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Chapter 33

Though I already felt this before my regression... the size of this building is really different.

Flauvium, the circular building, was known as the symbol and landmark of Aqar Quf. Every single department related to weapons was based here.

As Se-Hoon walked around its perimeter, he looked around curiously.

The building is divided into sections for different weapon departments. They’re technically separated from each other, but they’re all essentially part of one large body.

Administratively, dozens of departments resided within, but in reality, Flavium as a whole was a massive collective known as the Department of Weapons. Aqar Quf often had several departments forming a single group, among which Flavium boasted the largest scale.

That’s also why they’re so damn big...

Se-Hoon continued observing his surroundings as he headed toward the central area of Aqar Quf. Eventually, he reached the place he was headed.

I guess that’s the park.

There was a park established in the central area that was surrounded by buildings. It exuded a mystical atmosphere with its dense trees and the large lake. Several students were lightly jogging around a track located on the outskirts.

“How many kilometers is one lap?”

“Four kilometers.”

“What... that’s really long. How many laps can you run?”

“I run about ten laps in the morning and ten more in the evening.”

To Sung-Ha, running eighty kilometers was a mere warm-up. That might seem abnormal to some, but considering he was among the top-ranking students of Babel Academy, it wasn’t that strange.

“Is there anything else in the park? The lake looks like it has something to it too.”

Se-Hoon, curious about things he had only heard about before the regression, asked one question after another. His curiosity made Sung-Ha squint his eyes in annoyance.

“Can you shut up so I can focus?”

“No, I can’t.”

“...”

“You’ve been focused all night; what more is there to focus on? You’ll naturally be able to concentrate once we get to the sparring grounds, so you might as well rest for a bit.”

While some people would lose their focus once they relaxed, others could regain their concentration anytime, anywhere. Sung-Ha belonged to the latter, so it was better for him to relax when possible and recover his focus when needed.

Sung-Ha looked at Se-Hoon for a bit before sighing.

“You can’t see it from here, but there’s a garden decorated with flowers over there. I don’t know much about the lake.”

“Who takes care of the garden?”

“The garden managers, I guess. I’ve heard that the students can manage the ones they’ve planted themselves though.”

Their conversation had basically been Se-Hoon pouring out an endless barrage of questions and Sung-Ha reluctantly answering each one of them. The other students, seeing this sight in the hallway, were shocked; their eyes were wide open as if they had seen a ghost.

“...Was that Yeom Sung-Ha sunbae?”

“Wasn’t the person next to him the first-year honor student of Borsippa...?”

“What the...”

Among the students, Sung-Ha was famous for not glancing a single time at those without skills, and when it came to those with skills, he was famous for not engaging in any interactions outside of sparring with them. Thus, it made total sense that they found it absurd that Sung-Ha was having a casual conversation with a freshman from Borsippa.

Aware of the shocked gazes of those in their surroundings, Se-Hoon chuckled and asked, “What did you even do to make them look at you like that?”

“I only did what was necessary.”

“Then it must have been a mess...”

Sung-Ha’s life consisted of fighting those who were worth fighting and ignoring everyone else. The thought of how Sung-Ha had no interest in anything but becoming stronger made Se-Hoon shake his head.

“Are you not going to check out the auction that’s happening today?”

“Hm? Oh, you mean the auction for second-years?”

He was talking about the regular auction of the Department of Blacksmithing, where the Radiant Long Sword would be auctioned off. It should have been an important event for Se-Hoon since it would decide the budget for his first semester.

“Eh, why should I bother?” Se-Hoon replied indifferently.

“It’s not like the bid price will go up just because I’m there. It’ll manage to get a good enough price on its own.”

Although a part of him was curious about the skill level of the second-year students, he could always check that whenever he wanted. Taking care of Sung-Ha’s matter first would be more beneficial.

“I see...” Sung-Ha silently nodded, deep in thought.

Se-Hoon grinned at his reaction.

“Don’t worry about me; just make sure you don’t waste all the effort you put in throughout the night.”

“You’ve been quite cocky since yesterday.”

“Should I address you formally then? Sung-Ha sunbae-nim~ like this?”

“Forget it. It sounds like you’re mocking me.”

Exchanging unnecessary banter, they arrived at the communal sparring ground on the first floor of Flavium. Se-Hoon immediately examined the people already there.

