Chapter 11
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Professor Lee's Offer
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Am I some elementary school kid that they're suspecting I got help on my assignment from someone?
"I didn't ask anyone specifically; it was just my own guess. I'm glad it was spot on."
"I see. I've occasionally helped Haneul with assignments before, so I asked him about it."
The intensity in his eyes faded, and to my embarrassment, Professor Lee Minseok gave a calm response.
There was a kid among my classmates who acted like an elementary schooler.
Calling me "hyung" and acting all buddy-buddy—he must've been closer to him than I thought.
"As I mentioned last time, I don't have any relatives who are Korean medicine doctors."
"Impressive."
He seemed genuinely curious rather than suspicious.
"It was clear you'd put a ton of thought into it for the patient's sake. Maybe even more than I, the attending physician, had agonized over the treatment."
"Oh, it wasn't that much."
"When I first saw the report, I thought there were too many assumptions, but I was the one who was wrong. I reflected on that. I never imagined the patient could improve that much."
This wasn't just empty praise. For him to be this frank in front of a student?
"I got lucky. He opened up to me, so I could learn all sorts of things."
"That's exactly what's impressive. I'd been trying to get through to him for weeks without success, but right after meeting you, didn't he say he'd quit drinking? You'll make a truly outstanding Korean medicine doctor."
"You're embarrassing me."
I scratched my head at the excessive compliments. It wasn't that big a deal.
"By the way, what are your plans after graduation? Thinking of going into internal medicine?"
Professor Lee Minseok, who had been showering me with praise, suddenly changed topics.
"Internal medicine?"
"You seem more interested in herbal prescriptions. Or is it acupuncture, maybe rehab?"
...So this was the main point.
I finally realized why Professor Lee Minseok had called me aside.
'No wonder Hwang Sanghun and Jo Haneul were on guard.'
Getting an internship at Korea University Korean Medicine Hospital wasn't easy to begin with, but pursuing residency in your desired specialty afterward was a whole other hurdle.
There were eight specialties for Korean medicine specialists, and acupuncture and Korean medicine rehabilitation were generally the most popular. After all, most patients visiting clinics or hospitals came for musculoskeletal issues and wanted acupuncture.
If I'd been planning to pursue training, I would've been grateful for Professor Lee Minseok bringing it up. I could've started signaling my interest in acupuncture early.
"Haven't decided yet?"
Before I could even formulate a response, Professor Lee Minseok pressed eagerly.
"If you already have a research lab in mind, that's fine—just let me know."
"A research lab...?"
Something about his word choice felt off. A chill ran up my spine.
Was this how it felt when the Heavenly Demon came to see me? An instinctive unease washed over me.
"I thought grad school starts after internship and residency."
"So it's not decided yet."
I answered cautiously, but Professor Lee Minseok smiled with satisfaction.
"How could I pick a lab when I don't even know if I'll get an internship?"
"Ah, Korea University's training spots are so competitive you don't make early contacts?"
"Professor, you did...?"
"Yes. I've been helping my advising professor with research every break since my second year of undergrad. That's how I got to know Jo Haneul too."
"...You must've worked hard."
I offered some subtle sympathy. But it didn't seem like he'd suffered too much; he chuckled and patted my shoulder.
"All the better, then. If nowhere's set, why not come to my lab?"
And there it was—the offer I'd been dreading.
"Well..."
"Don't worry about the internship. Who else would we pick but Han Yeowon? I can't pull strings myself, but the other professors aren't blind either."
"No, it's not that."
"You don't need to obsess over connections. Publishing good papers matters more. Even I, from Umyeong University, made it here as a professor, right?"
"I'm sorry, Professor! I've completely given up on internship! Grad school isn't in my plans for the next twenty years!"
His scouting enthusiasm rivaled that of the Martial Alliance Leader, forcing me to rudely cut him off.
If I'd heard this before my trip to the martial world, I might've been thrilled. But now? My mind was made up.
I had zero lingering attachment to training.
What mattered most to me was ample sleep and three square meals of junk food a day. No way was I spending four years sleep-deprived and buried in work. I'd order delivery every day and chill at home!
And what? Professor Lee Minseok's lab? While others slept six hours, I'd be lucky to get two, grinding out research and papers.
A happy life of gaming day and night awaited me. Why walk into that hell willingly?
"Did you get an offer somewhere? Hwangje Korean Medicine Hospital, maybe? Or a personal mentor?"
Not at all.
I had no intention of asking Hwang Seoyeong to pull strings for Hwangje, and my master from the other world was gone for good.
'What do I say?'
I couldn't exactly tell Professor Lee Minseok, who was praising me to the skies, that I planned to slack off and eat.
After a moment's thought, I said,
"I've considered training, but honestly, I'm leaning toward opening my own practice."
"Opening a practice? Right after graduation?"
Professor Lee Minseok's eyes widened.
Adult learners in their thirties or forties sometimes opened practices immediately upon graduating, but students who entered straight out of high school or after a year off, graduating in their twenties, usually did training or worked as assistants first.
"Yep."
"Hmm."
