I Became the Must-Have Character of the Academy City

"I’ll be your instructor for Class 1. My name is Joo-yeon."

Rohan felt overwhelmed just by being in her presence.

Whether comparing her to his current self or even his past life’s strength, it was clear—there was no way he could measure up.

‘This is insane…’

The sheer intensity of her presence was staggering. It was almost hard to believe she was human. Even the most prominent hunters he had met in his previous life would pale in comparison to her.

As Rohan continued to marvel, staring at Joo-yeon, a timely notification appeared.

[ You have encountered the Dragon Slayer. Achievement unlocked. ]
[ Achievement Reward: 50P ]

‘…!’

The “encounter” achievement wasn’t triggered by a mere passing glance.

For most characters, you needed to establish at least a minimal connection or achieve some level of rapport. In this case, the achievement unlocked because Rohan and Joo-yeon now had an official relationship as cadet and instructor.

‘It’s applying much faster than it did in the game.’

As Rohan imprinted this new insight into his mind, Joo-yeon picked up a thick marker from the board and continued speaking.

"Since it’s the first day, I’ll keep things brief. Pay attention."

Her sharp eyes scanned the room, and every cadet instinctively straightened under her gaze.

"First, I’ll outline the upcoming schedule and the goals our Class 1 will strive for over the next two years."

At Orion Academy, cadets were assigned to a single instructor for the entire two-year program. It wasn’t exactly a long time, but it wasn’t short either. Setting clear goals was crucial for maintaining focus over such a period.

"Our priority is to grow stronger every day. But that doesn’t mean you can neglect theory."

Her words were direct and left no room for misinterpretation.

Under her scrutinizing gaze, Rohan remained silent, while Noah wagged her tail cheerfully, grinning.

"Once you’re in real combat, there will be times when theory feels useless. But when you’re truly cornered, it can be the lifeline that saves you."

Joo-yeon, who had returned to the academy after attending off-campus meetings, had already reviewed the evaluations of her assigned cadets thoroughly.

She couldn’t deny that Noah Frozenheart and Rohan had impressive practical scores, but recalling their one-line answers on the written test gave her a mild headache.

"And… we need a clear standard. Does anyone here know the criteria for an F-grade monster?"

Most of the cadets raised their hands.

Joo-yeon’s gaze landed on the cadet sitting next to Noah Frozenheart.

‘That must be Ichinose Jun’s daughter.’

Ranked first in the written exam and showing no shortcomings in the practical evaluation, Ichinose Yui’s achievements were remarkable for her age. Perhaps even more so than her father’s.

"Ichinose Yui, explain."

"An F-grade monster is one that a typical adult male can handle with a weapon," she replied promptly.

"Correct. And what about a B-grade monster?"

"B-grade monsters are surrounded by a special barrier called the ‘Abyss,’ which renders ordinary physical attacks ineffective. To inflict damage, one must use sufficient magical power to pierce the Abyss."

"…Excellent. Sit down."

Her explanations were so precise they sounded mechanical, as if she had memorized the academy’s textbook verbatim.

‘She must have completed all the theory in advance.’

Joo-yeon stifled a bitter smile as she thought about Ichinose Yui’s parents.

"To keep it simple: our goal by the time Class 1 graduates is to reach B-grade."

"!?"

Some cadets’ eyes widened in shock, trembling as if an earthquake had struck them.

B-grade monsters were the kind that required immediate intervention from renowned military units.

"B-grade monsters most commonly include creatures like Owlbears or Frost Golems," Joo-yeon continued.

Her words replaced the room’s earlier liveliness with a heavy silence.

As expected, Joo-yeon began elaborating.

"Of course, I’m not asking you to take down a B-grade monster on your own. That would be absurd. If you can at least pierce the Abyss barrier and inflict a wound, that’s enough."

What mattered was developing the ability to concentrate or channel magical power into an attack that could penetrate the Abyss.

Even one additional person capable of such an attack on the battlefield could be a game-changer.

Graduating with that level of skill would ensure a cadet was highly valued wherever they went.

And, among the cadets present, there were already some who could achieve that.

"You don’t need to overthink how to reach that goal. I will help you maximize your talents. Understood?"

"Yes, Instructor!"

The cadets answered in unison, their voices filled with resolve.

Joo-yeon possessed a charisma that compelled everyone to respond together, as though rehearsed.

“Continue,” Joo-yeon instructed, her voice firm, as she began writing large, clear numbers on the board.

The meaning behind the 11 digits was evident.

