Chapter 86
HEL SCANS
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Black Hope.
For a long time, this jet-black sword has been nothing less than the symbol of the Hero.
The Hero has relentlessly wielded the Black Hope, writing unbelievable myths, making it the protagonist of numerous expressions and phrases.
This was one of them.
It is the most destructive sword and, above all, an impenetrable shield.
…An impenetrable shield.
It might sound somewhat paradoxical to attach this term to a sword.
However, those who have witnessed its majesty on the battlefield strongly empathize with this expression.
It was because of the magic enchanted into the Black Hope.
Unique ability: ‘Domain’
…The highest-ranking gravity magic ‘Domain,’ where hierarchy measurement is impossible.
It allows the user to control gravity within the range they perceive, ranging from basic
manipulation to extensive interference.
For example, the Black Hope can instantly adjust the weight of the sword.
Light during preparation.
Heavy upon hitting the target.
In this way, it was possible to maximize destructive power.
‘There are many other ways to use it.’
Generating a strong gravitational field in the airspace of the battlefield to block various projectiles coming towards allies was also possible.
The reason for the seemingly inappropriate modifier ‘shield’ attached to the sword.
‘If I become more proficient in its use and have sufficient mana…’
Adjusting not only gravity but also the forces of attraction and repulsion between objects, it would be possible to instantly pull distant enemies towards or teleport close to them.
In the case of the ‘Original.’
There were even reports of enemies being subdued before the battle began by increasing the gravity along the enemy’s advance route.
‘Of course, with my current abilities, the mana consumption would be unimaginable….’
If handled perfectly, it would become a weapon that encompassed offense and defense.
Even though artisans claim not to discriminate against tools, it was said that the presence of the real Black Hope had a tremendous impact on combat.
‘But it hasn’t lent me strength so far.’
I’m not alone.
The moment it fell into someone else’s hands, other than the Original, the Black Hope became no different from an ordinary sword.
It was hard and heavy, but that was it.
The activation of the ‘Domain’ was impossible.
The reason was unknown.
Unable to ask the creator, whose identity was unknown, or find out through the Iris of Laplace.
‘Considering my current mana level, basic manipulation might be challenging, so I’ve temporarily put it on hold…’
Suddenly, I discovered a clue to unlock the unique ability.
‘Finally!’
Even if awakening the ability might initially be limited to basic gravity manipulation, it promised a significant increase in power.
‘It boasts an overwhelming mass already. Just by increasing the weight at the impact point, the destructive power of the sword strikes will become incomparable.’
I found myself filled with anticipation for the first time in a while.
“If I can truly unlock the ‘Domain’ and become proficient in handling it, I can start exploring the Demonic Realm much faster than expected. I should think in advance about how to raise the progress of the ‘Flame’ in the Demonic Realm.”
“….”
Rosalyn, who had been silently listening, subtly twitched her eyes.
Curious, I asked,
“Is this also part of the advice you intended to give?”
“It’s a very small part.”
“…….”
“…….”
With that, the conversation came to a temporary close—or at least it seemed so.
“…Huh?”
Suddenly, Rosalyn made a sound of surprise.
Her gaze slid as if observing something invisible to my eyes.
“What’s wrong?”
“Oh, no. It’s just that a frequent visitor is coming again.”
“A visitor? Here?”
“Yes. Would you like to see?”
Rosalyn’s fingers swept through the air a few times.
Soon, the image on the magical bead installed at the library’s main entrance appeared before me.
In one corner of it, the figure of the ‘frequent visitor’ was visible.
It was just a receding figure, but I could recognize him instantly.
‘… ‘It’s finally time to talk about this.’
Rosalyn subtly hinted, opening her mouth.
“If you go out now, you’ll run into him.”
I shook my head.
The time would come soon, but it wasn’t now.
“Not yet.”
“Is there something urgent?”
“Yes.”
Ironically, the imminent matter at hand was not related to my duties as a Hero but rather as a professor.
‘Why does being a professor come with so much work?’
I returned to my research lab.
Piles of documents cluttered the desk, and my exhausted assistant greeted me.
“Professor… you’ve returned….”
In the brief absence, administrative tasks had piled up like mountains.
* * *
Clack—
The towering stack of documents neatly organized itself and slid into the completed approval files.
Clack—
It didn’t take too long for the mountain of tasks to be efficiently processed.
“Ohhhh….”
Even before administrative duties, a Hero was a Hero.
Precise categorization, unbelievably swift processing, and meticulous finishing touches.
In the Hero’s absence, numerous documents piled up, and he efficiently handled them in the blink of an eye.
It was a scene that could bring tears to the eyes of someone prepared for overtime.
“Ah, thank you for returning at the right time….”
“…Why do you look like that? Go inside and take a rest quickly.”
“Ah, my appearance?”
Pia awkwardly smiled, adjusting her disheveled hair.
The faint wrinkles around her eyes, tinged with a hint of laughter, looked somewhat forlorn.
“I’ve been a bit busy….”
The construction was a mess.
Personal research had to proceed smoothly, and preparations for extreme reinforcement also needed assistance.
However, the biggest problem was…
“What’s this?”
As the Hero picked up the last batch of documents, Pia’s body trembled.
Sweat trickled down nervously.
With a low sigh, the Hero’s eyes, flipping through the documents, gradually narrowed.
“It’s my mistake for forgetting that you’ve never missed a perfect score on a written test.”
“Ahaha… I’m sorry.”
The Hero chuckled in disbelief.
Still, an average score of 23 was quite something.
