Even Today, the Ranker Dreams of Retirement

“Congratulations on your admission, our daughter!”

“Listen well to your teachers.”

“Call me when school ends!”

A chorus of voices mingled at the school gate where Habin stood alone. It was the chatter of new students and their parents at the entrance ceremony.

There was no one around Hyun Habin.

‘They’d stand out too much.’

Originally, the Chae siblings had wanted to come. Chae Jise was especially eager.

‘Habin’s wearing a school uniform? Is she wearing it? I heard Ullim International High’s uniform is really stylish! It was even in the news that a famous designer put their heart and soul into making it!’

‘I want to see Habin wearing it! I’ll go and take pictures too! And we’ll eat out when school finishes!’

‘Nuna, aren’t you making too big a fuss? You didn’t do this when I entered school.’

‘Did you want me to?’

‘No, not at all! Anyway, if nuna goes, it’ll draw too much attention, so I’ll go with Habin!’

‘Hey, you’ll draw just as much attention!’

The two kept arguing about who would go, so Habin insisted, ‘You’ll both draw an insane amount of attention, so you don’t need to come,’ and neither ended up coming.

And another person who wanted to come was…

Hyun Siwoo.

‘I’ll take you to school.’

‘It’s a quick bus ride. But do you have a car?’

‘Ah… right!’

Hyun Siwoo had looked extremely guilty at the question about having a car.

‘A taxi! We can take a taxi.’

‘Then give me the taxi fare. I’ll go by myself.’

‘…….’

‘Oppa, you’re busy. It’s just an entrance ceremony. Besides, I might drop out after one day, you know?’

‘Are you really going to drop out? We even bought the uniform!’

‘I could probably sell it on Yeonggeun Market, right?’

Due to this conversation making her late, Hyun Habin had to leave with a piece of toast in her mouth instead of breakfast.

“Leaving with toast in my mouth instead of breakfast, at least that much was a textbook cliché first day of school.”

That was truly the only cliché part. Hyun Habin didn’t bump into or fall over anyone on the way because she had the toast in her mouth and took a taxi.

Instead, she had to endure a barrage of questions from the taxi driver.

“Please take me to Ullim International High.”

“Oh my, are you a student at Ullim International High? I can tell from the uniform! How is Ullim International High?”

“I’m going there for the first time today…”

“Ah, you’re entering today? Your family must be so happy! You’re going because you’re an Awakened, right? I hear these days if you’re Awakened, you can support the whole family! What kind of Awakened are you? I heard Ullim International High is for students with magic-related classes, so you’re in the magic field, right? Are you going to be a hunter?”

“I’m not going to be a hunter.”

“Then you’re entering to go to university through the hunter special admission? You’ll have to study hard!”

The taxi driver chuckled, and Habin shook her head and answered firmly.

“No, I’m aiming to be held back a year.”

“Ho ho. You shouldn’t make such jokes on your first day! That won’t do!”

And so Hyun Habin arrived. Being alone might seem a bit lonely, but.

[What loneliness! I’m here, aren’t I!]

‘Right, thanks. Kim Jaljal, I only have you!’

[Ahem……]

‘Well, it’s good I didn’t come with Hyun Siwoo after all.’

[Is there a special reason?]

‘Hyun Siwoo stands out too much!’

When Hyun Habin was in middle school, Hyun Siwoo once brought her forgotten project materials on an errand from their mother.

Ever since the rumor spread that she was blood-related to Hyun Siwoo, Habin had to endure constant requests from those around her to introduce them to her brother.

‘So you’re Hyun Siwoo’s sister!’

‘He’s seriously so handsome.’

‘Can you give me your brother’s contact info?’

‘Does he have a girlfriend?’

“……”

‘Why, out of all people, specifically Hyun Siwoo?’

Habin couldn’t understand it well, but thanks to that, she learned one definite fact.

Hyun Siwoo has looks that draw considerable attention.

At least when he goes out, it seems his appearance does indeed draw the eyes of those around him.

‘I’d rather pass on even a little bit of attention!’

It really was good that he didn’t come along.

‘Alright, I’ve roughly thrown the supplies into my inventory, and I’ve got my precious Bluetooth earphones, tablet, phone, and even a spare phone in case of confiscation! Perfect!’

After checking her inventory, Habin finally stepped boldly through the school gate.

◆◇◆◇◆

“Hmm.”

