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Chapter 177

“Yes. Since you have much more experience with enchantments than me, I thought you might see something I don’t.”

“...”

Having confirmed what he wanted, Lea silently lowered her gaze.

Flap, flap!

On the table was a sparrow made of steel, engraved with enchantments all over its body, flapping its wings. The extremely smoothly moving joints aside, the enchantments on it were also subtly generating updrafts of wind, allowing it to hover in the air.

When combined with the movement enchantments, it became a flawless demonstration of combining complex enchantment techniques. It was so perfect that Lea could only stare at it incredulously.

“Are you really asking me if anything is lacking? When you managed to create something like that in less than half a year?”

“Well, this isn’t that hard to create, is it?”

Left speechless by Se-Hoon, Lea quietly stared at him before slowly nodding.

“Hm... Alright, I’ll tell you what you\'re lacking.”

“Okay, let me hear it.”

“Common sense and humility. If someone else heard this conversation, they might as well just give up on learning enchantments because of you."

“...Huh?”

Wondering if she was serious, Se-Hoon inspected his enchantments with a puzzled expression. And that serious look of his allowed Lea to realize something in amazement.

He’s not kidding.... He’s so confident in blacksmithing, yet strangely not with enchantments.

Even objectively, his enchantments were fine, but perhaps he thought it was only because he used shortcuts that made use of his experience in blacksmithing rather than in enchantments. If it was because of that, then Lea could somewhat understand why he was like this, but a part of her couldn’t help but wonder whether he was being overly harsh on himself.

“Hmm. Then, how is it in terms of an ancient enchantment?” Se-Hoon suddenly asked, taking his eyes off of his enchantments.

“Huh? Ancient enchantments?”

“Yes. After all, that\'s what will be evaluated for the exam.”

“Oh, so that’s why you’re here.”

Finally understanding, Lea rubbed her chin.

“If it’s that, I do have some comments... but you don’t need to match the examination criteria so specifically. The first-semester examination will only cover basic stuff, and at your level, you’ll easily get full marks.”

Having helped her grandmother, Professor Rebecca, prepare the first-year evaluation exam several times, Lea had a good idea of each semester’s difficulty level. Given Se-Hoon’s current skill level, he could potentially still get a perfect score even if he were half asleep.

However, that still wasn’t enough for Se-Hoon.

“Just getting full marks isn’t enough. I need a perfect, outstanding score.”

“What kind of nonsense... oh.”

Realizing something. Lea’s strange look became one of certainty.

“Are you aiming to be selected as the freshman honor student?”

“Of course. I need at least that to save face.”

“...”

At Se-Hoon’s lack of hesitation when responding, Lea looked at him with a sense of resignation but also understanding.

Well... if he didn’t act like this, who else even would?

Lea just casually accepted it. She was very familiar with how he always acted as if he had lived several decades more than he actually had.

“Didn’t they say that the year-wide honor student is evaluated on all three—the departmental, college, and year-wide—exams?”

“Mhm.

And if you get full marks on any of them, they’ll give you extra points based on your entire process and outcome. So, I need to get the best evaluation possible.”

Lea marveled at Se-Hoon\'s mindset. He was entirely different from other students who would be happy with just a normal perfect score on their exams.

“Hmm... Okay. Do you remember what the concept of ancient enchantments is?”

“Enhancing objects by copying the characteristics of existing objects with enchantments, right?”

“Correct. For example...”

Lea pointed to a blue jeweled hairpin in her hair.

“I created this ‘Mercury Mk.1’ by making it mimic the properties of Mercury with enchantments. And with the info that this hairpin enhances water-attribute resistance, I have a question for you.”[1]

Lea smiled at Se-Hoon before asking, “Why does making the hairpin mimic Mercury’s properties allow it to better enhance water-attribute resistance?”[2]

Her question hadn’t even been answered in lectures. However, Se-Hoon could answer without difficulty because he knew similar concepts.

“Because the concept of Mercury is already complete in your synesthetic mindscape. That’s why it has a stronger effect than ordinary enchantments.”

For example, if one was trying to mimic the color red in enchantments, countless associated elements like flames, blood, apples, and roses could all to one’s mind. The broad scope would dilute the mimicking effect, meaning one had to narrow it down to flames or even the sun to change things.

