“Centering the division of the body around the heart… so this was already in progress…. Reconstructing the body by merging microvascular structures with mana circuits…? Well, I’ve conceptualized it…! Creating a micro-refinement environment using the body? This is… ugh…”0

Meirin’s mutters were endless as she read through the documents detailing the fundamentals of Soul Honing. Between her lips, an unlit cigarette was constantly chewed on. 0

As both admiration and frustration simultaneously escaped her over and over, Se-Hoon just silently observed from the side.0

This is a first…0

The Meirin he remembered was an insufferable master, someone utterly full of herself. Although frankly, she had the talent and skill to justify such arrogance. After all, she was the one who elevated Blood Arts—an outdated and scorned discipline—into a new frontier.0

She was a master blacksmith whose techniques placed her among the top three of the world. 0

And from how simply being her apprentice had put him through countless kidnappings, assassination attempts, and threats, it couldn't be clearer that she was an undisputed genius.0

Yet that genius was now breaking apart over someone else’s technique, to the point of feeling defeated. Of course, it was ironic, given that the person who had developed the technique was none other than her future self. 0

But that truth was known only to Se-Hoon, a regressor.0

Maybe I should’ve just told her I made this technique.1

He briefly lamented the missed opportunity—one of the few chances he had to make his self-absorbed master jealous—before quickly discarding the thought. Though he was a regressor, he had no qualms about outmaneuvering others for his benefit. However, he had no desire to steal the achievements of his one and only master.0

Well… not like it matters at this point, anyway.0

With a twisted expression, Meirin had begun...0