Daesung's Approach and the New Semester
Daesung Group. The undisputed number one guild in Korea, solidifying its top position in the country right now. Choi Woo-sung, the inaugural chairman of Daesung, famous as an SS-rank hunter. Even though he'd stepped back from the front lines, his presence was still immense on a global scale.
Ten years ago, during the monster wave that nearly annihilated humanity. He was one of the five first-generation heroes who led the charge in that fateful battle for mankind's survival, and one of only five SS-rank hunters in the world. Europe's Saintess, America's Mr. America, China's Martial Alliance Leader, Japan's Miyamoto, and Korea's Choi Woo-sung. After repelling the wave, they each established the top guilds in their regions, their influence as firm as ever.
Modern Daesung was the de facto largest guild corporation in South Korea, brimming with pride over having protected the nation from crisis. And in the scouting department of such a Daesung.
Kim Hyun-jeong, team leader of Scout Team 1, which specialized in identifying and recruiting only the best talents for Daesung, had come to the Korean Hunter Academy to tap into internal sources. She'd considered sneaking in covertly at first, but her target was the Korean Hunter Academy—the gathering place of Korea's finest prospects. She knew the professors teaching there were no pushovers.
When dealing with a place like that, sometimes a direct approach was better.
"So, you're asking for Yoo Ara's personal information?"
"Yes."
"Is this an official request from Daesung?"
"It is. Daesung is currently watching Yoo Ara very closely."
Kim Hyun-jeong had sought out Park Ji-yoon, the professor in charge of Urban Combat Training and homeroom teacher for Class 1-D.
Park Ji-yoon. Among the professors at the Korean Hunter Academy, she was known for her particularly innovative teaching methods.
"So you want the student's information?"
"That's right."
"The Korean Hunter Academy's policy is not to disclose information without the student's direct request."
"Why is that?"
"Pardon?"
"Is there some fact that shouldn't be made public, by any chance?"
Park Ji-yoon's brow furrowed.
"Are you implying the academy gave her a push or something?"
"Who knows. Maybe they did."
"That's quite rude. The Korean Hunter Academy provides equal opportunities to all and honest education—that's our principle."
"Then why won't you disclose it?"
"The student refused."
"...That's odd. She sets it to private right after repeating a year?"
A slight provocation touching on the academy's pride. But Park Ji-yoon didn't bite.
"It happens sometimes. Students embarrassed about repeating might set it to private, or keep it secret until their grades improve."
"So I can take it the academy didn't interfere?"
"I know Daesung is Korea's top guild. But this is extremely rude. Is this how you usually do business?"
"No. I was just voicing personal curiosity. We're watching Yoo Ara that closely."
"You should give up."
"Pardon?"
"Yoo Ara is someone the Korean Hunter Academy is also keeping a close eye on."
The Korean Hunter Academy watching closely. That also meant the Korean government was reaching out to scout her.
'They're telling me to back off here.'
But Kim Hyun-jeong was confident.
"To become a government hunter, don't they have to go through two years of grad school at the academy? Would a talented hunter really do that?"
"If they have the will to learn, they would."
The two women glared at each other.
Kim Hyun-jeong realized she couldn't get anything more from this woman. Stubborn as a mule. She'd thought someone with flexible classes would be reasonable, but she was a lone wolf.
'Nothing to gain here.'
But one thing was clear: the Korean Hunter Academy hadn't intervened in Yoo Ara's grades. If they had, the government wouldn't be after her.
"Understood. I've got the academy's stance. I'll be going now."
Kim Hyun-jeong stood up.
"Hyun-jeong, was it?"
Park Ji-yoon, still seated, beckoned with her hand.
"Don't do anything foolish. Daesung already has plenty of talent—don't get too greedy. Just take what's fair."
"How impertinent. A mere professor, of all people."
"Not something a mere scout should say."
An illusion of sparks flew between them.
Tomorrow would be the start of the new semester.
"......"
Yoo Ara, lips pressed tight in dissatisfaction, couldn't focus on the lesson.
"What're you doing?"
"......"
"Ara, what're you doing?"
"Ah, Teacher......"
Snapping out of deep thought, she looked at me and spoke.
"Can we extend the lesson days?"
"What?"
"I want to increase the number of lesson days."
"Why all of a sudden?"
"I thought about it. Lee Hye-ri just started learning from you, right?"
"Yeah."
"Doesn't that mean she'll get even stronger than she is now?"
"......"
"Thanks to you, I've only just reached this level. But she'll surpass that. Then the gap between me and Lee Hye-ri will widen, I'll never be first again—just perpetual second place, and then, and then......"
Yoo Ara's eyes burned with fierce determination as she stared at me.
"I absolutely can't lose! I don't want to lose that feeling of being number one!"
"You want the reward?"
"Th-that's part of it!"
Jealousy, and the drive to grow stronger. Not a bad thing at all. Wanting more lessons to get stronger was positive.
But in the current situation, adding more lesson days wouldn't accelerate her growth much. Even outside lessons, my Growth Assistance skill was continuously active on her. Faster growth beyond that was practically impossible.
In other words, adding days here wouldn't bring dramatic results.