Like the concept of the sun—built from seeing, hearing, and feeling it since childhood—it can easily transform into a powerful synthetic mindscape.

That was what allowed ancient enchantments to enhance related elemental mana more easily; they didn’t create entirely new images from scratch like ordinary enchantments, instead just repurposing existing objects in the enchanter’s own way.

“Uh... That...”

“Am I wrong?”

“No. You\'re right, but... ugh...”

Se-Hoon had explained everything so clearly, leaving nothing left for her to say. Having been hoping for a rare moment to show off, Lea clicked her tongue in disappointment.

“Anyway, to continue the explanation, with ancient enchantments, what you mimic and what you match it to is crucial. It’s like fitting puzzle pieces together.”

If one mimicked the sun nurturing life on Earth, it corresponded to its supportive effects; if one mimicked the all-consuming sun, it corresponded to its destructive effects.

With Lea’s explanation, Se-Hoon finally understood.

“In other words, I need the entire enchantment process to align with what I’m trying to mimic.”

“Exactly.”

“Hmm... It certainly is quite tricky.”

Lea nodded in agreement.

“Although I’m still learning, honestly, it’s a hassle. You have to consider compatibility with materials and even incorporate symbols into the enchantment formula later on.”

Unlike regular enchantments, which could be made by simply stacking layers of enchantments on top of each other, ancient enchantments required each piece to be carefully matched to the object being mimicked, from start to finish.

But in a way, it’s a proactive technique, so it’s not bad.

If regular enchantments were like the flesh covering the bones, ancient enchantments served as the skeleton. It was complicated, but once properly completed, its support for the enchanted item would far surpass that of a regular enchantment.

Alright. I think I know what to do for the exam.

Gazing at the sparrow, a smile played on Se-Hoon’s lips.

Vrrr-

Erika: I\'d like to talk for a moment.

“Oh?”

Intrigued, Se-Hoon replied that he understood and stood up.

“I’ll be leaving then.”

“Okay, good luck with your exam preparations.”

Seeing Lea’s leisurely demeanor as she saw him off with a wave, Se-Hoon scrutinized her.

“Why are you talking like it’s someone else’s problem? Now that you’ve overcome your slump, you should aim to become an honor student again.”

“Huh? Oh, well, that’s true, but...”

Hearing the lack of confidence in Lea’s words, Se-Hoon made a displeased expression.

“If you don’t become an honor student, I’m going to cancel the card I gave you.”

“What?! How could you be so petty to take back what you already gave me?”

“There’s no reason to let you keep it since the preparations for the mass production of sword aura equipment are done. Plus, I won’t hire you in the future if you’re not an honor student. My company won’t hire someone who isn\'t the best.”

“Y-You...”

Lea trembled with frustration, unable to refute his valid points. Her appearance caused Se-Hoon to smirk and decided to offer a small incentive.

“If you do become an honor student, I’ll give you a small gift.”

“A gift?”

Seeing her interest immediately pique at the mention of a gift, Se-Hoon’s smirk grew wider.

“Do you know what Nimbus Steel is?”

“Isn’t it the famous Legendary material...”

Trailing off, Lea’s calm expression stiffened and her eyes starting at Se-Hoon began to tremble.

“Don’t tell me...”

“I’m planning to forge something with it soon. I’ll give you a chance to enchant that, so study hard.”

With that casual mention, Se-Hoon left the classroom, leaving Lea staring blankly at the closed door.

Nimbus Steel... Legendary material... enchant...

The words spun in her mind like a broken record, slowly returning the life to her dazed eyes.

“...I guess I’ll have to pull some all-nighters!”

Excited, she ordered dozens of coffees and energy drinks on her phone and dashed to her workshop.

***

On his way to the park where he was supposed to meet Erika, Se-Hoon was stopped by a red light at a crosswalk.

I used to just jump over these. But now, I feel more self-conscious.

While not illegal, there was an unspoken rule among heroes not to use their powers recklessly unless absolutely necessary. And heroes would sometimes ignore the rules. However, those who did were often frowned upon by other heroes.

Those who don’t are usually out of control.