Professor Lee Minseok scanned me up and down with an odd look.
Was he going to warn me about classmates who'd jumped into business too young and failed? Or tell me to study more first?
"Sounds good to me."
I was braced for anything.
Professor Lee Minseok tilted his head and nodded approvingly.
"I think you'd do well as a student. No hesitation in treatment or dealing with people. That's what really counts, honestly. Knowledge? Books are everywhere in translation these days. I was old-fashioned thinking a master was essential."
"Huh... You're not trying to talk me out of it."
"How could I discourage someone wanting to make money?"
"It's not just about the money."
"It's fine. I get it. I sensed a kindred spirit, and I think you'll succeed not just in research but business too."
Hm, disappointed?
The workload was the real issue over money, but any excuse sounded lame.
The key point was that Professor Lee Minseok had given up on recruiting me to grad school.
"No need to tense up. I'd have enjoyed researching together—that's all I regret."
"Thank you for the kind words; I don't deserve them."
"You do. Take Jeong Gwangsu—he improved dramatically thanks to you. Spread your skills to patients on the front lines."
"That's thanks to your treatment, Professor."
Practice or not, all I wanted was to slack and eat, but...
I humbly accepted the praise.
"If you ever change your mind, even ten years from now, let me know. Academia's doors are always open."
I'd refused quite naturally, and Professor Lee Minseok sent me off with a meaningful smile.
Time flew by.
Classmates who'd been on edge every class gradually got used to Professor Lee Minseok's assignments, submitting work of decent quality. They were confident they wouldn't be shocked even by his most outlandish exam.
But surprisingly, he announced the exam would follow the same format as the previous full-time professor.
No special prep needed, then.
Right after the semester started, I'd reviewed all the principal meridians and acupoints. Sticking needles into the designated spots on my partner was a piece of cake.
- Outer Frontier Gate, Hundred Convergences, Three Yin Intersection, Great White
Four at once? I could've hit them blindfolded! ...But I carefully placed each one on my partner's head and limbs.
"Perfect."
"Thank you."
"Don't go home—wait in the classroom for a bit."
"Got it."
I returned to the classroom after the exam.
Not just me—everyone got the same instruction, filling the room. He wasn't planning a lecture on exam day, was he?
"Gonna be all hundreds across the board."
Hwang Seoyeong, already seated, boasted proudly.
The questions didn't perfectly match the review materials, but no one slacked off after Professor Lee Minseok's track record. She'd pulled two all-nighters memorizing all 365 acupoints.
The other classmates had crammed somehow too; everyone looked relieved.
"Kang Jiweon~."
Soon, the front door opened.
"Yeah?"
"From number one, come get your score sheets!"
"Exam's over, though?"
"In order: Herbal Medicine prelim 1, prelim 2, regulations exam, acupuncture assignment, and the acupuncture practical you just did~. Objections? Take it up with the professor yourself!"
No lecture, thankfully... but boos erupted at the grade sheets.
"Herbals must be insane!"
"No failing grades, right? No way?"
"Ah, what? Deducted points just now? Twenty? For 1cm off?"
"Quiet down~. Choi Sumi, Han Yeowon, Hwang Sanghun, Hwang Seoyeong—done!"
Even surnames starting with 'H' got theirs. I squinted at my scores.
- 43. 100. 100. 98. 100.
The practical was full marks, as expected, and just two points off the assignment. Regulations matched past years.
The problem was the Herbal Medicine exam on day one.
"All that big talk, here or there..."
I muttered, holding my head. I'd bragged to Jo Haneul and Professor Lee Minseok that I wouldn't do internship, but failing to qualify? Talk about losing face.
43 out of 100?
I'd bombed hard.
Only the graduation exam left. It covered everything, but having scores locked in after two days was dizzying.
"No retakes on herbals, right?"
"How much'd you get?"
I leaned over to peek at Hwang Seoyeong's lamenting score sheet.
"68? Not bad."
"You probably aced it!"
Hwang Seoyeong huffed. I silently showed her mine.
"...Rushed it?"
"Let's go study."
It wasn't particularly hard. I just bombed solo.
Spilled milk, though.
Nothing for it but to ace the graduation exam and cover.
"That Lee Minseok jerk!"
Luck or misfortune, Jo Haneul had a hole in one of his scores too.
"Hey, Hwang Sanghun! Study at your place starting today."
Hwang Sanghun turned his weary face to me, then smiled at Jo Haneul.
"Sure."
Not an idiot—could he really not say no?
"Yeowoniiiiing~. What if I flunk the grad exam? Study together, pleeease?"
No sooner had I thought it than Hwang Seoyeong grabbed my right arm.
"You've been library-only lately; I'm jealous! Give this big sis a ride on the bus too!"
Even the student council president, whom I hadn't studied with in ages, seized my left arm.
Shaking off two girls? Easy...
"Fine, dorm tonight."
I made the same foolish choice. They were among the few who cared, and I'd neglected them too much.
Pretending reluctance, I headed to the dorm with the council president and Hwang Seoyeong.
And so graduation exam season began.