Episode 7. Theory Class

[Starting Level 3 Test.]

[Starting Level 4 Test.]

[Starting Level 5 Tes…

“Ugh, this is so damn tiresome. Seriously.”

After taking a total of 10 tests, it finally ended.

[Test Results.]

Chwa-reuk.

A hologram appeared about two steps in front of where I was standing.

——————–

Cadet Lee Hoyeon.

Mana Purity S

Magic Intensity C

Magic Casting Speed A

Magic Interval S

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Overall: Your abnormally skewed proficiency stands out. We recommend either honing your exceptional areas into a specialty or filling in your weaker points to achieve balance.

——————–

I was a little impressed.

To think that an ordinary person who had no concept of mana or magic until recently could achieve this much.

Having two S-ranks meant I was on par with S-class hunters in those fields.

Although both were thanks to the special perks, the perks are my skills, so what can I do?

The goal of assessing my current level is complete.

Judging by the stats alone, I’ve far surpassed the level of an Academy cadet. I still lack the proficiency to utilize them properly, but that’s okay.

I’ll get there if I work hard.

At this level, I’m definitely not weak. I haven’t experienced combat yet, but I’ll get plenty of chances as I follow the classes.

“Should I stay a bit longer… The timing is a bit awkward, though.”

I don’t know all the class schedules, but I know Victoria Academy’s theory classes have a lot of pop quizzes.

Since I can memorize textbooks, reference books, or papers just by reading them once, it would be better to get them done when I have plenty of time for later, but I’m hesitating because magic training is quite fun.

A thrill I never felt in my previous life. I didn’t want to let go of the feeling of oscillating between fantasy and ideals.

“Right. Magic training is important too. I’ll just look at the theory before bed.”

*

In the end, I only trained magic late into the night yesterday and collapsed the moment I got back to the dorm, unable to fight off the exhaustion.

Since I have time after class today, I’ll study the theory then.

Today is Wednesday.

The first class is Dungeon Research. It’s a class where we learn about elements related to dungeon conquest and tactics used in practice. It’s the theory class with the most material to memorize at the Academy.

Of course, that doesn’t matter to me. I memorize everything after reading it once anyway.

I had already read through the textbook and reference books once, so there was no need to read them again.

[When the external mana value of a dungeon is 1500ppm, if the mana value at the dungeon entrance is 473ppm or less, it indicates the presence of a boss room or a corresponding named monster, and if the entrance mana value is 2897 or higher, it’s an open-type dungeon without a boss.]

[However, different formulas apply from mid-to-high level dungeons with mana values exceeding 10000ppm…]

So, I’m looking for related papers. If I memorize all the dungeon-related papers too, I should be able to solve most application problems even if I don’t fully understand them.

“Um… excuse me…”

“Yeah. Huh? Lumi?”

“Good morning… I’m sorry I couldn’t reply yesterday… I fell asleep…”

Lumi was talking right in front of me, but my eyes quickly scanned the classroom once.

‘What is Lucy doing?’

Since I caused trouble for Lucy at the training center the day before yesterday, Lucy, who dotes on her sister terribly, wouldn’t just let me talk to Lumi.

Fortunately, Lucy was also busy talking with her teammates. It seemed Lumi took that chance to come greet me.

“It’s fine, I was busy training yesterday too.”

“Training from the very first day… That’s amazing…! Um, perhaps, if I get the chance, could I train with you next time…”

Deureureuk-

“Greetings, everyone. I am Min Jihee, Professor of Dungeon Research.”

The professor entered, cutting off Lumi’s words.

The noisy students found their seats, and Lumi also disappeared after saying, “Um, I’ll get going…!”

Seeing her return to her seat and sit right next to Lucy, they really look so alike it’s hard to tell them apart.

“Some of you may be unfamiliar with dungeon education, but the importance of dungeons cannot be overstated…”

The class difficulty was very easy, being the first day. The professor was saying this and that, but since I already knew all of it, I turned my gaze to look at the other students.