They were wearing a uniform with flame patterns on the cuffs and hems. On the right shoulder, there was a drawing symbolizing a flame ring, and at its center, was a number written using a Chinese character.

That must represent the number of flame rings they can maintain.

Examining the disciples of the Flame Sect standing in line, Se-Hoon glanced at the shoulder of the man standing at the forefront.

Seven rings, he must be the leader.

The man, slender with sharp eyes, seemed a bit thin at first glance. However, the muscles visible beneath the cuffs and hems showed he was well-trained in both physique and mana.

As Se-Hoon was examining him, the man stepped forward and bowed his head.

“It’s been a long time, young master.”

“...”

Sung-Ha’s eyes narrowed slightly after being called young master. But quickly, he relaxed his eyes and responded calmly, “Long time, no see, Mentor Kang.”

“It seems you’ve improved significantly in just half a year. The leader would be delighted to see this,” Kang Hyun-Woon said with a smile.

Sung-Ha turned his gaze to the disciples lined up behind him.

“Who are these people?”

“Ah, they are disciples selected by the leader. He wanted them to broaden their horizons with our sparring match since you are considered the next most outstanding after our current successor for the leader position—”

“Mentor Kang Hyun-Woon.”

Interrupted Kang Hyun-woon, Sung-Ha continued calmly, “The next Sect Master has not been decided yet. Be careful with your words.”

“...Ah. My apologies. It seems I’ve made a mistake.” Kang Hyung-Woon was smiling with his mouth, but not with his eyes.

From Kang Hyun-Woon’s reaction, Se-Hoon was able to roughly grasp the internal affairs of the sect.

It seems Sung-Ha was completely abandoned by his sect.

Although he wasn’t sure about the specifics, it seemed that Yeom Jin-Hyun and Sung-Ha were not only marginalized within the sect but also seen as a pain in the neck. He already knew their treatment wasn’t good, but he didn’t expect it was to this extent.

As Se-Hoon was pondering the situation, Kang Hyung-Woon spoke, “By the way.”

Kang Hyun-Woon looked at Se-Hoon.

“I was wondering who he was, and he turned out to be one of the new honor students. It seems you’ve formed quite a relationship.”

“...We’re just acquainted.”

“That’s still pretty impressive. You were able to establish a relationship with a person with such a promising future... you’ve changed a lot in just half a year.”

Although Kang Hyung-Woon was acting like he was admiring Sung-Ha, his eyes still narrowed.

This fool, who knows nothing but training, has started using his head.

He was here to check Sung-Ha’s abilities just as a precaution, but he knew it wasn’t something to be taken lightly. Kang Hyun-Woon quickly gathered his thoughts when he realized that the already settled issue of succession might face disruptions due to Sung-Ha.

“Then, for the check-up...”

“I want to apply for the promotion to seven rings.”

“...Excuse me?” asked Kang Hyun-Woon back in surprise.

Sung-Ha calmly repeated himself once again.

“It’s exactly as I said. Prepare it.”

After indicating that no further discussion was needed, Sung-Ha stepped onto the sparring ground. At these actions, Kang Hyun-Woon’s eyes sank deeply.

The Flame Sect treated those who achieved six rings as potential successors, but that was only the story for the public. In reality, they had to reach seven rings, obtain the mentor qualification, and gain the support of other mentors to even become a proper successor.

In other words, up until now, Sung-Ha had never been treated as a successor within the sect.

He’s finally crossing the line.

If he had stayed at six flame rings, then as the disciple and adopted son of the founding father, he would have been treated decently. Why was he throwing away such a fortune?

Kang Hyun-Woon’s eyes turned cold, and seeing this, Se-Hoon smirked slightly.

So Sung-Ha is going to be a nuisance if he achieves seven rings, huh?

Sung-Ha, who entered Babel Academy and showed tremendous talent, was receiving the spotlight as an outstanding prospect. As such, if he reached seven rings and declared his intention to become the next sect master, the Flame Sect could not act recklessly due to external scrutiny.

“Unlike the previous promotion tests, starting with the one for seven rings, they include a sparring match with a mentor. I do believe that it’s a bit too early for you, young master.... Are you sure about this?”

“...”

“I urge you to reconsider; at least think about your master, Yeom Jin-Hyeon, at the main temple—”

“You talk too much.”

