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Ah-reum, filled with determination, slowly raised her head.

She opened her eyes slightly and looked straight at the professor.

Professor Jeong Si-hyun had her eyes half-closed, deeply lost in thought.

Ah-reum clenched her fists tightly, waiting for the professor’s response.

‘Did I get my message across…?’

What did I say? Did I convey my meaning properly?

Ah-reum mentally retraced the words she had just blurted out.

I want to be like you, professor! You’re my role model!

I definitely think I said something like that.

‘…Huh?’

It was meant to express that I wanted to become a prized student. Being an undergraduate research student is fine too.

But does that really come off the way I intended?

It’s a liberal arts course, but I’m still a student here.

A role model implies respect.

Oh, oh dear…?

Ah-reum’s gaze began to wander aimlessly, unable to settle on a single point.

I feel like I might have conveyed my intentions well, but maybe not.

Am I saying this correctly or not?!

With quivering eyes, Ah-reum looked back at the professor.

A beautiful woman who could charm even the same gender.

Her graceful movements always exuded confidence, and a sacred aura naturally flowed around her even while still.

Professor Jeong Si-hyun had been the ideal woman Ah-reum had only ever dreamed of in her imagination.

Normally, shy as she was, she wouldn’t even consider visiting such a professor for personal counseling.

However, when they accidentally ran into each other at a bookstore.

When they shared the same taste for genre novels.

And when the professor kindly engaged in conversation with her.

Ah-reum glimpsed the humanity behind Professor Jeong Si-hyun.

This stunning and confident professor is also someone who enjoys hobbies, just like everyone else.

And through the video shown in today’s lecture, the passion of “I want to be like that!” flared within her heart.

I want to be a person like the professor! I want to shine like that too!

The passion quickly turned into courage, and Ah-reum made her way to the professor’s office.

“…Hmm, I see.”

“Yes, huh?!”

As Si-hyun casually started speaking, Ah-reum tensed up and shrank back.

* * *

“You mean you want to be my student?”

“…Yes, yes! I’ll do whatever it takes to be a graduate student!”

Ah-reum answered loudly in response to my question.

When she called me her role model, I thought it might be nonsense, but it seems she was serious.

“May I ask why?”

“Y-you mean the reason…?”

Ah-reum looked at me with trembling eyes.

She lowered her head and began to twitch her fingers as if counting.

Soon, an unexpected response came out.

“Well, um… Professor, you’re strong, cool, beautiful, sophisticated! You’re noble, and have a divine and mysterious aura that’s truly astonishing———”

“Ah, okay, I get it! Stop, stop!”

Whoa, what a surprise! She poured out her words like a rapper, unstoppable.

What’s with the nobility and divine stuff…?

There’s no way I have any of that.

The sudden praise from the student made heat rise to my face.

“…Ahem, I see where you’re coming from.”

“Yes!”

Ah-reum answered energetically.

…Honestly, it made me really happy.

Though exaggerated, it was still a compliment that raised me up.

Even if she seemed a bit shy, I could feel the sincerity in her words.

However, there’s one big issue.

“As you know, I’m a part-time lecturer. I’m not a full professor.”

“If you join the guild, I’ll follow you—!”

That was a straight answer.

…Honestly, I didn’t expect her to have this much passion.

“B-be it a student or an underling, I’m fine with it! I want to shine like you, professor!”

“…I see.”

A shining… person.

So that’s how I appear in the students’ eyes.

I’m not really that kind of person.

Anyway, I definitely understand what Ah-reum wants to say.

Then I also have to give a sincere answer in return.

“Ah-reum.”

“Yes, yes!”

Upon calling her, the student’s tense face met mine.

I spoke intentionally in a serious tone.

“Everything you’ve said so far, it’s all sincere, right?”

“Of course!”

“I see.”

I looked into Ah-reum’s sparkling eyes hidden behind her large glasses.

Despite her shriveled demeanor, her eyes contained a firm resolve.

Seeing that look, I made my decision.

“…Then listen carefully.”

To be honest…

I prefer rolling around at home to going out.

I like places with a moderate number of people rather than crowded spots.

I often feel tired and tend to procrastinate on tasks.

I don’t see myself as a shining person like Ah-reum describes me.

Yet…

“From now on.”

