This World Needs a Hero

Chapter 26

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The “Monster Anatomy” class by the Hero was a tremendous success.

The criticism he received initially was not about the quality of the lectures.

Even with just the basics, his lectures were denser than any other class.

However, what the students wanted was beyond that – they wanted teachings that only the Hero could provide.

In that regard, “Monster Anatomy” was the perfect lecture that precisely touched on what the students desired.

It introduced a theory that had never existed before, and after being verified in the academy, it could be practically applied on the battlefield.

It was an innovative theory devised directly by the Hero, utilizing a vast amount of information stored in the Iris of Laplace.

– Hey, those who were talking about uniqueness and originality in yesterday’s lecture, come out.

└ What happened? Is something going on?

└ Today was extreme and historic.

└ What? What was the content!?

└Monster Anatomy.

└Monster Anatomy? What’s that?

└I’ve never heard of it.

Even the reactions of the senior students were enthusiastic.

– If you look at the popular posts, there’s a rough summary of the content. By the way, I’m really jealous. If we had learned something like that during our freshman year, going to the military wouldn’t have been so intimidating. We only have less than a year left now…

└ Cheer up, seniors. You will survive. (Laughs)

└ Go to the library. They’ve stocked books for students who didn’t take the class to read.

└ Did he just distribute those materials?

└ But you might need to hurry. When I went there, there were only four copies left.

└Ted Redymer is a god…

–Just checked the materials from the fourth-year student. Honestly, it’s on a different level than the theories we’ve been learning so far. We envy you, juniors.

└Have you been watching the professors teaching the same content for years?

A lecture that elicited such a positive response from students was truly a rare occurrence.

With content full of unique features, coupled with the Hero’s demonstration and creative practical exercises, the students showed enthusiastic support.

Despite a few individuals attempting to belittle the lecture, their opinions were immediately dismissed.

– What’s with all this fuss? Honestly, I don’t know if it’s that amazing.

└ Came back after failing the interview.

└ If you’re not a failure, it might be even more of a problem.

└ Why does your speech sound so old?

“These ignorant fools!”

In one of the professor’s dorms, someone struggling with a connector wrote a comment, causing a minor commotion, but it wasn’t that important.

The evaluation scores for the lecture also sharply increased.

This class seemed to resolve the students’ dissatisfaction all at once, as the evaluations were overwhelmingly positive.

A majority of the students who attended the class gave it a perfect score.

If not for an incident that occurred towards the end of the class, this lecture would have been hailed as a perfect example of excellence.

– Just a side note, but today, someone fainted during our class.

Kids of this age were generally interested in these kinds of stories.

– They seemed to have been taken to the infirmary right away. I don’t know what happened after that.

└ Isn’t it inappropriate to spread this kind of information?

└ Seriously, what caused the collapse?

└ Just fainted? Maybe from overwork?

└ Overwork? No way. Absolutely not.

└ What do you know?

└ I know. I won’t tell you, though.

The content was about a student who suddenly collapsed during class.

* * *

In the world of swordsmanship, each school had its unique characteristics.

Take the Dieterich family, for example.

The experiences of those who faced them in combat were consistent.

‘Perfect.’

A sword devoted to the essence of swordsmanship.

Pierce and Bend without getting hurt.

To achieve such perfection, Dietrich’s Vision Sensing Technique was specialized in detecting the flow of surrounding mana.

It could read the opponent’s internal mana, allowing a quick understanding of where they aimed.

Even the smallest gaps could be identified before being seen with the eyes.

From the perspective of the opponent, it might feel like fighting against someone who could foresee the future.

Every trick with the sword was countered, and even the slightest opening was exploited.

A much faster brain rotation than ordinary people, a broad and profound understanding of various martial arts, intense concentration, and a meticulous view—these were the characteristics of the Dieterich.

The current head, “The Perfect” Felson Dieterich, was the figure who most perfectly fulfilled these conditions since the founding of the family.

His ability to block all elements threatening him right next to the Hero became a common theme in narratives.

