Chapter 64

The regressionist made everything, Chapter 64

[Monghwan Gyido (Dream Illusion Dagger)]

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

A dagger forged from the flames of illusion.

It can use strong resistance and destruction abilities against mental interference and can push a designated area into the boundary of dreams, consuming the flames of illusion to burn it.

However, if all the flames of illusion are consumed, all functions will disappear.

* Significantly increases the wearer's resistance to mental interference.

* Destroys mental interference affecting the wearer.

* Can use the skill 'Shinryuhwa (Mirage Fire)'.

“……”

After reading the information window, Rea slowly examined its form.

The blade, which gradually narrowed towards the tip, was a purple color. The edge was translucent like a gemstone, and inside, her enchantment faintly glowed.

A clean, straight crossguard and a handle as white as a white orchid.

Rea couldn't help but be impressed by the elegant and luxurious design.

“This is what they mean by well-made……”

The magical circuit that perfectly harnesses the power of the weapon and the balanced center of gravity.

With her enchantment perfectly meshing with it, this was the most ideal form that could be created through a collaboration between a blacksmith and an enchanter.

Staring intently at the Monghwan Gyido, Rea pondered for a moment before asking Iseon with a serious expression.

“Junior.”

“Why.”

“It seems like my heart is racing, it must be love. Can I confess to you?”

“……”

Iseon looked at Rea, who suddenly started babbling while examining the weapon, with a bewildered expression.

“No. Don't.”

“Sigh…… I understand.”

Though disappointed, Rea didn't become too dejected. After all, it was just something she blurted out in excitement after seeing the completed weapon.

Crack!

Of course, it would sound different to other people, especially the elders of the household.

“Aah!!”

Rea, who was suddenly hit on the back, straightened her back and shivered. Rebecca, who approached from behind, narrowed her eyes.

“What's this talk about love? You're just teasing the junior with nonsense…… I can't stand it!”

“It's not teasing. It's a sincere feeling that comes from deep within……”

Crack!

“Gah!”

Rebecca, who didn't want to hear any more, hit Rea on the back again to silence her, then sighed and looked at Iseon.

“Cadet Iseon. If it's not a problem, can I take a look at the finished product?”

“Ah, yes. Please feel free to look.”

While the method of using the Monghwan Gyido is a secret, Iseon had no intention of hiding its performance.

“Thank you.”

With Iseon's permission, Rebecca immediately took the Monghwan Gyido from Rea and read the information window.

“It really is a Hero rank……”

Though she had a rough idea from the appearance of the completed weapon, it was still hard to believe when she confirmed it herself.

Among the six ranks divided into [Common], [Advanced], [Rare], [Hero], [Legendary], and [Mythical], the Hero rank is the fourth.

This position is considered a turning point in the weapon industry.

At this level, the weapon no longer assists the hero's abilities but rather the hero assists the weapon's abilities. That's why it's called the 'Hero rank'.

‘Ordinary cadets might only be able to make something like this after graduation and gaining experience……’

Of course, with Rea's cooperation as an enchanter and the fact that the weapon becomes a consumable item when all the flames of illusion are used, it can't be considered a fully-fledged Hero rank weapon.

However, considering the difficult materials used, such as Mongsanga and Namhwau, her skills are already more than sufficient.

‘It's only a matter of time before she can create a Hero rank weapon on her own……’

Talent that doesn't fall behind even when compared to the current third-year class leaders, who are called the best generation ever.

Rebecca, who clearly understood why Professor Kim was so confident, watched with interest.

“Can I take a look too?”

Kim, who approached late, asked Iseon.

“Of course.”

“Thank you. I'll take a look for a moment.”

Kim, who received the Monghwan Gyido from Rebecca, lightly scanned the information window and then carefully examined the blade.

“The records say that the Vermilion Bird's feathers were both flames and crystalline. Did you use that as a reference?”

“Yes. When I first received them, they still had a crystalline form, and I thought that mixing them with other minerals would degrade the performance, so I tried this approach.”

“Hmm…… It seems to have been a good choice. If not, it would have been difficult to control due to the magic of illusion……”

Kim, who was examining the Monghwan Gyido, couldn't help but be amazed at the purple flames of illusion contained within.

‘Truly remarkable…… to handle such flames to this extent.’

Flames created from the magic of illusion, which even decent mages can't properly handle, and the difficult-to-control Namhwau.

If it were him, could he have created such an item with these mirage-like flames? Kim, who was gauging it in his mind, quickly realized the answer.

‘Impossible.’

While it might be possible with multiple attempts, controlling all variables from the start and completing it was beyond his capabilities.

“Huh……”

Kim, who let out a sigh filled with various emotions, smiled and returned the Monghwan Gyido to Iseon.

“I just got the first semester budget approved, so I'll have to put in a request for more stock.”

“Huh?”

“Since you made a Hero rank weapon, it can't just be ignored. You should claim what you deserve.”

While a Rare rank weapon can be handled within the department, a Hero rank weapon is a different matter.

It will be reported not only to the department head, Ryu Eun-ha, but also to the school principal, Ludwig.

If this fact becomes known outside, it will spread throughout not only Babel but also the hero industry, leading to numerous contacts.

“This incident might lead to external requests. Usually, only third and fourth-year students receive such requests……”

How many requests will fly to Iseon? Kim, who was grinning at the thought of the workload that would soon come his way, was interrupted.

“Hmm…… Can we just let this one slide?”

Iseon, who had been pondering for a moment, spoke calmly.

“Let it slide? You mean you won't report it?”

“Yes. I'd like you to report it as a Rare rank weapon or a complete failure.”

“Is there a special reason?”

In response to Kim's puzzled question, Iseon smiled awkwardly.

“I want to be underestimated for now.”

