Chapter 40
Chapter 40
Academy’s Gumiho is a Magic Genius – Chapter 40
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It had been a while since I'd gone to work.
I couldn't even remember how many days it had been.
So I put on a crisp white shirt and suit, neater than usual.
I didn't forget to grab the spare gloves from my dorm either.
I straightened my clothes in front of the mirror.
Not a single wrinkle could be tolerated.
I had to show up looking as sharp as possible today.
"This should do."
I muttered to myself, staring into the mirror.
Today was the day I'd be taking on the handful of students I'd be mentoring.
First impressions were key, so I'd dressed to impress.
Not that it was much different from my usual look.
I headed straight to the entrance and slipped on my shoes.
Today wasn't the regular staff roomI had to go to the grand auditoriumso I moved a little quicker.
The auditorium wasn't far from the dorms.
Even this early in the morning, professors and TAs had already gathered.
A few students were there too, no doubt eager to make a good impression.
Everyone's so diligent.
I arrived at the auditorium and headed to the back.
That's when I ran into Nam Hwa-yeon.
More precisely, she was chatting with another professor.
"You're here already? An hour early."
"Well, better early than late, right? All my TAs are here too."
"True enough."
"Good morning, Professor. Who's this with you?"
"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself."
A man with long hair tied back like a woman.
Not just thathis blue dobok and the gray sword at his waist really stood out.
His face looked familiar, like I'd seen it somewhere before.
He extended a hand for a shake.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Namgung Sungjin, professor of martial arts for the first-years."
"Pleasure to meet you, Professor. I'm..."
"I know who you are. Baek Seung-woo, right?"
As I shook Namgung Sungjin's hand, my mind raced.
More than him knowing my name, it was Namgung Sungjin himself that caught my attention.
Who would've thought I'd run into that professor here.
Namgung Sungjinas his name and outfit suggested, he was blatantly Chinese.
From the Namgung family, who managed a key branch of China's top guild, [Murim]. One of the academy's most famous professors.
'He wasn't a big deal in the story, was he?'
I didn't remember Eve mentioning him.
Which meant he wasn't one of the novel's main professors.
But his specs were impressive all the same.
Young head of the Namgung family, master of the Imperial Sword Formpassed down only to the eldest son.
Not to mention, an active S-rank player, the closest thing to a ranker.
Purely in terms of raw power, he'd rank in the academy's top handful.
"I saw those scars scattered across the road the other day. Feels like we'd click."
"Ah, that was..."
"No need to explain! I don't put stock in rumors. Ah, looks like it's about time. I'll head back to my spot."
He cut me off, answered for me, the whole bitclassic Namgung Sungjin.
He let out a hearty laugh and strode off toward his TAs.
I just stood there, dumbfounded, not having gotten a word in edgewise.
What an eccentric professor.
"Fun guy, huh?"
"More like totally self-absorbed."
"Tomato, tomahto. Oh, rightthe students showed up early, so we're starting in ten. Get ready."
"Already?"
Already starting?
I scanned the auditorium seats in surprise.
The front rows were packed.
Time had flown by.
As I glanced at the seats, someone had already taken the podium.
He grabbed the mic.
"Good morning, first-years. I'm Professor Daltanyan, your emcee for today and vice president."
Silence fell over the auditorium at his words.
No aura or skill involved.
Everyone was just too stunned to speak.
A sharp, cold man with a slender rapier at his waist.
Chilseong Academy's undisputed number two.
"Daltanyan? That Daltanyan?!"
"No way, for real?"
The students' shock threatened to stir up the quiet hall again.
Thud!
Daltanyan stomped his foot.
"Quiet."
Silence returned.
He nodded, seemingly pleased, then leaned into the mic.
"Each guiding teacher will mentor six students."
There were about two thousand first-years.
That meant over three hundred professors needed, but the academy had fewer than a hundred total.
Hence, pulling in veteran TAs.
Including yours truly, of course.
"Why's that guy here? Wasn't he the newbie from a month ago?"
"You miss the news? Word is he cleared Aphnel's Garden."
"Skill's there, sure. But trash personality."
"Sigh. Why'd the professors and board okay him as a mentor..."
The TAs gossiped about me.
Tell me about itI had no clue why I was here either.
Honestly, I hadn't wanted the gig.
Just accepted it because Nam Hwa-yeon passed it my way.
As I eavesdropped on the veteran TAs' chatter, professors started filing up to the podium one by one.
What, speeches over already?
That was quick.
I joined the other TAs on stage.
