Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Babel Academy students had an online community known as Tower.

This anonymous site was created by an alumnus who was top-ranking in his department, as a way for students to vent their frustrations toward professors. But over the years, it had become Babel Academy’s unofficial online community.

The students loved it not only because of its convenience but also because they could speak freely without being judged. And on Tower, there was a topic that had been generating a lot of buzz: Lee Se-Hoon, or more accurately, his exhibit.

[I don’t get what they’re all hyped up about] (493 comments)

Even the professors say that it was due to an unusual phenomenon caused by his skill. But people still claimed it was the best exhibit in history just because of its uniqueness.

I’m not saying that the exhibit was bad, but it felt a bit off to rate it that high just because it’s unique.

I understand that they are excited about having an honor student after twelve years, but it would be nice if they just toned it down a bit.

Anonymous 1: It’s really funny that they are boasting about it this much like its their moment.

└Anonymous 2: I know right, they went too far.

└Anonymous 3: It’s funny that they’re judging the exhibit as if they were professors.

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Anonymous 5: I think you guys are just twisted.

└Anonymous 1: ‘Sure’ we are; you guys are even worse.

└Anonymous 2: Of course, someone’s going to cover for him.

└Anonymous 13: Some people think everything that’s grand is a great piece of work.

It was a common belief that one had to be unique, but only to a certain extent—enough to be called “original.” If that line was crossed, the evaluation would turn into “eccentric.”

Moreover, because Se-Hoon’s work was explained as the result of his unique skill, negative opinions poured in, with people saying that it was pretentious, insubstantial, or made up to attract attention.

However, there were also those who claimed to have recognized the true value of the exhibit.

Eun-Ha, the Dean of Borsippa College, was one of them.

“Why can’t I eat—uh, I mean, purchase this piece of work?”

“Isn’t it supposed to be returned to the student after the exhibition anyway?”

In-Cheol, standing across from her, smiled bitterly. He could tell from her expression that she was struggling to maintain a poker face and contain the hunger she actually felt.

She changed too much compared to before.

She used to be the kind of person who got things done without caring about anything else, but when she handled matters that involved Se-Hoon, her attitude changed.

Seeing that Eun-Ha was acting more like the Gourmet than the Dean, In-Cheol explained to her step by step why she wasn’t allowed to purchase the exhibit.

“I’m not telling you not to buy equipment to consume, but when it comes to exhibits, you should surely know why you shouldn’t purchase it.”

The students of the Department of Blacksmithing were only allowed to forge doppelg?ngers twice: once after their entrance ceremony and once before their graduation exhibition.

After being forged, the two doppelg?ngers were stored and then displayed side by side during their graduation exhibition. The intention was to showcase how life at Babel Academy had influenced and fostered the growth of the student.

“As it is our department’s tradition, I would like you to respect it.”

In-Cheol spoke firmly as if there were no exceptions that could be made. Eun-Ha stared silently and then nodded her head.

“I apologize. I’ve been a bit rude.”

“No, ma’am. I do understand where you’re coming from...”

When In-Cheol first saw Se-Hoon’s exhibit, he also felt the urge to analyze it immediately. He wondered how someone could forge such an inexplicable object. He thought that discovering the secret behind it might help unravel some of his own concerns.

Still, buying it is the last thing I could do.

Some might suggest that if they were that interested, why didn’t they just ask Se-Hoon to reforge it? However, the two of them were in fact in agreement on that matter.

No matter how many times he reforges it, it will never taste the same as the first one.

They will all be knockoffs of the original piece of work.

No two objects in this world were perfectly equal to one another. Eating or analyzing another version of Se-Hoon’s work would only make them crave more.

“We should probably get back to work.”

“That would be great.”

Continuing the conversation would only leave them with a sense of regret, so they moved on to the next topic.

“The exhibit has caused quite a stir; how is Lee Se-Hoon doing?” asked Eun-Ha.

“He hasn’t shown any noticeable reactions. It appears he is attending his classes as usual and exploring his options for his minor degree.” Read new chapters at novelhall.com

“A minor degree, huh..."

In the Department of Blacksmithing, one could roughly guess what kind of equipment the student would forge in the future by examining which minor subjects the student signed up for.

At that thought, questions arose in Eun-Ha’s mind: what minor would Lee Se-Hoon choose, and what would he forge based on the knowledge gained?

“This is just my personal opinion, but...” said In-Cheol, as if to answer Eun-Ha’s question.

