Chapter 8

Reincarnated, Chapter 8

A tower of pure white stretched beyond the clouds. At the base of this unreal building, which seemed not to be made by human hands, a single dais stood alone. An old man slowly walked into this alien landscape, turned his back to the tower of white, and stood on the dais.

"Fifty-four years ago, the world changed."

A voice that spread widely from the dais.

"From the heavens, the Tower of Heroes was bestowed to advance humanity, and from the underground, the swamp of demons was released to pollute life."

He used no device, and no magical power could be felt.

"Some call this a blessing and a curse. New possibilities were gained, but at the same time, a great disaster arose."

Yet, the old man's voice clearly reached the ears of the tens of thousands gathered in the vast square.

"But I see this as a labor pain. The final trial before humanity steps into a new domain. And today, you are thrown into that trial."

The eyes of everyone gathered in the square sparkled at the words of Ludwig Schwert, the headmaster of Babel Academy.

Some with pure duty, others with pure greed, their thoughts varied, but their purpose was the same.

"Move forward."

The square filled with new and returning students, and the many visitors who had come from outside, as well as the cameras broadcasting this scene.

Ludwig calmly spoke as if addressing all those who were watching him.

"That is your duty here at Babel."

As Ludwig's encouraging words ended, a thunderous applause erupted in the square.

Iseun, who had been clapping half-heartedly, glanced around at the deafening applause.

'No kidding...'

At the entrance ceremony of the academy he attended before reincarnation, there were only reluctant claps, but this was on a different level.

Not just because he was entering Babel, a top-tier academy, but probably also due to the fame of the old man who just gave the speech.

'He's still the same, then and now.'

The term 'Complete Climber' refers to those who have reached the top of the Tower of Heroes.

The legendary figure who achieved this first in human history is the old man before him, 'Ascension Emperor' Ludwig Schwert.

'But he's not as good as he seems.'

Looking at Ludwig, who stood with a kind face, Iseun made a strange expression.

The voice of the emcee echoed through the speakers.

-Next, we have the demonstration by this year's top student of Akalkuf, Jake Myers.

A blonde student, about 170 cm tall, with a youthful appearance, stepped onto the stage.

Iseun narrowed his eyes as he saw Jake, who had no visible equipment.

'Myers...'

A prestigious family of swordsmanship, one of the most influential among the many noble families that have produced numerous heroes.

Before reincarnation, Iseun had received a few official requests from them, but ultimately, they had a rather antagonistic relationship.

'If Jake is the third in the direct line, right?'

Though they hadn't met directly, Iseun remembered some information he had heard indirectly.

'Myers, who fights with his fists... and died in his mid-20s, they said.'

Though he didn't know the exact age, given that Babel is a four-year program, he must have died not long after graduating and becoming active.

Recalling this information, Iseun smiled and looked at Jake, who stood confidently.

'As the top student, he must have some potential... I wonder how impressive he is.'

To gauge if he was worth forming a relationship with, Iseun looked at the stage, and a black steel golem about 2 meters in front of Jake appeared.

-This time, the golem used for the sparring is the 'Automaton' series produced by Marionette Factory. The No. 9 model has the performance to spar with a C-rank hero.

It seemed a bit excessive for a new student, but Iseun thought it was appropriate.

'If you're the top student of Akalkuf, you should be able to handle this.'

The additional test for combat students in Akalkuf is a sparring match. Jake, being the strongest in physical ability among the new students entering Babel this year, should be able to handle this easily.

-Then, let's begin!

At the emcee's call, Jake took a stance with his bare hands, and the empty eyes of the Automaton glowed blue.

Just as it was about to charge at Jake, who had taken his stance.

Bang!

A deafening sound of metal clashing echoed.

The Automaton, with its glove grotesquely deformed, hovered in the air. Below it, Jake, who had taken his stance, immediately swung his fists with full force.

Bang!

The glove of the Automaton crumpled with each punch.

