Duties Are Expanding - 2
“I’d like you to take on the role of substitute instructor for the practical training sessions of the Gold and Platinum rank students—specifically, leading the external support missions.”
I was taken aback. This didn’t seem right to me at all.
Instructor. The word itself meant a “professor” who would guide the students. Was I a professor? No. Then what about a teaching assistant? That wasn’t the case either. I wasn’t affiliated with the Academy in any capacity. I was still a civil servant belonging to the Ability Measurement Department.
“Principal, I… I’m not—”
“You’re not part of the Academy, so you only hold the position of examiner and lack the qualifications to serve as a substitute instructor. That’s what you were about to say, isn’t it?”
He knew exactly what I was thinking. So he must also understand why I was so flustered, right?
“Don’t worry about that. The authority to appoint instructors and their substitutes lies with the principal. And if the reason is sound, even an outsider can be designated.”
“…There are plenty of other professors. Why suddenly choose me?”
“Most of the professors haven’t returned yet. You know that.”
At Ma Hakjun’s words, I could only nod. The Academy raid incident had happened some time ago. While many students had been sacrificed, numerous faculty members had also become casualties. The professors, who had fought on the front lines, suffered the heaviest losses. Most had sustained critical injuries, and though the support-type healers had saved their lives, their conditions had been so severe that they still hadn’t returned to their posts.
“Even so, there are various circumstances that prevent us from simply bringing in anyone as a professor.”
“…I understand. But even so…”
“You’ve already proven yourself to be on par with a professor. Irina herself can attest to that.”
When had he stopped calling her a crazy woman? Ma Hakjun burst into hearty laughter, as if he had read my inner thoughts.
“That girl has plenty of issues, but her eye for talent is accurate. Whenever she takes an interest in someone, they’re always exceptional—without exception. You could call her a living gauge for the strong.”
More precisely, she was a crazy woman who got restless whenever she saw someone strong and wanted to test them. But this wasn’t the time to point that out, so I let it pass.
“And to be honest, I want to expand this change a little further.”
Expand the change. What did Ma Hakjun mean by that? As I pondered in silence, I soon realized what the old man wanted.
“You’re not thinking of expanding the rank examinations up to Gold rank, are you?”
While leading those students, I was supposed to convince them with my abilities and draw them to the examination hall as well.
“More precisely, I want them to feel their own shortcomings. There are quite a few decent students among those who have reached that level. They’re not bad as they are now, but positive stimulation would make them accept it more readily and push themselves harder.”
Honestly, Ma Hakjun’s opinion was hard to accept. How should I put it? It felt like he was being too optimistic.
Why had I been able to do this with the Bronze and Silver students? Because I had stirred their desperation and anxiety. The fear that if they didn’t try harder, they would fall further behind—or that the person behind them might overtake them. I had exploited a situation no one could simply ignore as a human being.
‘But Gold rank and above are different. They’re already doing well enough.’
I thought of the Gold-rank students I had encountered a few times, starting with Yu Dasom. While there were exceptions, most of them possessed positive traits. Taken together, it was safe to assume they were all working hard. Even Jeong Yuhyeon, despite his rotten mindset, had been decent in terms of raw skill. His dagger techniques were sharp, his item usage was timely, and he had good sense.
“You look like you have something to say. Go ahead.”
“To be honest, I don’t think it’s necessary to involve the Gold-rank students as well.”
“Wasn’t it your idea to raise the students’ overall level?”
“That’s true. But dragging down those who are already doing well on their own is problematic.”
Ma Hakjun tilted his head.
“Strange. I never said anything about dragging them down. I only said it was something they needed to do themselves.”
“…You want the Gold-rank students to accept the change on their own?”
“I’m sure some of them have already felt it. The ‘stagnation’ of their growth.”
“That’s…”
It wasn’t impossible. They had reached Gold rank, but their skills had stopped improving. Since it wasn’t a big problem, they figured maintaining their current level would suffice. They felt something was missing, yet there was no stimulation or clear goal in sight—a frustrating situation.
“Sparring between Gold ranks is problematic because they know each other too well. Sparring with Platinum ranks is something those students have to handle, so they avoid it. As for using the professors, they’re already saturated with lectures and occasional practical training.”
