I Became The Only Healer In The Academy [EN]: Chapter 120

120

“I’m sorry.”

After exiting the room, the professor who led the subjugation exercise bowed to Seonghyun and apologized.

“Yes? Why are you apologizing…”

“I assumed you would at least follow instructions, but we almost had a major incident.”

“It’s alright. Thanks to you, I identified a few noteworthy individuals, and now I have a clearer understanding of their capabilities.”

Seonghyun’s words were loud enough for the other students to hear, but no one dared to challenge them.

If it hadn’t been for Seonghyun, there might have been casualties like during last year’s subjugation.

“More importantly, thank you for your hard work, Professor.”

Seonghyun bowed to the professor.

The professor was taken aback but didn’t refuse the gesture.

It was the demeanor of a true teacher, something Seonghyun hadn’t seen in a long time.

‘If Seonghyun had met this professor before his regression, would his life have been different?’

“Ah, no. I was just doing my job…”

He was a new professor appointed this year with the incoming freshmen, but Seonghyun didn’t recall him.

“Please take care of the rest of the schedule.”

“Yes. I look forward to working with you as well.”

The next subjugation exercise was scheduled for just one week later.

The exam schedule remained unchanged, but the increased frequency of subjugation exercises made the schedule quite demanding, hence the week-long interval.

Seonghyun had no reason to participate in the following week’s subjugation.

It was intended for the sophomores, who, like the freshmen, were taking classes in groups and demonstrated a significantly higher level of demon beast disposal compared to last year’s sophomores.

Consequently, they successfully subjugated a non-mutated 3rd-grade gate without much difficulty.

“Whew, this subjugation ended without any issues.”

At the professor’s relieved voice, Seonghyun nodded and replied.

“Compared to last year’s sophomores, they are definitely more proficient at handling demon beasts in groups.”

“That’s right. Subjugation takes precedence. With the sophomore subjugation complete, classes will now focus on improving individual abilities.”

What remained for the sophomores was the election of the class representative, but Seonghyun, Inhwan, and Sangyeon, who had been the academy representatives the previous year, firmly held their positions, rendering that election practically nonexistent.

“What are your impressions of this year’s freshmen, Hunter?”

The question, more suited for a professor, was directed at Seonghyun.

“To be honest, except for one person, everyone else…”

Seonghyun deliberately trailed off, and the professor seemed to concur.

“You may be aware, Hunter, that the hunters of Korea are gradually weakening over time. The current sophomores are, in fact, the same.”

Even the sophomores, excluding Seonghyun’s team, were slightly weaker compared to the sophomores of the previous year.

‘That’s not wrong.’

Reflecting on his memories before the regression, the hunters of Korea had been steadily declining for about five years from now.

Exceptional individuals occasionally emerged, but the average level was consistently dropping.

Fortunately, it didn’t decline further afterward but merely maintained the status quo. During that period, Korea’s prestige ranking plummeted from 20th to 37th.

Regardless of how easily the ranking outside the top 10 could fluctuate, the shift from 20th to 37th in just a few years couldn’t be justified by mere volatility.

“I will never allow that to happen.”

He was a man with a clear ambition.

The scope of his influence as a professor, not a principal, was undoubtedly limited, but he didn’t seem like someone who would compromise his principles for that reason alone.

“Do you aspire to elevate Korea’s prestige ranking, Professor?”

The professor was startled, as if he hadn’t anticipated Seonghyun’s question, and then answered with a slightly strained expression.

“Of course, it would be ideal if that were the case… but there’s actually another reason.”

“What…”

“The extinction of demon beasts.”

In reality, one might assume that many people desire the extinction of demon beasts.

However, the world is no longer like that.

Ironically, those with significant resources have chosen to coexist with demon beasts.

And that held true for those with the immense power to subjugate demon beasts.

The benefits derived from demon beasts far outweighed those of a world without them, and once experienced, they couldn’t relinquish them.

This wasn’t solely the sentiment of the wealthy.

Regardless of their status, people were increasingly making a living through demon beasts.

It was also related to the concerns Seonghyun had when he cleared the last 5th-grade gate.

“That’s remarkable. There aren’t many people around me who advocate for the extinction of demon beasts.”

“That’s correct. It will be challenging to eradicate them because ordinary people have become extraordinary and have gained access to things they couldn’t previously possess.”

A voice filled with deep resentment was briefly audible, but the professor quickly cleared his throat.

“But Professor, I have some good news for you.”

“Yes? What…”

The professor, who was giving Seonghyun a questioning look, chuckled lightly at Seonghyun’s subsequent words.

“I share the same sentiment. The extinction of demon beasts.”

It was a secret he couldn’t confide in anyone, but the professor also sensed that Seonghyun had a situation he couldn’t disclose.

“If it’s you, Hunter… I believe it’s possible.”

The conversation, hardly resembling one between a professor and a student, concluded. With today’s schedule complete, the professor emerged from the room and addressed the freshmen and sophomores, who were catching their breath.

“I’m relieved that no one was injured. In fact, it was a subjugation where it was difficult to get hurt even if you tried. You are now dismissed.”

