chapter 8
8 episodes
A pure white tower that stretches beyond the clouds.
A single pedestal was placed under the unrealistic building that did not seem to have been created by humans.
And in the heterogeneous landscape, an old man slowly walked in and stood on the podium with his back to the pure white tower.
“54 years ago. The world has changed.”
A voice that spreads widely from the stage to the surroundings.
“From the heavens, the tower of heroes who evolve mankind has been sent down, and from the underworld the swamp of Manma that pollutes life has flowed away.”
I didn’t even use the device, and I can’t feel the magic either.
“Some say it is a blessing and a curse. New possibilities have arisen, and at the same time great calamities have arisen.”
Still, the old man’s voice clearly penetrated the wide open space and the ears of tens of thousands of people gathered there.
“But I see it as pain relief. The final ordeal that humanity faces before stepping into new realms. And you are thrown into that ordeal today.”
The old man, Ludwig Schubert, the head of the Babel Academy, told the story of everyone who gathered in the square flashed.
Some people had a pure sense of duty, others pure greed. Though they had different ideas, the purpose was the same.
“Go ahead.”
Freshmen and current students filled the square. And the numerous visitors who came to the outside and the cameras broadcasting this scene.
Ludwig spoke calmly as if to tell everyone who was looking at him now.
“That is your duty here, who have climbed Babel.”
After Ludwig’s words of encouragement, loud applause erupted from the square.
Lee Se-hoon, who was clapping dryly at the tremendous applause that echoed in his ears, glanced around.
‘I’m not kidding… … .’
The entrance ceremony of the academy I attended before returning was full of reluctant applause, but this is a different dimension.
It may be because I am excited about entering Babel instead of a third-class academy, but perhaps the biggest reason is the fame of that old man who just talked about encouragement.
‘It’s always the same.’
‘Walker’ refers to those who climbed the Tower of Heroes to the end.
The legendary figure who achieved this for the first time in mankind was the old man ‘Ascension Emperor’ Ludwig Schubert.
‘It’s not like he’s such a good yangban.’
When Sehun Lee is making a strange expression while looking at Ludwig standing with a kind face. The voice of the moderator echoed through the speakers installed everywhere.
– Next, there will be a demonstration of this year’s senior students. Senior cadets, please come to the stage.
“… … ttt.”
Lee Se-hoon, who came out of the ranks with a tongue-in-cheek, walked towards the stage as he had practiced in advance.
While tens of thousands of people stood guard, only three were moving.
Seeing the gazes pouring in from all directions, Sehun Lee smiled involuntarily.
‘indeed. How do you feel?’
Even though they haven’t shown anything yet, they look like they’re a great person.
I didn’t understand why the guys who were doing well before the return were so arrogant, but after experiencing it like this, I think I understand it again.
‘Should I go with a little arrogant artisan this time?’
When Sehun Lee is smiling while thinking in vain. The moderator’s voice rang out again.
– First, the head of Akalkuf’s department. There will be a demonstration by Jake Myers.
A blonde cadet climbs up the stage with the moderator’s progress.
He wasn’t very tall, about 170cm tall, and his face looked like a youthful tee, but he felt more like a boy than a young man.
Se-hun Lee narrowed his eyes at the sight of Jake, who could not even see his equipped weapon.
‘Myers… … .’
A famous swordsmanship family with a prestige that is one of the most prestigious families that have produced many heroes.
Before returning, Lee Se-hoon had also been officially commissioned several times, but as a result, he was a bad lover.
‘If it were Jake, was it definitely the third in the line?’
We hadn’t met each other before the return, but I remembered some information because I had heard about it.
‘It’s Myers, but it’s a different kind of fighting with fists… … I said he died when he was in his mid-20s.’
I don’t know the exact age, but Babel is basically a four-year program, so he must have died shortly after graduating and active duty.
Recalling the information, Sehun Lee looked at Jake, who was standing confidently with a smile.
‘I’m the head of the department, so I have some potential, but… … I wonder how great it will be.’
Sehun Lee looked at the stage to see if it was worth making a relationship, and a black steel doll about 2 meters in front of Jake came up.
-The object to be used in this Dalian is the ‘Automaton’ series, a golem produced by the Marionette Factory. Model 9 has the ability to compete with C-class heroes.
The level seems a bit excessive for a cadet who is just entering the school. But Sehun Lee thought it was natural.
‘If you’re the head of Akalkuf’s department, you should do that.’
Dalian is the additional test of Akal-Kouf, to which combat cadets belong.
In other words, Jake was the strongest among the freshmen who entered Babel this year by force, and considering his position, he had to deal with that level simply.