Even someone with my personality.

In front of this adorable student, I can at least say this.

“You’ll definitely be able to become the shining person you dream of.”

Isn’t it okay to act like a shining person too?

Creating a wonderful relationship where we look forward and strive toward our ideals together.

“Ah-reum, I look forward to working with you from now on.”

“Y-yes! Thank you very much!”

We shook hands energetically.

The warmth conveyed through our palms felt just like the student’s aspirations right in front of me.

“P-please feel free to speak!”

“…Should I?”

I nodded and then moved toward the consultation desk to sit down.

“Make yourself comfortable.”

“Yes, yes!”

Ah-reum sat straight across from me.

To relieve the tension, I sneakily pulled out a novel from my bag and placed it on the desk.

“Wow….”

Ah-reum’s eyes lit up.

“Did you read this?!”

“Of course. It’s a real masterpiece.”

“Right, right?! It’s a cosmic masterpiece!”

Her previously stiff demeanor transformed, and now she sparkled with excitement.

The cute demeanor I had seen at the bookstore.

This must be the real Ah-reum, right? She looks so much more fitting and natural.

“I’ll recommend you read this next!”

With her phone out, Ah-reum began to recommend various novels through the screen.

I carefully noted down the names as we looked through them one by one.

Just as the atmosphere became warm and friendly, I seized a chance to get Ah-reum’s lecture timetable.

Because if I don’t guide her properly, given what I saw today, her combat prowess is too lacking…

I felt the need for serious guidance.

After all, she’s my first disciple! I must help her grow properly.

It’d also be nice to casually research support skills or status windows while I’m at it.

I keep postponing it, thinking I’ll do it someday.

“Well then, see you next time.”

“Yess! Thank you for your hard work today!”

After exchanging greetings, Ah-reum left the professor’s office.

I leisurely gathered my belongings as well.

Since it’s still early evening, I’m thinking of checking out the academy’s library before heading home.

* * *

“Ugh….”

After the lecture, Eun-byeol rushed to the library, her head in her hands as she sank into her worries.

The assignment for her major course was proving to be harder than she had anticipated.

She kept searching for precious books or papers that couldn’t be checked out.

But while it seemed like she understood, she couldn’t quite get it right.

In the end, she couldn’t reach a clear conclusion.

Due to that vague feeling, her brow furrowed, and a sigh escaped her lips.

If only there were a little more hints, it seems like I could solve it!

No matter how much she researched the materials, she couldn’t find anything that would cheer her up.

It seemed the problem lay not in the materials but rather in some essential thought or understanding she had overlooked.

‘Oh, come on! Figuring this stuff out is usually so thrilling!’

Eun-byeol always approached her major studies with sincerity.

However, the theories taught to the magic system Hunters were incredibly unfamiliar.

Contents she had never encountered in her life.

Because of that, effort alone often wasn’t enough to solve it.

Magic itself is easily activated through skills thanks to status windows.

But the professors emphasized time and again.

You must pursue magical inquiry independently, separate from the status window.

Only then can you reach a higher level.

The population of magic system Hunters is smaller than that of melee Hunters.

But the faculty is rather plentiful, and there are many researchers.

While melee Hunters sweat in the field, magic system Hunters delve into research, and there’s a reason for that.

Understanding the essence of mana requires effort.

Eun-byeol exhaled a deep sigh and returned the book she was holding to the shelf, then turned her body.

At that moment, a familiar figure slipped by over the shelf.

White hair scattered behind them like a veil.

“Huh?”

I’ve only seen one person with such a unique hair color.

It must be Professor Jeong Si-hyun from the Introduction to Monsters course.

Curiosity piqued, Eun-byeol quietly followed the direction the professor had disappeared in.

The professor stopped at a corner shelf and took out a book to read.

‘Why is Professor Jeong Si-hyun looking at books for magic system Hunters?’

Is it simple curiosity?

Indeed, Eun-byeol had seen it in this library numerous times.

Students, clearly melee Hunters, flicking through a few pages before simply leaving.

Isn’t the professor just like them, out of curiosity?

Smiling slightly, Eun-byeol then shifted her steps toward the direction of the books she needed.

After selecting a few books, she moved to a reading area.

Less than an hour passed.

‘Huh?’