Everything except her C-rank Strength was B-rank or higher. She was already growing at an absurd rate. No reason to be anxious.
Of course, that was from my perspective, watching her growth up close. Yoo Ara would see it differently. Especially now that she had a rival.
"I'm not increasing lesson time."
"Teaaacher......"
Rejected, she threw a tantrum, pressing right up against me, rubbing her breasts on my arm with a whine.
"Teacher, pleeease. I really want to grow more."
"No. Adding days won't make you grow faster."
"But......"
"You're already growing at an unprecedented speed, Ara. Wanting more is just greed."
"Uuuu."
She puffed her cheeks, face full of complaint.
"And even if Lee Hye-ri grows, she won't surpass you right away."
"Huh? But last time, she beat me 1-on-1. That's how she got first......"
"Hunters don't just get 1-on-1 fights. You have way more potential to shine in various scenarios. So even if her skill is strong now, considering team utility, dungeon knowledge, and future activities, you're stronger overall."
"R-really?"
"Yeah."
Her face softened a bit.
"And hey."
"Yes?"
"I think of you as more important."
"M-me, more im, important......"
Yoo Ara fidgeted with her fingers as she repeated it.
"Y-you mean that?"
"Yeah. You're number one in our guild."
"Ah......"
What? She looked like she'd imagined something on her own and got disappointed.
"So that's what you meant by important......"
"Don't overthink it. Once school starts tomorrow and you move to Class A and take the tests again, you'll get it. What I meant."
"......Yeees."
She replied in a deflated voice.
She looked a bit pitiful, but there wasn't much I could do. I wanted her to grow fast too.
-Mana: A [Abundant Mana (S)]
The stat that had grown the fastest among hers, and the one with S-rank affinity.
[Affinity: Rank varies by caster's aptitude; higher rank means faster absorption.]
[S-rank Stat Perk: If the caster's ability with S-rank affinity rises, the user's corresponding ability rises too.]
The notice that my abilities would rise if hers with S-rank affinity improved. Clearly, if Yoo Ara's mana hit S, mine would too.
No need to rush. Plenty of time. She's grown well so far. Steady progress, and her mana will hit S soon. Then mine will too......
"Wanna try mana rotation after a while?"
"Mana rotation?"
"Yeah. Feels like it's been ages."
"I'm in."
Finishing her words, Yoo Ara undressed herself. Her large breasts and pale skin came into view. She'd shaved down there—the pubic hair was neatly groomed.
"Taking care of it, huh."
"Ah...... Yes. Can't look messy when you see it, right?"
Blushing, she looked at me as I gently stroked her lower parts.
"Hngh!"
She was already soaking wet before we even started.
"Excited already?"
"...Secret."
She climbed onto the bed and lay prone.
"Th-then, please."
Lying face down, her heavy breasts spread to the sides, sideboob spilling out. Placing my hand on her still-firm ass even in that position.
"Haaang~!"
She let out a moan.
"Don't tease."
"Busted? Hehehe."
She even had the leisure to joke now. Good sign. Better than sulking over no extra lessons.
"Just mana rotation today."
Active: Telekinesis (B) 3/5
Sexes remaining until recharge: Yoo Ara 1/2
Plenty of uses left.
"Got it......"
A hint of disappointment as I placed my hands on her waist. Mana-infused hands stimulated her body and mana.
"Hnguuuuh......"
Massaging her back as she stifled moans, I slowly roused her mana.
Pssshhh!
"Haaaah!!!"
The near-hour-long mana rotation massage that made her climax seven times? That was our little secret.
Yoo Ara headed to the academy after a long time. The time when students, having spent summer break in their own ways, returned to school. Faces mixed with excitement and reluctance.
Yoo Ara was full of excitement. No longer in D-Class, she'd been placed in the elite A-Class.
There were some changes in the classes. Based on first-semester grades, everyone had moved. Some who repeated weren't visible. Yoo Ara suddenly recalled her own miserable past experience and felt down.
They'd go through it too. But she couldn't do anything about it.
'I'm not Teacher Siu.'
She felt anew how amazing he was. He'd taken her, nearly a repeater, all the way to A-Class.
Steeped in sentiment as she welcomed the new semester, someone appeared before Yoo Ara.
"Ara."
Lee Hye-ri. No contact over break. Yoo Ara's one academy friend—or so she'd thought. Thief cat.
"......"
Yoo Ara ignored her and walked past.
"Ara! Hear me out for a sec."
"What? Nothing I wanna hear. Didn't expect you'd stab me in the back like this, Hye-ri. And from now on, call me unnie. I'm a year older, you know?"
"I was desperate too. It had to be the teacher."
"Did you repeat like me? Or did you bomb the exam without a teacher?"
"......"
Yoo Ara kept glaring. But Lee Hye-ri didn't back down here.
"Neither. But is there a rule saying only repeaters get tutoring? And Ara—no, Unnie—what's your deal with the teacher anyway?"
Not even wanting to talk, Yoo Ara left. Lee Hye-ri didn't chase further. She knew it'd just lead to a fight, and besides, orientation was in the same classroom anyway.