Chapter 17
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Seraphina Instructor (1)
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"Pass! Kuhahat! What a usable body!"
My subsequent evaluations went even smoother than expected—no, overwhelmingly so.
In the strength test, I shattered my previous pathetic record with ease. In the endurance evaluation, I outpaced most of the students and landed in the top five.
What stood out was how I far surpassed my past self in every event.
I blew past the passing thresholds in nearly everything, proving growth that was incomparable to before.
It was the result of my Mana Detection skill, the Mana Elixir, and the skills I'd received from Instructor Cheon Da-eun's clone.
With each evaluation's end, gasps and murmurs rippled through the training grounds.
"Did that Kang Ihyeon bastard really take drugs or something?"
"No way. How does he improve that much in just a few months..."
"Hey, just ignore him. Don't give him attention. It's just a few tests. Probably luck or some cheat."
"Ha, but with that momentum, won't he pass before us?"
The sneers had morphed into a mix of awe and suspicion.
Every time I heard those evaluations, my feelings were mixed.
At first, shocking everyone felt thrilling, but now it was starting to feel oddly nauseating.
Then again, today's exam wasn't just about ranking within the class.
'Even if I shine among these stragglers, what does it change?'
The reason stragglers who fail the monthly exam consecutively face death.
It's not just that they can't contribute to rift explorations ahead.
It's the harsh reality that the academy can't keep pouring limited resources into incapable students.
Their whispers probably mixed in anxiety that they might end up in the same boat.
What awaited failed stragglers was Phase Two of the Straggler Special Management Program—the Cliff.
A brutal ordeal to forcibly awaken hunter skills on the edge of life and death.
I kept my cool and moved to the next evaluation site.
Fourth: Physical measurements. And there...
"Next, Kang Ihyeon."
Instructor Seraphina awaited, her vibrant pink hair and impeccably tailored uniform on full display.
She wore a light, beautiful smile, but her eyes held a sharp, cold edge.
'So that's Instructor Seraphina.'
I had no personal history with her, but I'd heard the rumors about her infamous personality. The stark opposite of her pretty looks—she was merciless and cruel to untalented students.
Unlike the other instructors, her gaze lingered on me with overt interest.
"So you're Kang Ihyeon? Hmng~"
She scanned me from head to toe slowly, like she'd found an intriguing toy.
"I've heard all about you from Instructor Cheon Da-eun. Though... you feel a bit different from the stories? Surprisingly... decent-looking?"
"......"
"They say you aced the mana measurement too? With all the rumors calling you trash of the trash, I figured you'd be total garbage, but looks like you put in some effort."
Her casual words carried barbs. Overt sarcasm. Arms crossed, head tilted, she kept eyeing me. Mentioning Instructor Cheon Da-eun grated oddly. Did this woman have beef with her?
Jealousy? Wariness? Whatever it was, I needed to tread carefully with her.
"What are you doing? Get inside already."
"Ah, yes."
A curtained-off private booth.
For privacy, no doubt. Inside sat advanced body measurement equipment akin to an InBody scanner.
It precisely gauged nearly everything a hunter needed: height, weight, muscle mass, BMI, bone density, even body part balances.
"Strip. Everything but your underwear."
"Pardon?"
"What? Shy? You'll face worse in rifts later. What's the big deal about showing some skin?"
"......"
She smirked and stepped to the control panel.
I felt a flash of defiance toward her, but in the end, I silently began undressing. No choice if she called it inevitable. Down to my underwear, I folded my clothes aside and stepped onto the platform.
The cold, hard footing pressed against my soles.
Whiiir—
A low mechanical hum sounded as a blue scanner swept over my body from top to bottom. I stood as casually as possible, but her probing gaze boring into my back felt unpleasant.
Soon, the results displayed on the front screen.
'...Oh.'
The results were way better than expected.
I'd thought I was just lean, but the Growth Spurt skill had steadily reinforced my muscles and frame more than I'd realized.
Overall still average, but compared to my past 'below standard,' it was a total transformation.
Instructor Seraphina stared at the numbers in disbelief, faint wrinkles creasing her brow. She tapped the panel a few more times to double-check, then clicked her tongue softly.
"Hmng... Well, you've taken decent care of your body?"
She scrolled through my past records quickly. As they appeared, her brows furrowed deeper, then she turned back to me with an odd expression. No more overt sneers—just appraising glances up and down.
"This much change in such a short time... Impressive, for sure. Guess that's why Cheon Da-eun's been shielding you."
Her words sounded like praise, but the nuance wasn't. She nodded for me to step down, then strode right up as I did—too close. Her perfume and scent hit me full force.
I reflexively stepped back, but her hand was faster.
Grab—!
"Ek...?"
Her cold hand shot out, roughly seizing my most sensitive spot straining against my underwear.
The choking grip transmitted straight to my groin.
"I-Instructor! Wh-what are you...!"
"Shh—."
She pressed a finger to her lips and whispered low. Sweet smile at odds with her icy eyes.
"What if I screamed right now? A disgraceful straggler trying to sexually harass a beautiful instructor who's not even his—something like that? Perfect story for the disciplinary committee, don't you think?"
