I have no complaints about Professor Atra’s training methods.
It’s definitely tough training. Compared to other places, it’s quite intense. It’s not your typical approach.
It feels like it’s based on the premise that you already have talent. And not just any talent, but exceptional talent.
Basic skills? Learn as you spar… that’s the vibe.
It seems that was indeed Professor Atra’s intention from the start.
Didn’t she say right from the first class, “Given that you’re a special admission, there are certain expectations”?
In other words, this training assumes that you have talent worthy of special admission.
It’s hard. There’s no argument there. Honestly, if I didn’t have to, I would have run away by now.
But unfortunately, I had a reason I could never escape. I had a compelling reason to endure this tough training.
If I run away now, I’ll end up dead within ten years at most. During that time, I’d have to live with my eyes closed, unable to eat delicious food or smell fragrant scents.
Not being able to speak? That’s a nuisance, but it’s bearable… Other reasons are much harder to overlook. I didn’t want to live like that.
To break the curse, I needed strength. The knowledge I have about curse-breaking exists in dungeons, and to conquer those dungeons, I needed power.
So, I endured Professor Atra’s lectures. It hurt, it was tough, but I held on!
Professor Atra’s training was definitely effective. I could feel the results during sparring. I could keep up with students who had trained for over ten years.
If I just keep growing like this, I could find the dungeon where the curse-breaking method exists sooner than expected.
As my goal drew closer, I found it even harder to run away.
“Here are some related books. Since you can read them with your perception ability, take them with you and read them all. If it’s hard to carry, scan them with your smartwatch and keep them.”
“……”
“Memorize them at least before the dungeon expedition starts. If you find it hard to read while carrying them, use your smartwatch, and if you find it hard to read right now, I can read them to you.”
I had mentioned some of the capabilities of my spatial perception to Professor Atra for efficient training. It was necessary for her to know what I could see and feel.
“Take a look to make sure you can read them.”
Before me lay dozens of books. The exact number was 23. They were quite thick too. I hesitantly accepted the books.
“Environmental Distribution of Dungeons”, “Monster Cooking Manual”, “Survival Strategies in Dungeons (Volume 1)”, “Survival Strategies in Dungeons (Volume 2)”, “Practical Herb Gathering and Consumption Method”…
There was quite a variety. There were even books I had brushed past a few times in the library.
Monster Cooking Manual? There might be situations where you need to cook monsters inside. If you find yourself lost in a dungeon and run out of supplies, you need to gather grass or hunt monsters to eat.
I scanned the insides of the books with my spatial perception. I felt all the letters.
[You can read it.]
“Good to know. In that case, read them whenever you have time.”
As I blankly flipped through the books, Professor Atra started unpacking a bundle next to her. I heard clanking sounds from inside.
“These are magical tools that’ll help with dungeon exploration. We’ll spend the next two days handling them directly and learning how to use them.”
Saying this, Professor Atra began pulling out one magical tool after another from the bundle.
A variety of different magical tools lined up on the training ground. There were exploration tools frequently used in the original work as well.
As I stood there, Professor Atra turned her head towards me, a glowing magical lantern in her hand, swaying gently.
“Do you have something to say?”
[Nothing at all.]
I quickly snapped back to reality and shook my head. Professor Atra raised an eyebrow, and without further ado, she began a lecture… not about training, but about dungeons.
To my surprise, the lecture was extremely informative. She picked out the essential parts from the books she had brought along, relating the knowledge to her own experiences for easier understanding.
It focused on how to act in real situations, rather than just mere theory.
It wasn’t about which monster is strong or in what rank.
It was about how to respond if we encounter something, when to flee based on conditions, and if we catch something, can we consume it? What are the chances of other entities being nearby that monster?
Even with gaping holes in my knowledge, I could understand everything incredibly well. This was considering it was one-on-one education.
I heard Professor Atra was a top-tier hero, and I could see she was far more knowledgeable about dungeons than your average hunter.
“This is a heating magical tool. It contains a small plate, but occasionally, when it runs out of mana, you can recharge it with your own mana. Remember that most magical tools can recharge themselves.”
“Always be prepared for unexpected situations. Even if you have a short schedule, anything can happen inside a dungeon. When packing food, make sure to bring at least three times the amount you originally planned.”
