Academy’S Gumiho Is A Magical Genius [EN]: Chapter 40

Academy Gumiho is a Magic Genius – Episode 40

Nine Tails Guild (5)

It was my first day back at work in a while.

I couldn’t even remember how many days it had been.

Because of that, I wore a crisper dress shirt and suit than usual.

I didn’t forget to grab the extra gloves from the dorm.

I looked in the mirror and straightened my clothes.

I couldn’t allow even the slightest disarray.

Because I had to go to work looking as neat as possible today.

“This should be good enough.”

I muttered to myself while looking in the mirror.

Today was the day I would meet the small group of students I would be teaching.

First impressions are important, so I dressed up as nicely as possible.

Though it’s not much different from usual.

I went straight to the front door and put on my shoes.

I had to move a little faster today because I had to go to the auditorium instead of the usual faculty office.

The auditorium wasn’t far from the dorm.

Despite it being early in the morning, all the professors and teaching assistants were already there.

There were also some students who had come early to try and impress the professors.

Everyone’s so diligent.

Arriving at the auditorium, I moved to the back.

In the process, I ran into Nam Hwa-yeon.

To be exact, with another professor who was talking to her.

“You’re already here? You’re an hour early.”

“Well, isn’t it good to be early? All the teaching assistants under me are here too.”

“Well, it’s better to be early than late.”

“Hello, Professor. And who is this next to you?”

“Ah, I haven’t introduced myself yet.”

A man with long hair tied back like a woman.

That alone was unusual, but his blue *dobok* [traditional Korean martial arts uniform] and the gray sword at his waist stood out.

That attire seems familiar.

He reached out for a handshake and said.

“Nice to meet you. My name is Namgung Seongjin, and I’m a professor teaching martial arts to the first years.”

“Nice to meet you, Professor. My name is…”

“I’ve heard a lot about you. Baek Seungwoo, right?”

I shook hands with Namgung Seongjin and thought.

More than the fact that he knew my name, I was more concerned about Namgung Seongjin himself.

I never thought I’d meet the rumored professor like this.

Namgung Seongjin, as you can tell from his name and attire, is openly Chinese.

He is from the Namgung Clan, which is in charge of one part of the *Murim* [martial arts world] guild representing China, and is one of the famous professors at the academy.

‘I don’t think he was a major professor, was he?’

I don’t remember hearing about him from Eve.

If so, that means he’s not one of the main professors in the novel.

But his resume was impressive for someone like that.

He is the young master of the Namgung Clan and a master who has mastered the Emperor Sword Form, which only the eldest sons of the family inherit. On top of that, he is also a current S-class player who is said to be the closest to being a Ranker.

If you’re just talking about martial prowess, he’s probably one of the best in the academy.

“I saw the scars all over the road before. I think we’ll get along well.”

“Ah, well, I…”

“You don’t have to say anything! I don’t pay attention to rumors. Ah, is it almost time? Then I’ll go back to my seat.”

Namgung Seongjin cut me off, answered as he pleased, and spoke.

He laughed heartily and moved to where his teaching assistants were. I stared blankly at his back without even getting a word in.

He’s a very unique professor.

“He’s an interesting guy, isn’t he?”

“No, more like a very self-centered person.”

“That’s the same thing. Oh, right. The students came earlier than expected, so we’re starting in 10 minutes, so get ready.”

“Already?”

Starting already?

I was startled and scanned the seats in the auditorium, and the front seats were full.

Time had flown by.

As my gaze was fixed on the seats, someone went up onto the podium.

He grabbed the microphone and said.

“Hello, everyone in the first year. I am Professor D’Artagnan, the vice president, and I will be the host today.”

At his words, silence fell over the auditorium.

It wasn’t because he used any special aura or ability.

It was just that everyone was surprised and shut their mouths.

A man with a thin rapier at his waist, with a sharp and cold atmosphere.

He was the undisputed number two in Chilseong Academy.

“D’Artagnan? Why is *that* D’Artagnan here?!”

“Is this real?”

The quiet auditorium was about to become noisy again due to the surprised students.

Thump!

D’Artagnan stomped his foot.

“Quiet.”

Silence returned at his words.

D’Artagnan nodded as if he liked the silence, and brought the microphone to his mouth.

“Each guidance counselor will be in charge of six students.”

