In the end, the children had easily cleared the dungeon without me, just as I had believed.
Of course, it was because they had already experienced clearing it and their instructor was Jisu Hyun.
And the fact that Jisu Hyun herself had declared that she would kill everyone if she didn't come in first.
With their lives on the line, it was a situation where they couldn't help but be desperate.
Was it because of that? The result was overwhelmingly dominant, to the point where no other class could catch up.
...Though the method was a problem.
"......For the first time in my life, I had to block other children with my body while clearing the dungeon. What on earth made you do such a thing?"
At Instructor Park Yun-ho's words, all the children in our class bowed their heads deeply and remained silent.
It seemed they had a conscience and knew that the method was wrong.
But they were also swept up in the atmosphere.
"......The attitude score is also included in the class ranking. However, with the way you behaved, it will be difficult to avoid a deduction."
It was a natural course of action.
After all, Seoul Hero Academy is a place to cultivate heroes, not hunters.
The other children also remained silent, acknowledging the situation without a word.
"Each class should return to the position they were in before the start. The scoring results will be announced as soon as they are available."
At that moment, Young-je raised his hand.
"Instructor, unlike other classes, it seems our instructor, Jisu Hyun, is not here......"
"Ah, you mean Instructor Jisu Hyun."
His calm expression suddenly crumpled.
"......Jisu Hyun was dragged away after causing a commotion while watching you. She was shouting, 'Well done, my kids!', 'That's how my students should be!'"
"Ah."
"......For now, return to your original positions."
It felt very much like Jisu Hyun.
A moment later, as all the classes returned to their original positions, a giant screen appeared in the air.
[I will now announce the scoring results for this 'Class Ranking Competition'.]
The screen began to change, and the score for Class A started to appear.
[Class A: -p]
Park Yun-ho's voice soon followed.
[Class A. Considering that you acted faster than anyone else, showed no hesitation in dealing with monsters, and were the first to handle the boss, you have earned 364 points, the same as last year's top class.]
[Class A: 364p]
The children rejoiced as if they had already secured first place.
However, a voice pierced through their cheers.
[But!]
The children's expressions hardened at the realization that there was another change.
[You will be deducted 300 points for obstructing other classes from entering the boss room.]
At the same time, the score on the screen dropped in real-time.
[Class A: 64p]
The score plummeted to the bottom.
As the children began to fall to the ground or show expressions of frustration,
[However.]
But there was still one more thing.
The scoring wasn't over yet.
[If we add the points for Han Yoo-jin of Class A, who cleared the hidden mob, the nine Golden Goblins, and the Golden Hobgoblin......]
The score rose dramatically.
[You have surpassed last year's top class by over 500 points.]
[Class A: 872p]
With such an overwhelming score difference, everyone looked at me with wide eyes.
Class A children, Jung Eun-hoon, and even Choi Yeon.
[I didn't expect to announce the first place right from the start. Congratulations. The first place is Class A.]
The sound of applause came from the instructors.
With the announcement of the overwhelming first place, the gazes turned to me.
[Next, I will announce the top 10 individuals who performed exceptionally well in this dungeon. They will receive a mentorship right to be mentored by a mentor of their choice.]
At the same time, names began to appear on the screen.
1. Han Yoo-jin
2. Choi Yeon
3. Kim Young-je
4. Jung Eun-hoon
5. Choi Kang-hyun
6. Alex Kim
7. Jin-woo Bifalt
8. Kim Se-ah
9. Anna Skovitch
10. Nakito Yoichi
[This concludes the 'Class Ranking Competition'. Students who received the mentorship right will receive detailed explanations from their respective instructors. There are no further plans, so return to your classes. That's all.]
As expected, all the members of 'Familia' successfully received the mentorship right.
It was only natural, considering how they had been stirring up the underground dungeons like their own living room recently. It would have been more surprising if they hadn't performed well in such a goblin dungeon.
The 'Class Ranking Competition' ended like that.
As our Class A children returned to the classroom in high spirits, Jisu Hyun, who was sitting on the teacher's desk with a smile, greeted us.
"You're here? My darlings."
Young-je, surprised by Jisu Hyun's unusual appearance, took a step back.
"......Instructor. You weren't at the playground, were you?"
"Maybe you don't know, but I saw you blocking the entrance to the boss room with your bodies, and the other instructors were jumping around. They were shouting to pull out those kids. I caused a commotion to stop them, and they chased me away."
Jisu Hyun laughed while recounting the situation.
"Keep doing what you did today. When others talk about morals, you focus on efficiency. Use everything to your advantage. That's the world, and that's the fastest way to become strong."
Jisu Hyun, who seemed proud, smiled and scanned us.
"There are no more classes today. You can all go home. Good job."
Hearing that they could go home earlier than usual, the children left with smiles, leaving only five of us in the classroom, including me.
