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As the fifth period ended precisely when the video finished, the break time arrived.

Upon leaving the classroom, the students began to chatter excitedly.

Even those without close friends couldn’t hide their excitement and rushed to the internet community.

[Title: Wow, Introduction to Monster Studies is insane?]

[ㅇㅇ]

After watching today’s lecture video, the professor’s skills are just insane ㄷㄷㄷ

———

As soon as a student posted, cyber spirits quickly responded.

– What skills are you talking about?
└ They really fight monsters like pros ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
└ For real?
└ Yeah, the charisma and speaking skills were just crazy ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
– Is he really that good? Now I’m curious ㅋㅋㅋ
– Show me what you guys saw!

[Title: We should invite this person as the Professor of Swordsmanship]

[ㅇㅇ]

Honestly, the Introduction to Monster Studies professor seems stronger.

– What are you talking about? ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
– A B-rank professor looks like a joke?
– What can a D-rank do with a major lecture? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Of course, in the heat of excitement, the student received a bit of flak.

However, at least the atmosphere inside the classroom mirrored this student’s sentiment.

Every student who entered the Academy shared a common dream.

“I want to become an exceptional Hunter!”

What does it mean to be an exceptional Hunter?
Glamorous skills, overwhelming strength, and a glorious presence in battle.

Many envision themselves elegantly sweeping through monsters and dream of that moment.
The videos from Hunter channels that capitalize on such sentiments are just like that.

However, Professor Jeong Si-hyun’s lecture video was entirely different.
There were no flashy techniques or tricks. Just near-perfect, clean movements.

Yet, no one doubted Si-hyun’s skills in the video.
They sensed the thorough training and real-world experience behind her restrained movements.

Flashy skills and tricks are, of course, important. But the most crucial element is the basics.
As they watched the video, the students each realized this truth.

“Honestly, I can’t imitate that….”
“It’s not easy at all. There’s no way I could do it.”
“But those postures. Aren’t they similar to what we’ve been learning in our major lately?”
“Isn’t solid foundation represented by that…?”

Si-hyun’s video changed the students’ perceptions.
It let go of their simple longing for being exceptional Hunters.

It reminded them that a solid foundation is essential to becoming an exceptional Hunter.
What they should pursue isn’t glamour but the perfection of basics right now.

A small number of students felt a significant wall and doubt creeping in.
But most students felt a surge of motivation to learn instead.

“I want to get stronger! I want to be like that too!
If I can add flashy skills on top of that foundation, wouldn’t I become an incredible Hunter?”

One simple video of wiping out goblins ignited a massive fire in the students’ hearts.
A flame of passion that wouldn’t easily extinguish.

“I was going to hit the PC room after today’s lecture, but I guess I should train instead.”
“Hey, want to party up and head to a dungeon?”
“Sure, that sounds good.”

In an instant, an impromptu party began forming in the classroom.
This was an unprecedented occurrence in the history of the academy’s liberal arts lectures.

Eun-byeol and Ah-reum were not immune to this atmosphere and flow.

“Ah-reum, do you want to hit the dungeon after class again today?”
“Well, um….”

Eun-byeol’s suggestion made Ah-reum ponder.
Meanwhile, Jae-woo, who had partied a few times with them, approached the two women.

“Do you want to go to an E-rank dungeon together after class?”
“Count me in!”

Since they had agreed to use casual language among themselves during their previous dungeon runs,
Eun-byeol and Jae-woo exchanged their opinions comfortably.

And then.

“I, I’ll sit this one out.”
Ah-reum, who had always just gone along with the flow, finally voiced her opinion.
“Oh, I have something to do today….”
“…Really? That’s a shame, but it can’t be helped.”

Eun-byeol nodded with disappointment.
It was also an option for just her and Jae-woo to go to the dungeon, but today wasn’t the only day.

“Jae-woo, let’s party next time.”
“Uh, yeah.”

Jae-woo swallowed his disappointment and left.
He had been grinding E-rank dungeons without missing a day, so it was to form a new party.

Eun-byeol watched his back and sorted her thoughts.
Today, she decided to handle her assignments at the library first before heading home.

– Creak.
As Si-hyun returned, the front door of the classroom opened.

It was time for the sixth period to begin.

* * *

The third lecture of Introduction to Monster Studies was also quite intense for the sixth period.
Of course, that meant from the students’ perspective.

“I was originally going to delve a bit deeper into the theory,” Si-hyun said, causing the students to wear incredulous expressions.

‘You can go deeper than this?!’
Every student thought similarly.

“Now, do you see this goblin model?”
Si-hyun pulled out the goblin model she had hidden behind the lectern earlier.

Instantly, the air in the classroom grew heavy.
The students in the front row frowned deeply as they glared at the goblin.
No matter how many times they looked, it was unrealistically ugly.

“This is a magical tool using earth magic skills. Let’s have a simple practice session.”
As Si-hyun explained, the students blinked rapidly, staring at the goblin.
Research on mana stones had progressed, but it was now beginning to be used in real life.
However, they had never heard of a moving monster model.

