Ch.58Episode 11. Midterm Exams (2)

Naturally, the midterm exam subjects for first-year and second-year students were different.

The theoretical subjects taught to first-years, excluding basic liberal arts, were ‘Hero Basic Law,’ ‘Healthy Body and Mind,’ and ‘Morality and Justice.’

Second-years, having completed all their basic liberal arts in their first year, only needed to take exams for one or two elective liberal arts courses and their majors: ‘Ability Research Theory’ and ‘Practical Application of Abilities.’

The reason I gave Yeon Muhui relatively more freedom was because she didn’t have daily morning and afternoon classes like the first-years.

Instead, in the second year, students were given special assignments in a course called ‘Advanced Ability 1,’ which involved learning two skills per semester.

Originally, this subject was evaluated by the instructor in charge of the major course, not the class instructor, but the special class was treated as an exception.

Due to Yeon Muhui’s actions that trampled on the instructor’s pride, it was decided that the class instructor would evaluate them.

However, for now, building up strength and endurance for long-term combat was a priority over learning two skills, so I decided to change the evaluation method.

I planned to give an A+ to anyone who could squeeze out their skill five more times than their usual count.

“For practical subjects, anyone can get an A+ if they do their best, so don’t worry about that and focus on the theory.”

I reminded them once more before dismissing class.

Today, surprisingly, all five students were seated in the classroom until dismissal time. Though they all had troubled expressions.

“Ugh… I don’t want to study…”

Gu Yeonhwa whined, sprawling across her desk.

“Alright. Let’s give up.”

Bin Yuni closed her book with a carefree attitude.

“You guys… How do you expect to become heroes if you give up so easily?”

“I’m not becoming a hero anyway, but an alchemist!”

Oh, so that’s how you want to play it?

“But this is so boring. If they’re going to write books, they should make them interesting like novels.”

“That’s not the point…”

You can’t expect entertainment from educational materials.

“Sigh. Do whatever you want.”

There’s no point in talking to students who lack motivation, no matter how many times I try.

“That concludes today’s dismissal. Good work today.”

“Instructor Yujin!”

“Yes?”

Just as I was about to leave the classroom, Jeong Iyeon caught my attention.

With her hand raised, she was smiling confidently, showing her pearly white teeth.

“I’ve thought of a way to improve the special class’s grades!”

“…If you’re going to say something useless like Gu Yeonhwa, I’m not listening.”

“Just hear me out.”

I’ve been feeling this for a while, but you’re becoming more and more like those troublemakers, aren’t you?

I think I understand now how she adapted so well to the special class.

“What is it?”

“It’s having you watch over us, Instructor!”

“…I don’t think your grades will improve just because I’m watching.”

“No, they will. Just having Instructor Yujin watching will give us tremendous motivation!”

She clenched her fist and shouted with eyes brimming with energy.

“That’s not motivation, it’s pressure.”

It would be too burdensome to study effectively.

These students were already free-spirited; I didn’t think my close supervision would make them study.

In fact, I should consider it a success if they didn’t run away.

“No, it will definitely motivate us.”

Jeong Iyeon, who had been speaking with conviction, suddenly paused.

The smile on her face gradually faded. She then put her hand to her mouth and began to seriously contemplate.

“Wait, if I get an F, I can naturally meet Instructor Yujin during the break, right? Do I really need to get good grades? Maybe I should aim for zero points instead of a hundred this time…”

She’s not in her right mind either…

“Don’t think strange thoughts and earn your grades honestly. If you don’t study, you’re the only ones who lose.”

From the beginning, I didn’t think cramming would suddenly improve their grades.

I hoped they’d avoid F’s, but since they’d get at least a D after attending supplementary classes during the break, I wasn’t worried.

Still… should I try to motivate them a bit?

“If none of you get an F this time, I’ll treat you to something delicious again. Try your best. Well then, I’m—”

“Something other than food!”

“…?”

I was about to leave for real this time, but another voice caught me. With my hand on the door, I turned my head to look at the owner of the voice.

Gu Yeonhwa, who had been slumped at her desk until just now, was suddenly standing in front of me.

“I’ll buy you something delicious! Give us something else instead!”

“Something else? What?”

She took a deep breath, her shoulders rising visibly. The excitement in her blue eyes intensified as she looked up at me.

What could she possibly be asking for that required such buildup?

“Come to Comic World with me!”

“…Comic World?”

No way. Is she talking about that… otaku sanctuary?

“Comic World is the ultimate convergence of imagination in this world! It’s a place of tremendous power where even mighty beings like me line up! Will you come with me?!”

That explanation wasn’t helpful at all, but I understood roughly.

I had guessed such places might exist in this world too, judging from the books Gu Yeonhwa had.

But it was troublesome to be asked to go somewhere I wouldn’t have visited even in my previous world.

I don’t know enough about that genre to go to such places.

“No, wait! It was rude of me to even ask!”

“What?”

Suddenly, Gu Yeonhwa pointed to her right eye.

“My Eye of Truth has unintentionally uncovered your secret! That you, Instructor, are an otaku! You probably didn’t want this revealed, but that’s the inevitable truth of the world. I understand completely! So come with me to Comic World—gack!”

“Go ahead, make a speech. Really.”

I flicked her forehead as she was spouting nonsense with trembling fists.

She’s probably saying this because we watched anime together last time.

