Chapter 235

“…You here?”

“Kang I-seo.”

Today was the day I promised to give a special lecture during Kang I-seo’s class.

“…Were you shooting arrows?”

“So what? Can’t you tell by looking?”

Fortunately, things didn’t get too awkward between us after that incident.

Whether she’s just not overthinking it now or deliberately not showing it, her attitude is the same as usual.

Still, since I needed to meet her before the lecture, I asked Hyeon-jin for her location and came here.

‘…She’s good.’

*Whoosh—thunk!*

Every arrow she shoots hits the bullseye without fail.

The way she nails targets from such a distance is downright impressive.

No wonder she gained fame so quickly.

‘She’s definitely talented. And she puts in consistent effort too.’

It was my first time seeing Kang I-seo train, so the situation felt a bit strange.

“Hey, Kang I-seo. You’re pretty good, huh?”

“Ugh, your flattery skills are something else…”

Even though she talks like that, the corners of her mouth are twitching upward. Seems like she’s happy to hear the praise.

Seeing her like that made me want to tease her a bit.

“Stop that smirk before you talk. Your mouth’s twitching like crazy from the compliments.”

“Hah, you must be seeing things. When have I ever?”

“Yeah, yeah~ Sure.”

“Ugh, your tone is so annoying… Oops.”

*Thunk—!*

Maybe because I was messing with her, but the arrow slightly missed the bullseye and hit the edge.

“Hey, you jerk! You made me miss!”

“How is that my fault? You’re the one who missed, you idiot.”

“What? You’re asking for it now!”

Seeing Kang I-seo like that made me smirk too.

Because honestly, I enjoyed this kind of banter.

I don’t know how Kang I-seo feels about it, but I really liked these trivial, meaningless conversations.

At least it was a conversation I could have without any worries.

‘This is just right.’

This kind of relationship with her is perfect. Just bickering and throwing insults at each other.

In a way, ever since I fell from Earth to this place, the concept of having a same-sex friend disappeared for me.

But with her, it feels more familiar and comfortable than dealing with most guys.

“Tsk, fine. I’ll take the blame. I’ll generously admit it was my fault.”

“Ugh, seriously…”

“Hey, wait. Why are you holding the bow like that? It’s not a bludgeon.”

“Nah, in emergencies, you can use a bow as a bludgeon. Let me show you.”

“What are you showing me, you lunatic! Hey, hey! That’s a Legend Grade item, you crazy woman!”

I couldn’t help but panic seeing her swing a Legend Grade bow like a club.

“Screw you!”

******

“Ugh, crazy…”

Feeling the pain in my arm, I glared at Kang I-seo and deliberately spoke up so she could hear.

“You’re really something, huh?”

“…Who told you to do that?”

“Geez, you’re so bold? You made me bruise, you idiot.”

“…I didn’t mean to hit you that hard.”

“Seriously, you already hit me and now you’re saying that?”

“Hey, you’re the one who ran away…”

“Ugh…”

Well, I wasn’t really mad. There was pain, but it wasn’t that bad.

“Hey, Kang I-seo. Do you warm up like this every morning before your lectures?”

“Huh? Oh… yeah, I do.”

“Really? Is it worth it?”

“Actually, it’s better this way. It clears my head, and I can think about what to teach in the next lecture.”

‘Seems like she enjoys teaching.’

Seeing her passion, it seemed like she genuinely enjoyed teaching others.

It’s similar to Wi Ho-yeon’s case.

Wi Ho-yeon also said she found joy in teaching trainees.

‘On the other hand, Ha Yu-ri said she didn’t like it.’

Unlike those two, Ha Yu-ri was more on the side of finding it bothersome.

Though she enjoyed teaching her younger sibling, teaching trainees seemed to feel different for her.

“Hey, why are you spacing out?”

“Ah, sorry. Just thinking.”

“What are you thinking about? Is it Wi Ho-yeon…”

‘It’s not that.’

I quickly spoke up, thinking she might get the wrong idea.

“I know what you’re thinking, but it’s not that.”

“…Who said anything?”

Kang I-seo grumbled and then stood up.

“Hey, we should get going. Follow me.”

“Ah, is it time already?”

As I followed Kang I-seo, she asked me with a curious tone.

“Hey, you’re not nervous, are you?”

“…Why would I be nervous?”

When I answered genuinely, Kang I-seo looked a bit flustered.

“Huh… Was I the weird one? I was pretty nervous at first. Hmm… what’s up with you?”

“Ah, that’s what you meant? I thought it was something else.”

“What, you’re really not nervous?”

I could understand why Kang I-seo reacted like that.

‘Well, most people would probably be nervous the first time…’

But if she’s asking if I’m nervous, the answer is definitely no.

“It’s because there’s no need to be nervous.”

My response made Kang I-seo look dumbfounded.

“…What’s that supposed to mean? Are you saying people only get nervous when they need to?”

“Well… I get what you’re saying, but what I mean is that I’m not below the trainees. So there’s no need to be nervous.”

