<h4>Chapter 42: Temporary Instructor</h4>


    "Instructor, I was training and forgot the passage of time," In smiled wryly.


    "That''s great, Imend you for that." Instructor Mandu nodded in praise, "But unless you have a valid reason, you shouldn''t skip sses, alright?"


    "After a third of the students died, we need as many there as possible." Instructor Mandu said, "Besides, I''m not asking you to demonstrate for free."


    He grinned, "You''ll be paid 100 Parute, since you''ll be acting as a Temporary Instructor for an hour."


    "Let''s get going," In acted overjoyed as he consumed a vial of Mud Viper Tonic and carried a small box of y.


    Instructor Mandu wasn''t someone that took no for an answer. Moreover, he was the middleman that brought elites from other settlements to In''s house for the portraits. As the Instructor in charge of teaching him, allmunications meant for In had to be passed through him.


    Even if someone from their settlement wished tomission In, it had to be through Instructor Mandu. Therefore, he was one person that In couldn''t afford to get on the bad side of, ''Otherwise, he might do something to reduce my customers.''


    That was why In changed his tune, despite his unwillingness. He put on an enthusiastic act to ensure he remained in Instructor Mandu''s good grace.


    Moreover, it would have been normal if In was informed of the task assigned to him after he arrived at the academy. And if he dared be absent, despite being unaware, he would still be punished.


    But Instructor Mandu took the initiative to inform him bying to his house. That meant a lot. Moreover, the elites were aware they were entering the Dieng Canyon. That meant Instructor Mandu also acted as In''s bodyguard, ensuring his safety.


    That wasn''t all. Even if In temporarily acted as an Instructor, as his task entailed, there was no need to pay him. It could just be worded as a discussion session among the students.


    But it was obvious that Instructor Mandu fought on his behalf so that he received a pay of 100 Parute. That was his show of goodwill.


    Instructor Mandu favoured hard workers immensely. Since he saw In doing his best despite being a Death Row Student, he intended to encourage thetter.


    That was why In put on his best behaviour. He was internally nervous but acted calm and collected.


    "This would be informed in sses. But since you''ll temporarily be treated as an Instructor, I''ll tell you this in advance." Instructor Mandu spoke in seriousness, "Half the herd has already entered the Dieng Canyon. We''ll follow along shortly after. I''ll do my best to protect you, but just be mentally prepared to be attacked by the Zingers."


    "Don''t be shocked by their attacks and end up losing all your umted Prana." He warned.


    "Thank you, Instructor." In bowed in response before shing a confident grin, "I won''t disappoint you."


    "Good! That''s the spirit!" Instructor Mandu nodded in praise. Soon, the duo arrived at the training grounds in the Academy of Refinement.


    The students were gradually assembling there. In stood next to Instructor Mandu, facing the students. He observed them, ''Neither Resha nor the reincarnates are here. As I expected.''


    He wasn''t aware that Bl had already left the settlement.


    Once all the students arrived, Instructor Mandu gave a short speech, "Now, we have among us the Death Row student, In. He has shown exemry performance at the fair yesterday. Today, he''ll disy his carving skills."


    "Everyone!" Instructor Mandu''s booming voice resounded, "Controlling four Spirit Weapons with such precision needs exceptional capability. Even we Instructors pale inparison to In''s delicate control. Hence, he''ll be teaching you as a Temporary Instructor."


    After In bowed towards the Instructors that were stationed all over the academy to protect the students, he addressed, "I''ll just demonstrate my skills first for everyone to see. I''ll then begin my exnation to train as I do."


    In had just taken out the y when he noticed a shadow moving across the training ground. He stared up and saw a creature gliding across the sky. ''Fuck! Already?''


    Calmly gliding a hundred metres above the settlement was a Zinger. It didn''t attack them but instead seemed to be observing theyout. It was a Zinger scout.


    At the sight of it, Instructor Mandu snapped his finger. A Bone Spear—his Spirit Weapon—that was kept rest on the wall nearby flew out. It spun rapidly, causing a whirring sound as it flew at speeds surpassing a hundred metres per second and stabbed the Zinger''s neck.


    "Krook!" The Zinger coughed out blood as its neck had been pierced. But before it could react, the spear lodged in its flesh began to rotate once again, shredding the muscles as it punctured to the other side.


    The Bone Spear made a U-Turn and pierced its wings, destroying its gliding capabilities. The Zinger wasn''t even able to utter a cry as its throat had been shredded apart. As it fell, the Bone Spear poked a few more holes in its body.


    In the end, the spear skewered its heart and gently brought it to the ground. Instructor Mandu calmly retracted his Bone Spear andmented, "A Zinger Scout. The best way to fight it is to crush its throat first. As long as it cannot shriek and alert its brethren, we can avoid a fight."


    "Zinger Scouts are capable of transmitting a vast sum of information through a single shriek. So, always be on the lookout for them." Instructor Mandu exined a bit about the Zingers and then motioned for In to continue his ss, "After In''s ss, we''ll dissect a Zinger and learn more about its body."


    In began his ss as from time to time, one of the Instructors would kill a Zinger scout. Every time this happened, he became more nervous, ''The interval between the arrival of every scout is shrinking.''


    While addressing the students, he casually looked beyond, noticing massive cliff wallse into view, ''We''re entering the Zinger territory now.''


    He wished to do nothing else butplete the ss and return to the safety of his home. "And that''s how you do it. I''m training different parts of my brain. For basics,"


    He drew a circle with his left hand and a square with his right, "Just do this for ten minutes. If you can do forty sets without jumbling the square and circle, you can proceed to the next step."


    As the students followed his words, In silently observed his surroundings, nervous, able to feel his legs going weak. Monkey-like screeches, hisses, and other varieties echoed. The sounds only grew abundant over time.


    It was apparent that even the students were unable to concentrate. After all, this was the first time they ever heard Pranic Beast sounds above them.


    ''From today onwards, these sounds will apany us.'' In braced himself for impact.