“Guild Master, why are you looking at that document for so long?”

Lee Junhwi asked in a sharp voice towards Chae Jise, who had been staring at a document for a while.

‘Our Secretary Lee’s perceptiveness is truly off the charts.’

“I’m just looking at it.”

Chae Jise turned her eyes away and cleared her throat. However, Lee Junhwi didn’t back down.

“No, as far as I know, that document is an offer for an adjunct professorship, isn’t it? You’ve never been interested in schools before, except when investing.”

“Well… I might have developed an interest.”

“Out of all the schools, you’re specifically looking at Ullim International High. The answer is obvious, isn’t it?”

“What answer?”

“You’re trying to follow Hyun Habin, aren’t you!”

Lee Junhwi interrogated his superior with a murderous expression.

“Come on, Secretary, don’t be so cold. It’s Habin’s school, so I could consider it a bit more, couldn’t I? Didn’t you eagerly accept a Kill Screen souvenir from Habin recently?”

“……”

At those words, Secretary Lee awkwardly turned his head. The ‘DOBBY IS FREE’ T-shirt he was wearing now was a gift from Hyun Habin bought at the Kill Screen night market.

‘The reason was ‘just because it reminded me of you when I saw it’?’

Hyun Habin, who had given the gift saying, ‘Please take good care of our unni and Chae-ssi, Secretary-nim!’ Jise smiled warmly.

‘It was really touching that Habin thought of us that much.’

Though I’m not sure why she specifically chose a T-shirt encouraging resignation.

Anyway, as Chae Jise finished speaking, she placed the document she was holding on the table with a flutter. Chae Jiseok, who was nearby, seized the opportunity to quietly check the paper. Lee Junhwi shouted when he saw this.

“And you there! Vice Guild Master who’s quietly butting in, stop it too. What are you two thinking! Are you really going to teach at a high school?”

“…It’s about time we did.”

“That’s right.”

The Chae siblings nonchalantly added, turning their backs to each other. Chae Jise opened her mouth with a serious expression.

“Come to think of it, we’ve always rejected adjunct professor offers until now. How important is nurturing talent for our country.”

“That’s right. There’s so much advice we could give to the growing students!”

“Stop laying the groundwork!”

Lee Junhwi desperately tried to stop their plans.

“What am I supposed to do if both of you leave!”

“We’ll send you the paperwork regularly. Didn’t we work well remotely last time too?”

“That’s true, but……”

Lee Junhwi’s expression wavered. After a moment of contemplation, he steeled himself and insisted again.

“Still, it can’t be done! When you two aren’t here, I’ll have to show my face as Solaris’s representative! Aren’t you worried about leaving it to me?”

“Wow, when you put it that way, I’m not worried at all.”

“Wow, if it’s Secretary-nim, we can really trust you.”

“You two, really!”

“Don’t worry too much, Secretary-nim. We really plan to just go occasionally as ‘adjunct’ professors. Looking at the documents, it seems we’ll only need to take on special lectures occasionally, and the time we actually spend at the school will be minimal.”

Chae Jise picked up the documents again and continued her explanation.

“Besides, the Ministry of Education has been hinting at this lately. There’s been an issue with the curriculum becoming too theory-focused because it’s been difficult to bring in skilled hunters. They say they need vivid lectures where hunters who know the real field can give advice.”

“Is there a reason the Guild Master has to participate in that?”

“It’s probably meant to set an example.”

The fact that ‘even the Chae siblings are stepping up to give special lectures at a hunter school’ would certainly help in creating an overall atmosphere and culture.

“And besides that… if I end up giving special lectures at the school, I intend to do my best to ensure that the knowledge I have can be of some help to the students, even if just a little.”

Until now, Chae Jise had conveyed important hunter know-how and tips to the public through strategy guides or official announcements. So that those who wanted to see could find it on their own.

It was a second-best choice made because it was impossible to accept all the incoming special lecture requests due to scheduling conflicts.

“But I’ve always wanted to give a lecture at least once, right Jiseok?”

“Of course. It’s a good thing if it helps the students.”

“You two seem to be rationalizing now.”

Secretary Lee grumbled discontentedly, but it didn’t affect the two at all. Chae Jise excitedly stamped the document with a thud.

“Then let’s mark it as done and apply! We’ll keep it a secret from Habin. It’ll be a surprise.”

I’m already curious about what her reaction will be.

