TRPM 329

chapter 329

Contrary to my worries about whether Chloe could properly conduct a lecture on mental magic, her ability was remarkable.

At the very least, she seemed to know enough to teach mental magic lectures at the Academy.

Even more so…

“According to a paper the Director wrote previously, by using mental magic, one can block electrical signals originating in the nervous system to suppress pain…”

I was astonished to see that she knew things that were generally unknown, information that could only be discovered by searching through academic papers.

“Oh my. That paper wasn’t well-known because it was an inefficient method, but you seem to know it well,”

Director Shin Hanji seemed equally impressed by Chloe. It was hard to believe that Chloe had only recently awakened her mental magic abilities and studied enough in such a short time to acquire this level of knowledge.

Ah, of course…

“I understand what Chloe is saying, but this seems too difficult for ordinary Academy students. Shouldn’t we start by explaining the basic theory first?”

To properly learn mental magic, one must first understand psychology, neuroscience, and anatomy. Only then can a student properly enter the study of mental magic.

But what Chloe was explaining to me now wasn’t at the introductory level—it was material for students who had already mastered mental magic to some degree.

In short, it far exceeded the level of the Academy. It was knowledge more suited to professionals researching mental magic in psychiatric departments than to field operatives.

“Even if it’s basic theory… where should we start teaching?”

“That’s true,”

Chloe said, appearing troubled, and Director Shin Hanji agreed.

“It seems we need to create prerequisite courses in psychology and neuroscience before students can study mental magic. Only after completing those can they begin mental magic courses…”

“But… who will teach the psychology and neuroscience lectures?”

“Let Chloe as the provisional instructor handle them. From what I just saw, she seems to know the theory well… and any gaps she has can be supplemented with college-level textbooks.”

Originally…

“Very few students will even attempt mental magic, so having lectures in mental magic, psychology, and neuroscience just once a week should be sufficient.”

Director Shin Hanji spoke as if the decision had already been made. Chloe seemed relieved as she realized she only needed to teach three lectures a week.

“Um… Hanji?”

“Yes?”

“How many lectures will I need to give in a week?”

Seeing Chloe, Woo Jimin asked anxiously. Director Shin Hanji seemed to consider something before answering Woo Jimin.

“Well… quite a few students want to use guns as secondary weapons… so… roughly…”

Around ten times a week?

“Ugh…”

“Don’t worry. Each lecture will only take about an hour.”

“No… isn’t there another instructor teaching marksmanship?”

“No. Very few awakeners even use guns as their main weapon.”

Hearing this, Woo Jimin slumped in despair, though in reality, this schedule was fairly lenient. In swordsmanship, even with three instructors, students wanting to learn the sword meant each instructor often had to give 40 hours of lectures per week. Of course, with more instructors now, it’s reduced to about 20 hours per week.

‘Still, that’s nearly twice as busy as Woo Jimin.’

I thought, watching Chloe.

“Only three hours a week… that’s too relaxed, isn’t it…?”

She seemed to think that since Woo Jimin was teaching ten hours a week, her own workload felt too light. Director Shin Hanji shook his head at her misconception.

“Those three hours are only lectures. You’ll also need to supervise duels between students or handle occasional overtime tasks. And later, when Geonwoo becomes a student, you’ll assist me in teaching him magic.”

“Oh…”

Chloe nodded, seemingly remembering something. Wait… she’s coming with me when I get taught magic?

‘Judging by today’s lecture, she seems skilled enough. But can she really assist Director Shin Hanji effectively?’

No, more importantly…

‘Judging by their conversation, this seems to have been decided even before testing her skills today…’

I had no idea what kind of agreement had been made.

“…Do I have to do that too?”

“If you’re not giving lectures, many students will likely ask you to act as a referee. Besides, you’re a doll now—you don’t need sleep and don’t get tired.”

I know she stays up at night watching comics in her room.

“Eventually, I might even make you a dormitory supervisor for the girls’ dormitory.”

“No… please…”

Woo Jimin reacted strongly to Director Shin Hanji’s words. She doesn’t sleep, does she? Thinking back, Arthur in England also didn’t seem to sleep much. So, in Korea, I used to go out at night hunting criminals with Yeon Mirae and myself.

‘I never thought about it, but it makes sense. Dolls don’t need sleep.’

Considering that, having Woo Jimin as dorm supervisor might actually be ideal. It doesn’t mean a dorm supervisor should never sleep, but one who doesn’t sleep is more reliable in emergencies.

