Academy's Silver Gatekeeper-Chapter 58

"I want you to take on the role of substitute professor for this practical training session for Gold and Platinum ranks, specifically for the external support case."

I was perplexed. In my opinion, this didn't seem right.

Supervising professor. Literally meaning a 'professor' who supervises students. Am I a professor? No. Then am I at least a teaching assistant? No, not that either.

I wasn't included in any part of the Academy. I was still a government employee assigned to the Ability Measurement Department.

"Headmaster, I..."

"You're not affiliated with the Academy. So you're just an examiner, and don't have the qualifications to be a substitute instructor. Is that what you were about to say?"

TN: Nepotism at its finest :prayge:

You know very well. So you understand why I'm surprised, right, Headmaster?

"Don't worry about that part. First of all, appointing a supervising professor, or even choosing their substitute, falls under the Headmaster's authority. And if there's sufficient reason, even outsiders can be appointed."

"...With so many other professors available, I'm curious why you suddenly singled me out."

"Well, many professors haven't been able to return yet. You're aware of that."

I had to nod at Ma Hakjun's words.

The Academy attack incident, which happened a while ago now. Many students were sacrificed, but there were also numerous casualties among faculty members.

The professors, in particular, suffered the most damage by fighting at the forefront. Most of their injuries were fatal, but they narrowly survived thanks to healing from support-types. However, because their conditions were so severe, they hadn't yet returned to teaching.

"And bringing in just anyone as a professor has its complications."

"...I understand. But even so..."

Follow current novels on ƒreewebηoveℓ.com.

"You've already proven yourself to be at professor level. There's no need for further proof—Irina is a witness, isn't she?"

What happened to calling her a crazy woman the other day? As if reading my thoughts, Ma Hakjun burst into laughter.

"That child may have her issues, but she has a keen eye for talent. When she takes interest in someone, ten out of ten—no, a hundred out of a hundred times—they turn out to be extraordinary individuals. She's like a strength detector, you could say."

More accurately, she's a crazy woman who gets obsessed with strong people. But I'll skip over that part right now, since it doesn't seem appropriate at this moment.

"And to be honest, I want to expand this current change a bit more."

Expand the change. What could Ma Hakjun mean by that? After thinking quietly for a moment, I realized what this old man wanted.

"Don't tell me, you're planning to extend the rank evaluation to Gold level as well?"

TN: Will the silver gatekeeper trait work tho?

“Supervise those students and convince them with your ability. So that they too would gather at the examination hall.

More precisely, I want them to feel their own inadequacies. Students who have reached that level still include quite a few good kids. Of course, they're not bad now either, but precisely because of that, they'll absorb and work harder if given positive stimulation."

To be honest, I found Ma Hakjun's opinion difficult to accept. How should I put it? Yes, he was being too optimistic.

The reason I've been able to handle Bronze and Silver students like this? By stimulating their desperation. By creating a sense of urgency at the same time.

That if they don't work hard, they'll fall behind even more, or that someone behind them might get ahead. I was exploiting a situation that, as a human being, was unbearable to watch.

'But Gold level and above are different. They're already doing quite well.'

I recalled the Gold-ranked students I'd encountered, starting with Yoo Dasom. Some weren't great, but most had traits that pointed in a positive direction. And putting all those aspects together, I could predict that they were all working hard.

Even Jung Yuhyeon wasn't bad in terms of overall skill. His dagger skills were fluid, and he used items at the right time, showing good sense.

His mindset was just extremely terrible.

"You seem to have something to say. Go ahead."

"To be honest, I don't think there's any need to do this with Gold-ranked students."

"Wasn't it your idea to raise the students' level?"

"Yes, but I think there's a problem with bringing down those who are already doing well on their own."

Ma Hakjun tilted his head at that.

"Strange. I never said anything about bringing them down. I just said it's their own task."

"...So you want Gold-ranked students to embrace the change themselves, is that it?"

"Some of them have probably already felt it. The 'stagnation' of growth."

"That's..."

Indeed, that possibility couldn't be ruled out entirely.

They've reached Gold rank, but their skills aren't improving anymore. It's not particularly disappointing, so they just need to maintain their current level. Something feels lacking, but without any obvious stimulus or goal in sight, it's an awkward situation.

