Chapter 10: Glance, swish, swish

For a moment, the air in the classroom seemed to freeze, and even the sound of breathing was no longer audible.

Everyone’s gaze was fixed on one spot.

Even in his current state, where he was almost at the level of a superhuman, Shin Yuseong could hear not just the sound of breathing but even the rustling of clothes, making him all the more aware of the awkward atmosphere in the classroom.

As he rolled his eyes, wondering why everyone was acting this way, the students in the classroom had different reactions.

The ice flower of the Blue Tower, the genius magician.

The wolf-eared spirit user from Japan.

The heir of one of the world’s most famous summoner families.

The future leader of the mysterious sect who had entered as the top student this year also wore a significant expression.

‘So composed, and the magic barrier’s completion is impressive.’

‘He smells nice.’

‘What? He’s ridiculously handsome.’

From their gazes, Shin Yuseong seemed like an unknown beauty, and his magical powers, the origin of all the abilities, were strangely stable, while the atmosphere around him exuded an aura of calm confidence.

Everything about him seemed perfect, so unrealistic that it almost felt like he was something out of a dream.

His presence naturally drew attention, but the disbelief lingered—could this really be something real, right in front of them?

Despite the doubt, some students stared at him in awe, their mouths slightly agape, as if they had fallen in love.

“Why are you standing here?”

Soon, the frozen air of the classroom began to thaw as the most passionate presence in the room arrived.

The professor of Combat Class and an S-rank Hunter, Shin Arin.

Shin Yuseong, with his heart pounding like he’d just drank twelve shots of espresso, forced a calm expression and turned his gaze toward her.

“Hello?”

It was the moment he had been waiting for.

Shin Arin, with a smile on her face, looked only at Shin Yuseong.

Her intense gaze was filled with warmth and passion.

Shin Yuseong could understand her interest in him without needing any explanation.

As the model student he pretended to be, he smiled with a calm and polite demeanor and bowed his head.

“Hello, Professor. I just arrived.”

Then, he casually entered the classroom and sat in an empty corner, as if nothing had happened.

‘What the hell?’

He hadn’t even introduced himself, yet for some reason, everyone already knew who he was.

Shin Yuseong broke into a cold sweat as he realized the situation was more complicated than he thought.

“It’s nice to meet you again. I saw you at the level test during the entrance ceremony, but let me formally introduce myself. I’m Shin Arin, your professor for this year. I’ll be teaching combat tactics for warriors, close combat strategies for dealing with monsters, and practical field exercises.”

Clearing her throat, she continued with a more relaxed expression and a smile.

“Honestly, I’m not great at being formal, so I hope you’ll excuse that. But when it comes to the dangers you’ll face in real combat, I’m confident I can teach you better than anyone. Please, don’t worry about formalities and feel free to take what you need from the lessons.”

Clap, clap, the sound of small applause echoed around the classroom.

The previous heavy and tense atmosphere had shifted to one of warmth and friendliness.

The basic theory lesson that followed was smooth and relaxed.

The students here were all elite individuals, and the professor standing in front of them was at the peak of the industry—an S-rank Hunter.

Although the lesson was about weak monsters like goblins and hobgoblins, it still carried weight.

“Hah, when you look at these creatures individually, it’s hard to believe how weak they are. You can’t help but underestimate them, but there’s something to be cautious about. Goblins are some of the most cunning monsters. Does anyone know what goblins are good at?”

“They reproduce quickly, right?”

“They use poison and set traps?”

“That’s right, they actively use poison and traps, and while their breeding habits are notable, the bigger issue is that they always travel in groups. They’ll attack men on sight, trying to kidnap them.”

“Ugh.”

“Actually, there was a time when we used their tendencies to our advantage by sending a decoy to their lair and then raiding their entire base after mapping out the maze-like terrain.”

While the current S-rank Hunter spoke, recounting his own experiences, no one dared to interrupt with chatter or jeers.

A quick glance around the room showed no one openly slacking off, though some students inevitably lost focus.

When attention slipped away, their eyes would wander, and their thoughts would drift.

It was usual to zone out into their own world, but today, there was a hero who captured everyone’s attention, like a hippo drinking water.

Glance, glance,

Swipe,

Yes, that hero was me.

‘Why are you looking at me?’

You guys.

You’re paying thousands of dollars in tuition and you’re looking at me instead of paying attention to the lesson, huh?

I could feel the stares of the students glancing at me whenever their attention wavered, but I tried my best to avoid making eye contact.

