Chapter 43
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Goblin Model Sparring
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The video ended right as fifth period wrapped up, ushering in a break.
As Sihyun vacated the classroom, the students immediately burst into excited chatter.
Even those without close friends couldn't hide their thrill and dove straight into the online communities.
Whoa, Monsterology Intro is straight-up insane??
Watched today's lecture video and the prof's skills are insanely good. Chills
What skills you talking about?
She fights monsters like a beast lolololol
For real??
Yeah, sharp tongue, charisma on point. Total badass lololol
Sounds epic, now I'm curious lol
Share what you saw with me too!
We need to hire this prof for the swordsmanship major
Honestly, feels like the Monsterology Intro prof is stronger.
Cap lololol
A B-Rank prof looks like a joke to her?
What does a D-Rank scrub know about major lectures lololol
Of course, the overly hyped student caught some flak and insults.
But the vibe inside the classroom was much the same.
Every student at the academy shared the same dream.
'I want to become an outstanding Hunter!'
What made a Hunter outstanding?
Flashy skills, overwhelming power, and that cool pose in the heat of battle.
Many dreamed of sweeping away monsters in a blaze of glory.
Hunter videos on Rutube channels cashed in on exactly that psychology.
But Professor Jeong Si-hyun's lecture video was something else entirely.
No fancy techniques or skills. Just movements so refined and clean they bordered on perfection.
Yet no one doubted the skill on display in that video.
They could sense the rigorous training and real combat experience underpinning every restrained motion.
Flashy skills and flair mattered, sure. But the true foundation was basics.
The students who watched it all came to that realization.
"Honestly, I couldn't copy it..."
"Easy? Hell no, impossible to follow."
"But those stances... She said they're basics, right? Kinda like what they're teaching in the major now?"
"So that's what solid fundamentals look like..."
Sihyun's video shifted the students' perspectives.
It pulled their idolization of great Hunters beyond mere aspiration.
To become a great Hunter, one needed a bedrock of fundamentals.
What they should chase right now wasn't flash—it was mastering the basics.
A few felt daunted by the towering wall ahead, dipping into doubt.
But most felt a surge of motivation, their drive to learn skyrocketing.
I want to get stronger! I want to be like that!
If I build flashy skills on top of those basics... I'd be unstoppable!
A simple clip of her mowing down goblins ignited a massive fire in their hearts.
A flame of passion that wouldn't snuff out easily.
"Was gonna hit the PC bang after class, but I gotta train."
"Hey, wanna party up and hit a dungeon?"
"Yeah, why not? Sounds good."
Ad-hoc parties started forming in the classroom in a flash.
An unprecedented event in academy history—for an elective, no less.
Eunbyeol and Areum couldn't escape the momentum either.
"Areum, wanna hit a dungeon after class like usual?"
"Well... um..."
Areum pondered Eunbyeol's suggestion.
Meanwhile, Jaewoo—who'd partied with them a few times—approached the pair.
"Wanna do an E-Rank dungeon after class?"
"I'm in!"
They'd agreed to drop formalities during past clears, so Eunbyeol and Jaewoo chatted casually.
And then.
"I-I'm gonna sit this one out."
Areum, who'd always just tagged along, voiced her own opinion for the first time.
"Oh, got plans today...?"
"...Yeah? Sucks, but no helping it."
Eunbyeol nodded, a touch disappointed.
Heading out with just Jaewoo was an option, but it wasn't like today was the only chance.
"Jaewoo, party next time."
"Sure thing."
Jaewoo swallowed his regret and headed off.
He cleared E-Rank dungeons daily without fail, so he needed to round up a new group.
Eunbyeol watched him go, organizing her thoughts.
Library for homework first, then home today.
-Creeeak.
The front door swung open as Sihyun returned.
Sixth period was about to start.
The third Monsterology Intro lecture rolled into sixth period with no less intensity.
From the students' perspective, anyway.
"I was gonna dive deeper into theory,"
Sihyun said, drawing baffled looks from the class.
'Deeper from here?!'
The thought crossed every student's mind.
"Okay, you see this goblin model?"
Sihyun pulled out the goblin model she'd stashed behind the podium earlier.
