Chapter 27
“Do you know why certain types of monsters appear together in a dungeon?”
“Huh?”
The student’s mouth shut at Si-hyun’s question.
It was because they had never thought about it before.
Monsters just appear when they appear.
Isn’t it enough to just respond accordingly when you encounter them?
The other students, who had been nodding in agreement, also widened their eyes and looked at Si-hyun.
“When you first enter a dungeon, shouldn’t you predict what monsters will appear based on the environment and plan your strategy accordingly?”
“Well, if it’s a cave, maybe goblins…”
“That would be the case for lower grades. But as the grade increases, the variety of species expands, and you’ll encounter mutations and variant species. Higher species and boss monsters are typical examples of this.”
“…”
The student fell silent.
With such relevant examples included, they had nothing more to say.
“What will you do if you come across a monster you’ve never seen before? Will you just run away?”
“Well, find its weakness…?”
“And what knowledge will help you efficiently find that weakness?”
“…Ecology.”
“Correct.”
Si-hyun shrugged her shoulders slightly and spoke.
“You asked how I know about monster ecology. I’ve been through years of experience. The knowledge and information gained from that experience—this is what you’ll be learning from now on.”
Her confident and daring attitude was striking.
It was the kind of statement one might expect from a war hero.
The atmosphere overwhelmed the students, and they closed their mouths in a straight line.
Of course, there were some who, in their minds, thought, ‘But she’s just a D-rank…’
However, no one dared to voice it.
The atmosphere Si-hyun exuded was that serious.
When the students all became silent, Si-hyun announced the end of the lecture and walked out with confident steps.
The sound of her heels clicking echoed as it faded away.
In the lecture hall where the professor had just exited,
A silence briefly lingered before the room suddenly became lively with chatter.
“Did she say she spent years out there?”
“How does one go through that much to know about monster ecology?”
“Do they really use hunters that much in foreign countries?”
“I don’t ever want to live in a dungeon…”
The students began exchanging noisy opinions.
“Isn’t she just lying?”
Someone lightly voiced their suspicion.
It was the same student who had previously asked Si-hyun those continuous questions.
And then,
“Do you think an Academy professor position is something you can just bluff into?”
Immediately following was a sharp retort from another student, and the questioning student quickly shrank back.
Not all the students were fully convinced by Si-hyun’s explanations.
But thanks to her bold demeanour, they were far more intrigued than doubtful.
Many of the students glanced at the paper on their desks.
The syllabus.
As different thoughts ran through their minds, they picked up the papers.
***
After successfully finishing the first lecture,
I leisurely strolled around, taking in the scenery of the Academy.
Unlike when I came here with Ji-a, there were now many people actively moving around.
Thanks to that, the same scenery looked fresh and new.
On the sports field, there were already groups playing basketball and other sports.
I heard there aren’t any official clubs,
But it seems some people have already formed unofficial groups after getting close.
Social butterflies really are something else.
Well, I’ve heard that connections between hunters are pretty important.
Sports would be a great way to build those connections.
“…Huh?”
As I finished walking around the field and was heading back to my office,
I saw someone who appeared to be a student nodding their head at me from afar.
It was a bit awkward, but I raised my hand to wave back, and the others around them also greeted me.
“…Ah.”
The student who greeted me first was one of the students who attended my lecture earlier.
Since the class wasn’t large, I vaguely remembered them.
Thanks to that, the realization that I had truly become an educator hit me hard.
It wasn’t anything special, just exchanging greetings with a student.
But even that made my heart race and throb with excitement.
I lightly placed my hand over my chest and savoured the feeling.
‘Hehe…’
Feeling my expression naturally soften, I made my way toward the office assigned to me.
I arrived at the building and went up the stairs to the second floor.
At the end of the hallway was the room designated as my office.
Normally, part-time lecturers don’t get their own personal offices,
But thanks to Ji-a, the Principal gave me special consideration.
It wasn’t a large room, but it was more than enough.
Having my own space was wonderful on its own. Yes, yes!
Unlike the Principal’s office, which was filled with shelves packed with books, my office was quite empty.
From now on, I’ll make this place look good!
Sitting down on the chair, I stretched out my legs.
Then I clasped my hands together and stretched them up above my head.
“Hnnng…!”
My muscles relaxed pleasantly.
Suddenly, my gaze went to the shiny flats.
I used magic to clean the dirt that had stuck to the side of the heel.
You must take care of new things when they’re still new. Hehe….
“Now then…”
I walked to the window and opened it.
A pleasant breeze softly tickled my hair.
I naturally tucked my hair behind my ear and sat back down on the chair.
As I admired the outside view through the window, I mentally reviewed the tasks ahead.
The most important thing is to become a respectable professor. A recognized professor!
Even though today’s lecture was just an introduction, I think I did well enough.
But what if there are so many students that the lecture hall is packed like it was on entrance ceremony day?
Honestly, I don’t have the confidence to give the same lecture in that situation.
I’ll have to keep working hard to adapt to it.
I can work on adapting, but what comes next?
I still need to finish preparing the audiovisual materials.
And I need to add a personal touch to the lecture that only I can provide, so I can surprise the students!
What else do professors do?
Hmm… research or papers?
I took out my laptop and placed it on the desk.
I searched the internet for things I was curious about.
“Aha.”
Because it’s an academy, they research things like Awakened Ones, Gates, Dungeons, and Monsters!
It might be a good idea for me to pick a topic and do some research too.
Someday, it might be good to decide on a specialty and take the full professor route.
