Chapter 24 : Slave Selection

It took quite a bit of time for Fran to carve the mark, so the trip back ended up taking about an hour.

Still, thanks to starting early, I wasn’t late, and it felt like I returned just in time for school.

“Then, I’ll be off now. Thank you so much, Rudion!”

“Ah, sure.”

I parted ways with Fran casually.

Anyway, since we’d inevitably run into each other back at the dorms later, if there was anything left to say, it wouldn’t be too late to bring it up then.

Now walking leisurely alone, I soon arrived at the advanced class building. At the entrance, I ran into Seria.

“Rudion! Good morning.”

“Good morning.”

We exchanged greetings naturally and walked in together, but as I thought about it, something felt a little odd.

Seria is extraordinarily diligent and usually arrives at school with plenty of time to spare.

But I had just barely managed to arrive on time today. I shouldn’t have run into her here.

…Then why?

“Hey, Seria. Were you waiting for me out here by any chance?”

“Of course. I need to go in with you, Rudion.”

Seriously, why?

I couldn’t understand, but I didn’t have the energy to press further.

By the time I reached the classroom and took my seat, Professor Reina was already preparing to start her lecture.

“Alright, today’s lesson is about understanding monsters. Feel free to sleep if you’re tired—though you might end up sleeping forever… but don’t worry too much, because that won’t happen on my watch!”

The lecture content itself was fairly normal. Even when she taught lower-level classes, her lecture topics were always well-grounded.

The problem wasn’t the subject matter but her teaching method.

Due to her preference for practice-oriented lectures, after a few rounds of theory, the rest of the classes were inevitably filled with practical exercises.

So I figured I should enjoy the rare opportunity to relax and listen to the lecture while seated.

But… after hearing something like that, I doubt any student could actually sleep. After all, slacking off would only endanger themselves.

Of course, I did fall asleep.

Even in this game-like world, attending lectures made me just as drowsy. Besides, I already knew all the material.

…That is, until Seria, sitting next to me, woke me up, and I found Reina standing right in front of me, staring directly at me.

Because I was sitting in the front row, the distance between us felt uncomfortably close.

‘Professor, your lecture is so fascinating! Keep it up!’

I desperately tried to convey my enthusiasm through my gaze, but it was to no avail.

She directed a question at me instead.

“Rudion? What’s the correct approach when facing a Black Chest Ogre?”

It was clearly a question she asked to challenge me.

But who am I?

I’m the maniac who cataloged all the evasion timings for every pattern in the game. I had memorized not only the characteristics and strategies for monsters but also their lore, so I could answer without hesitation.

“The chest of the Black Chest Ogre is composed of black leather, which is extremely tough and resistant. Unless you’re equipped with something like a magically-enhanced battering ram, it’s difficult to inflict damage.”

“The monster instinctively uses this knowledge, making frontal attacks less effective. Therefore, the best strategy is to aim for its relatively weaker flanks or focus on its Achilles’ tendons to restrict its movement.”

“And what about the location of its carotid artery?”

“Sometimes the black leather covering the chest extends to the neck. In such cases, the area won’t visibly darken, making it impossible to distinguish with the naked eye.”

“Therefore, unless it’s an extraordinary situation, there’s no reason to risk targeting that area.”

Even when Reina followed up with another question, I answered easily, and her gaze grew heavier.

For a moment, I wondered if I’d made a mistake, and it turned out I had.

“Aha. That part hasn’t been covered in the lecture yet. You sure know a lot.”

“Oh. You haven’t taught that yet?”

That wasn’t part of today’s lesson.

Right, knowing too much can be a problem.

She had probably meant to challenge me with a simple question, but instead, she must’ve thought, ‘Oh? He knows this? Wait, let me try something I haven’t covered yet. Oh? He knows that too? Was it you who tempted me first?’

Something like that, maybe.

I tried to come up with an excuse but gave up midway.

Nothing I said would work on Reina, who was now licking her lips in satisfaction.

“Rudion. Come see me after today’s lecture.”

In the end, I heard the one line you should never hear from a professor, word for word.

I cried.

First-year lectures consist of a total of four sessions per day.

Practical lectures are conducted as needed, so they’re excluded from the count. Theoretical lectures, however, last about 1 hour and 20 minutes each.

They start at 8:40 AM, with 20-minute breaks in between sessions and a 1-hour-20-minute lunch break. By the time all the lectures are done, it’s around 4 PM.

Compared to South Korea’s grueling timetables, this isn’t particularly intense.

Even so, depending on the content of the lectures, fatigue can build up. It’s best to use breaks efficiently to manage your condition…

“Ah, you’re here? Come on in and take a seat.”

I got caught trying to manage my condition during lecture time, and as a result, I lost my break.

Having foolishly tried to weasel my way out of it only to fall into a trap, I had no choice but to comply.

The place I arrived at was the professor’s office. Many professors visit the advanced class research office, but today, Reina was the only one here, likely because no other lectures were scheduled.