Honestly, if asked whether I like or dislike anime, I do like it. So I wasn’t going to deny being called an otaku.

But it’s embarrassing when someone blurts it out like that.

“O-otaku! I’ve discovered a new side of Instructor Yujin. I’m a hero otaku! Let’s support each other in the same field.”

I chuckled at Jeong Iyeon’s empathy.

What exactly are we supporting each other in? We’re not the same at all…!

“…Is this happening during the break?”

Swallowing a sigh that was about to escape, I stroked Gu Yeonhwa’s forehead once and asked.

“Yes. It’s scheduled for August. There’s also one in early June, but should we go then?”

“I’m only going once.”

“Great. One time becomes two, and two becomes ten! The moment you accepted my proposal, you stepped into the quagmire. I’ll hold you tight and make you fall into the world of otaku!”

Isn’t this what they call proselytizing…?

“But if you’re making such a request, you need to get at least a C+ in all subjects.”

“Kekeke! So my proposal was that frightening! You’re trying to escape by raising the cutline! But there’s nowhere my flames can’t reach…! The whole world will look up to me!”

Isn’t it a bit much to expect everyone to look up to you just for getting a C+ grade?

“The same goes for all of you. At least C+ or higher. I’ve set this level considering you’re cramming, so get at least this much.”

“If we get C+, w-will you grant any request?”

That was the brightest I’d seen Yu Ari’s face today.

It would be nice if she could always be this lively. It was a shame that she seemed indifferent to everything except when talking to me.

“…I’ll hear it first.”

How could I agree to everything without knowing what you’ll ask for?

“Th-that answer is enough. I-I’ll work hard.”

Yu Ari went to her drawer and started looking for her textbooks. I don’t know what she’ll ask for, but isn’t it good that she’s motivated?

“Instructor! How about drinking any potion without refusal?”

“As long as it’s edible.”

Bin Yuni asked while taking out tubes filled with various colored liquids.

None of the tubes she currently had looked safe to drink.

“Come on. When have I ever given you something inedible?”

I wonder how thick-skinned she must be to say such things without any shame.

Yeon Muhui was silently staring at me. Her lips were moving slightly, suggesting she had something to say.

“You can speak freely if you have something to say.”

“…I can surpass that person within two years, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Okay. That’s all I needed to know.”

A simple answer. But seeing Yeon Muhui rummaging through her drawer for books like Yu Ari, it seemed she had found motivation too.

“I’m leaving then. Prepare well for tomorrow’s exam.”

I waved to the kids and left the classroom.

Since I didn’t need to help with their training today, I thought I’d leave early, exercise leisurely, and get some sleep.

Ah, before I go, I should ask the teachers about the difficulty level of the exam. How hard could liberal arts be anyway?

* * *

…This is fucking hard?

I don’t understand any of it.

The exam consisted of three formats: multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. There were a total of 20 problems.

However, just skimming through them, I couldn’t understand any of it.

Wait, wasn’t this supposed to be about morality? Justice?

Wasn’t I supposed to just pick the moral and just options?

How am I supposed to know the famous quotes of South Korea’s first Association Chairman?!

“Instructor Yujin, you can’t stand there giving answers to the students.”

I don’t know any of the answers myself…

I was just curiously peeking at their answer sheets when the exam proctor pointed this out.

“Ah, yes.”

I obediently replied and stood by the cabinet, watching the backs of the girls as they diligently solved the problems.

The teacher seemed quite surprised to see the special class students quietly working on the exam.

They probably expected them to just guess and put their heads down, or leave the classroom. But even with cramming, they’d still get grades.

“This guy…! Not moral at all!”

“Gu Yeonhwa, don’t talk to the exam paper.”

“Okay.”

Gu Yeonhwa, who had been pointing at the problem in frustration, sheepishly rubbed the back of her head.

“Ugh… w-who made these problems…”

“Yu Ari, don’t grumble.”

“Yes…”

Yu Ari was intimidated by the problems, looking quite dejected. She was even on the verge of tears.

“Hmph. They’re underestimating me. Thinking I can’t solve this…”

“Yeon Muhui, stop drawing and sheathing your sword. It’s distracting.”

“Okay.”

Tap.

Yeon Muhui made one more tapping sound before removing her hand from her sword.

“Maybe if I use a drug that improves eyesight, I’ll see the answers.”

“…That won’t happen, so just solve the problems.”

“Tch! Too bad.”

Not bad at all.

While the four were making strange comments as they worked on the problems, only Jeong Iyeon was quietly looking at the questions and writing down answers one by one.

As expected of a top student.

Just as I was nodding in admiration, Jeong Iyeon suddenly turned around to look at me.

“Instructor!”

“Yes? What is it?”

“Is there a special benefit for getting a perfect score?”

“…Don’t say strange things during the exam.”

“Perfect score if there is! Zero if there isn’t! Well? Is there?!”

The teacher looked back and forth between me and Jeong Iyeon, clearly perplexed.

I pressed my temple as I looked at Jeong Iyeon, who had completely assimilated into the special class.

“How about you get a perfect score first, then we’ll talk?”

“Hehe. Very well.”

There were clearly only five students in the classroom, but it felt like there were about sixty.

“Haah.”

A deep sigh escaped me.

Although it was quite chaotic and eventful, the midterms had begun.