As her focus drifted, Eun-byeol looked up and spotted the scene again.

Professor Jeong Si-hyun reading in a secluded corner.

‘No way….’

Narrowing her eyes, Eun-byeol peered at the cover of the other book nearby.

It was clearly a textbook used by magic system Hunters.

‘Is she really reading that?’

No, wait. Maybe only the book on the side is that, and she could be reading another book.

Eun-byeol stood up.

The impulse to confirm was too strong.

She cautiously approached the professor.

“Hello, professor?”

“…Hmm?”

When she greeted her in a low voice, the other person lifted her head.

Upon seeing Eun-byeol’s face, the professor smiled lightly and nodded.

Trying to appear friendly, Ah-reum asked.

“May I ask what book you’re reading?”

“…This one, you mean?”

Si-hyun tilted her head and lifted the book to show the cover.

This was yet another book read by magic system Hunters.

At this moment, Eun-byeol hesitated for a moment.

‘Are you understanding the content as you read?’ I wanted to ask, but that would be overly rude.

But she was far too curious. About the reason she was reading that book, and if she understood its content.

Si-hyun noticed Eun-byeol’s expression and quickly discerned her thoughts.

“What book were you reading, Eun-byeol?”

“Um, well….”

The conversation smoothly shifted from Si-hyun to Eun-byeol.

Eun-byeol took out the book she had packed in her bag to show Si-hyun.

Unintentionally, she opened to the part she had been pondering over all day.

“I don’t understand this part.”

“Where… Ah.”

It took only a few seconds.

Si-hyun nodded and gestured for her.

Asking for some writing tools and a notebook.

Despite her doubts, Eun-byeol handed over the pen and notebook.

She watched as Si-hyun effortlessly wrote something down on the notebook and then handed it back to her.

After checking the time on her phone, Si-hyun rose from her seat.

“Keep studying, okay?”

She whispered softly before she left.

Eun-byeol lightly bowed to the departing professor and checked the content of the notebook.

And.

“……What is this?”

Her hand tightened around the notebook without her realizing it.

The answer to the question that had been so vaguely frustrating her before.

It was written in beautiful handwriting, concise and clear.

“No way, what is this?”

It was such a clear answer that it left no room for doubt.

This was definitely the answer to the problem.

Eun-byeol rubbed her eyes with the hand that wasn’t holding the notebook.

She read through the content one more time and committed it to memory.

Carrying the pen and notebook with her, Eun-byeol left the library and headed toward the professor’s office.

She knocked on the office door, entered after receiving a response, greeted the professor, and stated her purpose.

“Professor, I wanted to verify if this content is correct.”

“Hmm?”

Eun-byeol was a diligent student, and her older brother was a well-known figure.

What’s more, this student had already visited the professor’s office several times before.

With a smile, the magic system professor examined the notebook Eun-byeol handed over.

However, the smile didn’t last long.

“…Did you come up with this, Eun-byeol?”

The professor’s stern expression met Eun-byeol’s gaze.

Eun-byeol realized. That gaze was like a predator eyeing a capable graduate student.

“I- I asked my brother! I just wanted to confirm in case, you know.”

“Ah, I see. Truly an S-rank Hunter.”

Eun-byeol cleverly used her brother as an excuse.

Even she wouldn’t believe it if someone claimed that Professor Jeong Si-hyun told her this.

“Honestly, this is surprising. It’s much tidier and better than the answer I prepared. Truly, S-rank ones are different.”

“Y-yeah? Ahahaha….”

That day, with just one light piece of advice from Si-hyun.

The magic system professor was astonished, and Eun-byeol was sweating profusely.

And shortly afterward, in another class of the magic system major.

After obtaining Eun-byeol’s consent, the professor revealed a new answer in place of her original.

The students who encountered the solution for the assignment marveled and engraved the content into their minds.

It was an interpretation so clear that there was no room for theory.

* * *

Meanwhile, Si-hyun, on her way home, admired her surroundings while crossing the academy.

Her gaze landed on students who were hard at work on the sports field.

“Is that comfortable…?”

She looked at the female students’ outfits.

Some were in tracksuits, and some wore functional sportswear.

Also, a considerable number of them were in sports leggings.

Si-hyun paused for a moment, poking her cheek with her finger as she sank into thought.