Ch.112112. I Became a Professor at the Academy (2)

We’re going to die meaninglessly? Us?

That was exactly the expression on the faces of the freshmen who heard my words. I carefully looked around at the new students who hadn’t yet properly understood what I meant. Well, how could they understand? The only real combat they’d experienced was likely the illusion shown during the placement exam.

“Um, what do you mean by losing our lives meaninglessly?”

One student asked. It was the same student who had questioned whether we really needed to learn combat methods.

“Exactly what it sounds like. I’m talking about dying while fighting magical beasts without even being able to put up proper resistance. Just like I’ve witnessed on many battlefields over the years.”

I know this reality. A knight who trained with nothing but a sword for ten years can die in the blink of an eye. A soldier who survived dozens of battlefields can perish from a magical beast’s first attack. Another goal I set for myself when I was appointed as an instructor here was to protect even those I couldn’t directly reach.

“…And what did you mean when you said we’ll face magical beasts before the year ends? Are you saying the academy will put our lives at risk with some kind of trial?”

I shook my head. And suddenly realized something. These people who might shoulder the future of this kingdom could only imagine the academy’s tests as a potential cause of death. The calamity I had prevented was merely a distant tale to those outside the affected regions.

“Just because a crisis isn’t immediately before your eyes doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. This depends on how you choose to view it.”

I answered and tapped the blackboard with chalk. Hordes of magical beasts rushing toward the royal capital to escape the falling comet. In the original story, hundreds of knights and mages sacrificed themselves to stop these hordes, with many academy students among them. Even if we somehow managed to stop the comet without damage, half the students in this class wouldn’t survive.

“Well, we’ve been delayed a bit. Let’s begin the lesson.”

I wrote “Magical Beasts” on the blackboard and put down the chalk.

“What are magical beasts?”

“They are creatures that, like humans, contain magical power within their bodies.”

“Any other opinions?”

The classroom was quiet. That definition probably came straight from their textbooks. I looked around to see if anyone had an “I know better” look in their eyes, but most students seemed to agree with that definition.

[“These days, humans either lack a sense of crisis or their development is too slow.”]

Well, maybe they just don’t want to speak up. Like that suspicious one sitting in the middle.

I glanced at Natalie while responding to the Holy Sword. I deliberately let my gaze drift toward her occasionally, but Natalie was taking my attention very calmly.

‘…Evil god worship.’

Brainwashing? Voluntary membership? Or was I wrong from the beginning? I decided not to think too deeply about it for now. First, the lecture.

“All magical beasts contain magical power, but that’s not the most important defining characteristic. There’s a reason we distinguish between spiritual beasts and magical beasts.”

So then, the most important element that distinguishes magical beasts from other creatures is:

“Malice. Unconditional, unquestionable killing intent toward humans. A blind hatred close to obsession that actively seeks out humans when they sense their presence.”

I wrote the keyword “malice toward humans” on the blackboard.

“That’s why common sense doesn’t apply when dealing with magical beasts. Sometimes there are magical beasts that prioritize killing one more human over preserving their own lives.”

This is especially true for less intelligent magical beasts. I recalled the face of a giant ash-gray bear that charged at me, foaming at the mouth. Even as I cut its flesh, it moved to tear me apart with white eyes and animal instinct. How many people here could handle just one such ash-gray bear?

“Therefore, combat against magical beasts must begin by changing your common sense about battle. Especially in large-scale conflicts.”

I drew two branches below the word “magical beasts” on the blackboard, like a family tree. I could feel the students beginning to focus on my words.

“Magical beasts can be broadly divided into two types: those with intelligence and those without.”

Having intelligence doesn’t diminish their killing intent toward humans. The difference is only whether they’re controlled by their killing intent and instincts or not. And magical beasts that can control their instincts begin to enjoy using their malice to kill people.

The intelligent magical beasts will see the mass migration caused by the comet as an opportunity. An opportunity to lead others and kill and devour people on a large scale. We’ve already experienced the danger of organized magical beasts in the North. The problem is teaching how to deal with them.

“First, let’s learn about their differences and how they relate to each other. I assume no one here will question whether we’ll encounter intelligent magical beasts?”

When I voiced the doubt everyone had been harboring, I could feel the students’ agitation. Though I understood it was unavoidable, I almost sighed.

[“Isn’t it because you’ve been too active?”]

It’s somewhat bitter that this actually caused carelessness. It would have been better if they had even a little sense of crisis. Well, by the time they develop that sense of crisis, it will likely be too late anyway.

“Now, let’s explain step by step from the basics. I’ll first give you a general explanation about magical beasts without intelligence.”

First, know your enemy and yourself. I need to hammer some knowledge into these innocent students’ heads.

==

“How was it?”