The vivid experience of the children’s frustrations struck a chord, and the Hero couldn’t help but feel sorry for them.
HEL SCANS
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He spoke to the perplexed Pia.
“Post a notice and then leave. Those who failed should gather for a retest after work tomorrow. I’ll oversee it personally.”
Pia’s eyes sparkled, “P-Professor, you’ll personally oversee the retest?”
“Wouldn’t it be better for someone with a general understanding of difficulties to do it?”
The Hero responded.
“Ugh. Thank you.”
For her, who had been struggling with selecting retest questions, it was like salvation.
Pia quickly finished writing the notice and gratefully bowed deeply to the Hero, who willingly took on the task.
“Well then, I’ll leave now! Thank you!”
Tadadak-
Pia’s footsteps quickly faded away.
Hearing the hurried echoes, the Hero closed his eyes.
The comfortable support of the chair embraced him.
‘Good.’
A space that felt unfamiliar and tense just a few months ago.
But now I felt like I was back in a home I never had.
‘Good.’
Experiencing new emotions was always welcomed.
* * *
The children headed toward the “retest venue” as if being dragged to a slaughterhouse.
Feeble footsteps.
Compassionate gazes were directed at colleagues in the same situation.
They looked at each other, sharing the unspoken pain.
Gerald broke the long silence, “The retest won’t be easy, will it?”
“I feel like I’ll fail again this time… Should I bother taking the retest?”
“Our assistant is good, but why doesn’t she have any empathy?”
“She’s a scholar. How could she understand the feelings of ignoramuses like us?”
“Ugh, I’d prefer physical training instead!”
In addition to their listless steps, there was one more commonality among them.
—Fatigue-filled, weary eyes.
The retest notice had been posted yesterday afternoon.
It was much earlier than anticipated, so the weary children, burning the midnight oil, had to rush to the study room immediately to open their books and read even a single line more.
“Alright, let’s go in…”
The classroom door creaked open.
Gerald, leading the way, stood at the threshold, solid as a statue.
“What’s going on? Why are you like that?”
“Move, kid!”
One by one, the students who had slightly raised their heads came to a stop.
All their gazes fixated on the front of the room.
“…”
In the classroom bathed in warm sunlight with a view of the blue sky through the window, the Hero, who had been gazing outside, turned his head.
“How have you all been?”
At his voice, the children surged into the classroom like a wave.
There was a momentary bottleneck as some lost their balance, but soon everyone entered the classroom.
For some reason, Leciel, who was coming from behind, had somehow ended up stepping on Gerald’s fallen figure.
“Wow, Professor! Professor is here! When did you arrive?”
“Did you have a good time?”
“We missed you!”
“Please give us practical training!”
The children were surprisingly delighted to see him.
Is it because the affection has built up over the past few months?
The enrichment classes were useful and fun in their own way, but they couldn’t help but miss him.
The classroom quickly filled with laughter, questions, and cheerful voices.
Surprisingly, the Hero, without any restraint, displayed a faint smile in the midst of it.
“Did you go to meet your lover?”
Even such an absurd question didn’t provoke any anger.
The children continued to linger around him, chattering away.
“Whew….”
As the excitement gradually subsided, the children returned to their troubled expressions.
While it was delightful that the Hero had returned, they still had to take the exams.
“Did everyone prepare well for the retest?”
“Yes….”
Mutterings of varying tones emerged.
Some complained that they stayed up all night, while others found the study material challenging.
The Hero raised his hand to quell any discontent.
“If everyone studied so hard, there’s no need for another theory exam.”
….Wait a moment.
The children’s pupils began to tremble subtly.
“As a professor, I will replace the retest with practical training.”
Wait, then what was the purpose of studying last night?
“If you studied both the theory and practiced, you kill two birds with one stone.”
Looking at the broad back of the Hero leading the way.
The children couldn’t help but think they might have been too quick to welcome him back.
.
.
.
The practical training was like hell.
It felt like their breath was being cut off.
Gerald, who had been swinging his spear until he was on the verge of collapse against the onslaught of stuffed monsters, tried to get up but ended up putting his nose back on the floor.
There was no strength left in his fingers.
But, in a way, there was a refreshing feeling in one side of his chest.
“Have I… broken down?”
“It was just piled up.”
Karen and Evergreen, who were lying next to him, nodded as if in agreement.
No matter how much they trained alone, they couldn’t produce half the intensity when the Hero joined in.
The children, who had exhausted their strength to the point of almost dying, couldn’t shake off a refreshing feeling.
The Hero stood in front of them with a somewhat satisfied expression.
“During my absence, it seems you’ve worked reasonably hard.”
Stuffed monsters that had been thoroughly pierced, becoming targets.
The results were on a completely different level than when they first conducted the Demonology Anatomy practical training.
‘This should be a decent preparation to enter the Forest of Martial Arts.’
The Hero spoke.
“Everyone, pay attention. I will provide guidance related to the midterm exams taking place in two weeks.”
At his words, the children turned their heads in unison.
In reality, other lectures had already completed announcements regarding the exam format.
The only exception was Extreme.
The students, in both worry and anticipation, awaited to hear what kind of brutal and ruthless midterm exam their eccentric professor had prepared.
“The Extreme Midterm Exam will take place in the Forest of Martial Arts. Prepare yourselves mentally and physically.”
The Forest of Martial Arts.
Some students’ mouths slowly dropped open.
Only Cuculli asked calmly.
“The Forest of Martial Arts… where is that?”
HEL SCANS
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