I Haven't Taught Anything To Him Yet

Peng Jin-ah’s sudden tea-time proposal.

After the <Basic Swordsmanship> class ended, I was currently sitting in a chair, having accepted her invitation.

‘…Is this Professor Peng Jin-ah’s office…?’

I thought it would have a rather stiff and bleak atmosphere…

Uh, um… how should I put this?

‘…Should I say it’s girlish?’

Quite a diverse interior.
Dolls arranged without being excessive.
A few swords, presumed to be gifts.
Luxurious shelves and furniture.
And the wallpaper was… a deep, dark shade, almost like ink had been spilled on it.

Finally…

‘Is that a cloak?’

It seemed like she had tried to hide it, but if you looked closely, you could see a cloak and a black eyepatch.

It was a room where you could learn something about Peng Jin-ah.

Drip.

While I was thinking, Peng Jin-ah poured some black tea.

The aroma that wafted out suggested that it was a high-quality tea.

“Drink.”
“Thank you.”

Slurp.

The warm liquid entered my mouth, and I tasted its characteristic astringency.

The final lingering aftertaste was mysterious.
Even someone like me, who doesn’t know much about tea, could tell it was good tea.

“Does it suit your taste, Cadet Yu Seha?”
“Yes, it’s delicious.”
“That’s a relief.”

Peng Jin-ah cleared her throat briefly.
Soon, she explained about the ‘Exclusive Class.’

It was mostly familiar information.

[Exclusive Class] was a type of special class, and its treatment was also unique.

The days and start time were fixed, but.
The end time was not set.

Additionally, the credits were two to three times larger than regular subjects.

Given the amount of time involved, it seemed like a considerate arrangement.

And here’s where it got important.

[Exclusive Lessons] were extended at the Professor’s discretion for the next semester.

I had heard that Peng Jin-ah had already successfully secured me, so I’d be registered with her as a fixed student through my second and third years.

In fact, this meant that one-on-one lessons with her would continue until graduation.

‘And when she judges the time to be right… she’ll conduct the ceremony to appoint me as a favorite student.’

[Favourite Student Appointment Ceremony]

A sacred ceremony where the teacher and student share their essence, forming a bond that goes beyond just teaching.

When described like this, it might sound a bit risky, but it wasn’t that deep.

It was just to the extent that each could sense when something happened to the other.

Anyway, these [Exclusive Lessons] might seem unfair at first glance.

‘In reality, it is favoritism.’

But no one really said much about it.

There was a reason for this, as most of the legendary hunters who made a name for themselves in the past conducted their classes in this manner for their disciples.

The [Exclusive Lessons] and [Favorite Student Appointment Ceremony] were created by the [Academy], inspired by their actions.

In fact, for hunters, this method of teaching was considered more fundamental.

Moreover, both the masters and the disciples who were trained through these methods contributed greatly to the world, so while there might be dissatisfaction, no one openly rebelled against it.

‘Anyway, whatever, that’s that…’

I glanced at Peng Jin-ah’s black tea.

Plop.

The black tea was filled with undissolved, layered sugar cubes.

Despite this, Peng Jin-ah continued to add sugar cubes as they dissolved.

This is quite unexpected…
Judging by her image, one would think she would drink iced Americano.

‘…It seems like she likes sweet things.’

When I first saw her, she seemed rigid and dignified.
She gave off the vibe of a cold-blooded person who wouldn’t let even a needle in…

But lately, I’d been seeing a gentler, surprisingly clumsy side to her.

‘…If you were a character, you’d be quite popular.’

On top of that, she didn’t lack in appearance at all.
With such immense abilities, she surely would have been loved by the Supervisors.

It was when we were quietly enjoying our tea without much conversation.

Peng Jin-ah, who had been staring at me absentmindedly, suddenly said, ‘Please wait a moment,’ and stood up from her chair.

She walked towards the refrigerator behind her.

She took out a piece of cake from there.

“Do you dislike desserts, Cadet Yu Seha?”
“No, I like them.”
“Is that so? That’s a relief.”

I wondered if it was a famous cake; it looked quite sophisticated.

Peng Jin-ah looked at me with expectant eyes.

‘…This is something.’

Even with the usual blank expression, just the look in her eyes changes the impression so much.

Thinking she’s an interesting person, I took a bite.

‘Ugh, what is this?’

A strong bitter taste hit me.

I had expected it to be sweet according to her taste, but that expectation was completely shattered.

‘…What is this?’

Is this a cake for fans of bitter flavors?

As I was roughly thinking that, I was suddenly startled by a pop-up information window.

‘Stat… increase?’

Three stats went up.
And it even calls it a potion?

When I blinked, Peng Jin-ah chuckled softly.
It was the second time I’d seen her smile since the entrance exam.

“It’s an item made by H Corporation.”

H Corporation…?
Where have I heard that before…?

