Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Grandmaster's Lecture
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Most players kept the knowledge and expertise they gained through research and experience to themselves.
It was a rational choice for winning in competition and surviving.
But the professors at Lion's Castle were different.
At minimum, A-rank players or higher.
They remained active in the field while conducting research, teaching classes, and publishing papers to advance the entire player community.
They were people worthy of respect.
‘I have to leave a good impression no matter what.’
Mana Studies Professor Lee So-young.
Her epithet was none other than Grandmaster.
She was a titan among titans, the creator of dozens of mana operation methods, including the Taiji Formula distributed to every student at Lion's Castle.
“Hello.”
Five minutes after the end-of-class bell rang, the classroom door finally opened, and a little girl who looked about twelve years old walked in.
She was an incredibly cute girl with chubby baby fat cheeks and big round eyes.
Her black hair cascaded down to her hips like silky satin, giving the impression of a living doll.
Her uniform was excessively long, draped over her shoulders like a coat—anyone unfamiliar with her might mistake it for a child who had stolen her mother's clothes.
This was Grandmaster Lee So-young.
No one knew her actual age.
The only rumor that circulated wildly was that she had suffered a side effect of aging backward while experimenting with a new mana operation method.
‘Is she sharing snacks with us…?’
The students, who had inwardly grumbled about the professor's tardiness, cheered up at the sight of the bakery shopping bags held by the teaching assistants who followed her in.
“Most players reach a point where they hit a wall and give up on growth. The section where you hit that wall varies depending on individual talent and wealth. Here, talent refers to your first skill, and wealth means the competitiveness to purchase good skillbooks.”
Lee So-young, standing at the podium, skipped the pleasantries and continued the lecture.
“The more effort you put into awakening an outstanding first skill, the greater your capability to perform in higher-grade gates. The richer you are—having filled your remaining two skill slots with skills that synergize well with your first skill—and the richer you are with the resolve to swap out those good skills depending on the situation, the higher you can climb.”
Lee So-young's ruby-red eyes scanned the faces of the students one by one.
“On the other hand, ordinary players fall into their first crisis starting at level 19.”
To gain meaningful experience at level 19, you had to hunt monsters level 20 or higher.
Many gave up advancing after experiencing the strength of D-rank monsters firsthand.
“The real crisis comes at level 39.”
The difference between D-rank and E-rank monsters was purely in stats.
How much faster, stronger, and tougher D-rank monsters were compared to E-rank.
But C-rank monsters had more skills they could use.
The difficulty of combat jumped to another dimension.
Not to mention B-rank monsters?
They even gained intelligence.
Countless level 59 players, who had once hunted monsters, now found themselves hunted by them and died.
That was why B-rank players were classified in the top 15 percent.
“In fact, a significant number of Lion's Castle faculty are B-rank or below.”
Just looking at the first-year homeroom teachers, they were all B-rank players.
Levels in the mid-to-high 60s.
They had given up on growth long ago and retired from active duty.
“Awakening a good first skill is in the realm of effort, but luck is inevitably involved to some degree. Childhood wealth is purely in the realm of luck.”
When Lee So-young wiggled her fingers, a teaching assistant pulled a cream puff from the shopping bag and fed it to her.
The students stared in bewilderment at her cheeks puffing out roundly.
“There’s an unfair aspect to it. That’s why some dedicated players began focusing on mana.”
The power to control mana.
Lee So-young scribbled on the blackboard with her small hands and placed a hand on her little belly.
“Every time you raise your mana stat, the increased mana accumulates in your dantian, and it gets drawn out every time you use a skill. Scholars latched onto this point and researched ways to move mana without relying on skills. That’s how mana operation methods were born.”
Lee So-young's long black hair rippled. It was a phenomenon caused by her mana flow manifesting externally, like a night sky unfolding behind her.
“A mana operation method is a technique that uses mana to produce effects similar to skills. The Taiji Formula, which you learned right after enrolling, is a prime example. Mastering just the Taiji Formula will help you overcome the walls you’ll face in the future.”
This was no exaggeration.
Jae-hyeok himself was already experiencing the excellence of the Taiji Formula.
Following the Taiji Formula's incantation to operate mana sent it circulating through his body like a taiji pattern from his dantian, making his flesh slightly tougher and aiding his sense of balance.
It was still only a subtle effect for now, but he had a gut feeling it would become much more pronounced as his stats increased.
“You should understand the importance of mana operation methods by now, right? Practice steadily to get as familiar as possible. The teaching assistants will help you get a solid grasp, so try operating your mana.”
The teaching assistants laid out cream puffs in front of Lee So-young, who was seated, and began going around the classroom, instructing each student individually.
“As the incantation emphasizes, the key is diamond firmness. Visualize making your body firm. However, if you immerse yourself too deeply, mana consumption spikes, leaving you without enough for skills, so draw the line according to the situation.”
“Not concentrating? At this rate, you’ll be nothing but a punching bag in next week’s duel evaluation.”
“This preliminary training is happening because the school judged your class’s level to be far below A-Class. The professor is giving up her valuable time, so shouldn’t you show the appropriate sincerity?”