Such an outstanding father and born between two exceptional swordsmen—an extraordinary boy.

The boy asked himself, ‘But why am I like this?’

* * *

Ban Dieterich.

His sudden collapse caught me off guard.

It bothered me a bit.

My task isn’t just about organizing a good lecture;

That’s just the process.

The ultimate goal is to nurture the ‘next Hero’ who can truly take this position.

I went to the Medical office for that reason.

If there’s a problem with Ban, one of the candidates, I need to know.

Click-

I approached Ban, who was bowing his head like a sinner.

“Let’s go. I’ll take you to the dormitory.”

“No, it’s okay. I can go alone.”

“Taking care of a sick student is also a professor’s duty.”

As I walked ahead, Ban followed me quietly.

Listening to the hesitant footsteps behind me, I recalled the conversation I had with the senior healer earlier.

“Why did he suddenly collapse?”

“It’s still unknown. He claims it’s due to overwork and stress…”

Overwork and stress?

That’s unbelievable.

He’s a well-trained warrior, with a physique stronger than the average person.

For such a person, fainting due to ordinary reasons is nearly impossible.

‘At least until the theory exam, he was fine, wasn’t he?’

No, more than fine;

He recorded the highest score among the students.

The symptoms began when he stood in front of the stuffed monster.

At first, I thought it might be some kind of addiction.

Difficulty breathing, convulsions.

Symptoms that seemed to resemble a collapse at the moment.

Feeling suspicious, I explained the situation to the healer, and after a moment of contemplation, he said this:

“Well, in that case, there could be a possibility of trauma manifesting.”

“Trauma…huh.”

Trauma.

The aftereffects that occur after facing life-threatening situations, severe physical or mental distress, or shocking events.

Although it has only recently become the subject of serious medical research, I was well aware of it.

Retired mercenaries, war-torn soldiers.

In the place I once stayed, it was a common symptom.

Their trembling figures, cowering at the slightest noise, flashed through my mind.

Acting as if they were reliving some horrific moment from the past, the agonized expressions on their faces.

“So, is it related to trauma from dealing with monsters…”

Strange.

How could a noble, raised with utmost care, have experiences related to monsters?

“I can’t guarantee that it’s specifically monster-related trauma. Shocking events can undoubtedly occur in everyday life, and once the mind is wounded, it responds to even minor stimuli.”

As I recalled those words, I couldn’t help but sigh.

What I thought was just a bit of shyness turned out to be a clear manifestation of a syndrome.

It was quite a troublesome situation.

‘Pity. With such exceptional talent…’

Just then, Ban approached with a voice that seemed to crawl.

“Professor.”

“What is it?”

He didn’t respond immediately, stopping in his tracks without acknowledging my call.

I turned around to look at him.

Ban stood there, wearing a deeply distressed expression.

“I…”

He struggled to continue, “Am I getting expelled now?”

It was a question with an already decided answer.

Ban wouldn’t be expelled.

No, he shouldn’t be expelled.

Despite his condition, the current situation demanded that we keep him going as much as possible.

He was one of the ‘Hero candidates’ with brilliant talent.

I silently observed Ban.

An obvious question raised its head.

‘Why did he apply while experiencing such symptoms?’

Admission to Rosenstark was highly prestigious but required significant determination.

With a rigorous training curriculum comparable to military service for four years, it demanded substantial commitment.

Ban applied for the challenging Hero’s course with an undeniable determination, likely driven by the desire to overcome challenges.

A student seeking change with courage.

Even as a seemingly hypocritical person, I didn’t want to turn a blind eye to that.

I, too, had a mentor who planted such changes in me.

After organizing my thoughts, I spoke.

“What do you want to do?”

“Huh?”

“Do you want to stay on the edge?”

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Ban looked up.

While he didn’t give a direct answer, his eyes spoke of determination.

“Then stay.”

Ban’s eyes widened.

Unexpectedly, his legs wobbled at the response.

“Uh, gasp.”

I supported Ban and continued speaking.

“Remember why you started.”

