Chapter 33

Lecture day at the Academy was approaching.

This was technically the second session, but since the first one ended with just a brief introduction…

This could be considered the first real lecture.

I left home early to try some new food for lunch.

While wandering around the restaurants near the Academy, I impulsively bought some kimbap.

Not that I planned to eat this from the start…but it had been quite a while since I last had it, so I gave in on impulse.

“Hmm…”

Taking a bite of the kimbap…

Gulp gulp…

And washing it down with the carbonated drink I grabbed from a vending machine on the way here.

I continued my meal comfortably inside the professor’s office.

Having my own private space sure has its perks, huh? Hehe…

Back when I was in college, I used to do this kind of thing in the club room…

Since it was a small departmental club, there were often times when no one was around.

…I guess you could call those days memories too, huh?

Munch munch…

Savoring the tuna filling in the kimbap brought back those nostalgic thoughts.

The sounds of bustling activity drifted in through the window I’d opened for ventilation.

In the distance, I could hear people exercising hard on the playground.

Near the building, students greeted each other as they met up.

That’s the feeling of being where people live. This must be what vitality is.

There’s still a bit of time before the lecture starts.

All preparations are already complete.

I lightly went over today’s schedule in my head.

Two hours of lecturing.

Afterward, meet up with the Wings Guild folks at the main gate and head into the dungeon.

Once the dungeon run is done, come back and have dinner with Si-yoon.

Hmm! Clean and simple!

Condensing all my tasks into one day. Perfect.

We’ll probably have to clear the dungeon a few more times, but fewer outings mean more convenience. Hehe…

By the way, I took public transportation to get to the Academy today,

But the Wings Guild will be giving me rides to and from the dungeon.

They’ve even promised to pick us up and drop us off every time we go to the dungeon going forward.

The Wings Guild’s benefits package is very satisfying indeed.

Rustle rustle.

I tossed the empty kimbap wrapper and bag into the trash can.

It’s about time to head to class.

…

Suddenly, a fact I hadn’t considered before popped into my mind.

As far as I remember, this week is the last chance for course adjustments.

Will all the students actually show up…?

Ah, losing one or two wouldn’t be a big deal.

Well, it would be bad, but not something I’d worry too much about…

Surely they won’t all drop out en masse, leaving the classroom completely empty, right?

Pfft, surely not. That won’t happen.

During the first lecture, they responded well to my questions, and I’m confident I conveyed the appeal of my teaching style!

Hmm, hmm. There’s no way…

Our cute students must have decided to stay without making any changes…

…right?

Once I started thinking about it, wild worries began swirling chaotically in my mind.

Having the classroom packed with students would be unreasonable, of course.

But having so few that I can count them on one hand would be…

Tutoring isn’t necessarily bad, but this is supposed to feel like a university lecture…

No no no. That’s enough!

I’ll find out once I get there. No need to cause unnecessary anxiety by blowing things out of proportion. Yeah.

With slightly hurried steps, I exited the professor’s office.

* * *

“Let me know when you’re done.”

“Yes, I’ll be going now.”

At the entrance of the Academy.

A young woman sitting in the passenger seat checked her hair and makeup in the mirror.

After a casual goodbye to her father in the driver’s seat, she stepped out of the car.

Her youthful skin glowed under the warm spring sunlight, sparkling with vitality.

Walking along the path, she stopped at a large tree.

With a determined expression, she glanced at her watch and took in the surroundings.

Tapping her left toe impatiently, she kept checking the time.

When another young woman wearing glasses approached, her tense expression finally relaxed.

“Sorry…did I make you wait?”

“It’s fine. Let’s go.”

The two set off together.

“Eun-byeol, did you print out the lecture materials?”

“You mean the Monster Studies Introduction stuff?”

“Yeah, that.”

“Nah, do we really need to? There wasn’t anything special in there anyway.”

“But…”

The bespectacled Ah-reum trailed off shyly.

She had ended up studying alongside Eun-byeol purely by coincidence.

