Chapter 71

Chapter 71: Back to the Academy (2)

I left the Mage Tower and visited the Chancellor's Office.

I'd originally planned to go to the Training Hall, but a last-minute schedule came up.

Chancellor Ryu Jeonga had summoned me.

The Training Hall could wait a little longer, and I'd been meaning to go pay Ryu Jeonga a visit anyway, so it wasn't a major inconvenience.

Knock, knock─

When I rapped on the Chancellor's Office door, a voice from inside granted me entry.

Inside the office were Ryu Jeonga and a bald man.

"You're here. Now that everyone's gathered, let us begin."

Ryu Jeonga gestured toward the bald man and spoke.

"Introduce yourselves. Professor Cha, this is Jeong Gitae, a professor in the Magical Research Department."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Jeong Gitae."

Jeong Gitae extended his hand.

I gave the outstretched hand a light grip.

"Cha Eunwoo."

So he was from the Magical Research Department.

The first name that came to mind was Jeon Taejin.

The man who had joined hands with the Evil God Bonibatus and tried to kill me.

Considering what Jeon Taejin had done, there was a strong possibility that he'd roped in other Magical Research Department professors to participate in his wrongdoings.

Acting as a backer for those who followed him.

Thoroughly isolating those who did not.

I wondered which side this man had been on.

Ryu Jeonga spoke.

"Gitae was very close with Taejin."

"Ch-Chancellor... that's......"

"Of course, only you lot would know what exactly you did with Taejin."

Jeong Gitae was dripping with cold sweat and couldn't meet Ryu Jeonga's eyes.

It was the demeanor of someone with a guilty conscience.

I was curious about her reason for summoning me alongside this man.

"May I hear why you called me?"

"This rascal. You used to come running the instant I called, but now that your head's gotten big, you think time with this old woman is too precious and want me to just get to the point, is that it? Tsk, this old woman is too heartbroken to go on."

"What?"

What was she talking about all of a sudden?

Ryu Jeonga whipped her head away and covered the corners of her eyes with her hand, pretending to cry.

"Never mind, never mind. I'm sorry this old woman wasted your time, so go on and leave."

Her fake sobbing made my head bow on its own.

"...That wasn't my intention. If I've offended you, I apologize......"

Ryu Jeonga cracked a grin.

"Why are you taking a joke so seriously?"

"Ah, yes."

She's 150 years old and wants to toy with someone young enough to still be wet behind the ears?

Ryu Jeonga suddenly narrowed her eyes and stared right at me.

"Young Cha, you just thought about my age, didn't you?"

"No, I didn't."

Oh, fuck.

Was she using some kind of mind-reading?

I kept my composure and put on a poker face before lying.

Ryu Jeonga clicked her tongue.

"You've learned to hide your emotions fairly well, but not well enough to fool an old woman."

She had me there.

Sharp-eyed witch.

"...I apologize."

"Do you think you'll never grow old? Try aging yourself."

Even so, I doubted I'd ever make it to 150.

Ryu Jeonga dropped the playfulness and got to the point.

"Young Cha, have you heard of the title 'Top Professor'?"

"Yes. Isn't it the title given to the most outstanding professor in each department?"

Ryu Jeonga nodded.

"That's right. It's not an official designation, but it's a commonly used term. The Academy even acknowledges it unofficially. Do you know what all those called Top Professor have in common?"

"I don't."

"My, so there are things even the know-it-all Professor Cha doesn't know."

Well, of course — that kind of thing never came up in the game.

It would've been stranger to care about faculty politics inside a game.

"It's the profile photo. Your face goes into this year's department promotional pamphlet."

"I see."

"Originally, Taejin held that spot for the Magical Research Department, but his photo can't be used anymore. So we were going to put Gitae in."

I didn't know much about Jeong Gitae, but the fact that Jeon Taejin had kept him close suggested he had some level of ability.

Given that he'd been the next Top Professor candidate, there was a strong possibility he'd been the second-in-command of the Magical Research Department.

"But then Professor Cha went and created something interesting. Video Magic and Communication Magic, of all things. Spells that countless mages attempted but no one could create."

"That's... right?"

I hadn't actually created them, but since they were officially credited to me, I nodded awkwardly.

Sorry, Yeeun.

