Chapter 6

The Reincarnated One Does It All 6th Chapter

"Ooh..."

A crimson flame surged from his right hand, extending to his elbow.

The crimson flames that seemed ready to engulf his entire body exuded an overwhelming presence that even a craftsman accustomed to fire would shrink from, but Lee Sehoon instead grinned.

Though it looked fierce on the surface, it never climbed above his elbow.

'This is beyond imagination.'

Before his reincarnation, it would have been almost impossible for Lee Sehoon to handle such a large flame with his current body.

While he could control the flames, his mana was too insufficient to maintain them properly.

However, a skill that made this possible efficiently was the 'Bond Imprint' added to the 'Master of Bonds.'

* Bond Imprint: You can wear Bond Stones on your body. Currently available positions: 'Left Arm,' 'Right Arm.'

A skill that allows Bond Stones, which were previously used only as materials, to be equipped on the body.

This was a new skill he had never seen before his reincarnation, and its versatility was evident from its effects alone.

'Gather the flames that the Fire Steel possessed and confine the crimson flames in my right arm.'

Using the resistance and control of the 'Master of Flames' skill he acquired during the entrance exam, he controlled the crimson flames.

What was once a Level 1 Bond Stone, which he couldn't use effectively in the past, now produced an incredible effect with the addition of several elements.

'Of course, it's crude compared to before, but this is enough.'

Smiling as he looked at the crimson flames in his hand, Lee Sehoon picked up the materials he had prepared in advance.

'Hydrate and Fire Rose. These two should do.'

Like the materials chosen by Hans, these had high mana content and possessed fire attribute mana.

Seeing Lee Sehoon's choice, Michael frowned. Although it might have been a coincidence, it formed a symmetrical pattern with the water attribute mana materials chosen by Hans.

But his displeasure was short-lived. As he observed Lee Sehoon, Michael smiled confidently.

'You seem to have a strong personality, but your skills don't match.'

The choice of materials wasn't bad, and the control of the flames in his right arm was decent. However, his understanding of alchemy was woefully inadequate.

'Alchemy involves using pure mana to resonate and prevent attribute mana from surging. Yet, he's wrapping himself in flames...'

He probably used the flames to easily resonate and compensate for his insufficient mana, but attribute mana can also create defects when added.

A typical mistake of not considering the essence of alchemy. As Michael inwardly mocked this, a loud explosion echoed.

Boom!

Another explosion resounded.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

He casually threw the ignition stone with his left hand, and the flames in his right hand, which engulfed it, burned wildly.

Even this was impressive, but what was truly astonishing was the fist at the center of the flames.

Rumble—

The crimson flames flowed calmly around Lee Sehoon's fist, which was violently agitated.

Inside, the Hydrate and Fire Rose had perfectly melted into a crimson liquid.

"What..."

Michael's eyes widened in disbelief.

It wasn't strange that the two minerals melted quickly, given the powerful heat he was using.

However, what Michael couldn't understand was how the attribute mana within the minerals remained intact despite the rough method of melting.

'If such powerful heat is applied, the attribute mana should surge. It should surge...'

What method did he use to prevent the attribute mana from surging while melting the minerals so quickly?

As Michael tried to find the cause, Yoo Eunha spoke with a blank expression.

"Lee Sehoon, you're quite remarkable."

She looked at Lee Sehoon's hand.

"To resonate the two minerals simultaneously with the activation of alchemy. Your understanding of materials or your innate sense of mana seems quite high."

"Simultaneously...?"

"Yes. The maintenance of attribute mana is likely due to this."

Michael's expression turned to disbelief at Yoo Eunha's calm response.

Alchemy is divided into two main steps: the first is to resonate and change the properties of the minerals using mana, and the second is to form the weapon from the transformed minerals.

Both steps are not easy, but the most challenging is the first step of property change.

'Even for the same type of mineral, the method of resonance can vary greatly depending on the arrangement of mana and the surrounding environment...'

Hans, who was skilled in alchemy, was still attempting to resonate, and Michael himself needed over ten minutes if the materials and environment were unfamiliar.

For a mere new student to complete all these steps simultaneously? It wasn't just a matter of high understanding or innate talent.

'There must be something.'

There's no way such a mediocre student could possess such talent and skill. Michael's eyes glinted coldly with certainty.

'Whatever trick he's using, it won't work as he plans.'

Student-level tricks can be easily identified if one truly wants to.

Deciding to observe closely, Michael immediately activated his main skill, 'Gem Eye (A).'

Squish—

His vision changed with a ringing sound.

The movement of mana and properties inside the minerals, as well as the mana Lee Sehoon was using to refine them, became clearly visible.

The eyes that could instantly detect the fraud of an A-grade craftsman. Michael's Gem Eye thoroughly examined Lee Sehoon.

"What..."

He witnessed the purest flow of minerals, more so than anyone else.

* * *

'He's using it.'

Lee Sehoon inwardly mocked Michael, who was glaring at him.

The strange flicker in his eyes. He's probably using a skill to check if he's committing any fraud.

'Well, it's understandable.'

A student with no special qualities on paper suddenly using an incredible level of alchemy.

From the perspective of a professional leading alchemy in the blacksmithing industry, it must be an unbelievable sight.

'But I have no reason to explain it to him.'

While Michael and Hans seem to view alchemy as a more advanced form of refining using magic, Lee Sehoon's perspective is different.

Alchemy is a technique created to refine weapons using only mana in situations where normal refining is impossible.

Thus, the path pursued by alchemy is completely different from conventional refining.

'Alchemy is about unfolding the life of minerals.'

The structure is different from conventional refining, which kills the minerals and infuses the blacksmith's life.

