Ch.58Work Is Expanding – 2

“I would like you to take on the role of substitute professor for the practical lectures of Gold and Platinum grade students, particularly for leading external support missions.”

I was taken aback. In my opinion, this didn’t seem right.

A supervising professor. As the name suggests, it means a “professor” who supervises students.

Am I a professor? No. Am I even a teaching assistant? No, not that either.

I’m not affiliated with the Academy in any capacity.

I’m still a civil servant belonging to the Superpower Assessment Department.

“Um, Chancellor. I…”

“You’re not affiliated with the Academy. So you’re only an examiner, and don’t have the qualifications to be a substitute supervising professor. Is that what you were about to say?”

You know well. So you must understand why I’m confused, Chancellor?

“Don’t worry about that. Ultimately, appointing supervising professors and their substitutes falls under the chancellor’s authority. And if there’s sufficient reason, I can designate someone from outside.”

“…There must be many other professors, so I’d like to know why you suddenly chose me.”

“Many of the professors haven’t been able to return yet. You know that.”

I had to nod at Hakjun Ma’s words.

The Academy attack incident that occurred some time ago.

Many students were sacrificed, but there were also numerous casualties among the faculty.

The professors, in particular, suffered the most casualties as they fought at the forefront.

Most sustained critical injuries, though they managed to survive thanks to the treatment from those in the Support Class.

However, their conditions were so severe that they haven’t yet returned to teaching.

“And there are various circumstances that prevent us from bringing in just anyone as professors.”

“…I understand. But still…”

“You’ve already proven yourself to be at a professor’s level. Without needing further evidence, Rina Lee is your witness.”

Wasn’t she calling me crazy the other day?

As if sensing my thoughts, Hakjun Ma bursts into laughter.

“That one has many issues, but she has an accurate eye for talent. When she takes interest in someone, ten out of ten—no, a hundred out of a hundred—they’re all extraordinary individuals. She’s like a strong person detector, you could say.”

More accurately, she’s a crazy woman who gets desperate to challenge strong people when she sees them.

But I’ll pass on pointing that out at this timing.

“And to be honest, I want to expand this current change a bit more.”

Expand the change. What could Hakjun Ma mean by that?

After thinking for a moment, I soon realized what this old man wanted.

“Don’t tell me, you want to extend the grade assessments to Gold grade students?”

Supervise students of that grade and convince them with your abilities.

So that they too will gather at the assessment hall.

“More precisely, I want them to feel their own inadequacies. There are quite a few good kids at that level. Of course, they’re not bad now, but they’ll receive positive stimulation and work harder because of it.”

To be honest, Hakjun Ma’s opinion is hard to accept.

How should I put it? Yes, he’s looking at it too positively.

The reason I was able to do this with Bronze and Silver students?

By stimulating their desperation. And by creating a sense of urgency.

The feeling that if they don’t work hard, they’ll fall behind more, or that someone who was behind them could get ahead.

I exploited situations that, as humans, they simply couldn’t ignore.

‘But Gold grade and above are different. They’re doing pretty well on their own.’

I recall the Gold grade students I’ve encountered, starting with Dasom Yoo.

While some weren’t great, most had positive characteristics.

And combining those aspects, I could predict that they’re all working hard.

Even Yuhyun Jung’s overall skill wasn’t bad.

His fearless dagger techniques, timely item usage, and good sense were all commendable.

It’s just that his mindset was particularly terrible.

“You seem to have something to say. Go ahead.”

“To be honest, I don’t think it’s necessary to extend this to Gold grade students.”

“Wasn’t it your idea to raise the students’ level?”

“Yes, but deliberately pulling down those who are already doing well is problematic.”

Hakjun Ma tilts his head in response.

“Strange. I never said to pull them down. I just said it’s something they should do themselves.”

“…You want Gold grade students to accept change on their own, is that it?”

“Some of those students have probably already felt it. The ‘stagnation’ in growth.”

“That’s…”

Indeed, it’s not entirely impossible.

They’ve reached Gold grade, but their skills aren’t improving anymore.

It’s not too disappointing, so they think maintaining their current level is enough.

Something feels lacking, but without any stimulation or clear goals in sight, they’re in a difficult situation.

“The problem with Gold students sparring with each other is that they know each other too well. Sparring with Platinum grade students has issues that those students have to deal with, so they avoid it. And using professors isn’t an option because they’re already at capacity with lectures and occasional practical training.”

