episode_0021

When I came to my senses, my learning goal had been fulfilled.

Professor Liana, who handed me the mana crystal, just gave me a look as if to say “give it a try,” so I attempted it and solved it effortlessly in no time.

I inserted the mana into the crystal, extracted it, and absorbed it by sucking it up, storing it within myself.

It was a simple procedure. It took no more than 30 minutes at most. It was so simple that I wondered if this was something obvious. I tilted my head.

“For beginners… especially for those who have just started, it’s definitely not something that can be easily accomplished.”

Professor Liana firmly shook her head.

She thought that I must have felt the mana… So she brought the crystal that required immediate manipulation.

According to Professor Liana, normally it takes half a day to connect the mana, pierce a hole, and pull it out, and about two days to absorb it.

Even absorbing about 20% of the total is considered a significant amount.

So today, she intended to cultivate the manipulation skills necessary for connecting mana…

“…You finished it in one go.”

[That’s good, isn’t it?]

“It’s amazing.”

Professor Liana, who was shaking her head in disbelief, responded abruptly.

“Although you’re still at the beginning, with this, the talent assessment is completely settled. It’s certain.”

The nuance seemed to indicate that the result was ultimately positive. I was a bit anxious because I hadn’t properly used mana affinity before, but seeing Professor Liana speak like that made me think that mana affinity might indeed be a useful innate ability.

“Unexpectedly, the class ended too quickly.”

As I fiddled with the now grayed-out crystal, Professor Liana let out an awkward smile.

“Well, there’s nothing we can do now that it’s turned out like this.”

Just when I was worried that something had gone awry with the plan, she quickly recovered from her embarrassment and confidently announced that there was a next plan.

Indeed. It seems she had also thought of a contingency plan in case the first plan fell through.

“Relax and take it easy!”

“?”

Is that right?

.

.

.

While feeling that things were progressing smoothly, inwardly, I couldn’t help but feel impatient, thinking that it wasn’t actually slow.

In the end, there is knowledge from the original work. At this point in the later chapters of the original, it’s the perfect time to consume all sorts of hidden pieces and power up.

Through the records of the previous sessions, they cleared the unsolved dungeon through tricks, devoured all sorts of potions and high-level artifacts… finding suitable characters to kill and plunder…

Without being too obsessed, they efficiently achieved consecutive quick choices, showing extraordinary growth indicators and limits.

“Thoughts are admirable, but what shouldn’t be done, shouldn’t be.”

With spare time, they asked if it wouldn’t hurt to teach something else.

They were rejected outright. It was quite a firm attitude.

“Even if I wanted to teach, resting is better for now. Don’t you feel a bit off right now?”

Professor Liana nodded in response to her words.

Certainly, her stomach felt queasy as if she had overeaten. Not to the point of vomiting, but it was uncomfortable.

“See that? When magical power increases rapidly, it happens. It’s better to wait until it stabilizes rather than training too hard right now.”

[Yes. I understand. I’ll rest for now.]

“Right. You’re a good student who listens well.”

Liana’s logic was indeed satisfying. It would be better to accept and rest rather than insist on being taught at the moment.

Nodding in understanding, they received a pat on the head from Professor Liana.

Startled by the sudden contact.

“Hmm?”

“Oh, did I make you uncomfortable?”

No, not really, but… why the sudden touch…

As they hesitated, relieved, she smiled and patted their head again.

It felt strange, like being petted like a puppy, but also oddly comforting.

“If you really want lessons, I will give you some even if it’s brief. Right away… anytime… a sleeping lesson!”

After patting their head for a moment, Professor Liana clapped her hands.

A sleeping lesson. They tilted their head in confusion. At first glance, it didn’t seem practical.

Then, with a tsk-tsk sound, Professor Liana flicked her finger.

“Let’s think about it. Whether you become a hero or a hunter, there will be things that end in a short time and things that will take a long time.”

There are dungeons that can be cleared in a day. However, for most dungeons, it takes at least a few days to properly clear.

This is assuming the dungeon has been fully understood and a sufficient number of people have been deployed for subjugation.

Exploring dungeons with unknown threats.

The time it takes to understand the structure and traps of the dungeon and to be on guard against monsters that could appear from anywhere cannot be completed in just a few days.

The importance of detection-type unique abilities.

Even for dungeons that were understood long ago, it is recommended to accompany someone with detection abilities just in case, but now, for a dungeon that has just been understood, not bringing someone with detection abilities? It’s perfect for annihilation.

“Dungeons inherently consume time, and so does being on guard. Moreover, once any front line is established, several weeks easily pass by.”

In other words, missions often take longer than expected.

“Especially, establishing a front line requires the ‘ability to fall asleep anytime, anywhere.’ Do you get it now?”

It was only at this point that I understood.

I’ve seen it occasionally on YouTube. Soldiers inside a bunker sleeping soundly even as shells were falling.

The fact that they were holding their firearms even while asleep left a strong impression on me, so it stuck in my memory for a long time.

