Academy's Silver Gatekeeper-Chapter 114

"How was the meal?"

"It was the best. I feel a bit burdened having enjoyed such luxury."

No joke, really. The dinner enjoyed at Sky Lounge was the best. The ingredients were top-class, the chef's skill too, and even the decoration was excellent.

The man sitting across from me. The Clan Master of Magic Tower Clan, Kang Inbeom. I could clearly understand why he chose this place as the meeting location.

"That's fortunate. I was worried it might be insufficient."

If this is insufficient, it would be a big problem. I saw the prices earlier and they were incredible. Even for me, who no longer has to worry about money, I involuntarily said "Crazy?" for a moment. I should be grateful to have been treated to a meal at such a place. Yes.

"Um, but. Clan Master. You... you can speak comfortably."

Kang Inbeom is Kang Hana's father. And Kang Hana and I don't differ much in age. That means he's like a parent to me too. Since such a person is being formal with me, it feels a bit strange.

"Ah. Would that be alright? I was worried I might make Examiner uncomfortable."

"It's fine. Clan Master."

"Then... ahem. I'll speak comfortably. Um... first, you've completely left public service."

"Yes. It happened when I transferred my affiliation to the Academy."

Thanks to that, I said farewell forever to that fucking boss.

"After hearing that news, several top-tier clans moved."

"To recruit me?"

Kang Inbeom nods while taking a sip of water beside him.

"It's not surprising. You're a very attractive... item. Ah, was that analogy a bit strange?"

"Not at all. Clan Master."

"Thank you. Anyway, the fortunate thing is that I have somewhat more connection with you than they do. Coincidentally, Chairman Kang also said that if it's Magic Tower, they could embrace you."

Why is Kang Minseong's story suddenly coming up? Why are you listening to his opinion? You should ask me!

"There's no point in dragging this out, so I'll make a direct proposal. Come to Magic Tower, Examiner Baek Seojin."

"Is this a formal recruitment offer?"

"That's right. Don't worry about parachuting or anything. The HR team has already been considering you very seriously. Since I'm stepping forward to do this directly, there should be no problems."

I wasn't even worried about parachuting anymore. My skills have already been verified. What bastard could pick a fight with someone who fought toe-to-toe with an Elder?

If there is one, they'd either have anger management issues or be an attention seeker of the century.

"I'm not worried about parachuting. Everyone in the world knows what kind of person I am now."

"That's true too. Well, even I would want to avoid having a falling out with you."

Kang Inbeom, who nodded, glances at Kang Hana sitting beside him.

"Hana talked about you a lot. That you're not an ordinary person."

"I'm definitely not an ordinary person."

No joke, really, I'm not an ordinary person. Whether I became a possessor or was an experimental subject, either way.

"The world atmosphere has been unsettled lately. We're preparing to strengthen our forces in preparation for that, and there was no disagreement that you're the best in the support category."

"What do you mean by unsettled..."

"The recent disaster in Gangwon Province. Or the villains' movements being unusual."

The disaster probably refers to the preliminary symptoms of the Monster Great Change. If it's a villain problem, it would be due to the Elder changes that Hyeon Sujin mentioned.

Whatever it is, these are all very bad omens. And one more problem.

'It's fast. Much faster than I thought.'

Not even summer vacation, the first semester hasn't even ended yet. Things that should start in the second semester are bursting out randomly.

"Some say it's just a brief disturbance, but others can't help thinking of the worst."

"Then the current situation is maximum force supplementation in preparation for the worst."

"Right. The more difficult the world becomes, the more advantageous it is to have superior ability users in various ways."

Kang Inbeom's words are sadly true. The more chaotic the world becomes, the stronger side prevails. Those who can't read and follow the times will ultimately fall behind and become more difficult.

"First, I should tell you the conditions. I know you're affiliated with the Academy. So you just need to help with clan work to the extent that it doesn't interfere with Academy duties."

"Academy work isn't occasional but every weekday. Is there benefit to the clan?"

"Of course there is, Examiner."

Kang Hana, sitting beside me, answered my question instead.

"People who enter the Academy as professors or teaching assistants. All of them have worked in the field in the past or present and are talented individuals. They're second to none as reserve forces."

"That's right. And just having Academy-related personnel in the clan is sufficient."

So it's like having a famous professor from a top university affiliated with a civic organization? Well, at that level, even the government couldn't ignore that civic organization.

"Of course, you'll have to match with the affiliated team members unavoidably. If time allows, we'd do it during weekdays, but if unavoidable, we'll have to do it on weekends."

