A Veteran Teaches Very Well

part 18

“…Let’s retreat! Everyone gather and break a path for our escape!”

Now that I think about it, the professor had said that during the lecture.

The coward who gives up won’t be chased.

As we prepared to flee, just as he said, the spheres ceased their attack.

It was the most infuriating thing, but there was nothing to be done.

Thanks to that, we were able to escape the swamp without much difficulty.

“Huff, huff…”

“I almost died, seriously. What kind of difficulty is this?”

“Can we win?”

“Sister, the Lord will resolve everything for us. Trust in Him.”

With one failure, the atmosphere of the party sank.

As everyone wallowed in a gloomy mood, Anseri spoke up.

“Recall what we learned today. The answer will be within it.”

* * *

Fifteen minutes into the practical class.

As expected, the students were struggling.

Yet, there were still those who excelled.

—I’m going into the swamp.

Anseri.

She guessed the answer faster than anyone and led the group.

Indeed, she was on a different level from the other kids.

The person next to Lee Ye-eun also marveled.

“An Se-ri is a natural at being the life of the party. Usually, smart kids tend to hold back unless they have solid evidence, but she even has a bold side.”

“To aim for the successor of Geum-ok, that level is just basic.”

Though I said that, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride seeing my student being praised.

The other groups still seemed to be struggling.

Oh Jae-hak’s group hadn’t even managed to find their footing yet.

Baek Seol-hwa took the lead, climbing over the mana swamp. Watching her balance herself against the falling rocks was nothing short of superhuman physical ability.

But I’m sorry to say, it was a futile effort.

In the end, every group member would need to capture the golem to exit the barrier, and if Baek Seol-hwa kept climbing, the others would waste time trying to follow her without giving up.

What about Song Seok-hwan, then?

─This is interesting.

He placed both hands on the surface of the swamp and extended thin threads of mana inward.

Search magic.

It was quite useful in practical situations.

Soon, the thin thread brushed against the golem deep inside. Song Seok-hwan grinned.

─Found it. There are about twenty training dolls inside. They’re shaking up the mana swamp.

He was faster than An Se-ri.

After all, it wasn’t for nothing that he earned the nickname “early-game bully” in the game.

“Wow, I’ve never seen a freshman handle search magic so skillfully.”

“What do you think of this teaching assistant?”

“Excuse me?”

“Do you think a group will reach the end?”

“Um, that might be difficult, don’t you think?”

Well, of course. The one I had placed there was the infamous ‘Permet Golem.’

It grew stronger in areas with a high concentration of mana.

That swamp was the perfect environment for the Permet Golem to wreak havoc, and it would be even harder for unfamiliar students to navigate.

“It’s begun.”

Group A huddled closely together.

The other four formed a protective circle around Song Seok-hwan.

That was a good response.

—

If you widen the gap against a fast-moving enemy, you risk being picked off one by one.

─Wind Cutter!

As Song Seok-hwan chanted, a sharp wind sliced through the Permet Golem.

This was also a good choice.

The wind element is the fastest among the four elements.

With wind magic, they could chase the Permet Golem even in the swamp.

─Keep the sides secure! We’re pushing forward!

Following Song Seok-hwan’s command, the party moved in perfect unison.

The Permet Golem attacked from all directions, but it couldn’t easily break through Team A’s defense.

Perhaps confident of victory, the corners of Song Seok-hwan’s mouth twitched.

“Looks like it’s about to start.”

To be satisfied with just this much is disappointing.

There’s still a long way to go.

The Permet Golems began to glow red, and a transformation occurred.

One by one, they started to gather, eventually coalescing into a massive form.

─What’s happening?

─Now, unleash the attack!

Damn it, isn’t it basic not to hit when they’re transforming?

Only after taking a slight hit did the second phase of the Permet Golem begin safely.

The mass took on a form resembling a golem with limbs.

─Uhurukukuruhuu!

…It’s a bizarre sound, no matter how many times you hear it.

I tried to remove that sound effect during the creation process, but it wasn’t easy, so I just left it.

─As the target gets bigger, it just becomes easier to hit. Air Storm!

The four elements have a hierarchy among them.

Water suppresses fire, fire suppresses wind, wind suppresses earth, and earth suppresses water.

It wasn’t scientifically sound, but magic, after all, doesn’t generate natural substances. Thus, the superiority of elements had nothing to do with the laws of nature.

Generally, golems are perceived as earth elementals.

So, the intention to counter with wind magic was good.

However, the Permet Golem is not an earth elemental. It was a fire-elemental golem.

