Chapter 2: How not to be ignored

I hate to say it myself.
But I’m pretty good-looking now.
So, I kind of expected it.
That women’s eyes would be drawn to me.

I’d mentally prepared myself to some extent.

‘But facing it in reality is way harder to handle.’

A few stares wouldn’t bother me.
But right now, there were just too many.

It’s overwhelming.
I want to bolt out of here.
I even considered dropping out for a moment.
My damn trauma was driving me insane.

Even though I know.
These aren’t looks of disdain but of interest.

Sometimes.
People who’ve never experienced trauma say it’s no big deal.
That it’s just a weak mind.
Take some pills.
Work out hard.
Clear your head, and the trauma will vanish.

Such convenient words.
As if it’s just a cold.

Those who haven’t lived through it don’t get it.
Trauma isn’t something you can just overcome easily.

‘Maybe I should visit a psychiatrist again later.’

In my old world, it didn’t help at all.
But this world is different.
There are hospitals that treat mental issues with magic.

I decided to check one out when I have the time and money.

‘…For now, I’ll just tough it out with sheer willpower. I won’t pass out, right?’

I clenched my teeth.
Kept my expression in check.
Ignored the sweat on my forehead.

And then.

Staring straight ahead.
Ignoring the surrounding gazes, I walked confidently.
Toward the group of guys.

But then.

“Um, hi…?”

A female student greeted me shyly.
I didn’t even glance at her.
Kept walking, ignoring her.

“Oof, ignored.”
“I told you, he looks like a jerk.”
“Yeah, but that makes him kinda hot, doesn’t it?”
“Crazy b*tch.”

I can’t help it if they curse at me.
Talking right now is off-limits.
One wrong move, and I’ll be labeled a loser on day one.

“Hey, you’re a freshman too, right?”

Another girl spoke to me, her tone playful.

“Look, I’d love to get to know you. Wanna stand in line together?”

Of course, I didn’t look at her.

“…Wow, he didn’t even glance and just walked off.”
“If someone came on that strong to me, I’d ignore them too.”

Navigating through all these obstacles.
I finally reached the group of guys.

‘Phew. I made it.’

My nerves finally settled a bit.
My racing heart calmed down.

I burrowed deeper into the group of guys.

Surrounded by them, it felt like a fortress.
Safe and secure.

Even the guys glanced at me now and then.

Even if they’re guys.
Being stared at is still uncomfortable.

But compared to the gazes of beautiful women, it was way less intense.

The entrance ceremony began.

An introduction to the Academy.
The freshman representative’s oath.
The dean’s speech.
And so on.

Nothing particularly special about it.

I stared blankly at the stage.
Mentally sorting out how to act moving forward.

‘First impressions matter everywhere… For now, I’ll stick with this. The silent type.’

If talking to women is hard.
Just keep my mouth shut.

If I have to respond.
Keep it short and curt.

Better to act aloof than to stutter and fumble like an idiot.
It’ll make me seem less like an easy target.

No matter how good-looking I am.
If I come off as a loser, Academy life will be hell.

‘And also…’

Don’t look around nervously.
That’s just advertising weakness.

Don’t slouch.
Keep my head held high.
Confidently.

If meeting a woman’s eyes is tough.
Ignore them completely.
Act like I don’t care.

‘That should do it.’

After sorting out my behavior guidelines.
I briefly reviewed my future plans.

First, establish an unapproachable image.
Then, make guy friends gradually.
Slowly work on my trauma while making rational friends.

‘Perfect plan.’

Alright.
Just stick to this.

I mentally reaffirmed my resolve.

Build good relationships.
Enjoy a proper Academy life.
Stay diligent in classes.
And become a confident, capable Hunter.

The entrance ceremony wrapped up.
Before heading to our assigned classrooms.
We freshmen were at a counter next to the auditorium, getting our Hunter licenses.

“Here you go.”

My turn finally came.
A woman with a stoic expression handed me my license.

Even with glasses, her beauty was striking.
Guess glasses can’t hide a pretty face in this world.

‘It hits me again… Every woman here is ridiculously gorgeous.’

I was happy.
For once, I could stare at a beautiful woman up close.

Normally, I wouldn’t dare.
But she wasn’t looking at me.
Her eyes were cast downward, making it possible.

She probably wasn’t interested in me.