It’s definitely a lesson worth learning. Also, come to think of it, I remember there were lectures related to sleep among the general subjects.

“Now, lie down!”

Unable to resist Professor Liana’s urging, I cautiously lay down on the grass. I felt a faint vibration transmitted through the ground.

“And close your eyes… Sorry, that was a slip of the tongue. I really didn’t mean it. I didn’t have any bad intentions…”

[It’s okay]

“I’m really sorry…”

There was a small incident in the middle, but it was easily overlooked. Perhaps due to accumulated fatigue, I started to feel drowsy even though I had just laid down.

“Hmm. There are two things you should be mindful of while falling asleep.”

First, do not fall into a deep sleep to prepare for a similar situation.

Second, set intervals and fall asleep intermittently.

“In practice, it’s harder than it sounds. It’s more like a habit than a skill. So, if you start preparing little by little from now on, it will help you later.”

I nodded my head after hearing those words.

“Sigh…”

I cleared my mind of unnecessary thoughts to fall asleep. Then, I settled my consciousness with two precautions.

Of course, the floor was less comfortable than the bed. There was no blanket to cover me warmly, nor a pillow to support my neck and hold me close.

But it had its own charm.

It took about 30 minutes to extract the magic of the crystal. The time was still early in the morning, and the unique atmosphere of dawn had a strange charm.

“Isn’t your major class difficult?”

Cha, who was quietly settling his consciousness, suddenly asked.

Professor Liana, who was comfortably sitting next to me and looking around, cautiously asked with a concerned look.

If it’s a major class… it’s Professor Atra’s lecture.

“Is it difficult…”

On the first day, I ran until I was about to faint.

On the second day, running. Swordsmanship training…

On the third day, running, spear fighting…

And various other tiring tasks…

I hesitated for a moment and tapped on my smartwatch.

[It’s okay.]

Of course, it’s difficult. It’s so painful that tears come out during the training. It’s something I don’t want to do.

Perhaps those who seek pain have a rare taste. I am not someone who gains pleasure through pain, nor do I have the qualities of someone who willingly takes on difficult tasks.

But how many people in this world would want to feel pain? Who would willingly take on difficult tasks?

No one wants to. Everyone dislikes difficult and painful tasks, but everyone is doing them.

Because otherwise, they can’t survive. Because they have to do something to live.

I am the same. I’m nothing special.

It’s certain that if I don’t roll now, my future will be tough. So I’m rolling like this right now.

In response to my answer, Professor Liana tilted her head with a subtle expression. As if pondering something, she soon burst into laughter and made an unexpected remark.

“Professor Atra’s personality is quite extreme.”

“!?”

Unconsciously, I found myself gaping.

I didn’t expect such words to come from Professor Liana, and I certainly didn’t expect them to be derogatory towards Professor Atra.

“Haha, look at your reaction.”

What’s so funny that makes you burst into laughter? Covering her mouth with one hand, she chuckled for a while, and after some time, the laughter subsided.

“I’m somewhat close to Professor Atra. Well, because we often crossed paths on the African front.”

Africa.

Once the land of humanity, now territory seized by monsters.

When it comes to the Maekyung region, it is the area most associated with active heroes and hunters.

“By chance, I got involved in missions and worked as a temporary team member… I worked with several people, and there were those who were inherently tough, prickly, and difficult to communicate with. Oh, how frustrating it was back then.”

Even if they lacked skill, they held their ground firmly. Professor Liana shook her head as if at her wit’s end.

“It’s not that people are inherently bad… or… is it? It feels dirty, maybe their personality in expressing themselves is filthy, um… it’s hard to explain.”

[Did Professor Atra also work on the African front?]

“He didn’t only work in Africa. He probably traveled here and there, but he did spend quite a few years in Africa recently.”

I nodded my head with a puzzled feeling.

Professor Liana and Professor Atra. I hadn’t expected these two to be close.

I’ve also heard that Professor Atra is a top-tier hero and has made a name for himself on the African front.

It was quite an interesting story. Professor Liana chattered about the things she had been involved in with Professor Atra, wearing a gentle smile as if it wasn’t difficult for her.

“If teaching becomes too difficult, you can say you don’t want to do it. To Ha Yul, I might seem like a witch with a foul temperament, but still, there’s a reason for my personality being foul… Maybe if you speak up, I’ll change my approach.”

I also received advice that if I really can’t stand it, I can stop.

Quietly, it seemed like Professor Liana’s treatment of Professor Atra was harsh.

A witch with a foul temperament… always maintaining a stern demeanor, it seems somewhat fitting…

As these idle talks sounded like a lullaby, my consciousness gradually drifted away. With Professor Liana beside me, I felt reassured that nothing strange would happen, and drowsiness nudged me.

“One hour. I’ll wake up in an hour…”

And to not fall into a deep sleep.

I kept telling myself that. But my consciousness gradually sank deeply as I felt my head being stroked.

“…I’ve already fallen asleep.”

Professor Liana’s strange expression came in for the last time.