—

“Foolish one, the sorcerer taught that one must accurately grasp the attributes of the enemy.”

─Rukkururu!

Despite delivering what he thought was a strong blow, everyone was taken aback by the minimal damage dealt.

Having unleashed a significant attack from over there, it was now the turn of the Permet Golem to retaliate.

─Kuu!

Flames erupted from the golem’s mouth.

Only then did Song Seok-hwan seem to realize that it was of the fire attribute.

─…Damn it.

With a single mistake, Team A’s position crumbled, and they were easily picked off by the now-separated Permet Golem.

In the end, Song Seok-hwan gritted his teeth and ordered a retreat.

I shook my head slightly.

Team A had suffered considerable damage. It would be difficult to regroup and challenge again. At most, once. Anything beyond that was impossible.

Lee Ye-eun seemed to share my thoughts, turning her gaze to the situation of the other teams.

Team D had just now encountered the Permet Golem, while Team B, led by Baeksulhwa, was still wandering aimlessly.

Naturally, my attention shifted to Team C.

─Recall what we learned today. The answer lies within.

“Hooh.”

Good posture.

The practical training was merely an extension of the lecture. I had already left all the hints during the class.

An Se-ri calmly drew the attention of her teammates and began to speak.

─First, when cornered, use area attacks. But with such high-speed movement, it would be difficult with magic.

─Then… target the leader!

That was exactly right.

The Permet Golem appeared to be moving with dozens of egos, but in reality, two entities were controlling the rest.

If they could subdue the leader, the others would naturally follow.

Team C, having divided their strategy, plunged into the swamp.

* * *

Damp and sticky mana.

The unpleasant sensation they faced again tickled the bodies of the team members.

Nam Hae-joo shouted in an angry voice.

“Finish it quickly!”

“Brother, Sister. Come closer.”

Abraham placed his hands on Nam Hye-joo and Gam Mi-sung’s backs.

As they recited the prayer, the surging divine power enveloped them.

At last, a sacred light shone brightly, and the strength of the two began to rise.

“Quite a useful buff.”

“Hey! Golden Sun, don’t hold me back.”

“Who are you talking to? And don’t call me that.”

─Uruhuku!

After a brief exchange of banter, they stopped their quarrel as the golem began to move.

Now was the time for them to join forces.

“Alright, let’s go.”

The two charged forward, leaving their teammates behind.

With the rear guard left unprotected, they fell into the front lines. If this continued, the rear would be exposed to the golem.

But it didn’t matter.

If this was within the barrier that manifested the dungeon, then the golem would possess the same nature as the monsters.

Dungeon monsters do not initiate attacks.

They only retaliate against enemies that strike first.

The golem also ignored the rear guard of Team C.

This meant that Nam Hye-joo and Gam Mi-sung had to bear the burden of many entities.

The two stood back to back, resisting together.

Boom—! Boom—!

“Come at me, you little fish!”

“Don’t let your guard down and fall for it like last time.”

“Ugh, so noisy!”

Spheres began to fly from dozens of directions.

As one was deflected, another came from a different angle; when that one was knocked away, yet another followed from yet another direction.

Nam Hye-joo’s sword and Gam Mi-sung’s spear alternated in defense, but it was no easy task. The golem was incredibly fast, and as the relentless attacks continued, they quickly began to tire.

“Damn it, foot.”

Nam Hye-joo swung her sword down with all her might, but all she heard was a clang— and it only slightly dented.

It was too solid to break completely.

Nam Hye-joo sulked, feeling annoyed.

“Damn, it’s so hard. I just want to smash it.”

“Don’t be reckless. Just don’t get hurt for no reason.”

“What? Are you saying I’m weak? Geum-taeyang, let’s make a bet. Who can break it first?”

“A bet? Sure. It’s obvious I’ll win. A spear master doesn’t lose to a swordsman.”

At that remark, Nam Hye-joo laughed as if it were ridiculous.

“Are you stupid? Of course, the sword wins. Where does a toothpick stand…?”

“What are you talking about? Obviously, the spear is superior.”

“…The loser has to kneel and apologize. Got it?”

“What’s kneeling? You should be bowing.”

“Fine, deal.”

Nam Hye-joo and Gam Mi-seong’s eyes sparkled with intensity.

Even though they had their backs to each other and couldn’t see each other’s faces, they knew they were thinking the same thing.

Gam Mi-seong thrust her spear forward with all her might.

The sensation in her hands was quite heavy. I’ve got this, she thought, but as the golem subtly twisted in mid-air, it ended with just a graze.

