Since I stayed in the valley until very late, I barely got any sleep and only did a short magic training session before handling work in the faculty office.
I'm so tired I feel like I might drop dead.
For a moment, I thought I might die from overwork.
But people don't die that easily.
My body can endure a bit more.
"...I finally finished the script. Since I have some time to spare, I'll rest for 20 minutes and then read a book."
"Huh? You're already done with work?"
"Yes, I've finished everything."
As I got up from my seat after finishing my work, I ran into Nam Hwa-yeon, who had come to the faculty office.
She glanced at my monitor.
On it was the completed lecture script.
All that was left was to print it out.
"You're done already? That was fast. But you know you have one more thing to do today, right?"
"Ah, are you talking about the script for the 7th period lecture? I'm almost done with that too."
"Good, then I'll leave this to you as well."
Nam Hwa-yeon handed me a stack of documents she was holding.
A sense of dread washed over me, but I had no choice but to reach out and take the documents.
With trembling hands, I read through them.
['Mana Wavelength Distribution' Research Data Compilation and Estimation.]
The title on the first page was already grandiose.
What kind of document is this? I skimmed through it using [Magical Genius] and realized.
This is a draft of a research paper.
Why is she giving this to me?
Don't tell me she expects me to handle this too?
"Professor, what exactly is this document?"
"Ah, since you're working on the script, take care of this as well."
Bingo! That was the correct answer.
I was suddenly at a loss for words in the face of Nam Hwa-yeon's boldness.
Seriously, shouldn't such important documents be handed to senior assistants, not a newbie like me? Those who assist in lectures and such.
"Um, Professor."
"What is it? Do you have something to say to me?"
"This document isn't within my responsibilities."
My job is solely to prepare Nam Hwa-yeon's lecture scripts.
Occasionally, I do other tasks, but most of them are simple calculations.
But this was completely outside my scope.
So I tried to explain that to her.
I was planning to decline politely.
"Do it."
"Huh?"
"Do it."
And just like that, I was saddled with the task of organizing the draft of the research paper along with the script.
I felt a headache coming on as I thought to myself.
Isn't this going too far?
***
My schedule was free from the afternoon onward.
That doesn't mean I only work in the morning, but rather, I can adjust my afternoon work schedule as I please.
Saying it like that makes it sound nice, but…
"Teacher, the other groups are studying in the classroom, right? Aren't we doing something like that?"
"Yeah! Aren't we getting worksheets or something?"
"Professor Namgung Seong-jin from the next class is improving his students' skills through practical lessons. Ah, not that I'm comparing or anything…"
These were the words of Noh Yura, Seong Yeon-hwa, and Isis, in that order.
These three kept throwing various comments at me.
It seems they're quite dissatisfied with the curriculum I've set up.
"I'll assign those as homework, so take care of them yourselves. From now on, my afternoons will be spent solely in the training room."
"Ah, Teacher! If that's the case, can't we do it in a low-level dungeon instead of the training room? That would be more helpful."
Everyone seemed to have doubts about conducting classes in the training room.
The students' opinions weren't wrong, but in my eyes, they're just beginners who haven't even built a foundation, which makes it difficult.
Just then.
"That's enough."
A blonde-haired girl, Isabelle, spoke firmly.
She pointed at me and continued.
"No matter how bad-tempered someone is, a teacher is still a teacher. Even if they're rotten, we're still students and shouldn't speak out of turn."
"Isabelle…"
I was taken aback by her unexpected support.
Why is she suddenly acting like this?
"It's not too late to protest about the class after experiencing it once or twice. But if the class is still garbage despite that, then we can do as we please, right?"
That's more like it.
I expected that Isabelle, who has a long-standing feud with Baek Seung-woo, wouldn't act in my favor so easily.
But what can I do?
'I'm confident I can satisfy all of you in just one day.'
A class that could satisfy all the students.
I was preparing the first step: the Eye Technique.
The Eye Technique, as the name suggests, is a method of seeing the world through the eyes.
It's not as powerful as [Demon Eye] or [Ten-Mile Eyes], but it's the most fundamental skill for the training and practical situations I'll be teaching.
It was meant to be the students' solid foundation, but…
'The problem is how to teach it.'
To put it simply, the Eye Technique is like taking a snapshot of a moment with your eyes. Just as you can examine a photo in detail, mastering the Eye Technique allows you to capture every detail of a moment happening before your eyes.
A skill that's useful whether you're a martial artist or a mage.
But I have no idea how to teach it.
'I learned it by intuition, so I'm not in a position to teach it to anyone.'
It's always been like this.
When I tried to teach techniques to my disciples, they would just stare at me blankly, not even understanding, let alone learning, and I'd get scolded for not teaching properly.
It seems the Eye Technique requires more preparation.
So, for the time being, I plan to coach them one-on-one.
"First, Lee Ji-han, shall I teach you?"
"M-Me?"
"Yes, you first. Instead of wasting time being nervous, you could've learned another technique by now. Don't hesitate and come forward."
Lee Ji-han was flustered by the sudden call but obediently stepped forward.
What exactly will he teach?
Eyes filled with curiosity and expectation turned to look at me and Lee Ji-han.
Of course, there was also one pair of eyes that ignored us.
Let's ignore that one.
"Teacher, is this similar to the axe-throwing technique from last time?"
"No."
"Then, what exactly are you going to teach?"
"That was just a shortcut. What kind of teacher only teaches shortcuts?"
"Huh?"
"Put down the hand axe and pick up a large axe. This time, I'll teach you everything from the beginning."