There are about 2,000 students in the first year.

Roughly speaking, more than 300 professors are needed, but even if you combine all the professors at the academy, there are not even 100. That’s why they’re even borrowing the hands of veteran teaching assistants.

Of course, I ended up getting roped in there too.

“Why is that guy here? Wasn’t he a newbie who just came in a month ago?”

“Haven’t you seen the news lately? He’s rumored to have cleared Effnel’s Flower Garden.”

“He must be skilled. But what good is skill? He’s a piece of trash.”

“Ugh, why did the professors and the board of directors allow that guy to be a guidance counselor…”

The teaching assistants were talking about me.

I don’t know why I’m here either.

Honestly, I didn’t want to do it.

It was a task I received from Nam Hwa-yeon, so I had no choice but to accept it.

While I was listening to the veteran teaching assistants badmouthing me, the professors began to go up onto the platform one by one.

What, did they already finish the speech?

That was fast.

I went up onto the platform with the other teaching assistants.

Then, the eyes of the 2,000 people sitting in the seats simultaneously looked down at me.

Judging from their expressions, they don’t seem to like me very much. Well, I guess so.

‘Even if it were me, I wouldn’t want to learn from a teacher who’s rumored to have a bad personality.’

I know that.

I understand, but a strange sadness lingered in my heart.

I managed to stop Yuren, so why are they all giving me such looks?

It wasn’t an act to be rewarded.

It was purely because of my morals.

But I didn’t want to receive such critical gazes.

Well, I guess it can’t be helped.

“Now, students, please stand in front of the teacher you want to be taught by.”

At the words of Vice President D’Artagnan, the students sitting in the seats moved like a swarm of bees. They lined up in front of the professor they wanted.

“…It’s empty.”

Of course, the space in front of me was like an empty no-man’s land.

* * *

“It’s incredibly crowded…”

Students tended to flock to specific teachers.

Well, if you’re going to be taught, it’s best to be taught by a proven professor.

Students who used magic rushed to Professor Nam Hwa-yeon, and students who handled martial arts, especially swordsmanship, rushed to Professor Namgung Seongjin. In addition, students who wanted to learn the individual skills of the professors clung to the professors they wanted.

In that huge crowd, the teaching assistants were in a daze.

No students came, and they just stared blankly at the students rushing to the professors right next to them.

I didn’t come here to do this.

“I don’t know if I’ll be able to fill the quota of six at this rate.”

“Don’t worry, Teacher! If it’s you, you’ll definitely be able to fill not only six, but even more!”

“Yeah, thanks.”

At least in my case, it was better.

At least I filled one spot.

Leeji was busily moving next to me, raising both hands to attract the attention of the students. I scanned the busy kid with my eyes.

Leeji, whom I met at the last ‘Effnel’s Flower Garden’ and gave some light teaching to.

If it’s this kid, I can just teach him without having to bother planning a curriculum.

I roughly grasped Leeji’s combat tendencies in the dungeon.

Raise his level or get stronger. I can have him choose what he wants between the two, and then teach him.

“But at this rate, it won’t end.”

Too many students flocked to specific professors.

In the case of Nam Hwa-yeon, approximately 800 or more students wanted to be taught.

Since the number of students one professor can teach is limited to six, it is not easy to pick only six people from that size of crowd.

“Teacher, should we just chat?”

“Yeah, let’s do that.”

There’s no other way. I’ll just have to wait while chatting.

“What kind of students do you want to pick, Teacher?”

“Me? I don’t know, maybe students who don’t bother me.”

“Like me?”

“You have the most annoying personality.”

Such chatter went back and forth.

Leeji asked the same question again.

I guess he’s curious about what kind of tendencies the kids he’ll be studying with will have.

“Please let me know if you’re planning on picking students who mainly use axes or blunt weapons, like me.”

“I don’t know. I’m not popular, so I think I’ll just take the students who are left over.”

“Even among them, you must have a desired tendency, right?”

“…Hmm.”

I’ve never seriously thought about it, but.

The most ideal method would be to pick them according to their positions.

The organization I used when I led the special forces before I entered the novel.

The dealer and guardian in the vanguard [front line].

The head and ranger in the mid-guard [middle line].

The caster and supporter in the rearguard [back line].

Considering systematic training, it is best to pick students in this combination.

But the problem is.

