Practical Monster Training

"Ahyeong, I'm going now."

Fortunately, she didn't seem to press for sex again or make any demands with her gaze. After finishing the cleanup blowjob and a quick lunch from the lunchbox, I was ready to part.

"Yeah… If, by any chance, your sexual desire suddenly flares up, feel free to find me…"

"Sure. Thanks. I feel much better now."

"Umm."

Now, she was quite straightforward about it, without any hesitation. Yet, when it came to sex, she was demanding something more, almost like a form of blackmail. I wasn't sure how to handle it.

I left the infirmary and glanced at the time—it was 12:50. With just 10 minutes left before my exam at 1 o'clock, I didn't need to rush. So, I leisurely strolled to the exam hall to help my digestion.

"Oh, right. I should give Soorin Noona a call." After having lunch, there were some matters to discuss.

[Me: Noona, I hope I'm not bothering you, I know you're busy. But there are quite a few troublesome patients in the infirmary. I'm sure you understand. We need a clear plan for dealing with them.]

A quick response came.

[Soorin Noona: Got it. I'll bring it up with the chairman.]

[Me: Thank you. Best of luck!]

It appeared that Moon Soorin was occupied, as she didn't reply again. Well, she had a lot on her plate. Although it was like handling a teaspoon of trouble in her busy schedule, I couldn't let Ahyeong become a spectacle.

"I'll have to reschedule that dinner with Soorin. That Korean restaurant was fantastic."

Upon reaching the exam hall, I surveyed the scene. Several large training areas were set up, and Class A had gathered in a corner. I headed over to join the group.

"We've done this drill before, so I won't go into all the details. One by one, step onto the measurement magic circle, get your combat power measured, and then head into the training area. That's it." Professor Kim Jinhyuk gave us the instructions and went to another training ground.

It seemed like instructors from other classes were acting as judges as well. Given the size of the first-year class, the measurement process took a while. I found Lucy and Lumi and stuck close to them.

"Hoyeon, what did you have for lunch?"

"Lumi? I just grabbed something at the student cafeteria."

"We had lunch there too you know, but we didn't spot you."

"…Uh, I ate alone in a quiet corner."

If I was going to the student cafeteria, I would have invited them. But spending time with Baek Ahyeong was worth it.

In front of us, other students took turns stepping onto the measurement magic circle.

"I wonder how many points I'll score this time. Maybe I'll break through to the 8th level."

"Last time, it was the 7th level… so maybe, Lucy."

"I think so too. Lucy, you've really grown stronger."

"Have I? Hehe…" Lucy seemed pleased with the praise, tousling her blue hair.

In games, the main characters become significantly stronger as the story progresses. Lucy was no exception. Perhaps she'd easily reach the 8th level. Meanwhile, I had received a 5th level evaluation last time and had cleared up to the 7th level. I'd grown much stronger since then, and I wondered how many levels I could reach now.

"I'm going first!" Lucy quickly hopped onto the measurement magic circle. Before long, the number 8 appeared above Lucy's head.

"Alright! Level 8!"

"Congratulations, Lucy…!"

Lucy jubilantly bounced on the measurement magic circle, while Lumi, wanting to congratulate her but not daring to shout too loudly, whispered as if her words were half-heard.

"Why are you just grinning…?!"

"Lumi, just congratulate her openly, why the hushed tone?"

"Umm…"

Teasing the embarrassed Lumi, I also stepped onto the measurement magic circle.

"Please state your name… Ah, it's Lee Hoyeon, right? Please raise your hand."

"Yes."

Even though it was a professor I hadn't met before, it felt odd to be recognized. I raised my hand towards the blue magic device in the center of the magic circle.

Wooong—

The mana flowing from the magic device coursed through my body a few times before returning to the magic device.

[Measuring combat power. Please wait a moment.]

Last time, I scored at level 5, but I wonder what level I'll reach this time.

Soon, the number 8 appeared above my head.

"Class A, Lee Hoyeon. 8 points. Oh, you've risen by 3 levels compared to last time? You're certainly a promising student."

"That's right. Thank you."

Last time, people were questioning if I really belonged in Class A, but now I'm receiving praise, and it feels good.

"Wow, Hoyeon, you've gone up by 3 levels compared to the last measurement. Isn't that amazing?"

"Your growth rate is really fast… 8 levels are definitely solid, right? I'm at level 8 too."

"Nam Daeun is at level 10, so shouldn't he reach that level too? A 2-level difference is like night and day…" Other students who had already finished their measurements took an interest in my score.

Scoring 8 points is slightly above average. But expectations for me have already exceeded 8 points because of defeating ogres and the previously released videos of my magic. However, the reason I got an 8th level is that the measurement magic circle couldn't detect my special abilities.

My Battle Sense and Mana Sensitivity are responsible for most of my combat power, and when you measure without them, a lower result is expected. Last time, I cleared up to level 7, starting from level 5. Now that I've reached level 8, aiming for level 10 seems reasonable.

***

"Fire Chains."

Whoosh-! Sizzle-sizzle!

In a snap, a bunch of fire chains sprouted from the ground, ensnaring the last of those Luna Moths.

"Ugh, these cursed Luna Moth larvae."

It was a rather grotesque scene with those palm-sized moth creatures swarming in. It took an eternity to finally contain them all.

As they fluttered above me, they showered what seemed like paralyzing dust, but I managed to ward it off by cocooning myself within a rune barrier. I injected some mana into those fire chains, cranking up the flames. Those moths turned to ashes in the searing fire. After the paralysis powder surrounding my barrier vanished, I dropped the shield.

"Phew…"

[The test has concluded.]

The mana barriers encircling the training area faded away, and outside sounds started to trickle in.

"Hoyeon, good job!!! Keep it up!"

