Ch.153Episode 32. Ability Amplification Potion (1)

“You worked hard this semester too.”

I exhaled deeply to steady my ragged breathing as I spoke.

Before I knew it, two months had passed, and the end of the second semester was approaching.

Right before the end of term, I squeezed every last bit of energy from the students to see their growth, leaving them all sprawled out and unable to get up.

This was no different for the special class students.

When several attacked me at once, even I felt threatened, but when I made them deplete their abilities one-on-one, they couldn’t keep up at all.

It makes me newly realize that Yujin’s stamina has no limits. Seriously, how could a protagonist ever defeat a character like this? There should be a limit to being overpowered.

“Now I’ll announce your evaluations. You can check your grades online anyway, but I’ll just tell you.”

I gave an ‘A+’ to everyone except those who ran away in the middle of training.

Some might say I lack discernment, but I had no intention of ranking students by grades.

What matters is whether they achieved meaningful results after taking my class.

“Everyone got an A+ except those who ran away…?”

The students murmured, showing puzzled reactions.

“All of you here endured a difficult semester. I think giving you an A+ is only natural. Do you disagree?”

No one spoke up at my words. No one would want to speak up and risk lowering their grade.

“You’re probably feeling it now. The burden of using your abilities has decreased compared to before. Not only that, but by using your abilities frequently, you’ve greatly improved your application skills and density.”

Although I couldn’t give individual direction to each student, this alone represents significant growth.

Even if they secretly felt dissatisfied with my lectures, they couldn’t say it directly to me.

After all, my class is just the ‘basics.’

“If you continue developing your abilities like this until graduation, I believe you’ll be able to continue your activities as heroes. You’ve worked hard this semester.”

I announced the end of the semester with applause.

The students struggled to clap back, forcing their trembling bodies to stand. I watched as they left the training hall one by one with smiles.

Meanwhile, the special class students remained seated on the floor, catching their breath.

“How… is it possible that the gap doesn’t narrow even after training for a whole year?”

Jung Iyeon asked in astonishment.

I crouched down in front of her with a grin.

“Why do you think?”

“A-are you mocking me?”

“No. I’m asking.”

“I-I don’t know…”

“It’s because… I’ve grown while teaching you.”

When I clenched my fist and released my lightning, sparks shot up fiercely. I smiled at the sparks, which had clearly grown larger than before.

My skills “Lightning Release” and “Lightning Discharge” had improved.

Moreover, my Disruption maintenance time had increased to 5 minutes, and dealing with all the special class students at once had improved my stamina and made me more adept at handling my body.

“What?!”

“Why? Did you think I couldn’t grow?”

The other students beyond Jung Iyeon seemed at a loss for words, giving wry smiles.

But none of them looked like they’d lost motivation. Rather, they seemed relieved. They were probably comforted that their goal was still intact.

“You really are amazing. The unofficial number one in South Korea is different.”

“Hey, wait—!”

I asked you to keep that a secret.

“…Don’t say unnecessary things.”

“Unofficial number one? Instructor, you’re ranked number one?”

Gu Yeonhwa, who didn’t know I had defeated Ha Yuri, asked with confusion. The other students also reacted, focusing their attention on me.

“Could it be… you won against Hero Ha Yuri during the MT?”

“I told you not to mention that.”

“…Sorry.”

Yeon Muhui apologized readily, scratching his head awkwardly.

The other students who overheard our conversation asked with certainty.

“Did you really win?”

“…Yeah.”

I sighed and answered.

“Why didn’t you tell us?”

“I didn’t want to cause unnecessary attention.”

In reality, just the fact that we had a match became an issue, regardless of the outcome.

I absolutely hated when people I didn’t know took interest in me.

Not only was their attention annoying, but the more officially publicized this became, the more information I was giving to Akcheon.

“Amazing… Then! If you just accumulate achievements, becoming the official number one wouldn’t be a problem, right?”

If I continued my hero activities, that would indeed happen.

However, I had no intention of continuing as a hero after bringing down Akcheon.

After that, I wanted to watch the women I had trained take down villains as they carried out their hero activities.

“I’m not interested in being number one. I don’t want to obsess over meaningless rankings.”

Even at my current official rank of 5, I had numerous problems because so many people recognized me.

I couldn’t go out properly, and if I happened to be with the special class students, there were attempts to create scandal issues.

Thankfully, the Association President blocked these with all his might; otherwise, I might have gone to the newspaper offices myself and destroyed everything like a villain.

“More importantly, starting today is vacation, but I have more training menus for you to work on during the break, so look forward to it.”