Considering he was using bare fists without any weapon, it was an incredible sight, but the real show was just beginning.

Bang!

Jake's fist clenched tighter, and blue mana began to emanate, increasing in speed and destructive power.

Finally, as his fist reached its peak, it left a blue afterimage and shot forward.

Boom!

The head of the Automaton exploded, leaving no trace, and its body, now a pile of scrap metal, collapsed completely.

"Thank you!"

As Jake bowed energetically, the surrounding area, which had been silent, erupted in applause.

It was a natural reaction to see a new student overpower a C-rank hero-level Automaton with pure physical ability and no special techniques.

Iseun, watching from below, felt the same way.

'Is this guy supposed to have only reached A-rank?'

This level of talent should only appear once every ten years at Babel. How could he have such a short life?

As Iseun marveled at Jake's potential, which exceeded his expectations, the stage was cleared, and the emcee continued.

-Next, we have the demonstration by the top student of Ur, Erica Inoue.

Following Jake, a girl with long black hair and skin pale as snow stepped onto the stage.

Though she still looked young, her calm demeanor and deep, violet eyes diluted this impression.

'This one is also a big deal.'

The eldest daughter of the Inoue family, one of the three great families of Japan.

Though she didn't complete the Tower of Heroes, she was an S-rank hero who possessed one of the few mythic-grade weapons in the world.

Though Iseun had never met her directly, he often heard stories of her significant contributions on the front lines.

'She was eventually corrupted into a monster and eliminated by her family...'

As Iseun looked at Erica with a strange expression, she slowly turned her head on the dais.

"..."

Her gaze stopped exactly where Iseun was standing, and she stared intently at him.

"..."

Iseun looked around to see if there was anyone else nearby, but he was the only one.

'What is this?'

Caught off guard by the sudden situation, Iseun looked back at the stage, and Erica, who had already turned her gaze, removed the cloth from the object in her right hand.

"Caw."

A silver cage containing a crow.

Though it didn't look particularly special, Erica calmly unlocked it and placed the crow on her left hand, removing it from the cage.

-This time, the Automaton used for the sparring is the No. 9 model with armor, providing about 1.5 times the defense.

As the emcee explained, Iseun looked at the crow on Erica's left hand.

'It's just a normal crow... Is she going to enhance it with magic to show its power?'

Ordinary creatures without mana in their bodies can easily collapse if over-empowered, requiring very delicate control.

-Then, let's begin!

Whoosh.

As the emcee called out, silver mana flowed from Erica's body and seeped into the crow's body.

The moment its feathers glowed silver.

Whoosh!

A beam of light shot up into the sky like a flash.

The crow, leaving a white trail, flew through the air, and gasps of admiration echoed from all around.

Finally, the crow, soaring high in the sky, spread its wings and stopped.

Bang!

With a sound piercing the air, it plummeted to the ground.

Clang!

The Automaton's body, which had been jolted, and the crow, which landed softly on the ground. At first glance, nothing seemed to have happened, but looking at the front, it was different.

Boom!

A large hole pierced through the shield and the Automaton's chest. This image was displayed on a screen in the air, visible to the entire square.

"Caw!"

With the crow's cry, a violent reaction erupted.

Applause as impressive as Jake's performance. Iseun was also impressed.

'This one is no joke either.'

To enhance a normal crow to the point where it could pierce a C-rank hero in one hit. She must be aiming for S-rank.

Seeing the top students' levels exceed his expectations, Iseun had a puzzled expression.

'This won't be enough just to show off.'

Initially, he planned to just show the information window and finish, but the current reaction showed that it wouldn't leave any impression.

Deciding to perform the 'performance' he had prepared for such a situation, Iseun was adjusting his plan in his head when a faculty member approached.

"Student Iseun, please prepare."

Iseun headed towards the stairs, his turn approaching, and met Erica, who was coming down with a crow on her shoulder.

"..."

"..."

