Being Strong Doesn't Mean You Teach Well (1)
Being Strong Doesn't Mean You Teach Well (1)
-Aaaaargh!!
-Hey! Hold the line! Hold the lii... guh-blurgh?!
Im Gyeong-su, who had been holding the front line, charged at the swarm of onrushing insects. In that opening, a jet of spider silk shot through and struck a female student squarely in the face.
-You son of a bitch, I'll kill you!!
-Seon-hye!!
-Grrrraaah!!
The female student, Hwang Seon-hye, flailed around as if enraged, but her shield hand moved methodically to protect the students behind her.
"A remarkably composed student with excellent energy sense, despite outward appearances."
Claire, who was seated beside me, evaluated the students and jotted down notes.
-Get down.
Nam Seo-hee, who had been holding the rear line alone, reversed her grip on a sword brimming with thunder energy.
-Uh, get down!!
The nearest student, horrified by the crackling energy, was the first to drop flat. The others followed suit the instant they pulled clinging spiders off their bodies and flattened themselves against the ground.
The only ones who didn't duck were Im Gyeong-su, who had charged ahead in panic, and Baek Ha-na, who was single-handedly tearing through the creatures' nest.
Craaackle-BOOM──!!
The sword loosed from Nam Seo-hee's hand poured out lightning in every direction, swallowing up everything in a straight line.
-Gya-ge-ge-ge-gekk!!
In the process, Im Gyeong-su, having failed to shield himself with mana, was electrocuted and lost consciousness on the spot.
"...I believe it would be best to counsel him to seriously consider a different route."
Claire had considerably softened her evaluation of the face-down, smoking Im Gyeong-su. Still, given that she had found at least one good point in everyone else, this was unquestionably the worst review of the seven.
-Mmph!! Mm-mm!! Mmph!!
-S-Seon-hye? You're gonna actually kill him at this rate....
-Haaah... Pwah~! That was for nearly getting us killed!!
-Yeah. For the sake of the other Awakened who would suffer because of him in the future, we should probably finish the job right here.
-Seconded.
-Fuck this, break the shield first!!
Apart from Nam Seo-hee, who was spent from using her mana, and Baek Ha-na, who was on her way back to the group after picking up her sword, all four students had encircled Im Gyeong-su and were spitting venom.
"...Wouldn't it be better to stop them?"
"He's sturdier than he looks. He can take it."
His mana sensitivity was just low, which was why he got shocked. His actual physical durability was only one level below Baek Ha-na's.
If I were being generous, I'd say it's about on par with Kang Seok-ho when he manifests his Steel Ability.
'The problem is his mental fortitude is utter garbage.'
Even when his body could physically withstand an injury, he couldn't endure the pain that came with it.
And on top of that, he still couldn't properly manifest his ability.
'Should I just watch and see until the Ceremony....'
Seeing him behave like this made me want to toss him out right now, but my memories from the other side were telling me to keep him near Baek Ha-na.
-...Up!!
-Whoa?!
-Ack!!
Human-faced spiders crawled back through a small hole in the ceiling and spat their webs at the students. Everyone except for Baek Ha-na and Nam Seo-hee was caught in the silk net.
It was the result of them clustering together to punish Im Gyeong-su.
"Next time, I think it would be better to put either a reward or a penalty on Ha-na to raise the tension a bit more."
Scratch, scratch.
She never stopped moving the fountain pen in her hand.
Using a tablet would probably be far more convenient and efficient.
'Still, it's a relief she seems to like it.'
I enjoyed the sound of the scratching fountain pen while watching the kids get swallowed up by the spiderwebs.
**
"As promised, I'll let today's practical exercise stand as just a learning experience."
"......."
"......."
The students, who were strewn across the warehouse floor with white spiderwebs matted into their hair, faces, and uniforms, looked at me through half-lidded eyes.
I glanced back at Baek Ha-na, the only one sitting in the very back, and continued.
"By next class, write down everything you did wrong in today's Rift and submit it."
With those last words, I dismissed the students.
Lunchtime had already passed, but the academy's student cafeteria was open at all hours, so they could go get a late meal and rest.
-Shower... shower.......
-I don't have a spare uniform, what do I do...?
-Don't you think you should worry about your hair first?
The students rose from their spots one by one and shuffled out of the warehouse like undead.
I approached Baek Ha-na, who was standing with the completely exhausted Nam Seo-hee.
"Trying to solve everything alone is a bad habit. From time to time, lean on the people around you."
"Mmm."
I pinched her soft cheek once, then burned away the spiderwebs clinging to her hair and body.
Whoosh.
"......?"
When the spiderwebs on her own body ignited, Nam Seo-hee looked at me with startled eyes and bowed her head.
"Lee Ye-sol has that troublemaker with her. Collect him on your way."
I had banned them from the mansion on weekdays. However, Claire had requested to bring Baek Ha-na and the kids to the mansion under the pretext of theoretical education. Knowing her real objective, it was a request I was reluctant to grant, but since it ultimately was a net positive for Baek Ha-na, I allowed them free access to the mansion as long as they kept curfew.
"Okay, got it."
Baek Ha-na smiled gently and nodded.
"See you later, then."
"Goodbye."
Baek Ha-na and Nam Seo-hee left the warehouse.
"That's enough."
Oooong.
The Crystal, whose ego had grown increasingly stronger after absorbing a few Rifts, shimmered into view from a pulsing blue light.
Fsssssh.
The Rift that had been emitting brilliant light vanished like a mirage mere seconds after it emerged.
...
