Academy Genius Craftsman

01. A sword for you (25)

After submitting the assignment, Yoon Seo-hee and I headed to the classroom.

She took the lead and I followed, maintaining a distance of about one step.

“… ….”

Trumbling. Again and again.

Perhaps it was because most of the students had gone home after all the exams were over in the morning, only the footsteps of the two were quietly echoing in the corridor of the 1st grade main building.

A distance between each other that is neither too close nor too far.

Every time her long hair swayed gently, it gave off the faint scent of summer.

A grassy scent that is deep and elegant.

It was the scent of orchids.

‘Have you changed your perfume?’

I kept walking even though I was puzzled. This is because Yoon Seo-hee did not have the impression of wearing perfume.

However, I felt that her subtle yet deep scent suited her very well.

At some point, we arrived at an empty classroom. Now all I have to do is pack my bag and go home.

Come to think of it, why did Yoon Seo-hee come to the classroom when she didn’t even have a bag?

I could have gone home right away.

“Yoon Seo-hee.”

“Lee Jin-ah? Oh.”

The two of us opened our mouths without saying who came first. Their voices overlapped simultaneously.

This is not a third-rate love comedy.

“Tell me first.”

“No. You first.”

“… ….”

“Ugh….”

A short silence ensues between each other.

What is it? This atmosphere.

I awkwardly rubbed the nape of my neck and spoke first.

“I enjoyed the match. It was awesome.”

At those words, Yoon Seo-hee lightly drew in her breath and bit her mouth tightly.

My eyelids blinked rapidly as I stared blankly at them.

“I was going to tell you first….”

“What?”

Yoon Seo-hee smiled without her thread and shook her head slowly.

“Nothing. And to say you’re amazing, you’re the real amazing person, Lee Jin.”

“Me?”

“Yes. Lee Jin was able to win because you made a sword. It’s all thanks to you.”

This time it was my turn to shake my head.

If anyone hears it, they’ll know that I made some rare sword.

“That is an exaggeration. Yoon Seo-hee I was able to win because it was you. Even if someone else heard this, they wouldn’t have been able to pull out the aura sword.”

I said with conviction.

When Yoon Seo-hee pulled out her sword to come to the top of the exam hall, a shudder shuddered through my body.

No one present could have used my sword better than Yoon Seo-hee.

I learned that swords are not finished just by making them, and that their performance differs significantly depending on who uses them and how they use them.

It was the first kind of joy I felt as a blacksmith.

However, Yoon Seo-hee seemed to have a different idea.

“No, if it wasn’t for that sword, I never would have dreamed that I would be able to use a sword. So you are awesome.”

“No. Yoon Seo-hee, you are amazing.”

“No?”

“Is that right?”

We glared at each other for a moment, then burst out laughing at the same time.

What is this?

“Let’s just make them both great.”

“Yes.”

Yoon Seo-hee was able to defeat thanks to the sword I made.

I was able to win because the person who made the sword was Yoon Seo-hee.

Somehow feeling her relief, I held out the sword she no longer needed to me.

“Come on, take it.”

“Huh?”

“It’s yours. I have to take it.”

At those words, Yoon Seo-hee shook her head as if she was frightened and denied it out loud.

She shook her head with such force that her hair swayed to and fro in the air.

“That, why is that mine?! You made Lee Jin!”

“I made it for you, so of course it’s yours.”

“No! You promised to make a sword for the final performance! Now that the exam is over, how can I use it?”

Was that a promise?

I guess he really intended to use it only for exams and give it back.

It’s like the sincere Yun Seo-hee.

“This is your sword, so no one else can use it. What should I do if I have it?”

“For exclusive use… ?”

“Yes, only.”

If someone other than the registered user tries to use the exclusive weapon, a strong rejection reaction occurs.

When I poured even one drop of my magic into it, the inner magic went crazy like it was about to explode.

If I, the producer, get that kind of reaction, then I can’t even guess what will happen if I hand it over to someone else.

She had to take it to her house anyway, so it would be obvious that it would end up in her warehouse.

And, although she was too shy to say anything, there was also a sense of gratitude and reciprocation.

I realized this while making a sword for Yoon Seo-hee.

The reason I haven’t made a single sword since I entered the academy.

Although I was obsessed with the non-existent illusion of the strongest sword, I only thought of making a sword, not considering the person who would wield it.

I just thought of making it strong and hard, and there was no thought about the person who would use the sword, so there was no way I could create a clear image no matter what I tried to make.

It is not the end of making a sword, but it fulfills its original value only when it is actually used in someone’s hand.

What I’ve been making up until now isn’t a sword, it’s actually an exhibit that goes on a shelf.

But when I first decided to make a sword for someone, the base of my thoughts broadened.

Things that had not been seen until now while making swords were now visible for the first time.

If Yoon Seo-hee hadn’t served as an opportunity for me, I would have been walking in place all along.

So this sword was the least reward I gave her.

“Ah….”

Yoon Seo-hee was all focused on her sword.

I could feel the deep conflict in her figure as she clenched her fists and placed them on her chest.

It was clear that I was thinking about whether I could really accept this.

Since it seemed like time would pass and there would be no end, I let out a long sigh and forced the sword into Yoon Seo-hee’s hand.

“Oh… !”

She flushed her cheeks with a puzzled expression, as if she had been asked to marry her while putting on her wedding ring.

I don’t know what else to do with that kind of reaction.