Jise tapped the document with a playful smile.

Completely unaware of the butterfly effect this action would set in motion.

◆◇◆◇◆

“Oh no, I forgot there would be a pledge of allegiance to the flag and a sermon. There are too many unnecessary procedures at entrance ceremonies!”

Pledge of allegiance to the flag!

Bam-ba-ba-bam-

Habin peeked her head up amidst the familiar melody ringing out.

“By the way, which class am I in?”

[How could you come without even checking your class!]

“It’s bothersome, should I just go home?”

Hyun Habin was already facing her first dropout crisis. If Neaiba had heard this, he would have burst into laughter, saying he was right, but Ahezar absolutely wouldn’t let this slide.

[You can’t! School and studies are not something to be taken so lightly. Instead of looking at it so carelessly, don’t you want to try becoming a serious student with this opportunity?]

“Ugh, let’s start by finding my class first.”

She looked around. The auditorium where the students were lined up was quite luxurious. Not only the high ceiling, but even the flooring showed signs of careful consideration. Habin tapped her foot on the floor. This looks like ordinary wood, but,

[Item—Ancient Tree from Echo Forest]

A wood popular as a building material for its beautiful grain!

It absorbs excessive shock. Depending on additional settings, it can amplify or absorb sound.

‘They spent quite a bit, huh?’

As Habin was looking down at the floor.

“Um… are you looking for something?”

A small, timid voice was heard from beside her. Habin turned her head. A girl with light brown hair was lightly holding onto her collar. She seemed to be a new student. Habin nodded.

“Yeah, I’m looking for my class.”

“Oh? Then do you remember where you took the placement test?”

“Placement test? I didn’t take one.”

Habin didn’t remember taking such a test.

‘Is it because I entered through special admission?’

It might have been a mistake to leave the admission procedures to Hyun Siwoo because they were bothersome, and only half-listen to the explanations.

“Then, you might be in the same class as me! Since we’re in the middle of the entrance ceremony, do you want to stand next to me for now?”

The girl suggested. Just then, all the teachers seemed very busy preparing something at the front of the auditorium. Habin didn’t want to go all the way to the front to ask.

‘I’d rather not draw the attention of the entire school on the first day.’

“Okay, thanks. I’ll stand here then.”

Habin accepted the girl’s kindness and stood beside her. It happened to be the very back row, at the very end, among the new students.

“This is great! A prime spot.”

“P-prime spot?”

The girl wore a dumbfounded expression. She fidgeted with her hands.

‘This is Class F’s spot… How is Class F a prime spot.’

The girl’s name was Yeo Seoyun. She was a new student entering Class F at Ullim International High this year. Seoyun glanced at Habin with an excited expression. She had been nervous because she didn’t know anyone, but she had a good feeling about making a friend on the first day.

‘Since they only have placement tests for Classes A to D, excluding Class F, if she didn’t take the placement test, we must be in the same class!’

The reason Class F didn’t take the placement test was because it was the lowest-ranked class, recruited as a reserve.

Ullim International High, living up to its characteristics as a hunter school, rigorously ranked students according to their abilities and assigned them to classes.

In the early days, there were arguments that this was too harsh for young students, but the claim that the curriculum should differ according to students’ abilities gained much more traction, leading other hunter schools besides Ullim International High to maintain this system as well.

-Now, we will proceed with the scholarship award ceremony for the top-ranking admitted student and scholarship recipients!

Clap clap clap clap clap!

“Wow, amazing.”

Seoyun looked up at the stage in admiration. She whispered to Habin beside her.

“I heard this year’s top-ranking admitted student is an S-rank! I’ve never seen an S-rank up close in my life…”

“Me neither.”

Habin nodded. Come to think of it, her circle seemed to consist of only those below A-rank or above SS-rank.

“And I heard there’s also someone who worked as a hunter before entering. Their experience must be different from ours, right? But they must be older than us, so it’s a bit scary too…”

“…?”

Is that possibly referring to me?

As Habin tilted her head,

At that moment, the rest of the announcement flowed from the auditorium speakers.

“The scholarship recipients are Kim Seyoung, Seo Arin…”

And then.

“Hyun Habin…!”

“…?”

At the sudden mention of her name, Habin’s face froze.

Scholarship recipient? Scholarship recipient? Are they saying I need to go up to that stage now? In front of the entire school?!

“This really calls for dropping out!”