Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Forging is the process of heating up and reshaping the metal.

Based on Se-Hoon’s theory, the most important aspect of forging was how the metal was molded. Anything going wrong during this stage would severely affect the outcome of the forging, and it couldn’t be corrected later by any means.

But in my current condition, it is impossible for me to forge perfectly.

He was thoroughly dissatisfied with his stats, with his strength, flexibility, quantity and quality of mana, and skills. Not even the devil himself could forge with these stats.

After contemplating what forging method he should use to make it worthwhile, he decided to proceed using a special heating method called the Five-Color Flame.

Boom! Bababang!

Explosions resounded violently within the furnace. And with each explosion, the five different colors fiercely clashed and burned among each other, as if they wanted to devour one another.

“Aagh!”

“It’s... exploding!”

The brilliant, intense flames seeped out of the furnace and heated the surrounding atmosphere, terrifying those nearby. They had a tremendous force, almost as if they were about to explode any second. The flames were so powerful that even from afar, they were able to scorch one’s face.

Unsettled, the surrounding trainees instinctively flinched and swiftly retreated away from the furnace.

“Hmm...”

Meanwhile, Se-Hoon, who ignited the flames, didn’t move a single inch away from where he stood. Instead, he crouched to inspect the flames.

“Pro-professor. We should extinguish it right now...!”

As In-Sung was on the verge of pressing the emergency extinguishing button, fearing that the fire might lead to an accident, In-Cheol grabbed his wrist and stopped him.

“Let it be.”

“But it’s too dangerous, sir!”

“It’s fine. There won’t be a problem.”

“How in the world is that thing safe...”

If it were just flames leaking out of the furnace, it would be fine. But now, the mana stored inside the furnace was quivering ominously, as if it were on the brink of an explosion.

“Tsk-tsk... don’t just look at the strength of mana, examine the flow of the flame.” In-Cheol clicked his tongue when he noticed that In-Sung was still regarding the flame as a time bomb.

“What? What flow...”

As In-Sung looked at the flames again, his eyes gradually widened as he noticed something about the flames. While the mana inside was pulsing fiercely, the flames themselves seemed to be organized and settled in layers, as if they had structured themselves.

What is this flame...

While In-Sung stood there bewildered by the situation he couldn’t understand, Se-Hoon, who was calmly looking at the flame, tossed the pieces of iron ore in.

Fwooosh!

As the furnace engulfed the pieces of iron ore, the flame erupted again, as if it were showing hostility in the face of a new opponent.

“Wow...”

“The color of the metal...”

Despite sparks soaring into the air and the flame shuddering madly, not a single person found it a problem, as they were speechless at the sight of the metal being enveloped and heated by the Five-Color Flame.

The trainees stared blankly and wondered if Se-Hoon was using his unique skill. They found it hard to believe that he was using the same materials as them.

I see. It all makes sense.

In-Cheol, who had figured out how the Five-Color Flame method worked, was intrigued by it. On the surface, the method seemed intricate and dazzling, but its effect was simple. Each ignition stone had different characteristics, but they resonated with each other, enhancing their power.

He aimed to strengthen the flame and quickly alter the properties of the pieces of iron ore.

This was a brilliant improvisation in response to the short amount of time left on the clock, but there was one risk involved with this approach. It made the iron ore sensitive to change, and one small mistake might lead to an irreparable flaw.

This was truly a high-risk, high-return method. In-Cheol became even more intrigued by Se-Hoon’s boldness.

He would have easily passed the test if he hadn’t smashed the knife, but he chose to bear the risk instead. Which means...

In-Cheol quietly looked at Se-Hoon, his thoughts more certain than before.

Fwoosh!

The fully heated metal was placed on the anvil.

Clang-!

Se-Hoon hammered the metal without a single sign of hesitation. Each of his strikes moved the metal as much as ten strikes from other people, and his eyes gleamed at this sight.

It’s ready.

The flame produced using the Five-Color Flame method had been thoroughly infused into the metal. With the assurance that he could forge as he desired, See-Hoon gripped his hammer tightly and began striking with all his strength.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Sparks flew with each strike on the metal, and droplets of blood splattered from his clenched hand. It was from a burn incurred when he was handling the resonating ignition stones. His mana was insufficient to protect his hands, leading to this wound tearing open further and spurting blood out.

He was enduring pain that other trainees, and even most blacksmiths, couldn’t withstand. However, what Se-Hoon let out wasn’t a scream.

“Hehehe...”

He was showing genuine elation as the metal was being forged the way he planned it to be. The surrounding trainees were disgusted when they saw that his smile was conveying pure joy.