The utility of a hand axe is limited.
It's small and compact, making it effective for throwing, but it's hard to expect much more value in combat. That's just a thug's way of thinking.
If you want to properly learn axe techniques from me, it's not the hand axe but the large axe.
A double-edged axe would be more appropriate.
"Axe Technique, simply put, ultimately comes down to strength."
Sword and spear techniques can be handled flexibly, but the axe is a bit different.
Fundamentally, the axe's core is about striking from above, utilizing centrifugal force.
Of course, strength alone isn't everything.
"Just as I taught you how to swing, you can also perform various techniques with an axe. But why do you think no one has taught you those techniques until now?"
Lee Ji-han responded to my question with an uncertain attitude.
"Uh… because axe techniques are difficult?"
Even as he said it, Lee Ji-han didn't seem convinced. And rightly so.
"That can't be it. If it were that difficult, could you have learned a shortcut in just an hour?"
"Ah, I guess not."
Ah, I guess not? What kind of answer is that?
If a technique can be taught in an hour through a shortcut, how difficult can it really be?
Of course, Lee Ji-han was already familiar with axe handling from our first meeting, so he learned it easily, but others could also pick it up without much difficulty if they had the time.
So, what's the real answer?
I waited for the answer like a farmer waiting for crops to grow.
"...Because everyone just uses axes to chop firewood?"
"Exactly. It's a niche weapon with few practitioners and even fewer teachers."
"Ah, I see."
Lee Ji-han clapped his hands in realization.
Among active hunters, there are many who wield axes.
But few of them truly master axe techniques.
They pick up axes simply because they have high strength, enjoy the boldness of axe handling, or have related skills or traits. Very few actually aim to master axe techniques.
"But I'm different."
During my time as a child soldier.
I was so young that, despite being a soldier, I spent my days receiving affection from veteran soldiers and learning techniques.
Among my many martial arts masters, there were several who were masters of axe techniques, and thanks to them, I still remember the basics and advanced techniques of axe handling.
"Hey, Lee Ji-han. Let me ask you one thing."
"Yes, Teacher. What is it?"
"What do you think an axe is as a weapon?"
A question thrown out without any context.
Lee Ji-han, unable to grasp the intention, tilted his head and rolled his eyes.
"Uh… a weapon used in daily life? Like, back in the day, everyone used it to chop firewood."
"By that logic, the daily life of ancient knights would have been their longswords. They swung them every day and could even cook with them if needed."
"...So?"
Lee Ji-han, completely lost, asked for an answer.
How can someone who uses an axe as their main weapon not know this?
I couldn't help but sigh at the sight.
"Sigh, listen carefully. An axe is a bladed weapon, but it's also a blunt weapon."
"Huh? What does that have to do with anything...."
"It means there are two main ways to use it."
"...Ah!"
Due to its weight and utility, an axe can't perform the flexible attacks of a sword or spear. But what if you utilize the two characteristics of an axe?
Even if it's not as versatile as a sword or spear, it can still be used in quite a few ways.
"The throwing technique I taught you last time was a clever mix of those two characteristics. Throwing the hand axe like a blunt weapon, but slicing the opponent in half like a bladed weapon."
What I'm teaching this time is an even more basic technique.
But because it's simple, I plan to teach it for a long time.
So that the basics become a solid foundation for him.
Until it becomes second nature, almost instinctive.
So, I only required two stances from him.
A straightforward downward chop, like splitting firewood. And a clean swing, like swinging a baseball bat.
That's all.
"Um… Teacher."
"What is it?"
Lee Ji-han raised his hand.
His expression looked like a foal that really needs to poop.
"So, um, aren't you going to teach us any tricks like last time?"
"...Tricks?"
"Yeah, tricks. Like those fancy moves you showed us last time."
I get what he's saying.
He's asking if there's an easier way to learn the technique.
This guy's completely hooked on shortcuts.
"...Sigh, you idiot."
"Ah, so it's a no?"
"Hey, Lee Ji-han. Do you think you're at a level where you can learn tricks? You haven't even mastered the basics yet."
I'm so dumbfounded that I can't even laugh.
"But last time, you taught me so easily."
"That's why I said it was a shortcut. Why do you think it's called a shortcut? Because there's a clear limit to what can be taught."
"...Ah!"
"This won't do. You're going to practice each stance I taught you ten thousand times."
Lee Ji-han looked disappointed.
Feeling that he needed some mental correction, I assigned him homework.
Ten thousand swings for each stance, twenty thousand in total.
Lee Ji-han, startled, begged for just one chance, but I ignored him. It's a process he'd have to go through eventually.
Learning to deflect attacks with the axe blade or perform flashy techniques will come later.
For now, the best Lee Ji-han can do is swing honestly.
And with that, Lee Ji-han's first lesson ended.
Now, it's time to teach the others.
"It doesn't seem like he's teaching us well."
"I-I think we can trust him, he's the assistant teacher… right?"
"This kind of training feels like something from our grandfathers' era."
"I knew the class would be like this."
"...If you have any complaints, why don't you say them to my face?"
Everyone expressed doubts about my teaching.
I admit, I might be focusing too much on the basics.
But what can I do?
It's not my fault Lee Ji-han lacks the basics.
This is entirely Lee Ji-han's fault.
In contrast, the atmosphere here was completely different.
Seo Yerin, looking at me with eager eyes.
"...When do I start?"
She seemed filled with anticipation for finally learning proper spear techniques, rather than doubts about my class.
Ugh, the pressure.
***
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