Chapter 15: Strongest Teacher
Though not as much as in the early days when Gates and Awakened first appeared, people still say that if an A-class comes out in the Awakening Test, one’s future life changes.
Adults.
That is, the reality is that adults still go around saying A-class is more of a lottery win than winning first place in the lottery with all 5 lines marked with the same numbers.
Middle school age.
At that young age before even becoming mature.
“Both are A-class!”
How surprised must the twins have been to hear such words.
Children who gained tremendous power overnight.
Instant rise in status from illegitimate children of a prestigious family.
Their mother who raised them alone cried staying up all night saying she is finally being rewarded.
Just in the early days, A-class was even introduced in the media as those possessing god’s power.
Excluding the few Returnees in the whole world.
S-class, A-class, B-class, C-class, D-class, F-class.
Because it was the second highest rank among the 6 ranks.
Even at present, the number of Returnees and S-class combined is only 13 in the whole world.
13 out of 7 billion.
Because there aren't that many.
No, not just not many, but because they are extremely few.
It was certain that just becoming A-class changed one’s life, and they were talents the country had to treat preciously.
High-rank ability and power that can change such a life.
Since immature middle school students obtained that.
Even if they didn't become crooked.
They were bound to think they were special people, or have some sense of elitism settle in their hearts.
Mighty power dwelling in an imperfect mind and body.
The twins were thinking that they were chosen.
Until now.
“No, we don't know why we have to be punished!”
“You seem to know about Jin-ho. We told you we never bullied Jin-ho?”
A student stating his conviction.
Voice against injustice.
Since even a teacher can be wrong, it might look like opening his mouth representing the children.
However.
“No, the one who bullied is another guy. I absolutely can't understand why we have to receive this kind of punishment.”
Twin with an earring on the right.
Im Jong-il, who was born 1 minute earlier, muttered to himself.
Then, the younger brother Im Jong-sin, with an earring on the left, turned his head.
Toward the group of Class A who stopped the duck walk.
Toward Kang Tae-wook who was in it.
“That guy usually argues point by point with the teacher if something like this happens, so why is he staying without a word today?”
“Right. He buttered up all other teachers with his good image and Hunter Association dad connection.”
Although the twins spoke in small voices, those voices entered Kang Tae-wook’s ears accurately.
Actually, they know.
Because they did it on purpose.
“…….”
Although Kang Tae-wook’s gaze was clearly heading toward the twins, his mouth was firmly closed.
Kang Tae-wook with strong pride isn't a guy to be like this.
The twins’ brows furrowed.
Even though they continued to send gazes with sharp eyes, Kang Tae-wook did not spit out any words.
Unable to endure, the twins made eye contact this time and spoke clearly.
“Why are you staying still today, Kang Tae-wook? There is no way you would receive punishment obediently like this.”
“There is no guy in school who doesn't know that every teacher walks on eggshells around you. Why can't you move a muscle against that teacher?”
Twins pinpointing Kang Tae-wook’s name.
And a remark crossing the line enough to touch the nerves of Kang Tae-wook, who built a model student image and reigned as a king.
It was something only the twins, no one else, could do.
The top prospect of the 2nd years is Kang Tae-wook, but the twins were also prospects not falling behind him.
Even if individual ability and power are behind.
If the twins combine their abilities, even Kang Tae-wook cannot guarantee absolute victory.
“…….”
However, Kang Tae-wook did not fall for their provocation this time either.
On top of that, to avoid getting involved with them, he even turned his head and avoided their gaze.
It was the first time.
That the guy with strong pride who adhered only to the overwhelming 1st place avoided a fight picked first.
The twins were surprised and met each other's eyes.
Because there had never been a time like this until now.
“Why is he being like that, today?”
“He’s a completely different person.”
They probably won't be able to know.
Why Kang Tae-wook is being like this.
As if he is a different person.
Why he is staying quiet.
They.
Because they don't know the matter at the Incinerator.
“Ha……. It’s more annoying because of that guy.”
A voice was heard toward the twins who were frowning.
“You guys don't know why you are being punished?”
A voice that became close before they knew.
When the twins turned their heads, Yoo jin had approached the front of the group.
“Yes. Looking at you talking about bullying, you seem to know everything. We are not the ones who bullied Jin-ho.”
“That’s right! The ringleader is separate! We told you we never bullied Jin-ho even once.”
The twins spoke to Yoo jin as if they were wronged.
“Never bullied even once…….”
Yoo jin, who was muttering to himself, directed his gaze toward Jin-ho who was looking only at the ground like a sinner.
Darkened expression.
He didn't know where to put his eyes, as if this situation itself was uncomfortable.
“Are you certain?”
At Yoo jin’s voice, the twins reacted violently enough to shake their earrings.
“Of course!”
“We can bet everything! We have never bullied Jin-ho even once.”
Sincerity.
