Acquired the Scam Rune in the Academy

“I appreciate your offer, but… I’m sorry. I don’t think I can attend your lectures, Professor.”

This time, Professor Tak Won-ho’s expression became peculiar. He had even prepared a seat for me, even with his full class. He didn’t expect a refusal, and his face showed that he was taken aback.

… Did I hurt his pride?

It wasn’t my intention.

“May I ask for the reason?”

Thankfully, he didn’t seem displeased. In response to his genuinely curious question, I carefully replied to avoid hurting his feelings.

“I was fortunate enough to receive an offer to be Professor Kim Myeong-hyun’s exclusive disciple… I think it would be impolite to attend another professor’s swordsmanship lectures while being Professor Kim Myeong-hyun’s exclusive disciple.”

Upon hearing this, Professor Tak Won-ho’s face filled with even more surprise.

“Kim Myeong-hyun has taken you as his exclusive disciple?”

“Yes? Ah, yes. I think he saw my efforts and skills favorably.”

“Well, well… What made him change his mind…”

Was this really that surprising? An exclusive disciple relationship was an unofficial bond formed between Holders, where they received personal instruction. Usually, it was formed between Holders, not academy students, since Holders wouldn’t have the opportunity to learn otherwise. However, within the academy, such relationships could also be formed between professors and students, though not officially recognized, they were implicitly accepted in the Holder world.

After hearing about becoming Professor Kim Myeong-hyun’s exclusive disciple, Professor Tak Won-ho muttered something to himself for a while, then seemed to have made up his mind and spoke to me.

“So. You said you were interested in learning my swordsmanship earlier, right?”

“Yes? Ah, yes, but…”

“Then become my exclusive disciple as well.”

“…Pardon?”

I was dumbfounded by his unexpected statement. I had already said I was becoming Kim Myeong-hyun’s exclusive disciple, so why was he asking me to be his as well?

Of course, it wasn’t impossible. As mentioned earlier, an exclusive disciple relationship was a flexible and unofficial bond, and therefore, one disciple could have multiple masters. However, it was an ethical issue. Having one master and then seeking another was well beyond common sense, especially since they both taught swordsmanship…

Nevertheless, Professor Tak Won-ho smiled as if there were no problems.

“You seem worried about something, but don’t worry. I’ll talk to Professor Kim Myeong-hyun.”

“…Do you two know each other well?”

“Haha. We’re both professors in the same warrior department, so, of course, we know each other well.”

“Oh, I see. I apologize.”

“Besides, Professor Kim Myeong-hyun and I were academy classmates. We have a friendlier relationship than you might think, so you don’t have to worry too much.”

Hearing all this, I felt relieved. Since he said he would resolve any ethical issues… I just had to make a comfortable choice.

So, I could learn from both Professor Tak Won-ho, considered the best in swordsmanship education, and Professor Kim Myeong-hyun, who had a smooth and flowing style of swordsmanship. Isn’t it an incredible opportunity?

‘Damn. This is awesome.’

There couldn’t be a better situation.

The synergistic effect of runes that enhance growth efficiency and masters who accelerate it would be beyond imagination.

Professor Tak Won-ho smiled and asked, “So, have you changed your mind a bit?”

“Yes, Professor! I really want to do it! “

This was the moment I gained two masters.

***

ippotranslations

***

Professors Kim Myeong-hyun and Tak Won-ho.

Becoming the exclusive disciple of both of them was an outstanding choice.

Just as Professor Tak Won-ho had reassured me, Professor Kim Myeong-hyun readily agreed to it.

Thanks to that, I could receive more luxurious training in [Sword] than anyone else.

[Your sword that cuts through space becomes even smoother and more flexible. Now you can engrave runes that contemplate swordsmanship, not just runes that handle the sword.]

[You gained a new rune].

[You gained 1 point in speed from the rune’s attribute.]

[Your sword that stabs without hesitation possesses the power to pierce through surging waves. Now you can engrave runes that contemplate swordsmanship, not just runes that handle the sword.]

[You gained a new rune.]

[You gained 1 point in strength from the rune’s attribute.]

<Rune Information>

◎Name: Water Sword Technique

◎Grade: Rare

◎Level: 1

◎Engraved on: Left Wrist

◎Special Effects: –

: Speed +1

◎Derived Skill: –

–

◎Detailed Information: The smoothness of the sword that cuts through flowing water is contained within this swordsmanship. Through this swordsmanship, you can learn new techniques of the sword.

