Chapter 102
Chapter 102
Academy’s Gumiho is a Magic Genius – Chapter 102
In an atmosphere that felt like she might slug me at any moment, she opened her mouth.
"Your first piece of evidence."
"Don't strike poses while you talk. It makes me want to hit you."
"...If you want to say stuff like that, shouldn't you at least stop grabbing my nape?"
"Hmph. Every time you spout some weird sophistry, I'll smack your nape. No objections. Keep it up, and I'll demonstrate on that distant one over there?"
"...First one."
The first piece of evidence, after agonizing over it endlessly.
My opening pitch, dressed up sophistry to sound plausible.
"The chances of getting high scores are better."
"Scores?"
Yeah, scores.
That was my first argument.
"Hidden Worlds are generally treated as a cut above even fairly tough dungeons. Clearing oneeven if it's just 51%should net you an A+."
"Huh? Yeah, that checks out. Even an S-rank dungeon at 51% is just a B. Total jackpot!"
Lee Ji, agreeing with my point and fanning positive winds.
Good job, kid.
I'll buy you a meal later.
While my claim swayed a few students like No Yu-ra and Seo Ye-rin, it did nothing for the more skeptical ones like Isabelle.
"If you want high scores, wouldn't targeting an A-rank or S-rank dungeon be more effective?"
"I agree, Sis. Honestly, S-rank is impossible for us, but A-rank might be doable. It won't be easy, but it seems way more reliable than some uncertain Hidden World, right?"
"I think so too!"
The counterarguments kicked off with Isis.
Isabelle directly refuted me, and Seong Yeon-hwa chimed in, shifting the mood against me.
Lee Ji perked up at their words.
"Is that so? That makes sense too...?!"
You floppy-eared brat.
No meal for you later.
Everyone else but you.
'Wow, how do I even explain this?'
Actually, I had more info to back up my point.
The Hidden World we're targeting is relatively easyequivalent to a C- or B-rank dungeon.
And I know parts of how to clear it.
Which means I can pull your scores up to A+.
'But to explain that, the big premise is admitting I came from outside the novel.'
No way I can say that.
In the end, my first argument crashed and burned miserably.
"So, you have another one, I presume?"
"...Right into the second argument!"
"Damn it."
I let Isabelle's curse slide in one ear and out the other.
I'm not doing this crap because I want to get chewed out.
This scenario demanded I push through, no matter what.
Scenarios connect organically with past and future eventswho knows how this plays out later?
Raising these kids now might save countless lives down the line. Ignoring a couple scenarios could turn hundreds or thousands to ash as scripted.
In that sense...
I had to claim this midterms first.
'Before they get involved.'
I need to secure 'that thing' myself.
Or not even secure it.
Acquire it or smash it'that thing' must not fall into [Demonic Cult] or 's hands.
If it does...
Nine academy students dead would be a joke compared to the massacre. A slaughter that would shock even me, who's seen rivers of blood.
I have to stop that.
Plus, block 's spy from hacking Chilseong's safety protocols, making students kill each other mid-exam.
Lots to do.
'First stone: convince the team.'
Not much of a foundation for averting a massacre, but I was desperate in my own way.
"Clearing a Hidden World will boost your public image and value. I guarantee it."
"TA, value boost?"
"Guilds or players rated for Hidden World clears? There are barely any worldwideprobably count 'em on one hand. And most are high-rankers or rankers making waves. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with them..."
"We'd get worldwide attention."
"Exactly, Isis. Major spotlight, like you said. Play it right, and post-grad jobs are wide open."
Well, most here are daughters of prestigious houses, jobs irrelevant.
But sounding plausible matters.
Lee Ji lit up, playing right into my intent.
"Could we join an S-rank guild then?"
"Clear with good scores? They'd notice, sure. Can't promise, but yeah."
"Getting noticed is what counts."
Lee Ji was genuinely thrilled.
Wow, this kid's the type you warn friends about.
Floppy ears this bad? Concerning.
Anyway, she's convinced.
Problem's Isabelle...
I glanced over anxiously, but surprisingly, she was nodding.
"...Not a bad deal. Yeah, kids clearing a rarely conquered Hidden World? Fame's guaranteed."
You're Europe's rich heiresshow's that 'not bad'? I wondered, but lacked the guts to ask.
I turned from Isabelle to the others.
Only Lee Ji and her were nodding.
The rest? Meh.
Makes sense. Fame, moneymost from rich families or Chilseong students, plenty post-grad cash incoming.
Won't sway 'em much.