"Gold-on-Gold sparring is problematic because they know each other too well. Sparring with Platinum ranks is something that rank avoids due to the burden it places on them. Using professors is impossible since they're already saturated with lectures, occasional practicals, and so much more."

Hearing those words, I could understand the predicament of Gold-ranked students. They could become stronger if conditions were right, but they're stuck because that's not possible.

They'll have plenty of opportunities after graduating and going out into the world, but the risk increases accordingly. It's possible they might lose their lives before even grasping that opportunity.

It seemed that Ma Hakjun wanted to reduce that risk while giving them at least some opportunity for growth.

"Like you, I also want these young friends to do even better. Without getting hurt, without dying. To bloom more brilliantly—what could be better than that?"

Is he thinking about the son he lost earlier? For a moment, moisture gathered at the corners of Ma Hakjun's eyes, then disappeared.

Ah. They say Koreans have a genetic weakness for such emotional scenes.

And it seems I'm definitely Korean too, judging by how bitter this feels.

"You already examine students, and there's no problem if you pass students in evaluations, and you have enough skill to provide students with a good experience. These are my reasons."

"For me to handle Gold-ranked students, I would need to be at least B-rank level, wouldn't I?"

To my question, Ma Hakjun looked at me and gave a meaningful smile.

"Aren't you already above that? You've already shown everything, why are you still trying to hide?"

Somehow I've become an examiner hiding my true strength. In reality, I'm someone with very specific conditions and a fixed expiration date.

"What will you do? I didn't call you to notify you, but to ask for your opinion."

"If I refuse, what happens?"

"Are you worried about facing disadvantages? Don't be silly. If you don't want to do it, you don't have to. I already know your workload isn't light. If that's your reason, I can't argue with that."

As Ma Hakjun said, my current responsibility for students has doubled. The existing Bronze rank plus the Silver rank students added to the evaluation roster.

They don't all come for rank evaluations every day. But the number has definitely increased compared to when I first started.

"What will you do? I'd like an answer as soon as possible."

That statement, if I'm not mistaken, sounds like "I'd like an answer right now."

"Will you be the substitute supervising professor?"

In truth, there wasn't much to deliberate. I had already made my decision.

*

At the Academy, there are theory lectures and practical training sessions. Among the practical trainings, there are activities inside the Academy and external activities.

Internal activities refer to light sparring among students, or hands-on training supervised directly by faculty members.

And external activities refer to none other than external support missions. They're permitted starting from Silver rank, but typically increase significantly from Gold rank upward.

"Unni! The practical training plan for this month is out!"

Kang Hana, who had been quietly working in the Student Council room, looked up. The Treasurer, Yoo Dasom, had peeked her head through the open door and was looking at her.

"Already? I thought it would take longer."

"That's what I said. The professor who usually leads hasn't returned yet."

"Given how badly they were injured, it makes sense. Even after treatment, rest is still essential."

Kang Hana got up from her seat and left the Student Council room for the hallway. She headed straight to the bulletin board installed right in front and checked the notice that had just been posted.

"External support mission for Gold to Platinum rank students this semester... there are 5 teams this time."

As she read through the contents carefully, Kang Hana tilted her head in confusion. Among the leading professor names that were always filled in, there was a blank at the end. And it was for Team 5's leading professor slot – her team.

"What's this? Dasom, you think this is a mistake?"

"Oh, you're right. The leading professor's name is missing? Hold on, I'll go inquire about it."

It was the Student Council's job to quickly catch and request corrections for such minor errors. However, a short while later, Yoo Dasom returned with unexpected news.

"Unni. They say this is correct as posted."

"Correct? Did you mention that the professor's name field is blank?"

"Of course I did. But they insist it's right. They even said the Headmaster checked it multiple times."

This is strange. This has never happened before.

Kang Hana kept tilting her head in confusion, but there was nothing more she could do. If it had already been confirmed even after direct inquiry to the Academy, then that was that.

'Perhaps they haven't decided on a leading professor for our Team 5 yet?'

Though many questions arose, if even Headmaster Ma Hakjun had confirmed it, then she believed it would be resolved somehow, and Kang Hana began preparations.

And as time passed, finally the day arrived for Gold and Platinum rank external support missions.

"Hello, students."

Kang Hana and Yoo Dasom faced someone they never expected.

"I'll be serving as your substitute leading professor for this external support mission. My name is Baek Seojin. I may be lacking, but I look forward to working with you all."