Chapter 72: The Reincarnated One Takes Care of Everything

The banquet hall, which had been in turmoil due to various incidents, quickly returned to a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Students were moving around the hall, introducing each other and engaging in conversation. The process of recruiting new students had ended, and they were now beginning to interact as intended.

This was the time the students participating in the exchange event had been eagerly anticipating. As a result, everyone was enthusiastically moving around, but...

“...”

The table where Lee Sehoon was sitting seemed to have no connection with anyone.

It was as if an invisible wall surrounded him, leaving the area around him empty.

Seeing that no students were even approaching, let alone speaking to him, Lee Sehoon propped his chin up.

‘This is like being completely ignored...’

The atmosphere was quite different from when people had gathered to speak to him. Once he showed his opposition to the Barumut family, everyone backed off.

‘Well, what can you expect from a bunch of students? They can’t make any decisions.’

The Barumut family, led by Vice Dean Michael, wielded significant influence within Borsifa.

No matter how exceptional Lee Sehoon’s abilities were, it was impossible to rashly oppose such a powerful group.

‘As long as I don’t align with them, I’ll be fine.’

Now that he had become a complete adversary to the Barumut family, he would face attacks from various fronts, not just within the Refining Department.

He couldn’t afford to be complacent about anything, so Lee Sehoon reviewed the plans he had in mind.

‘Mass-producing sword qi should be fine if I team up with Myers... but just in case, I might need to attract more investors.’

While Lee Sehoon was sitting alone at the table, lost in thought, Jake approached with a tired expression.

“Sorry. I kept getting held up by people on my way here...”

“You don’t need to apologize. Where were you earlier?”

In response to Lee Sehoon’s question, Jake glanced around and spoke quietly.

“I was called by my sister. She told me not to tell you and to come out quietly.”

“Of course...”

He had suspected as much. It seemed she had arrived early to observe the situation.

Impressed by Aria’s thoroughness, Lee Sehoon was inwardly amazed when Jake looked around again and asked:

“By the way, I heard you had a private conversation with my sister earlier... Did anything happen?”

“Anything happen?”

“Well... did she say anything forcefully... or anything like that...”

Afraid that Aria might be listening, Jake spoke indirectly, which made Lee Sehoon chuckle.

“Nothing like that. We just talked about your sword and mass-producing sword qi.”

“That’s a relief... Wait. Mass-producing sword qi?”

Surprised by the unexpected topic, Jake asked in shock, and Lee Sehoon nodded calmly.

“She suggested we collaborate, but since we don’t have a prototype yet, we decided to put it off. She said she’d let you know when it’s ready.”

“O-Okay?”

Jake looked bewildered at Lee Sehoon’s words.

While Lee Sehoon had gained attention at the auction for creating something similar to sword qi, it wasn’t at the level where mass production could be discussed, so the family hadn’t said much about it.

The fact that such a topic had come up suggested that his sister had made a unilateral decision.

‘This is the first time I’ve seen her take such an active role...’

Not only attending the exchange event after two years, but it seemed she had a high opinion of Lee Sehoon, beyond what he had imagined.

Realizing the situation, Jake asked more cautiously:

“Was there anything else she said?”

“She asked why you refused the request, but I explained it well, so don’t worry. I won’t bother you anymore.”

“R-Really?”

Lee Sehoon’s words brightened Jake’s face.

He had just been scolded for not securing the request and only handing over his sword like a freeloader.

‘Finally, I’m free...!’

As Jake was mentally celebrating, Lee Sehoon chuckled at his reaction.

“You must have been pretty harassed.”

“No, not that much...”

“Not that much? I can see it all in your face. And since she’s already gone, why not complain a bit?”

Lee Sehoon sipped his drink casually, and Jake glanced around nervously.

‘She would have left as soon as she was done...’

Feeling it was safe, Jake relaxed and sighed deeply.

“It wasn’t too bad, but it was tiring, honestly.”

“You know, she tells you to do it, and if the result isn’t to her liking, she pretends to encourage you while criticizing you. It’s exactly that feeling.”

“You’re right! It’s worse than being scolded...”

Jake vented his frustrations about Aria, which he had been holding back, and Lee Sehoon nodded in agreement, as if he had experienced it himself.

Just as they were chatting, an announcement echoed through the banquet hall.

[The closing ceremony will begin soon. Please proceed to the garden.]

Students who had been chatting began to move outside, and Lee Sehoon stood up.

“I should go now.”

“You’re not going to the closing ceremony? I heard it’s different from the usual fireworks.”

“Fireworks are all the same. See you in the next class.”

As Lee Sehoon walked away, Jake hesitated, thinking he looked quite tired from the day’s events.

‘I’ll stay a bit longer and then go back.’

Just as he was about to stand up, thinking of his friends who were already outside,

Vroom

A short vibration from his pocket.

