Chapter 8
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MJK
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Surviving as an F-Class Healer (8)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
F-grade wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the complete neglect—even a slightly higher rank would get some decent treatment.
In other words, I was pitching this deal with that abandoned situation in mind.
"I'm planning to practice for about a week and then sell them. Any successful ones from practice, I'll just give away for promotion. What do you think?"
"......"
The homeroom teacher stared at me with a strange look in his eyes.
Not just him—the other teachers nearby started sneaking glances while pretending not to notice.
Of course, since their students would benefit too, I'd brought it up in the faculty office loud enough for everyone to hear.
That's right. It's good for everybody, isn't it?
I get to practice, and they get cheap emergency potions. Win-win.
Not that I have any intention of making the cheap stuff, mind you.
"Hmm."
The homeroom teacher seemed to be pondering how to phrase his approval.
This was my chance.
Confirming he'd softened up enough, I casually slipped in the real target.
"I don't need anything fancy."
This was the most important part.
"I heard there's an unused workshop in the old school building. Would it be okay if I used that one?"
"......How do you even know about that place?"
The usually sharp-tongued homeroom teacher spoke without his usual edge for the first time.
He even looked reluctant.
"Even so, that spot's a bit..."
Another nameless teacher tried to butt in, but I kept my eyes only on the homeroom teacher, clasping my hands in front of my chest.
"I found it while looking for a place to eat my lunch box."
Jin Hari had no one to eat with and was a poor special class student whose tuition was waived.
Her family stole even the stipend for meals, so she survived on free bread or instant meals provided for breakfast and dinner.
The teachers would know about that situation.
A little sympathy wouldn't hurt right now.
"You must not know why it's sealed off. The mana there is unstable."
"Ah, but I'm F-grade, so it should be fine for me, right?"
"......"
The homeroom teacher hesitated, his face reluctant.
But he'd approve.
Even if it benefited him, he wouldn't want to be seen supporting an F-class healer even a little.
'Performance bonuses for homeroom teachers are tied to student achievements each semester—it's all about efficiency.'
Supporting some worthless F-grader and getting nothing out of it would be a loss for him.
But the old school building? No such worries there.
'I know why the mana is unstable there.'
In the original story, the protagonist tossed an artifact he picked up for no reason into his demon sword as food. It was dormant in that spot.
An infamous HP-to-MP converter!
'Plus, if you feed the ego inside low-grade potions steadily, it unlocks a function to speed up stamina recovery.'
That's why the protagonist later struggled to tame the demon sword sleeping in that magic tool.
He had to force submission on a sword with infinite stamina.
'I don't need the demon sword. Just let me use the other features.'
The protagonist doesn't need it anyway.
It'd only cause complications later, like getting picked as a sacrifice for the sword.
'Just donate it to someone like me who needs to run a factory.'
The real reason I insisted on that spot? It converts lifespan into mana too.
After countless regressions, Yoo Han-seong had leftover 'reserve lifespan' he never used.
This magic tool episode lumped it all into 'bonus HP' for him.
And as a possessor, I might have that 'unused reserve lifespan' too.
If so?
'Alternate between reserve lifespan and this body's stamina.'
That overcomes the F-class weakness of low work capacity due to stamina drain.
'Turn it into an infinite potion factory!'
Running it endlessly would skyrocket proficiency too...
I have ways to get materials for special potion practice!
If things go well, I might mass-produce mid-grade potions with the infinite factory just in the first semester of freshman year!
Hiding those thoughts, I persuaded the homeroom teacher with an innocent expression.
"I'll mostly be making low-grade potions, so unstable mana shouldn't be an issue."
"......Why are you so desperate about this?"
The homeroom teacher, who'd listened quietly, finally asked with a headache-inducing look.
I paused for a moment, then smiled shyly.
"Because I'm sorely lacking. I have to work harder. So I don't get in the way."
Even if he wouldn't care if I died, by this point, he'd think it was easier to just let me.
"......"
In the end, he handed over the key with a dubious expression.
A square iron key dangled from a bracelet.
"Thank you!"
"Don't forget—you have to supply your own materials."
"Of course!"
I'll grow conscientiously and snag some future customers while I'm at it!
Success.
"I'll come straight to you for inspection first when I succeed!"
I beamed happily, but he furrowed his brow.
"Got it. Now get out. I need to prep for the next class."
"Yes!"
"Good grief. Anyone can see she's doing it because she hates seeing kids get hurt."
As the weird first-year Jin Hari left the faculty office, a teacher from the front desk muttered nosily.
Choi Ji-hyeong, only twenty-five and a promising B-class support hunter, had joined Narin Academy, and this teacher nitpicked him constantly over it.
On any other day, he'd ignore it like a buzzing mosquito, but today it stuck.
When he glanced over instead of brushing it off, the teacher kept muttering on and on.
"Does anyone not know first-years die the most in end-of-semester dungeons?"
"......"
"Even low-grade potions matter. Why else would she pile on all those weird excuses to sell them cheap? To cut down on deaths, obviously."
"Is that how you see it?"
He snapped back coldly, and the teacher scoffed.
Normally it'd deflate him, but today he didn't hold back.
"What else? Why do something with no gain for herself?"
"Maybe to impress the high-rank students."
"Tsk tsk. If she fails even once, it'll just be a stain. Why bother?"
"......Sigh. So?"
Truth be told, Choi Ji-hyeong knew (for once) the teacher was right.
He knew, but hadn't said it. It was pointless anyway, and wouldn't last.
"What else? It's commendable. Won't last long, though."
The annoying teacher seemed to agree, clicking his tongue regretfully.
"If she weren't F-grade, tsk."
Weren't, then what?
Knowing this teacher would push unfair contracts on a seventeen-year-old high schooler, Choi Ji-hyeong narrowed his eyes and stared intently.
Especially grating right after casually handing over the old school building workshop to Jin Hari like charity, without treating her like a student.
"Ahem. Anyway, kids that age think like that sometimes. Must be youth."
"An F-grader acting like that isn't commendable—it's weird."
Even amid the displeasure, he kept engaging because he needed to.
She'd procure materials herself.
Low-grade stuff could be gathered from the artificial forests around campus, but going to that trouble?
It was the epitome of an unfair deal.
He hoped this F-grader wouldn't die miserably here but graduate or get expelled safely.
Without rolling around volunteering like this.
Tsk, so sticky and uncomfortable.
The teacher spoke to the visibly annoyed Choi Ji-hyeong.
"Me? If she sells cheap, it boosts survival rates, so I'd be grateful."
"No need for gratitude."
Choi Ji-hyeong sighed once, sorting his irritation, then replied indifferently.
"It won't last anyway."
"Even briefly, it's worth thanks."
How many could stay selfless long when survival was at stake?
Just naive kid stuff from someone clueless about reality.
"And beginners can't even make low-grade potions easily. I guarantee she'll quit in a week."
"Ahem. True."
No argument there.
He truly believed it.
"Hehe, Teacher! I succeeded!"
Until a week later, when the kid ran up to him and thrust out a potion with burn-scarred hands.