‘Ah, come to think of it…’

I remembered something Meowi had mentioned after the dungeon, <Pearl Spitting Tortoise’s Garden>.

Didn’t they say it was a company that makes something desirable called [Cores]?

It was also mentioned by Ju Na-young and Moon Bora when they were talking about interior design.

This effect…
Could it be?

“Is this food made by processing a magical elixir?”
“Yes. I’ve heard it’s made from spiritual herbs harvested in <Trials> and <Dungeons> where they claimed ownership rights.”

Peng Jin-ah took a sip of tea.

In the past, she had personally helped H Corporation and received such items periodically.

Then, she handed over a cake box with three more pieces.

“Give these to the other three.”

There was no need for me to ask who she referred to.

“Is it really okay for you to just give me something so precious?”
“…I feel sorry that this is all I can do for you.”
“…Pardon?”

I was taken aback by the unexpected apology.

Peng Jin-ah continued speaking in the meantime.

She seemed to have a dark expression.

“…<Entrance Exam>, the attack of the <Twin Head Troll>. And also the <Dormitory Terror>… It’s truly shameful that someone who is a professor couldn’t protect the cadets and only received help.”

I feel so pitiful, realizing how powerless and incompetent I am.

“I’m really sorry, Cadet Yu Seha. Instead of being a support, I was just a burden…”

Peng Jin-ah finished speaking and drank her tea with a gloomy look.

I was slightly dumbfounded by her appearance.

’…Sigh.’

As expected, she was indeed a character from ‘GAL.’

I couldn’t understand why this person was so kind.

“That’s not true. From the beginning… isn’t the fact that you’re here as a professor already a deterrent to the <Demons> and <Villains>?”

It wasn’t just a flattering remark, but my genuine opinion.

In fact, in ‘GAL,’ the frequency and intensity of villain and demon attacks were determined by the total combat power of the professors hired through random encounters.

And considering this, this had been the least attacked playthrough I’d experienced so far.

‘In the worst cases, it could turn into a demonic realm.’

Surely, the reason for this ambiguous peace was largely thanks to Peng Jin-ah.

Chairman Yu Neung-hae didn’t hire <Snow Ice Lady> ‘Chun Mi-ra’ just to have her train without teaching for no reason.

A presence that maintains the balance of the scales with sheer power alone.

She was already doing her part for the <Academy> in her own way.

“……”

Was it an unexpected remark?
Peng Jin-ah’s eyes widened.

Oh? It looked like her neck was turning slightly red…?

“…Ahem!”

Hastily sipping her tea to cover her face, she continued to clear her throat.

“Th-Thank you for saying that, Cadet Yu Seha.”
“It’s nothing.”
“Then… let’s go for the practice now. Do you remember the promise I made?”

Promise?
Uh…
Oh, is it that?

“You said you would teach me everything…”
“That’s right. It will undoubtedly be a harsh and strenuous lesson.”

Trying to regain the dignity of a master, Peng Jin-ah assumed a serious demeanor.

However, her shining eyes couldn’t be hidden.

Eyes that seemed to see hope.
Her heart overflowed with expectations for Yu Seha’s growth.

“Especially since the [Overlord Sword Technique] you’ve learned is not an easy skill, even for me. At most, I can wield it two or three times.”

“…Uh, well…”

“Don’t worry. That’s why I’m here by your side.”

Cadet Yu Seha.
You can do it.

Ten minutes later, at Peng Jin-ah’s private training ground.

“……”

Peng Jin-ah, unaware that her mouth was agape, stared blankly ahead.

Crackle!

Red lightning-like crimson mana surged upwards.

The violent energy swirled around the sword like a storm.

It was undoubtedly the manifestation of the [Overlord Sword Technique].

Not just a few swings, but a prolonged, dance-like execution.

The caster was, of course, Yu Seha.

The [Overlord Sword Technique] was being executed much longer, more precisely, and with greater power than during the battle against the <Twin Head Troll>.

“……”

Peng Jin-ah blinked in bewilderment.

What on earth is that?

‘…I haven’t taught anything to him yet…’

A flower on solid soil or whatever…

He boasted a lot…

He had already established his own foundation to some extent.

In just less than a month.

It’s something that shouldn’t be possible by common sense.

‘What on earth… did you do, Yu Seha?’

Peng Jin-ah, who was staring in shock, soon regained her composure.

“Cadet Yu Seha, please… please stop for a moment.”
“Oh, yes?”

She slowly approached him as he lowered his sword.

“I know it’s impolite… but can you show me your [Status Window]? It’s okay to hide most of your unique abilities and skills. Just show me your stats, swordsmanship… and the Overlord Sword technique.”

There was no better way to gauge how much he had grown.

Despite the somewhat rude request, Yu Seha nodded willingly.

He manipulated the screen and handed it over, allowing only a part to be seen.

Peng Jin-ah carefully received it and examined it.

And then, as soon as she saw the astonishing numbers, her eyes widened so much that they seemed ready to pop out.