“Even so, it’s not as much work as I thought. I’d enjoy the free time, though given my salary, I’d understand if it were much busier…”

“Of course. I’m providing maximum support so Academy students receive the best education, and instructors can teach at their highest capability.”

The working conditions seem generous, but even these conditions are barely sufficient. At other academies, instructors with this skill level could earn more than enough without actually being instructors. Even with Director Shin Hanji setting high salaries, the instructors here are extremely capable.

“…You’ve really become an impressive person.”

At that moment, Woo Jimin looked at Director Shin Hanji with a newfound admiration. Maybe she realized just how much support he provides to students and instructors.

“Why, starting to respect me?”

“No, not really.”

Even so, I wouldn’t say I respect a friend. Woo Jimin waved her hands in denial, and Director Shin Hanji laughed as if he hadn’t expected it. Woo Jimin also laughed.

“…Ah!”

After a brief laugh, she looked at me as if she had remembered something.

“Sorry, Geonwoo. You must have been bored with the adults talking?”

Not really. Of course, it was a bit frustrating being left out, but I decided to let that go.

“I’ll buy lunch today.”

“…Alright.”

Of everyone here, only Woo Jimin would be short on money. Director Shin Hanji was obviously rich, Chloe Greenwood had made a fortune as a movie actress, and I occasionally earned hefty rewards tackling difficult dungeons at the request of the Korean Awakener Association.

But Woo Jimin had no personal weapons yet, Director Shin Hanji hadn’t allowed her to enter dungeons, and she hadn’t received a salary as an instructor…

‘She basically has no wealth.’

So why could she confidently offer to pay for lunch?

“Hanji.”

“Yeah. Just put it on credit, okay?”

It’s nothing. Just borrowing money from Director Shin Hanji. She’s confident she can repay it once she receives her own weapon and salary.

‘…Wait. Is the money Shin Hanji spent to make Woo Jimin’s weapon considered a debt too?’

…Better not overthink it. If it counts as debt, it’ll be Woo Jimin, not me, who struggles later.

After lunch, Han Geonwoo returned home. Naturally, the remaining people were Director Shin Hanji, Woo Jimin, and Chloe Greenwood.

“So, Provisional Instructor Chloe?”

“Yes.”

“How does it feel to meet someone you like after a long time?”

“Uhh…”

Chloe Greenwood didn’t respond properly to Director Shin Hanji’s mischievous comment.

“Wow… she’s really into him.”

Seeing Chloe like that, Woo Jimin shook her head. Even from her perspective as someone from 200 years ago, Chloe’s state was serious.

“Chloe, no matter how mature he seems, he’s still a minor.”

Chloe avoided her gaze. Everyone knew Geonwoo was an artist, but his identity as a “Rewinder” wasn’t public.

‘…Wait a minute.’

Chloe remembered what Director Shin Hanji had suggested earlier.

[Chloe, why don’t you try giving a lecture to Geonwoo once?]
[…Me?]
[Yes. Geonwoo already knows some magic.]

Han Geonwoo, or the Artist, was widely known to be extremely skilled; his magic was no joke. Yet Director Shin Hanji spoke as if Geonwoo couldn’t use magic well.

‘Why? Director Shin Hanji must know Geonwoo’s true skill…’

Thinking this, Chloe met the director’s gaze.

‘It’s simple.’

“?!”

Chloe was startled by the sudden voice but soon realized it came from Director Shin Hanji. She also realized it was sent via message magic, not spoken aloud.

‘Jimin doesn’t know how strong Geonwoo is.’

“…Huh?”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing…”

What kind of bizarre joke is this? Did I misunderstand Korean? Chloe told Woo Jimin it was nothing serious. Meanwhile, Director Shin Hanji continued sending messages to Chloe via magic.

‘Jimin thinks Geonwoo is someone she needs to protect. It’s a misunderstanding, but I find it amusing.’
‘I’ve also blocked her from accessing the internet to look up Geonwoo.’

So…

‘Can I also quietly stay out of it, Provisional Instructor Chloe?’
‘…Yes.’

Chloe sent a message back. Honestly, she was a bit surprised by Woo Jimin’s misconception, but…

‘…This will be fun.’

Technically, it involved making her new friend look foolish, but Chloe seemed eager to participate in Director Shin Hanji’s prank.