The professor, who had remained to ensure all the students had departed, soon left the area.

Seonghyun, who had observed everything, headed directly to the academy, bypassing all other destinations.

He possessed knowledge and experience from before the regression regarding the other professors, but he felt it necessary to learn more about this professor, as he didn’t exist in his past.

Of course, that wasn’t the only reason.

The professors Seonghyun knew were all devoid of any particularly eccentric traits.

Except for his homeroom teacher.

But this professor was markedly different.

Regardless of the need to investigate, he was also driven by pure curiosity.

Upon arriving at the academy, Seonghyun proceeded directly to the principal’s office.

“Hmm? Aren’t you Hunter Kim Seonghyun? Did something occur during the subjugation? There was no separate report…”

“No. I have a personal matter I wish to discuss with you.”

The principal seemed quite pleased by the word ‘personally’ and rose from his seat with a satisfied smile, guiding Seonghyun to a chair.

“It’s an honor that Korea’s top hunter and the number one hunter has a personal request for me.”

Delivering this in his characteristically glib tone, Seonghyun coughed awkwardly, feeling inexplicably embarrassed.

“…Please refrain from excessive praise.”

“Haha. I’ll be mindful. More importantly, if you have a question for me, it must pertain to the academy, correct?”

“That’s right.”

The principal, personally pouring tea and placing it before Seonghyun, awaited his inquiry.

“I’m referring to the professor overseeing the joint subjugation of freshmen and sophomores.”

“Ah, you mean Professor Seong Inwook. It was quite challenging to recruit him.”

There seemed to be a mixture of pity and sympathy in the principal’s voice as he spoke.

“He’s a talented individual?”

“Indeed. He’s exceptionally talented. He used to independently run an academy for hunters. And it was free of charge.”

“Free? Are you referring to a hunter academy?”

“That’s correct. He operated it without charge, resisting external pressures, but the pressure gradually intensified, ultimately leading to its closure.”

Since ability equated to wealth and the future, academies that cultivated that ability operated at a considerable cost.

Given that he ran such an academy for free, it was inevitable that other academies in the vicinity would scrutinize him.

“In the end, only negative rumors persisted, and the high building rent made it unsustainable. In a way, the academy was fortunate. We were able to recruit him thanks to that…”

“He’s certainly a rare find.”

“That’s right. But why are you inquiring about Professor Seong, Hunter… Did something happen?”

For a moment, the principal’s eyes lost their characteristic glibness and composure, replaced by a genuinely concerned expression.

“No. You could say it’s the opposite.”

“Phew… that’s a relief. I was worried about what to do if Hunter didn’t approve of him, even slightly.”

If there were even a minor issue with Seonghyun, the principal was prepared to dismiss Professor Seong without hesitation.

Professor Seong was somewhat, no, significantly lacking compared to the reputation of a sophomore, an academy representative, and Korea’s top hunter.

“Professor Seong is also known for his aversion to demon beasts.”

“Is that so?”

The aspect he was most curious about.

Why does Professor Seong desire the extinction of demon beasts?

“Professor Seong has a daughter, and she was attacked during a demon beast rampage.”

“That’s…”

“She’s been in a vegetative state for approximately 6 years already. The incident occurred when she was 6 years old, so she’s 12 years old now.”

But that wasn’t all.

“And his wife passed away while protecting his daughter from the rampage.”

“It’s understandable that he desires the extinction of demon beasts.”

“That’s why he ran the academy for free. He possessed the ability to confront mutated 3rd-grade gate demon beasts alone, making him the ideal teacher for the lowest-level hunters.”

Listening to the principal’s explanation, something made even less sense.

If his daughter was in that condition, couldn’t he have sought his assistance?

Why didn’t Professor Seong even hint at such a request?

The principal seemed to have noticed Seonghyun’s question and slowly began to speak.

“Professor Seong is that kind of person.”

A simple statement without detailed explanation.

He’s that kind of person.

Even without elaboration, he could immediately grasp what kind of person he was.

“Still, he’s truly remarkable. His daughter hasn’t been able to get up for 6 years, yet he hasn’t shown it much…”

What if it were Seonghyun?

He wondered if he would have knelt and begged as soon as they met.

Professor Seong may be weaker in strength and ability than Seonghyun, but his inner strength seemed to surpass anyone else’s.

“Ahem… I heard that Professor Seong’s daughter is at Seil Hospital…”

“Yes?”

“Ah, no. I just mentioned it in case you were curious, Hunter.”

That characteristic glib smile suggested he was anticipating Seonghyun’s next move.

“Ah, Seirin Hospital, you mean?”

“Ah, no, Seil Hospital…”

When he saw the principal hastily correcting the hospital’s name, he chuckled lightly, and the principal realized that Seonghyun was joking and laughed as well.

“Oh my. You’re toying with me.”

“You’ve been doing that all along, Principal.”

“Ahem…”

“Seil Hospital… I understand. See you next time.”

The principal could clearly envision the change in Professor Seong’s expression when they next met, and he smiled contentedly as he watched Seonghyun’s retreating figure.