Academy’S Gumiho Is A Magical Genius [EN]: Chapter 58

Academy Gumiho is a Magical Genius – Episode 58

Academy Gumiho is a Magical Genius Episode 58

Goo Yaja (3)

“Everyone, tell me one by one what items you want from me. It’s been a while since I’ve held a hammer, so the quality might be a bit lacking, but I’ll do my best.”

The students’ eyes widened as they examined Goo Yaja’s past works.

The items in the basement weren’t theirs.

But to be able to commission the person who made those works to create the equipment they wanted… It wasn’t just a rare opportunity; it was an opportunity that might never come again.

An excited Leeji flared her nostrils and raised her hand.

“Please make me an axe! A big, beautiful one!”

“A sword! I want a sword!”

“A spear… A staff in the form of a spear that assists with healing and curing.”

“I’d like you to make a staff or magical tool that can control my ice.”

The kids each stated the equipment they needed.

Goo Yaja’s head swam as several people spoke at once. Not just one or two, so he took out six sheets of paper from the storage.

The yellowed paper showed how long it had been neglected, but he began to draw rough blueprints on it.

With each stroke of Goo Yaja’s pencil, the students’ ideas transformed from thoughts into reality.

“Grandfather, can you perhaps make a sniper rifle too?”

“There’s no problem with that. I mastered firearms a long time ago. My hands might be a little shaky since I’m old, but if I make several, I’m sure I’ll get one good one.”

“Wow! You’re the best, Grandpa!”

“Hehe, I don’t know how long it’s been since this workshop has been so noisy…”

He should be tired from the continuous requests, but Goo Yaja’s face was full of energy. There was no trace of the shut-in he had seemed to be.

Perhaps his wound from losing his child had healed a little thanks to the lively young students.

I hope so.

“Aren’t you going to go and make noise with them?”

“Do you hate me being next to you that much? Are you treating me coldly because I’m your ex-fiancée?”

“Ha, what can I say to you…”

I don’t know why this kid is here.

My ex-fiancée, Isabel. One of the victims in Baek Seungwoo’s infamous rumors.

Every time I talk to her, I don’t know how to start or continue the conversation.

So I just stood there blankly.

Tap, tap, she poked my side with her finger.

Why is she doing this again?

Does she have something she wants to say to me?

“…Aren’t you going to ask?”

“What.”

“Why I’m not joining those guys?”

“Do I really need to ask?”

“…Never mind.”

Isabel seemed sulky at my blunt response.

I can’t gauge the distance with this girl at all.

I had no way of knowing if she hated me or liked me.

But I think I roughly know why she wasn’t as excited as her friends.

Why she’s next to me instead of over there.

“Maybe it doesn’t look satisfactory to you. The current Goo Yaja is more skilled than most active smiths, but it’s been too long since he’s held a hammer.”

I had a shallow understanding of blacksmithing.

But even though I had no experience handling castings, I had enough discernment and knowledge to evaluate works.

From my point of view, Goo Yaja’s skills were too rusty.

She agreed with my opinion.

“That’s right. He wandered for too long. The works he made during his prime were all formidable, but he hasn’t shaken off enough rust yet.”

“To return to his original skill, he’ll need rehabilitation. He’ll need to make at least five or six weapons.”

“So, you’re saying he’s giving us gifts as a favor, calculating that far ahead?”

Hey, anyone listening would think I intentionally introduced them to a cheap craftsman.

Moreover, everything those guys are commissioning is being bought with my own money. My personal funds are so plentiful that one weapon each doesn’t make much of an impact, but I’m still buying them.

“I’m thinking of commissioning him after he picks up the hammer again and brings out his original skills. The current Goo Yaja is below his reputation in every way.”

“Your evaluation is too harsh.”

“Honestly, you don’t like the current Goo Yaja either, do you?”

“That’s true…”

To be exact, it’s not just the current Goo Yaja.

Even the weapons he said he made during his prime didn’t appeal to me. To be precise, they were very different from what I used before I possessed this body.

‘Those old men were amazing at making weapons.’

Compared to the skills of the artisans who made my teacher’s magic sword, my master’s rosary, and my holy sword, Goo Yaja’s skills were a step below.

Maybe it’s the difference in environment and mindset.

Feeling sorry for his skills, I immediately examined the weapons.

While Goo Yaja was drawing the blueprints for the weapons the kids were commissioning, all I could do was pass the time like this.

While looking at various weapons, shoes, and accessories, something suddenly caught my eye.

A beautiful golden ring.

Curious about its purpose, I examined it.

「Ring of Strength」

Grade: A+

Description: A ring made by the artisan, Goo Yaja. A semi-permanent ‘strength enhancement’ magic is engraved on the inside of the ring. If the wearer’s strength stat is below A grade, it increases the strength stat by two levels.

It increases the strength stat.

If you only read up to here, you don’t really know what effect it has.

Suddenly curious, I took off my glove and put the ring on my burn-covered hand.

