I Entered an Academy in a Ruined Game

Chapter 39 : Guidance Instructor (1)

The two-day weekend passed in the blink of an eye, and the morning of the second Monday dawned.

"As you heard last week, today is the day we determine the guidance instructor who will be with you for the next three years."

Instructor Kim Cheol-han said.

"A guidance instructor refers to an instructor assigned to intensively develop your characteristics and qualities."

There was even a saying that who you meet as your guidance instructor greatly determines a cadet's potential for future development.

"Each instructor has a specialized area. For instance, if they're specialists in martial arts like boxing or swordsmanship, naturally you can learn those martial arts in depth. If they're awakened of a similar type, you can learn operation methods and characteristic development techniques. Conversely, you might receive know-how in intelligence or supporting areas."

The cadets' faces changed with a complex mix of expectation and concern.

'I should definitely apply to that instructor.'

'But the competition for that person will be too fierce, right?'

'I'm absolutely going to Instructor Kang Jun-man!'

'Fortunately, we're the only ones using spears, both instructor and cadet.'

"In principle, an instructor can guide three students per grade, with a maximum of four. Of course, depending on the instructor's decision, they might guide only one."

Kim Cheol-han's explanation continued.

"Each of you can write down up to three preferred instructors. However, if many cadets are concentrated on one instructor, or conversely, if many instructors express interest in one cadet, the final decision will be made through individual interviews."

'Hmm.'

Su-hyeon fell into thought with his arms crossed.

'I should definitely go with that instructor.'

That man was perfect as an instructor to help Su-hyeon's definite power-up.

'Though his personality is a bit eccentric.'

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That afternoon.

After finishing lunch, I was notified that I had interview appointments with three instructors.

'That's appropriate.'

Seo Jun-seong and Hwang Ji-su would probably receive the most nominations.

Lee Yu-jin, with her distinct individuality as a swordswoman, would probably not receive that many.

'Guys like Hong In-hyeon, Go Do-il, Kwon Seung-yeon, and Oh Min-seon would also be quite popular.'

It was only because Class 1 consisted of only the most excellent cadets.

For non-supporter cadets in Classes 2 and 3, even having such concerns would be a luxury.

They were just waiting to be chosen by any instructor among their three preferences.

Knock knock.

I knocked lightly twice in front of the interview room.

"Jeong Su-hyeon reporting."

"Oh, come in, come in."

When I opened the door, Oh Chang-seong greeted me with a grin.

"You're here!"

"Hello, sir."

"Yes, yes. Did you have a good weekend?"

Hmm.

Should I say I had a good time?

"I had a decent weekend, sir."

"Good. You should definitely rest when it's time to rest. But not too much."

"Thank you."

"Right. Anyway."

Oh Chang-seong, who seemed awkward, cleared his throat with a "krhm" and said:

"To be honest, I've had my eye on you since the entrance exam."

'I'm sure you did.'

Even if other instructors didn't, Oh Chang-seong would have definitely felt something.

"I was especially surprised when you equally evaded and deflected my attacks back then. I can assert that you have talent for fighting."

"Thank you, sir."

I bowed my head and added:

"But at that time, you were wearing restraints and greatly conserving your strength. Plus, you were going easy on me."

"Hahaha. Of course, that's only natural considering the difference in time we've accumulated."

Oh Chang-seong waved his hand dismissively.

"What's certain is that I, at age 17, would never have fought like you did. Moreover, to be honest, I fell in love with your boxing."

"My boxing, sir?"

"Yes. Those ridiculous evasion skills and operational abilities, those skills without any excess and full of rationality—how on earth did you develop them?"

'If it's that, it's because you yourself taught me to death.'

While my evasion is done with my Eye Power skill and physical body.

The skills, operation, reading timing, and techniques for landing counters were all learned from Oh Chang-seong.

After all, I had met Oh Chang-seong as a guidance instructor and worked together with him over quite a few iterations.

'Thanks to that, it didn't take long to implement the skills in my head to some degree.'

Compared to swordsmanship, adapting to controlling the body itself was quicker.

"Above all, I was impressed by the style you created. Amazing defensive ability, evasion skills, and appropriate yet genius-like flashing counters. The fact that I, of all people, rarely get inspired by someone else's fighting makes it even more remarkable."

Considering that this man had developed almost all of my boxing.

It was natural for him to evaluate me so highly.

"If I were to guide you, I would draw out all my know-how to teach you, so you can maximize your physical talent and combat sense."

'It's not a bad proposal.'

If I were to decide on a development direction as a striker who fights with bare-handed combat.