Me, Jin-woo, Young-je, Se-ah, and Choi Kang-hyun.
"First, as per the academy's instructions, I plan to recommend mentors based on your combat styles and abilities. If you have any objections, let me know."
Jisu Hyun started giving advice, beginning with Young-je.
"You handle various types of magic, right? I recommend 'Rothi' from the Jamsil Magic Tower. She's a bit eccentric, but she's really skilled. As a combat mage who fights on the front lines, she will be a great help to you."
Next was Choi Kang-hyun.
"You, the hero of Busan. With your water manipulation ability, you would fit well with the uncle who has risen to the top in Busan. If he likes you, he might even give you a lot of gifts. Next is Jin-woo."
Jisu Hyun glanced at Jin-woo.
"Learn bloodline abilities from your father and dagger skills from Han Yeo-eun, the guild master of 'Artemis Guild.' She's a skilled enough to teach you something. And Se-ah...... how about learning from me? No complaints? I'm the best spatial mage in Asia."
Se-ah nodded quickly.
The last one was me.
"You're the biggest problem. I don't think anyone would be suitable for you."
It was a natural concern for Jisu Hyun, who knew my true identity.
My father, the head of the Calione family and known as the Emperor of the Night, and 'Farnello Lamici,' the hunting dog of Calione, who is currently in charge of my successor training, made it difficult to think of a suitable hero for me.
"Is there someone you have in mind?"
Jisu Hyun asked casually, perhaps thinking I would do something like that.
Indeed, she has good intuition.
"Yes, I do."
"Really? Who is it?"
The gazes of the other children, including Jisu Hyun, turned to me.
The hero I wanted to learn from. It was only natural that the other children were interested.
I slowly spoke the name of the person I wanted to learn from.
"Guak Chun-sik. I plan to learn from him."
"......What?"
Jisu Hyun looked puzzled, and the other children tilted their heads in confusion.
"Guak Chun-sik? Grandpa Chun-sik? The one who was called the best hero in Korea in the past? The Aura Master Guak Chun-sik?"
I nodded, and Jisu Hyun burst out laughing.
"Hey, you don't know? That old man is locked up in Gangwon-do because he caused trouble in his old age. Are you really going to ask him to be your mentor?"
"He's still listed in the Hero Association, isn't he? Isn't he an honorary director of the Korean Hero Association?"
"Sure, it's an honorary position, so he's just listed! Is an old man with many health issues even in a position to take on disciples?"
Guak Chun-sik.
He was a representative hero of Korea and one of the most powerful heroes in Korean history.
His ability, 'Innate Aura,' allowed him to strengthen his body or create objects using aura, and he was so skilled that he was called an 'Aura Master' abroad.
However, ten years ago, he suddenly stopped his hero activities due to his advanced age and now lives in 'Hero Silver Town' in Gangwon-do, where he is serving time for killing a villain who tried to kidnap his granddaughter.
"I will be accepted if I go."
"Ha, sure. There are rumors that he can't even recognize his own children. Hey, why are you specifically applying to him as a mentor? There are other people like Chun-sam."
His ability 'Innate Aura' was a bloodline ability that was inherited by his children.
Guak Chun-sam, his son, is still an active hero and serves as a director of the Korean Hero Association, making him a very strong individual.
He would likely be one of the top two in Korea.
But.
"I have nothing to learn from him."
Just being a strong hero won't do.
"Ha, so you really want to learn from Grandpa Chun-sik?"
I nodded, and Jisu Hyun sighed as if she was tired.
"......I'll write the recommendation letter, but if he refuses, you know I can't do anything about it, right?"
"Yes, I understand."
"......Alright. Bring back the mentors' consent forms by the end of this week. If it takes longer, just let the academy know. I'll write all the recommendation letters by tomorrow, so you can take them."
After explaining all the details, Jisu Hyun turned around.
"That's all. I need to write the recommendation letters, so go home."
As she waved her hand and disappeared, Jin-woo, who was standing next to me, spoke first.
"Boss, are you really going to train with that old man? I heard he's been causing trouble in Silver Town, beating up other retired heroes."
...Even he's making a fuss.
"Maybe it's different with someone else, but since the captain said it, I'm curious too. There must be something to it."
Young-je also seemed to have doubts about my choice of Guak Chun-sik as a mentor.
"I have my reasons, so don't worry too much. The mentors recommended by Instructor Jisu Hyun will all be very helpful to you, so it's best to accept them."
Indeed, Jisu Hyun, who had a long career as a hero, was a very helpful instructor in terms of connections.
"......If Yoo-jin says that, I won't worry......"
Se-ah nodded and spoke.
"While receiving mentorship, maintain club activities but prioritize mentorship. Everyone, good job."
Now, should I start working on that stubborn old man?