"Hoyeon, please stay strong…!"

I flashed a smile at Lucy and Lumi, who were at the front. Lucy had hit level 8, and Lumi was at level 7. By the way, the moths I just dealt with were at level 9. In practical monster training, with the nod from the overseeing professor, you could take on challenges up to 2 levels higher than your own combat power.

"Professor, I'm going for level 10."

"Lee Hoyeon, taking on level 10. Approved."

"I'll go right away, no breaks."

Despite these Luna Moths looking rather ordinary at first glance, my Battle Sense had my heart racing pretty fast. The combo of that paralyzing powder, which could practically immobilize you with a mere touch, and those fast and sturdy moths charging at you was beyond imagination. So I wanted to keep my current battle sense while tackling this.

[Summoning suitable opponent. Level 10. The Nightmare of the Hamel Dungeon is summoned.]

On the opposite side of the training ground, magic power started to surge.

Kru-rr-rr-rr-rr! Weird sounds echoed as an eerie darkness began to engulf the other side of the training area.

"Talk about no luck. It just had to be a nightmare."

"What's a nightmare? I've never even heard of it."

"Don't tell me you're unfamiliar with the Hamel Dungeon nightmare? That one blasted nightmare turned half of the Hamel Dungeon raid group into mental wrecks."

"Why on earth did they include something like that in the curriculum?"

Outside the training ground, the voices of students who seemed well-acquainted with this creature could be heard.

I dimly recalled reading about it in some paper. It was the case where, during the Hamel Dungeon raid, a party that had been progressing flawlessly, without a single casualty, went into chaos due to the mental attacks of a boss monster named the Nightmare. To describe its peculiarities, it's a creature that seems physically feeble but packs all its power into mental attacks.

"Student Lee Hoyeon. Facing the Hamel Dungeon Nightmare can leave you with lasting psychological scars even after the test. Do you want to go through with it?"

When the overseeing professor personally gave a warning like that, it's undoubtedly hazardous.

"Is there any chance to change my mind?"

"Yes."

"Well, I'll take this challenge."

If they were so concerned about the psychological impact, they shouldn't have included it in the first place. But, in any case, I didn't care. I was set on tackling it.

Thump-thump! My surging Battle Sense assured me that taking on such an unusual creature would be a breeze.

"The test is underway."

As the training ground was shrouded in mana, and communication with the outside was cut off, a pitch-black darkness from the opposite side began to close in, and an overwhelming sense of dread washed over me.

Kikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikikik!

Cooheeheehee? Cooheeheehee?

Krurrrr-? Krurrrrrrurrrr-!

"Save me! Save me! Hey, you, save me!" Just hearing it turned my stomach; it was a grotesque blend of eerie sounds and the screams of people that pierced my ears. And right in front of me was a scarecrow.

Its body was frail, and its hands and feet resembled bird talons, while a cloth stained with blood concealed its face. In one hand, it held a rusty sickle, swinging it about. Unconsciously, I used magic, "Ignition."

Keeeeeek! The scarecrow convulsed and then disintegrated into ashes.

"Well, that was unpleasant."

A nightmare can manifest various horrors, such as a tormented past, the death of a loved one, or a partner's betrayal. The scarecrow was clearly not the end of it, and I had been less than thrilled by its grotesque appearance right from the start of the battle.

"Sigh…" I took a deep breath, preparing for the impending mental onslaught. Mental attacks were fundamentally a form of mana-based assault. I was confident that I could handle them with Mana Sensitivity. While I might not be able to block them entirely, it was prudent to set up a rune barrier just in case.

I gathered mana to construct the barrier. Then, all of a sudden, my Battle Sense vanished.

Thump!

"…!"

Could this nightmare creature really be that potent…?

"The test has concluded."

"Huh?"

Along with my own baffled words, the surrounding darkness dissipated, and I met the stares of people looking at me.

"Student Lee Hoyeon, you've passed level 10."

The digital clock above the training ground displayed 9 seconds.

"9, 9 seconds?! Is that guy nuts?"

"It's a record. Completing level 10 in 9 seconds is an academy record!"

"Did you capture it on video? Hey! Let's go check out the recommended threads on EveryDay!"

"Just how strong must this student's mental fortitude be to confront the nightmare…"

Students and professors alike were riveted, buzzing with excitement. I grasped the situation when I heard the professor's words.

Clear Mental Strength…! There could be no other explanation. It was the special perk I gained when I arrived in this world. Clear Mental Strength included… immunity to mental attacks.

***

Crash!

Nam Daeun single-handedly vanquished the level 10 cyclops. The cyclops, bearing countless scars etched across its chest, succumbed to Daeun's prowess and ultimately closed its solitary eye.

Boom! As the cyclops toppled, it sent tremors through the ground. Nam Daeun, her sword sheathed, stood in a daze.

"Congratulations, Student Nam Daeun. You've successfully conquered level 10."

"…Thank you." Unable to disregard the professor's words, Nam Daeun managed a brief expression of gratitude before exiting the training grounds. Her completion time was a mere 30 seconds. She had maintained a reasonable pace, leaving no room for suspicion.

Practical monster training is secured as the top position.

Now, she only had the one-on-one duel left. She hoped that some of the pressure would ease off after the test. However, just as she was about to leave the training grounds, she froze upon catching snippets of the students' conversation.

"Hey, did you hear? They're saying Lee Hoyeon cleared level 10 in just 9 seconds!"

"What? Let's go check it out together!"

"9 seconds…?"

Level 10 wasn't originally designed to be cleared. It was evident from the fact that the cyclops from boss monster hunt was assigned at that level. It was a difficulty setting meant for more than a single student to tackle. But 9 seconds?

I won't believe it until I see it myself.

Nam Daeun hurriedly made her way to Lee Hoyeon's training area.