MTLNOVEL Chapter 60
Chapter 60
In the end, the kids had conquered the dungeon very easily even without me, just as I had believed they would.
After all, they had already experienced conquering it once, and their instructor was Ji Soohyun.
And Ji Soohyun herself had declared that she would kill them all if they didn't come in first.
It was a situation that had to be brutal because their lives were on the line.
Was it because of that? The result was overwhelmingly beyond what the other classes could follow.
...Though the method was problematic.
"...Sigh. In my entire life, I've never seen a class that blocked the dungeon with their bodies while conquering it. Why on earth did you do such a thing?"
At Instructor Park Yoonho's words, all the students in our class bowed their heads deeply and maintained silence.
It seemed they were aware that the method was wrong, perhaps they had some conscience.
Though they might have been swept up by the atmosphere.
"...The Class Ranking Tournament includes attitude scores. Given what you've shown, it will be hard to avoid deductions."
In a way, it was a natural consequence.
After all, Seoul Hero Academy is a place that trains heroes, not hunters.
In response, the other students also silently affirmed with their silence.
"Each class should return to the positions where they stood before departure. The scores will be announced once they are calculated."
At that moment, Youngje raised his hand high upon hearing his words.
"Instructor. Unlike the other classes, it seems our class doesn't have an instructor present..."
"Ah, you mean Instructor Ji Soohyun."
His expression, which had regained composure, crumpled again.
"...Instructor Ji Soohyun was dragged away after causing a ruckus while watching you guys. Shouting 'Well done, my kids!', 'That's my disciples!' and all that."
"Ah."
"...For now, return to your original positions."
I actually thought it was very much like Ji Soohyun.
A moment later, as all the classes returned to their original positions, a giant screen appeared in the air.
[We will now announce the scores for the Class Ranking Tournament.]
The screen began to change, displaying Class A's scores.
[Class A: -p]
Then came the voice of Park Yoonho.
[Class A. Considering how they acted faster than anyone, showed no hesitation in dealing with monsters, and took down the boss first, they earned 364 points, matching the score of last year's top class.]
[Class A: 364p]
The students celebrated as if the first place was already secured.
But through the cheers of the students, another voice pierced through.
[However!]
The students' expressions hardened at the mention of another change.
[300 points will be deducted for preventing the students from other classes from entering the boss room.]
Simultaneously, the score on the screen dropped in real-time.
[Class A: 64p]
The score plummeted to the bottom in an instant.
As the students began to fall to the ground one by one or show expressions of frustration.
[However.]
However.
One more step remained.
The scoring was not over yet.
[Adding the points for Class A student Han Yoojin for handling nine Golden Goblins and a Golden Hobgoblin...]
Simultaneously, the score rose terrifyingly.
[They surpassed last year's top class by over 500 points.]
[Class A: 872p]
Everyone looked at me with wide eyes at the overwhelming score difference.
The students of Class A, Jung Euihun, and even Choi Yeon.
[I never expected to announce the first place from the start. Congratulations. Class A is the winner.]
Applause came from the instructors' side.
Eyes were drawn to me at the mention of the overwhelming first place.
Feeling the burden of those gazes, I averted my eyes downward, and someone suddenly hugged me tightly from behind.
"Bossuuuu!! I believed in you!!"
The other students around us seemed to share Jinwoo's sentiment, looking at me with bright expressions.
...This is unexpectedly burdensome.
[Since Class A won the Class Ranking Tournament, all students in the class will receive elixirs as a prize, and Han Yoojin, the student who ranked first among the top ten overall, will be awarded a mentee ticket to designate a hero from the Korean Hero Association as a mentor.]
That was exactly what I had wanted, the 'mentee ticket'.
From the sparring with Kwon Suhyeop, the president of the 'Ranger Club', I had newly awakened [Bloodline: Calione].
I was convinced that to further enhance this ability in different ways, I would need the help of others.
[The next ranking is...]
Instructor Park Yoonho continued to announce the rankings, ordering the classes and, after announcing all the class rankings, took the microphone.
[Next, we have the ten students who showed great performance in this dungeon. They will be awarded a mentee ticket to receive lessons from a mentor of their choice.]
Simultaneously, names began to appear on the scoreboard.
1. Han Yoojin
2. Choi Yeon
3. Kim Youngje
4. Jung Euihun
5. Choi Kanghyun
6. Alex Kim
7. Jinwoo Vivaldi
8. Kim Seah
9. Anna Skovich
10. Nakito Yoichi
[This concludes the Class Ranking Tournament. Students who received the mentee ticket should consult with their designated instructor for details. There are no further schedules, so return to your classes. That's all.]
As expected, all members of 'Familia' succeeded in receiving the mentee ticket.
It was only natural since they had been turning the underground dungeons upside down recently, and it would have been stranger if they hadn't excelled in such a goblin dungeon.
Thus, the Class Ranking Tournament came to an end.
As the students of our Class A returned to the classroom with excitement, Ji Soohyun, sitting on the teacher's desk with a broad smile, greeted us.
"Welcome back? You lucky ones."
Youngje was taken aback by Ji Soohyun's unusual appearance and stepped back.
"...Instructor. You weren't at the playground, so you were here?"
"I wonder if you guys appreciate my efforts~ You saw how I physically blocked entry to the boss room, right? The other instructors were jumping around, screaming to drag you guys out and reverse-summon you. I caused a bit of a commotion to stop them, and they chased me out."