Two thousand pairs of eyes locked onto me at once.
They didn't look thrilled. Can't blame them.
'I'd hate learning under a teacher with a rumored shitty personality too.'
I got it.
I understood, but a pang of hurt lingered in my chest anyway.
After everything I did to stop Yuren, and they give me those looks?
Not like I did it for thanks.
Purely my moral compass.
Still, I hadn't signed up for glares like this.
Oh well, what could I do.
"Students, please line up in front of the teacher you wish to learn from."
At Vice President Daltanyan's words, the seated students surged forward like a swarm of bees.
They queued up before their preferred professors.
"......Totally empty."
My spot might as well have been no-man's-land.
* * *
"What a madhouse..."
Students flocked hard to certain teachers.
Made sensewhy not learn from proven experts?
Magic kids mobbed Professor Nam Hwa-yeon.
Martial arts types, especially sword users, swarmed Professor Namgung Sungjin.
Others latched onto professors matching their specialties.
The TAs floated aimlessly amid the chaos.
No students for them, just blank stares at the rushes next door.
This wasn't what they'd signed up for.
"Doubt I can fill my quota of six at this rate."
"Don't worry, Teacher! You'll snag sixno, more!"
"Thanks, kid."
At least I was better off.
I'd already bagged one.
Lee Ji was next to me, flailing his arms to draw eyes.
I eyed the busy guy.
Lee Ji, the one I'd met in Aphnel's Garden and given a quick lesson to.
No need for a full curriculumjust teach him straight.
I'd gauged his combat style in the dungeon.
Boost his realm or amp his strengthlet him pick, then train accordingly.
"Still, this drag won't end."
Too many piling up on a few professors.
Nam Hwa-yeon had over eight hundred eager beavers.
With the six-student cap, cherry-picking from that mob wouldn't be easy.
"Teacher, wanna chat while we wait?"
"Sure."
Nothing else for it. Might as well kill time talking.
"What kinda students you aiming for, Teacher?"
"Me? Ones who won't bug me."
"Like me?"
"You're the buggiest."
Such was our banter.
Lee Ji tossed the same question again.
Curious about his future classmates, no doubt.
"For the rest, planning to pick axe- or blunt-focused kids like me?"
"Eh. Unpopular me'll just take the leftovers."
"You gotta have preferences though."
"......Hmm."
Never really pondered it seriously.
But ideally? By position.
The squad comp I'd used leading special forces pre-novel.
Frontline: Dealer and Guardian.
Midline: Head and Ranger.
Backline: Caster and Supporter.
For proper training, that was optimal.
Problem was...
'Could one mentor handle six different positions?'
Nam Hwa-yeon would be magic's top teacher, no doubt.
Other fields? Debatable.
Master craftsman in one tradenot likely deep in martial arts or healing.
Same for the rest.
They had specialties, but broad teaching? Tough.
My case was different.
I had broad martial knowledge, plus command, support know-how and experience.
Magic was the worry, but I was studying itteach as I learn.
"One per position? Overlaps happen, but all different for training."
"Teacher, you can teach all that?!"
"Dunno. We'll see."
Knowing and teaching aren't the same.
Knowledge is solo turf.
Teaching demands matching levels, empathy.
Lee Ji lacked raw talent but had solid insightquick hacks worked.
Couldn't count on that for everyone. Trial and error later.
Man, still no one.
Other TAs snagging one or two, spots filling.
Mine? Still just Lee Ji.
Makes sense. Who'd pick the rumored personality wreck?
"Hey, Ji."
"Yeah?"
"What's your major?"
"No real major or specialty locked in."
"Dealer or Guardian it is."
"Dealer and Guardian? What's that?"
"Raid roles from my old days. Spill the details once the team's full."
Low mana ruled out backline for him.
No sharp eyes or snap judgment for Head either.
Process of elimination: frontline damage or tank.
Lost in thought, two students stepped up.
Shocked, Lee Ji shook my shoulder wildly.
"T-Teacher! L-look!"
"Busy thinking. Call later."
"No, look! Kids came!"
"......What?"
Lee Ji pointed straight ahead.
I followedand spotted familiar faces.
Why're they here?
A duo etched in my memory, fresh from some embarrassing moments.
I called their names softly.
"Seo Ye-rin. No Yu-ra."
"TA! Long time no see!"
"......Long time."
One bright and chatty, the other blunt and quiet.
Last people I expected here.
Feeling glad, I opened my mouth.
"What brings you two here?"
"To learn from you, duh!"