As a support-type Hunter, she attended the same magic-based Hunter courses at the Academy.

Since Hunters were so rare, there weren’t enough professors, and the basic theories overlapped significantly.

Careful by nature, Ah-reum had carefully selected the Monster Studies Introduction course.

That’s where she met Eun-byeol, who was also taking the same major courses as a magic-based Hunter.

Through such coincidences, the two became college friends.

Of course, they had their differences.

When Ah-reum asked why Eun-byeol had chosen the Monster Studies course…

“Just signed up for whatever was listed first.”

came the cool reply.

Clearly different from Ah-reum’s reasons for attending.

Thus, these two women with contrasting personalities entered the building primarily occupied by melee Hunters.

Passing men shot furtive glances at Eun-byeol and Ah-reum.

Though their personalities and appearances were opposites, both were undeniably cute, which was their common trait.

The two women entered the lecture hall.

Being a general education course, and with time to spare before class, only one tall and handsome man was present.

Their eyes met briefly when he happened to turn around.

They exchanged light nods before parting ways.

Eun-byeol and Ah-reum sat by the window opposite where the male student, Kwon Jae-woo, had taken his seat in the aisle.

“Um, Eun-byeol…”

“Yeah? What is it?”

“Didn’t you say your entire family except your mom are all Hunters?”

“That’s right. Heard of Morning Guild?”

“Of course! Isn’t that an incredibly famous guild?”

“They’re all members.”

“Wow…”

Eun-byeol said it casually, but Ah-reum’s eyes widened in surprise.

Morning Guild! One of the top five largest guilds in Korea.

Meaning, a guild that’s not just anyone can join.

Hunters are already a small population.

To have three out of four family members awaken, with two belonging to Morning Guild…!

What an extraordinary family indeed.

Ah-reum thought that if she were to describe it using the novel settings she often read, this would be what a “noble house” looks like.

Would Eun-byeol join Morning Guild once she levels up?

Excitement bubbling up, Ah-reum spoke up.

“Does a high-ranking Support-type Hunter exist even in Morning Guild…?”

“Huh? Don’t tell me you didn’t know? The only A-rank Support-type Hunter in Korea is part of Morning Guild.”

“Oh, I didn’t care about Hunters until after awakening… Really?”

An A-rank Support-type Hunter ranks among the world’s top tier Hunters.

They’re extremely rare, with most being relatively low-ranked.

Even among higher ranks, most are B-rank, and those are already scarce.

Most tend to be C-rank or lower.

“You might get treated well too if you work hard as a Support-type. Wouldn’t you?”

“R-really…? Hehe…”

Ah-reum smiled shyly.

Dungeons and monsters still scared her.

At least she’d heard that official Support-type Hunters get assigned bodyguards.

That was the decisive reason she was able to enroll in the Academy.

“Aaaah, general education classes are so annoying. Can’t we just self-study and take exams?”

“Pfft…that wouldn’t be right, would it?”

“Ahaha! Just kidding.”

Though she muttered under her breath that it was indeed bothersome.

Afterward, Ah-reum and Eun-byeol exchanged trivial stories.

Meanwhile, students gradually filled the lecture hall.

Some time passed, and soon the lecture hall was full.

Clack clack—

Light footsteps echoed down the hallway as the front door opened.

Professor Si-hyun entered, responsible for teaching Monster Studies Introduction.

The students’ attention immediately focused on her.

Standing behind the podium, Si-hyun checked her watch.

Confirming she was right on time, she gave a slight nod.

She skillfully operated the projector and screen to prepare for the lecture.

While the equipment booted up, she conducted attendance checks.

Upon confirming all 15 spots were filled, a small excited smile appeared on her previously neutral face.

Several students found themselves unconsciously drawn to that smile.

Especially those who had secured front row seats congratulated themselves on their decision.

“Guess coming a little early was a good idea!”

They say beautiful appearance makes for delicious taste.

With such a pretty and elegant professor, the lecture already felt fulfilling.

“Everyone printed out the materials posted online, right?”

“Yeah!”