Ji Soohyun laughed and recounted the situation.
"Keep doing what you did today. When other kids talk about morals, you focus on efficiency. Use everything you can to the end. That's how the world works, and it's the fastest way to get stronger."
Ji Soohyun, speaking with pride, smiled and stepped down from the teacher's desk to scan us.
"There's no class after this. Everyone except those who received the mentee ticket can leave. Good job."
The students, thrilled to be able to go home earlier than usual, left with smiles, and only five of us remained in the classroom, including me.
Me, Jinwoo, Youngje, Seah, and Choi Kanghyun.
"First of all, as the academy advised, I plan to recommend heroes I know who will fit your combat styles and abilities. If you have any objections, let me know."
Saying so, Ji Soohyun began giving advice, starting with Youngje.
"You handle various types of magic, right? I recommend 'Loti' from the Jamsil Magic Tower. She's crazy, but her abilities are real. As a frontline combat mage, she'll be a great help to you."
Next was Choi Kanghyun.
"You should go to Young Hoem in Busan. He's a man who rose to the top with water abilities, so he'll match well with you. He's rich, too, so if you catch his fancy, he might give you plenty of gifts. Next is Jinwoo."
Ji Soohyun glanced at Jinwoo.
"Learn the bloodline ability from your father, and for dagger techniques, go to Han Yeoeun, the guild master of the 'Artemis Guild'. She's skilled enough to stab me in the back, so you'll learn something from her. And for Seah..."
Seah nodded vigorously in response.
The last one left was me.
"You're the biggest problem. I'm not sure who to pair you with."
It was a natural concern for Ji Soohyun, who knew my true identity.
The head of the Calione Family, also known as the Emperor of the Night, is my father, who is at home, and the person currently in charge of successor training is Parnello Ramici, known as the hunting dog of the Calione Family. It was not easy for me to think of a hero who would be suitable for me.
"Or do you have someone in mind?"
Perhaps thinking that I would do so, Ji Soohyun asked me casually.
She really has a good sense.
"Yes, I do."
"Really? Who is it?"
The eyes of Ji Soohyun and the other children turned towards me after hearing my response.
The person I would mentor and learn from as a mentee, none other than myself.
It was only natural that the attention of the other children would be drawn to me.
A hero from whom I could learn. I slowly spoke the name of that person.
"Gwak Chunshik. I plan to learn from him."
"...Huh?"
Ji Soohyun looked puzzled at my response, while the other children tilted their heads in confusion.
"Gwak Chunshik? Chunshik Grandpa? The one who was once called Korea's greatest hero? Aura Master Gwak Chunshik?"
When I nodded to Ji Soohyun's question, a burst of laughter, 'Puh-hat!', escaped from her.
"Hey, don't you know? That old man, he's locked up in Gangwon-do for causing trouble despite his age. Are you really going to take him as your mentor?"
"Isn't he still registered with the Hero Association? Isn't he an honorary director of the Korean Hero Association?"
"That's just an honorary position, so it's just a name on the list! Is it even possible for that old man, who's riddled with old age, to take on a disciple?"
Gwak Chunshik.
He was always mentioned when discussing Korea's representative hero and the most powerful hero in Korean history.
His ability, 'Innate Energy', allowed him to enhance his body or shape objects using the aura within his body, earning him the title 'Aura Master' abroad.
However, he abruptly stopped his hero activities ten years ago due to his age, and now he lives in a place called 'Hero Silver Town' in Gangwon-do, after killing a villain who tried to kidnap his granddaughter.
"He will accept me if I go to him."
"Yeah, right. There's a rumor that he can't even recognize his own children. Hey, there are other people like Chun-sam Uncle, so why are you so determined to ask that old man to be your mentor?"
His ability, 'Innate Energy', is a bloodline ability that was passed down to his children.
His son, Gwak Chunsam, is still active as a hero and serves as a director of the Korean Hero Association, so he could be considered strong enough.
He would probably be one of the top two in Korea.
But.
"There is nothing for me to learn from him."
Just being a strong hero is not enough.
"Ha, so you really want to learn from Chunshik Grandpa?"
Ji Soohyun sighed as if she was fed up when I nodded.
"Well... I'll write the recommendation letter for you, but if he refuses, there's nothing I can do about it, you know?"
"Yes, I understand."
"...Alright. Get the consent forms from the mentors by this week, and if it's going to take some time, just let the academy know in advance that you'll be absent. I'll write all the recommendation letters by tomorrow, so come and get them."
After explaining everything, Ji Soohyun turned away.
"That's all. I have to go write the recommendation letters, so you guys go home too."
As she waved her hands and disappeared, Jinwoo, who was next to me, spoke up first.
"Boss, are you really going to get trained by that old man? He's been in the news for beating up other retired heroes at the Silver Town."
...Everyone's making a fuss about it.
"If the president says so, I'm curious too. It feels like there's something to it."
It seemed that Youngje also had doubts about me wanting Gwak Chunshik as a mentor.
"I have my reasons, so don't worry too much. All the people recommended by Instructor Ji Soohyun will be of great help to you, so it would be good to accept them."
Indeed, Ji Soohyun, who had a long career as a hero, was an instructor who was very helpful when it came to connections.
"If Yoojin says so, I won't worry, but..."
Seah nodded while speaking.
"While learning from your mentor, continue with club activities but prioritize the mentor activities. Alright, everyone, good work."
So, shall I start by persuading that stubborn old man?