Ch.93Hard Work, Civil Servant – 2

My resignation was processed immediately. The salary issue was also quickly resolved.

I thought there would be some discussion about the ‘money’ part, but it was handled right away.

Is this why people are so fixated on having ‘connections’? That thought crossed my mind.

The procedure for entering the Academy was also handled with extreme simplicity.

Seojin Baek had already proven his qualifications as an examiner.

He was a superpower user of such caliber that he could be hired as a professor immediately without any issues.

That’s why I was able to resign from my civil service job and become an examiner in just one day.

‘With Hakjun Ma’s involvement, of course everything went smoothly.’

Perhaps not just Hakjun Ma, but Minseong Kang might have stepped in as well.

There might even have been people from government departments I normally wouldn’t have access to.

Despite my grade being somewhat disappointing, the fact that I fought against ‘The Elder’ remains true.

And so, on my first day reporting as a real Academy grade examiner rather than a dispatched civil servant, I initially worried that the faculty might look at me with slightly disapproving glances.

After all, it did feel like I had parachuted into the position.

Even though I had proven my abilities, human nature doesn’t always work that way.

Unlike me, if someone had an easier path, it’s natural to dislike them!

“Hmm.”

To cut to the chase, I was just making a fuss over nothing.

‘It was just my imagination.’

The professors, teaching assistants, and even the security personnel all warmly welcomed the new member who had suddenly joined the Academy.

They even subtly asked if I had considered a professor position.

With my skills, they said, I could come as a professor and lighten their workload.

They approached me with such friendly smiles that I felt rather embarrassed.

Honestly, I was somewhat attracted to the professor position.

There’s nothing better than a professorship for leading and teaching students.

Especially considering the events that would unfold in the future.

‘…No, that’s not right.’

But I soon shook my head.

Right now, the best position for me is as a grade examiner.

I can still help the Academy students plenty from this position.

Conversely, if I get greedy for a professorship, it would hinder my own growth.

While professors also conduct examinations, their main purpose is ultimately teaching.

When you’re swamped with one task, you naturally neglect the other.

Working at the bottom of the ladder, I’ve keenly realized that humans aren’t naturally good at multitasking.

And above all, becoming a professor means I’d have to study too.

I don’t want to add that kind of hell to the comfortable daily life I’ve just regained.

“Student Yu Hosang.”

“Yes, yes! Examiner!”

“You’ve passed the grade examination.”

“R-really?! I passed? Me?!”

“Yes. I believe Student Yu Hosang is now sufficient.”

In addition, after Soohyun’s passing, I promoted five more students.

One from Weaponry Class, one from Support Class, two from Magic Class.

And now, Student Yu Hosang from Martial Arts Class who just passed.

Except for one of them, all are Silver grade.

To be honest, none of the five compare to Soohyun’s level.

It would be accurate to say they’ve just barely reached the threshold of becoming true superpower users.

Nevertheless, I passed these students for good reason.

‘I needed to show the remaining students.’

That Student Kim Soohyun didn’t pass simply because she was overwhelmingly strong.

It was possible because she showed potential for growth and proved it to me.

In that sense, these five students were certainly worthy of passing.

Either by honing their strengths to a sharper edge and unleashing that power.

Or by excellently covering their weaknesses to leave nothing to criticize.

They perfectly met these two conditions.

Besides these, there were still other candidates for passing.

Their base abilities weren’t bad. Now they needed to find their own strengths.

Even if they couldn’t find their strengths, they shouldn’t expose their weaknesses.

‘No penalties so far. Everything’s going very smoothly.’

– The Third Eye is activated.

◎ Seojin Baek

: The Silver Gatekeeper

◎ Details

: No one can pass without the Gatekeeper’s permission.

…But why haven’t there been any changes to the details at all?

Even Soohyun had changes in her characteristic details.

This way, I can’t objectively know how I should fight.

I’m making some predictions by reviewing my recent fight with The Elder, but

it’s frustrating not having clearly stated conditions like Soohyun does.

“Examiner.”

As I call the next student, a familiar face stands before me.

“Reporting for duty again today, Student Hyunwoo Lee.”

“Of course. Daily attendance is mandatory. Any chance you’d consider weekend examinations?”

This bastard is really trying to take my weekends too.

Have you ever seen anyone more evil than Satan himself?

I wonder if he understands what he’s suggesting.

For him, it’s just one examination and he’s done, but not for me.

I can’t make an exception just for Hyunwoo, so I’d have to conduct examinations on weekends too.

And if that happens, other students would likely come for examinations as well.

“The world calls that a brain malfunction.”

“Hmm hmm.”

“Weekends are for resting. Let’s not mention this again.”

Fortunately, Hyunwoo seemed to realize his suggestion was inappropriate.

Seeing him immediately agree, he must have felt a bit guilty, right?

“I look forward to your guidance again today.”

*

The reason I still haven’t promoted Hyunwoo to Silver.

