A Veteran Teaches Very Well

part 63

“Number 18, 19. Please come in.”

Finally, Nah Jin-soo’s number was called.

As he entered, he could hear the voices of those leaving after their interviews.

“How can the questions be this difficult?”

“Wow, my brain just froze.”

Nah Jin-soo and Park Seo-hoo stepped into the professor’s office.

The famous professor Cha Eun-woo, whose name was heard everywhere these days.

That was Nah Jin-soo’s first impression.

‘How can someone be this handsome?’

Even a man couldn’t help but admire his looks.

He had never seen someone so good-looking in his life.

Park Seo-hoo next to him was also handsome, but in comparison, he seemed a bit dimmed.

Park Seo-hoo spoke up.

“Professor, why haven’t you been coming to the training grounds lately?”

“I’ve been busy, and the situation hasn’t been favorable.”

Nah Jin-soo felt a bit intimidated.

Seeing Park Seo-hoo speak so naturally to the professor, it seemed they were already on friendly terms.

“Do you know that Seol-hwa has been feeling lonely because of you lately? Please take care of her more.”

“Seol-hwa? I don’t think that’s the case.”

“I’m serious.”

“Alright, alright.”

“It’s a must.”

The interview began.

Najinsu thought that the students coming out of the interview looked formidable, but the actual interview questions were simple.

“What is the main attribute you would prefer if you are a wizard who primarily uses elemental magic?”

“What buff do you want the most from a priest?”

“What is your stance on the position of a wizard…?”

No, it was beyond simple; it was a bit strange.

They kept asking about wizards and priests, and he couldn’t understand why they were so curious about that.

After a few questions, the interview ended in less than ten minutes.

Cha Eun-woo spoke.

“You both did well. We will announce the successful candidates by tonight.”

“…Yes.”

Thus, the interview ended with nothing but trivial questions.

There was hardly any opportunity for Najinsu to showcase his strengths.

It was a rather odd interview in many ways.

Still, he had no complaints.

In fact, he was relieved that he didn’t have to face more serious questions, as he hadn’t wanted to do the interview in the first place.

That night, the final list of successful candidates was released.

Najinsu’s name was on it.

“Is this for real?”

* * *

Oseong Hall, 9th floor classroom.

He had only been here on lecture days, but today he visited for the first time on a different day.

“Nice to meet you. I look forward to working with you for the rest of the semester.”

“Yes!”

Group A.

Song Seok-hwan’s Group A had disappeared, replaced by a new Group A.

Now it was Park Seo-hu’s Group A.

In terms of specifications alone, Park Seo-hu’s Group A was the most outstanding among the four groups.

While the other groups had split their applicants, leading to some instability in party balance, Park Seo-hu’s group was composed in the best possible way.

Additionally, their average specifications were slightly better than those of the other groups.

Decisively, the presence of Park Seo-hu.

An Se-ri, Baek Seol-hwa, and Song Seok-hwan were excellent students, but Park Seo-hu was at least a step above them compared to the others.

“I’ve already given two out of five tests in my lectures. We’re almost halfway through. So, you need to gain as much as you can from today’s special lecture.”

But having an impressive resume doesn’t guarantee a good group.

Currently, Group A was the weakest among the four groups.

The other groups that had followed my class so far were by no means easy to keep up with. It would take considerable effort to catch up.

“First, let’s quickly go over the theory. Has anyone read my paper?”

Without waiting for anyone to go first, the students raised their hands.

Except for one person—Na Jin-soo.

I had expected Na Jin-soo wouldn’t have read it. That was just like him.

He showed this side of himself even in games.

He was seen as a bit lazy, lacking ambition compared to others, and having modest dreams.

Still, since he was here, I pondered how to motivate Na Jin-soo.

After all, four out of the five freshmen had read it.

It was clear that my paper was quite popular.

While it was nice to be popular, it also left me feeling a bit deflated.

How wonderful would it have been if XTube in reality had even half, no, just a tenth of this popularity?

“It would be good to have read it. The content of my lectures is based on that paper, so it will be easier to follow along.”

“Okay.”

“Make sure to help each other out in your group. My lectures are entirely based on group assignments, so if one member falls behind, it will be tough for everyone.”

Beep—

As I pressed the remote, the screen at the front of the classroom lit up.

The screen displayed the lecture materials I had used before.

“Let’s begin the lecture.”

I briefly skimmed through the content of a previous lecture, condensing it.

The material might feel unfamiliar to the students, but it wasn’t difficult in itself.