<Rune Information>

◎Name: Wave Sword Technique

◎Grade: Rare

◎Level: 1

◎Engraved on: Right Wrist

◎Special Effects: –

: Strength +1

◎Derived Skill: –

–

◎Detailed Information: The destructive power of the sword that stabs into surging waves without hesitation is contained within this swordsmanship. Through this swordsmanship, you can learn new techniques of the sword.

The information window constantly appeared in front of me. It contained information about the new runes I gained this time. The new runes related to the two professors’ unique swordsmanship, and through them, I gained insights into ‘swordsmanship’.

These runes were derived from [Sword], rather than the Hidden Piece ‘Artificial Rune Acquisition’ that was a condition for becoming a [Rune Hunter]. Unlike Hidden Pieces, which could be gained by any Holder as long as the requirements were met, runes like [Water Sword Technique] or [Wave Sword Technique], or the [Magic Control] that I learned during the <Basics of Magic Control> class, were more focused on the growth and enlightenment of related runes.

The conditions and timing of acquisition could vary depending on the Holder’s talent and the professor’s teaching methods. Therefore, I didn’t see these runes as ‘Derived Runes’ or ‘Artificial Runes’.

“I finally learned them….”

In any case, I succeeded in mastering both swordsmanship techniques. The [Sword] rune had reached level 5, and the swordsmanship runes created by the teachings and insights of the two professors were bound to become significant powers for me in the future. Moreover, even [Wave Destruction Technique], which was Park Jin-woo’s main skill in the original story, was derived from [Wave Sword Technique].

“Ugh… You’re just like my father, Do Jae-hyun.”

As usual, Kim Chae-eun’s voice interrupted my focus. She was Professor Kim Myeong-hyun’s daughter. Apparently, she saw a resemblance between my display of [Water Sword Technique] and her father’s.

“Professor’s swordsmanship is great. It’s smooth and cool.”

“It’s boring. I see it all the time.”

“You don’t appreciate it because you’ve gotten used to it. It’s amazing to have the opportunity to learn the unique swordsmanship of an A-grade Holder.”

“You’re nagging just like my father.”

Kim Chae-eun made a sarcastic comment and glanced around the training ground. It was a bit quieter than usual since it was during break time.

“What about Park Jin-woo? Aren’t you two always dueling at this time?”

She had become aware of Park Jin-woo because we were always dueling during this time. We weren’t particularly close, and I just knew him as a foolish Holder who kept challenging me.

“He said there’s some kind of group project today, and he’s the leader.”

“Oh, really? Why did he choose that class?”

“You know him. He just picks classes without much thought.”

After the academy monster Incident, our dueling sessions had surpassed ten times, resulting in 15 wins and 0 losses in my favor. He had never defeated me even once. Perhaps it was only natural. I brought the exclusive privilege of [Effort of the Seeker], and unlike Park Jin-woo, who was growing alone, I was receiving exclusive education from two top professors. In terms of ability stats, rune level, and rune diversity, we were completely different. However, the growth potential of the main character was not entirely closed, so our dueling sessions were mutually beneficial. Especially the core abilities like strength and speed, which were both above 20. Even in the Intermediate Class, these were considered upper-tier stats. Both of us had come up from completely D-grade Holders.

“Jae-hyun, Jae-hyun.”

“Yes?”

“Why have you been training with the sword so much lately? You’re also good with daggers.”

“Well….”

[Dagger] was the first rune I gained when I became a Holder. Lately, I had been somewhat neglecting the growth of this rune. For [Sword], I was receiving top-notch education from two professors, but for [Dagger], I had been unavoidably receiving ordinary lectures from a regular professor.

Just as each Holder had a different main rune, each country had different strong fields. In the Holder nation of South Korea, the main fields were warrior and magician classes. To succeed in the assassin class, it was more likely to learn from the Japanese side. It wasn’t like South Korea lacked S-grade assassins, but the Academy lacked instructors of that caliber.

“Holder Do Jae-hyun! Is there an Intermediate Class Holder named Do Jae-hyun here?”

While I was having such an informal conversation with Kim Chae-eun, an academy staff member came to look for me at the training ground. The face was familiar. It was the staff member who visited me during the academy monster incident.

“Here you are. Professor Tak Won-ho is looking for you, Holder Do Jae-hyun. If you have time, you should go now.”

Just like last time, Professor Tak Won-ho had ordered to see me on behalf of the current situation where he couldn’t personally act.

And I left for his office immediately.

‘it’s finally happening.’

It seemed that he wanted to select students to conquer the dungeon. After the academy monster incident, the second key event was approaching.