[You have equipped the ‘Ring of Strength’.]

[The wearer’s strength is below A.]

[While you are wearing the ‘Ring of Strength’, your strength will be adjusted from E+ → D.]

“… !”

I inadvertently widened my eyes.

My strength increased by two levels. The side effects of my uncomfortable body were temporarily adjusted.

Hoping for the best, I clenched my fist tightly, and the grip I felt in my hand felt different than before.

A sensation of an artificial muscle being attached to my arm.

「Name: Baek Seungwoo」

「Age: 21」

「Race: Imiho (Two-Tailed Fox)」

「Title: None」

「Grade: ——」

「Abnormal Condition: Solar Plexus Blockage」

「Magic Prodigy」, 「Nation-Toppling Beauty」, 「Bluff」, 「Egoist」

「Health: D+」 「Strength: E+ (D)」

「Durability: E+」 「Agility: D」

「Magic Power: A+」 「Sense: S」

*Strength has increased by two levels due to the ‘Ring of Strength’.

「Charm (S)」, 「Foxfire (A)」, 「Yoma Eye (A)」, 「Essence Absorption (A)」, 「Double Helix (C)」, 「Weakness Resistance Delay (E+)」

When I opened the status window, the content that was clearly different from before came into view.

It was definitely more abundant than before.

In particular, the change in stats that were below average was clear.

‘Why haven’t I thought of this before?’

Thinking about it, it was a very simple matter.

I couldn’t increase my stats through training and elixirs.

However, since there were occasionally quest rewards that increased stats, I was planning to delve into quests if I could increase my stats.

But quests were not a concept I could control at will.

So I had given up on stats.

I never thought there would be such a good method.

I felt like I had been hit hard on the head with a hammer.

‘I’ve been making one mistake all along.’

The stagnation of physical abilities, one of the aftereffects of 「Solar Plexus Blockage」, is only limited to my body. Then I just need to rely on external objects instead of my body.

External objects refer to objects that make you excessively dependent on items worn on the body.

This ring that increases strength is a prime example of an external object.

If you are a martial artist who continues to train and practice, it is right to stay away from external objects, but this was the only way for me.

More than anything, it’s been more than 5 years since I put down the sword.

It didn’t really matter if I relied on the ring.

“Excuse me, are there any more rings like this?”

“What ring? Ah, the Ring of Strength. That’s the only one that increases strength.”

“Are there no other stats? Agility, durability, health, etc., anything is fine. As long as it can increase stats.”

“No. That’s all among the things I’ve made.”

That’s a shame, but I roughly expected it.

It’s not easy to make rings like this.

When making an item, the blacksmith’s skill is important, but also the material and the perfection of the magic or ability engraved inside, etc. A combination of complex factors must come together to create the best result.

Moreover, there were usually limitations and restrictions.

Even the Ring of Strength, for example, does not apply to players with a strength stat of A or higher.

So even if I somehow made another ring, it could be meaningless even if I wore it.

This is a headache.

I had a good idea, but I didn’t know there would be these variables.

“…If you need something similar to that ring, why don’t you go to the auction house?”

“Auction house?”

“Yes, the auction house. You said you were the head of the Cheonho Baekga family. Then you should be well-versed in the money games of the rich. There’s an auction tonight, so go there.”

Auction house, I couldn’t understand what he was saying.

Did this world have auction houses that handle these kinds of equipment?

I couldn’t remember even after thinking about it carefully.

“…Goodness. Judging by that blank expression, you don’t know about the auction house. I used to exhibit my works at the auction house when I was young.”

“Don’t talk about things only you know. Please explain.”

“I’m talking about the Jongno Underground Auction House. You must have heard of it, right?”

Jongno Underground Auction House.

Unfortunately, it’s the first time I’ve heard the name.

Well, there’s an auction house with that name.

If it’s an auction house, it’s an auction house. What’s an underground auction house?

Goo Yaja’s expression soured as I made a face that said I was hearing it for the first time.

He stopped drawing the blueprint and started drawing a rough map on it.

“Ah, my blueprint! What are you doing, Grandpa!”

“Hey, why is this your blueprint! It’s my blueprint. I’ll draw it again later, so don’t be noisy.”

It seemed he was drawing Leeji’s axe blueprint, and she shouted loudly.

Whether she did or not, my thoughts were quietly submerged.

Auction house, it’s an unfamiliar place so I’m uneasy. But if they handle items like this ring, I had no choice but to go.

Still, I was going to thoroughly investigate the auction house before going without a plan.

“It’s held once every six months, and it happens to be today. Do you want to go?”

“No, I don’t.”

“That’s a shame. From what I’ve heard, the Japanese Sessho-seki [Killing Stone, a legendary cursed stone] will also be exhibited this time. You could make better weapons if you handle that.”

“What did you say?”

I doubted my ears for a moment.

Because I heard the name of an item that shouldn’t be heard at this point in time.