“It’s yours now. Instead, keep the word exclusive weapon a secret.”

“Yes… Okay.”

Both cheeks flushed. In a slightly raised voice she opened her mouth.

“But what is the exclusive weapon?”

“… ….”

No, did you react to the word “Exclusive” Without even knowing what an exclusive weapon was?

I forgot that it was only three months since she became an Awakener.

“To put it simply, it is a weapon that only you can use. It is the only weapon in the world.”

“Really? I see….”

Yoon Seo-hee smiled shyly and squeezed her sword tightly as if hugging her valuables.

I have never seen her smile like that.

“Does this sword have a name?”

“No. Why?”

“Then can I build one for you?”

I nodded. Because it was her sword now.

“Golden eggs.”

Yoon Seo-hee took a deep breath quietly and opened her mouth slowly with bright eyes.

“I’ll call it Golden Egg.”

She felt a sense of deja vu at a word she had heard somewhere.

Using her analysis skill, she examines the sword once more, and the word 金蘭 is written on the blank in the blank, as her master had given her name.

“That’s a nice name.”

I’m not the type to name each sword, but I sincerely thought it was a good name.

I think it came from Geumranjigyo, but the meaning is clear… Was it harder than iron and more fragrant than orchids? It was something I heard in class, so I vaguely remembered it.

Yoon Seo-hee took her eyes off her sword and looked at me with a light smile on her lips.

“Lee Jin-ah.”

“Huh?”

“I… I have something I want to tell you.”

A very serious face.

I was rather abrupt, but I nodded at her and waited to see what she would say.

An empty classroom with no one in it.

Outside the window, the bright summer sun shines and white clouds drift by.

Since there are only the two of us, this place is filled with silence the moment we shut up.

She came to me with her hands behind her back and taking a step in front of her.

Sacrifice – A distance where you can even hear each other’s breathing.

Yoon Seo-hee said with a smile on her face.

“As expected, I won’t talk.”

I opened my mouth with a dumbfounded expression.

I tried to say something after setting the mood.

“No, what is it? Don’t make people curious and tell me until the end.”

“B-wheat.”

The sound of giggling laughter. He frowned as he watched her take two or three steps back as if asking when she had gotten closer. It was because I felt uncomfortable and strange.

As if forging and polishing have been completed and quenching has not been done… It felt like it was disconnected at an important moment.

“I’ll tell you later.”

“When later?”

“Jin Lee, after you make a master piece and I become a great hunter?”

It’s too late!

I don’t know when that will be. Yoon Seo-hee will be there soon, but how long will it take me?

5 Years? 10 Years? I want to make it in there, but….

“I will have forgotten what I was going to say by then.”

I chuckled and laughed. However, Seohee Yoon shook her head slowly.

“No, I won’t forget.”

“Why?”

“If I make up my mind, I will always be in a straight line.”

The same goes for entering the academy, and that’s how you feel right now.

Yoon Seo-hee smiled incomprehensibly.

“And Lee Jin-ah.”

“Why again….”

I was already worried about what she would say.

“Why do you keep calling me Seohee Yoon? Hard.”

“Huh?”

“I’m sorry. I call you Lee Jin, aren’t you?”

That’s it.

It was because it was the first time I had a friend of the opposite sex, so I didn’t know how to feel the distance. I wondered if the relationship was already at that level to call it by its first name.

I thought we were close, but Yoon Seo-hee might feel burdened.

“Last time, he called me Seohee.”

“What? Did I?”

When was that? She didn’t do it in front of Yoon Seo-hee.

“Quite the first time? When I electrocuted you in the Han River?”

“…… Really?”

At that time, she must have been struck by lightning and her hair was scratched for a moment.

“Yeah, and it was like that in the health room too.”

“What?”

“Please take good care of Seo-hee.” He sang well in front of the teacher.”

I was stunned and opened my mouth.

You were conscious at the time?

“No, if you are awake, I will tell you.”

“I only heard it at the end. Only at the end.”

She giggles with a rather mischievous expression and draws the tail of her horse.

“Why? Can’t you sing in front of me? Call me Seohee. It’s Seo Hee~”

A gaze looking up at you while leaning your upper body comfortably forward. It looked like it was expecting something.

I don’t know what she expects, but I had nothing to hold back. She called each one Yoon Seo-hee, and she might not like having a distance, so the reason was that she was careful on her own.

She didn’t have to say no if she asked for it.

“Seo-hee.”

I called out to Seo-hee in a calm voice, and she froze with her eyes wide open.

I don’t know why, but my cheeks and neck are stained red like a ripe tomato.

Did I get heatstroke?

“Uh… Ugh, no.”

“Why? Call me.”

Actually, this would be more natural between friends. There has never been a feeling of being too distant.

Since I was her first friend, I wanted to get closer to her.

From now on, you should always call me Seohee.

“Shall we go home now? It’s Seohee.”

“Uh, yes. Is that so… ?”

Seo-hee fanning her reddened cheeks.

It seemed like he was having a hard time because of the hot weather, but I thought I should hurry up and send him home.

I grabbed my bag and put it on my back.

“This is… You’re too mean….”

“… ?”

A low muttering voice.

I didn’t pretend to understand because it seemed like he was talking to himself, but what did he mean?

Without time to think about its meaning, Seohee shot past me and walked forward.

It was almost a running speed.

“… !? Hey, you’re too fast!”

“I don’t know!”

How can I follow Agility A after seeing me?

I sped up in a hurried stride.