Ch 208
Became a swordsmanship instructor at the academy
Chapter 208
"Let's start right away."
"Yes."
Despite saying we'll start, Teacher Kim doesn't do anything.
I had roughly expected this after watching the other students' tests before.
Since the opponent is a student, she probably always yields the first move.
I immediately created several Fire Balls and launched them.
THUD! BANG!
They hit the barrier and cleanly dissipated.
If I hadn't controlled my power, I could have easily broken through a barrier of that level, but I can't do that here.
Besides Fire Ball, I used ice ball and spear-type magic that I learned during class a few times, then finished the test with a tired expression, pretending to have exhausted all my magic.
"Chan-seong, your magic implementation is fast and your accuracy is good too."
"Thank you."
I couldn't inflict a single wound on her either, but since the test right before mine was Lee Ji-sung's, there was bound to be a comparison.
Now that the test is over, the feedback session will begin.
"Chan-seong at the end and everyone else all used attack magic first, but that's not a good choice."
She's right.
"Why?"
"That's something you need to think about. Does anyone have a guess?"
I was considering raising my hand when a third-year student raised theirs first.
"The opponent isn't a monster but a person, and there are more physical-type students than magic-type students, so we should prepare barrier magic first to buy casting time."
"That's about 50% correct, but any other opinions?"
It seemed like there weren't any, so I raised my hand.
"Oh, yes, Chan-seong."
When a magician faces a physical-type opponent, there's only one case where you use a barrier.
When the opponent is an archer capable of ranged attacks.
Except for this case, harassment is always prioritized over barriers.
"Barrier magic isn't bad, but if they're not an archer, I think it's more efficient to prepare harassment magic. Since it's in the textbook, the opponent would have prepared countermeasures for barriers too."
"That's right. Of course, even if they're not an archer but another physical type, it's fine to use barriers, but it's too obvious a method. You can't win by just defending anyway."
She explained with a slight smile, but since we spent quite a bit of time on testing, there wasn't individual feedback for each person.
Still, after explaining overall tactical education, time was up.
"Time's up already. That's all for today. From tomorrow, we'll do theory and tactical education according to the existing curriculum, so come to the magic practice room."
"Thank you for your hard work."
"Thank you for your work."
After the greetings, the students all left in a rush.
After confirming everyone had left, I approached Teacher Kim who was cleaning up.
"Chan-seong, why aren't you leaving... Do you have any questions?"
"Teacher, if it's alright with you, could I retake the test?"
"Huh? Why, you did well enough earlier."
"...I think I could do better now, is that not possible?"
Teacher Kim, who had been thinking for a moment, nodded.
"Since you're saying that much, I have no choice. But if there's no significant difference from earlier, I'll make you handle all the cleanup for this week's supplementary classes."
I answered that I understood and went up to the arena.
After waiting briefly, Teacher Kim took out a refined magic stone again and activated the barrier.
"Shall we start right away?"
"Wait a moment."
I took off my necklace and placed it in a corner.
Earlier, I wore it because I was planning to fight moderately and lose, but now it's different.
According to Luciel, it can withstand most magic or impacts, but I might be misunderstood as having received help from the necklace.
"I'm ready. Let's start."
***
He wants to retake the test... Chan-seong, this kid said he didn't really want to do it at first.
The excuse is a bit questionable, but there are types who are lukewarm at first but then work hard once they get into it.
Chan-seong seems to be that type of style.
Come to think of it, Teacher Kang was also a similar style... Really, I am. Even when I try not to think about it, I keep thinking like this.
I took out the refined magic stone and reactivated the barrier.
"Shall we start right away?"
"I'm ready. Let's start."
BAANG!
As soon as the words ended, I felt vibrations from the floor and used Blink.
I thought it was Entangle, but looking behind me, there's a giant ochre-colored thorn rising up.
It's magic I've never seen before... Wait, could this be Earth Shaping that's taught in first year of middle school?
It's basic magic that creates various objects using soil, but to apply it like this.
There is soil under the arena, but it wouldn't have been visible, yet he's amazing.
If my reaction had been just a little slower, I would have been embarrassed. Just as I was thinking that, white glowing spheres poured down toward me from above.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
I activated the barrier I had prepared in advance, but as the light spheres hit the barrier and disappeared, I felt a slightly tingling sensation... Could it be?
I thought they were Light Balls, but they were Lightning Balls.
I was planning to teach this later, but he already knows it...
His skill level is completely different from earlier.
Come to think of it, Chan-seong dislikes revealing his true abilities.
Did he deliberately go easy earlier?
If I don't get my act together, I'm going to be embarrassed.
"Teacher is going to start attacking too."
Along with my words, I used the magic I had memorized.
A barrier magic was created in front of Chan-seong, but it's useless.
What I memorized was gravity magic.
As the magic manifested, Chan-seong collapsed straight to the floor.
Oh no, did I go too seriously?
4x isn't that high a multiplier, but it might have been a bit harsh for a magic class student who barely does physical training.
I thought this was sufficient to subdue him and approached, but the floor was slippery and I lost my balance.
THUD!
I fell on my bottom, but I don't feel too bad about it.
To prepare Grease magic even in that state, what remarkable mental strength.
With just a little polishing, not just advancing to the main competition, but he could definitely aim for rankings... Huh?
Chan-seong, who had been collapsed, disappeared like a mirage.
Illusion.
The collapsed figure was fake?
"I... I lost."
At the voice, I turned around to see Chan-seong sitting on the floor.
Looking at his pale face, he seems to be right on the verge of magic exhaustion.
I was really surprised.