A chill ran down my spine. She meant it.
Any resistance or fuss, and she'd really drag me down.
"N-no one would believe that. I'm just a straggler student..."
"Oh? If you get hard, wouldn't that make it sexual harassment?"
She smiled seductively and tightened her grip.
Squeeze... twitch...
Her fingers kneaded me slowly over the fabric from base to tip, stroking down expertly, then wrapping and squeezing the shaft. Humiliating and repulsive, yet my body reacted regardless.
"Hnght..."
The suffocating sensation hardened me, swelling in her grasp. Seraphina felt it all, her expression growing more satisfied.
"Oh my, hee... Is this side of you pretty usable too?"
She giggled mischievously, hot breath whispering in my ear. Her grip didn't loosen.
"Men are so simple, aren't they? Just clamp here like this, and no matter how they squirm, they can't do a thing? Adorable."
Humiliation burned my face, but I could only glare helplessly.
My mind raged, but the pleasure from below made my body tremble.
Far more skilled than my clumsy play with the clone instructor.
Instructor Seraphina savored my powerlessness with a sweet smile.
Her fingers swept over me expertly once more.
"Why not ditch that witch Cheon Da-eun's abuse and come to me? If I take a liking to you, you might go far—surprisingly so."
Smooth—smooth—
I wanted to resist, but no way out.
In this sealed space, if she decided to trap me, I'd be done. Her hand still pinned my groin, slowly, persistently circling over the fabric.
Unwanted arousal surged...
"...What's your angle?"
"Hm?"
"Using me to screw over Instructor Cheon Da-eun somehow?"
"Oh?"
Seraphina paused her grip, eyes widening as if I'd asked something naive.
"Screw her over? Please. Why would I bother with that hassle? Don't worry—I'm not planning anything direct to her."
"...You expect me to believe that?"
"Up to you."
She shrugged and resumed kneading softly. Her touch over the thick fabric was hot, expert—like she knew exactly how to torment and arouse a man.
Squeeze...
"Either way, passing this exam means reassignment of instructor and class. I'd naturally part from Instructor Cheon Da-eun then. Why scout me now?"
"Fair point."
She conceded easily. But that twisted, playful smile lingered.
"Thing is, I just love stealing what Cheon Da-eun cherishes. Watching her precious prospect grovel under me? Sounds fun."
"F-for that reason alone...?"
Twisted possessiveness or rivalry?
Listening to her filled me with futility. Cherishes me? Yeah right.
'No way.'
Just one night with the clone—nothing more. Her recent attitude shift was minor.
She's totally deluded.
'Maybe this is my chance?'
If I play to her, get in her good graces—better position than now...?
I gave a bitter smile.
Pathetic mental gymnastics.
As if I had choices.
"......"
"Why so quiet? My offer not appealing?"
I opened my mouth slowly.
"What do I get under you?"
My pragmatic question wiped the intrigued smile from Instructor Seraphina's face.
Replaced by cold disappointment and contempt—like I'd folded too easily, boring her.
"...Hmng. Lamer than expected. Thought Cheon Da-eun's pup would have more fight. No loyalty either."
"Pardon? What did you say?"
Crazy bitch?
"Well, yeah. For bottom-feeder trash like you, my offer's irresistible temptation."
"W-wait—"
"Don't worry, I haven't soured on you. Fine. Since I'm acknowledging your value, listen up."
She tilted my chin up, locking eyes and whispering sweetly.
"Pass this exam, and I'll slot you straight into a D-rank management squad. Normally you'd start at E, but special exception."
"D-rank... squad?"
"Yeah. Think that's all? Quarterly reviews, and I'll arrange academy support equivalent to C-rank hunter level. How's that—generous, right?"
Unbelievable terms. Skip E straight to D, plus C-level support?
'Is she insane?'
Windfall for a straggler like me—impossible via normal paths.
And realistic. Seraphina was elite even among A-class and special squads. She had the pull.
Instructor Cheon Da-eun wouldn't bend rules like that anyway...
'Jackpot?'
She caught my wavering eyes and drove the nail home, fingers grazing my tip.
"Pass without me, you're E-rank errand boy. Under me? Different story. Your meteoric talent these weeks? I'll nurture it right. Time to answer. Or maybe..."
Squeeze—!
"...not enough pleasure?"
She teased, hooking fingers into my waistband expertly.
And yanked down casually.
Thud.
My hidden length sprang free with a dull sound.
"...Hee."
In that instant, Instructor Seraphina's breath hitched.
Her confident eyes widened—slightly, but unmistakably.
No more contempt or playfulness. Pure surprise and curiosity fixed on my exposed member.
Understandable.
My old one was utterly average.
But now? Growth Spurt Lv5, Virility Lv3 effects.
Dark veins bulged along the shaft like cords. Not monstrously huge, but impressive size and shape even to me.
"Take back the disappointment. This... explains why Cheon Da-eun babies you a bit."
"Pardon? Th-the instructor and I aren't like that..."
"Hah? Who doesn't know. Can't even take a joke..."
Grab—!
She seized my now bare, hot, hard shaft without hesitation. Stronger, more blatant grip than before.
"Let's see if you're fuck-buddy material."