Sincerity was contained in the twins’ voices.
Because they were honorable.
Rather, it was to the point of feeling wronged.
Yoo jin, who looked down at the twins for a long time, slowly opened his mouth.
“The guy who bullies is clearly the worst guy but…… there is another guy just as bad, do you know who that is?”
At Yoo jin’s question, the twins could not answer immediately.
No, they couldn't answer.
Because the eyes of Yoo jin they were facing were sharp like a knife.
“Guys who watch a classmate being bullied and just stand by.”
Heavy atmosphere continued.
Shade fell on the twins’ faces.
“Well, you could say that too. Do we absolutely have to help?”
“…….”
“Right, correct words. You might not be able to help. You might not feel like helping. Well, maybe because the ringleader or whatever was strong, you couldn't give help.”
Yoo jin too, 100 years ago.
Since he committed a similar wrong, he knew well.
That the thing called sense of justice is something possessed by a minority of people.
That most people just stand by.
That it is not wrong.
Yoo jin also knows well.
Because he knows that, he is not disciplining just with that.
“But you know.”
Yoo jin captured not only the twins but the entire Class A in his eyes.
First, it starts from here.
Gathering the class as one.
That bullying, that ostracizing.
Is wrong.
That it is not unrelated.
That something that seemed like only other people's business.
Could become my business.
To inform them.
“Do you know who is the dirtier guy than the guy who bullies and the guy who watches being bullied and stands by? The guy who says he is not at fault because he didn't bully.”
Silence continued behind Yoo jin’s voice.
There must be guys who want to object.
There must be guys who acknowledge.
Yoo jin also doesn't think this education is unconditionally the correct answer.
However, no matter how heartless the world has become.
There is something that shouldn't be forgotten.
You don't have to give help whittling your own bones.
At least.
His students.
He wanted them to firmly engrave in their hearts that thing which disappears gradually as one becomes an adult.
“You don't have to help. But don't become a person shameful to yourself.”
Silence flowed.
The expressions of the students who were in the group changed moment by moment.
Although what they felt was different respectively.
Everyone had an appearance lost in thought to the extent they couldn't spit out any words.
The Sparring Room became quiet enough that not even breathing sounds were heard.
Like that, after a little time passed.
Yoo jin, who was looking at the children with a small smile, moved his gaze to Jin-ho.
“You didn't do well either.”
Although he spoke in a strong tone, it is a word he must say at least once.
And because it is Yoo jin, he can say these words.
Because he saw at the first meeting.
Jin-ho weighing his life.
And he spoke because he knows it will be different now.
The result of training left on the tree on the cliff.
Because he saw Jin-ho struggling until his school uniform top was all wet.
“It might not be to your liking. I think you might feel it is coercive.”
It has to be so.
Although most of the students' faces had complicated expressions.
Minority.
Because on the faces of a few, beyond not accepting Yoo jin’s words, there were expressions where even hostility was felt.
However, Yoo jin expected even this.
Because this method is a method he tried often even when in the otherworld.
Alkarthus’s Noble Academy.
Something he already experienced when being a professor in that place where only children of royalty and high-ranking nobles were.
And even to Evil Gods.
Therefore, he also knew the solution.
Very well.
Yoo jin opened his mouth while capturing the twins glaring at him in his eyes.
“Looking at it, they said you can use Unique Skills under educator guidance or supervision in this sparring hall.”
The twins’ eyebrows wiggled.
“You two, you don't like me, right?”
The twins’ surprise at Yoo jin’s direct word choice was also brief.
Yoo jin pulled the corners of his lips all the way up.
“If you're salty, attack. Using skills or whatever, if you inflict even one hit on me, the corporal punishment is over. And I will withdraw everything I just said and apologize.”
Provocation.
No, before that.
Does it make sense for a teacher to ask a student to fight?
There has never been a teacher like this until now.
When the twins could not open their mouths readily.
Yoo jin raised his hand.
“I will use only this one finger.”
Yoo jin showed his index finger to the twins and smiled playfully.
At that appearance, the twins frowned even more than before.
“No, is it okay for a teacher to pick a fight with a student?”
“Still, if you are a teacher, you must have real combat experience too.”
Yoo jin shook his head.
“Think of it as part of the class. Yes, practical training. I won't use magic or skills absolutely either. Yes, ma…… I won't use mana either. For real.”
He provoked the twins by wiggling his finger as if teasing.
“You guys said you couldn't understand my corporal punishment? Here is the Sparring Room, and it's my class time. Sparring with a teacher as practical training. Even the advantage of using only a finger! Keu-eu, it’s a chance to take off the rank badge legally.”
The twins couldn't understand if the one standing in front of them was truly a teacher.
It was understandable.
“No matter if you are a teacher. Dealing with us with only one finger without even using magical power doesn't make sense.”
“We are A-class. You should bluff in moderation.”