Lucy was resting her chin on her left hand, twirling a pen with her right. Seeing the boredom clearly etched on her face, the class must be difficult for her. Lumi, next to her, was frowning and staring at the blackboard.

Nam Daeun was lying face down. She wasn’t interested in taking notes. Due to circumstances, she only needed to be first in the practical exam.

I also doodled with my pen in the corner of my notebook.

1. Heroine Conquest

For now, this is the most important goal. Honestly, I have no idea how to go about it. I have to conquer six people simultaneously, but six-timing isn’t even a thing, let alone six legs. If I add two more, I’ll become an octopus. Should I maybe use drugs to make them my assistants? Sigh, drugs are out of the question…

Wait a second.

“… Isn’t it okay?”

In [Sex-a], there’s even an assistant route for players on multiple playthroughs. If you save up money over several playthroughs, you can access routes like that in the black market. Of course, those routes are also stored in my head.

‘… Let’s just keep it as a thought for now.’

Unlike in the game, the thought of actually doing such things is scary, and I feel a sense of revulsion.

Come to think of it, I need to apologize to Lucy too. Honestly, I hoped she’d forget, but judging by her reaction yesterday, she definitely remembers. I tried to apologize right away yesterday, but Lucy, being so sociable, took her team out for a meal, so I couldn’t. I must make time today.

2. Strengthening My Abilities

Realistically, this is the top priority. I need to get stronger first before I can do anything else. If I get caught six-timing, I could die, so I need the strength to protect myself. And true to this shitty game, there are quite a few events where heroines get attacked, so it’s a good way to score points. For now, I need to research and practice magic every day during training.

‘Or maybe I should try exercising too? Unlike in the game…’

In the game, once you choose a job, the act of ‘training’ itself changes into an action that raises specific stats. For example, if you choose a mage, even if you train, your stamina or strength won’t increase, only your mana. But this is reality. There’s no rule saying a mage can’t exercise, right?

“Student Lee Hoyeon? Your pen has been stopped for a while now. I guess you know all this material?”

“Huh?”

Startled by the sudden call, I bit my tongue in confusion.

“Right. If it wasn’t all familiar material, you wouldn’t be zoning out, would you? Then, Student Lee Hoyeon, please explain the problem displayed on the screen. Depending on the quality of your answer, I’ll decide whether or not to deduct points for your attitude.”

[You are currently in a maze-type dungeon with a mana value of 500ppm at the entrance. What is the appropriate response when encountering a boss-type Wombat with a standard party composition of 2 melee, 1 ranged, and 1 support?]

Looking at the hologram screen in front of me, it was definitely a problem I felt like I’d seen somewhere before. I hadn’t seen the exact problem, but I distinctly recalled seeing similar content in a paper.

“If you can’t answer, it’s minus 1 point. Don’t you know?”

“No, just a moment.”

But there’s a kid twirling a pen over there and another one sleeping, so why are you picking on me, Professor?

It took a little time due to the surrounding students’ gazes, the professor’s pressure, and my own sense of injustice, but the answer finally came to me clearly.

“In a maze-type dungeon, the mana value is the same in all areas. Therefore, the boss-type Wombat is likely not in proper condition.”

“Hmm?”

“At a low mana value like 500ppm, Eucalyptus, the Wombat’s staple food, cannot grow. Despite this, if it grew to boss-type, it’s highly likely that the last survivor of cannibalism evolved into the boss-type.”

“Ooh, and then?”

“There was a research paper from 3 years ago about Wombats growing through cannibalism. According to that paper, unlike the originally defensive Wombat, its ferocity increases, sharp fangs grow for carnivory, and its claws become sharper. Accordingly…”

Once I started talking, the words just kept coming. It was like reading directly from the paper, so it wasn’t difficult.

“… To summarize, its aggression increased but became simpler, and it lost its strong defense and attention span. Therefore, the most ideal countermeasure is for the two warriors to stall for as much time as possible while the ranged attacker and support target its weak point, the glabella, with a single powerful blow.”

