Book 1 Chapter 269
269
“Specific specs for the artifacts we will use?”
“Hmm… I haven’t really thought about it?”
The students of Lumerne wore perplexed expressions.
Not only the regular students but even the top students from each department looked troubled.
“I roughly know the specs of the magic staff I use.”
Chelsea pulled a staff from her pocket.
While Avad and Chloe used long staffs as tall as themselves, Chelsea primarily used a short staff of about 30cm.
Of course, as staffs had pros and cons depending on their type, Chelsea also possessed a long staff magic staff.
Karl, with his hands clasped behind his head, said,
“The staff you frequently use is one of the heirlooms of the Rwallyn family, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, that’s right. It’s Flamen, used by the 5th family head.”
Flamen.
It was an artifact classified at the same grade as Celia’s beloved sword, ‘Flame Storm.’
Weapon grades are broadly divided into five categories.
[Normal], [Magic], [Heroic], [Legendary].
And finally, [Divine Relic].
[Normal] refers to weaponry made of steel produced by an ordinary blacksmith.
These were the most common weapons and possessed no special power.
From the [Magic] grade upwards, these were artifacts crafted by blacksmiths with expertise in magical engineering.
Artifacts that undergo special manufacturing processes using magical engineering or that contain mana are classified as [Magic].
[Heroic] weapons possess special power even among magic-grade items and are used by individuals of heroic stature.
Above that, [Legendary] refers to artifacts that have left their names in hero records.
Finally, [Divine Relic].
Artifacts crafted by the hands of a god.
Throughout history, only one person could create [Divine Relic]-grade artifacts.
That was Dweeno, the divine blacksmith.
Both Celia’s Flame Storm and Chelsea’s Flamen were [Legendary] grade.
They were artifacts symbolizing Gerdinger and Rwallyn.
“I envy it every time I see it.”
Karl admired Flamen.
It was an artifact that an ordinary mage would find difficult even to gaze upon, let alone obtain, no matter how much they strived throughout their life.
“Come to think of it, there were four people in our year with legendary-grade weapons, weren’t there?”
Celia, Avad, Chelsea, and Eliza, who hailed from renowned heroic noble families with long histories.
The Gerdinger, Rwallyn, and Hergin families had histories and reputations that stood apart from ordinary heroic noble families.
Even Duran’s family, with its shorter history, did not possess artifacts classified as [Legendary].
‘Looking at it that way, I can’t help but wonder how I ended up being friends with these guys.’
While Karl shook his head,
Chloe asked,
“If it’s a magic staff of that caliber, don’t you necessarily need another staff?”
“Not necessarily. Flamen is indeed a powerful magic staff, but it’s not omnipotent. It has great synergy with my specialty, wind magic, but it doesn’t quite mesh with other types of magic.”
Chelsea pouted her lips.
“It’s true that it possesses stronger power than any other staff, but that’s why I can’t wield it perfectly. I have to adapt to the staff. That’s why I need a custom-made magic staff.”
Artifacts imbued with immense power are equally difficult to wield.
Chelsea was an excellent mage, but at fifteen, her experience was still lacking.
Though she was Flamen’s owner, she couldn’t yet wield it perfectly.
The same was true for Celia, Avad, and Eliza.
“But no matter how much I think about it, why do we need to know the specific details about an artifact when commissioning a magic staff?”
“Exactly. Master Defeto made it sound as if understanding the artifact itself is more important than just its specs.”
At Chelsea’s words, Chloe nodded, seemingly in agreement.
“You need to know.”
Just then, Leo approached the magic department students and said.
Karl cocked his head.
“Is there a big advantage to knowing?”
“A very big advantage.”
At Leo’s words, Emio, who had been listening from afar, curled the corners of his lips.
“Shall we hear the student council president’s advice on just how big the advantage is?”
“Ah, there he goes again, showing off.”
Chelsea wore an annoyed expression.
Seeing Chelsea, Emio made a grim face.
“Are you picking a fight?”