The lecture ended. The freshmen leaving the classroom wore completely dazed expressions. Eugene, Cora, and Natalie walked out of the classroom together, sharing their stunned impressions. Eugene was the first to regain his senses. He called out to Cora, who was still mechanically walking in a daze.

“What do you mean ‘how was it’… I don’t know. It was just good.”

Eugene frowned at Cora’s answer.

“Not your fan impression. How was the lecture?”

“…It was new. I’ve never approached magical beasts that way before. It’s not even the kind of thinking adventurers would have. It felt like he was approaching them strictly as enemies.”

What the Hero did was analysis. A thorough analysis as if facing an enemy army. It was a fresh shock to students who had never thought of magical beasts as a type of force. A mysterious force that could threaten and kill people at any time. He also explained how many people live under threat from magical beasts and why we must fight them.

“I thought his way of seeing the world is completely different from ours.”

Eugene had to nod at those words. The Hero wasn’t called a hero for nothing. At the foundation of his words lay a deep recognition of serving people. Though he appeared stoic and calm on the outside, his conviction was strong and firm enough for them to recognize. Eugene heaved a deep sigh.

“I think we’ll learn a lot. Damn it. I have to admit this. It was far more impressive than any class I’ve ever attended.”

Though he was neither a fan of the Hero nor anything else, he had to acknowledge what deserved acknowledgment. Otherwise, he would fall behind students from other academies. The more he could absorb of the Hero’s thinking, attitude, and glimpses of his skill, the higher he could rise.

“I’ve never seen so many people all focused like that. Even during the placement exam, the entrance ceremony, and even the entrance exam, there were many who weren’t paying attention.”

Eugene grumbled as he flipped through his notebook. Between the turning pages, the Hero’s lecture notes were neatly organized. It wasn’t just his name that could subdue all those arrogant freshmen.

“He didn’t even emit any special energy, right? He appeared with a completely ordinary presence. How could he dominate the entire space in an instant? It can’t be explained by simply saying he has excellent speaking skills. I couldn’t understand it. How did he do it?”

Cora finally came to her senses and nodded in agreement with Eugene’s words.

“Right. I might be one thing, but everyone there was like they were enchanted… no, literally overwhelmed and couldn’t do anything. There should have been plenty who would scoff at the name of the Hero.”

“Prey instinct.”

Cora and Eugene turned their heads at Natalie’s voice. Natalie had a subdued demeanor. There was no noticeable hostility, nor was it her usual insensitive manner. She looked like someone composing themselves before battle.

“Prey instinct?”

“Your instinct knows it. The fact that you’re far beneath that being. It’s something your skin recognizes before your brain does, just by facing him.”

Eugene frowned at Natalie’s words.

“But he’s human like us? Even though we know he won’t harm us?”

“What do you think when you see an ocean so deep you can’t gauge its bottom?”

Cora and Eugene narrowed their brows.

“Well… anyone would feel overwhelmed.”

Overwhelmed. Only then did they understand what that expression meant. The Hero was just there, like the ocean. He neither caused harm nor drew his sword, but he overwhelmed humans like a massive phenomenon. Does that mean he doesn’t even feel human? Eugene turned to look at Natalie.

“You seemed completely unfazed.”

To Eugene, who spoke with a somewhat dejected tone, Natalie snorted.

“Because my caliber is different from yours.”

“…How nice to have such great capacity.”

At her calm acknowledgment of her own talent, Eugene finally showed a reaction as if he’d had enough. It seemed necessary to learn more about her before trying to recruit her. It was also somewhat suspicious how she spoke as if she knew the Hero well.

“What exactly is your connection to the Hero? I’m not a fan of the Hero either, but I couldn’t be that calm about him.”

Ignoring Eugene’s words, Natalie walked on. Cora looked at Natalie’s face with curious eyes, supporting Eugene’s question, but she merely shrugged her shoulders.

“If you won’t tell us, let’s at least go eat. We can at least have meals together, right?”

Natalie didn’t answer but continued walking with them. The more time they spent together, the more incomprehensible she became. If she had firmly pushed the two away, they wouldn’t have even approached her. Maybe she was just awkward with people.

“Let’s see… today’s menu.”

As Eugene and Cora reached the cafeteria and were about to get their food after examining the menu, Natalie was staring at a corner of the cafeteria without looking at the menu.

“What are you looking at?”

Eugene, with his tray full, turned his head to follow Natalie’s gaze and raised a question mark on his face. Cora, who turned her head along with him, froze like a statue.

“…No way, why is he here… Why doesn’t anyone recognize him?”

Natalie shrugged and moved toward the Hero, who was leisurely eating alone by the window of the cafeteria.

“Hero.”

The Hero looked up with an incredulous expression to face the three. It was Natalie who had called him, and Cora who spoke next.

“C-can we join you for the meal?”

The Hero frowned very slightly, then nodded with a small laugh.