'But the direction I need to take this time is a bit different from that.'

I'm not sure how he interpreted my silence, but Oh Chang-seong leaned towards me and tried to persuade me in rapid-fire speech.

"Hey, you know? Thirteen cadets have written my name as their preferred instructor. Five of them as their first choice."

Oh Chang-seong is definitely an instructor coveted by awakened who pursue close combat or lycanthropes.

"I understand that. Despite that, while I'm grateful that you've thought highly of me..."

"They say the part that comes after a 'but' is the real point."

Oh Chang-seong's expression wavered, as if asking: Surely not, right?

"...Actually, I don't intend to fight with just my fists."

"What?"

Oh Chang-seong's expression hardened.

"Then? Are you thinking of developing into grappling? Don't tell me with Instructor Kang Jun-man?"

"No, that's not it."

I shook my head.

"I... want to use weapons too."

Oh Chang-seong's face looked as if he had heard something he shouldn't have.

"Weapons?"

"Yes."

"What kind of weapon?"

"A sword."

"With that boxing talent and aptitude?"

"Yes."

"At this point?"

"That's right."

"Are you abandoning your fists?"

"No, not that."

Oh Chang-seong's expression went from frowning to something close to concern.

"...Did you eat something bad for lunch?"

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"I heard you turned down Instructor Oh."

The second person Su-hyeon visited was Kim Cheol-han, the homeroom instructor of Class 1.

"I never thought you would nominate me, sir."

"That's not an answer to my question."

Despite saying that, his expression wasn't bad.

"Yes. While I deeply respect Instructor Oh Chang-seong as a close combat specialist, I had to make that decision because it doesn't align with the direction I'm thinking of."

"Hmm."

Instructor Kim Cheol-han examined Su-hyeon's complexion.

"Then, as I thought, you're planning to maximize your own characteristic?"

"Basically, yes."

"That's welcome news. I also have great curiosity and expectations for your characteristic."

Kim Cheol-han said.

"Also, as you know, my friend Squad Leader Song Young-hwan also highly evaluated your fighting after seeing it. Initially, I doubted his words."

'Because he's cautious and has high standards.'

Su-hyeon listened silently.

"But looking at your series of actions since the entrance exam, it's easy to see that your skills are considerable, regardless of your characteristic."

Kim Cheol-han's eyes calmly gazed at Su-hyeon.

"Moreover, your characteristic, Unlimited, suits your temperament very well."

"Do you think so?"

"Of course. Reaching the top by tirelessly refining such an ability is only possible for someone like you."

Kim Cheol-han asserted.

"I am ready to guide and assist you."

"......"

Avoiding an immediate answer, I asked instead:

"I thought you would choose Seo Jun-seong or Lee Yu-jin."

"Those kids will eventually become the best even without my guidance."

Kim Cheol-han said.

"But, I still can't fully measure your skills. I feel like perhaps none of us know your final destination yet."

"......"

Should I say, as expected of Kim Cheol-han?

There was something quite different about this man's insight in viewing a piece of timber.

'Kim Cheol-han is always counted among the top tier as a guidance instructor.'

He was a dream existence for any ordinary gamer.

He was famous for his pickiness, rarely guiding protagonists.

But nevertheless.

"My answer is..."

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"I'm meeting all sorts of strange fellows."

The third person Su-hyeon visited was Instructor Lee Ho-seung.

Decorating his shabby, small office, which he used alone, with all sorts of odds and ends, he scratched his nose vigorously as he spoke.

"I hear you rejected both Chang-seong and Cheol-han?"

"I wouldn't call it rejection..."

"Kid, that's the same thing, isn't it?"

It was quite a grumpy appearance for speaking to a cadet he was meeting for the first time.

'But he's always like that—relaxed and so strong that no one can criticize his arrogance.'

As a swordsman, he had once studied under the Sword God, and therefore was also acquainted with Yu-jin.

"But why did you come to me? I thought only someone like Yu-jin would put me as maybe her third choice."

"After all, you also nominated me instead of Yu-jin, didn't you?"

"Well, that's true. You seemed more interesting."

'Strictly based on interest.'

But he saw something in me.

"Are there any other cadets who applied to you besides me?"

"No. How could there be? They must know my reputation well."

Lee Ho-seung chuckled grumpily, acknowledging his own reputation and image.

'He's not a bad person.'

He's so self-willed in his personality that he's somewhat shunned not only by cadets but also among instructors.

'When he goes berserk in battle, even Ma-in were afraid of him.'