“You picked a fight first, didn’t you?”
Chelsea stuck out her tongue.
“Now, now, stop fighting and let’s listen.”
Avad stepped between them.
“Hmph!”
Chelsea snorted, and Emio twisted his face, turning his head away.
“Leo. Will you tell us your thoughts?”
At Avad’s question, Leo pulled out a mineral from his pocket.
“Mithril?”
Karl, skilled in alchemy, recognized the mithril ore at once.
“That’s right. I borrowed it from Defeto Smith.”
Leo said, tapping and catching the unrefined mithril ore.
“Since you learn magical engineering as a basic subject in Lumerne, you already know about the properties of mithril, right?”
“It has high mana conductivity and mana amplification effects, doesn’t it?”
“Correct. That’s why it’s most commonly chosen as a basic material for magic staffs.”
“Hmph, everyone knows such basic things. Did you come here to talk about common sense things, despite talking as if it were something grand?”
At Emio’s sarcastic remark, Leo threw the mithril ore to Emio.
Thwack!
“What am I supposed to do with this?”
“Can you enchant that ore?”
Emio snorted and cast an enchantment spell.
Whoosh!
Seeing the mithril ore blazing with flames, those around gasped in admiration.
It wasn't simply because an enchantment spell had been cast.
‘There’s almost no mana loss, is there?’
‘No matter how much mithril ore it is, if you enchant an ore mixed with many impurities, there’s bound to be mana loss.’
It would be impossible without excellent mana control abilities.
Most of the magic department students here would undoubtedly experience mana loss if they cast a spell on such a highly impure ore.
‘If it contains mithril, even with many impurities, mana loss can be almost eliminated.’
“Why are you giving me such an easy task that I could yawn?”
Emio threw the enchanted mithril ore straight back to Leo.
Thump!
Leo snatched the mithril ore without much difficulty.
Emio’s magic was instantly dispelled.
“Excellent. But you didn’t fully utilize mithril’s properties.”
“Are you nitpicking my enchantment spell right now?”
“I’m not nitpicking, merely pointing out an area of improvement.”
Whoosh!
“…!”
Emio’s eyes widened.
Leo cast an enchantment on the mithril ore.
It then emitted a powerful blaze incomparable to Emio’s flame.
The magic used was the same, and the mana consumed was the same.
Yet, Leo’s magic emitted an even stronger power.
“Did you use a special magical formula? A trick. How childish.”
“Unfortunately, this is the same magic you used.”
Leo, as if showing off, held out the blazing ore.
No matter how one looked, it was the same magical formula Emio had used.
Seeing that, Emio’s face contorted.
Chloe’s eyes widened as she asked,
“How did you do that?”
“I utilized mithril’s mana amplification property.”
“Isn’t it almost impossible to bring out that property with ore that isn’t highly pure?”
Chloe’s eyes sparkled.
She was showing curiosity about something she didn't know.
“It’s not easy. But it’s possible if you know the approximate mithril content of this ore.”
Leo withdrew the magic.
“It’s the same with weapons. If you know exactly what materials it’s made of and what properties it has, you can wield your weapon more freely. This applies to knights, mages, and summoners alike.”
At Leo’s words, Chelsea raised her hand.
“Brother Leo, but even without knowing such specific details, we all handle the magic staffs we use freely, don’t we? Everyone fully utilizes 100% of their artifact’s abilities, don’t they?”
At Chelsea’s words, the students nodded.
But Avad and Chloe thought for a moment before saying,
“It’s true that all of us utilize 100% of our staff’s abilities. But is there anyone who uses it to its absolute limit?”
At Avad’s words, Chelsea paused.
“Well… no.”
“Exactly. If you overuse it, it overloads.”
“But Leo just enchanted the mithril ore very stably.”
Chloe continued,
“If you consider that mithril ore a magic staff, then without much effort, it’s like he used the abilities of the staffs we use to their absolute limit.”
The magic department students began to murmur.
At that, Leo nodded.