Not to be seen as capable, but to be underestimated. Kim, who was momentarily puzzled by this strange statement, suddenly had a realization.

“……Indeed. I remember you mentioned next weekend.”

Kim, who immediately understood that it was related to the noble exchange event, nodded.

“It's related to that. Can I ask for your help?”

“Hmm. I don't mind……”

Kim, who glanced at Rebecca, turned his head to look at her.

Rebecca, who met their gazes as if asking for cooperation, pondered for a moment and then nodded.

“Since I got to see something good, I should return the favor. I'll do as Cadet Iseon wishes.”

“Thank you.”

“No, I should thank you. You gave Rea a good experience, so I should return the favor.”

“Gulp…… It still hurts……”

Rebecca, who glanced at Rea, who was rubbing her back with both hands, continued gently.

“If you have any more requests, feel free to ask.”

“Yes.”

“Then we'll go first. Let's go.”

“Ah, yes. I'm going.”

As Rebecca headed out, Rea waved and followed her. From the moment she entered, she had a composed demeanor.

‘It seems she has a direction now.’

While he didn't know Rea's purpose or what was at stake in the Ivory Tower selection, he believed she would handle it well.

Just as Iseon was watching Rea's back as she walked away.

“……I have to ask.”

Rea, who turned around, stood in front of Iseon again.

“Today's enchantment. On a scale of 100, how many points would you give it?”

A sudden request for grading.

However, Iseon, who saw Rea's serious and earnest expression, pondered for a moment before answering.

“Around 70 points.”

“What's the passing standard?”

Iseon, who met Rea's still serious gaze, answered calmly.

“70 points.”

The desired performance was achieved, but that was all. There were many small mistakes during the production process, which affected the overall quality.

While it might be a harsh evaluation for someone just overcoming a slump, Iseon was firm in this aspect.

‘If she collapses at this honest answer, she won't last a few days.’

If she is determined, she should be able to objectively assess her abilities and condition.

Rea, who received Iseon's cold answer, pondered for a moment and then spoke again.

“Then what about this?”

Rea's brush, dipped in green powder and wind attribute magic stone powder, began to draw a spell in the air.

Swish─

The lines, drawn without hesitation, branched out into dozens of new forms. Dozens of enchantments organically connected within a single enchantment.

It seemed to be an improvement on the previously engraved enchantment, not only amplifying its effects but also adding spells to control the flames of illusion.

“Wow……”

The completed Monghwan Gyido, which seemed to have been graded, now had an even more improved enchantment.

While it couldn't be re-engraved, the talent Rea showed in modifying it in just a few minutes was undeniable.

“This is…… at least 80 points.”

“80 points? No, shouldn't it be at least 90 points?”

“Self-evaluation and actual evaluation often differ. It's common.”

To receive 90 points or more by his standards would be at the level of a master craftsman. For a cadet to receive 80 points was already remarkable.

Rea, who saw Iseon standing arrogantly, confident in his grading, narrowed her eyes.

“Fine. I'll take the 10-point improvement for now.”

If it were in the past, she might have been disheartened by the failure, but now it's different.

90 points, 100 points, even beyond that, her mind was constantly working to think of an enchantment that would make the junior in front of her jump in surprise.

‘You wouldn't be a bad stepping stone to surpass.’

Rea, who pondered her new goal, looked at Iseon and declared confidently.

“I'll make you stand up and applaud in tears one day. Junior.”

She was determined to surpass him.

[The affinity level with 'Rea Claudel' has increased to Lv.2.]

[As the affinity level increases, the relationship is established. The relationship with 'Rea Claudel' is 'Overthrow'.]

[Relationship: Overthrow (打倒)]

The desire to surpass someone who is superior to oneself is a direct and intense relationship.

While it could become complicated, if it is a friendly competition, there is no more positive relationship.

* An affinity stone is generated when you are in a superior position to the target.

* The affinity stone's maturation speed increases when you are in a superior position to the target.

* Currently generated affinity stone: None.

The notification window appeared before his eyes.

And beyond it, Rea, who was standing confidently, made Iseon feel a mix of absurdity and a slight sense of stimulation.

‘It would be embarrassing if she really catches up.’

While he never intended to take it easy, he would need to work harder to avoid being caught by this genius.

Iseon, who made this resolve, smiled at Rea.

“I look forward to it. Senior.”

* * *

That evening.

Iseon, who returned to the dormitory, sat on the sofa in the dark living room and looked down at the Monghwan Gyido on the table.

Hum

At night, the Monghwan Gyido emitted a faint purple aura.

The flames of illusion had become stronger, but fortunately, the power was perfectly controlled without leaking out.

‘To push what I want into the boundary of dreams and burn it……’

How to use this to fully recall his pre-regression memories was a somewhat difficult problem, but Iseon had a vague idea from the beginning.

Taking a deep breath, Iseon placed his hand on his chest and extracted his affinity.

Hum─

A faint light flickered in his palm, and soon his affinity stone, slightly translucent, appeared.

An item whose purpose was still unclear despite the increase in affinity level. But this time, it might be different.

‘Affinity is ultimately a mix of emotions and memories accumulated over time.’

While they are mixed together and cannot be properly distinguished, if they can be separated, it might be possible to see only the memories.

Iseon, who confirmed his hypothesis again, took out a small finger bone with intricate spells from his subspace pocket and used the skill contained within.

‘Boundary Eye.’

Swish

The dark magic power flowed from his finger, spreading through his body and settling in his eyes.

A foreign sensation, like wearing lenses, and soon black, faint outlines appeared in Iseon's field of vision.

Eyes that could see the boundaries of objects. While touching these lines wouldn't break anything, they were useful for 'distinguishing' things.

‘Like finding a needle in a haystack or instantly distinguishing between clams with and