Everyone nodded along as they listened.

“Is there any part you don’t understand up to this point?”

No one raised their hand.

So far, I had only presented the basic framework, so there was nothing particularly to question.

The real challenge was the practical application that was about to begin.

“I’d like to explain it kindly, but… due to time constraints, let’s go with a Spartan approach.”

“Excuse me?”

Kiiing─

As I activated the pre-prepared artifact, mana seized control of the space.

The ultimate goal of the class was dungeon exploration.

Learning by doing is the quickest way.

“What, what’s happening?”

The students were taken aback.

Soon, a circular magic circle emerged on the classroom floor, and the magic was set in motion.

Then, the surrounding scenery changed.

A dark cave.

It was within the barrier used during the last practical class.

“Spatial movement?”

“No. It’s a barrier.”

Park Seo-hu said.

As expected of Park Seo-hu. He’s quick on the uptake.

“As Seo-hu said, this is within a barrier. From now on, this will be the place where you attend class. Look here.”

In my hand, there was a single bell.

I strung it up and hung it around my neck like a necklace.

“If you take the bell from me, today’s class ends. Simple enough?”

The golem used in the last practical class was unavailable.

It was a special golem, and preparing it took quite a bit of time.

So, it was impossible to introduce it into this suddenly arranged special lecture.

That’s why I decided to take matters into my own hands.

“Professor, I have a question.”

Park Seo-hu raised his hand to ask.

“A question? What kind of question, ugh!”

Swoosh!

In an instant, Park Seo-hu closed the distance.

—

A sudden strike took advantage of the moment my gaze was distracted. I was completely caught off guard.

He immediately reached for the bell.

Thwack!

Just barely swatting away Park Seo-hu’s hand, he retreated a distance.

I never expected an ambush like this right from the start.

I applauded his brilliant sense, so characteristic of a genius.

“Nice sense.”

“I thought I had caught you off guard, but didn’t you dodge a bit too easily?”

If it ends this easily, what are we supposed to gain from this class?

“Everyone, gather around. Let’s come up with a strategy first.”

Park Seo-hu gathered Team A in one place.

Team A began to huddle together and talk.

Park Seo-hu is a good leader.

He hadn’t been trained like Song Seok-hwan or Ahn Se-ri in how to manage a party, but he had a personality that blended well with anyone and a natural charisma.

Moreover, with overwhelming personal ability, he would serve as a focal point for the team in every situation.

“Then let’s begin.”

Team A’s formation was 1-3.

With a healer in the center, wizards on either side, and Park Seo-hu at the front.

Finally, the assassin, Na Jin-soo, was free-rolling.

Theoretically, it was a nonsensical formation.

The classes in the rear were all configured for close combat, unable to fight from a distance.

If they were exposed to the enemy even slightly, the rear would suffer fatal injuries. Thus, a solid front line was essential.

Moreover, since the rear was entirely made up of magic dealers, the front line needed to deal sufficient physical damage.

The role of the warrior in the front line was excessively demanding.

An ordinary warrior would quickly become overloaded and collapse, and even a special warrior wouldn’t last long.

But the warrior of Team A was Park Seo-hu.

His presence would make that impossible position possible.

That’s why I believed this was the best choice and selected the members of Team A this way.

Whooosh—

Buffs poured onto Park Seo-hu.

It belonged to the wizard and the priest behind me.

“Let’s begin.”

Park Seo-hu lunged at me.

From the start, it was satisfying.

The situation that Team A feared the most was me bypassing Park Seo-hu and organizing the rear first.

Park Seo-hu stayed close to me, leaving no room to breathe.

This was an infinitely correct movement.

“Good.”

I swung my training sword, infused with aura, at Park Seo-hu.

Park Seo-hu met my blade head-on.

Even here, Park Seo-hu’s sense was evident.

He was mimicking my steps, moving in sync.

If I went left, he went left.

If I went right, he went right.

He always positioned himself between me and Team A’s rear.

Desperate to prevent any approach to the rear.

So how would I respond to this?

Thwack-!

As I took a long step to the left, Park Seo-hu mirrored my movement.

Here, I feinted once.

As I changed direction, Park Seo-hu followed.

In that brief moment, his focus was entirely on my steps.

Now’s the chance.

“Inferno.”

From the very beginning, it was Park Seo-hu I was targeting.

A massive inferno engulfed him.

Swoosh!

Park Seo-hu split the fireball in half.

His reaction was swift.