“That’s right. Actually, this isn’t particularly related to magic techniques. It’s just a skill for handling objects well. Normally, it might not be a big help, but.”
Leo said calmly,
“In extreme situations, the difference between knowing how to do this and not knowing is huge. It could be a matter of life and death.”
At Leo’s words, the magic department students swallowed dryly.
Now that they were in their second year, academy life where lives were at stake would truly begin.
Therefore, the word ‘life’ mentioned by Leo carried an unusual weight.
“As a hero candidate, if you want to aim higher, the ability to perfectly understand and utilize an artifact’s specs is essential.”
At Avad’s murmur, Leo nodded.
“Yes. And blacksmiths say they can judge a person’s worth based on what kind of artifact the client wants.”
“Who said that?”
“A blacksmith I know said so.”
Leo smiled and said,
“I’ll go return this.”
Leo took the ore and headed towards Defeto.
The magic department students, having heard Leo’s words, began to eagerly write down the specs of the artifacts they had considered in their notebooks.
“Avad, what are you doing?”
Karl asked Avad, who was staring intently at Leo’s back, with a puzzled expression.
“No, I just suddenly feel the gap.”
Avad mumbled, clenching and unclenching his fist.
‘It’s not like a difference in talent… it’s not that feeling.’
Avad looked down at his hands, as if confused.
‘It feels like a difference in experience.’
“Suddenly, now?”
Seeing Avad looking a bit stiff, Karl said,
“You dragged me to your dorm to beat Leo, didn’t you? I was supposed to go to Leo’s dorm and enjoy a peaceful school life. But you dragged me here, didn’t you? You shouldn’t look so unsure of yourself!”
“That’s true.”
At Karl’s words, Avad gave his characteristic gentle smile.
‘He’s ridiculously handsome, though.’
Karl wore a bitter expression.
“In that sense, Karl. Did you find out what kind of artifact Leo is commissioning?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Call it a check on the target to be overcome?”
“Didn’t you say you wouldn’t use me as a spy?”
“Friends can tell each other, can’t they?”
Avad casually put his arm around Karl’s shoulder.
Karl told Avad,
“I don’t know either. I asked him to show me, but he said he hadn’t prepared anything.”
“No way?”
Leo was definitely an honor student.
Therefore, he was thorough when it came to academic preparation.
For Avad, it was hard to believe that Leo hadn’t prepared anything.
“Chloe. Do you happen to know what kind of item Leo is going to commission from Damian?”
“He said he didn’t prepare anything.”
Chloe also shook her head, as if she didn't understand.
At that, Avad made a strange expression.
‘What is he thinking?’
***
After two hours were given.
The presentations began.
The presentations proceeded alternately by school.
And it was the Lumerne and Seirun students who faltered during their presentations.
They were accustomed to presenting academic achievements, but many students struggled with presentations in an unfamiliar field.
While they explained the specific specs well, what tripped them up was, as expected, the materials.
Defeto nodded as he watched the students' presentations.
‘Excellent, as expected. Especially in these presentations, everyone somewhat understands what Damian wants.’
Understanding the artifact one uses.
That means perfectly drawing out the abilities of the artifact one wields.
‘There are many powerful artifacts in this world.’
And there are countless individuals who are swayed by artifacts.
And most of those powerful artifacts are made right here in Damian.
Damian’s students and graduates.
Blacksmiths who inherited the legacy of the great divine blacksmith, Dweeno, craft and re-craft artifacts to reach Dweeno’s realm.
‘A craftsman desires someone who can perfectly wield the item they made.’
An undeserved artifact is like a pearl in a pig’s nose.
Most Damian students held such sentiments.
Therefore, blacksmiths desired users who matched their ideals.
‘Especially these second-year students have incredibly superior dexterity.’
Their pride as smiths was equally high.
‘Well, though there is one eccentric mixed in.’
Defeto’s eyes caught sight of a female Damian student, her eyes sparkling, diligently taking notes.
‘Driana, that girl, is again appraising the presenter’s charm, not the artifact being presented!’
