Chapter 43

Just as the fifth period ended and the break time arrived, perfectly in sync with the video’s conclusion.

As soon as Si-hyun left the classroom, the students began buzzing with chatter.

Even those who didn’t have many friends couldn’t hide their excitement and logged into online communities.

[Title: Holy crap, Monster Studies is insane!]

[User]

Like, did you see the professor’s skills in today’s lecture video? Insane!! xD

—

Replies flooded in instantly like digital ghosts reacting.

– What skills are you talking about?

└ The fight with the monster was epic, dude!! Hahahaha!!

└ Really?!

└ Yeah, the professor’s charisma and talk game were on point. Totally pro level!! xD

– If they fight that well, I’m curious now! Haha!!

– Show me what you saw! Let me witness this!!

[Title: This person should be hired as a Swordsmanship Major Professor]

[User]

Honestly, the Monster Studies professor seems stronger than anyone else.

—

– Stop trolling, lol!!

– Is this B-rank professor secretly a boss-level hunter?!

– A D-rank guy teaching major courses? LMAO!!

Of course, the overly excited student got a bit of hate too.

But at least, the atmosphere in the classroom mirrored this student’s reactions.

Every student who enters the Academy dreams of the same thing:

“To become an amazing Hunter!”

What defines an amazing Hunter? Flashy skills, overwhelming power, and looking super cool during combat.

Many imagine themselves sweeping through monsters in dazzling ways. That’s exactly what Hunter videos on TrTube capitalize on to make money.

But Professor Jeong Si-hyun’s lecture video was completely different.

No flashy tricks or showy skills—just movements so refined and precise they bordered on perfection.

Yet, no one doubted her abilities. They could sense the thorough training and real-world experience behind her restrained actions.

While flashy skills and flair are important, the most crucial foundation lies in the basics.

The students watching the video all realized this truth.

“Honestly, I can’t copy her moves…but…”

“Nothing about it feels easy. There’s no way I can keep up.”

“But these stances… aren’t they similar to what we’ve been learning in our major classes recently?”

“So this is what having solid fundamentals looks like…”

Si-hyun’s video transformed the students’ perceptions.

It shifted their admiration for Hunters from mere fantasy to something more grounded.

To become an excellent Hunter, one must first master the basics—a fact everyone came to understand.

Instead of chasing flashiness, they realized they needed to perfect the fundamentals first.

Some students felt overwhelmed by the challenge, but most were filled with renewed motivation.

“I want to get stronger! I want to be just like her!”

“If I build on these fundamentals with flashy skills later, won’t I become an incredible Hunter?”

A simple video of wiping out goblins ignited a fire within the students—a passion that wouldn’t fade easily.

“I was gonna head to the arcade after class, but maybe I should train instead.”

“Hey, wanna team up for a dungeon run?”

“Hmm… why not? Sounds good.”

In no time, temporary parties started forming inside the classroom—an unprecedented event in the history of general education lectures at the Academy.

Even Eun-byeol and Ah-reum weren’t immune to this wave of enthusiasm.

“Ah-reum, wanna go to the dungeon after class today?”

“Hmm… well…”

As Ah-reum hesitated, Jae-woo, who had joined them on several past runs, approached.

“Wanna join me for an E-rank dungeon after class?”

“Sure!”

Since they’d agreed to drop formalities after previous dungeon runs, the conversation flowed casually between Eun-byeol and Jae-woo.

Then…

“I’ll pass today.”

For once, Ah-reum voiced her own opinion after always being dragged along.

“Oh, you’ve got plans today?”

“Yeah… guess so. It’s fine though.”

Eun-byeol nodded, feeling a little disappointed but understanding. She could always team with Jae-woo another day.

“Jae-woo, let’s reschedule the party for next time.”

“Yeah, sure.”

Jae-woo reluctantly left, already thinking about finding a new group since he cleared E-rank dungeons daily without fail.

Eun-byeol watched him go, deciding to finish her assignments at the library before heading home.

* * *

The door creaked open as Si-hyun returned.

It was time for the sixth period to begin.

* * *

Monster Studies Lecture 3 continued into the sixth period, leaving an equally unforgettable impression—though this time from the students’ perspective.

“I originally planned to delve deeper into theory, but…”

At Si-hyun’s words, the students exchanged bewildered glances.

“Is there even more to dive into?!”

Everyone thought the same thing.

“Now, do you see this goblin model here?”