During his active duty days, his nickname was the already-ominous "Executioner."

'He was especially merciless to red Ma-in, those with serious crimes who were authorized for immediate execution.'

He has a habit of targeting the enemy's head when his concentration increases and he becomes extremely immersed.

Therefore, when facing powerful enemies like red Ma-in, he would draw out all his martial prowess and inevitably behead the enemy, making his name widely known.

'He's a person who personally proves the old proposition that geniuses are eccentric.'

Oh Chang-seong, Lee Ho-seung, Kim Cheol-han.

These three were among the top five instructors in close combat within the academy.

But among them, Lee Ho-seung was special.

Looking simply at the depth of swordsmanship, there was a legendary anecdote that even the Sword God himself was briefly troubled by the power of his "deep immersion."

'It has to be this person.'

Lee Ho-seung, who had been quietly observing my face, asked:

"You. You want to learn swordsmanship?"

"Yes."

"I heard you were amazing in the boxing class?"

"You also saw me fighting with a sword and shield during the public class, didn't you?"

"Well, that's true."

"What did you think?"

"It wasn't enough to call it a path, but it was enough to call it a technique."

It was a harsh evaluation, but in his own way, it was a compliment.

"Well, it wasn't bad, I mean."

"I'm honored you say so."

"But it's also true that you seemed more comfortable with fists than with a sword. If that's the case, why didn't you go to Oh Chang-seong?"

My answer to that question was simple.

"Isn't it better to have more weapons?"

At that answer, Lee Ho-seung chuckled.

"That's also true."

"Aren't you angry?"

"Why would I be?"

Lee Ho-seung shrugged.

"The path of the sword takes a very long time."

He asserted.

"That's why rather than pursuing martial arts with just the sword itself, tactics that utilize one's characteristics are more common and effective. It's stronger to swing a sword while also shooting a laser than just swinging a sword, right?"

"That's true."

"Even if not used as a main weapon, a sword is quite useful. Even if just as a sub-weapon, if you can use it well, it's recommendable."

And then he added:

"Of course, if someone learning from me has such a casual thought, I'd destroy them."

'As expected.'

His standards were always according to his own whims.

"But do you know what my characteristic is?"

"I do. It's Consciousness Acceleration, isn't it?"

Consciousness Acceleration.

Lee Ho-seung had the ability to voluntarily secrete intracranial drugs, accelerating his thought speed and maximizing his perception speed.

In other words, he can think and make judgments at a much faster speed than others, which manifests as superior speed.

But his real ability wasn't just that.

'Extremely elevated thought speed eventually creates depth.'

"I heard that you have a technique to voluntarily send your accelerated consciousness diving deep into your inner self."

"You know well. That's right. That completed my swordsmanship."

"When entering that state, you simply unfold techniques ingrained in your body and senses remaining in your unconscious in a state of selflessness, and I've heard that your sword at that time is truly mastery."

Different from the Sword God's unity of sword and god, but in terms of the state of selflessness, it could also be considered a great realm of swordsmanship.

"Since you know, this conversation will be quicker."

Lee Ho-seung, tilting his head left and right, asked:

"Jeong Su-hyeon. Do you want to learn such a realm from me?"

"Not immediately."

I dismissed.

"You don't?"

"No."

"Then what do you want to learn?"

"First, I want to manifest sword energy."

"Sword energy!"

Lee Ho-seung burst into laughter.

"For something like that, you don't necessarily have to learn from me, do you?"

That's true.

But.

'There's no time to spare.'

I needed to manifest sword energy as quickly as possible before that event occurred.

"I believe Instructor Lee Ho-seung is the only one who can teach me sword energy the fastest."

Each guidance instructor had techniques they could pass down.

For example, you can learn "Iron Fist" from Oh Chang-seong and "Flexibility" from Kang Jun-man.

And one of the techniques that Lee Ho-seung passes down is precisely Sword Energy.

It's not purchasable from the skill shop, but it was the technique I needed most right now.

"Well, well."

Lee Ho-seung laughed, saying he had no idea what I was thinking.

"I don't know why those two friends, Kim Cheol-han and Oh Chang-seong, coveted you so much. But it's certain that you've at least piqued my curiosity."

"So you'll accept me?"

With a face that seemed to ask if I was really questioning the obvious, Lee Ho-seung answered:

"See you on Thursday."

[You have been selected as Instructor Lee Ho-seung's guided cadet!]

[Rare Achievement! The notoriously picky swordsman, Lee Ho-seung, has chosen you!]

[Achievement points 300 awarded!]