Weekend work. This is a bit concerning. Aren't weekends supposed to be for rest? I was thinking quite positively, but hearing about weekend work immediately makes me dislike it. No matter how much money they offer, I'm the type who wants rest more.

'But... it's also time to start preparing for other things.'

I can't stay as just a Silver rank examiner at the Academy forever. If peaceful times continued it would be different, but in a few months the field will be overflowing. Before that, forming a team with good coordination is essential.

Perhaps noticing my inner thoughts, Kang Inbeom told me a few more things.

It's not just any team but quite a good one, so coordination will be quick. Since I'm entering as support, I don't need to worry too much. The team members also secretly want me, so please think positively. Something like that?

"Ah. And there's the most important salary issue."

Right. We all forgot about money. No matter how favorable the atmosphere, or how stagnant it is, deals can be overturned anytime when it comes to money.

Does talking about money suddenly seem materialistic? Try going out into society directly once. What can you do without money?

"The annual salary we can offer you currently is this."

"Billion."

What am I seeing wrong right now? Why are there so many zeros? Wasn't I reserve forces? Not even a main dealer or tank, but this much?

"You're giving this much?"

"Isn't the professional term 'named'? You're such a person, so we should pay accordingly. If it's insufficient, we can negotiate separately later to raise it more. How about it?"

I fell into thought for a moment looking at the annual salary amount in the contract.

What would bring me the greatest benefit in the current situation? What choice and decision should I make here to be more beneficial later?

"Clan Master."

My consideration wasn't very long.

"Yes. Have you decided?"

"Yes. The annual salary you just proposed. I'll take only 50 percent of that."

"...What?"

Kang Inbeom's expression, which had been filled with anticipation, becomes perplexed. It's not asking for more, but suddenly cutting it here would be confusing.

"Instead, I have some other conditions."

"Other conditions. It seems you have something completely new to add?"

"That's right."

Tell me what those conditions are. Kang Inbeom and Kang Hana look at me quietly.

"I'll join Magic Tower Clan."

"Good news."

"Instead, I want to create the team I'll be on myself. I want to compose the team members myself too."

"Compose team members yourself...?"

Kang Inbeom mutters like that, then exclaims "Ah" as if noticing something. Then he nods knowingly and opens his lips.

"Besides yourself, you want to bring someone else into Magic Tower Clan."

"Exactly."

"I see. Then who do you want?"

Party composition. The answer to that is already decided. It wasn't for this moment, but somehow this fits perfectly.

"First, me joining the team would be a given. Plus since it's Magic Tower Clan, magic types should be essential. If possible, I'd like Kang Hana student to be in that position."

When I mention Kang Hana, the person in question asks "Me?"

She seems a bit flustered being suddenly called. But it wasn't like she particularly disliked it either.

"You're already affiliated with Magic Tower Clan anyway. I'd like you to assign her to my team."

"You mean Hana. Is there any particular reason you specifically chose this child?"

"Because I've seen it. Kang Hana student's skills."

When an Elder appeared before our eyes, at the moment when everyone was scared and didn't know what to do, Kang Hana tried to fight the Elder by herself.

Whether that was temporary action due to fear, or her true heart, it doesn't matter. Being able to act like that is what's most important.

"Coincidentally, Hana also needed to find a new team. Then Hana. What do you think?"

"I..."

Kang Hana, who looked at me for a moment, soon smiles brightly.

"Good. I'll join Examiner's team."

"Good. Then one position in magic types is filled. Next?"

"I plan to fill the remaining magic position within the second semester. Besides that, Yoo Dasom student as support to work with me. And I'm thinking of Lee Hyunwoo student as the person responsible for the front."

Then Kang Inbeom goes "Hmm" and strokes his chin. Wondering if there's some problem, I quietly waited for his next words.

"I heard many clans are targeting Lee Hyunwoo student. Can you persuade him? We're Magic Tower, and that weapon-type student might have other places where he can shine."

"He'll come. Rather, because he's weapon-type, he'll come to Magic Tower Clan."

Anyway, Lee Hyunwoo grows on his own regarding swordsmanship. What he needs now is methods to fight magic types. That's why it's better to bring him to Magic Tower Clan and teach him.

"If that's your intention... hmm, but there are some empty spots. It seems we need one more person."

"That's..."

Honestly, I'm still a bit uncertain, but now it's time to confirm once. That she can fight together as an excellent comrade, not a villain.

"I want to include Kim Suhyeon."

This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