“This is an app that’s particularly useful in dungeons. Save it on your smartwatch ahead of time.”
As she said this, Professor Atra reached out to me. A magical tool shaped like an egg, as big as a human face, rested on her hand.
It was the heating magical tool she had just described.
“Give it a try yourself.”
I carefully accepted it, examining it with my spatial perception.
Fueled by my spatial perception, I examined the runes inscribed on the magical tool. The design looked relatively simple, and it lodged itself into my memory.
“Heat Generation… that’s a given. ‘Lower Protection’ and ‘Durability Increase’… they overlap well. No conflicts.”
I had barely skimmed through the basic magical textbooks. I hadn’t cast any spells yet, but I understood this simple rune well enough.
As I was inspecting the magical tool, Professor Atra took my hand, gripping the tool I was holding.
‘?’
“When it’s charged, you just press a button. But if it has no charge, insert your mana through this spot. Now, try it out.”
Professor Atra guided my hand. I concentrated, channeling my mana into it. A soft orange glow radiated from the egg-shaped magical tool as it received my weak mana.
The warmth conveyed through my palm felt incredibly comforting.
But the sensation didn’t feel real because of the body temperature I could feel on the back of my hand.
I nodded, understanding how to use it, and Professor Atra took a step back.
“Other magical tools operate similarly. I’ll explain the rest of the usage shortly. Next…”
While I focused on Professor Atra’s unceasing lecture, I couldn’t shake off the sense of unease.
Something felt off.
…Was she always this passionate about teaching? I couldn’t dismiss the stark difference in Professor Atra’s demeanor.
She wasn’t someone who taught half-heartedly. She was punctual and covered everything that needed to be taught.
What was this called again? FM? Principle advocate? That’s what it felt like, but something felt different now… compared to before, her teachings were notably more proactive.
“Pay attention. There will be a quick test at the end of the lecture.”
‘Ugh.’
For hours, all sorts of dungeon knowledge were stuffed into my head.
And just as it was about to end, we actually had a real test. Fortunately, I didn’t get any answers wrong.
For two days straight, I received thorough lectures from Professor Atra about dungeon exploration. It was packed with all sorts of know-how.
My head was stuffed with dungeon theory in the morning, and it was more of the same in the afternoon, making my brain feel overflowed with information.
I agreed that this knowledge would be useful someday, so I studied diligently.
One weekend day, I learned about magic from Professor Liana. However, since it was just basic magic, it didn’t require profound understandings, so it was surprisingly easy to follow.
Nothing out of the ordinary happened. I just ended up taking a three-hour nap instead of the one hour I intended to, and I borrowed Professor Liana’s coat to wrap myself up.
One day, I spent time in the library scribbling down magical texts, reflecting on Professor Liana’s teachings. Since I hadn’t properly gotten into magic yet, I was merely cramming the information into my brain.
Time passed quickly, and it was Monday morning before I knew it.
A mail arrived on my smartwatch. It was the announcement for dungeon expedition group assignments.
Taking a deep breath, I opened the file. A hologram of the team assignment sheet was projected.
[Ipchun Class Group 1]
– Hong Yeon-hwa
– Carnel Ardellia
…
▲ Level 4 Dungeon: Cave Dungeon 7-212
▲ Type: Periodic Monster Subjugation
[Ipchun Class Group 4]
– Baek Ahrin
– Yi Si-eun
…
▲ Level 4 Dungeon: Grassland Dungeon 2-64
▲ Type: Periodic Monster Subjugation
[Ipchun Class Group 6]
– Katsuki Yusei
– Christopher Hayes
…
▲ Level 4 Dungeon: Cave Dungeon 7-23
▲ Type: Periodic Monster Subjugation
[Ipchun Class Group 11]
– Lee Ha-yul
– Elia Slade
– Attila Blero
– Nam Yeon-jung
– Aidan Reynolds
▲ Level 4 Dungeon: Forest Dungeon 3-23
▲ Type: Periodic Monster Subjugation
‘Hmm…’
There were two familiar names.
Elia Slade. One person I’m friendly with, so I’m glad to see her.
And Aidan Reynolds… a somewhat awkward name to encounter.
It was a mix of good and uncomfortable feelings regarding this assignment.
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