I don’t really think of it as running away, but isn’t it a bit weird to make eye contact with dozens of people staring at me during the lecture?

Especially since I was trying to play the role of a model student, I made every effort to avoid looking around and focused solely on the professor at the podium.

“Mm, yeah. You’re all focusing well today. Goblins are weak monsters, but they’re the type that beginner awakened ones frequently encounter, so it’s good to be cautious.”

I had been staring at the professor so intensely that the professor started looking at me more often as well.

Is this what it feels like when you stare into the abyss, and the abyss stares back at you?

No, honestly, I don’t think the level of focus in the classroom is particularly high.

It seems like everyone’s concentration is high, probably because they mostly see an enthusiastic student in front of them.

[The goddess smiles contentedly while watching the warrior, who doesn’t know what to do with himself.]

Even the goddess, who should be on our side, has entered full “enjoyment mode,” so I had no choice but to focus entirely on this situation.

The class is important, but I couldn’t understand why all the students in the classroom were so focused on me.

Even in a reversed world, I couldn’t understand the level of attention I was receiving.

‘…No matter how pretty the PC bang (internet café) worker is, you wouldn’t stare at them while gaming, right?’

Wait, was I not interested in the opposite sex?

Had other students developed the multitasking ability to glance at the pretty counter worker while playing?

Is that even possible while fighting intense battles in the sacred rift?

What is this, are they crazy?

‘Hmm.’

I briefly considered a strategic retreat, but I thought it would be strange to retreat on the first day.

If I didn’t like the attention, I could just act like an assassin and hide my presence.

But I couldn’t allow my precious campus life to become like that of an invisible man.

Glancing—

Swiftly—

‘Ah, should I just retreat for today?’

***

The top scorer in the level test.

A peerless handsome beauty.

Not only did he have those titles, but possessing both made him shine even more in this academy that trains hunters.

“Wait, someone like that exists?”

After the first class ended, the students who had heard the rumors rushed to the spot, but…

“Where did they go?”

“No, I rushed here right after class ended.”

“Where’s my handsome man?”

The rumored handsome male student, Shin Yuseong, had already disappeared from the classroom.

The class had ended well.

It was a break time, so leaving to rest wasn’t exactly running away.

Though they missed the man who escaped like light, those who were left behind murmured,

‘What’s going on? He really disappeared.’

‘Is this a dream, a mirage? Was it not real?’

Even those who were in the same classroom were still confused.

How could someone who had drawn so much attention just vanish into thin air?

They couldn’t understand what had happened.

The mysterious entrance and equally mysterious exit left them questioning if it was even real.

“Actually, I think I saw a handsome ghost, but he was so handsome that everyone misunderstood.”

“Oh, I want to see that ghost too.”

“I’d totally be up for that a hundred times.”

And thus, a new ghost story began circulating in the community of the Seoul Academy of Spirit Power.

While others talked about these random rumors, the top student of this batch quietly stared out the window.

Until the opening ceremony, she had been the hottest topic as the next head of the mysterious sect, Cheon Ju-yeon, now gazed out the window with an expressionless face.

The whereabouts of the handsome Shin Yuseong, whom everyone was searching for so desperately.

For better or worse, she still clearly saw him in her eyes.

‘I’m not in first place?’

…Yes, what on earth is going on?

Should I question the professors about this?

‘No, that’s fine.’

Since hearing that I had lost in the level test, I’ve been concerned about him.

I thought that if I showed this much ability, I’d stand out enough for the professors to notice.

I thought I could continue to hold the top spot, but an unexpected situation arose.

When I found out he was male, I briefly doubted it.

How extraordinary could a person with his abilities be at this age?

But seeing him in person in the classroom was beyond my imagination.

Every time I looked at him, who was surrounded by magic, I could only feel awe.

But as other students said, I had never seen his handsome face.

In my eyes, which were naturally attuned to his magical abilities, all I could see was light.

Koo-goo-goo-gooong

As I watched the column of light moving outside in real-time, I gently touched my lips.

***

[Heh heh, you’re such a weakling, foolish warrior.]

A strategic retreat… no, a rightful rest period. I decided to retreat to the male lounge to hold a temporary strategy meeting.

[You’re a total weakling.]

“…Hmm.”

[So you’re the coward who runs away because you’re popular at school.]

Suddenly, a thought crossed my mind: “Why don’t we take off our rank insignia and just face off directly?” Goddess,

[Hmm, I’m sorry, weak goddess for making a god out of you.]

First, I had to rein in this damn goddess’s authority.