─

The two minerals inside the magic circle trembled and suddenly transformed into a liquid-like state without heating.

After completing the refining process, Hans immediately adjusted the shape with his hands, and Ryu Eunha commented calmly.

"Alchemical refining method."

A new refining method based on alchemy and magic, different from traditional methods. It allows the omission of processes like forging and tempering and makes it easier to extract the mana from materials, making it a technology highly regarded in the blacksmithing industry.

"A more challenging method than traditional refining, but if handled skillfully, it can perfectly extract the power of the materials."

"However, I've heard it's still unstable."

"That's an old story. Soon, the alchemical refining method will surpass traditional methods."

Michael subtly praised the alchemical refining method. His family, the Barmuts, were known for this method, and his goal was to make it the core of the Metallurgy Department.

'If I can persuade the Head, Kim Incheol will have no other choice.'

Given the department's poor performance over the years, a little justification would be enough to make changes.

Satisfied with the situation, Michael's eyes suddenly fell on Yisun.

"Barmut... magical refining method..."

Yisun, who had stopped selecting materials, muttered something and fell into thought. Despite his appearance, which didn't seem to be worse than his son, Michael's eyes glinted coldly.

'He seems to have decent basics... but this time will be tough.'

Unlike the previous exam, which prioritized traditional methods, this additional exam required the proper use of skills and mana.

Based on my observations, Yisun's mana was the lowest among the new students, making it impossible for him to beat Hans, who was the top student in the second year of the Metallurgy Department.

'What bad luck to have Kim Incheol as his last hope. No chance at all.'

Born into a humble family, this was probably his last chance. Smirking inwardly, Michael turned his head.

"Ah!"

Yisun exclaimed with a clear expression.

The Barmut family. Alchemical refining method. While I was somewhat known in the blacksmithing industry before the regression, I remembered this name for a different reason.

'Right. He was definitely involved with that brute.'

One of the people I had to definitely persuade, Louis Valente, the brute, and his associates.

With another reason to take down Hans, Yisun changed the blueprint in his mind and gripped the flint.

Snap! Thud!

The flint stones sparked as they collided in his hand. The simple yet unfamiliar technique drew everyone's attention, and Yisun slowly began to channel his mana, focusing it on a specific flint.

'Alchemical refining method, huh.'

Before the regression, Yisun had learned any blacksmithing-related technique he could. Given the dire situation of humanity, he couldn't afford to be picky.

What does that mean?

'You think you know better than me?'

It meant they were both inferior to him.

Boom─!

Without any warning, an explosion erupted. The crimson flames, using Yisun's hands as kindling, made everyone in the exam room widen their eyes.

An accident right at the start of the exam? As everyone was taken aback by the sudden situation,

[The affinity 'Flame Harmony' has been activated.]

Rumble!

The flames began to compress in Yisun's hands.