Hearing those words, I could understand the frustrating situation Gold grade students are in.

They could become stronger if conditions allowed, but they’re stuck because it’s not possible.

Later, when they graduate and go outside, there will be many such opportunities, but the risks will also be greater.

They might even lose their lives before grasping those opportunities.

It seemed like Hakjun Ma wanted to reduce those risks while giving them at least some growth opportunities.

“Like you, I also want these young people to achieve more. Without getting hurt, without dying. What could be better than seeing them bloom more brilliantly?”

Is he thinking about the son he lost in the past?

For a moment, moisture appears in Hakjun Ma’s eyes before disappearing.

Ah. They say being weak to such emotional scenes is in Korean DNA.

I guess I’m definitely Korean too, feeling this bitterness.

“Your job is already to assess students, there’s no problem with you passing students in assessments, and you have the skills to provide students with a good experience. That’s my reasoning.”

“For me to take on Gold grade students, I’d need to be at least a B-grade Superpower user.”

In response to my question, Hakjun Ma looks at me and gives a meaningful smile.

“You’re beyond that, aren’t you? You’ve already revealed everything, why are you still trying to hide?”

Somehow I’ve become a grade examiner who hides his strength.

In reality, I’m someone with clear conditions, with an expiration date.

“What will you do? I called you not to inform you, but to ask for your opinion.”

“If I refuse, what happens?”

“Are you worried about facing disadvantages? Don’t be. If you don’t want to do it, then don’t. I know your workload is already substantial. If that’s your reason, I can’t say anything against it.”

As Hakjun Ma said, the number of students I’m responsible for has doubled.

The assessment candidates now include Silver grade students in addition to the existing Bronze grade.

Not all of them come for grade assessments every day.

But it’s definitely more than when I first started.

“What will you do? I’d like an answer as soon as possible.”

If I’m not mistaken, that sounds like “I’d like an answer right now.”

“Will you be the substitute supervising professor?”

Actually, there wasn’t much to think about. I had already made my decision.

*

The Academy has theoretical lectures and practical lectures.

Among the practical lectures, there are internal activities and external activities.

Internal activities refer to light sparring between students,

or practical training directly supervised by faculty members.

And external activities refer to external support missions.

Though permitted from Silver grade, external support missions increase significantly from Gold grade and above.

“Unnie! The practical lecture plan for this month is out!”

Hana Kang, who was quietly working in the student council room, looks up.

The treasurer, Dasom Yoo, had peeked her head through the open door and was looking at her.

“Already? I thought it would take longer.”

“That’s what I thought too. The usual supervising professor hasn’t returned yet.”

“They were severely injured, so even after treatment, rest is still essential.”

Hana Kang gets up from her seat and heads out to the corridor.

She then moves toward the bulletin board installed right in front and checks the newly posted notice.

“This semester’s Gold to Platinum grade external support missions… five teams this time.”

Hana Kang, who was reading the content carefully, tilts her head.

Among the supervising professor name fields that were always filled, there was a blank at the end.

And it was for the external support team 5, which she belonged to.

“What’s this? Dasom, is this a mistake?”

“Oh, you’re right. The supervising professor’s name is missing? Just a moment. I’ll go inquire and come back.”

It’s the student council’s job to quickly catch such minor errors and request corrections.

However, after a while, Dasom Yoo returned with unexpected news.

“Unnie. They say this is correct?”

“It’s correct? Did you mention that the professor’s name field is blank?”

“Yes, of course I did. But they say it’s correct? The chancellor even checked it multiple times, they said.”

That’s strange. This has never happened before.

Hana Kang kept tilting her head, but there was nothing more she could do.

If it’s already been confirmed even after directly requesting the Academy, then that’s that.

‘Maybe our team 5’s supervising professor hasn’t been decided yet?’

She had many questions, but if Chancellor Hakjun Ma had confirmed it, then she believed it would be resolved somehow, and Hana Kang began preparations.

And as time passed, the day for Gold and Platinum grade external support missions finally arrived.

“Hello, students.”

Hana Kang and Dasom Yoo faced a completely unexpected individual.

“I’ll be your substitute supervising professor for this external support mission, my name is Seojin Baek. I might be lacking in some areas, but I look forward to working with you all.”