Academy's Silver Gatekeeper
Ch. 96

[Growing? The monsters?]

The Association President shows an expression that suggests my opinion is absurd. The professors also have looks that clearly say, 'What nonsense is this?'

I understand. Monsters growing isn't something that's happened before. It's unprecedented. It's a possibility that hasn't even been suggested.

Much time has passed since monsters, Gates, and dungeons appeared. Throughout that flow, there has been no growth in monsters, so their reaction is natural.

'The problem is that what hasn't happened before is now beginning.'

I'm faced with the hardest task in the world. Having to explain a case that has never occurred before.

Moreover, this isn't even a hypothesis. It should be seen as a 'future vision.' Something that will definitely happen. Something they don't know, but I do.

Because of this, I felt the pressure to convince them.

"This might sound strange. Even as I say it, I'm thinking, 'Is this right?'"

Instead of pushing my opinion forcefully, I start by showing understanding. Minimizing resistance, allowing them to judge calmly in a settled atmosphere.

"But when you think about it, there are plenty of possibilities. Take humanity as an example. When abilities were first discovered and monsters and Gates appeared. Were ability users at that time at the same level as they are now?"

No, how could they be? They were busy figuring out what abilities even were. They had no knowledge about the monsters they were facing, so they naturally made direct attacks.

There wasn't even systematic ability training, let alone ability measurement. Naturally, there would be a gap when comparing today's B-rank with the B-rank of that time. Even with the same B-rank, the current B-rank is superior to the past B-rank.

Then as time passed, research progressed, and experiences accumulated. These were then passed on to successors, becoming lessons and know-how. The entire human race grew. Whether ability users or non-ability users, everyone did.

"I have no intention of belittling the heroes of the past. I'm just saying we shouldn't miss the possibility that, just as humanity has, they too are gradually growing."

After saying just this much, I discreetly observed the atmosphere.

I expected opposition or reactions suggesting it was absurd. From what I recall, the reaction was similar when this hypothesis was first presented.

Then, only after the cases exploded in number did they hurriedly acknowledge it.

'I believe that was around the end of the Academy's summer vacation.'

The growth of monsters, their mega-transformation, is already happening. It's just not noticeable yet. That's why in the novel, they missed that timing.

It might have been for Lee Hyunwoo's growth and to create an overall sense of crisis. But in this real world, not the novel, it's truly a terrible disaster descending.

From now on, ability users must be on high alert, honing themselves even more. There needs to be a reassessment of ranks to prevent meaningless deaths.

[...Examiner Baek Seojin.]

The Association President, who had been silent for a while, finally spoke.

Is he going to say it's nonsense? Is he going to dismiss it as over-interpretation? If he responds that way, what words should I use to persuade him next?

[If that's the case, do you have any countermeasures in mind for the current situation?]

...Wait a minute. Association President? What did you just say?

"Uh, yes?" 

[If monsters are truly growing like humanity did, albeit very belatedly, I'm asking what the countermeasures are.]

What is this? He's accepting it way more easily than expected. I heard this opinion was heavily ridiculed when monster researchers first presented it.

The conference room was so quiet that I glanced around. Ma Hakjun, who had always been favorable towards me, was one thing, but Even professors who had no previous connection with me were looking at me with very serious eyes.

As if they were eager to hear my next opinion.

"Go ahead, Examiner Baek Seojin. Your opinion is definitely worth listening to." 

"...Actually, there's nothing particularly extraordinary about what comes next."

The Association President looks at me as if he doesn't understand what I meant. Nothing extraordinary? He seems confused by what I mean.

"Literally, there's no special alternative. The solution I'm going to suggest is just that we need to return to our roots. We need the mindset and training intensity that early ability users had. Not fully reverting to that time, but something similar."

I feel a bit embarrassed by my own words. In such a serious atmosphere, my conclusion is "Work harder!"

"...Um, Examiner. Are you saying that apart from working hard, there's no other solution?"

One of the professors doesn't hide his astonishment as he says this. Others, including the Association President on the screen, have similar reactions. Even Ma Hakjun seems somewhat taken aback.