Si-hyun pulled out the goblin model she’d hidden behind the podium earlier.

The atmosphere in the classroom grew heavy instantly.

Students in the front row scowled deeply, glaring at the grotesque figure. No matter how many times they looked, it remained disturbingly evil-looking.

“This is a magical artifact created using Earth Magic. We’ll conduct a short practical session.”

At her explanation, the students blinked rapidly, staring at the goblin.

It was true that advancements in magic stone research had led to their use in daily life, but a moving monster model was unheard of.

(Though technically, Si-hyun controlled it with elemental magic, none of the students knew that.)

“Let’s move outside. Since our classroom is at the end of the hallway, we can exit through the side door.”

“The practical session will conclude today’s lecture.”

With that, the students gathered their belongings and followed Si-hyun en masse to a spacious area beside the building.

Taking a deep breath, Si-hyun addressed the group.

“Alright, who wants to go first?”

She scanned the room, but everyone avoided eye contact.

Despite their earlier surge of enthusiasm, the sight of the terrifying model made them reluctant to face it up close.

“Hmm?”

Si-hyun tilted her head cutely.

Hadn’t everyone been eager to participate moments ago?

This wasn’t the reaction she expected.

When she entered the classroom after the break, the room had been buzzing with energy.

Was it because combat lessons were usually reserved for majors?

Did they not want to engage in such activities during general studies?

Si-hyun felt a pang of disappointment.

So, she decided to force participation.

“You there, student.”

“Yes?! Yes ma’am?!”

“Come forward.”

Si-hyun randomly picked a student—the one who bombarded her with questions on the first day—and summoned them to the front.

Trembling with nervousness, the student stepped forward.

From her storage bracelet engraved with收纳magic, Si-hyun produced a wooden club and wand.

She handed the club to the goblin and kept the wand herself—a prop to pretend it was a magical artifact.

“What’s your class?”

“Uh, I’m a martial artist.”

“Ah.”

Si-hyun understood why the student hadn’t drawn a weapon.

Not because they disliked fighting, but likely due to nerves caused by anticipation and excitement.

“Why me?! Did I get singled out from Day One?”

The martial artist inwardly screamed, trembling lips betraying their anxiety.

“Don’t worry; the model is sturdy enough. Go ahead and fight.”

“Gulp…”

All eyes turned to the martial artist, tinged with pity.

But Si-hyun interpreted it differently.

“They all wanted to try but were too shy to step forward!”

Such passionate students!

They must admire whoever goes first.

She resolved to manage the time carefully so everyone could have a turn.

Checking her phone, she confirmed the remaining time.

That moment…

“Kyaaaah!”

The martial artist lunged at the goblin with a shaky battle cry.

Reacting instantly, Si-hyun moved her wand.

Suddenly, the motionless model sprang to life, leaping sideways to dodge the punch.

The club swung toward the student!

Thwack!

The wooden club struck the martial artist’s temple.

“Aaagh!”

Thanks to Si-hyun’s careful control, the blow wasn’t painful—but getting hit still stung their pride.

Glaring fiercely at the goblin, the student muttered under their breath.

Sure, it was scary-looking, but it was just a model, after all.

Getting beaten down like this hurt their dignity.

Activating their martial arts skill, mana surged through their body, temporarily enhancing their strength—a form of self-buff.

Clutching their teeth, the student prepared to charge again.

“Damn it…”

But alas, it was futile.

Once more, the goblin’s club slammed into their temple, sending them tumbling aside.

“Hmph,” Si-hyun murmured softly while observing the student’s performance.

Unheard by the spectators.

“Shit…”

The martial artist clenched their teeth, suppressing curses.

Si-hyun hadn’t meant to belittle or provoke them.

She was simply evaluating their skills objectively.

Unfortunately, excessive internet browsing had embedded certain phrases in her vocabulary.

Thinking they’d angered the professor, the student trembled harder.

Surely, this cruel teacher was seeking revenge!

Meeting the professor’s gaze, they saw a sinister smile spreading across her face.

“Definitely! She’s punishing me!”

Falling into despair, the student missed the encouraging intent behind the smile.

“Shall we continue?”

To ensure everyone got a chance, wasting time wasn’t an option.

The goblin was set to operate slightly above normal difficulty—offering a unique experience unavailable elsewhere.

Satisfied with her lecture plan, Si-hyun smiled contentedly.

Gulping again, the martial artist prepared for another attempt, unaware of her true intentions.