“Do you know why specific types of monsters appear together in dungeons, students?”
“Uh, what?”
At Si-hyun’s question, the student’s mouth shut tight.
Because he had never thought about that even once before.
They just show up, right?
Isn’t it enough to just respond properly to the discovered monsters?
The other students, who were nodding along, also widened their eyes as they looked at Si-hyun.
“When you first enter a dungeon, based on the scenery, shouldn’t you predict which monsters will appear and strategize accordingly?”
“Well, if it’s a cave, then goblins…”
“That’s the low rank. As the rank increases, the variety of species also grows, and mutants of mutated species appear. Higher ranks and boss monsters are the main examples.”
“……”
The student’s mouth shut again.
With such appropriate examples included, he had nothing left to say.
“What will you do when you encounter a monster you’ve never seen before? Will you just run away?”
“Um, maybe try to find its weakness?”
“What knowledge would help you find its weakness efficiently?”
“Uh… ecology?”
“Correct.”
Si-hyun shrugged her shoulders and said.
“I asked how you know about ecology. I’ve been turning this world upside down for years. The knowledge and information I’ve gained from such experience are what you all will learn about in the future.”
Her attitude was bold and full of confidence.
It sounded almost like something a war hero might say.
The students, stunned by the atmosphere, kept their mouths tightly closed.
Of course, among them, some were secretly thinking, ‘Yeah, but she’s still a D-rank…’
But they didn’t voice it out loud.
That’s how serious Si-hyun’s presence felt.
As the students all quieted down, Si-hyun declared the end of the lecture and left with an air of authority.
The sound of her heels echoed as she walked away.
In the lecture hall from which the professor had exited,
a moment of silence suddenly melted into chatter.
“How many years has she been at it?”
“To know ecology, she must have been at it for a long time…”
“Do hunters really get utilized that much abroad?”
“I never want to live in a dungeon or anything like that…”
Bababibu!
The students buzzed noisily, exchanging opinions.
“Isn’t it all a lie?”
Someone casually threw out the question.
It was the same student who had fired a series of questions at Si-hyun earlier.
And then—
“Do you think the position of an academy professor is just some joke?”
With that sharp comment, the student immediately shrank back.
Not every student was completely convinced by Si-hyun’s explanations,
but her commanding demeanor captured their interest more strongly than their doubts.
Several students looked at the papers they placed on their desks.
The syllabus.
As each of them thought different thoughts in their heads, they picked up the papers.
*
After successfully finishing the first lecture,
I leisurely wandered around, taking in the scenery of the academy.
Unlike when I came with Ji-a, I saw people bustling about everywhere.
Thanks to that, even the same scenery felt fresh.
On the sports field, there were already groups enjoying sports like basketball.
I heard there weren’t any official clubs.
Looks like people have already started unofficial gatherings with those they became friends with.
Being social really is amazing.
I heard connections are pretty important among hunters, so sports must be one of the best ways to build that.
“…Hmm?”
As I circled around the sports field and was about to head back to the professor’s office,
I saw a student in the distance bowing to me.
It felt a bit awkward, but when I waved back, others nearby also greeted me.
“Oh.
The first person who greeted me. That’s the student who was in my lecture earlier.”
Since there aren’t many people, I remembered them vaguely.
Because of that, I strongly felt that I had indeed become an educator.
It was just a simple greeting to a student, yet it made my heart flutter and race.
I gently placed my hand over my heart to savor the feeling.
‘Hehe…’
I felt my expression soften naturally as I headed to my assigned professor’s office.
I arrived at the building and climbed the stairs to the second floor.
The room at the end of the hallway was my office.
Normally, part-time lecturers don’t get their own office,
but thanks to Ji-a, the President made a special exception.
The room wasn’t large but was more than enough.
Just having my own space was a wonderful thing. Hmm, hmm!
Unlike the President’s office filled with books, mine was rather empty.
I should make this place look good starting from now!
I plopped down onto the chair, stretched my legs out comfortably.
Next, I interlocked my fingers and extended upwards.
“Ahhh…!”
My muscles relaxed pleasantly.
Suddenly, my gaze landed on my shiny shoes.
I used magic to clean the dirt stuck on the heels.
You should take good care of things when they’re new. Hehe…
“Let’s see…”
As I walked toward the window and opened it,
a pleasant breeze tickled my hair.
I naturally flipped my hair behind my ear and sat back down in my chair.
While enjoying the view outside through the window, I checked off all the things I needed to do in my head.
The most important thing is to become a proper professor, an acknowledged one!
Though it was just an introduction, today’s lecture seemed to go smoothly,
but if there are too many students, like the full auditorium during the entrance ceremony?
Honestly, I have no confidence in delivering the same lecture.
I guess I can only keep putting in the effort.
Trying to adapt is one thing, but what’s next?
I still need to create the audiovisual materials I haven’t finished.
I need to add my unique flair to the lecture and surprise the students with that!
What else do professors do?
Hmm… maybe research or papers?
I took out my laptop and placed it on the desk.
I started searching for various things I was curious about online.
“Aha.”
Since this is an academy, they research things like Awakened ones, gates, dungeons, monsters, etc.!
Maybe it would be nice to pick a topic and delve into research myself.
Someday, it could also be a good idea to decide on a major and take the path of a full-time professor.
But that might only be possible when I show my full abilities, right?
