Chapter 52: The Reincarnated One Takes Care of Everything

The students listening to the lecture on the origin of weapons all had their own personal interests and ulterior motives.

Becoming close to Professor Kim In-cheol, who received top support at Babel, to gain various benefits was a goal almost identical to what Lee Se-hoon had been aiming for.

"What do you think of this?"

"Hmm, it's a bit ambiguous. Using attribute assignment to increase purity is good, but it completely fails to utilize any other advantages. I think the refining method needs to be changed."

"Indeed, you think the same. If I were to do it, I would adjust the ratio during the refining process..."

However, the students who saw the scene of Lee Se-hoon and Kim In-cheol naturally conversing while examining numerous weapons had no choice but to realize that the opportunity they had been aiming for had been completely taken away by the top student of the first-year department in just two weeks.

"That's it for today's class. Whenever you have time, observe calmly and come to me when you feel you have grasped everything."

As the class ended, the students walked out with their shoulders slumped. Lee Se-hoon, looking at their backs, had an awkward expression.

"Seems like I inadvertently dampened their enthusiasm... Is it okay?"

"It's fine. If they can be discouraged by something like this, they're not worth teaching."

Though his words were somewhat cold, Lee Se-hoon nodded in agreement.

"That's true."

Babel is a place that shows the way to those who wish to walk, not one that forces them to walk.

If the class was too difficult, it would be understandable for them to lose heart, but if they lose heart and give up just because a competitor is better, there's no need to encourage and teach them.

'Anyway, are all the competitors gone now?'

What remained was how to get a budget from Kim In-cheol. While Lee Se-hoon was thinking of ways to do so, Kim In-cheol asked in a subtle voice.

"Do you have any other classes after this?"

"No, this is the last class for today."

"Hmm... Then can you spare some time? I have a proposal for you."

Seeing Kim In-cheol's serious expression, Lee Se-hoon realized the opportunity had come and nodded.

"Sure, that's fine."

"Then let's move to another place. Follow me."

Leaving the lecture room, Kim In-cheol headed to the parking lot behind the main building.

Since the artificial island where Babel was built was so large, many people owned personal vehicles, and Kim In-cheol seemed to be one of them.

'Is it because of Babel? Everyone only has expensive cars...'

While looking around the parking lot, Lee Se-hoon's eyes widened when he spotted a motorcycle in the corner.

The tires were at least three times the size of a regular bike, and the engine looked menacing. The body, coated in red, was also impressive, but the important part was the materials used.

'A V16 horsepower hybrid engine that can move a ship, and the tires seem to be made of basilisk skin... The frame is an alloy, at least hero-grade...'

Just from what he could see, it was more expensive than all the other vehicles in the parking lot combined.

The monstrous appearance of the motorcycle made Lee Se-hoon look interested.

'Who rides such a crazy thing?'

While wondering who the owner was, Lee Se-hoon saw Kim In-cheol, who had been walking ahead, naturally open the storage compartment at the back of the motorcycle and take out a red helmet.

"Put it on."

"Is this the professor's motorcycle?"

"Yes, it is."

Kim In-cheol's expression, which seemed to ask what the problem was, made Lee Se-hoon have a strange look.

"No, nothing..."

It seemed that Kim In-cheol was not as frugal and conservative as he had thought. Deciding to refer to this for future gemstone creation, Lee Se-hoon put on the helmet and got on the back seat.

"Just in case, I'll use a protective device."

Gugu-gu

Kim In-cheol, who was in the front, pressed a button on the handlebars, and the engine roared to life, covering Lee Se-hoon's body with a thin layer of red mana.

Though it was a one-time use, its durability was comparable to a hero-grade armor. Impressed by its function, Lee Se-hoon had a look of disbelief.

"An incredible thing."

"I've been using this since before I became a professor. It's my second treasure."

"Second...?"