Sung-Ha interrupted Kang Hyun-Woon with a calm gaze.

“Are you afraid of being stripped of your mentor title?”

“...You brought this upon yourself,” muttered Kang Hyun-Woon coldly as he walked over to the sparring ground. He lightly tapped the hexagonal void pocket at his waist.

Whooosh!

From the pocket, he withdrew a red spear that was vibrating with mana. The spear blade was transparent like a cut crystal, with red-colored mana emitting heat and flowing down it in strands.

Hm. That looks like a Hero-tier weapon...

Se-Hoon analyzed the spear and determined that the primary material was Dragon Firestone, a Hero-tier material known for its efficiency in containing fire mana and for its high durability, making it pretty valuable and rare.

Intrigued, Se-Hoon took a closer look and something caught his eye, gradually twisting his expression.

Who the heck forged this?

Who had forged such a mediocre weapon with that priceless material? Se-Hoon’s expression grew increasingly menacing.

While Se-Hoon observed the spear, Sung-Ha also pressed his interspace pocket to draw out his equipment.

Whooosh-

Two short spears were drawn from the pocket.

The longer one had a straight blade tinged with red, and the shorter one had a cross-shaped blade tinged with black; they were both pretty simple in design, but they were meticulously maintained. Though the spears were plain, they revealed the skill of their maker.

Kang Hyun-Woon’s eyes widened at the new weapons in Sung-Ha’s hands.

“Did you... change your weapon?”

“Yes.”

“I was wondering why you were suddenly up to all this, and it turns out you had a reason after all. I’m not sure what to say.”

Kang Hyun-Woon smirked as if the situation was ridiculous, and then he looked down at Se-Hoon below the sparring ground.

“It seems you’re more remarkable than the rumors suggest. To change the young master this much with just those crude, short spears. I’m impressed.”

“...What did you say?”

“I’ll speak well of you to the leader when I return. It seems like this annoying matter will be resolved due to your help.”

Now that he understood the reason behind Sung-Ha’s sudden change, Kang Hyun-Woon felt there was no need to care about Se-Hoon any further.

But just as Kang Hyun-Woon was about to turn away, Se-Hoon spoke, “That spear...”

He trailed off and a frighteningly eerie grin appeared on his face before he continued, “You’d better take good care of it.”

“What do you mean—”

“Because it’s cruder than my spear, you asshole.”

“...”

Stunned by the unexpected reply, Kang Hyun-Woon twisted his eyebrows in anger.

How dare he, a mere student, act so insolently toward me...

Even if he was an honor student, he was still just a student. In terms of pure strength, he stood no chance against Kang Hyun-Woon, an A-rank hero.

Yet, here Se-Hoon was, displaying such a disrespectful attitude. Aware of the disciples standing behind him, Kang Hyun-Woon was about to genuinely unleash his killing intent at that moment.

“Kang Hyun-Woon.”

But Sung-Ha’s mana pressed down on him first.

“Must I urge you three times?”

Faced with an overpowering amount of mana that couldn’t be dealt with lightly, Kang Hyun-Woon realized it wasn’t the time to be concerned about Se-Hoon and withdrew his killing intent.

“...My apologies. Let’s begin.”

After giving Se-Hoon one last glare, he explained, “This promotion test will be conducted through domain sparring. To pass, you must achieve victory or a draw. Is there anything you would like to object to?”

“No.”

“Let’s start right away, then."

Sung-Ha had to go beyond achieving six rings; he had to achieve seven rings, two whole stages above what he could achieve last night. Even though he had reached it before, he had to do it again right now.

Despite how crazy it might sound to other disciples, Sung-Ha was unfazed.

I’ve already verified it.

Remembering the sensation he felt at dawn, Sung-Ha slowly infused his mana into the two short spears in his hands, the Red Sun Spear and the Black Cross Spear. As if they were extensions of his body, the spears vibrated as they smoothly absorbed his mana.

He swung them through the air.

Fwoosh!

Crimson and black flames separated into distinct colors as they accelerated, creating a spectacle of black wisps enveloped in red flames which stunned the disciples.

What is that flame ring...?

It feels sort of heavier than regular flame rings.

How is he creating these flame rings with those short spears...

This was an unseen weapon and an unusual form of the flame ring technique in the Flame Sect.