"So I called you here thinking it might be better if Professor Cha did it instead."

"I see."

Jeong Gitae slammed the desk and shot to his feet.

His expression was openly displeased.

"Chancellor, isn't this going too far, no matter what? How can someone who isn't even a professor in our department represent it?"

"He has the ability."

"Ugh... even so, this isn't right! Professor Cha, I trust that if you have even a shred of decency, you'll turn down this offer. You don't teach a single class in our department — how can you bear the title of Top Professor?"

Jeong Gitae's argument had its merits, and I personally had zero interest in being Top Professor.

But the saying that a single word can repay a thousand nyang of debt existed for a reason.

That was just how human psychology worked.

When someone talked to you like that, you didn't feel like obliging them.

"So it's fine for someone without the ability to hold that position?"

"Wh-what?"

"Professor Jeong, it seems you consider Top Professor to be a prestigious position. If so, then it shouldn't be held by someone lacking ability."

"W-wait!"

Only then did the agitated Jeong Gitae snap back to his senses.

This was Jeong Gitae's desperate bid to protect his rice bowl.

Sorry, but he and I weren't in the same weight class.

There was no way I'd be intimidated by someone like Jeong Gitae.

So where was he getting the nerve to push back?

Jeong Gitae seemed to belatedly realize this fact.

"Professor Cha, please, hear me out."

His blustering attitude had vanished without a trace.

Jeong Gitae spoke meekly in a placating tone.

"W-well, you see. If you think about it, a promotional pamphlet is a kind of marketing, right? Come to our department and you can learn from a professor like this. But if students come because they saw Professor Cha and then Professor Cha isn't there, wouldn't they be very disappointed? And also......"

"There's a solution for that."

Ryu Jeonga cut off Jeong Gitae's words and spoke.

"Not right now, but who knows what might happen in the second semester."

"S-second semester?"

"That's right. Professor Cha should be doing more things in his second semester too."

The color drained from Jeong Gitae's face.

But Ryu Jeonga was as resolute as a judge handing down a sentence.

"The Advanced Magic Research Intensive class that Taejin used to handle — Professor Cha will teach it."

"Whaaaaat?"

Jeong Gitae's face all but screamed, What on earth are you saying?

Advanced Magic Research Intensive.

It was the most important and popular specialized course in the Magical Research Department curriculum.

It was no exaggeration to say that every guild checked this course's grade first when evaluating Magical Research Department graduates.

For example, there was a story about a student whose GPA was barely above a 3.0 who'd been lucky enough to earn an A+ in Advanced Magic Research Intensive and gotten into one of Korea's Big Three guilds.

Given the course's importance, it was a lecture entrusted to the most outstanding professor in the department.

"Not a bad offer."

As Ryu Jeonga said, I needed to open new lectures in the second semester.

If I was going to open one anyway, it wouldn't be bad to join the lecture where students participated most eagerly and earn plenty of experience.

"W-wait, Professor Cha... please, don't do this."

Jeong Gitae grabbed onto me and begged.

Most likely, after Jeon Taejin's disappearance, opinion within the Magical Research Department had already solidified around Jeong Gitae teaching the course.

Having his rice bowl snatched overnight was understandably distressing.

Of course, that was Jeong Gitae's problem, not mine.

"I'll consider it favorably."

"Then the profile photo matter too?"

"Yes. Let's do that."

"A splendid decision."

Ryu Jeonga smiled warmly.

I smiled back.

The only sound in the Chancellor's Office was Jeong Gitae's wailing.

***

After wrapping up the profile photo shoot, I headed for the Training Hall.

Jo Seongung, who had been waiting at the Training Hall, was grumbling.

"For crying out loud! Why did you come so late?"

"The Chancellor summoned me. Since I wasted Professor Jo's precious time because of the Chancellor, shall I go give her a piece of my mind?"

"...Forget it. A real man doesn't get angry over being a little late."

For someone invoking the way of a real man, it was a rather pathetic display.

He seemed to be aware of it himself, because Jo Seongung avoided my eyes.

"I asked you to be my sparring partner for a bit."

"Yes."

"Professor Cha, are you confident? I'm Jo Seongung, you know."

If an ordinary Hero had said that, I would've just laughed, but when Jo Seongung said it, the words carried weight.