“Who said it’s bluff. Brats. Pour out everything you guys can do. Even then you won't be able to hit me even once.”
The twins bit their lips simultaneously.
They don't ignore the teacher.
Since he is doing teacher work at Taewoon High called prestigious, well, being strong to some extent would be an established fact.
However
They are A-class.
And among them, prospects next to Kang Tae-wook.
To deal with such selves with one finger.
No matter if today is the first class.
“Teacher proposed it.”
“We gave you chances to withdraw several times.”
The one who crossed the line was not them, but the teacher side.
Newly arrived homeroom teacher, Yoo jin.
Beyond ignoring them, he treated them as riffraff.
The twins’ expressions became serious.
“Of course! You will have to do your best. Brats. Just as I said I will apologize if you win, if you guys lose, don't talk back to my education from now on. And…….”
Grin.
A big smile was built on Yoo jin’s face.
“If you lose, it’s duck walk plus finger flick of love.”
***
Although they felt uncomfortable while accepting the proposal.
Inside, a thick sense of pleasure was felt.
Because the new homeroom teacher Yoo jin, babbling strange sounds, drove them as bad guys.
In addition to that, since he even treated them as riffraff.
A-class, chosen ones.
Themselves whose starting line itself is different.
They didn't like it.
Anger surged beyond annoyance.
Probably it was more so because of Kang Tae-wook’s attitude.
To deal with them with one finger.
Themselves who cannot distinguish superiority even with the top prospect Kang Tae-wook if the two combine forces.
“We go with full power in one shot.”
“Isn't it dangerous? What do we do if he dies.”
“Don't worry. Although he bluffed, if he sees our skill, he will probably be surprised and lower his tail immediately.”
“Right? That’s right. Since the sum of our skills is the best.”
“Right, let’s just scare him a little.”
As soon as the twins’ words ended.
The older brother Im Jong-il raised his right hand high.
Pats!
Then a giant sword appeared in the air.
A sword that looked easily 10 meters long.
This giant sword was Im Jong-il’s skill.
Ability to control that giant sword freely without holding with hands.
And the younger brother Im Jong-sin’s ability is.
“Gravis.”
Increasing the weight of the target he designated.
Up to maximum 100 times.
The weight of the sword the older brother summoned is 1 ton.
Added with the younger brother’s skill there, the current sword’s weight approached 100 tons.
And that sword.
“Teacher brought it upon himself!”
Started to advance like a bullet at high speed.
The expressions of the children watching this sank.
Because everyone knew.
That attack is top-tier among physical attacks.
That even if wrapped in magical power and armor, if hit squarely, life and death cannot be guaranteed because it is strong.
Such an attack.
“Haa…….”
The teacher called Yoo jin declared he would block with only one finger without magical power.
While yawning instead of taking a defensive stance.
Composure?
No, that is a suicide act.
A few children who were in the group started whispering.
That they have to stop it.
That they have to shout to dodge.
That an irreversible thing will happen.
Anxiety covered the group.
However
Only two people.
Only Kang Tae-wook and Jin-ho were looking at Yoo jin closing their mouths firmly.
Shooooo―.
Making a sound as if a rocket is tearing the atmosphere, the falling giant sword.
The sword reaching 100 tons gained acceleration and was falling with stronger force.
Kugugugu!
The sword falling while tearing the air reached right in front of Yoo jin’s nose.
Nevertheless, Yoo jin was not showing big movement.
Thought to defend.
And thought to dodge.
When it became this point, the ones who became anxious instead were…….
“What are you doing! Dodge!”
“You really die!”
It was the twins.
Because they know well.
Their power.
That tremendous physical damage where the two’s skills are combined.
Decent Hunters active in the field.
Among them, dealers who can produce this much physical damage would be counted on fingers.
Just that they cannot be deployed in actual combat because they are young.
If considering only the attack power of that sword right now, it was enough to work even on monsters of A-class dungeons.
Same type of magic. No, even the exact same attack.
The difference between general magic and ability designated as Unique Skill is the difference between heaven and earth.
That is why those with nature-attribute Unique Skills were called nobles.
Well, it’s the same principle.
The story that that sword is not just 100 tons of weight pressing down.
“Damn it, raise magical power quickly! If you don't use mana, even other teachers can't block that attack!”
“Dodge first, and let’s talk again!”
Now skill cancellation is impossible.
Therefore, there was nothing they could do.
Only waiting for an irreversible accident.
At that moment.
“Hey, twins. This is today’s lesson, listen well.”
Yoo jin, who didn't take any stance until now, stretched his hand forward.
Lightly.
Then the tip of the rapidly falling sword body touched Yoo jin’s finger.
“Don't think your common sense is unconditionally the correct answer. Brats have to be awake always.”
Press!
As Yoo jin gave strength to his finger…….
Kwagwagwang!!
With tremendous light, the giant sword exploded.