“A mana operation method only has meaning if you can activate it instantly when needed. No matter how amazing the method, it can’t produce the dramatic effects of a skill, so sustainability is the most important thing.”
Groans rose from various spots.
Artificially moving mana without a skill was incredibly difficult. It was natural that it would take time to get used to.
“Recall the sensation when using a skill. Think about how your dantian reacted when mana was drawn out, and recreate the paths the mana took as it moved.”
One hour, two hours, three hours…
The entire B-Class sweated profusely but focused diligently.
Having been tormented by Jae-hyeok during every training session, they were accustomed to maintaining concentration.
If their focus wavered even briefly, they’d be dumped in a swamp or tossed in front of a monster, so they had developed to survive.
‘Isn’t this B-Class?’
Lee So-young, savoring the flavor of cream filling her mouth, tilted her head while observing the students.
Educating freshmen ahead of duel evaluations was an annual event for the Mana Studies department.
The targets were all classes except A-Class.
It was a policy to narrow the gap with high-level A-Class, even if just a little, starting from enrollment.
A minimum level of competition had to be established to motivate the students.
‘Definitely B-Class… but their level is much higher than in previous years.’
Her gaze, scanning the student records, lingered on Jae-hyeok.
‘Ah, it’s because of that kid.’
Kang Jae-hyeok.
Yaksha’s son, who had awakened a bloodline skill at the re-examination site and become a hot topic.
The entire B-Class was conscious of that one boy.
They glanced at him—who operated mana skillfully without any advice from the assistants—to boost their own concentration.
She could feel their competitive spirit of not wanting to lose.
‘No… that doesn’t seem like not wanting to lose. More like they’re scared?’
Was it like getting their homework checked by him later or something?
Reading the odd atmosphere, Lee So-young suddenly recoiled.
‘No way he takes after his dad’s personality like Dae-seong and Hyeon-ah?’
Memories of raiding with Yaksha made her shudder, and she gave an awkward smile.
‘G-good. At least they won’t be completely demoralized.’
Well, whose son is he?
He’d manage just fine, so best to avoid running into him from now on…
Closing her eyes tightly and ignoring Jae-hyeok, the next student she examined was Park Hae-rin.
‘A buffer.’
Lee So-young had the insight to discern a player’s primary skill category from the direction they moved their mana.
Skills of different categories used different mana circuits.
And support jobs that buffed allies were quite rare.
Even Lion's Castle showed them preferential treatment.
She wondered why a child who should have entered A-Class despite her low level was in B-Class.
‘Her dad’s that grumpy guy from Guardian Guild.’
Guessing Hae-rin’s story from the student records, she then marked checks next to Lee Jin-seong and Cheon Hye-ji’s names.
‘Those two would do well majoring in Mana Studies later.’
Of course, they paled in comparison to Kang Jae-hyeok, but she had zero intention of getting involved with Yaksha Junior…
Ding-dong-dang-dong.
As the excellent teaching assistants’ instruction began yielding results, the end-of-class bell rang.
Lee So-young shook the sugar powder from her fingers and stood up.
“Classes, duel evaluations, survival games, dungeon assaults, raid experiences, team competitions and class matches, exchange matches with foreign schools, and so on. You’ll be insanely busy for the next year. Be grateful that you can experience that grueling schedule ‘safely,’ and work hard to advance.”
Kids who achieved good grades would receive mana operation methods superior to the Taiji Formula as rewards.
With her closing remarks that sent the students into cheers, she left the classroom with quick steps.
Jae-hyeok bowed in greeting and sat back down, relieved.
‘Glad I made a good impression.’
He had sensed Lee So-young’s gaze during the class.
His diligent practice of the Taiji Formula from the start seemed to have earned him some favor.
‘Successfully left a good impression, so I hope it leads to a positive connection.’
“Hic!”
“P-Professor?”
Lee So-young, walking down the hallway with her draped uniform fluttering stylishly, suddenly lost strength in her legs and collapsed to a sit.
An inexplicable chill swept through her body, making her skin crawl.
***
The rules for the duel evaluations were simple.
Duel two students each week without fail.
The school assigned the opponents.
They started with similar levels, then matched by similar win rates, dividing students into top, mid, and bottom tiers based on performance, then giving rewards or extra training accordingly.
“I’ve arranged for you to be matched with Kang Jae-hyeok in your first duel. The level gap was big, but since he has a bloodline skill, it wasn’t difficult.”
Ha Kyung-su of first-year A-Class.
An Iron Guild-affiliated teacher approached him after he clashed with Kang Jae-hyeok, received an unfair penalty, and harbored a grudge.
“Hmph, what’s so great about a ruined house’s bloodline skill.”
“Haha, exactly. It’s obvious the second son of a spear arts renowned house like you will win. But to make your victory even more certain, I’ve prepared a little gift. What I want from you is simple: just make him faint and get carted off to the infirmary.”
“I don’t need trash like this. Even without your request, Teacher, that guy was going to get smashed by my hand anyway.”
Ha Kyung-su snorted and gathered up the gift anyway.
“…But just in case, I’ll take it.”
Who in the world would refuse artifacts and elixirs?
Blushing, he rationalized his choice.