Which was fine.
It let me admire her without pressure.

I took the license silently and left.

While heading to my assigned class.
I checked the Hunter license.

[Provisional Hunter License]
─Name: Kang Hawi
─Affiliation: 17th Academy, 66th Class, Group 3
─Role: TBD

Simple design.
Probably because it’s provisional.
I’d seen online that official licenses are much fancier.

I flipped it over to check the back.

‘Huh? What’s this?’

A folded piece of paper was taped to the back.

I peeled off the tape.
Unfolded the paper and saw neat handwriting.

[010-XXXX-XXXX
If you have any questions about the Academy, feel free to call anytime~ I’ll treat you to a meal and explain everything kindly~]

…Now I get it.
She wasn’t uninterested.

She was just shy, like me.
No wonder she kept her eyes down.

‘I’m flattered, but it’s not the right time…’

Right now, talking to women is tough for me.
So, I decided not to call.

‘I’ll keep this in my pocket.’

I wasn’t going to throw it away.
Ignoring her is one thing, but tossing the note would be rude.

I’d save it for when I’m feeling down.
Read it to boost my confidenceUCCEEDED

System: ego.

The note might lift my spirits later.

Just as I was about to pocket it.

Whoosh!

A strong gust of wind blew.

“Ah…!”

I fumbled and lost the note.

I reached out too late.
It was already gone, carried away by the wind.

“…”

An unavoidable accident.

At the Hunter license counter.
After all the freshmen left.
The staff stepped outside for coffee and a break.

Among them.
The bespectacled woman sighed, looking distressed.

In her hand was the note.
The one she’d slipped to Kang Hawi.

It was enchanted.
If the note left its owner within ten minutes of being opened, it would return to the caster.

“I guess I’m just not cut out for this.”
“Chin up…”

The dejected woman was comforted by a colleague patting her back.

“Sigh. I fell for him at first sight. I couldn’t even look him in the eye.”
“Forget him. He’s not the only guy out there. Want me to set you up with someone?”
“No thanks. I’m sticking to 2D guys from now on. Real men are overrated.”

And so.
The nameless bespectacled beauty’s crush ended in vain.

I found my assigned classroom.
Class 3’s sign was up.

‘I’m kinda nervous…’

If it were an all-male class, I’d be less tense.

But unfortunately.
All classes were mixed-gender.

Basic lessons were co-ed.
Only Mystery and magic training split boys and girls.

Why not just make separate classes?
…I’d thought that before.
But there was a reason for it.

I heard the Academy encourages romance between students.
Probably because of the low birth rate.

Rumor has it there’s even a motel on campus.
Not confirmed, though.
Just something I overheard from other guys.

‘Enough stalling. Time to go in.’

The classroom door was open.
I swallowed hard, keeping a calm face, and stepped inside.

Plenty of students were already seated.

Thankfully.
Their eyes weren’t on me.
No one even glanced at the entrance.

‘Man, this really feels like an old-school classroom.’

The dean mentioned during his speech.
The 17th Academy values tradition and romance.
So, they designed classrooms to feel like old schools.

Wooden floors.
Wooden desks and chairs.
Even the teacher’s desk was wood.

Behind it, a green chalkboard.
With an eraser and white chalk on the frame.
Straight out of a retro school.

I scanned for a seat.

Not many were left.
Five up front.
One in the back by the window.

Six open seats total.
The front felt too exposed, so I aimed for the back.

Just then.

“Ahem!”

A rabbit hopped through the front door.
Walking upright like a human.

Dressed in a sharp suit.

“Hello, everyone! I’m Professor Mountain Rabbit, your Class 3 teacher! Call me Santo for short!”

Not a weird situation.
Some intelligent dungeon creatures side with humans.
Some even become Hunters.

“Carrot?”

Oops.
I was standing there, staring, and locked eyes with Santo.

“Why are you standing there alone?”

At the professor’s words.
Every head turned toward me.
All eyes on me again.

“Hey, that’s him. The hot guy.”
“What? He’s in our class? Nice.”
“Wow…”
“…He’s decent-looking.”

As the students stared and murmured.

“Hmm. You like standing out? Perfect timing, I was about to start introductions! Carrot!”

The rabbit pointed a carrot at me.

“You’re up first. Come introduce yourself!”