"......From me, specifically?"
Plenty of skilled teachers and TAs around.
No need to seek me out.
"Teacher, what does that make me, the first to rush over?"
"Dunno. A fool?"
"Ouch, harsh."
Lee Ji dropped his head like he'd been gut-punched.
More like playacting.
He knew the rumors full well.
Came anyway.
First in line to win me over.
Asserting his eagerness to learn.
Knowing that, I'd teased him.
Right on cue.
"......I want to learn from you. From TA Baek."
"Plenty of great spear teachers out there."
"Nuh-uh......"
Seo Ye-rin shook her head.
She was reminiscing about that day.
Under the dark night sky, her sprained ankle left her, a martial artist, utterly useless.
The man before her, though, weaved through freely.
And saved her friend at her side.
A few students fell along the way.
But that didn't tarnish his actions.
In her eyes, he was plenty admirable.
She didn't want to admit it personally, but worth emulating.
"I... really wanna learn."
"From me?"
"Yeah......"
She bowed her head, seeking permission.
I asked again, puzzledsame answer.
No reason to turn her down that badly.
I nodded, then fired the essential question before accepting them.
Couldn't take them without knowing this.
"What's your aspired major?"
"Bow and hunting for me!"
"......Spear and hea healing."
Perfectslots open for both.
I accepted them and turned to Lee Ji.
"You, grab a shield."
"Huh? I like attack better..."
"Want more axe techniques?"
"Shielding's the ultimate attack! Just watch me!"
Zero faith, but I gave a thumbs-up.
Types like Lee Ji were easy to handle this way.
Halfway to quotafeeling better.
No more takers after that.
Everyone wanted the skilled, renowned profs.
Fine, extras like me deserve to waitself-mocking thought.
"Ah, h-hello! Spot open?"
"Seats left, yeah. But your major or specialty..."
"Ah! Afr I mean, good at buta character!"
"......"
Genius types are always a bit off, huh.
Chilseong, elite schooltons of oddballs.
Didn't expect this willful.
She greeted me, then beelined for Lee Ji and the kids.
I didn't bother stopping her. Whatever, accepted.
Awkward Korean made her seem foreign, begging the group nicely.
Face fully Korean though. Japanese? Chinese?
Global elite hub like Chilseong? Totally possible.
'Gotta teach her Korean anyway.'
She knew vocab fine, from the stumbles.
Issue was pronunciation and grammar.
Pronunciation secondarybad grammar kills communication.
Annoying, but gotta teach.
Who knew I'd play language tutor.
If I'd known this hassle was coming, I wouldn't have crashed at Nam Hwa-yeon's dorm yesterday.
"Two spots left."
Frontline duo, midline one, backline onelocked.
No plan for it, but bumped Seo Ye-rin to backline support.
Her spearwork was killer, and she'd mentioned support as an option.
In the novel per Eve, she was a paladin typedishing DPS and heals.
The last girl joined with a sword at her hipstraight to frontline, no hesitation.
Swordswoman? Had to be dealer.
Or so I hoped.
'Now left: Caster and Head.'
Critical for party or raid compsthough all positions matter.
Head: team brain. Cool judgment, tactics.
In a pinch, commands while fightingtricky role.
Caster: curses, AOE blasts, magic support.
Snap decisions, broad spellbookheadache fodder.
Only the VIP slots remain.
'No way the leftovers include Head or Caster material.'
Genius stock poached by big shots.
These were the lower-tier elites.
Nothing for it.
Overlaps it is.
I scratched my head, ready to fill with randos for six.
That's when it hit.
"Oh my, still short a few, I see."
Refined tone.
Evoked some young miss or noble lady.
I looked up.
A blonde girl flashed a smile.
Beautiful one.
But something felt off.
Like thorns in a bloom.
Bad vibeI eyed her.
Her name tag caught my eye.
My face twisted in horror.
'Isabel Sirius......'
Long name, like protagonist Kyle Iris.
Impossible for a Korean.
Obviously.
She was an exchange student from England.
'Why here, of all damn places......!'
I clenched my fist, staring at her sweet smile.
Disaster didn't cover it.
This girlin some ways, I dreaded her more than the protagonist himself.
My various rumors? No one knew what was true.
Maybe all smoke.
But not with her.
Among my rumorsthe one about devouring little girls' livers was bad, but the most widespread...
Verbally abusing and tormenting my fiance until she called off the engagement.
"Long time no see. First since the breakup bash?"
The girl before me was that fiance from the rumors. Herself.
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