By not understanding this and applying conventional refining methods to alchemy, it only results in boasting about having more mana.

Whoosh!

Through resonance, all impurities in the minerals were separated, and a crimson liquid flowed with the crimson flames.

The life of the minerals, the mineral core, was created in Lee Sehoon's hand.

"Hmm..."

In alchemy, resonance is about finding and separating the root of the mineral core.

However, Hans tried to remake the mineral core into the shape he wanted, resulting in impurities and a significant time difference.

"Grunt..."

Hans, who had been staring at him, bit his lip and glared at his magic circle. He must be quite anxious, seeing his rival surpass him.

'Already messy, and now more impurities are added.'

Even if impurities are added, it doesn't mean he can't make a weapon, but it reduces durability and increases the risk of attribute mana surging, making it a potential bomb.

This is the greatest danger of alchemy and one of the misfortunes experienced by 'Explosive' Louis Valente, one of the Three Eyes.

'When I was at Babel, I had no money... Barumut said he would make weapons cheaply if I did some odd jobs. After working for a few months, he sold me a bomb.'

Before his reincarnation, the Three Eyes always claimed they were unfairly treated in the past, which led to their twisted nature.

Of course, whether this was true or not, Lee Sehoon couldn't know and didn't care at the time, but this time is different.

'To easily defeat the Six Great Demons, we need their power. It's better to make them more cooperative.'

This time, he will reform them both physically and mentally and bring them to the front lines.

And the first step is to thoroughly crush Hans Barumut, the fraud blacksmith who caused Louis Valente to drop out due to aftereffects.

'Shall I go ahead?'

When making a weapon from the mineral core, one must only imbue the minimal intention to prevent damage.

The minimal intention here refers to the characteristics of the intended user of the weapon.

'And the suitable person is...'

Lee Sehoon glanced at the red-haired woman, Yoo Eunha, who was watching him indifferently, and took a deep breath.

He then looked at Hans, who was groaning beside him.

"Watch closely."

He began to bring the life of the mineral core in his hand to life.

Whoosh—

The crimson flames, which had been rotating in a circle, gradually formed an oval shape according to Lee Sehoon's will.

To assist the Five-Colored Flame, the basic shape is a scabbard. However, a simple scabbard wouldn't impress the strict head of the department, let alone the top student.

Considering various factors, the crimson flames in Lee Sehoon's hands became even more vivid, and the crimson mineral core slowly flowed into it.

Rumble—

There was no grandeur of dozens of magic circles floating or the minerals glowing and surging.

Silently burning crimson flames and the flowing mineral core. A new life was created at the tip of Lee Sehoon's fingers.

'Process completed.'

Bang—

A massive pulse struck the entire testing ground.

[Weapon 'Fire Accumulation Scabbard' has been completed!]

[The most important aspect of using a technique is to grasp the intention behind it!

Despite the low quality of the used mana and materials, the blacksmith's skill in creating new life from minerals is first-class.]

[The grade of 'Fire Accumulation Scabbard' is 'Rare']

[Attribute Mana 'Crimson Flame (F)' has been awakened.]

The evaluation window appeared before his eyes.

But Lee Sehoon looked at his right hand, which was gripping the newly created Five-Colored Flame scabbard, the Fire Accumulation Scabbard.

Whoosh—

The mana burned calmly, just like the flames he had used earlier.

Recognizing the familiar attribute mana, Lee Sehoon immediately checked the information.

[Crimson Flame] 『F』

A fire attribute mana that evokes the image of crimson flames.

It has a specialized property for melting metals into liquid.

'Wow... It's been a while.'

Before his reincarnation, during his apprentice blacksmith days, he first awakened and used this fire attribute mana daily.

Since he acquired it later than others, he used it excitedly every day, and this time, he also awakened the Crimson Flame first.

'The Crimson Flame isn't bad in my current state.'

Compared to the 'Creation Flame' he used before his reincarnation, it's like a match, but it's the best he can do in his current state.

Determined to gradually recover his skills, Lee Sehoon examined the completed weapon.

[Fire Accumulation Scabbard 火積鞘]

[Grade: Rare] [Quality: Lowest]

A scabbard containing fire attribute mana.

The core of the minerals used as materials is fully maintained, amplifying the power of the fire attribute mana.

It can store flames inside and maximize their flow, exerting tremendous power. A remarkable item showcasing the blacksmith's creativity.

* Stores and amplifies fire attribute mana.

* Can use the skill 'Wildfire 野火'.

'Hmm. The Bond Stone was applied, indeed.'

The materials used this time only possessed fire attribute mana, but the completed Fire Accumulation Scabbard had the property of storing flames, like the 'Fire Steel'.

This effect was likely naturally integrated into the weapon during the creation process by using the Bond Imprint.

'This makes the usage possibilities truly endless.'

He could recreate the weapons he made before his reincarnation earlier and even make them more advanced.

As his creative desire as a blacksmith boiled over,

Bang!

Something snapped from his right arm where he used the Bond Imprint.

[Bond Imprint 'Fire Steel' has been completely consumed.]

The notification window indicating that the Fire Steel equipped on his right arm had disappeared. Lee Sehoon looked disappointed.

'Level 1 doesn't last long, it seems.'

Still, it's better than not being able to use it at all. Satisfied with the decent result, Lee Sehoon looked at Hans, who was still in the process of property change.

"Ugh..."

Hans, who had been demoralized by the weapon he created, seemed to recognize the gap in skill.

'He seems to have grasped his limits.'

With a smirk, Lee Sehoon sat and waited for the remaining time to pass.

"Test complete!"

Kim Incheol's voice announced the end of the additional test.