Because I want to preserve his Bittersweet Triumph characteristic? To let it accumulate more?

That was true until recently. But not anymore.

Actually, I wanted to promote Hyunwoo. He was the one who refused.

More precisely, he changed his approach to the examination.

“…That looks like the movement of Student Lee Seongmin who passed recently.”

“Oh. You recognized it right away.”

Of course I recognized it. Despite being Support Class, his movements were quite good.

The idea that Support Class means always being in the rear.

Or the assumption that they’re always safe—these notions should be abandoned.

Monsters have at least minimal intelligence. And they get smarter as their grade increases.

From their perspective, the most vulnerable superpower users are obviously those in Support Class.

Being protected doesn’t just mean being safe.

It also means that due to inferior combat abilities, one needs protection.

Monsters know this too, so they target the rear, especially Support Class users.

I emphasized this point to those in Support Class.

And Student Lee Seongmin was the first to catch on to this.

The result was, of course, a ‘pass’ on the Silver grade examination.

Clang—! Zing—!

Hyunwoo staggers backward after allowing my strike.

The vibration I feel from the sword isn’t clean.

He seems to have slightly deflected the attack in the process.

“Are you trying to base your approach on that movement this time?”

“I thought there was much to learn from it. So I even sparred with him until yesterday.”

Says Hyunwoo as he again mimics Student Lee Seongmin’s movements.

Yes, that’s precisely why I can’t pass Hyunwoo right now.

He’s not giving his full effort but rather experimenting with something.

More precisely, he’s identifying weaknesses in those who have passed the grade examination.

It seems he’s trying to apply those insights to improve his own skills.

“Hup!”

Crack—!

…Really, Soohyun is exceptional, but this Hyunwoo is also absurdly talented.

Clearly, he’s imitating someone else’s movements rather than using his own.

Yet he’s executing them almost identically to the original.

By doing this, he’s compensating for potential flaws in his own style.

Furthermore, he’s figuring out which areas to target when fighting such opponents.

He’s considering all possibilities and thoroughly utilizing this examination.

Truly, Hyunwoo has honed himself with incredible thoroughness and persistence.

“Shall we stop here?”

At my suggestion, Hyunwoo seemed to agree that this was sufficient.

He nodded and said, ‘It’s really too difficult to imitate.’

‘You shouldn’t state the obvious like that, you madman.’

Of course it’s hard. Of course it’s difficult. It wouldn’t make sense if it were easy.

But Hyunwoo is accomplishing these hard and difficult tasks.

He’s no longer taking the examination to reach Silver grade.

Rather, he’s using me to eliminate even one more of his flaws.

I don’t find it unpleasant. I wish other students would do the same.

After all, I’m just blocking, so they should try everything they can.

I won’t charge at them trying to kill them like villains or monsters would.

*

When lunchtime arrives, someone rushes quickly toward me from the front.

The identity is, of course, Soohyun.

“Examiner!”

Having confirmed her Silver grade, she no longer has any reason to come to the examination hall.

But she was quite upset about that very fact.

She followed my instructions and received her Silver grade, which made her happy because she helped me.

But she was sad that this meant she couldn’t take my examinations anymore.

Of course, there’s no rule saying Silver grade students can’t come to the examination hall.

When I reminded her of this, Soohyun’s gloomy expression finally returned to normal.

Along with her response that she’d visit often for other reasons!

“It’s time for your meal!”

“Right. What should we eat today?”

“Whatever you like, Examiner!”

“I’m fine with anything. I’m just really hungry with so many students coming for examinations.”

As I mentioned before, I’m okay with fish, meat, or vegetables—anything goes.

Of course, if I had to choose, I’d prefer meat, but filling my stomach is what matters.

“Examiner Seojin Baek.”

Just as I was about to fall into contemplation about suitable menu options, a voice called from behind.

Turning my head, I saw Hakjun Ma looking in our direction.

“Please come to the dean’s office after lunch.”

“Oh, yes. Understood. May I ask what this is about?”

In response to my question, Hakjun Ma briefly looked at Soohyun before speaking.

“About what happened recently.”

“Perhaps regarding The Elder…?”

“No, about what happened in the dungeon. I’ve been told that the investigation results are in. So I think we need to gather the professors and discuss the future direction of education.”

When he mentions what happened in the dungeon, he must be referring to the ‘Monster Cataclysm.’

I heard it wasn’t just experienced by the practical training group I was in charge of.

The phenomenon occurred elsewhere too, and there were actual casualties.

It seems the national investigation into this matter had reached a conclusion.

“Ah, and one more thing.”

What else does he have to say?

“That matter you requested has been handled, I’m told.”

“When you say the matter I requested…”

“That superior in your department.”

Ah. That old-fashioned jerk. The one who would clock out on time but record overtime.

The one who would start slacking off from 4 PM despite it still being work hours.

“He’s been given a disciplinary suspension, I hear.”

Nice!