Chapter 90

“VR device?”

Ah-reum blinked her wide eyes again and asked.

She knew what a VR device was, but it wasn’t exactly a term that would pop up in the general education lectures at the Academy.

“Ahh-Reum, wanna come over here?”

“Ye-Yes!”

At Si-hyun’s beckoning hand, Ah-reum got up from her seat and timidly approached the professor.

As the student came closer, Si-hyun took out the devices she had stored in her bracelet and handed one of the head-mounted ones to Ah-reum.

“This is a gadget made by applying a magic spell that shares vision. Da-young really put in some effort.”

“Ah-ha! You mean Wings Guild? The B-rank Creation-Class Hunter!”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Ah-reum took the item and examined it from all angles as Eun-byeol voiced her question from the back.

“Professor, you said this shares vision through magic?”

“Hmm? Wanna learn about it?”

“Eh… Uh…”

The overly casual response left Eun-byeol rather flustered.

Just being told that magic was developed was astonishing enough…

And now the offer to casually share such knowledge?

‘Doesn’t this have immense value since it’s original magic…?’

It seemed her earlier thought of ‘the teacher and the student suit each other’ wasn’t misplaced after all. Professor Jeong Si-hyun definitely gave off an aloof yet peculiar vibe.

‘M-Magic can really be learned this easily…?’

The bewildered Eun-byeol could only blink repeatedly, unsure of what to do.

Seeing no response, Si-hyun tilted her head slightly before naturally turning her gaze back to Ah-reum.

“Ah…”

Eun-byeol hesitated to speak, a complicated expression on her face as she looked at the professor.

Meanwhile, Si-hyun briefly organized her thoughts.

‘So she’s not very interested in simple magic.’

In this world, sight-sharing magic was relatively common.

That’s why she had been happy to teach it, but seeing the lack of enthusiasm, it seemed others felt the same way.

Si-hyun and Eun-byeol just processed things differently.

“Pro-Professor, so I just wear this on my head?”

“That’s right. Want to try it out first?”

“Yes, yes! Let’s do it!”

As Ah-reum put the device on her head, Si-hyun remotely operated the mana stone.

Da-young’s masterpiece VR device activated smoothly, emitting a soft glow.

“Woooww! This is amazingggg—!”

An exclamation of awe immediately burst from Ah-reum.

“Oops, you should be careful. It only changes your vision.”

“Ah, yes sir!”

Even in her short reply, Ah-reum’s excitement was evident.

Satisfied with the reaction, Si-hyun smiled contentedly.

Drrrrk—

Students started entering the classroom one by one.

Seeing the new monster models, question marks appeared in their minds when they noticed Ah-reum wearing the strange-looking device and waving her hands in the air.

After checking the time, Si-hyun lightly tapped Ah-reum’s shoulder.

“Ah-reum, let’s stop here.”

“Yes!”

Ah-reum handed the deactivated device back to Si-hyun, her eyes brimming with reluctance.

‘I want to see more…’

It was an incredibly fresh sensation.

The professor’s VR device offered a unique experience that couldn’t be easily found elsewhere.

Because of this, when Ah-reum returned to her seat, she eagerly awaited the start of the lecture, even getting impatient to continue watching where she left off.

“…Hello everyone.”

With all the students gathered, the lecture began with Si-hyun’s greeting.

As usual, attendance was checked followed by theoretical lectures on new monsters.

This time, however, students focused for a different reason.

Curiosity about wanting to try the VR device themselves served as simple yet effective motivation.

“…Let’s take a break now. We’ll use the newly prepared devices during the sixth period.”

Drrrrk. Tak-tak—

Right on time, Si-hyun left the classroom.

The remaining students began chatting amongst themselves.

“Looks like it’s a VR device, judging by its appearance.”

“I get motion sickness in 3D stuff. Will I be okay?”

Some students even approached Ah-reum with questions.

“Is that a magical artifact?!”

“She sure knows how to use her creation-class connections.”

Once again, hearing it was a magical artifact caused everyone to gasp in surprise.

Meanwhile, questions arose among the students, mostly those specializing in magic.

‘She developed magic?’

‘That’s not something just anyone can do.’

‘Does Professor Jeong Si-hyun have major connections in the magic field too?’

Of course, none of this was voiced aloud.

After all, finding “normal” in Monster Studies Introduction would be stranger.

Thus, the students completed their learning in various ways.

Drrrrk—

Just before the break ended, Si-hyun returned.

She scanned the classroom to ensure all students were present.

With a light nod, Si-hyun spoke with a smile.

“Starting now, I’ll lend you the specially prepared VR devices…”

She distributed the devices while explaining precautions.