Then what is the first treasure? As if reading Lee Se-hoon's thoughts, Kim In-cheol smiled and lowered his goggles.

"I'll show you the first one soon."

Buuu!

The engine roared, and the motorcycle shot out of the parking lot, smoothly speeding down the road.

Despite its terrifying appearance and speed, the ride was smooth with no vibration, and the motorcycle's performance in naturally dispersing shock made Lee Se-hoon look around in amazement.

'It seems to be running at less than 30% of its original power... If driven properly outside, it would be devastating.'

At this level, it could probably just plow through most monsters.

While examining the motorcycle's performance, Lee Se-hoon suddenly realized the scenery around him had changed.

'Is this the external area?'

This was the area outside the department zone where students mainly operate, where not only Babel's faculty and staff but also personnel from various companies and guilds dispatched from outside reside.

It was practically a residential area, and Kim In-cheol stopped in front of a house in the farthest corner.

"This is my house."

A two-story detached house with a garden. It was a clean and tidy place with no major flaws, but Lee Se-hoon's eyes were drawn to the building next to it.

A building with a large chimney protruding upwards, made of special alloys used for buildings. It clearly looked like Kim In-cheol's workshop.

"Did you build it here because of the workshop?"

"Personal research is restricted the closer you are to the department zone, so I had no choice but to come here."

"Ah, I see. The research professors do can be quite dangerous."

Though they might have installed some protective devices, one never knows what could happen if something goes wrong.

He himself had once blown up a few mountains along with his workshop due to a minor mistake before his reincarnation.

'That was a headache when I was wanted...'

While reminiscing about old memories, Lee Se-hoon was lost in thought when Kim In-cheol, who had parked the motorcycle in the garage, gestured to him.

"Come this way."

Leading Lee Se-hoon to the workshop, Kim In-cheol forcefully lifted the closed shutter.

Chaaar!

"Wow..."

As the two entered, the workshop was brightly lit.

The first thing that caught the eye was the five furnaces lined up on the wall, each with a translucent lid covering the fire mouth, through which different flames were raging.

'They must be specialized furnaces adjusted for different uses. The maintenance cost must be quite high...'

In addition to the shelves and walls neatly organized with various tools, there were many magical engineering devices, including a mana engine.

Despite his frugal and conservative appearance, it looked like Kim In-cheol had invested a huge amount of money to create this state-of-the-art workshop. This gave Lee Se-hoon a sense of what kind of person Kim In-cheol was.

'He's open-minded when it comes to his field of expertise.'

He doesn't hesitate to spend money or accept new technology.

Seeing this, Lee Se-hoon realized both the strengths and weaknesses of Kim In-cheol.

'If I do well, he'll be generous... and if not, he'll just spend the money himself.'

It seemed he would need to actively appeal to get the budget.

While Lee Se-hoon was examining the workshop, Kim In-cheol put on thick gloves and picked up a pair of tongs.

"Do you have a fire resistance skill?"

"I have a C-rank one called 'Master of Flames'."

"That might be tough. Put on the protective suit hanging there."

Nodding, Lee Se-hoon immediately picked up the protective suit hanging on the wall.

[Salamander's Protective Suit]

[Rank: Hero] [Quality: High]

A protective suit made from the processed skin of a fire elemental salamander.

It can regulate body temperature by consuming mana and generate mana by absorbing external heat.

*Regulates body temperature by consuming mana.

*Can generate mana by absorbing heat. Can be restored by heating if damaged.

*Can use the skill 'Fire Control'.

'Do I really need to wear this?'

To withstand it, one would need at least an A-rank skill. Curious about what the first treasure could be, Lee Se-hoon quickly put on the protective suit and approached Kim In-cheol.

"Don't move from there."

After taking a deep breath, Kim In-cheol approached the largest furnace in the center of the five and opened the lid covering the fire mouth.

Hwaah!

A heat wave immediately poured out as soon as the lid was opened.