That would only be possible if I reveal all of my power, though.
Well, when the time comes, I can just choose either magic or holy power.
…Huh?
Holy power, this… It’s not exactly research, but it might be worth investigating, right?
Why is it that I can use holy power even on Earth?
Yet it doesn’t gather as easily as it did in the other world.
There was no concept of holy power on Earth….
It might be good to think about it more seriously when I have time.
Come to think of it, wasn’t there another Returnee besides me?
I think I heard there was a Returnee in the United States. A B-rank Hunter, they said.
I’m a little interested.
It would be nice if I could make contact with them someday.
Even if they’re from a different world than the one I experienced, that could still be interesting in its own way.
“Alright!”
I nodded in satisfaction.
I have a rough idea of what needs to be done next.
There’s no need to rush, so let’s take it step by step.
Either way, the most important thing is that there are no evil people here on Earth to oppress or bind me.
I can do whatever I want, freely.
‘Freedom.’
It was a word that felt pleasant to say.
***
As evening approached and the sun began to set, a group of people gathered in a quiet pub to start a company dinner.
It was a gathering for the Wings Guild.
One of the guild members had just achieved the second C-rank in the guild.
Since the guild’s promising star had been stuck without reaching B-rank, this news brought great joy to the guild, and the person in question also felt a great sense of pride.
“Han-gyeol, congratulations on your promotion!”
“Thank you!”
In response to the congratulations from a fellow guild member, Han-gyeol replied with a beaming smile.
It had been so long since his last promotion! It was a deeply moving moment.
It was all thanks to Si-hyun.
If it weren’t for her, I’d still be wandering around E-rank dungeons.
Thanks to her, I gained courage and confidence.
I really want to express my gratitude to Si-hyun.
Thinking of Si-hyun, who hadn’t been seen at the guild recently due to being busy, Han-gyeol subtly asked Da-young.
“Master, you did invite Si-hyun today, right?”
“Huh? Of course I did.”
“Did she reply?”
“Sigh, of course she did! Do you just want to brag that badly?”
“…Haha.”
At Da-young’s scolding, Han-gyeol awkwardly laughed and scratched his cheek.
“She’s a professor now, you know. She just started her classes, so she’s probably super busy.”
“True, that makes sense.”
Han-gyeol imagined Si-hyun lecturing at the academy.
‘…Damn.’
He was jealous. Jealous of the new students.
Han-gyeol felt envious of the students who would be attending the academy this year.
And just then…
Creak—
The sound of the bar’s door opening was followed by the appearance of Si-hyun.
“Oh, Si-hyun! Over here, over here!”
“…Hello.”
As Da-young waved her arm energetically, Si-hyun walked over to her.
She exchanged simple greetings with the guild members and sat down next to Da-young.
“Today was your first lecture day, right? How did it go?”
“It went smoothly.”
“Are you a little curious about it? How about showing me a recording later?”
“…That’s a bit…”
Si-hyun shook her head with a serious expression.
Since this was the reaction she expected, Da-young covered her mouth and chuckled.
A beer and a personal dish were set in front of Si-hyun.
At just the right timing, Da-young spoke up.
“Now, now, Si-hyun. Han-gyeol here has something to say.”
“Hm, yes?”
“…Ahem!”
Han-gyeol cleared his throat.
It was the perfect time to express his sincere gratitude.
“Si-hyun! Thank you so much! Thanks to your help, I was able to level up quickly. I really appreciate it!”
Han-gyeol’s voice echoed throughout the bar.
He bowed deeply and extended his hand toward Si-hyun.
Because of that, everyone’s eyes turned to Si-hyun.
“…It’s all because of your hard work, Han-gyeol. Congratulations.”
Si-hyun smiled softly and shook Han-gyeol’s hand.
She gave a brief, gentle squeeze, then let go.
“Congratulations!”
“Let’s aim for B-rank next!”
The guild members, who had been watching, clapped enthusiastically and joined in congratulating Han-gyeol on his promotion.
The atmosphere in the bar grew more lively.
Si-hyun mostly chatted with Da-young while enjoying drinks and snacks.
Han-gyeol, meanwhile, stared intently at the palm of his hand—the one that had shaken Si-hyun’s.
He couldn’t help but smile to himself.
Let’s work hard and reach B-rank!
Han-gyeol nodded vigorously, setting his next goal.
“Oh, right, Da-young.”
“Yeah?”
“There’s something I want to use for my class materials. Can you help me make it?”
“Let’s see, let’s see.”
Si-hyun began explaining an item she had been thinking about for a while to Da-young.
Da-young stroked her chin and listened closely to Si-hyun’s explanation.
At that moment, Ji-han approached Han-gyeol.
“Hey, Hyung.”
“What’s up?”
“Since you just levelled up, how about forming a party with me and heading to a C-rank dungeon?”
Han-gyeol’s eyes widened in surprise.
He hadn’t expected Ji-han to suggest something like that.
“I’d really appreciate that.”
“Let’s go tomorrow or the day after.”
“Yeah, let’s do that.”
Han-gyeol accepted Ji-han’s proposal.
Having finished her conversation with Da-young, Si-hyun glanced over at them.
She nodded with satisfaction and took a sip of her beer.
“Hm?”
Si-hyun’s phone vibrated.
She pulled it out of her pocket and checked the message.
It was from Ji-a.
-Si-hyun, are you free the day after tomorrow? I’m thinking of going to an A-rank dungeon.
Si-hyun mentally checked her schedule.
She quickly sent a reply to Ji-a.
It was an acceptance.
—
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