Academy’S Gumiho Is A Magical Genius [EN]: Chapter 56

Academy Gumiho is a Magical Genius – Episode 56

Academy Gumiho is a Magical Genius 56

Ouyangzi (1)

Ouyangzi (歐冶子).

A master blacksmith born in China, renowned for creating numerous famous, and often cursed, swords.

Those familiar with history or mythology often compare him to Hephaestus of Greek mythology or Vulcan of Roman mythology.

(Well, Hephaestus and Vulcan are essentially the same deity, but regardless.)

‘A craftsman, not even a great ruler, but a mortal human, is elevated to the status of a god. What greater legacy could there be?’

The system, recognizing this achievement, bestowed the ranker status and the title of ‘Ouyangzi’ upon a blacksmith whose forging skills rivaled the original.

Ouyangzi himself was long gone, but his name lived on as a prestigious title.

It was a great honor to bear.

“Ouyangzi? *That* Ouyangzi?”

“…He certainly doesn’t look the part.”

“No way. The blacksmith the Sirius family has been desperately searching for is living in squalor like this? It doesn’t add up.”

Indeed, the appearance of a *paein* [a recluse or shut-in] and a dilapidated workshop was anything but glorious.

The hammer, which should have been an extension of the blacksmith’s arm, was rusted and dull. The furnace, the blacksmith’s lifeline, was reduced to a mere brazier for starting fires.

It was difficult to believe that this man had inherited the name of the legendary Ouyangzi.

The students were skeptical, and even I had my doubts.

Is this old man really Ouyangzi?

Could I have mistakenly come to the wrong house?

These rational doubts plagued me, but when the old man straightened his stooped back and spoke, they vanished instantly.

“Who are you lot? Judging by your fancy clothes, you don’t look like loan sharks coming to collect.”

The old man’s voice was raspy, like air escaping a punctured balloon.

However, the subtle undercurrent of intimidation was unmistakable.

S-class players, representing the top 0.1% of the player base, could be reduced to feeling ‘mere’ in the presence of rankers and those who stood above them. The old man possessed a hint of that power.

I didn’t know the reason for the old man’s current state, but once I was convinced he was Ouyangzi, I immediately spoke.

“Ouyangzi, I’m here to commission a piece.”

“You’ve got the wrong person. I’d appreciate it if you left.”

“Ah, did you need a deposit? You should have said so earlier.”

[100 million has been deposited into your account.]

A notification appeared on my phone.

The old man seemed surprised by the large sum and wiped his face, but he quickly regained his composure. This amount was likely pocket change to him.

How many guilds and wealthy families had offered fortunes to recruit him over the years?

Compared to those vast sums, 100 million was insignificant.

His surprise stemmed from the fact that this young brat was so financially irresponsible that he could casually deposit such an amount.

“What are you doing…?”

“Hmm? Well, 100 million is probably too little. With Ouyangzi’s skills, I should give you at least double that.”

[1 billion has been deposited into your account.]

One billion.

That was an amount that couldn’t be easily dismissed.

It would take an average person a decade of hard work to earn that much. Yet, the brat before him was depositing that huge sum without a second thought.

How did he even find out my account number?

There were countless questions I wanted to ask, but the old man decided he should get rid of this person first.

Just then…

“Is that still not enough? Then I have no choice.”

Before the old man could frantically wave his hands to stop him from saying something ominous.

[10 billion has been deposited into your account.]

The deposit was complete.

“If 1.1 billion wasn’t enough, you should have just said so. Money is the least of my concerns.”

“This crazy little bastard.”

The old man cursed under his breath.

As the AI voice recognition announced the deposited amount, the students’ expressions turned rigid.

Some were stunned by the amount, an unimaginable fortune in their lives, while others were shocked that someone could deposit such a sum without hesitation.

“11.1 billion, how about it? Does this deposit make you willing to talk? Still not enough? Then let’s consider it a contract fee instead of a deposit.”

“…What business do you have with me?”

“I told you from the start. I came to find Ouyangzi. So, wouldn’t it be natural to commission a request?”

“…Ha, alright. I am Ouyangzi, you impudent bastard. Are you satisfied now?”

“Yes.”

The old man sighed deeply.

I watched him, judging that he was ready to talk, and dismissed the students, telling them that this required a conversation between adults.

The conversation I was about to have was extremely personal, and there was no reason for anyone else to hear it.

Once the old man and I were alone in the dilapidated space, he made the first move.

“So, you said you came to me with a request? Unfortunately, my forging skills are no longer worthy of the title…”

“Um, I think you misunderstood. I didn’t come to commission a weapon.”

“…If not, then why did you seek me out?”

“A request for collaboration.”

It was an unexpected statement, but both the old man and I understood the implications of the word ‘collaboration’ in this context.

We couldn’t afford not to.

He had so much to hide.

And I knew all about it.

“Formerly affiliated with the Guild as their exclusive blacksmith. But you were unilaterally dismissed after two years. On top of that, you lost your wife and daughter.”

“You…!”

“You want to avenge your family, don’t you?”

“What do you know, you little fool, spouting nonsense…!”

“Because I am the head of the Cheonho Baekga [Thousand Fox Clan]. I am the money behind . Ah, on paper, at least.”

“…What did you say?”

The old man was momentarily speechless.

He had suddenly lost his respectable job and his beloved family in one fell swoop.