As everyone was stunned by the sight, Sung-Ha had already created the fifth Black Flame Wheel and was creating the sixth.

Fwoosh!

There were two reasons Sung-Ha regressed from six to five rings. One was his lack of focus, and the other was that he wasn’t able to mix Nightshade Soul and Crimson Flame Soul with the right proportions.

The solution was to overcome the side effects of suppressing Nightshade Soul, but doing it in a day wasn’t easy, especially considering his current lack of skill. So, Se-Hoon chose the simplest method. He decided to create the solution for Sung-Ha himself.

When excess mana entered, the Red Sun Spear and Black Cross Spear would tremble faintly. Thus, based on the faint vibrations, Sung-Ha could immediately adjust the mana ratio accordingly to form Black Flame Wheels.

The sixth, and then the seventh flame ring was formed under the guidance of the two spears. Facing the Black Flame Wheels, Kang Hyun-Woon watched sternly.

“Have you forgotten how the leader told you to suppress Nightshade Soul?”

“Suppressing it was hindering my abilities, so I’m utilizing it instead.”

“Such unruly flame rings won’t be recognized as proper rings.”

The Flame Sect’s flame ring technique placed more importance on how the rings should be created from pure fire mana. However, Sung-Ha was unfazed by his remark.

“We’ll see. Come at me.”

“...You will regret this,” Kang Hyun-Woon muttered coldly.

He then unleashed his spear and created seven flame rings in an instant.

Fwoosh!

This was domain sparring—a traditional method of the Flame Sect where the two would crash their flame rings together, and the one that maintained their flame rings until the end won. But rather than being just a show of brute force, there was a delicate balance of power and technique that had to be maintained.

Therefore, Kang Hyun-Woon was confident in his victory.

Being able to achieve seven rings already is impressive, but that’s a terrible quality.

He had the upper hand in terms of physical abilities, skills, and even weapons. Facing a scenario where losing was not an option, he recalled a conversation he had with the Sect Master alongside other mentors, “If Sung-Ha challenges the promotion test for the seven rings, act boldly. Whatever happens, I’ll cover for you.”

As the fight was an internal matter of the sect, outsiders weren’t able to interfere as long as there wasn’t lethal danger. With a firm resolve, Kang Hyun-Woon gripped his spear even tighter, his mana surging through it tumultuously.

Flame Acceleration

The weapon skill embedded in the long spear activated, further accelerating the rotation speed of the surrounding flame rings. The mana resonated as it created waves and heat.

Drawing upon his full strength to neutralize Sung-Ha, Kang Hyun-Woon kicked off the ground and thrust forward with his spear, unleashing seven flame rings.

Booom!

The collision between his flame rings and the seven Black Flame Wheels exploded into a massive blaze.

Kang Hyun-Woon had trained for over twenty years in the Flame Sect and reached seven rings more than five years ago. On the other hand, Sung-Ha seemed to have reached seven rings just a few days ago.

Anyone aware of these facts would have predicted the outcome as an overwhelming victory for one side, and indeed, that was how the situation was currently unfolding.

Fwoosh!

The black wisps began to engulf Kang Hyun-Woon’s flame rings.

“What...? How...!?”

Kang Hyun-Woon’s eyes widened in shock as the black wisps penetrated deep into the flames of his rings, clinging to and dyeing them black. He used his weapon skill to its fullest, so why couldn’t his flames burn away the wisps? Why were his flames being devoured?

“It doesn’t make sense.... It can’t be... this shouldn’t happen...”

His seven flame rings dwindled to six, and then to five. Meanwhile, the opposing Black Flame Wheels were far from being extinguished. They stabilized and flared up even more intensely.

It was as if the Black Flame Wheels had learned something from the clash and started to terrifyingly grow. Seeing how Sung-Ha was looking at him without any emotion from across the grounds, Kang Hyun-Woon belatedly realized the truth.

Craaaack-

The Sect Master was not wary of the weakened founding father...

Crack!

But of the talented prodigy in front of him.

“Ah...”

All seven of his flame rings disappeared, along with the tip of the spear he had thrust forward.

He had bought this spear with years of savings, but it was now shattered beyond repair. Kang Hyun-Woon could only dumbfoundedly stare down at the remains of his spear.

“Crude.”

Sung-Ha calmly spoke for someone else.