Chapter 89

The snack shop in the basement of the Academy’s melee combat building.

“Professor Jeong Si-hyun said!”

Ah-reum cheerfully shouted.

“That victory goes to those who persistently work hard!”

“That’s just some famous quote.”

“Ahh, whatever!”

Even though Eun-byeol tried to pick a fight, Ah-reum didn’t care at all.

“I’m saying I’ve done it!”

“Still, it really is impressive.”

“Hehehe!”

Jae-woo returned Ah-reum’s Hunter certification he’d been looking at to its owner.

Ah-reum smiled brightly as she looked at her certification.

D-rank Supporter Hunter, Go Ah-reum.

Her newly updated certification explained her pride and joy.

Jae-woo and Eun-byeol looked at Ah-reum with eyes full of envy.

What was this sudden thing she had to brag about?

“No way she actually leveled up…”

Eun-byeol fidgeted with her wallet containing her own certification.

Had any Hunters who awakened late winter and leveled up to D-rank by late May existed in Academy history?

No, not even worldwide, let alone in Korea?

Eun-byeol carefully examined all the memories she knew.

“…Isn’t this the fastest leveling up ever worldwide?”

It was that amazing of a speed.

To Eun-byeol, who aimed to be the top student of the Academy, it was truly shocking and perplexing news.

Moreover, Ah-reum was a rare Support-type Hunter.

There was no doubt chaos would ensue everywhere once the news spread.

She herself seemed completely unconcerned.

“No, maybe she doesn’t even realize the impact.”

That professor, those students.

Professor Jeong Si-hyun also often showed an indifferent attitude, so maybe they’re similar.

Eun-byeol sat there silently listening to Ah-reum and Jae-woo’s conversation.

“Huhuhu. Jae, Jae-woo, don’t you think I can beat Professor’s goblin model now?”

“Haha! Maybe.”

Ah-reum clenched her fists like boxing and threw a jab into the air.

Though her arm extension was clumsy, her confident expression clearly showed her excitement.

Jae-woo chuckled while looking at such Ah-reum and nodded.

“Didn’t you say you went to the dungeon with Professor Jeong Si-hyun a few days ago? Did something happen then?”

“Yeah! While going through five dungeons in a row, I learned all sorts of things from Professor.”

“…Five?”

“My goodness.”

Eun-byeol and Jae-woo’s expressions crinkled up.

It reminded them of the time when they cleared three dungeons consecutively before.

Exceeding that, five consecutive dungeons.

This was totally…

“Spartan training…”

“But still, kinda admirable…”

Eun-byeol and Jae-woo thought similarly.

Not like they could easily follow that method though.

“That time, Professor was really cool too! With just a flick of his hand, the goblins dropped dead…”

Looking at the two who couldn’t close their mouths, Ah-reum continued praising Professor Jeong Si-hyun.

The other two dumbly continued eating while listening to the story.

After everyone finished eating and tidied up together, Eun-byeol spoke.

“Hey Ah-reum, do you have plans today? What are you doing after Monster Studies Intro?”

“Oh, I don’t think I can today! I promised to help Professor Jeong Si-hyun with his research.”

“Ah, I see. Jae-woo, we should go on our own then.”

“Yeah, let’s go. We need to level up soon too.”

Ah-reum’s leveling up greatly stimulated the competitive spirit of the two students.

It was a friendly rivalry driving each other to grow.

* * *

Meanwhile, Si-hyun’s case.

She was waiting in her office early due to unexpected visit news.

Though maintaining her usual calm expression, her fingertips were slowly tapping the desk.

“This should be enough, right?”

She thoroughly cleaned everything.

The books she studied were neatly put back on the shelves.

Her steadily crafted models were arranged nicely in order.

Plus, she had her secret weapon.

“The pastries given by Elder!”

Just yesterday, she visited Elder’s house and played around.

Perfect timing since the visit was scheduled for today.

“Indeed, one must live kindly. You never know what will happen, but everything worked out perfectly.”

Si-hyun smiled contentedly.

Knock knock—

Si-hyun’s hand stopped upon hearing the knocking sound.

“Yes, come in!”

With Si-hyun’s voice, the door slowly opened and a middle-aged man entered.

One of the senior professors of the Academy, Professor Roh.

“…What is this?”

He was about to open his mouth for greetings when he noticed the things within sight.

From grotesquely shaped monsters to deformed cute ones.

It was literally a bizarre scene.

“Ah, these are all models. Aren’t they cute?”

“…Ahem. Y, yes.”

Never expected to get hit by a preemptive attack like this.

Professor Roh struggled not to panic while clearing his throat.

“Nice to meet you, Instructor Jeong Si-hyun.”

“Welcome, Professor Roh. Please take a seat.”

Professor Roh intentionally called her “Instructor” to subtly intimidate Si-hyun.

