The Conjurer of the Academy

Chapter 80

“Let’s see…”

I rummaged through the chest.

As I moved the artifacts, dust that had been settled for a long time floated into the air.

‘This stuff is really useless.’

The chest was filled with outdated artifacts that I wouldn’t even use if they were given to me. They were simply old, and in terms of rank, they didn’t even qualify as C-rank; they were practically garbage.

“Are you really giving me any of these?”

“Take anything you want~.”

Ise-ah waved her hand magnanimously. She was probably just trying to offload the smuggled artifacts instead of dealing with them herself.

“I’ll keep my word and take just one.”

I picked up a silver bracelet from the very corner of the chest.

“That bracelet is a piece of junk that suppresses the wearer’s mana.”

“That’s why it’s the most useful.”

“You think that useless thing is useful?”

The old, silver bracelet artifact looked like a pair of handcuffs.

[Qi Gong Master’s Silver Bracelet]

This E-rank artifact suppresses the wearer’s mana to zero. Incidentally, the handcuffs carried by enforcers also prevent the wearer’s mana from being released.

There are already alternatives available, and no one would want to wear this on their wrist. In short, it’s considered a completely useless artifact.

“It’s all about how you use it.”

But that’s just superficial information. In reality, when you open the catalog, there’s an extra line of description beyond the known functions.

[Artifact Information]

1. Adjusts the wearer’s mana to 0.

2. Increases the power of the wearer’s skills.

※ Press F8 for detailed information.

Adjusting the mana attribute that serves as the foundation for skill activation to 0 while simultaneously increasing skill power?

Due to this contradictory setting, the Qi Gong Master’s Silver Bracelet has long been regarded as a novelty artifact.

‘But not anymore.’

I spread my palm and conjured foxfire onto it.

“Watch closely.”

The foxfire that flared up was barely the size of a gas flame. I extinguished the flame and then put on the bracelet.

“Same output.”

Immediately, a blue flame shot up from my palm. Seeing the flame, Ise-ah took a step back.

“You put on the bracelet, yet how come—”

“I handle something other than mana. It’s a unique constitution.”

In this world, there are individuals who wield powers unrelated to mana. So Geum-bi, classified as a Spirit Summoner, is a prime example.

However, aside from So Geum-bi, no such characters appear; therefore, this aspect of the storyline is often viewed as a convenient plot device to explain her abilities.

“What do you think? It’s a treasure, right?”

Now that mana isn’t the fuel for skill activation, this bracelet becomes an overpowered artifact that boosts skill power without any risks.

“How did you even know?”

“Know what?”

Ise-ah twisted her lips.

“I’m asking how you knew about this artifact’s ability. You chose that bracelet before I even said anything.”

“…Did I?”

“Don’t play dumb.”

A heavy weight pressed down on my shoulders. Her invisible hands were pinning me down to prevent any escape.

“Moreover, you were aware of the hidden ability of the artifact. Am I wrong?”

Her unwavering gaze made it clear she was genuinely puzzled.

“To be honest, I have a keen interest in artifacts.”

There were things I couldn’t explain, so I decided to gloss over them here.

“What? Do you really think you know artifacts better than I do? I’ve been educated about them since I was a child.”

Ise-ah proudly puffed out her chest.

Indeed, when it comes to pure artifact knowledge, Ise-ah might have me beat. She’s been trained from a young age in various aspects related to artifacts and stolen goods.

She was probably educated on everything that could be traded.

“Yes, when it comes to artifacts in general, you might know more.”

But this is Babel.

A place teeming with geniuses often called monsters. From Ise-ah’s perspective, I am one of those monsters.

“But when it comes to the artifacts themselves, I know them better. Haven’t you realized? This is Babel, where the best of the best in Korea gather. You knew that much when you came here, right?”

Of course, I didn’t say that I was talking about myself.

“So, what exactly are you trying to say?”

“No matter how confident you are in your area of expertise, you should stop imagining that you’re always going to be better than others.”

I tapped the silver bracelet on my wrist with my fingers. Given the clues I was dropping, Ise-ah would get the gist. She was someone who could grasp the underlying meaning.

“I also have quite an interest in artifacts, you know.”

“Hmm…”

Ise-ah placed her chin on her hand, deep in thought. Soon enough, she seemed to accept the series of events and nodded.

“Indeed, it’s possible that every student at Babel has at least one extraordinary talent. It seems you have a particular knack for artifacts.”

“I appreciate your understanding.”

I nodded without much ado.

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t a lie. I had memorized the information and effects of over 300 artifacts from RollHun.

Additionally, while the use of artifacts was strictly prohibited during exams at the academy, they were permitted in other events. Collecting them whenever possible was wise.

‘At least now I can avoid a lengthy explanation.’

Who would have thought the name of Babel would help me sidestep a bullet? Life is full of surprises.

“So, you must know the uses of most of these artifacts here too, right?”

“Let’s have a look.”

I pretended to rummage through the chest, pulling out a few artifacts and laying them out on the floor.

[Sand Hammer]

[Invisible Man’s Transparent Shirt]

[Explosive Jewel]

They were all classified as E-rank, trash among the trash. Regardless of how rare artifacts are in this world, those with such low utility hold less value.

“Let’s see.”

The Sand Hammer regenerates when broken, but being made of sand, it shatters with even the slightest impact.