In reality, Si-hyun controlled it with elemental magic, but the students had no way of knowing that.

“We’ll move outside. It just so happens that the classroom is at the end of the hallway, so we can go out the side door.”
When the practice finished, today’s lecture would also conclude.
As Si-hyun added her explanation, the students began to pack their belongings.

Thus, Si-hyun and the students all moved together to the side of the building.
Once they reached a reasonably spacious area, Si-hyun lightly initiated the proceedings.

“So, who wants to go first?”
Si-hyun looked around at the students. Everyone avoided her gaze.
Despite their soaring enthusiasm, the model before them looked much more horrific than an actual goblin.

They didn’t want to witness its movements right in front of them.

‘Hmm?’
Si-hyun tilted her head cutely.

She expected them to eagerly raise their hands to participate.
This was not the reaction she anticipated.

Just a moment before, when the break ended, the classroom had been filled with an intensity that could literally set the place ablaze.
Combat skills are typically taught in majors.
Wouldn’t they prefer not to want to do it in a liberal arts elective?
Si-hyun felt disappointment.
Hence, she forced the students to participate.

“Hey, student.”
“Yes, uh?!”
“Come to the front.”

Si-hyun pointed at a random student and had them step forward.
It was the student who had bombarded her with questions on the first day.

By coincidence, the student, trembling all over, stepped forward.
Si-hyun took out a club and a wooden wand from her bracelet engraved with storage magic.
She handed the club to the goblin and held the wand herself.
These were the tools to pretend they were magical items.

“What’s your occupation, student?”
“I, I’m a martial artist.”
“Aha.”

Si-hyun understood why the student hadn’t pulled out their weapon.

Seeing the student shake, she wondered if they didn’t want to do it, but thankfully that wasn’t it.
It seemed their body was trembling from excitement and anticipation.

‘Why, why is it me?! Did I get picked on the first day?’
The martial artist student screamed internally.
Their lips and chin shook, and their nose crinkled.

“The model is sturdy enough. Don’t worry and give it a go.”
“Whew…”

All the students’ gazes turned to the martial artist student.
A look of pity flashed by in their eyes.

But Si-hyun interpreted those looks differently.
‘Everyone must have wanted to do it but couldn’t bring themselves to step up!’
What a passionate group of students they were!
She never would have thought they’d envy the first student to go.
She should balance the time well so everyone could experience it.

Si-hyun took out her phone to check the time.
At that moment.
“Whoa, aaah!”
The martial artist student let out a scream that didn’t sound like a battle cry and charged at the goblin.

Si-hyun moved her hand holding the wand in response.
Then, the model, which till now hadn’t shown a single sign of movement, began to spring to life like a living creature.

The goblin leaped awkwardly to dodge the martial artist student’s punch.
At the same time, the club swung down!

Pow!
The wooden club sliced through the air, striking the martial artist student on the side of the head.

“Argh—!”
Thanks to Si-hyun controlling the strength, the student didn’t feel much pain.
However, they still got hit, which abruptly soured their mood.

The student glared at the goblin with fiery eyes.
It was undeniably frightfully ugly, but still, it was just a model.
The fact that they had been hit without a single ounce of counter drew on their pride.

With that, the martial artist activated their skill.
Mana swirled through their body, temporarily enhancing them—essentially a self-buff.

The student gritted their teeth, glaring at the goblin.
“I’ll show you a proper hit!”

With a determined stance, they charged!
“Gah!”
But it was no use.

Once again, the goblin’s wooden club struck them on the side of the head, sending them rolling aside.
“Huh, was that all….”

Si-hyun mumbled quietly while observing the student’s level.
The students watching from the other side didn’t hear her words but…

‘Damn, damn….”
The martial artist student heard it loud and clear.
They swallowed their curses internally.

Of course, Si-hyun wasn’t trying to belittle or pick a fight with the student.
She was simply assessing the student’s skills with a pure heart.
It was just that recently, due to too much time spent online, some phrases had involuntarily slipped out.

‘Looks like I caught the professor’s attention for real, huh?’
Rising to their feet, the martial artist student trembled all over.
That merciless professor was surely out to make them pay.

With a trembling gaze, they looked at the professor.
As their eyes met, she smiled wickedly, raising the corners of her mouth.

‘As expected! This was meant to show me what it feels like to be on the receiving end!’
The student fell into despair.

But Si-hyun only smiled as a gesture of encouragement.
“Shall we continue?”

There couldn’t be any wasted time to ensure every student gets an experience.
Si-hyun urged the martial artist student in a calm tone.
Since the goblin was currently moving slightly above average strength,
The experience would surely be something the students wouldn’t encounter anywhere else.

Satisfied with her lecture, Si-hyun wore a pleasing smile.
‘Eek!’
Unaware of her true feelings, the martial artist student stifled another scream as the professor prodded them once more.