Gam Mi-seong clicked her tongue in disappointment.

“Tch!”

“Watch closely, you weakling!”

This time, Nam Hye-joo swung her sword down.

It was a creature that changed direction sharply in mid-air. Then I’ll do the same.

She swung down the sword and abruptly changed its trajectory.

This is a direct hit.

Kyaaang!

“Yesss!”

However, Nam Hye-joo couldn’t break the golem as she wanted. The change in direction dispersed her strength, preventing her from delivering a solid blow.

As Gam Mi-seong laughed, Nam Hye-joo’s face flushed with anger.

“Die!”

“You little b*stard!”

“The sword is a trash weapon!”

“Damn it! Don’t you know the king of all ailments?”

“Again, again with the nonsense!”

Despite their bravado, the outcome was not easily determined.

They merely took turns striking the golem, but no critical hits were landed.

Moreover, although they screamed as if they were fine, the fatigue in their bodies continued to accumulate.

“Haah, huff.”

Gam Mi-seong decided it was time to end this.

If they held out this long, the rest would be taken care of by Ahn Se-ri.

“Haap!”

As Gam Mi-seong gathered her strength, energy concentrated at the tip of her spear.

Soon, a blue light began to swirl, and the spearhead gleamed.

Aura.

Though her skill was lacking and it would fade quickly, there was time to maintain it for at least one thrust.

“You coward!”

Nam Hye-joo also drew mana from her body.

Red mana, the same color as her hair, began to ripple from her sword.

Both of them attacked the nearest golem simultaneously.

KWAANG-!

The attacked golem shattered into pieces, and they both shouted.

“I won!”

Nam Hye-joo and Gam Mi-seong faced each other.

Their expressions seemed to say, “What nonsense are you talking about?”

Then they began to bicker about who had won or lost.

Ahn Se-ri, watching from the sidelines, muttered softly.

“What on earth are those fools doing?”

They had gathered enough data; it was time.

She found it.

The spheres that seemed to move erratically were actually following a specific pattern.

The key lay in those two spheres over there.

The other spheres were moving here and there around them.

“Dayun, do you see that thing between the red and green?”

“You mean that yellow one?”

“Exactly. When I signal, attack!”

Attacking one by one carried a significant risk.

The remaining one could easily hide, and we would become the target of its attack.

It was most certain to handle it all at once when the aggro wasn’t drawn.

After placing an arrow on her bow, Anseri spoke.

“Three, two, one. Now!”

“Magic Missile!”

Boom—!

It worked.

As the two attacks shattered their respective orbs, all the orbs came to a halt simultaneously.

For a moment, they trembled in the air before falling helplessly.

“We did it!”

Without waiting to see who would speak first, Anseri and Seodayun clasped hands and cheered.

Nam Hyeju and Gam Miseong argued over who had won, while Abraham kept praying. The first victory was sweet.

The party, having escaped the swamp, hurried up the slope.

All that lay ahead was a straight corridor.

Curious about what might emerge, they remained on guard, but fortunately, there were no traps in the corridor.

Finally, they discovered a green stone that appeared to be the barrier stone.

“If we break this, we can get out, right?”

“Yeah. Let’s go.”

After placing her hand on the barrier stone, Anseri gently infused it with mana, causing cracks to appear.

Eventually, the barrier stone shattered into grains of sand.

Then, just like when they entered, a bright light flashed. Everyone instinctively shielded their eyes.

When they opened their eyes, they found themselves in a classroom.

Cha Eunwoo welcomed the return of Group C members.

“Good job. You’re the first to arrive.”

“Really?”

“Of course, our group is the best!”

“Nice!”

As everyone shared in the joy for a moment, Seo Da-yoon suddenly paused, having discovered something.

“Professor… what is that?”

“Huh? What are you talking about… oh?”

The place Seo Da-yoon was pointing to was the front of the classroom, the blackboard.

What was written was undoubtedly in Hangul.

Yet, she couldn’t understand its meaning.

No.

Her mind was refusing to comprehend.

─Next week’s exam notice

─Location: The Less Green Monkey Forest

─Grading criteria: Clear within 20 minutes for an A+. Deduction for every 3 minutes past.

“An exam…?”

“Once every three weeks. There are a total of five.”

Before they could even celebrate, a massive bombshell had dropped.

Chapter 1. Seo Da-yoon

Florian Tower 6.

The tower is used for personal training, but professors also apply to use it for lectures related to magic.

Tower 6 is particularly popular for lectures.

Today, it was used for combat magic and the freshmen’s class.