‘Can one guidance counselor teach all six positions with different tendencies?’

Nam Hwa-yeon was sure to become the best teacher in magic.

But what about the other fields?

As a master who only dug one well, it’s hard to say that he has deep knowledge and understanding of martial arts and healing. The same goes for the other professors.

Each has their own specialized field, but it would be difficult to teach the other fields as well. But in my case, it’s a little different.

I have knowledge, experience, and skills in not only general weaponry, but also command and rear support.

The only field I’m worried about is magic, but I’m studying that too, so I can teach it while studying.

“One for each position? It can’t be helped if they overlap, but if you think about training, all six must be in different positions.”

“Teacher, can you teach all of that?!”

“I don’t know either. I’ll have to try it to find out.”

Knowing and teaching are different.

Knowing is an area I can do alone.

Teaching requires mutual knowledge level and consideration.

In Leeji’s case, he’s a little lacking in talent, but his understanding (悟性) [comprehension] is surprisingly useful, so I was able to quickly teach him using tricks. I can’t teach all the students like Leeji, so I’ll have to see later.

But no one’s really coming.

Compared to the other teaching assistants, who are filling one or two seats.

There’s still only Leeji in front of me.

Well, I wouldn’t want to be taught by someone who’s rumored to have a terrible personality.

“Hey, Leeji.”

“Why are you calling me?”

“What’s your major?”

“I don’t really have a major or specialty in mind.”

“Then I guess I’ll have you be a dealer or a guardian.”

“Dealer and guardian? What are those?”

“The names of the attack squads I mainly used in the past. I’ll let you all know when I fill up the members later.”

Considering Leeji’s lack of magic power, it’s hard to expect him to be in the rearguard.

It’s also unlikely that he has bright eyes or excellent instantaneous judgment to be good at commanding. Then, by the process of elimination, I have to choose one of the two, defense or attack, in the front.

While I was lost in thought.

Two students stood in front of me.

Leeji, surprised by the sight, shook my shoulder wildly.

“T-Teacher! T-There, there!”

“…I’m busy thinking right now, so call me later.”

“No, please look over there! Kids are here!”

“…What?”

Leeji was pointing at the front.

Following him and looking ahead, there were familiar faces.

Why are these guys here?

In my memory, they were a combo that I had recently shown a shameful appearance to. I called out their names in a low voice.

“Seo Yerin. Noh Yoora.”

“Teaching Assistant, it’s been a while!”

“…It’s been a while.”

One is bright and talkative, and the other is taciturn and has few words.

I never thought I’d see them both in this place.

I opened my mouth with a happy heart.

“What brings you guys here?”

“Because we want to learn from you, Teaching Assistant!”

“…Why me of all people?”

There are many skilled teachers and teaching assistants here besides me.

Was there a need to find me?

“Teacher, if you say that, what am I, who came running right away?”

“I don’t know. An idiot?”

“Wow, Teacher, that’s harsh.”

Leeji lowered his head as if shocked by my words.

To be exact, he probably lowered his head pretending to be shocked.

There’s no way he doesn’t know my rumors.

He must have come to me knowing that.

Leeji was the first to come to me, thinking of gaining my favor.

He was expressing himself that he wanted to be actively taught by me.

Knowing that fact, I tried teasing Leeji once. As expected, the reaction was as expected.

“…I want to learn from you, no, Teaching Assistant.”

“If it’s swordsmanship, there are many good teachers besides me.”

“Ugh…”

Seo Yerin shook her head.

She recalled that day.

Under the dark night sky. She, who had sprained her ankle, couldn’t do anything as a martial artist. On the other hand, the man in front of her was moving freely.

And soon, he managed to save his friend next to him.

Some students were sacrificed in the process.

That was not a reason to degrade the man’s actions.

The man in Seo Yerin’s eyes was a good enough person. Personally, I don’t want to admit it, but if I can learn from that appearance.

“I… I really want to learn.”

“From me?”

“Yes…”

She bowed her head and asked for permission.

I was curious about that appearance, so when I asked again, the answer was the same.

There’s no reason to refuse when she says that much.

I nodded and asked the essential question before accepting them both.

I can’t easily accept them before I know this.

“What are your desired majors?”

“I’m archery and hunting!”

“…Swordsmanship and, and healing.”

Oh, they both happen to be combinations with remaining spots.