Standing face to face on the stairs, the two looked at each other.

Finally, Iseun spoke, seeing Erica looking down at him silently.

"Got something to say?"

"..."

"Nothing."

Erica mumbled and passed by, and Iseun watched her go.

'Something happened?'

He couldn't think of anything other than a brief encounter during the pre-rehearsal today.

As Iseun had a puzzled look, the emcee's voice echoed.

-Finally, we have the demonstration by the top student of Borshifa, Iseun.

As he stepped onto the stage, the gazes of tens of thousands of people poured in.

'There are so many.'

Iseun, unaffected by the gazes, opened the two bags set up by the faculty on the table.

Click.

The lock released, revealing the Five-Color Sword and the Scabbard of Fire, and their shapes and information windows appeared large in the air.

"Wow..."

"It's a rare grade?"

"What's up with the Refining Department?"

The people who understood the value of the information windows were impressed, but there was no other significant reaction.

The previous two students had shown all sorts of impressive feats by destroying the Automaton, so it was a natural reaction to just show the information.

'Let's make it more interesting.'

Expecting this reaction, Iseun looked at the emcee and said.

"Please bring an 8th model Automaton with armor."

-...Yes?

The emcee looked bewildered at Iseun's request, which was not part of the pre-rehearsal.

Though Babel had plenty of such Automatons, the problem was the next part.

'An 8th model already has high defense... and you want armor on top of that?'

It could withstand attacks from B-rank heroes. While the previous two students could easily destroy it, it was questionable how Iseun, a technical student, could handle it.

'Is he doing this out of competitiveness? Oh, really...'

While he understood the desire not to be outdone as a top student, it was a risky move.

As the emcee pondered how to handle the situation,

"Here it is."

Kim Incheol brought the Automaton to the dais.

The preparation was faster than expected. Iseun, surprised, turned his head and saw Ludwig looking at him with a gentle smile.

Iseun immediately understood the meaning of his gaze.

'Give it a try, then.'

Was he encouraging the students' spirit of challenge, as he had said in his speech, or did he already know the outcome?

Iseun shook off the unknown intentions of Ludwig and gripped the Five-Color Sword and the Scabbard of Fire.

Whoosh.

The sword and scabbard, as if they were one, vibrated faintly. Iseun explained to the audience.

"These weapons are designed to work together to achieve their full power. Please judge their performance, regardless of their grade, and I appreciate it."

Though he only knew basic self-defense techniques, it was enough for the performance he was about to show.

Iseun lightly swung the Five-Color Sword and quickly sheathed it in the Scabbard of Fire.

Click.

The blade fit perfectly. Iseun lowered his body slightly, gripped the hilt of the Five-Color Sword tightly, and infused it with his attribute mana, 'Crimson Flame.'

Whoosh.

Flames began to charge inside the Scabbard of Fire, amplifying as they stored.

Crackle.

As the amount increased, the flames began to change.

Crackle.

Five-colored flames seeped out of the Scabbard of Fire.

The flames, entangled in a never-ending battle, looked like a work of art, but they were not just for show.

"Hmm..."

If he let his guard down, the flames would burst out in an instant.

Iseun suppressed the violent flames and controlled them through the properties of the Crimson Flame.

Sizzle.

The flames, entangled in battle, were swept away by the flow of the Crimson Flame and flowed along the mana circuit of the Scabbard of Fire.

Click.

At the same time, Iseun stepped forward with his left foot and swiftly drew the blade of the Five-Color Sword.

"Wildfire."

Five-colored flames enveloped the stage.

Boom!

The entire stage was consumed by the five-colored flames.

The Automaton, turned into a lump of charcoal, continued to explode as the flames collided and erupted.

"..."

"..."

Borshifa, whose demonstrations at the entrance ceremony were always unpopular due to a lack of spectacle.

The dazzling scene created by the new top student left everyone speechless.

"That's all."

Iseun smiled very satisfactorily at the reaction.