Listening to those words, I could understand the Gold-rank students’ predicament. Even though they could become stronger if given the opportunity, they were stuck because that chance didn’t exist. After graduation, there would be plenty of such opportunities outside, but the risks would be far greater. They might even lose their lives before they could seize those chances.
Ma Hakjun seemed to want to reduce that risk while still providing them with even a small opportunity for growth.
“Like you, I also want the young ones to achieve a little more. Without getting hurt, without dying. What could be better than seeing them bloom even more brilliantly?”
Was he thinking of the son he had lost long ago? For a brief moment, moisture gathered in Ma Hakjun’s eyes before disappearing.
Ah. They say Koreans are weak to this kind of melodrama. I guess I really am Korean after all, seeing how bitter this feels.
“In any case, your job is already examining students, there’s no problem with passing them, and you possess the ability to give them valuable experience. That’s my reasoning.”
“If I’m going to handle Gold-rank students as well, I’d need to be at least B-rank level, wouldn’t I?”
At my question, Ma Hakjun looked at me and gave a meaningful smile.
“More than that, I’d say. You’ve already revealed everything, so what’s the point of hiding it now?”
Somehow, I had ended up as a rank examiner who hid his strength. In reality, I was clearly a limited, time-bound existence.
“What will you do? I didn’t call you here to inform you—I called to ask for your opinion.”
“What happens if I refuse?”
“Are you worried about facing disadvantages? Don’t be absurd. If you don’t want to do it, then don’t. I already know your workload is considerable. If that’s your reason, I can’t say anything against it.”
As Ma Hakjun said, the number of students I had to handle had doubled. On top of the existing Bronze ranks, there were now Silver ranks added to the examination pool. Not all of them came for examinations every day, but the number was definitely higher than before.
“What will it be? I’d like an answer as soon as possible.”
That sounded less like a request and more like “I’d like an answer right now.”
“Will you serve as the substitute instructor?”
In truth, there wasn’t much to think about. I had already made up my mind.
*
The Academy had both theoretical and practical lectures. Among the practical lectures, there were internal activities and external activities. Internal activities referred to light sparring between students or real combat training directly supervised by faculty. External activities, on the other hand, meant external support missions. While Silver rank and above were permitted, most external support missions were taken on by Gold rank and above.
“Unni! The practical training schedule for this month is out!”
Kang Hana, who had been quietly working in the student council room, looked up. Yu Dasom, the treasurer, had poked her head through the open door and was staring at her.
“Already? I thought it would take longer.”
“Right? The professor who usually leads these missions still hasn’t returned.”
“He was seriously injured. Even after treatment, he needs time to stabilize.”
Kang Hana stood up and left the student council room, heading into the hallway. She approached the bulletin board installed right in front and checked the newly posted notice.
“External support missions for Gold to Platinum ranks this semester… Five teams this time.”
As Kang Hana carefully read through the content, she tilted her head. Among the instructor name fields that were usually filled, the last one was blank. Specifically, the instructor field for External Support Team 5, which she belonged to.
“What’s this? Dasom, isn’t this a mistake?”
“Huh. You’re right. The instructor’s name is missing? Hold on. I’ll go ask about it.”
Part of the student council’s job was to catch even minor mistakes like this and request corrections. But a short while later, Yu Dasom returned with unexpected news.
“Unni, they said it’s correct.”
“Correct? Did you mention that the instructor’s name field is blank?”
“Yes, of course I did. But they said it’s intentional. They even said the principal confirmed it multiple times.”
That’s strange. This had never happened before. Kang Hana kept tilting her head, but there was nothing more she could do. Even after requesting confirmation from the Academy, if it had already been verified, then that was that.
‘Maybe our Team 5’s instructor just hasn’t been decided yet?’
Many questions arose, but it wasn’t just anyone—it was something Ma Hakjun himself had confirmed. If that was the case, then it would be resolved somehow. Trusting in that, Kang Hana began her preparations.
And after some time, the day of the external support mission for Gold and Platinum ranks finally arrived.
“Hello, students.”
Kang Hana and Yu Dasom found themselves facing someone they had never expected.
“I’m Baek Seojin, the substitute instructor who will be leading you on this external support mission. I may be lacking, but I look forward to working with you.”