The entrance ceremony itself was simple and proceeded quickly. The host introduced the academy to the students in the predetermined order.

The significance of the academy's existence and how it divides courses according to professions and characteristics, among other things.

Next came the introduction of the faculty members.

- First, let me introduce the professors responsible for the mandatory subjects.

The named professors stood up and greeted the audience lightly. They began with swordsmanship, spear techniques, and martial arts, extending to the professors in charge of the magic department.

- This year, I will also introduce all the general subject instructors and part-time lecturers.

Then it was time for the general subjects. Unlike the mandatory subjects, all professors were called in one go.

Si-hyun stood up, following the person next to him. He observed the others, bowing to the students in the same manner.

His shiny white hair sparkled under the lights, swaying as he moved.

Among the students watching, there was Kwon Jae-woo. He stared at the podium with trembling eyes.

‘Isn’t she a fellow freshman…?’

He thought he could see her again at the academy. As expected, he was able to see her again. However, she was not a student but a professor. Of course, she was a part-time lecturer.

“Wow, who is that? She's so pretty.”  
“Is she a foreigner? Her eyes are golden, right?”

A few freshmen near Jae-woo whispered in low voices. Without realizing it, Jae-woo focused on their conversation.

“But they say she's a professor for general subjects?”  
“That’s not too important for grades, right? Should we attend her lectures?”

Listening to the boys' conversation, Jae-woo pondered. The grades at the academy didn’t just evaluate skills. They became a crucial aspect when writing self-introductions later on. This was because they could help in getting into famous or successful guilds.

What if he achieved good grades and received a recommendation from a well-known professor? It might grant him a free pass to a major guild. Such were the connections among hunters.

For this reason, many students carefully chose their professors even for general subjects.

‘I should think about it a bit more.’

Jae-woo shook his head. There was no need to make a hasty decision.

* * *

After the entrance ceremony ended, time naturally flowed by, and the date for course registration approached.

Due to the academy's one-year educational program, there were no senior-junior relationships among students. However, communities discussing topics related to the academy did exist.

Many novice hunters often shared information there.

Jae-woo, as a new student, was no different.

Which professor was recommended? Which professors should be avoided? There were also professors who were a bit difficult but had much to offer, and so on. He had memorized various bits of information in his mind.

Jae-woo checked the time displayed on the bottom of his monitor. Only a few minutes were left.

He would quickly secure the courses with high priority first and then register for the general subjects he had in mind.

Thoughts he had repeated multiple times ran through his head. Jae-woo stared at the monitor again.

The time shown on the monitor changed second by second.

50 minutes, 55 minutes.

57 minutes.

58 minutes.

…10 o'clock sharp!

Jae-woo's fingers moved swiftly. The sound of his typing echoed in the room.

‘Essential courses secured!’

Although there were some regrets, he had managed to choose well. Next, Jae-woo checked the list of general subjects. The list of courses was displayed in a row.

[1. Introduction to Monster Studies. Enrollment limit—]

“Crazy…!”

There was an unexpected variable. The community had said that the enrollment limits for general subjects were lenient.

But the number displayed boldly.

Enrollment limit: 15.

Current enrollment: 14.

Was the thought of the students whispering during the entrance ceremony not just a few opinions? Was it because the position was well-exposed?

He didn’t know the reason. But what mattered now was not that! Jae-woo hastily clicked the course registration button.

With the click of the mouse.

Jae-woo swallowed hard.

Please, please, please. Let it be successful!

A brief moment of loading. Jae-woo frowned deeply as he stared at the monitor screen.

And then.

“Nice——!”

Without realizing it, Jae-woo thrust his clenched fist upward with all his might.

A pose of victory!

He successfully became the last student to enroll in Introduction to Monster Studies! It was a very close call.

“Hehe….”

Jae-woo chuckled as he entered the community. Surely other new students would start gathering one by one.

Should he enjoy the screams of the losers?

[Why is course registration so intense? lol]  
[Wait, why did Introduction to Monster Studies fill up so quickly?]  
[Excuse me, I’d like to ask a question.]  
[I’m running to ask a question lol]  
[What the hell... what is this....]

Jae-woo lightly scanned the list of posts. He clicked on a post that had something in common with him.

[Title: Wait, why did Introduction to Monster Studies fill up so quickly?]  
[Oof]  

When I tried to apply, it was already full. Is it true that the limit is 15 people?

- There are similar subjects anyway. You can just take those.  
    └ Didn’t you see during the entrance ceremony? How can you manage to enroll?  
    └ That’s true lol.  
- There wasn’t much information about the professors. That’s why I passed.  
    └ Seriously lol.  
    └ Me too lol. I passed because I didn’t want to gamble.  
- I’m so envious of the 15 who succeeded.  
- lololol. I did that first.  
    └ This guy seems suspicious.  
    └ ? Why the fight?  
    └ Just because lol.  
    └ lolololololol.  
- I just applied because it was at the top.  
    └ Damn, move aside. That’s my spot.  
    └ ㅋ I don’t want to.

Jae-woo chuckled as he enjoyed the comments. The taste of victory was very sweet.