Jake’s body stiffened with an inexplicable sense of foreboding, and he slowly pulled out his phone.

He read the message with trembling eyes.

[^^] - Aria Myers

“A...”

He sighed, anticipating the despair to come.

* * *

Boom!

Fireworks exploded loudly behind the building.

Occasionally, fireworks promoting student clubs or drawing impressive pictures lit up the sky, and Lee Sehoon watched with interest.

“Is this already prepared?”

Variable fireworks that change shape based on the mana injected just before they explode.

He had used them as weapons in his previous life, and while they were expensive, their effectiveness was undeniable.

‘It’s hard to use them now. I’d need to modify them.’

Deciding to look into it if needed later, Lee Sehoon was about to walk down the hill when,

Vroom

A black limousine pulled up smoothly beside the road. Lee Sehoon looked at it curiously, and the window rolled down to reveal a young man, Ren, who looked like an elite.

“Are you heading back?”

“...Yeah, I guess.”

“It’s quite a walk back to the dorm. Why don’t you come with me?”

After a moment’s hesitation, Lee Sehoon nodded.

“I’d appreciate that.”

Lee Sehoon got into the limousine and sat across from Ren, and the car resumed its smooth journey.

Boom!

Fireworks continued to explode in the sky. As Lee Sehoon watched through the window, Ren smiled wryly.

“Doesn’t it seem meaningless?”

“...No.”

“You don’t have to hide it. I feel the same way, even though I planned it.”

Ren turned his gaze to the fireworks and spoke calmly.

“No matter how beautifully they bloom, they eventually disappear, which feels futile. That’s why I don’t particularly like fireworks.”

“Then why did you approve it?”

“To support the Enchantment Department and to gain control. Isn’t that how it works?”

Ren smiled and turned back to Lee Sehoon.

“Clashing with Bier was a mistake. The Barumut family is more deeply rooted and widespread than you can imagine.”

While they were known as a newly emerging family, their influence was far from shallow.

Ren, who had a good understanding of the Barumut family, spoke frankly.

“You’ll be fine in Babel. This is the garden cultivated by the Ascension Ceremony.”

“...”

“But I can’t guarantee your safety outside the garden. Unless you become a full member.”

Ren’s sincere warning didn’t scare Lee Sehoon; instead, he looked at him silently, as if encouraging him to continue.

Impressed by his calm demeanor, Ren’s eyes widened slightly before he smiled contentedly and got to the point.

“Join me.”

“...”

“If you do, I’ll completely erase the Barumut family from this world before you graduate.”

Ren’s voice was not boastful but confident, as if he had seen the future. Lee Sehoon looked at him with a curious expression.

‘To completely oppose the Barumut family... I didn’t expect that.’

He had thought Ren would be more cautious or wait for an opportunity, but his proactive approach made Lee Sehoon realize something.

‘The sword qi weapon must have left a strong impression.’

Perhaps it could help with the Inoue family’s ongoing research on a ‘mythical-grade weapon,’ which they were keeping secret.

Having a better understanding of the situation, Lee Sehoon pretended to think for a moment before answering slowly.

“I’m sorry, but I’ll have to decline.”

“If you trust Myers, I can confidently say it’s a bad choice.”

“It’s not about that.”

“Then what is it?”

In response to Ren’s question, Lee Sehoon answered calmly.

“You’re using the Barumut family as a pretext, but I can handle them myself. They’re just weeds, no matter how deep their roots are.”

After regressing for decades, if he couldn’t handle this, how would he deal with the Six Great Demons in the future?

He had a rough plan in mind, so there was no need to regretfully accept Ren’s help.

“Besides, I’ve already joined hands with someone else.”

“Who is it?”

“The next head of the Inoue family.”

“...!”

Ren’s eyes widened in realization, and he quickly lowered his head to hide his expression.

His body trembled slightly before he lifted his head and laughed.

“Hahaha! I see. I didn’t expect you to have already made a move.”

Ren laughed for a while, finding Lee Sehoon and his alliance with Erica amusing, before composing himself and nodding.

“Then I won’t try to persuade you again. Once I become the head, you’ll naturally be on my side.”

“You’re very confident.”

“Of course.”

Ren answered arrogantly but naturally, and his lips twisted as he looked at Lee Sehoon.

“It’s because of our positions.”

[A connection has been established with ‘Ren Inoue’.]

The notification appeared before Lee Sehoon’s eyes, confirming that he had made an impression on Ren. He narrowed his eyes slightly.

‘What a troublesome guy...’

He had thought of Ren as a useful pawn, but now he was becoming more interesting as an adversary.

‘Both siblings are a bit off...’

Why were all the geniuses like this? As Lee Sehoon sighed inwardly, Ren looked at his right hand.

“Oh, by the way, I have something to apologize for.”

“Apologize?”

“I cast a simple spell to gauge your abilities. I’m sorry.”