Then the final push.
Time to go all-in.
"And finally."
"There's more?"
"You came prepared."
"Most points seem flimsy, but sure, we'll listen. Not hard."
Hey, kids.
Let me talk.
Ahem. I cleared my throat and continued.
"The Hidden World will massively boost your skills."
Skill growth.
Seo Ye-rin, Isis, and Seong Yeon-hwa perked up, eyes sparklingthey're obsessed with levels and power-ups.
Truth be told, my fox ears twitched too, but being on my head, I couldn't see 'em.
Only Isabelle and No Yu-ra covered smirks or flushed, hands over mouths.
Unaware, I wondered if they were plotting, glancing away awkwardly.
"Real combat experience...?"
"That's part, but not all."
"The gap between reality and Hidden Worlds, maybe? Sounds most likely."
"Plus, before we go, I'll train you properly. Week left till midterms anyway."
Real fights with NPC-like foes for experience, Hidden World time flows slower than realityperfect for training.
Add my coaching, and most students showed interest.
The auction girls who'd internalized my lessons last time.
All but Lee Ji noddedthis was enough.
Lee Ji, not getting it, tilted her head suspiciously.
'These terms should hook 'em.'
Hidden Worlds are risky, but academy midterms have solid safeguards.
No deaths, at least.
Sensing the tide turn my way, I pondered the real reason I craved this Hidden World.
Eve's brief description.
How about a calamity that spreads poison and curses with every flap of its thin-membraned wings, dooming the area to death? Modeled after that you caught.
. Isn't that too unbalanced?
I can't recall what means now.
But context screams serious threat.
Whatever it is, I must kill it in that Hidden World before it spawns.
That's my duty.
Meanwhile, lost in thought, something tugged my sleeve. Looking down, Isabelle.
She yanked it tight.
"That's it? Nothing else?"
"...Else?"
Nothing else?
I thought fancy sophistry would work, but sophistry's still sophistry.
They nodded through three points, but more would expose holes.
I couldn't answer her. Eyes squeezed shut, figuring it was over.
Ah, maybe sneak in at night instead.
My thoughts deepening...
* * *
In the end, the students agreed to my plan.
Phew, was on pins and needles, but it went my way. Lucky.
With their signed consent, I told Deputy Chief Dal Tanya we planned a Hidden World run, handing over the proposal.
His face? So much to say, but couldn't.
I get it.
'Wants to block it as dangerous, but no midterms clause bans Hidden Worlds. Plus, Professor Nam Hwa-yeonhis second-in-commandapproved in the office. Can't argue.'
Second-in-command in name only.
Magic profs practically worship her.
Her [Magic Saint] prestige is absolute.
Dal Tanya's chief, sure.
But if she wanted his seat for real, she'd be Chief Nam Hwa-yeon by now.
"Um... Teacher."
"What's up, Lee Ji?"
"Do we really have to...?"
"Of course. Promised to train you for the week before midterms."
Thus, a week before the Hidden World...
I gathered the students and headed to a vast mountain.
Vaster and denser than ordinary hills.
Leading them for special class, I...
"Teacher! Is this the herb?"
"Nah, poison plant. Won't kill, but you'll wish it did."
...taught how to distinguish edible plants, herbs, and poisons.
Plus, for fires or emergencies: ideal mud body coating thickness, etc.
All practical survival knowledge.
Extreme survival, focused.
"Oh, this grass in ages. Y'know, safe alone, but mix with those white flowers from before? Combo poison, major stomachache."
"...Hey."
"And that flower over therenever thought I'd see it here."
"Oh, I know it! Saw it in Ephnel's garden with you before. Read in papers and guides: harvest petals first or it sprays potent paralytic toxin, that freaky..."
"What the hell are you all doing!? We didn't agree for this!"
Mid-chat with Lee Ji, Isabelle yelled, drawing all eyes.
She stared at me, baffled by the scene. Normally intimidating, but grass- and dirt-smeared clothes dulled her edge.
I replied calmly.
"Why? Teaching you my knowledge right now."
"What knowledge is this?! Shouldn't it be spells or skills?!"
"What're you on about? What's more useful for dungeon dives than this?"
Hey, this is prime teaching.
Never felt the need beforepampered lives, no survival threats.
But dungeons? Anything can happen. Prep for every possibility.
What grass for starvation, which for wound juice, etc.
Less teaching, more survival smarts.
That's the best wisdom I could impart in a week.
Like ancient me.
Now, playing teacher in his stead.
Though most seemed utterly bored.