"If you’re ever unsure about something or have concerns that you can’t resolve on your own, feel free to contact me anytime—day or night. I’ve registered all of Class 1’s numbers, so don’t hesitate to reach out."

The cadets immediately pulled out their phones to save her number.

Rohan followed suit, taking out his smartphone from his pocket.

‘I should ask her about part-time jobs.’

His contact list and photo gallery, untouched until now, had finally come to life. Though the gallery was already filled with pictures he’d taken for achievements, the contact list had remained stubbornly empty.

This moment—adding his instructor’s number—felt strangely sentimental.

"Within the Orion Academy grounds, the instructors, myself included, are responsible for ensuring your safety. That’s our duty as your instructors," Joo-yeon continued.

However, she clarified that once the academy day ended and the cadets returned to their dormitories, the same level of protection could not be guaranteed.

"But this doesn’t mean we’re indifferent to incidents outside the academy. If you find yourself in a dangerous or troublesome situation outside, don’t be afraid of consequences—contact me immediately."

Her unwavering tone left Rohan in awe. Hearing her words firsthand, rather than reading them in text, added a depth of sincerity and conviction that moved him.

‘What an incredible person.’

Joo-yeon wasn’t just a strong and disciplined instructor; she was someone who took her responsibilities to heart.

In Abyss City, she was a pivotal character who saved the protagonist multiple times during critical moments.

"And finally…"

After placing the pen back beside the board, Joo-yeon checked the time before addressing the class one last time. Her voice dropped slightly, commanding full attention.

"Recently, there have been unsettling rumors circulating within the Elysium Security Department. Investigations are ongoing, so cadets are advised to avoid late-night outings."

Her cautionary words struck Rohan, causing him to blink in surprise.

‘That line…?’@@novelbin@@

There was something eerily familiar about her statement.

His thoughts grew hazy.

"That’s all for now."

***

After Class.

Later that evening, after returning to his dorm, Rohan couldn’t stop replaying Joo-yeon’s words in his mind.

Despite installing an app to look for part-time jobs, he hadn’t even opened it yet.

─ Recently, there have been unsettling rumors circulating within the Elysium Security Department…

‘That’s it…’

It was clear now. The memory was faint, but he remembered it perfectly.

This was the prelude to the combat system tutorial, a key event from the game.

‘There’s no doubt about it now. The protagonist isn’t at the academy. If the protagonist doesn’t exist in this world… then what happens?’

Rohan’s curiosity burned.

He wondered how this upcoming incident would unfold.

‘Could the Elysium Security Department handle it on their own?’

Lying on his bed, Rohan stared at the ceiling, speculating about what might happen without the protagonist.

The deeper he thought, the more absurd his conclusions became, until a ridiculous idea made him furrow his brows and stroke his chin.

‘…Even with the protagonist, it might be a problem.’

While the protagonist’s sense of justice and inability to tolerate injustice often uncovered hidden truths, their impulsive actions weren’t always ideal.

In Abyss City, the protagonist usually operated as part of a three-member party drawn from a gacha system, as was common in many subculture games.

But despite being the main character, they weren’t particularly effective beyond the early stages. Most players, including Rohan, rarely used them after the tutorial.

‘Sure, the protagonist could make connections everywhere… but that’s about it.’

In the game’s story, the protagonist’s role often felt secondary to the player’s chosen characters.

But now, the situation was different. This was no longer a game.

Without capable allies or party members, how far could the protagonist even go?

"…Hmm."

Rohan let out a long sigh, trying to think it through.

But no matter how much he speculated, he couldn’t find concrete answers, leaving him increasingly frustrated.

‘Maybe I should go check it out myself.’

It was the perfect time for a tutorial event to trigger.

Donning a black hoodie, Rohan opened his closet and grabbed it, pulling the hood over his head.

Click.

Turning the door handle, he stepped outside. The chilly evening air hit him immediately as he began walking.

Stopping by a convenience store, he purchased the cheapest mask he could find and put it on, covering the lower half of his face.

"…"

Would they be in place tonight?

With the protagonist absent from this world, Rohan couldn’t guarantee anything.

Step. Step. Step.

Rohan’s steps carried him toward the direction of the female dormitory.

Along the way, he noticed a vehicle parked suspiciously—its windows heavily tinted, obscuring the interior.

‘…It’s here.’

A gray van, identical to the one he remembered from the game, sat in the shadows.

While it was unmistakable, he still couldn’t jump to conclusions.

Approaching cautiously, Rohan tapped on the driver’s side window with his knuckles.