“I think he would start by training his body first.” In-Cheol chuckled softly.

***

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Hammering sounds echoed regularly in front of the furnace.

With each blow, the heated iron unfolded, meticulously shaping into a refined blade. All of the other students in the room, who were also forging, observed Se-Hoon and whispered to one another softly.

If it were any other time, he would have made a fuss about it, but strangely, he didn’t feel angry at all right now.

Was it because Se-Hoon was an honor student at Borsippa? Or was it because In-Sung thought there was something to that piece of advice?

“...”

After glancing around the empty forging room, he grabbed the hammer he’d left at his post.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Strangely intense hammering sounds echoed.

***

“Whew.”

After showering and changing from his workwear to his school uniform, Se-Hoon hopped on the light rail and headed to Ur, the college for students who specialized in support.

It’s annoying that I have to take the light rail every time I go somewhere. I guess it’s not all that great to have such a large campus.

Babel Academy was divided into three large sections, excluding the central square where the Tower of Heroes and the Marduk Mansion were located. Each section was managed separately by each college, and because of this, the atmosphere in each area subtly differed, as if they were different villages.

Borsippa feels cluttered with equipment prototypes scattered all over the place. Ur gives off a clean vibe, almost like a newly developed city.

Looking at the scenery outside the window, he pondered which department to visit first.

Even if I use buffs to enhance my physique to the level I need, it doesn’t mean it’s the same as actually training to that level.

While it was easy to enhance his physical abilities, the precision of his forging could suffer, which could lead to equipment that didn't match his intended designs. Some of his senses could also be distorted, which would render him unable to forge according to the blueprints.

Consequently, the common belief was that it was better not to forge at all than to forge while buffed. Before the regression, Se-Hoon had also shared this sentiment, but things now were a bit different.

One could say I’m currently debuffed.

His body was so deteriorated that it was almost shameful to compare it to what it was like before the regression. So, boosting his physical abilities with buffs was more like returning his body to its previous state.

Since I have to keep the buff throughout the forging process, it should be simple and last a long time.

As he was narrowing down possible buffs that matched the requirements, an announcement blared from the speaker.

—The next stop is the Department of Spells.

Spells, hm...

Although spells were simpler to cast than buffs, their effects were applied in a more straightforward manner, which didn’t quite match the complexity of blacksmithing.

Still, they have excellent duration, so maybe I should take a look.

Babel Academy’s Department of Spells was one of the prominent departments even within Ur. Since their standards were high and they received ample funding, there might be spells that also enhanced precision.

Having decided to take a look, he got off the train.

“Uh.”

“...”

“...”

As he got off the train, he bumped into Erika, who had the same pale skin and jet-black hair as before.

Her way of not avoiding eye contact and staring more intently created a peculiar atmosphere between the two. She looked at Se-Hoon as if she had something to say, while he gazed back at her, prompting her to say anything.

“Hey.” One of the students that were surrounding Erika broke this strange standoff.

“Move out of the way.” He glared at Se-Hoon fiercely.

It seemed like he was trying to speak politely, but his speech was filled with hostility.

Se-Hoon narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the student, who seemed to be the belligerent kind.

“You guys should get out of my way.”

Wasn’t it common sense to wait for the people to get off first before boarding the train? Even though Se-Hoon had stated the obvious, the student and his gang scowled as if they had just been insulted. Se-Hoon was stunned at the rapidly intensifying atmosphere.

Do I seem like that much of a pushover?

Subjected to this hostility that he didn’t understand at all, his fiery temperament began to emerge.

“Where are you headed to?” Erika asked quietly.

In response to her question, Se-Hoon casually glanced at the gang of students surrounding her.

“The Department of Spells,” answered Se-Hoon nonchalantly.

“For what?”

“To see if there’s a course I should take for my minor degree.”

Upon hearing his response, Erika thought for a while, then made a decision.

“Then let’s go together.”

Her sudden proposal surprised not only Se-Hoon but also the gang of students surrounding her.

“Excuse me? My lady, you have a meeting after...”

“Attend it yourselves.”

“B-but, the sunbaes really wanted you to attend this meeting...”

“I don’t care.”

Erika waited for Se-Hoon’s response as she ignored her stuttering subordinates. Se-Hoon hesitated briefly, then looked at her.

“I don’t want to go with you.”

Everyone’s eyes widened at Se-Hoon’s unexpected response.