The Invisible Man’s Transparent Shirt is invisible, making its existence as a piece of clothing questionable. The green-tinted Explosive Jewel detonates upon strong impact, essentially making it nothing more than a pretty dynamite.

“Ise-ah, what do you think?”

I was familiar with all these artifacts.

Sharing all the information would only deepen her suspicions, so I reversed the question.

“Not sure.”

“You can’t see it, but the Transparent Shirt is right in front of me.”

“That’s perfect for a flasher trying to justify themselves to the police.”

Ise-ah brushed her hair back.

“Sure, even these old things can fetch a few hundred thousand won if sold. But Seonjin Networks is essentially a distributor. Our job is to deliver high-value items to customers at appropriate prices, not to verify their authenticity.”

I picked up the Sand Hammer from the artifacts lying there.

“Isn’t it a waste to discard scratch cards without even scratching them?”

At that moment, the hammer in my hand crumbled into sand on the floor. Seeing the Sand Hammer disintegrate with just a touch, Ise-ah scoffed.

“You’re comparing that junk to scratch cards? Too bad, it looks like it was a dud.”

“Not so sure.”

I placed my hand over the scattered sand, and it gradually transformed into the shape of a hammer.

“Let’s see.”

Leaving the hammer aside, I picked up the Explosive Jewel next.

“Hey, what are you planning to do—”

“Just watch quietly.”

When I grasped the jewel, Ise-ah flinched. If the jewel exploded here, the whole room would be blown to pieces.

But it’s safe. This jewel only reacts to strong external impacts.

Pop

Foxfire surged from my palm, and the jewel slowly melted onto the sand hammer.

“Think about it. It regenerates infinitely.”

After the jewel completely melted, I picked up the newly coated green hammer.

“Then it would be reasonable to find a way to enhance the artifact without damaging its properties.”

[Regenerating Explosive Hammer]

A B-rank artifact.

Fusing artifacts usually comes with stringent conditions. If I hadn’t been able to work with flames, creating this artifact would have essentially required Shin Seo-ha’s assistance.

“How did you even figure this out?”

Ise-ah’s eyelids fluttered.

Fusing artifacts requires sophisticated technical and analytical skills. And for a good reason: even the most substandard pieces are limited in number and can cost hundreds of thousands.

Such fusion of artifacts usually verges on the accidental.

“I’ve done a lot of experimenting with artifacts.”

“Don’t lie. Even lower-rank artifacts aren’t normally within an average person’s price range…”

My statement was nothing but the truth. She had no idea how much trouble I had gone through in the early rounds to figure out the combinations between artifacts. If I failed, the artifacts would simply vaporize.

“You keep calling me a commoner, but where do you see me as one?”

Even if I revealed the truth, she wouldn’t believe me, so I might as well play along a bit.

“But you haven’t figured anything out—”

“Are you talking about the background check? Think about it. Seonjin Networks, one of the best, did a background check on me and found nothing.”

I smirked, hoping to aggravate Ise-ah as much as possible. She surely wouldn’t fall for such a prank—.

“So that’s how it is…”

“Huh?”

Ise-ah rubbed her chin with a serious expression. Her unexpected reaction left me quite bewildered.

“It all makes sense now. Your skills, your grades, and even your knowledge about artifacts.”

“Wait.”

“I’ve heard of high-ranking foreigners enrolling at Babel under false identities. You’re one of them, right?”

“Hold on.”

“I won’t pry any further. I’m not an idiot.”

“…Right, thanks.”

Seeing Ise-ah’s earnest face, I couldn’t bring myself to correct her.

‘She’s more naive than I thought.’

Maybe it’s because she grew up sheltered.

Anyway, since Ise-ah seemed less likely to act arrogant now, there wasn’t much need to correct her misunderstanding.

“Let’s go.”

“Why?”

I gestured with the hammer in my hand toward Ise-ah.

“To go do some testing.”

* * *

The special training room provides scarecrow-like targets for individuals to measure their firepower.

The scarecrow standing in the center of the training room now is the same type Choi Tae-min used for demonstration during the first-semester mock duels.

“So, what are you going to do with it?”

Ise-ah, leaning against the entrance of the training room, narrowed her eyes.

“If what you’re saying is true, that hammer will explode and regenerate with every swing. Will the user be safe?”

Ise-ah’s analysis was spot on.

If it exploded with every swing, causing harm to the user, it would be nothing more than a self-destructive artifact.

“It all depends on how you use it.”

I tossed the hammer towards Ise-ah.

“Catch this.”

“Kyaa! What if it explodes?”

Held aloft by her invisible hands, the hammer floated in the air. Ise-ah’s invisible hands caught it from mid-air.

“It’s a gift.”

“What?”

Ise-ah blinked in surprise.

“Try swinging it with all your strength.”

“Alright.”

The hammer floated up and then swung down with full force towards the scarecrow.

Bang!

With a loud explosion, the scarecrow collapsed, and the hammer’s shattered fragments gathered in the air, reforming into its original shape.

“How was that?”

“Amazing…”

Yes, this is a custom weapon for Ise-ah. It’s a perfect fit for her fighting style, where she battles from a distance, creating space between herself and her target.

“See? It’s all about how you use it.”

And so began the semester with Ise-ah.