Not to move too much to avoid injury.

To handle carefully since they’re expensive items, etc.

Once preparations were complete, following Si-hyun’s instructions, all students simultaneously wore the devices.

Watching their actions, Si-hyun flicked her finger lightly.

Click!

At that moment, the quiet classroom erupted.

“OOOHHH!”

“WOWWW!”

A loud cheer rang out.

“Everyone, be careful not to get hurt!”

“Insane!”

“Totally amazing!”

Si-hyun’s voice was naturally drowned out by the excited shouts of all the students.

The students were immersed in the magical world.

Though their bodies remained in the classroom, the students’ visions had completely shifted to another world.

They were inside a dungeon.

A high-level dungeon they’d never experienced before, no less.

“HUUUUGE!”

“KYAAAH!”

Through the professor’s perspective, the students vividly experienced real-time dungeon clearing without any motion sickness thanks to the enhanced VR video.

Every time the sword swung, swish-swash, monsters were cut down, eliciting exclamations of amazement based on individual experiences.

Melee students marveled at the professor’s clean movements.

Magic students were fascinated by the fresh experience of frontline combat they’d never encountered before.

Everyone became absorbed in the video.

“WAAAH!”

“GYAAK?!”

Today’s Monster Studies Introduction classroom was more chaotic than ever.

To the point that passersby stopped to look through the windows.

* * *

After the lecture ended and Si-hyun disappeared with Ah-reum,

Most students remaining in the classroom stared blankly into space.

“…I want to see more.”

“Me too…”

Lost in the afterglow, they had no intention of getting up.

Most students shared similar thoughts.

‘Who would have thought I could have such a vivid experience without side effects.’

Summarizing the video, it ultimately turned out to be a massacre of one-sided monster slaughtering.

The content was stimulating yet refreshingly satisfying.

“Hey, sorry about snapping earlier. So this is how frontline combat feels.”

“Nah, it’s fine. I should have done better too.”

There were even students awkwardly exchanging apologies.

The magic user experienced the thrill of close combat,

While the melee fighter gained insight into his path forward.

They naturally had the opportunity to empathize with each other’s perspectives.

Through today’s lecture, role reversal was achieved.

“Shall we go to the dungeon today?”

“Let’s go!”

After the Monster Studies Introduction lecture ended, many students headed to the dungeon.

A scene that had become part of daily routine.

Meanwhile, back at the faculty office with Si-hyun and Ah-reum…

“Pro-Professor, about the VR device…”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“I… I want one… Is it very expensive?”

“Umm…”

After brief consideration, Si-hyun replied.

“It is expensive, but since it’s our Ah-reum, I could probably give you one… However, there’s a big problem.”

“Y-Yes?!”

Ah-reum exclaimed in surprise, perking up her ears for the next words.

Smiling faintly, Si-hyun continued.

“From video recording to playback… Everything involves magic, so you’d need to study hard, right?”

“…HUUUGGGGHHH.”

Ah-reum’s eyes darted around.

Her desire quickly faded.

* * *

In an office of a building somewhere in America,

Evan, a Western male with a vague presence, handed an object to his counterpart.

An ordinary-looking watch.

Jason, a well-built man with a plain appearance, strapped the watch on and checked its design by rotating his wrist.

“I’ll emphasize again – this is important.”

Evan, the American returnee, stated.

“There will be a dispatch of association staff to measure Hunter Kim Ji-a’s S-rank in Korea. You’ll accompany them as part of the delegation.”

While it’s a formal procedure, there’s a rule that S-rank evaluation requires inspection by World Hunters Association personnel.

He was referencing that aspect.

“At the same time, a congratulatory party for Hunter Kim Ji-a will be held. That’s where we start. Please find my target who’s hiding somewhere.”

“Do you believe they’ll attend the party?”

“Yes, according to reliable information. If they get close, the watch will react. When that happens, please create conditions for me to communicate with that person.”

“Hmm…”

Jason stroked his light beard as he asked.

“What’s the criteria for the watch to react?”

“When it detects mana exceeding the threshold I’ve set in the magical device. It will reveal that subject to me.”

“Hoooh.”

Creating a mediocre magical artifact like this posed no difficulty for Evan whatsoever.

“I don’t want to cause any commotion. So I request you handle matters quietly.”

“Ah, understood.”

Jason raised the corners of his mouth in a smile.

While thinking something else entirely.

‘It’ll be easy to make it an event that never happened.’

Detecting mana above the set threshold? Finding such a person?

What an intriguing target.

Jason felt strong interest in who Evan was looking for.

‘Hmph, I must confirm with my own eyes just who this person is.’

He grinned broadly, showing a friendly smile.