The classroom air grew heavy in an instant.
Front-row students scowled at it, faces twisted.
No matter how you sliced it, the thing looked viciously unreal.
"It's a magic tool using earth magic skills. Let's do a quick practical session."
Students blinked rapidly at the goblin as Sihyun explained.
Mana stone research had brought them into everyday use, sure.
But a moving monster model? First they'd heard of it.
In truth, Sihyun puppeteered it with elemental magic, but the students had no clue.
"Let's head outside. Classroom's at the end of the hall, so side door works."
Practice wraps up today's lecture.
As Sihyun added that, students started packing their bags.
Thus, Sihyun and the class shuffled en masse to the building side.
At a spacious spot, Sihyun kicked things off lightly.
"So, who wants to go first?"
Sihyun scanned the group. Eyes darted away universally.
Separate from their fired-up enthusiasm, the model looked even more grotesque up close than a real one.
No one wanted that thing twitching in their face.
Hm?
Sihyun tilted her head cutely.
She'd expected a forest of hands.
Not this.
Break time end, they'd filed in buzzing with heat.
Combat training was usually majors-only.
Maybe electives weren't keen?
Sihyun felt a pang of regret.
So she picked one by force.
"You there, student."
"Y-Yes?!"
"Come on up."
Sihyun pointed at a random student—the one who'd grilled her with questions on day one.
By coincidence, the kid shuffled forward, trembling.
Sihyun drew a club and wooden wand from her storage-engraved bracelet.
Club to the goblin, wand for herself.
Props for faking the magic tool bit.
"Student, your class?"
"M-Martial Artist."
"Ah."
Sihyun got why the kid hadn't drawn a weapon.
His shakes had her thinking maybe stage fright, but nah.
Just nerves from excitement and anticipation.
Why me?! Did she mark me from day one?!
The martial artist screamed internally.
Lips quivering, jaw chattering, nose scrunched.
"Model's plenty sturdy. Don't worry, just fight."
"Hnnng..."
All eyes locked on the martial artist.
Pity flickered in those gazes.
But Sihyun read it differently.
They all wanna go but are too shy!
What passionate kids!
Envious stares at the first volunteer.
She'd have to time it so everyone got a turn.
Sihyun checked her phone clock.
That instant.
"H-Hyaaah!"
The martial artist let out a half-hearted kiai and charged the goblin.
Sihyun, at the ready, flicked her wand hand.
Suddenly, the lifeless model sprang to life like a real creature.
The goblin leaped sideways, dodging the student's fist.
A club swung in tandem!
Thwack!
The wooden club that cleaved air cracked against the martial artist's temple.
"Ow—!"
Sihyun had dialed back the force, so pain was minimal.
But getting hit still soured his mood fast.
Blazing eyes glared at the goblin.
Sure, it looked horrifying, but it was just a model.
Getting one-sidedly smacked bruised his pride.
He triggered his Martial Artist skill right away.
Mana swirled through his body, buffing him temporarily. A self-boost.
Gritting his teeth at the goblin.
I'll land one good hit!
Stance solid, charge!
"Guhk!"
No dice.
The goblin's club nailed his temple again, sending him tumbling sideways.
"Hm, about that level..."
Sihyun muttered, gauging his skill.
The onlookers on the other side missed it.
F-Fuck...
The martial artist heard crystal clear.
He swallowed a curse.
Sihyun hadn't meant to belittle or provoke the other party during their tense confrontation.
Just a neutral assessment in the moment.
Blame her recent internet binge—phrases stuck to her tongue.
She’s got it out for me bad...
Hauling himself up, the student shuddered all over.
That vicious prof was surely grudge-holding, planning to beat him senseless.
He glanced at her with shaky eyes.
Eye contact—her lips curled in an evil smirk.
Called it! She's saying eat shit this time!
Despair crashed over him.
Sihyun had just smiled encouragingly.
"Keep going?"
No time to waste if all were to get a shot.
Sihyun prompted calmly.
The goblin moved a notch above average—perfect unique experience.
Delighted with her lecture, Sihyun beamed contentedly.
Hiiik!
Oblivious, the martial artist stifled another scream at her urging.