But this is truly the best opinion I can offer. I'm sorry I couldn't meet their expectations, but it can't be helped.

"That's right."

"But... anyone could say that..." 

"It's an answer anyone could give. Yes, I'm aware. But for the situation we're about to face, anyone would ultimately suggest the same solution I just did."

This isn't a temporary surge in monsters orchestrated by villains. Nor is it just luck, a coincidental mutation in some monsters.

Monsters are growing, their level is gradually increasing. In that case, what action should ability users take?

'Become stronger. Acquire more exceptional skills. And thereby, survive.'

"...Examiner Baek Seojin's words aren't entirely baseless."

Ma Hakjun, sharing the same thought, cautiously begins.

"Indeed, compared to the past, the desperation has diminished considerably. While past ability users fought to survive, now it's become a sort of promising career." 

[Senior... I mean, Headmaster. Such words...] 

"I don't intend to disparage juniors, Association President. But there's definitely a difference in mindset. And the impact that has is certain."

Some of the professors nodded in agreement.

They've seen it too. What today's ability users dream of. There are far more who envision their own wealth and glory than those who want to save the world.

Of course, they don't blame the juniors. They were once the same, after all. That's why they agree with my opinion but still show a cautious attitude.

[...For now, research continues at the dungeon and monster research team. We'll gather opinions from there as well, and think about how and in what way to change the current direction. Examiner Baek Seojin. We won't take your opinion lightly and will consider it thoroughly. Thank you very much for your valuable input.]

Neither outright opposing nor immediately accepting. True to his government department affiliation, the Association President maintained a neutral stance.

Still, this is a fairly positive outcome. Contrary to my worries, they took my opinion relatively seriously.

After exchanging a bit more conversation, the Association President said he'd see us later and ended the meeting.

'Phew.'

A sigh of relief escapes me. Honestly, I was very worried. How should I persuade them, how should I change their minds? I had similar concerns, but fortunately, I was able to explain without much difficulty.

"You're amazing, Examiner Baek Seojin!"

The female professor sitting next to me suddenly says this.

"Excuse me? Professor, what do you..."

"You're not an ordinary person, indeed. So you were drawing a big picture all along?"

...What is this woman suddenly talking about? Why is she bringing up this "big picture" stuff?

"You know that students have changed a lot recently, all since you arrived, right?"

"That's because I've been strict with evaluations."

"But their levels have definitely risen. In the past, we would have worried about how to promote Bronze students to Silver. Now, we don't worry about that at all."

I'm glad you don't have to worry anymore. Meanwhile, I received a lot of criticism for being some strange examiner for a while.

"Anyway! If the overall level of monsters has really risen, naturally ability users need to raise their skills too. And you, Examiner, were already doing exactly that."

She's clearly complimenting me, but I can't help feeling a twinge in my chest. It's almost as if she's saying, "It's like you knew something, didn't you?"

"I agree. Actually, when we look at today's students, they have better skills than us but lack urgency."

A middle-aged professor, one of the few at the Academy, picked up the conversation.

He added that they tend to be too satisfied with just their rank. Most of them try to settle in a stable position instead of advancing further. He expressed his regrets about current ability users.

Of course, not all reactions were positive.

"I'm a bit cautious. I'm worried we'll just be labeled as old-fashioned." 

"Honestly, can you be an ability user out of a sense of duty these days? It has to be profitable. A sense of duty won't feed you. Besides, it's not like ability users are rare as they were in the early days."

After that, the professors engaged in passionate discussions without anyone prompting them.

Good skills but lack urgency, they're only calibrated to their rank. They set their own limits, so they can't advance further. If the hypothesis is correct, even monsters are advancing, and stagnation means death...

Urgency will naturally come when a crisis hits. There's nothing wrong with ranks. Rather, they serve as clear goals. Their skills are better than ours. They won't make the mistake of stagnating...

'Hmm.'

The small ball I threw became a topic of heated debate among the professors. After observing the scene for a moment, I quietly rose from my seat.

It's a rule that the original instigator should quietly exit.