However, Si-hyun showed no particular reaction.

She greeted him warmly with a sociable smile and guided him to his seat.

“Hmm, not the reaction I expected.”

Once seated, Professor Roh stared sharply at Si-hyun.

She was more beautiful in person than in the photos he saw before visiting.

But one shouldn’t judge people by appearance.

He came here to verify the rumors.

Indeed, he came to personally confirm if this young instructor possessed the rumored abilities.

“These are pastries given by an acquaintance. They’re really delicious. Try one.”

“Hmm, alright.”

Professor Roh leisurely picked up a pastry and ate it.

His sharp gaze twitched.

“…Delicious.”

Totally unexpected.

Completely unexpected.

These pastries fully satisfied his picky taste buds.

He almost impulsively asked about the source of the pastries but held back.

Because it wasn’t important right now.

“Would you like some tea?”

Professor Roh took a sip of the tea served by Si-hyun.

…This was lacking quite a bit.

“…I’ve heard many praises about your Monster Studies Intro lectures.”

“Your praise is too kind. It was possible thanks to the data provided by Professor Roh. I’ve benefited greatly. Thank you.”

Si-hyun’s humble response made Professor Roh furrow his brows.

He didn’t expect such polite replies.

“Hmm, but recently—”

Professor Roh officially started testing her abilities.

He brought out questions one by one to test her capabilities.

* * *

Creak.

The sound of the door closing echoed lightly in the hallway.

As Professor Roh stepped out of the office, he involuntarily frowned.

“…This isn’t right?”

He definitely came here to verify the rumors.

It was also to correct the manners of this part-time instructor.

Surely that was the plan.

“…What is this?”

At some point, he found himself exchanging academic knowledge with this woman.

He discovered himself sharing deeper insights than expected in logical conversations.

This wasn’t a simple exchange between a part-time instructor and a professor.

There was something special about her.

During their conversation, he realized she had something unique.

As a result, this visit turned into a time of intellectual insight exchange.

He found himself deeply immersed in the conversation with her.

Professor Roh crossed the hallway tilting his head.

“Are the rumors about Instructor Jeong purely true?”

…Still, he should check again sometime.

Professor Roh slowly reviewed his schedule in his mind.

Unconsciously, he was now referring to Si-hyun as a “professor” rather than an “instructor.”

* * *

After Professor Roh left, in the office.

Alone, Si-hyun took a sip of tea.

“…Still, I’m quite lacking.”

Professor Roh was good at managing expressions.

Still, it wasn’t completely hidden.

When eating the pastries given by Elder, he maintained a poker face.

But when drinking tea afterward, his eyes momentarily softened.

As if wanting to say something but holding back.

“Should I learn how to make tea instead of learning chess from Elder?”

Si-hyun seriously pondered about tea.

She truly enjoyed the academic discussion time with Professor Roh.

This was her first time having such a serious academic conversation with someone.

Each comment from Professor Roh was sharp, and she had to carefully consider her responses.

It was truly a very beneficial time.

Knowing something and explaining it deeply are entirely different matters.

Si-hyun thought it would be nice if Professor Roh visited again.

“No, should I request a visit? Or apply for lecture observation?”

The grading system of monsters used in Monster Studies Intro.

Almost all the framework of the lecture originated from Professor Roh.

She studied and studied to appropriately incorporate the knowledge from another world into Earth.

Professor Roh’s expertise in Earth’s monster studies was genuine.

“Ah, it’s about time for the lecture.”

Checking the time, Si-hyun stood up.

She leisurely gathered her things and exited the office.

Nearby students recognized her as she stepped outside the building and greeted her.

“Hello, Professor!”

“Yes, hello.”

Smiling lightly, Si-hyun exchanged greetings and headed toward the Monster Studies Intro classroom.

Swish—

“Professor! Hello!”

“Professor, hello!”

“Hello.”

In the classroom, Eun-byeol, Ah-reum, and Jae-woo were already there.

Seeing Si-hyun approach the podium, Ah-reum sitting in the front row grinned and spoke.

“Professor! No models today?”

“Oh, that.”

Upon Ah-reum’s question, Si-hyun suddenly remembered.

She forgot. She left them displayed in the office.

She worked hard making goblin models.

Si-hyun swallowed her regret.

“I left them in the office today. Want to see them later?”

“Ah, yeah…”

While answering, Ah-reum avoided eye contact.

She only thought about the moment but didn’t consider seeing them after class.

Whether knowing or unknowingly about Ah-reum’s psychology,

Si-hyun smiled faintly and said.

“I prepared something better than that today.”

“Something better?”

“Yeah, VR equipment. How does that sound? Excited?”

Upon Si-hyun’s words, not only Ah-reum but also Eun-byeol and Jae-woo widened their eyes.