Even S-rank heroes, who could level mountains, overturn lakes, and split seas, tried to live by the standards of those much weaker than them as much as possible. It wasn’t because they remembered their pre-powerful lives; they simply just felt they should.

So what would happen if those akin to natural disasters ignored the feeling and used their power indiscriminately for personal gain? The answer was obvious and had, in fact, happened once in the past.

Was it the European Coup Incident?

During the beginning of the Cold War against the Demon Force, three S-rank heroes formed a militia and assassinated the leaders of Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece.

In just one hour, the leaders and all their guards were massacred. And having seen the whole process through a live broadcast, the citizens gave up resisting. With the other top heroes in those countries choosing to remain silent for their own lives and benefits, the citizens realized they couldn’t possibly fight back.

Then, when news of the coup spread worldwide, a tense atmosphere grew among high-ranking heroes worldwide. But just as the situation was about to explode like a powder keg, they acted.

Boom!

The Perfect Ones had acted.

Without a chance to even resist, the bodies of the three S-rank heroes giving speeches were crushed and arrows pierced their heads. They were then dragged into the darkness, returning later as the dead.

The retaliation of the Perfect Ones, whom they thought would support the heroes\' rule, was decisive.

Thanks to that single act of force, the world calmed down and became its current form.

People said it was the best resolution, but in a way, it still leaves a bitter taste.

Back then, did the Perfect Ones really act out of goodwill?

I’ll have to look into it eventually.

To win against the Demon Force, using the Perfect Ones\' powers effectively was absolutely crucial. And to do that, it was necessary to understand their mindset to some extent.

And for that, I’ll need a lot of data.

By becoming the freshman honor student, Se-Hoon could aim to gain a deeper understanding of the Perfect Ones.

Reaffirming his determination to win, Se-Hoon began walking across the crosswalk with the other pedestrians upon seeing the traffic light change.

“Hm. When did you get here?”

“Just now.”

Like always, Erika suddenly appeared beside him. She was walking so naturally by his side like she had always been there.

“I’ve always wondered; do you have a hobby of showing up from behind?”

“No. I do not have such a strange hobby.”

“...”

Though he was still puzzled as to why she always preferred appearing from behind and not in front, Se-Hoon decided to let it slide.

“Anyway... ah, do you find it awkward to talk while walking?”

“No. It’s fine. Shall I get straight to the point?”

“Sure. No need to drag it out.”

“Okay.”

Nodding, Erika faced forward again and continued walking.

“I’m going to be the year-wide honor student this time,” Erika declared.

“...It’s not a ‘want to be,’ but a ‘going to be’?”

“Yes. I will be.”

Glancing at Erika’s confident profile, the corner of Se-Hoon’s lips curved up before he looked ahead again.

“And?”

“If I become the honor student, I’ll transfer the private lessons with the Perfect Ones to you. In return, you have to do me a favor.”

“And you won’t tell me what it is?”

“No. Not yet.”

Amused, Se-Hoon asked in return, “What if I become the honor student?”

“...”

At his confident suggestion, Erika stopped walking, and Se-Hoon, who had taken a few more steps, turned to look back at her.

Her violet eyes stared unwaveringly at him. She was expressionless like usual, but... there was a certain coldness in her gaze that caught Se-Hoon’s attention.

“You think that’s possible?”

“I don’t see a reason why it couldn’t be.”

“...I see.”

For a moment, Erika just stared at him.

Then, she calmly said, “In that case, I’ll do you a favor. Anything.”

“You’re not going to place any conditions? That seems unfairly advantageous to me.”

“It’s fine.”

Turning slowly, Erika murmured, “Because it won’t happen anyway.” Her voice was full of conviction.

Caw!

At the cry of the crow, a black shadow rose from the ground and covered her entire figure, leaving behind only a crow flying away in the distance.

Erika had vanished without a trace.

Watching the crow, Se-Hoon quietly repeated Erika’s words, “It won’t happen anyway... huh?”

Who was she talking to? Chuckling, Se-Hoon turned and continued walking.

1. The original text said it enhanced attributes related to water mana, but that directly contradicts the item description in chapter 20. ☜

2. Same story here, except the original text said it enhanced water-mana, which didn’t even match the text two lines up. ☜