“Ehh…”

Seemingly tired of the endless cycle of training, the special class students let out deep sighs.

After all that hardship for a year, the second-years still had half a year left, and the first-years had a year and a half, so they couldn’t help but sigh.

Still, if they endure until graduation, they’ll be evaluated as S-class right from the start as heroes. Just a little more effort.

“Especially Yu Ari and Yeon Muhui.”

“Yes.”

“Okay.”

“You two will train based on the hero license exam during the break.”

The hero license.

To obtain a license, like any other certification, you take two exams.

One is a written test on how well you understand theory as a hero major, and the other is a practical test that evaluates hero capabilities such as lifesaving, villain restraint, and disaster response.

“With your current skills, you’d pass the practical part of the license exam easily, so we’ll focus on the written test. So for a while, come to the classroom instead of the training hall, okay?”

“Ehh…”

“Don’t worry. If you score over 80 on the daily tests, I’ll let you train that day.”

“We don’t get to rest?”

Yu Ari momentarily blanked out, not immediately understanding what I meant. Just as we don’t allow exam students to play, we don’t allow academy graduates to play either.

“If you want to get your license, you have to give up on playing around.”

Of course, I got my license without taking the exam, thanks to the Association President.

“You’re going to be very busy from now on.”

Next year, Yu Ari and Yeon Muhui will spend more time at the Association than at the Academy. They’ll learn about fieldwork under senior heroes.

I hope they don’t behave there the way they do with their instructors…

“Anyway, good job everyone. See you in a week. You’re forbidden from coming to the training hall for a week. If you do, I’ll give you a knock on the head.”

They’ve been under stress all year in their own way, so a week’s vacation should be fine.

They’ll be put through the wringer again afterward anyway.

* * *

“What have you been holed up doing lately?”

After the end of the semester, instead of going to the dormitory, I came to the research lab in the annex.

Since I rarely meet Bin Yuni except during roll call or meals, I decided to check in on her.

“Ah~ Instructor! Welcome!”

Someone who wouldn’t even open the door when we first met is now coming out to greet me. She’s truly reformed. This instructor is so pleased.

“What brings you here?”

“Just came to see what you’re up to.”

“Ah~ I’m always working hard on potion development!”

“The status ailment recovery potion is selling so well, isn’t it?”

The status ailment recovery potion she developed had been rapidly increasing in profitability since production began in November.

As it cured most modern diseases, it became a hot topic, with the medical community somewhat exaggeratedly praising it as an innovative potion that made doctors unnecessary.

Thanks to that, Bin Yuni’s position rose instantly, and she received as much attention as top-ranking heroes.

“Hmm! Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm! Ahahaha! You noticed too, Instructor?!”

“…”

Are you becoming like Gu Yeonhwa too?

Well, you were similar to Gu Yeonhwa to begin with.

My head is already throbbing. Why do I feel like I shouldn’t have come?

“I’m raking in money! Hahaha! I’ve paid off all my parents’ debts, and I’ve earned enough to buy lots of delicious things for you, Instructor!”

Her nose was practically reaching the sky with pride. I gave a hollow laugh as I watched Bin Yuni boasting with her arms crossed.

“Yeah, yeah. Congratulations.”

“It’s all thanks to you, Instructor!”

Bin Yuni approached me and linked her arm with mine, acting coy.

The action was so natural that I didn’t even think to pull away.

“Honestly, I was able to develop it thanks to your cooperation and advice. It seems such a shame to give a commission to the Academy!”

“I’m fine with it. I didn’t help you to demand money. As your supervising instructor, I’m just happy that you succeeded. You almost gave up on your dream once, but you didn’t and saw it through to the end. I’m proud of you.”

I said this while stroking Bin Yuni’s pink hair.

“…Dream, huh.”

She murmured with a serious expression, momentarily lost in thought.

Then she suddenly lifted her head and met my eyes. I tilted my head sideways while maintaining eye contact with Bin Yuni.

“What’s wrong?”

“What should I do? Looking at you, Instructor, my dream is starting to change.”

“Is that so? Well, now that you can make a living, it makes sense that your goals would change.”

With the status ailment recovery potion selling successfully, she won’t have to struggle financially like before.

With economic stability, it’s fine to dream new dreams.

“So what new dream do you want to achieve?”

“To have… a deeper relationship with you, Instructor.”

“Huh?”

“Um… would you… consider marrying me?”

“…What?”

What is this now…?

I stared blankly at Bin Yuni, who was giving me a fervent look.