novelraw Chapter 94 : Chapter 94
Chapter 94 : Chapter 94
Chapter 94 : Curriculum
"I think I need to explain the benefits of external activities to you."
Quest said, looking at the anxious Sal.
"External activities are opportunities to learn the work needed in the field directly from guilds. Through guilds, you can interact with the local community and witness firsthand the difficulties they face every day. Since Paradox is a group of restoration experts, you'll be able to clearly grasp their strategies and the reasons they stick to specific territories. For you, this city is an opportunity to build networks with the best heroes. The advice you get from them and the training you do together will be invaluable to you."
Sal nodded politely, but even Quest's words couldn't shake his resolve.
Sal had absolutely no intention of going out into the field and putting himself in danger.
Just imagining Sinclair transforming into a Prowler right before his eyes sent chills down his spine.
Seeing Sal's reaction, Quest stopped speaking and stared at Sal as if lost in thought.
"Are you afraid of monsters by any chance?"
When Sal couldn't answer easily, Quest nodded as if he understood.
"Resilience isn't gained in an instant. There are separate training courses for that, and Head Professor will constantly put you in such situations. You must have been scared to fight when you first went to the Prism, but how was the tournament final?"
Sal laughed, mulling over how different the situation was compared to back then.
"I could get used to taking a hit or two quickly... but if the opponent is a monster, it's a different story. The moment I saw Professor Sinclair transform into a Prowler, I hurriedly crafted defensive gear first."
Quest shook his head and smiled.
"You grew up in a safe place surrounded by iron walls. And you went straight to an academy far removed from the threats beyond the barrier. It is perfectly normal for you to feel fear. There is no hero anywhere who doesn't fear monsters. It's just that heroes exude the will to protect others. It's not a simple sense of duty. That will is what allows one to be reborn as a true hero. But do you think everyone can possess such a firm will from the start, or in just a few weeks or months? Such people would be extremely rare. Most people, including myself and you, have reached this point by nurturing such resolve. You were also prepared to step up as a strike team member yourself to protect the safety of your peers. Even though that meant standing at the forefront of danger. External activities aren't like being thrown into deep water without warning. It's just training to adjust your body to the world we live in."
Sal felt an inexplicable resistance to the label Quest attached to him.
As he said, it was true that he grew up within a safe fence... but defining himself solely by that made him uncomfortable.
Sal took a deep breath and steeled his heart.
But ultimately, his fragile temperament and defensive instincts clouded his vision.
Back then, he was prepared to sortie, but now the situation was completely different from that time.
'Back then it was a last resort, and now it's entirely my choice.'
Sal didn't consider refusing external activities as escaping reality.
Even without jumping into a monster den, the value he could create with his ability was sufficient.
As all sorts of thoughts filled his head, Sal clenched his jaw tight.
He wanted to pour out all sorts of criticisms and excuses to Quest, but he knew well himself that eventually, they would be nothing more than pathetic excuses.
As the tension rose, Sal wanted to turn this conversation to another topic.
"I met Professor Chatfield in the workshop earlier, and he said the situation would become quite chaotic from now on. If it's okay to ask... what you two were discussing before I came in..."
Pretending not to hear Sal's question, Quest wore a faint smile on his lips.
"I have no intention of forcing external activities on you, but experiencing it once wouldn't be bad. I'll waive the fees too... so wouldn't it be breaking even at worst? How about accepting Vila's proposal to go out with Reavers? If you're with heroes you know, you'll feel much more reassured."
Sal wanted to know how much Quest grasped about what was happening within the academy.
Vila had said he would bring him and others along on external activities, but Sal kept postponing it, saying he was busy.
"I'm sorry, but I'm not that kind of hero."
Finally, Sal confessed that to Quest, and to himself.
He didn't like his trembling voice or his breathing.
He wanted to pretend this offer never happened.
"Mr. Salvatore, you have only been here for a month. Where is the academy that expects preparation for actual combat so hastily? Since you asked about Chatfield, I'll tell you what proposal he made. Then you'll probably be able to guess my position too."
Quest shook his head and continued.
"It seems the recent external mission Chatfield went on with the second-year students didn't meet expectations. The report he wrote is strict, but most of it was constructive feedback. Usually, first years receive training to adapt to demonstrating their abilities in actual combat through mock battles between students. Afterwards, they gradually build confidence through tournaments and inter-grade battles. Once judged sufficiently prepared, they begin combat with monsters in controlled environments. All processes are included in the year-end evaluation to induce students to challenge the Monster Tower. Chatfield was in charge of that sortie, but it was postponed until the new semester because he was too busy."
Quest tapped the tablet next to him, and the screen flickered on.
He glanced sideways and read down a few noticeable comments.
"Combat preparation is insufficient, there is an absence of unified formations or tactics when dealing with monsters, and basic field and survival training knowledge is also lacking. Mental strength and resilience are severely lacking, and even the equipment condition is a mess... The rest is similar content."
Quest sighed and looked back at Sal.
"This report points out that there are loopholes in our current curriculum. Chatfield's proposal is drastic, but I want to seek a compromise with him. If not, Quest Academy will just become a glamorously packaged military barracks."
Sal's mouth went dry at the thought of having to deal with monsters in the tower.
"What would the compromise be roughly?"
Sal worried it might be a rude question, but he couldn't hide his curiosity.
Fortunately, Quest laughed lightly without any sign of displeasure.