Jo Seongung.

No complicated modifiers were needed.

Jo Seongung was a Hero of such stature that his name alone was more than sufficient.

"...Please go easy on me."

Jo Seongung smirked.

"Sure."

The experience points I'd earned through this expedition were on a completely different scale from before.

Experience points obtained from S-rank Heroes.

In terms of in-game numbers, I could calculate the value, but having them become part of my body and move — it didn't feel real.

Even I was curious about how far I could go now.

"Haah!"

The Aura that surged from my wooden sword was far thicker and longer than before.

Just holding the Aura gave me the bursting confidence that I could split the world in half.

On top of that, the swordsmanship I'd gained from S-rank Heroes.

Once I'd reached a certain level, my comprehension of swordsmanship rose.

Now it wasn't merely about imitating techniques — I could understand the principles and purpose behind the swordsmanship.

Every movement I made now was a distillation of the finest parts of every S-rank Hero's swordsmanship.

It was nothing short of the ultimate sword art.

High specs combined with perfected technique — the strongest sword strike.

I brought my sword down on Jo Seongung with enough force to split him in half.

CLANG—!

With a tremendous sound, the swords collided.

The blow was far stronger than even I had expected.

Jo Seongung seemed to think the same, as he looked quite taken aback.

Screech─

The sound of shoes dragging came.

Jo Seongung had taken a step back to block my sword.

It was only a wooden sword without even Aura clad on it, but this was Jo Seongung.

The Jo Seongung who had taken down the Hyper Megalodon!

"Hss, impressive. I didn't expect Professor Cha's swordsmanship to have reached this level."

"I'll gratefully accept the praise."

"Of course you should. Do you know whose mouth those words came from? Be grateful. Just how far do you plan to keep surprising me?!"

The sparring continued with me on the offensive.

Jo Seongung could have overturned the flow in an instant, but he deliberately stuck to defense.

He seemed curious about how far I could go.

If that was the case, it was only polite to show him as much as he expected.

CLANG—!

For the first time since possessing this body, I gave it my all.

I pulled out everything I had and poured it at Jo Seongung.

Jo Seongung received my full power with a pleased expression.

"I've never seen swordsmanship like this before. Every single form is worth keeping! Is this your original creation, Professor Cha?"

"Yes."

"Heh heh, you really do exceed my expectations every time. What a fascinating fellow. So allow me to give you a lesson."

WHOOSH—!

Jo Seongung twirled his sword once, then gripped it differently from before.

Instinctively, I could tell he was preparing to attack.

"Your technique is excellent, but it's too obvious you haven't used it enough. The lack of proficiency tells me you've been lazy with your sword practice."

THWACK—!

Jo Seongung found an opening far too easily.

Before I could even react, I was struck on the head and left utterly dumbfounded.

"Next — your forms are too tightly packed. I can tell you've crammed in good forms one after another. In theory, it's perfect. Not a single form worth discarding. But in real combat, there are always exceptions. Force yourself to cut some out and create empty space."

THWACK—!

Another opening exploited.

This time, a wooden sword jabbed me in the chest.

"Lastly — it's fine to be confident in your strength. It's fine, but you have to pick your opponents accordingly. Choose your battles wisely."

THWAP—!

The final upward swing cleanly sent my wooden sword flying.

I'd taken a proper beating.

"Thank you for the lesson."

"Don't mention it. Forget the thanks — I played along with your training, so do me one favor in return."

"Anything."

Jo Seongung cleared his throat twice before continuing.

"I've been worried about Seohu lately."

"Is there some problem with Seohu?"

"Ever since I got back from the expedition, he's been low on energy. I think it's because he bombed the exam."

If he meant an exam, he was talking about my lecture's exam.

That would've been pretty deflating.

A-team received a B on the third exam.

It wasn't a bad grade, but considering they were dead last among all teams, it was nothing to smile about either.

"It definitely wasn't a good result."

"So what I'm asking is, could Professor Cha help Seohu and his team......"

"That's not difficult at all."

Helping out a struggling team was something I'd always done anyway.

When I accepted without hesitation, Jo Seongung's face lit up.

"Really? Thanks, thank you!"

He was a master who truly cherished his student.

It was like watching some doting helicopter parent.