He followed up with a counterattack, raising his sword to strike.

—

After lightly brushing it aside, I stepped back for a moment.

If we only consider Park Seo-hoo’s movements in terms of marking me, he was absolutely perfect.

But as a team player, he was a mess.

The lecture was slowly starting.

“Park Seo-hoo, what are you doing to protect the rear guard?”

“Pardon? I need to protect them so the rear can operate more easily… Ah.”

His close defense, following my every step, completely bound my movements.

But at the same time, the rear guard of Group A also came to a halt.

Because Park Seo-hoo had completely blocked the space between me and them, the rear guard was unable to attack actively for fear of hitting Park Seo-hoo.

If we had been able to alternate our attacks with perfect timing, it would have been different, but today was the first time for Group A.

Naturally, there was no way our breaths would sync.

“I understand what you mean.”

Park Seo-hoo widened the gap.

He maintained a suitable distance while hindering my ability to move freely.

Then, the rear guard’s feet loosened.

Magic poured out in intervals, along with the assassin’s strikes.

It was a good rhythm.

But it wasn’t enough.

“What will you do like this?”

This time, I followed Park Seo-hoo closely.

As he moved, I mirrored him, using him as a shield, and Group A fell into chaos.

Our movements had completely reversed from just moments ago.

“Ugh!”

Park Seo-hoo had to manage the distance well for the members of Group A to be free.

So he desperately widened the gap.

But it was too much.

“Well then, good luck.”

Clap!

After allowing the distance to grow, I headed straight for the rear guard of Group A.

Park Seo-hoo seemed to realize too late and threw himself forward, but it was already too late.

—

“Magic Missile.”

KWAANG!

The wizards had just finished their attack and were unable to prepare any means of defense.

The rear guard of Team A was on the brink of annihilation.

I deliberately aimed slightly off to unleash magic onto the adjacent ground.

“You’ve already died once.”

Park Seo-hu’s expression hardened.

If this were a real battle, a mistake from the front line would have exposed the rear guard, leading to the party’s total destruction.

Of course, it was an unfair situation for the front line.

The warrior had to shoulder all the tanking, manage the boss’s aggro entirely, create perfect angles for the dealers to deal damage, and even pull off a decent amount of damage themselves.

However, Team A was a party that required Park Seo-hu to accomplish all of this.

“Let’s try again. Don’t forget that proper distance control is key.”

Distance control.

It was crucial not to be too far away or too close.

Park Seo-hu had to keep me within a consistent range while watching my movements.

In boss fights, when the front line marked the boss one-on-one, this close marking was essential and incredibly useful.

If Park Seo-hu could make this his own, Team A would have a much easier time going forward.

“You’re too close. The rear guard can’t do anything like this.”

“Yes!”

“This time, you’re too far. You need to protect your teammates.”

Though I said that, I was inwardly impressed.

No matter how much of a genius he was, I thought it would be tough for him, yet he had already grasped the essentials to some extent.

He was not called an easy mode player for nothing.

With initial stats that were beyond reach, his growth was as rapid as Seo Da-yoon’s; he could only be described as a monster.

Park Seo-hu was absorbing my teachings in no time at all.

As proof, the mentor effect had activated.

─The mentor effect is activated. You gain a small amount of experience. (Target: Park Seo-hu)

I was taken aback.

When I first taught Seo Da-yoon, the mentor effect didn’t activate this quickly.

The relationship between effort and skill resembled a curve graph more than a straight line.

At first, no matter how hard one tried, skill would only rise gradually, until a certain moment when it would suddenly spike steeply.

Park Seo-hoo had crossed that inflection point.

I might have misjudged the balance.

“Ha-up!”

Before I knew it, Park Seo-hoo’s distance control had become quite refined.

He coiled around my movements like a snake, completely binding me tight.

The magic flying in from behind and the sharp blade of Nah Jin-soo, who was watching for an opportunity to attack, felt intensely threatening.

Chaeng!

As I was looking for a chance to target Nah Jin-soo, Park Seo-hoo’s sword suddenly came flying at me.

Things were getting tricky.

The movements of Team A were applying significant pressure.

I felt like an insect caught in a meticulously woven spider’s web.

The breathing of Team A had also improved to some extent.

But it was Park Seo-hoo’s overwhelming individual ability that had created this situation.

Perception!

Finally, the tip of Park Seo-hoo’s sword grazed me.

I quickly stepped back, avoiding injury, but from the beginning, Park Seo-hoo had no intention of inflicting harm.