Ren admitted to the curse he had previously cast, and Lee Sehoon, surprised but quickly showing his displeasure, frowned.

“Isn’t it a bit much to make a recruitment offer after doing that?”

“I intended to remove it quickly, but with all the incidents, I forgot. I’ll have Erica send you an apology.”

Lee Sehoon looked at the fireworks and the wealthy students through the window, then reluctantly nodded.

“I’ll decide based on how sincere it is.”

Send a generous compensation.

Ren smiled softly at Lee Sehoon’s straightforward request.

“It won’t be lacking. Now, I’ll remove the spell. Can I have your hand for a moment?”

“Sure...”

Lee Sehoon extended his right hand, and Ren took it naturally.

Black Mist and Fog Dark Mirror

A wave of energy from Ren’s hand penetrated deep into Lee Sehoon’s body.

‘I’ll take one last look.’

The spell ‘Fog Dark Mirror’ that merges with the target and reveals their inner darkness.

Since it didn’t carry malice but made the target reflect on their past, Ren’s spell bypassed Lee Sehoon’s defenses and entered through the Black Mist.

Vroom

Through Ren’s eyes, Lee Sehoon’s inner darkness was reflected, and a faint voice echoed in his ears.

‘I will save you. I promised.’

A man standing in a place filled with blood and corpses, and a young man helplessly sitting in front of him.

‘I will... kill you... no matter what...’

The young man, tears streaming down his face, relentlessly hammering and swinging a hammer. The emotions and thoughts of that time were vividly felt by Ren before fading like a mirage.

Ren, having pondered the fleeting memory, released Lee Sehoon’s hand as if nothing had happened.

Swish

The Black Mist, extracted from his palm, dissolved into the surroundings like a mist, and Lee Sehoon, confirming that the curse was gone, looked at Ren.

“Now that we’re done, can you let me out?”

“It’s still a long way to the dorm.”

“I feel uncomfortable staying in here now.”

Impressed by Lee Sehoon’s blunt response, Ren pressed the call button beside his seat to stop the car.

Thud!

Lee Sehoon got out of the limousine, grabbed the door that was about to close, and glared at Ren.

“Make sure the compensation is proper.”

Bang!

He slammed the door and walked away. Ren watched his confident back and smiled.

‘I understand why he moved so roughly and urgently.’

Personal revenge. And the target was ‘Main,’ a notorious figure in the underworld, known even to Ren.

With no clear idea of how to approach him, it was evident that Lee Sehoon was indiscriminately showcasing his talents and increasing his allies and enemies.

‘I can wait until he becomes the head, but it’s a bit disappointing to just wait.’

If Lee Sehoon’s talents were used for the Inoue family, they could dominate the weapon industry within ten years.

And someday, they could turn the ‘Divine Artifact’ sealed in the main house into their weapon.

Having made his decision, Ren calmly instructed the driver.

“Gather all information on the A-class Main, ‘Unkillable.’”

* * *

“...”

As Lee Sehoon walked to the dorm from the limousine, he looked at his right hand.

The curse he had endured during their first meeting. He had kept it, thinking it might be useful, and it had indeed caught a big fish.

‘A spell that penetrates and reveals inner thoughts. He plays his cards openly.’

It was a tricky spell to counter, as it subtly bypassed psychological barriers rather than directly interfering.

Ren had used it confidently, but unfortunately, his opponent this time was not ideal.

‘The connection forger is a superior version, after all.’

A unique skill that could extract and materialize such inner thoughts.

Since the areas overlapped, Lee Sehoon skillfully showed Ren only the memories unrelated to his regression and extracted the connection in the process.

[A connection is being extracted from ‘Ren Inoue’.]

[The connection with ‘Lee Sehoon’ is at Level 1.]

Lee Sehoon confirmed that memories were mixed into the connection using the Dream Path Technique.

While it was difficult to see someone else’s memories, he successfully glimpsed a part of them by merging with Ren.

‘To become the head, you must discard even trivial emotions like familial bonds.’

The shadow of a man flickering with a candlelight through a thin curtain.

It was hard to believe he was speaking to his young son, who had just turned ten, so coldly, but neither the father nor the son cared.

‘If necessary... I can discard them.’

‘Then kill Erica. That day will be the day you become the head.’

The man, asking the young boy, Ren Inoue, to kill his own sister to prove himself. The boy answered without hesitation.

‘I will definitely prove it.’

A very short conversation. While he didn’t uncover the Inoue family’s secrets, Lee Sehoon was certain of one thing.

‘These guys are definitely up to no good.’

The human sacrifice spell before his regression and a family that suggested killing a successor in the line of succession. Such a family couldn’t be normal.

‘Collaborate with Myers for now. Caution with the Inoues should be enough.’

If he helped Erica, he would naturally find out if the Inoues were watching and aligning with others.

Having decided on his approach to the two families, Lee Sehoon thought of his