Following her instructions, I sat on the chair in front of her.

“Rudion. I’ve been keeping an eye on you for a while now, and today’s lecture confirmed it. Would you like to join me as my direct subordinate?”

Whoa, professor. Can you give me a moment to breathe? Coming on so strong is a bit much.

I decided to express my refusal first.

“Is it okay if I don’t?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“No, I mean… I just don’t want to.”

“Why not?”

“Because I don’t want to?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

What is this conversation?

This woman has no intention of persuading me. She’s just demanding it outright.

So, before outright rejecting her, I decided to ask what it actually entails.

Of course, I already knew from the original game that there’s a route where the protagonist becomes Reina’s direct subordinate, so I knew exactly what it involved. But if I acted like I already knew, she’d probably finalize my recruitment on the spot.

“Going on practical monster-capturing missions with me?”

“…Excuse me?”

But what she said was completely different from what I remembered.

I was taken aback. Wasn’t it originally something like, ‘You’re the first to fight practical monsters so others can watch and get the hang of it?’

Monster capturing? That’s an incredibly dangerous task. And not with another teacher, but with a student? That makes no sense.

“Would I even be helpful if I went?”

“What’s the weak spot of a Red Wyvern?”

“The roof of its mouth.”

Red Wyverns are red, so they’re fire-attributed.

The expression about burning your mouth on hot food and hurting the roof of your mouth applies perfectly to this monster’s weak spot, so it’s hard to forget.

Though honestly, it would’ve been better if I had forgotten.

I reflexively answered and immediately realized my mistake.

“A quick response… At the very least, you won’t be a liability.”

This darn mouth of mine…

You can’t judge someone’s knowledge based on one question alone, but here, answering so quickly was clearly a misstep.

I scored full marks on the entrance exam theory portion, so it’s already evident that I have enough knowledge. If I’m able to recall it instantly, it shows how deeply ingrained it is.

There’s no point in making excuses now. From this point on, it’ll be impossible to lower myself enough to decline.

So, I tried to pivot, using my status as a student to steer the conversation away.

“But I’m still a student, you know. No matter how you look at it, monster capturing is dangerous, isn’t it?”

“To be honest, I don’t see you as just a student.”

…I tried, but she dismissed my attempt, and now I’ve become a pitiful student desperately pleading my case.

Reina started listing her reasons for thinking this way.

“Even during the simple entrance exam, you already felt like someone who had been through countless battles. That’s why I specifically excluded you from yesterday’s skill assessment.”

“…Well, I can’t say I’m completely inexperienced.”

I’ve shown enough that lying about it wouldn’t work. After all, raiding and PVP in the game were technically “real combat,” right?

At my candid response, Reina chuckled and continued.

“Exactly. If you’d denied it, it would’ve been more suspicious. Don’t worry—I’m not particularly interested in your life story. I just want you to join me as my direct subordinate.”

“Uh, but I’m not really interested in becoming your direct subordinate…”

“Ah, don’t feel pressured. I already have plenty of people under me. I wouldn’t give you much to do. You’d only need to accompany me a few times when I head out for work, so it won’t take much of your time… Oh, and of course, it’ll reflect positively on your grades. What do you think?”

I don’t particularly care about grades. Besides, I already scored full marks on the theory exams.

As for practical skills… Well, for now, I’m holding my own, so it’s not really necessary.

Anyway, Seria is the one destined to be at the top. Even if I tried to aim higher, it would only highlight my abilities unnecessarily.

Also… no way am I becoming a graduate student! I still have a long way to go in this academy, and there’s no way I want to become a slave this early on!

That’s why I’m trying so hard to escape, but why does the conversation keep veering toward me becoming her direct subordinate?

Continuing this discussion would only put me at a disadvantage.

Realizing this, I stood up firmly to express my refusal, bowing deeply.

“Professor, I truly appreciate the offer, but I don’t think I’m fit to become your direct—”

“Rudion. You’re short on money, right? If you join me as my direct subordinate, I’ll arrange for you to receive a monthly stipend. About… this much?”

Is she trying to buy me off?

Sure, I barely have enough money for a few meals right now, but if I work a little, I can earn enough to get by—wait, how much is that?

“Due to my current financial situation, I’ll work hard to become worthy of being your direct subordinate.”

“There’s no need to work hard. Just say you want to, and I’ll make it happen right away.”

And that’s how I became Professor Reina’s direct assistant.

If you want to criticize me for having no backbone, go ahead. But the money was simply too good to refuse.

With that kind of monthly allowance, not only can I eat well, but I can also save up and eventually buy my own house.

“I should’ve just bribed you from the start,” Reina said with a bemused smile at my sudden change in attitude.

But judging by her lack of effort to persuade me earlier, wasn’t this her plan all along?

It feels like I’ve just experienced the true power of the Trier family, who can bend even the academy to their will through money.

The Triers are terrifying…