* * *

A short time passed again. Finally, the academy’s semester began.

There wasn’t a separate building for general subjects in the academy. Therefore, Introduction to Monster Studies was conducted in a classroom of a building primarily for close-combat hunters.

Next to it was a large gym, and the building where the professors' offices were located wasn’t far away.

Students with some free time strolled around the academy grounds, taking in the scenery. Then, as the lecture time approached, they started to enter the building one by one.

In a relatively small classroom, 15 students gathered closely together.

After a moment.

Clack, clack—

The sound of dress shoes echoed as a woman stood next to the podium near the blackboard. The students’ gazes converged on her.

“……Hello, everyone.”

A beautiful and melodic voice. A few male students couldn’t help but smile.

“I am Jeong Si-hyun, responsible for Introduction to Monster Studies.”

Si-hyun skillfully operated the projector.

As the machine booted up, Si-hyun momentarily fell into contemplation.

She had intentionally set the enrollment limit for the lecture low. Would it really fill up completely? She wondered.

But in reality?

Si-hyun looked toward the students. 15 students, the enrollment was full.

The pleasant start made her heart flutter.

It wasn’t a large number, and perhaps because she had practiced enough, she didn’t feel overly nervous.

Now, the real beginning starts! Si-hyun took a deep breath as she looked at the screen.

Hoo—!

The computer’s standby screen reflected on the screen.

“Today is the first day, so I will just check attendance and briefly introduce the syllabus and upcoming lectures.”

Holding a folder of documents, Si-hyun called out the students' names one by one. Whenever the novice hunters heard their names, they responded energetically.

“Kwon Jae-woo.”  
“Yes!”

Jae-woo, who was sitting in the front, answered vigorously. However, Si-hyun lightly nodded and moved on to the next student. Jae-woo felt a slight disappointment.

After that, a few students exhibited unique reactions, but Si-hyun smiled lightly and moved on.

Once attendance was finished, Si-hyun introduced herself.

“Many have asked if I’m a foreigner, so I’ll clarify first. I am indeed Korean, but I have returned after living in a distant place for a long time.”

She shared vague information. The students roughly assumed she had lived abroad for a long time.

Of course, some people had doubts about her eye color, but they didn’t think deeply about it. It wasn’t particularly important.

“My rank is… D-rank Hunter. However, I am well-acquainted with not only E-D rank dungeons but also C-rank dungeons, so there’s no need to worry too much.”

After all, not many students had signed up for this class expecting that. Furthermore, this wasn’t a practical lecture. The theory was something even D-rank hunters could master sufficiently. Everyone nodded quietly.

“In the future, you will learn various information about monsters through diverse audiovisual materials. I hope you gain a deep understanding of the ecology, characteristics, and combat methods of each monster.”

It was a standard introduction. However, a few students tilted their heads

, feeling puzzled.

‘Monster ecology?’

It was indeed written in the syllabus. Therefore, students felt even stranger.

Unless near a rampaging gate, monsters could only be seen by entering a dungeon.

How could one possibly know about the ecology of those creatures?

Some students began to harbor distrust toward the professor.

“As you may know, monsters can also be classified through a classification chart. This——”

Si-hyun continued introducing the lecture. She delivered the lines she had prepared and practiced without a hitch, observing the students’ reactions.

Some yawned, and occasionally, others were distracted by their smartphones, but for the most part, they listened attentively.

As the lecture progressed smoothly, Si-hyun felt a small sense of relief.

“That’s all. The lecture introduction has been lengthy.”

Si-hyun checked the time and glanced around at the students.

“Lastly, do you have any questions?”

For a brief moment, silence fell over the classroom.

Did no one have any curiosities? Si-hyun tilted her head. She thought, ‘I explained it clearly, so that must be it?’ as she organized her documents.

Just as Si-hyun was about to wrap up her first lecture.

One student raised their hand vigorously.

“Professor! Why do we need to learn about monster ecology?”  
“…Ecology, you say.”

Si-hyun paused to think for a moment. She quickly organized her thoughts and spoke.

“Ecology is also an important subject. It allows us to understand the behavioral patterns and characteristics of each monster.”

Even in this world, there were systematically organized materials. Si-hyun read whenever she had time.

The student who had raised their hand became quiet.

Si-hyun nodded lightly and continued.

“Well then, today’s lecture—”

As Si-hyun was about to finish the lecture, that same student raised their hand again with vigor.

“Professor! No, how on earth do you know about monster ecology? It’s strange!”

With the student's outburst, several nearby nodded in agreement. A supportive atmosphere began to form.

Si-hyun looked back at the student.

What was strange? She didn’t understand. It was valuable information, and she had prepared diligently for the cute students.

However, due to the tone of the student’s statement, Si-hyun felt a small wave of emotions stir within her, but she calmed down slowly.

Upon further reflection, it seemed reasonable for them to be curious.

If so, she just needed to explain it step by step.

Let them know how precious the knowledge they would gain was. Prepare them to be amazed at the ambitious lectures she had planned.

“That’s a good question.”

Si-hyun began to speak calmly.