– Well, let’s start now!
At the call of the moderator, Jake took a pose with his bare hands, and a blue light flashed across the automaton’s empty pupils.
And the moment he was about to take a pose and run towards Jake.
Quang!
There was a resounding sound of metal clashing against each other.
The automaton floated in the air with the armor on its abdomen deformed. Jake took a pose under it and immediately swung his fists with full force.
Kwagga Gaga!
Automaton’s gloves that get crushed whenever their fists meet.
Considering that it was a bare fist without a weapon, it was a spectacular sight, but the real thing started after that.
Aww!
As Jake’s fists were clenched even tighter, blue magic rose, and his speed and destructive power continued to rise without stopping.
And the moment when the fist that finally reached the critical point was shot leaving a blue afterimage.
Pugh-!
The automaton’s head exploded without a trace, and its body, which had become a mass of scrap metal, completely collapsed.
“thank you!”
The moment Jake nodded vigorously. Applause poured out from the surrounding silence.
The automaton, which can even be compared to a C-class hero, was overcome by a freshman from the front without any special skills and purely with his physical abilities, so it was a natural reaction.
And it was the same for Sehun Lee, who was watching from below.
‘Is this guy finished in A grade?’
This is a talent that will only come out once in 10 years at Babel, but how did you happen to have such a short life?
When Sehun Lee is surprised by Jake’s potential, which is superior to his expectations. The stage was cleared and the moderator continued the process.
– Next is the department head of Ur. There will be a demonstration by cadet Erika Inoue.
read at https://NovelNext.com
Next to Jake was a girl with long black hair and pale white skin.
There was still a youthful tea left here, but that feeling was diluted a lot because of the calm impression and the deep subdued purple eyes.
‘This one is also a giant.’
The eldest daughter of the Inoue clan, said to be one of Japan’s three most famous songs.
An S-class hero who could not complete the Tower of Heroes, but possessed a few myth-grade weapons in the world.
I’ve never met this guy in person, but I’ve often heard that he played a big role on the front line.
‘In the end, I fell into a demon and was subjugated by the family, but… … .’
When Sehun Lee is looking at Erica with a strange expression. Standing on the podium, she slowly turned her head.
“… … .”
And he stopped exactly where Sehun Lee was standing, and looked into his eyes.
“… … ?”
I looked around to see if there were other people around, but there was no one around me but myself.
‘what?’
Sehun Lee was taken aback by the sudden situation and looked back on the stage.
“Aww.”
A silver cage with a crow in it.
At first glance, there was nothing particularly special, but Erica calmly unlocked the lock and put the crow in her left hand and took it out of the cage.
-The automaton used in this battle is equipped with armor on the 9th model and has about 1.5 times the defense.
At the host’s explanation, Sehun Lee looked at the crow standing on Erica’s left hand.
‘Looks like an ordinary crow… … Are you going to show off your power by strengthening that guy with magic?’
Ordinary creatures that do not have magical powers in their bodies need very delicate adjustments because their bodies can collapse even if they are forcibly strengthened even a little.
– Well, let’s get started!
Woong-
At the same time as the host’s shout, silver magic flowed out of Erika’s body and permeated the crow’s body.
And the moment the feathers shone like silver.
Tuoung!
A single ray of light rose like a flash of light toward the sky.
A crow that flies through the air leaving a white trail. Admiration flowed from all over the place, like an arrow.
And finally, the crow soaring high in the sky stopped with its wings wide open.
Paang-!
It fell to the ground with a piercing sound.
Kaang!
The body of the automaton shook once, and the crow landed softly on the ground. At first glance, it seems that nothing has happened, but when you look at the front, it is different.
Koo!
A huge hole through the chest of the shield and automaton. The image was reflected in the entire square through the screen floating in the air.
“Aww!”
A violent reaction erupted along with the crow’s cry.
A blast of applause so much that even Jake in front of him couldn’t get it. Lee Se-hoon was also amazed at that.
‘This is no joke either.’
How can you strengthen an ordinary crow enough to pierce even a C-class hero with one shot? It’s already unusual because it might not be the S-class of the future.
Se-hun Lee made an ambiguous expression on the level of the department heads who were superior to his expectations.
‘It’s probably not enough to just show this.’
At first, I was only going to show the information window and finish it, but looking at the reaction now, it doesn’t make any impression at all.
When Se-Hoon Lee, who has decided to perform a ‘performance’ prepared for such a situation, is revising the plan in his head. A staff member approached.
“Student Lee Se-hoon. Please prepare.”
Sehun Lee headed towards the stairs at the last minute left, and met Erica, who was coming down with a hoodie on her shoulder.