And perhaps because its ego had strengthened, its fear of me had also increased. It skittered into the pouch fastened to Claire's waist without being told.
"Claire."
"Yes, Professor."
"......."
I turned my head to look at her.
She met my gaze without flinching.
'It's true that humans are creatures of adaptation.'
Since she strictly separated public and private life, her stance was that now, while performing the official duties of an associate professor, she would thoroughly exclude our private relationship.
I handed her the briefcase and continued speaking.
"Rest for a bit and join us in 20 minutes."
"I shall."
Leaving her businesslike, subtly pleased reply behind me, I headed toward the main building.
**
[ Meeting Room 3 ]
'Why am I here...?'
Kang Han-na, who was seated in a corner, glanced around at the faces of the other professors gathered at the table once more.
'...Professor Jaden, Senior Lee Hyeok... and....'
The one-armed man sitting in the middle area.
The retired Awakened who arrived as a new hire after so many professors were terminated last time.
'What was his name again...?'
She'd heard from colleagues and assistants that he was an incredible expert. But after languishing as an assistant for years, and now being ground down daily by a crushing workload as a professor, she had no energy left to pay attention to such things.
One thing was certain, though.
Everyone here but herself was an extraordinary person.
In both skill and fame.
Click.
'......?'
A small sound echoed through the previously deathly silent meeting room. Kang Han-na turned her head quickly.
She clung to a faint hope that perhaps someone who shared her circumstances had arrived.
'Ah.......'
But the moment she saw the large-framed man in the black suit who stepped through the door, Kang Han-na bolted upright instinctively.
"A-Ah, hello!!"
The appearance of Baek Woo-jin, currently the most influential power-broker in Arena Academy.
At Kang Han-na's booming voice, the other professors also gave seated bows from their places. But then.
"Haha, if you'd only said the word, I would have come out to greet you, sir."
Jaden sprang up from his seat. The usual dignified gravitas he carried was gone, replaced by an exceedingly light expression as he pulled back the chair at the head of the table.
"......."
Baek Woo-jin stood for a moment, glaring down at this new Jaden, before tapping Kang Han-na lightly on the head, almost like a pat, as she was still bowing.
"From now on, a simple greeting is fine. And keep your voice down in the meeting room."
"Ah, I-I'm sorry...."
As his large hand covered the top of her head, Kang Han-na felt an inexplicable thrill. Then, embarrassed by her previous outburst, she quickly took her seat.
"Jaden."
"Yes, sir."
"Shut up and sit down."
"......Yessir."
A deflated Jaden returned to his chair.
Kang Han-na blinked vacantly at the stark difference in attitude.
"I imagine you all have some idea why I called you here. Since you lot dumped this goddamn annoying task on me."
"Ahem, to say we 'dumped' it is... rather, it was expected that...."
"One more word and I'll quit."
"Mm."
'.......'
Kang Han-na couldn't believe her eyes.
Lately, there'd been a rumor that Professor Jaden had completely tucked his tail between his legs where Professor Baek Woo-jin was concerned. But seeing their dynamic in person, she realized rumors were never entirely reliable.
'It's not that he tucked his tail... it looks more like Professor Jaden is making unrequited advances...?'
Even after receiving treatment that would be considered harsh for a man of Jaden's standing, he was still gazing at Professor Baek Woo-jin with sparkling eyes.
'More importantly, "dumped?" Dumped what?'
I don't even know what's going on here...?
Kang Han-na only grew more confused as to why she had been called to this meeting.
"Since you recommended me, all decisions will be mine. However, if anyone has a dissenting opinion, don't hesitate to speak up at any time. If I deem something better, I'm more than willing to change the selected personnel."
Kang Han-na had no idea what any of this meant, but she listened diligently anyway, looking at Baek Woo-jin's thick, round glasses.
"First, student selection. Excluding the graduating year, the Top Seat, and the Second Seat, solicit opinions from each professor and select twenty students. I'll do the final screening."
The professors nodded, and Kang Han-na nodded along.
'...Ah, so it was about the Academy Festival.'
Selection, graduating year, excluding the Top Seat and Second Seat.
Once the key points fell into place, she, like the seasoned professional she was, immediately caught onto the meeting's topic.
"And next...."
Kang Han-na snapped back to attention, refocusing as that deep voice, which still refused to become familiar, filled the room.
Baek Woo-jin glanced at Jaden, who was seated next to him, and spoke.
"...The Supernatural-type supervising professor will be Jaden Martel."
His tone made it absolutely clear he wasn't pleased about this.
Yet Jaden, the man in question, simply nodded with sparkling eyes.
"As for Enhancement-type supervision, another professor will be handling it."
"......?"
Every professor except Lee Hyeok opened their eyes wide.
Kang Han-na was among them.
The man whose position was in question, Lee Hyeok, simply took it in stride, as if he had expected this.
"If it's Associate Professor Claire, then of course I should step aside."
"Ah......."
"That's...."
Only then did the surprised professors close their mouths and nod in understanding.
As great as Lee Hyeok was, he couldn't compare to an unofficial ranker and a representative of God.
But Baek Woo-jin's following words forced the professors to open their mouths in surprise all over again.
"You seem to be misunderstanding something. She will serve as a special advisor, alternating between the Enhancement and Supernatural types."
"...Then who?"
In response to Lee Hyeok's deeply quizzical question, Baek Woo-jin's large glasses shifted slightly.
"Cheon Ji-ho."
The one-armed man reflected in his glasses.
"......Pardon?"
Cheon Ji-ho pointed at his own chest with his one remaining arm.
As if asking if he was really sure.