Psycho. He must be out of his mind.

“A bit of fanciness is nice, but without any real substance, will it serve any purpose? Even ceremonial swords require a minimum level of durability.”

Crack!!

“I don’t understand what you were trying to make or what you have made. That’s all I have to say to you.”

Crack!!!

With each broken sword that failed to leave a scratch, In-Cheol’s cutting critiques proved to be true. Occasionally, there were swords that didn’t break, but even those were barely holding on. There wasn’t a single instance where a sword was able to scratch the Self-Regulating Iron.

It’s just like the previous evaluation.

As In-Cheol already knew, the forging processes during the exam hadn’t been exceptional, so it was unlikely that the results would be satisfactory. But he wasn’t disappointed because he was looking forward to one evaluation.

“Next... trainee number 289!”

Se-Hoon, trainee number 289, calmly stepped forward and handed over the Five-Flame Sword to In-Sung.

“Now please explain... huh?”

In-Sung’s eyes widened as he was about to hand over the sword to In-Cheol.

“The tier for the sword is Advanced. I am not very adept at giving explanations, so please refer to the information window for details... sir,” Se-Hoon said calmly.

He was scared that he might speak to the proctors informally, and he didn’t really feel like giving an explanation for this mere Advanced-tier sword. While he was unwilling to talk about his sword, however, the surrounding trainees were all shocked and in awe.

“What... Advanced tier?”

“How is it possible with these materials...?”

To forge a piece of Advanced-tier equipment, other trainees would have to possess some skill and some decent materials. But forging one out of these ordinary materials that were commonly used for entrance exams? It was something that even the first batch of trainees, whose entrance was guaranteed, could hardly achieve.

“Is it just for your eyes, Proctor Han?”

“Huh? Oh, yes! I apologize.”

In-Sung belatedly came to his senses and handed over the sword to In-Cheol, who then quietly examined it.

[Five-Flame Sword]

[Tier: Advanced] [Quality: Average]

[A sword marked by five flames.

When mana is imbued into it, the flames condensed in the blade display a spectrum of colors. This sword hints at the blacksmith’s untapped potential.

*Color and properties will be altered slightly based on the imbued mana]

“...”

For previous trainees, it had only taken In-Cheol twenty seconds for evaluation. But he carefully examined the Five-Flame Sword again, even after reading the information window. It was as if he were revisiting every single step of the forging process.

“Do you think this meets the standard for submission?” he asked Se-Hoon after examining the sword for five minutes.

“As of now... I suppose it does.” Se-Hoon answered the question, which held multiple meanings.

While he wished so badly to smash this sword, this was his best for now.

Observing Se-Hoon’s nonchalant attitude and his words that other trainees would never think of uttering, In-Cheol was initially surprised but then burst into laughter.

“Hahaha! I see. I’ve got pretty high standards myself... but it seems that yours are even higher.”

Merely having high standards without knowing one's place was arrogance, but if one possessed the skills and talents required to reach that level, it was genuine aspiration.

“I have nothing more to add. If I must say something, it would be to train both your physique and mana diligently. Ah, and make sure to treat your injuries before you leave.” In-Cheol spoke as if there was nothing to evaluate.

Though anyone could have raised an objection, not a single trainee voiced their dissent. The sword was on a different level from theirs, not to mention it was of the Advanced tier.

“What about the Verification process?” Se-Hoon insisted as if it were crucial.

“Um... is it really necessary?” In-Cheol was perplexed.

“Yes. I’d rather have this evaluation clear and straight so that I don’t hear anything about it later on.”

“That does seem reasonable. Proctor Han.”

“Oh, yes, sir.”

In-Sung was handed the Five-Flame Sword by In-Cheol and stood in front of the Self-Regenerating Iron. Se-Hoon watched with his arms crossed.

What’s going to happen?

If it’s of that caliber, wouldn’t it slice through half?

Considering the materials, the limits of the blade were obvious, but taking into account its tier, it would probably penetrate halfway.

Everyone’s attention was gathered as the Five-Flame Sword was held aloft, then swung in full force toward the Self-Regenerating Iron.

Swoosh.

Without much resistance, it was cleanly cut in half.

“...Huh?”

The result was far off from the expectations of both In-Sung, who swung the sword himself, and the trainees, who were watching intently.

“Ha. It’s going to take some time regenerating.” Having already predicted the result, In-Cheol sighed at the unnecessarily prolonged exam.

Well. It’s decent.

Se-Hoon decided that there was no need to smash the sword this time.