“… … .”
“… … .”
Two people standing in the middle of the stairs and staring at each other.
Seeing Erica silently looking down at her, Sehun Lee opened her mouth first.
“What do you have to say?”
“… … nothing.”
Erika, who muttered a little, passed by, and Sehun Lee looked at her back.
‘Did something happen?’
I wondered what had happened, but no matter how much I thought about it, nothing happened except for the passing by while I was practicing today.
When Sehun Lee is making a mysterious expression. The moderator’s voice rang out.
-Finally, the head of department of Borsippa. There will be a demonstration by cadet Sehun Lee.
As the stage progresses, tens of thousands of eyes are pouring in from the front.
‘It’s a lot of dirt.’
Lee Se-hoon, who casually accepted that gaze, opened two bags that were placed on the table set by the faculty.
Click.
The lock was released, and the five-color flower diagram and hwajeokcho created by Se-Hoon Lee were revealed, and the shape and information window of the two weapons appeared large in the air.
“Five… … .”
“Is it rare?”
“What’s going on with the smelting department?”
Those who recognized the value of the information window admired it, but other than that, there was no reaction.
The first two cadets showed all kinds of splendid appearances while smashing the automaton, but since they only show information at once, it must be a natural reaction in a way.
‘Then let’s make it a little more fun.’
In response to the expected reaction, Sehun Lee talked while looking at the moderator for the prepared performance.
“Please put on armor on the Automaton No. 8 model.”
-… … Yes?
At Lee Se-hoon’s request, which was not in the pre-rehearsal, the moderator made a puzzled expression.
There were so many automatons piled up on the barbell like a mountain, so I could bring as many as I could, but the problem was next.
‘The 8th model still has high defense… … In addition to that, you want me to equip armor?’
It has the durability to withstand the attacks of B-class heroes to some extent. Of course, the first two people could break it, but it didn’t seem like Lee Se-hun, a technical worker, could do it.
‘Are you here because of the competitive spirit? oh really… … .’
I understand that you don’t want to be pushed because you’re the head of the same department, but what if you suddenly throw an irrational number like this?
At that time, the host was thinking about how to get over this situation.
“I brought it.”
Kim In-cheol dragged the automaton onto the podium.
Ready faster than you think. Lee Se-hoon, who had an unexpected expression on him, suddenly turned his head to the gaze he felt from below.
Ludwig was looking at him with a soft smile. At that glance, Sehun Lee immediately understood what he meant.
‘Try it once, just this.’
As I said before, did they support the cadets’ challenging spirit, or did they allow it because they already knew the outcome?
At Ludwig’s unknown intentions, Se-hun Lee shook off his thoughts and grabbed the five-color flower and hwajeok-cho.
Whoa!
The sword and sheath vibrated faintly as if they were one body from the beginning. Feeling that sense, Sehun Lee explained to the audience.
“These weapons are designed so that they give out the right power when used together.
As for swordsmanship, I only learned self-defense, but that’s enough for the performance I’m going to present.
Lee Se-hun, who lightly swung the five-color sword, stowed the sword inside the hwajeokcho at once.
shudder!
Perfectly interlocking blades. In that state, Se-hun Lee lowered his body slightly, gripped the handle of the five-color flower, and poured his attribute magic, ‘Red Flame’.
woo woo-
A flame that is charged inside the hwajeokcho through the five-color flower diagram.
At first, it was stored and amplified step by step, but as the amount increased, changes occurred little by little.
Whoops!
Five colored flames leaking out of the firewood.
The flames endlessly intertwined to eat each other looked like a work of art, but in reality, they were not so flashy.
“Whew… … !”
In the blink of an eye the moment you are vigilant, fireworks will explode in all directions.
Sehun Lee, who suppressed the violent flames, immediately controlled it through the nature of the red flame.
key-
The flames that had been tangled with each other were swept away by the flow of red flames, and flowed along the surface along the magical circuit of the firewood.
click-
At the same time, while holding down the left foot that had stepped forward, Sehun Lee pulled out the blade of the five-color flower at once.
“Yahwa.”
Fireworks of five colors covered the stage.
Qaang–!!
Five-colored fireworks that engulfed the entire stage.
Even after turning the automaton into a lump of charcoal, the freed flames continued to collide with each other, causing a loud explosion.
“… … .”
“… … .”
Borsippa has always fallen in popularity because there was nothing to see during the demonstrations of previous entrance ceremonies.
Everyone was at a loss for words at the splendid spectacle that the new head of department had created.
“That is all.”
In response, Sehun Lee smiled very satisfied.