I accepted them and said to Leeji.

“You can hold a shield.”

“Yes? I like attacking more than defending…”

“Should I teach you a few more axe techniques?”

“Defense is the best offense. Just trust me!”

I don’t trust him at all, but I raised my thumb and cheered him on.

It’s easy to deal with guys like Leeji like this.

I felt relieved that I had filled half the number.

But after that, no more students came.

Everyone wanted to go under skilled and reputable professors.

Yeah, I thought to myself that an extra like me deserves to wait like this, and at that moment.

“Ah, hello! Are there any spots here?”

“Well, there are spots left. What’s your major or specialty…”

“Ah! Then I’ll take good care of you from now on!”

“…”

They say geniuses are a little strange.

Chilseong is a school made up of elites, so there seem to be many unique kids.

I never thought they’d be so self-centered.

She greeted me and immediately moved to where Leeji and the kids were.

I didn’t intend to stop her. I’ll just accept her.

She looks like a foreigner, saying in clumsy Korean that she’ll take good care of the kids.

Her face is completely Korean. Is she from Japan or China?

Chilseong is a place where elites from all over the world gather, so it’s possible.

‘Still, I have to teach her Korean, right?’

Judging from the fact that she speaks Korean clumsily but often, she seems to know a lot of words. The problem is pronunciation and grammar.

Putting pronunciation aside, language transmission can be difficult if you don’t know grammar well.

It’s a hassle, but I have no choice but to teach her.

I never thought I’d be a language instructor.

If I had known I would be taking on such a troublesome task, I wouldn’t have gone to Nam Hwa-yeon’s dorm yesterday.

“Now there are two left.”

Two vanguards, one mid-guard, and one rearguard have been decided.

It wasn’t in the plan, but I sent Seo Yerin to the back as a supporter position.

Her swordsmanship is formidable, but she said herself that she was also considering the supporter position.

In fact, Seo Yerin in the novel that Eve told me about was like a paladin, an immortal who deals and heals at the same time. I’ve been learning swordsmanship for a long time, so I can teach her a lot.

The girl who joined last was wearing a sword at her waist, so I sent her to the vanguard without hesitation.

She’s holding a sword, so she can’t be a magician.

She’s definitely a dealer.

Or not.

‘Now, the remaining positions are caster and head.’

Which position isn’t, but the most important positions when six people form a party or attack squad are the head and caster.

The head is in charge of the team’s head as the name suggests. Cool judgment and various tactics, of course.

It is a complex position that is involved in combat at the same time as commanding in case of emergency.

The caster assists the team members with magic, such as dispelling curses or wiping out enemies with large-scale magic.

It is a headache position that requires instantaneous judgment and various magics to cope with the situation at hand.

Only these very important positions are left.

‘Among the remaining members, I don’t think there will be a student who can skillfully play the head and caster.’

Most of the geniuses and talents have already been monopolized by skilled professors.

The remaining students are students who are in a relatively low position even among the elites.

I can’t help it.

I have to endure even if the positions overlap.

I scratched my head and thought I should fill in anyone and match the six.

It was at that moment.

“Oh my, it seems you’re still short on numbers.”

A refined tone.

A tone and timbre reminiscent of a young lady or noblewoman somewhere.

When I raised my head to see who it was, a blonde girl smiled brightly.

It was a beautiful smile.

But I felt something unsettling.

It felt like finding thorns in a flower.

I examined her with a strange feeling.

Then the name tag came into view.

My face was filled with shock.

‘Isabelle Sirius…’

It’s a long name like the main character Kyle Iris.

A name of a length that I can’t think of as Korean.

Of course.

Because she’s an international student from England.

‘Why the hell in a place like this…!’

I clenched my fist tightly as I looked at her smiling brightly.

This was a disaster like no other.

The girl in front of me was, in some ways, a person I didn’t want to meet more than the main character.

Various rumors surrounding me.

No one knows if all those rumors are true.

Maybe it’s just a rumor.

But for her, it’s not just a rumor.

Among my rumors, the most widespread rumor is along with the rumor that I eat the livers of young girls.

A famous rumor that I was broken up with after verbally abusing and harassing my fiancée.

“It’s been a long time. Was this the first time I’ve seen you since the breakup ceremony?”

The girl in front of me is the fiancée in the rumor herself.