"You might verify it yourself later, but I'll tell you our position. It will help you understand the background of the decision. The Hunter Network and the United Guild Association are putting a lot of pressure on us so that students can be more prepared for actual combat when they graduate. Since the situation is changing moment by moment, we are also constantly learning new things. So the curriculum is constantly changing too. Just two years ago, the concept of a field learning module didn't even exist. The Resilience subject was newly established last year. The Combat subject was originally optional but has now been changed to mandatory. Chatfield is trying to integrate Survival, Field, and Combat subjects and reorganize them into a Field Training Module. He means to do training like actual combat. Chatfield wants to push this change immediately and apply it to the first years, before..."
Quest tapped the tablet again and read that phrase.
"Before we ruin the next generation of heroes and turn them into plausible punching bags..."
"Is he trying to integrate all those subjects? Then what happens to the Crafting subject?"
Sal was momentarily flustered and honestly voiced the concerns inside him.
Chatfield's proposal was an issue that would affect all first years, meaning himself included.
Quest laughed and shook his head.
"Chatfield thinks we are overly generous with the Crafting subject. He wanted to completely stop personal projects. Instead, through contracts with the military, he intends to guarantee stable income for crafters to streamline the production of munitions. Can you guess what my stance would be on this? That's one of the reasons I argued so much with Chatfield. Chatfield only values the macroscopic perspective and considers students as mere tools for a greater plan. Still, Chatfield is one of the most outstanding heroes among us, so his opinion carries significant weight. This matter is scheduled to be discussed at the next faculty meeting and Doom Society meeting. We won't make a major decision hastily. We have to watch how the higher-ups think about this matter. Keep this matter to yourself. It won't be good if anxiety spreads among the students."
Quest smiled at Sal with a tired face.
However, Sal sat still, unable to continue speaking from shock.
'Does Chatfield really have such powerful influence?'
It was hard to accept that Headmaster Quest would change the entire academic direction based on the opinion of just one hero.
'Just how much does Chatfield expect from those who have only spent a year at the academy?'
Sal, who had gathered his thoughts for a moment, opened his mouth again.
He couldn't get a sense of how to accept all this situation.
"Is it true that the Crafting subject will completely change and personal projects will be banned? Then does that mean we won't be able to do guild evaluations or commission work either? Even with the Mythos identity?"
Quest burst into laughter toward Sal, who was afraid to even hear the answer.
"Don't take it too seriously. Everything is just a proposal. We are still negotiating to find the best plan. Chatfield is looking at the current situation too pessimistically... Without properly evaluating the achievements the students have made. He looks at all results solely through the perspective of war and judged that they fall short of his standards. If rumors spread that the work you performed as Mythos, especially the Legend rank sniper rifle, can evolve to Mythos rank, it will cause a huge sensation among the guilds. In Chatfield's way, there would be no way to raise outstanding talents like Mythos. So we have to soothe people like Chatfield while protecting the creative freedom to raise talents like Mythos. Don't take my words too seriously. I'm sorry if I caused you needless worry."
Only then was Sal relieved.
He felt relieved at the words that he could immerse himself in crafting as he did now, even if he had to endure other subjects becoming significantly sluggish.
"To explain the compromise you were curious about earlier, Sinclair is currently dissatisfied with the Survival subject. On the other hand, he will show quite a bit of enthusiasm for integrated classes set in a battlefield context. Lars will likely agree too, and Rust will follow whatever he is told to do."
When Quest raised his finger, Sal followed the gesture and raised his gaze.
"In other words, that compromise is to give Chatfield full authority only over the integrated subjects, but prevent him from interfering excessively in other subjects. So we compromised to the extent of pulling the schedule forward a bit and including the Monster Tower attack around the end of the first semester. The reason I share all this is because I hope you will make the wisest choice based on this. Whether to be passively swept away by the approaching changes or actively prepare for them is your choice."
Quest got up from his seat and headed to the glass display case placed in one corner of the room.
He organized items for a moment, then took out a fancy wooden box.
With the box under his arm, he closed the glass display case, returned to the table, and placed the box down in front of Sal.
"I said it jokingly earlier, but I think Barry has a point."
When Quest opened the box, a seemingly old pistol revealed itself.
"It's a gift I received from an old friend, and I'd like you to create a blueprint for this pistol."
Quest sat down and stared at Sal with expectant eyes.
"The winds of change are blowing, Mr. Salvatore. If you fear monsters, you must create something that can eliminate them before they even get close. If you are worried about being caught off guard by changes in the curriculum, go out into the field even now and learn everything you can from our heroes. If you lack information, devise a tracking device to fill that gap. Didn't you come here to learn the way to become a hero... Unleash your talents to your heart's content and show people like Chatfield the true worth of the Support Class."
When Sal looked at Quest with an expression of disbelief, he leaned deep into his chair and smiled.
It seemed he spoke of everything too easily.
'Will a single gun truly help silence the fear of monsters?'
Looking at Quest's expression, he seemed to genuinely believe so.
Sal, activating his Mythos Crafter ability, focused his gaze on the pistol and began to evaluate it closely.
"Then are you saying that if I go on a few external activities and make a gun and a tracker, all preparations will be complete?"
Sal asked back, meticulously examining every corner of the pistol.
Quest clasped his hands behind his head and leaned deep into his chair.
"I can't guarantee it, but it won't be bad for a start."