Seeing Driana, who was afflicted with an artistic flair, Defeto pressed his temples.
“Oho?”
Just then, gasps of admiration erupted among the Damian students.
A male student from Lumerne’s magic department was presenting.
‘Let’s see, a magic staff specialized for magic bullets. The presenter is… Karl Thomas?’
The concept of the artifact was interesting.
‘Not an artifact to defeat enemies, but an artifact to keep them in check… Indeed, a supporter aspirant? Aspiring to be a supporter at that age. He’s set his career path early.’
One could tell what role a person aspired to just by the direction of their artifact.
A very rare aspiration for a hero candidate: supporter.
Students from other schools wore uninterested expressions.
But the Damian students’ eyes sparkled at its ingenuity.
As smiths, they showed passionate interest in ingenious items that stimulated their craftsmanship.
‘He seems to have some knowledge of material engineering… He’d be a good friend, more like a crafting partner than a mere client.’
Defeto looked at Karl with amusement.
Not only Defeto but also the Damian students showed great interest in Karl.
Meanwhile.
The presentations of the skilled individuals began.
In the case of skilled individuals from each school, the required specs for their artifacts were considerable, matching their abilities.
“A battle axe coated with black iron, an alloy of 70% Adamantium, 15% Mithril, and 5% Orichalcum.”
Dion Den, the second-strongest second-year of Azonia, a special beast-man, perfectly requested his desired artifact from the Damian students.
It wasn't just Dion Den.
Surprisingly, among the students from the three schools, Azonia was performing the best in this presentation.
Their demands were all concise yet clear.
Celia, who was watching from backstage, folded her arms.
“Unexpected. To present so perfectly.”
At Celia’s words, Ar, who was listening behind her, snorted.
“For a warrior, perfectly understanding the weapon they will use is the absolute basic of basics!”
“Indeed, I should learn that.”
Celia nodded.
“By the way, I have something to ask the Black Rabbit.”
“Leo is last. Your turn is three after that. Ask him after the presentation.”
“The Black Rabbit’s cousin is so fussy.”
‘How long is she going to keep calling Leo the Black Rabbit? Maybe if he were the White Rabbit, but…’
Being called the Black Rabbit made Celia feel oddly self-conscious.
And so, the presentations reached their final stage.
Leo, standing at the very back, watched the Damian students, who were seriously observing the presentations with folded arms.
‘Well, everyone has the same desire for the item they made to be used by someone worthy of it. Dweeno was like that too.’
Dweeno wasn’t greatly interested in making artifacts.
However, as a craftsman who created things, he was a person who unfailingly displayed his artisan's spirit, creating items only for those who possessed ‘qualifications.’
On the first day Dweeno joined the expeditionary force.
He declared,
‘You must never use any artifact other than those I make for you.’
‘I use Folium, though?’
‘Isn’t that a staff made directly by a god?’
Dweeno glanced at Luna once and continued,
‘I am an artist, but before that, I am a craftsman who makes things. I cannot tolerate those I recognize using items made by other craftsmen.’
Dweeno curled the corners of his lips.
‘If a situation arises where you have no choice but to use one, make sure of this one thing: that you are people whom I, Dweeno, recognize and provide custom artifacts for. Therefore…’
“Leo Flobe.”
Finally, it was Leo’s turn.
Step- Step-
Leo ascended the platform.
The Damian students showed interest in the appearance of the unprecedented All-Class student.
The Damian students’ eyes gleamed.
They wondered what kind of artifact the All-Class student would present.
Amidst this, Leo said,
“I am confident I can perfectly wield any artifact.”
At Leo’s words, the Damian students paused.
“So, I hope you make it well.”
All the students wore dumbfounded expressions.
This was a place where Damian students evaluated other hero academy students.
In that place, Leo had made his declaration.
‘I can absolutely not tolerate you being evaluated. If any of you display such foolish behavior, I will smash your head with a hammer, so be aware of that!’
“Because I will be the one doing the evaluation.”