Well, I could just focus on magic or holy power then.
…Huh?
Divine power, this could be worth investigating…
It’s worth looking into why it can be used on Earth.
But I wonder if it won’t be as easy to gather as it was when I was in this world.
There wasn’t even a concept of divine power on Earth…
I think it might be a good idea to think about it properly when I have time.
By the way, wasn’t there one more returnee besides me?
I think they said the first returnee from the USA. A B-rank hunter, right?
I became a bit interested.
It would be nice if I could make contact later.
Even if that person is from a world different from the one I experienced, it would still be interesting in its own way.
“Okay!”
I nodded satisfyingly.
I roughly figured out what I need to do next.
There’s no need to rush, so let’s take it step by step.
In any case, the most important thing is that
there are no bad guys to oppress and bind me on Earth.
I can freely do what I want.
‘Freedom.’
That was a word that resonated beautifully.
*
As the sun set and the early evening began to dim,
a group of people started a gathering in a quiet bar.
It was a gathering of the Wings Guild.
One of the guild members had achieved their second C-rank, after all!
Since a promising candidate had been stuck without achieving B-rank,
this news brought great joy to the guild, and the individual felt a massive sense of pride.
“Han-gyeol, congratulations on your promotion!”
“Thank you!”
With congratulations from fellow guild members, Han-gyeol beamed widely.
Just how long had it been since his last promotion? The emotions were overwhelming.
All of this was thanks to Si-hyun.
If it weren’t for her, he’d still be stuck in E-rank dungeons, wandering around.
Thanks to her, he gained courage and confidence.
Han-gyeol really wanted to express his gratitude to Si-hyun.
Reflecting on the recent busy schedule, he turned to Da-young and casually asked,
“Master, we did call Si-hyun today, right?”
“Uh? Of course I contacted her.”
“Any response?”
“Ugh, of course she’s coming! Do you want to brag about it?”
“…Haha.”
Da-young’s reprimand made Han-gyeol scratch his cheek awkwardly.
“Si-hyun is now a professor, you know, professor! It’s the start of the semester, so she must be busy.”
“True, that’s also right.”
Han-gyeol imagined Si-hyun teaching at the academy in his head.
‘…Wow.’
He was envious. The freshmen were so lucky.
Han-gyeol felt a twinge of jealousy towards the students of this year.
At that moment, Creeeak—
The sound of the bar’s door opening brought Si-hyun’s figure into view.
“Oh, Si-hyun! Over here, over here!”
“…Hello.”
As Da-young enthusiastically waved her hand, Si-hyun approached.
She exchanged brief greetings with the guild members and sat down next to Da-young.
“Today was your first lecture, right? How did it go?”
“It was fine.”
“Are you a bit curious? Can’t you film it and show it to us later?”
“…That’s a bit much.”
Si-hyun flatly shook her head with a serious expression.
Since that was the expected reaction, Da-young covered her mouth and chuckled.
As beer and individual plates were prepared in front of Si-hyun,
at that moment, Da-young spoke up.
“Alright, Si-hyun. Han-gyeol has something to say!”
“Hmm, what is it?”
“…Ahem!”
Han-gyeol cleared his throat.
It was time to genuinely thank her.
“Si-hyun! I’m really grateful! Thanks to your help, I succeeded in leveling up quickly. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!”
Han-gyeol’s voice echoed throughout the bar.
He bowed and politely extended his hand to Si-hyun.
Because of that, everyone’s gaze turned toward Si-hyun.
“…It’s all thanks to Han-gyeol’s hard work. Congratulations.”
Si-hyun smiled warmly and shook Han-gyeol’s hand lightly for a brief moment.
“Congratulations!”
“Let’s aim for B-rank next!”
The guild members, who had been watching, enthusiastically applauded and celebrated Han-gyeol’s promotion together.
The atmosphere in the bar heated up.
Si-hyun mostly chatted with Da-young, enjoying drinks and snacks.
Han-gyeol lowered his head and stared at the palm that had just shaken hands.
Unable to contain his glee, a grin spread on his face.
He should keep pushing toward B-rank!
Han-gyeol nodded vigorously as he set his goal.
“By the way, Da-young.”
“Hmm?”
“I want to use that as study material. Do you think you can create something like this?”
“Where, where?”
Han-gyeol explained the item he had been thinking of to Da-young.
As she stroked her chin, Da-young listened intently to Han-gyeol’s words.
Just then, Ji-han approached Han-gyeol’s side.
“Hyung.”
“What?”
“Since you’ve leveled up, how about forming a party with me and trying a C-rank dungeon?”
Han-gyeol’s expression turned surprised.
He never expected Ji-han to suggest something like that first.
“Well, I’d be grateful if you do.”
“How about tomorrow or the day after?”
“Sure, let’s do that.”
Han-gyeol accepted Ji-han’s proposal.
As the conversation with Da-young concluded, Si-hyun gazed at the scene quietly.
Nodding with a warm expression, she took a sip of her beer.
“Hmm?”
Si-hyun’s smartphone vibrated.
She pulled it out from her pants pocket and checked the content.
It was a message from Ji-a.
– “Si-hyun, do you have time the day after tomorrow? How about we explore an A-rank dungeon?”
Si-hyun checked her schedule in her mind.
Then she replied to Ji-a.
It was an acceptance.