“What are you talking about?”

“…Hmm, think about it. Can the trainees even harm me?”

“…Uh, probably not?”

“Exactly, so there’s no need to be nervous.”

The reason I’m not nervous is very simple.

It’s because the difference in social status is enormous. Between the trainees and me.

The idea of them harming me, or even trying to, is…



In a situation where I can’t even cause any harm.

No matter how I mess up the lecture, even if I completely botch it, it won’t harm me.

This is why having power and a high social position is great.

No need to get unnecessarily tense or stress out internally. At least not in front of the weak.

At least in a face-to-face situation like this.

“…Well, it’s a relief you’re not nervous.”

“Hmm… But there’s something slightly worrying.”

At the mention of something worrying, Kang I-seo asked me.

“What’s worrying?”

“Well, I’m lecturing in your place. If I mess up, won’t you get the blame?”

“Ah, so that’s what you’re worried about? Pfft, you’re cute, you know.”

“…..”

“Hey, don’t worry. I told you not to feel pressured from the start. That’s why it’s a special lecture.”

Thud.

Seeing Kang I-seo stop walking, it seems we’ve arrived at the lecture hall.

“Huh, once this door opens, the lecture starts. If you’re nervous, take a deep breath or something.”

“Do you think I’m you? I don’t need that, you idiot.”

“Ugh, acting all macho just because you’re a man. Should I open the door then?”

Kang I-seo went in first, and I followed her into the lecture hall.

Noticing me following behind Kang I-seo, the trainees started whispering.

Glancing over the direction where the trainees were sitting, one thing stood out.

‘Definitely fewer in number compared to close combat roles.’

The number was significantly less than those using swords or spears.

Thinking about it, it’s obvious. Even when I went through the tutorial, most people were wielding close combat weapons.

“Alright, quiet down. Today, as you requested, I’ve brought a different instructor, so keep it down.”

Despite Kang I-seo’s words, the chatter didn’t die down, so I teased her from the side.

“Pfft. Instructor Kang I-seo, seems like your authority isn’t that great, huh?”

At my mocking tone, Kang I-seo’s face turned red, and she shouted.

“Hey, you little brats! Can’t you hear me telling you to shut up?!”

Only after Kang I-seo’s outburst did the trainees flinch and lower their heads.

“Sorry, sorry!”

“Sigh, these brats… They make me curse.”

‘Oh…’

From my perspective, Kang I-seo’s cursing didn’t exude much authority or charisma, but it seemed different for the trainees.

“You requested a special instructor, so listen well and behave.”

Right after Kang I-seo finished speaking, she started giving me a look.

Meaning, it’s my turn to step up now.

Stepping forward slightly, I slowly opened my mouth.

“Nice to meet you, trainees. Some of you might recognize me. I’m Instructor Lee Yun-seong from the Eternity Clan.”

I could naturally feel the gazes gathering on me.

“I’m here today at the request of Instructor Kang I-seo here, and I heard it was you all who requested it.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Honestly, I was a bit taken aback. I haven’t taken on a teaching role before, so it’s a bit challenging to teach you all something.”

‘Honestly, there’s nothing I can teach. At least not in terms of combat.’

The trainees’ gazes showed slight disappointment… and a very few seemed to think, ‘Well, of course.’

‘It’s been a while since I’ve seen such looks.’

They didn’t outright look down on me, but even if they tried to hide it, it’s all the same.

My only combat method, Mutant Devouring, isn’t known to the public.

Meaning, officially, my combat ability is considered trash.

Sure enough, one trainee raised their hand and asked me a question.

“So, does that mean Instructor Lee Yun-seong has nothing to teach us?”

The slightly raised corner of their mouth seemed to be mocking.

Noticing this, Kang I-seo seemed upset and opened her mouth.

“Hey, you…!”

Swoosh –

I raised my hand to stop Kang I-seo and answered the trainee’s question.

“Actually, if you were Dark Sorcerers, there would be something to teach, but unfortunately, as you pointed out, there’s nothing combat-related to teach. Since you’re not Dark Sorcerers.”

“Ah, I see.”

‘Look at this brat.’

Still, among the ranged trainees, this one seems to have a bit of an attitude.

But to me, they just seemed cute.

“However, there are things I can teach you outside of combat.”

“Like what…?”

“Well, for example, how to decide between combat and non-combat roles, or how to realize your own limitations?”

The atmosphere naturally stiffened at my words.

I had deliberately said it to create this atmosphere.

‘Not all of them are like that, but some brats don’t know their place.’

It was obvious. Even though Kang I-seo curses, she probably treated them too comfortably.

Some probably forgot the difference between instructor and trainee.

No matter how talented a trainee is, in front of an instructor, they’re just a fledgling brat.

‘If the trainee’s level was like Yoo Ju, it’d be different.’

But thankfully, I realized what I needed to teach.

‘Mental education and career counseling, that sort of thing.’