“…What?”

Ban’s expression became puzzled at the sudden remark.

I explained.

“It’s something my mentor used to say every time I felt like giving up.”

Words from the ‘real’ mentor.

“Sounds strange, doesn’t it?”

“A bit, yes.”

“Still, at that time, it resonated deeply. Amid the pain tormenting me, those words illuminated what lay beyond.”

The words surfaced every time I wanted to give up.

It made me realize what I was trying to abandon, what I was turning my back on.

Like a mirror reflecting my intentions.

“Didn’t you start this because you wanted to live ‘humanely’? So, if you want to stay on the edge, there will undoubtedly come a moment when you want to give up.”

“….”

“When that time comes, think carefully about why you came to Rosenstark and what you wanted to achieve.”

He showed courage that happens once in a lifetime.

I hoped Ban wouldn’t easily give up on it.

“…Thank you.”

Ban stood there with a slightly different expression than before.

I started walking again.

Soon, I heard the footsteps following.

‘Summon your courage.’

Courage isn’t the absence of fear;

It’s the ability to face and overcome it.

I don’t know the details, but Ban’s fear seemed larger than that of his peers.

‘Then the courage gained from overcoming it must be significant.’

Hoping for that, I bid him farewell.

The boy, now with lighter steps, disappeared briskly into the well-lit dormitory on this pleasantly cool day with open windows.

I turned around, hearing the laughter of children flowing through the windows.

‘Certainly, I need to assess the situations of other kids, not just Ban.’

Each person has their own struggles in life.

I momentarily forgot the truth learned through encounters and separations with countless people as a doppelganger.

‘Thanks to this, I have a chance to reconsider my thoughts.’

I am a professor, but prioritizing only the transfer of knowledge is not enough.

I must also fulfill the role of a ‘mentor’ to truly guide the children towards genuine growth.

‘…I should offer counseling.’

Ding-!

However, there was one comforting fact.

– ‘Extreme’ Professor

– Rating: ★ 4.1 / 5.0

– Really enjoyed it so much, I didn’t realize the time was passing.

– Learned not only academic knowledge but also practical skills applicable in real situations! – A challenging but inspiring lecture that makes me want to work hard!

The fact that the kids liked me as a ‘professor’ was somewhat consoling.

* * *

Next morning.

I gazed at the flickering communication orb.

[Sorry, but the master is currently unavailable. Please leave a message, and I’ll relay it…]

“It’s fine; I’ll contact him directly later.”

The Dietrich family’s servant bowed apologetically with a troubled expression.

Felson Dietrich.

As there was no response on the personal communication orb, I tried contacting the family, but he was also unavailable there.

‘…I wanted to inquire about Ban.’

For now, I had asked Nyhill to do some background research.

In the case of those with a noble background like Ban, there was a high probability that they had attended primary and secondary academies before Rosenstark.

Checking the records from that time might help pinpoint the exact nature of the problem.

However, considering Nyhill’s numerous responsibilities, I expected the results to take some time.

‘…It’s not urgent.’

I sighed and put the communication orb into a drawer.

Ban’s collapse was unexpected, but my concerns about the evaluation seemed to have lessened a bit.

‘Rating, 4.1.’

It should be considered a satisfactory outcome as it’s impossible to satisfy every student.

The evaluations for other lectures were averaging in the early 3s, so there shouldn’t be much concern about reputation.

‘Now, the remaining task is the research project.’

Each professor needed to choose a research topic by the end of the first semester and present the results at the end of the year.

‘Fortunately, there’s still some time.’

I had thought about potential topics.

I wouldn’t need to worry about it for a while.

‘Rather, the problem here is….’

I glanced at the comments displayed in front of me.

▼

I made an old man sigh, and a genius received a punishment he fears.

Now everyone looks at me

And laughs, and cries again.

You, can you find me

Hidden where ignorance loses strength?

▲

After gaining ‘evolution’ in the cave, this riddle was thrown by the Iris of Laplace.

Now, I plan to solve this mysterious riddle.

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