Even with the protective devices in the workshop blocking it, the surroundings shimmered, indicating that the temperature and the nature of the flames were not ordinary.

"Huff..."

Facing the heat wave head-on, Kim In-cheol approached the furnace and inserted the tongs deep inside, pulling out an object.

Hwar!

A blade glowing white with immense heat.

It was a slightly curved saber with a large crack inside, from which flames were seeping out.

Wooong!

The moisture in the workshop evaporated instantly, and even the mana seemed to boil. Lee Se-hoon's eyes narrowed at the sight, which resembled a fragment of the sun.

'This is...'

Though it looked different from what he knew, it was very familiar.

While trying to recall his memories, Lee Se-hoon saw Kim In-cheol frown and quickly move the blade to an anvil.

Kuung!

As soon as the blade was placed, the anvil transformed into a giant cage, and the magic arrays inside activated in layers, completely containing the heat.

Sighing as he put down the tongs, Kim In-cheol gestured to Lee Se-hoon, who was standing far away.

"Come over here. Don't take off the protective suit just in case."

"Understood."

Wearing the protective suit, Lee Se-hoon approached and examined the blade, which seemed to be Kim In-cheol's first treasure.

The white blade, encased in a black cage and surrounded by dozens of layers of magic arrays, was suspended in the air. Examining it, Lee Se-hoon immediately checked the information window.

[Broken Flame]

[Rank: Hero] [Quality: Best]

A blade imbued with fire mana.

Originally a complete weapon, it lost all its functions and can no longer contain its own heat due to its core being destroyed.

If all the heat stored inside the blade is released, it will be permanently destroyed.

*If all the heat is consumed, it will be permanently destroyed.

*Current heat charge: 89%.

"Hmm..."

Even in its state of having lost all functions due to the core being destroyed, it was a hero-grade, best-quality item. This meant that in its normal state, it was a legendary-grade weapon.

'To see such a valuable item so early...'

As Lee Se-hoon examined it with interest, Kim In-cheol, standing beside him, slowly spoke while looking at the blade, Broken Flame.

"I've had this since before I entered Babel. At first, the heat was less than 10%. So I used every method I knew to increase the heat."

However, without fixing the fundamental problem of the core, the maintenance costs continued to drain his resources, and Kim In-cheol's wealth quickly disappeared.

"Even after selling all my assets except the workshop and using the money I earned for maintenance, it was still unsustainable. Just as I was about to give up... the principal came to me."

He offered to support the maintenance costs of Broken Flame in exchange for becoming a professor in the Refining Department. Accepting Ludwig's irresistible offer, Kim In-cheol entered Babel's artificial island.

Hearing this, Lee Se-hoon looked interested.

"Professor, you researched the origin of weapons to repair this, didn't you?"

"More accurately, if I can repair Broken Flame, I don't care about anything else. The principal wants me to achieve results in that area, so I'm researching it..."

Embarrassed, Kim In-cheol looked at Lee Se-hoon, who examined Broken Flame again.

The heat radiating uncontrollably distorted the surroundings, making it difficult to see the shape clearly, but Lee Se-hoon could roughly guess its form.

A red blade with a white flame engraved on it. Originally, the flame should have been condensed inside, but it was continuously seeping out due to the core being destroyed.

"Showing this to me means you want my help with the research, right?"

For the professor of the Refining Department to seek help from a first-year student would be considered a joke, but Kim In-cheol nodded calmly.

"Yes. Though it's embarrassing to say... I can't find a solution on my own."

In any field, after dedicating a long time to it, one inevitably realizes their limits.

One can only go so far, and no matter how much effort one puts in alone, they cannot surpass a certain point. The wall Kim In-cheol faced while trying to repair Broken Flame was on a different level from the limits he had overcome before.

"That's why I want your help. You have the most outstanding talent among all the students I've seen... no, among all the blacksmiths I've known."