“…”

No one spoke. Naturally. A freshman who just entered university perfectly answered the professor’s question, citing a paper from three years ago. The students were tilting their heads, unsure if the answer was right or wrong.

However, the professor who heard the answer smiled and started clapping.

“Amazing. I read that paper from three years ago too. I created this question inspired by it, and it seems Student Lee Hoyeon didn’t just luckily read that one paper; it’s an answer impossible to give without personal research. I can only say you’ve prepared thoroughly. Plus 1 point.”

“Thank you.”

“However, even if you know the material, many professors won’t like it if you act like you’re not listening during class.”

“I apologize. I’ll be careful next time!”

Phew, thankfully I got away with it. I sighed and sat back down.

The class resumed. The next screen displayed the explanation for the problem I just solved, and the professor continued the lecture while looking at it. Since I was just called out, I tried to focus on the class by fixing my gaze forward, but I heard whispers from behind.

“What the heck, I didn’t understand a single word he said.”

“It’s weird if you did understand him. Didn’t you hear the professor? He said he read it in a paper from three years ago. It doesn’t make sense for an Academy freshman to know that.”

“He probably just got lucky then.”

“But wasn’t his answer more detailed than the explanation the professor prepared?”

Hmm, did I answer too enthusiastically? It should be fine. In the original game, the protagonist achieves the top rank in the year anyway. In the process, he also makes contact with Alice, the top scholar, and Nam Daeun, the top performer in practical skills.

“Alright, see you next class. Make sure to prepare and review thoroughly. I will give surprise quizzes.”

As soon as the class ended, the lecture hall became bustling. The awkward atmosphere of the first day had mostly disappeared. Except for me, of course.

As I quietly packed my bag, preparing for the next class, I heard voices from behind.

“What ‘paper from three years ago’? He just got lucky once, but he won’t admit it.”

“Exactly, if he were that smart, he would have entered as the top scorer in written exams.”

At the words clearly aimed at me, I turned around and saw a group of several guys and girls looking at me and smirking.

“Oh, they’re looking this way? What, you wanna pick a fight if you’re salty?”

“Hey, hey, stop it, you’re gonna piss yourself. I can already smell the pee from here.”

Keu-keu-keu

At the center of the guys and gals snickering while saying such ridiculous things was a man. The name of that man snickering… it was definitely Do Jin-hyuk. He played the role of a villain’s pawn in the game too, and he’s doing the same here. It’s nice that he’s consistent. In the game, Do Jin-hyuk also had a bad relationship with Lee Hoyeon, but not this early. It seems I’ve unnecessarily drawn attention. What should I do?

As I was contemplating how to react, a hand casually rested on Do Jin-hyuk’s shoulder from behind.

“Do Jin-hyuk. Stop bothering the kid and get lost?”

“… Take your hand off.”

Do Jin-hyuk gritted his teeth, brushed off the hand on his shoulder, and disappeared somewhere with his gang. A typical reaction from a villain extra.

“Hey?”

It’s the guy who put his hand on Do Jin-hyuk’s shoulder earlier. The man approaching with a faint smile… who is he?

Ah, wait a moment. Seeing that shimmering blonde hair, I remembered. The blonde delinquent. It’s Kim Young-han, a classmate who plays the role of the protagonist’s helper. His boyishly short blonde hair and the tattoo visible from under his sleeve are the epitome of a delinquent. Of course, he’s not a real delinquent.

“Hmm? Uh… Kim Young-han, right?”

“Oh, what? You know me? Maybe I’m kind of popular?”

In the game too, Kim Young-han becomes friends with Lee Hoyeon by saving him from Do Jin-hyuk’s harassment. It’s a bit early, but whatever, it doesn’t matter.

“There weren’t any interesting people around, and you look kind of interesting?”

With such a straightforward personality, it’s no wonder he’s popular. I’m envious.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Lee Hoyeon.”

I came here to leech off you.