Responding enthusiastically to some students, Si-hyun smiled lightly.

She displayed the prepared materials on the screen.

“Today, we’ll first look at an overview of Monster Studies. Then we’ll move on to content about goblins, the monsters we encounter most frequently.”

Si-hyun’s lecture officially began.

Starting with the concept of monsters, moving on to rankings and classification tables.

She lightly explained fundamental content.

Ah-reum adjusted her glasses and focused on the lecture.

Since she’d resolved to attend the Academy, she intended to gain knowledge from every lecture to the best of her ability.

On the other hand, Eun-byeol rested her chin on one hand and yawned lightly.

Though she’d only recently awakened, she’d already been to the dungeon a few times.

Monster Studies overview, goblins…

She’d already learned plenty from her high-ranking Hunter father and older brother.

While she’d give her all to her major courses, she didn’t want to waste energy on general education.

However…

“There are various theories about the causes of monster occurrences. Representative ones include—”

Si-hyun continued her calm lecture.

Soon, the eyes of Ah-reum, Eun-byeol, and many other students widened.

Something was off. The lecture was strangely unusual.

The materials were clearly ordinary, and the start was simple enough.

But the level of detail coming from the professor’s mouth was excessively thorough.

Already suspicious during the first lecture when discussing ecology.

When others were speculating about the cause of gates appearing…

Why, and how was this professor theorizing about the origin of monsters?

“Goblins are classified as tribal society monsters that form social structures when gathered in groups.”

Students fell into confusion.

This was strange. Too strange.

The materials were definitely normal, and the beginning straightforward.

Yet, the content delivered by the professor was excessively detailed.

From the moment ecology was discussed in the first lecture, it felt off.

How could someone be so knowledgeable about monsters?

Were these contents even factual to begin with?

The lecture felt like a novel, yet contained essay-like precision.

The excessive detail made students feel their heads spinning.

Everyone blinked repeatedly, trying to focus on the lecture.

It was bizarre yet fascinating, drawing them in completely.

From the start, Ah-reum listened intently, shining eyes scribbling notes furiously.

And then there was another.

Eun-byeol felt her hands trembling slightly.

Her desk remained empty.

Thus, to take notes, she’d have to open her bag.

She resisted briefly.

Just a general education course, didn’t want to expend mental energy.

“Not part of today’s lecture, but sometimes the same monsters appear in dungeons of different ranks.”

Didn’t want to focus.

Just wanted to pass the time comfortably.

“The reason goblins appear in E-rank dungeons and D-rank or higher dungeons, showing different patterns despite being the same goblins.”

The lecture content was excessively excellent.

She’d never heard these details from her high-ranking Hunter father and older brother.

“All because goblins possess intelligence. They live in tribes, observing and learning from each other. If there’s a leader, they follow their orders.”

Content that absolutely couldn’t be missed.

Human memory isn’t infinite.

Even with sufficient focus, one could remember the gist, but details would easily slip.

Eventually, Eun-byeol admitted.

Professor Jeong Si-hyun’s Monster Studies Introduction truly was a unique lecture unavailable elsewhere.

A lecture alive with details impossible to grasp solely from Hunter rankings.

“So, when encountering goblins fighting in an overly systematic manner, what should we consider?”

Si-hyun looked around the room.

When no response came from the students merely blinking, she called on one.

Ah-reum jumped up startled, answering.

“A-a leader goblin?!”

“Correct! Exactly that. We shouldn’t simply conclude ‘these goblins are strong.’ We must also consider the possibility of a superior species commanding them.”

Eun-byeol hastily pulled out writing utensils and notebook from her bag.

Though she hadn’t printed the lecture materials, she had to at least take notes on the lecture content.

Missed content could be borrowed from Ah-reum later.

Buying her some tasty snacks from the snack bar should suffice, right?

What mattered most right now was fully concentrating on Professor Jeong Si-hyun’s Monster Studies Introduction lecture.

Unconsciously, Eun-byeol thought “Next time, I’ll definitely print out the materials beforehand.”