Although Chan-seong recklessly used magic to the point of near magic exhaustion, I never expected he would push me this far.
If Chan-seong had just a little more magic, I might have lost.
Thinking that makes my spine go cold.
All the magic Chan-seong used was basic magic, but his combat sense was unthinkable for a student.
‘So this is how you can apply it.’
My eyes weren't wrong after all.
Chan-seong definitely has talent.
Wait, could Teacher Kang have also known about Chan-seong's talent... No, at that time Chan-seong was in a vegetative state, so that couldn't be it.
"Teacher?"
"Huh? Yes, Chan-seong. How's your body?"
"I'm fine."
"You were really amazing. Teacher was really surprised. Why didn't you do this earlier?"
"Ah... because there were other people..."
"Were you nervous? There will be even more people at the competition."
"Nervousness is part of it, but I didn't want to reveal my strategy in advance."
Certainly, if such an original style became known, other kids might copy it or countermeasures might spread.
Moreover, earlier there were not only magic class students but other students watching, so I understand.
"From what teacher sees, it seems like it wouldn't matter? It's not at a level where everyone can copy it just by watching... You don't have to clean every day."
"Ah, yes. Um, but about what you said earlier, teacher."
"Huh?"
"About granting a wish if I succeed in attacking. That's still valid, right?"
Ah... come to think of it, I did say that.
"That, that's right. But teacher avoided and blocked everything, didn't I?"
Honestly, earlier I mistook the Lightning Ball for a Light Ball and blocked it with a barrier, so it was a bit tingly, but I didn't really show it.
"You just fell over. You were hit by the Grease magic."
That... that's right.
Anyway, I did fall because of the slippery floor from the Grease magic.
I should have just coolly acknowledged it, but instead I feel like I argued pettily.
"That, that's right. What wish do you want to make?"
"You'll grant any wish, right?"
"Uh... huh?"
Suddenly Chan-seong takes a step closer to me and asks, and I unconsciously stepped back.
What kind of wish is he trying to make... Wait, could it be?
Come to think of it, right now it's just Chan-seong and me in the auditorium, and Chan-seong is a vigorous male student.
"That... I didn't say any wish would be granted."
"Aw, then a wish wouldn't be a wish."
He says this with a mischievous face and smile, did I misunderstand?
"Still..."
"You mean things like money aren't allowed, right? Of course I'm not hoping for something like that."
Along with his words, he takes another step closer to me.
This kid really seems to want some strange wish...
Earlier he said it was because he didn't want to expose his strategy, but there were some questionable parts, so did he deliberately ask to retake the test after all the kids left to make this kind of wish?
"Chan-seong, even though teacher said I'd grant a wish, I'm a teacher and you're a student."
"What does that matter? You have to keep your promise."
"Chan-seong..."
"Huh? Teacher, don't move!"
Along with his words, he suddenly bows his head and reaches toward my feet, which is so bewildering.
I really didn't know Chan-seong had such impure intentions...
I was about to sternly say something again that this isn't right, when he picks up a necklace from beside my shoe.
"It looked like you were going to step on it."
"Ah..."
"As my wish, please excuse me from weekend supplementary classes."
"Uh... huh?"
"I have to go for regular checkups on weekends. And as I said earlier, I also want to avoid exposing my strategy. You said earlier that you'd have students duel each other too."
"Oh. I did say that."
"Today's theory and strategy class was really good, but honestly, seeing today's test, I don't think student-to-student dueling will be very helpful for me."
He says this with an innocent smile, but my face is burning hot.
What kind of delusions was I having about such a pure kid...
"Teacher?"
"That, that's right. A promise is a promise. But you must attend weekdays... It's not just among magic class students."
"Yes?"
"I'll talk with other supplementary class teachers like swordsmanship or spear arts to arrange duels between students, so make sure to attend then."
"Ah, I understand. Thank you... Huh? Teacher, your face is red, are you feeling unwell somewhere?"
"It's... it's nothing. Roll call is soon, so hurry and go."
I could never say it's because I'm embarrassed about my misunderstanding.
"Yes, then I'll be going. Thank you for your hard work."
***
When I heard about supplementary classes, I only thought it would be annoying, but it was better than I thought.
The fighting tips I learned today, for instance, aren't taught during regular class time.
Well, since a Hunter's main enemy is monsters, there's probably no need to specifically teach person-to-person combat.
Of course, it's not all good.
The theory is quite beneficial, but the test was quite disappointing.
The other guys didn't beat the teacher either, but they didn't end as quickly as I did.
Cha Min-woo was always good from regular class time, and since he's a supporting character who follows the protagonist around in the original work, it's natural that he's better than me now.
But even Min Chan-seong, who wasn't even mentioned, received praise while I only received pitying looks.
Kim Seon-hwa, that woman, even as a teacher, to look at a student with those eyes...
Ugh, forget it.
It's already over.
Besides, since she said there would be dueling every weekend, I'll be embarrassed every week, so let's not worry too much about it.
Skills can't improve overnight, so getting worked up about it will only hurt my feelings.
Anyway, once I steal the protagonist's opportunities, everything will change.
Vice President Seong Eunseo, who gave me an unforgettable humiliation last summer vacation too...
Lost in thought, I had arrived at the dormitory building before I knew it.
I didn't go in right away and took out my phone, when Secretary Kim called at just the right time.
I was just about to ask if he had handled the matter I requested properly, so this worked out well.
"Secretary Kim, how did that matter I mentioned last time go?"
—I was actually calling about that matter. It's been handled well as you requested.
"Really? Thank you for your hard work."