While some might deny or ignore their limits, Kim In-cheol accepted them and decided to find a solution.

If experience couldn't solve it, he would seek advice from a genius better than himself. And that person was Lee Se-hoon, who had surprised him multiple times.

'Hmm... I like this.'

Impressed by Kim In-cheol's sincerity, Lee Se-hoon nodded in satisfaction.

"Understood. It's a rare opportunity to research such a weapon, so I would like to ask for your help."

"Really? Thank you..."

"However."

Glancing at Kim In-cheol, Lee Se-hoon continued.

"To conduct proper research, I'll need various items... and the budget I'll receive this semester might be tight... Ahem."

While pretending to beat around the bush, Lee Se-hoon clearly conveyed what he wanted. Seeing his straightforwardness, Kim In-cheol, who had been staring blankly, smiled.

"Don't be too obvious about it."

Indeed, he was generous when it came to his field.

Reaffirming what kind of person Kim In-cheol was, Lee Se-hoon smiled and extended his hand, which Kim In-cheol firmly shook.

The moment he tapped into the financial resources of one of Babel's top funders.

* * *

"We'll do the research once a week. Since you always get perfect scores in class, you don't have to come if you have urgent matters."

"Understood."

"Alright."

Buuu!

The motorcycle roared and disappeared into the distance. Watching Kim In-cheol vanish in an instant, Lee Se-hoon looked amazed.

'Today has been a time of reevaluation.'

Not only the field of the origin of weapons but also Kim In-cheol as a person.

'Frankly, I thought getting the budget would be difficult.'

He seemed so old-fashioned that I didn't expect him to be so flexible in this area.

Thinking about how to use it in the future was both exciting and a headache.

'Broken Flame... It looks like one of the Five Elemental Weapons.'

Among legendary-grade weapons, there are five that have unparalleled abilities in the 'attribute' field.

They are collectively known as the 'Five Elemental Weapons,' and they are very famous among heroes.

If a madman gets one, they can destroy a city, and if a normal person gets one, they will die and have it taken from them. When a battle for one breaks out, thousands die, making it a real headache.

'Even for legendary-grade weapons, the Five Elemental Weapons are particularly troublesome.'

They greatly amplify the same attribute mana and can permanently increase affinity and control.

Because of this, when a battle for one breaks out, thousands die, and the Broken Flame, 'Fire Heaven Great Saber,' owned by Kim In-cheol, is no exception.

'Before my reincarnation, the last time it was seen was by a puppeteer.'

One of the Ten Evils, who created automatons by modifying corpses and weapons.

The puppeteer secured the Fire Heaven Great Saber and turned it into an automaton named 'Surt.' This resulted in the deaths of over 600 heroes, including an S-rank hero, and nearly 40,000 citizens.

The city was completely vaporized by the final self-destruction, an event that could be described as a great disaster.

'Because of this, he was prioritized for extermination... but it would be better if such an incident didn't happen at all.'

If the existence of the Fire Heaven Great Saber were known, not only the puppeteer but also others might target it.

I don't know how it was taken from Babel, which is under Ludwig's jurisdiction, but it would be wise to prepare in advance.

'If I didn't know how to repair it, I wouldn't have to worry so much...'

Fortunately or unfortunately, when I saw the method to repair the Fire Heaven Great Saber, I had a rough idea. However, for that, I needed a few necessary items...

Wooong!

The vibration interrupted his thoughts. Taking out his phone, Lee Se-hoon read the arrived message.

[Regarding the extermination practice we talked about before. It's difficult to do this weekend, but is the time convenient for you? Please reply.] - Ryu Eun-ha

The extermination practice he had agreed to with Ryu Eun-ha. After reading the content, Lee Se-hoon sighed after a moment of thought.

'Whether I repair it or not, I should get the items first.'

If I miss this opportunity, I don't know when I'll get them again. Making a decision, Lee Se-hoon immediately replied.

[Let's go now.]