Now, the head of the bastards he had desperately wanted to kill was standing right in front of him.

If he used the magic sword or cursed sword he had been preparing for this day, he could end him right now.

He stealthily reached under the chair.

A dagger, prepared to end his own life if the thugs hunting him broke in.

A dagger sharpened to a razor’s edge for a swift suicide, was now within Ouyangzi’s grasp.

He moved his hand to grip the handle.

Of course, I was aware of his actions, so I said with a smile.

“Do you really want to kill me that badly?”

“What do you know, babbling on! You, the head of that cursed clan, how could you possibly understand the pain of commoners like us! How could you understand the suffering of being held hostage with my wife and daughter, being murdered, and losing everything!”

Ouyangzi cried out.

A cry that couldn’t be uttered in a normal voice, a cry reserved for those who had lost their family and loved ones.

It was proof of the immense grief he felt for the loss of his wife and children.

It was a kind of pain that I, who had never built a family, couldn’t truly comprehend.

However, there was a connection between those who had been hurt by the same enemy, regardless of the form the pain took.

“I know that feeling well.”

“Don’t talk nonsense! How can you, the head of the Cheonho Baekga, know my pain!”

“Well, I was hurt by those guys too.”

“What?”

“Think about it logically. You’re not that stupid, are you? If I were truly the power behind , would I be having a private meeting with you here? With an old man who is brandishing a dagger and exuding murderous intent because he wants to kill me?”

The old man, who had been gripping the dagger, paused.

As revenge drew closer, the old man’s blood began to boil.

Hot blood, more intense than the vigor of his youth, clouded his vision and reason.

However, I subtly began to probe the old man’s heart.

He wanted to swing the dagger immediately, but he hesitated, worried that I might be someone who had suffered the same wounds as him.

Haha, he’s a kind old man, despite his actions and murderous intent.

“…How can I believe your words?”

“Believe it or not, that’s your choice. But are you really okay with that?”

I continued to question the old man.

The questions became doubts, and the doubts created ripples in his heart.

The old man seemed deeply conflicted.

‘…This aspect is just like those old men.’

Ouyangzi was a character born from my advice.

Eve wanted more realistic information and descriptions during the creation of the blacksmith character, and actively incorporated my suggestions.

As a result, Ouyangzi was essentially a collection of the blacksmiths I knew.

Therefore, manipulating him in the direction I wanted was as easy as pie. No, it was even easier than that.

‘The personality that spews out murderous intent from the start is similar to Old Man Yang, and the fact that he is surprisingly gullible is exactly the same as Old Man Shin.’

It wasn’t just that they resembled my acquaintances.

The strengths and weaknesses, even the trivial habit of scratching his head with his little finger and clapping his hands, were completely identical.

In other words, it was no different from the reincarnation of those old men.

I apologize to those grandfathers who made me swords and other weapons.

It was easy to influence Ouyangzi, who was essentially their reincarnation.

“If you cut my neck with that dagger, I’ll die. Do you think I could block it with this thin arm? I guarantee you, I’ll die instantly.”

But I knew his personality well.

He wasn’t the type to be satisfied with just my death.

“But, you’re not satisfied with just cutting off my neck, are you? Right?”

As if I knew everything.

When I spoke with such confidence, Ouyangzi’s expression faltered.

Even the murderous intent surrounding me began to dissipate.

There was only a little left now.

One final push and it would be over.

“You’re not satisfied with just me. Then take revenge on everyone. On the guys who brought you down to this. In a way that only you can.”

“A way that only I can…?”

“What is the duty of a blacksmith? Isn’t it to make weapons and equipment?”

“The weapons I made…”

“Yes, you’re a blacksmith. Slowly imagine it. The scene of the sword you made cutting off their limbs, and your spear piercing their necks.”

Chop off their heads with an axe, and pierce their bones and flesh with a gun.

Just imagining it made my hands and feet tremble.

A small thrill of revenge bloomed in his heart.

It was so thrilling just to imagine it, how wonderful would it be if he could actually take revenge.

But Ouyangzi knew it well.

That was a delusion that could never be achieved──.

“─It’s not just a delusion. Imagine your creations, with their deadly sharpness, tearing apart their bodies. Don’t you want to see it?”

“…!”

“I’ll help you.”

I offered Ouyangzi revenge.

A thrilling revenge that could repay him more than what he had suffered.

Some say that revenge is meaningless, but that’s nonsense only people who have never truly taken revenge would say.

When you truly plan revenge and actually achieve it.

There is a catharsis that only it can provide.

I slowly scratched Ouyangzi’s itches like a masseuse who knows exactly where to scratch.

And eventually, he spoke.

“…What should I do?”

“All you have to do is one thing.”

Hammer the heated iron, and make weapons only for me.

Only for revenge, my own personal weapons.

If you do that.

“Your revenge. I’ll make it happen with your creations.”

An offer that the old man, blinded by revenge, could never refuse.

He had no choice but to accept this offer, even if it felt like a noose tightening around his neck. He had already envisioned the success of his revenge in his mind.

An opportunity to make something he had dismissed as a lifelong delusion a reality.

Even if he was grasping at a rotten rope, there was no hesitation in his actions.

He had hesitated enough for a lifetime.

It was time to pledge revenge.

“…”

The old man’s eyes were filled with determination.

Looking down at him, I suppressed a smile.

Really, they are so alike.