Chapter 53: Dismantling Junk Items (2)

Chapter 53: Dismantling Junk Items (2)

Bong Jae-seok had evidently rushed over as he took a moment to catch his breath upon arrival.

After regaining his composure, he immediately proceeded to examine the materials on the workbench without further ado.

His reaction was almost identical to that of the senior beside him.

These are practically brand new; you disassembled these?

Yes, senior-nim.

Bong Jae-seok looked at me with a mix of admiration and regret.

Its such a waste to let talent like yours go unaffiliated. You really should join our club Are you sure you wont consider it?

Im sorry.

. Tch, I get it. Just let me know if you change your mind. Now, take a look at this.

Bong Jae-seok then pulled out a few failed projects from his inventory.

While typical failures were carelessly tossed into a corner of Workshop No. 4, those made with valuable materials were stored in the inventory.

They were kept to be disassembled when time permitted.

However, as the president of the magic engineering club, he had no such time.

For Bong Jae-seok, the luxury of free time was a rare commodity which probably led to his habit of putting off dismantling projects while always thinking hed get around to it eventually.

It was during such times that he received a message.

A message from someone praising the neatness of my craftsmanship.

As I silently examined the failed projects he had presented, Bong Jae-seok asked me.

What do you think, can you take them apart?

Well, it seems possible, but

The difficulty wasnt the main issue. Even if it was a step or two more complex than what I was currently handling, it would still be within my capabilities.

This might take quite some time.

The real problem lay in the size of the failed projects.

Since they were nearly half-completed, it would take a considerable amount of time to dismantle them completely.

The materials were also of high quality, around B-rank, so they required extra care in handling.

In summary, it was going to be an immensely lengthy and painstaking task.

Bong Jae-seok had understandably hesitated to tackle the disassembly himself and relegated the failed projects to a neglected corner of his inventory.

I know it would take time. Would you do it for a reward?

In other words, the longer it takes and the more effort it takes, the greater the reward.

Taking on such a labor-intensive task in exchange for a significant return of B-rank materials.

Didnt that sound like a good deal even if it meant incurring some expense?

With this in mind, I specified what I wanted.

I would like to receive a [Magic Engine].

A device that converts injected mana into a different form of energy.

It was a key material frequently used in making magical engineering equipment and especially weapons.

Since it was difficult to obtain, I expected Bong Jae-seok to hesitate but he readily agreed to my request.

Ill have it ready. How long do you think it will take?

Is it urgent?

No, Ive been putting it off anyway.

Then Ill have it done within this week.

The necessary materials had been gathered so making Go Hyeon-woos item was the priority for the day.

It was essential for the upcoming duel battles.

The disassembly request from Bong Jae-seok, along with other tasks, could wait until tomorrow without any issues.

Bong Jae-seok nodded his head in satisfaction, perhaps thinking that it would be quick even if it could only be resolved within a week.

Great. Then, good luck. Are you going to use workshop number 1 today?

I might pop in when its empty.

It should be free around eleven. Come by then.

Thank you.

***

The Ruby Magic Towers club president Hong Ye-hwa furrowed her brows.

This was because a very unusual scene was unfolding before her eyes.

..

Baek Jun-seok quickly turned to face the wall.

As he continued to listen to their conversation, he sensed that the sparks of their conflict might soon fly his way.

Hong Yeon-hwa, pull yourself together and lets head to the next match

He was the one who had suggested they quickly arrange the next duel.

As expected, Hong Yeon-hwa glared in his direction.

Baek Jun-seok stared desperately at the wall.

Turning away now would mean getting caught in a certain fiery blast.

Unlike the Hong sisters, he had no resistance to fire magic.

With Baek Jun-seoks timely evasion, Hong Yeon-hwa lost her target for venting her frustration.

And left with no other option, she turned to protest to her sister.

What do you know, unni! You havent even fought that person!

Hong Ye-hwas eyebrows furrowed.

It was because a flash of fear had passed through Hong Yeon-hwas eyes in an instant.

She wondered how severely Kim Ho must have beaten her to instill such fear.

Her curiosity about what kind of person Kim Ho was grew a little more.

However, satisfying her curiosity could wait; her immediate priority was to help her sister who had collapsed to the ground back to her feet.

Hong Yeon-hwa was the future of the Ruby Magic Tower.

She couldnt be left to wallow in a sense of defeat any longer.

Even if she lost, she needed to be encouraged to keep moving forward.

Hong Ye-hwa quickly extinguished all the flames.

Her tone also became calm and steady.

So, are you saying youll lose to him every time you meet from now on?

Hong Yeon-hwa was taken aback.

From experience, she knew this was a moment when she needed to respond with great care.

A careless response could lead to more than just a fiery explosion or a smack on the back.

So, Hong Yeon-hwa cautiously replied with a somewhat deflated tone.

No, its not like I plan to lose to him every time we meet Well have to fight again when Ive become stronger

Alright, then apply for mentoring.

How did the conversation turn to this?

You said youll fight again once youre stronger, right? Then you should do it.

At this moment, Hong Yeon-hwa had been resisting the idea of mentoring and if one were to delve into her reasons they might find them somewhat childish.

She didnt want to learn from just anyone.

She dreamt of someday ascending to the position of the Ruby Magic Towers Master.

After years of relentless effort and finally securing the position of Magic Tower Master, the thought of some random person claiming to have been her mentor in the past was enough to make her stomach churn.

Although the position of Magic Tower Master was still far off in the future, in Hong Yeon-hwas imagination, it was a foregone conclusion.

Therefore, this was a matter of pride.

If she were to accept mentoring, it had to be from someone within the Magic Tower Association, or at the very least, someone from a major power.

However, given that she couldnt choose her mentor, the prospect was already unappealing to Hong Yeon-hwa.

She tried to protest timidly once more.

Do I really have to do this? Cant I just work harder on something else?

Hong Ye-hwa responded with a sly smile.

Then Ill give you a choice. Apply for mentoring, or challenge Kim Ho to a duel.

Her implication was clear: if Hong Yeon-hwa truly believed she didnt need mentoring, she should prove it by defeating Kim Ho right now.

It was essentially an impossible task, like trying to bell the cat.

Hong Yeon-hwas expression soured.

Fine, Ill do the mentoring. Ill just do it

Good decision.

Hong Yeon-hwa filled out the application in front of her sister.

She listed her specialties: Caster, and all-rounder.

What Hong Yeon-hwa failed to consider in her focus on who she would be mentored by, was with whom she might be sharing the mentoring sessions. It was an oversight she hadnt accounted for.