There's no need to mention every detail. Kang Minseong is also in as great a position as Ma Hakjun. If information reaches him, it would have reached him long ago, so he'd know the general news.
The meeting in the Headmaster's office, the various conversations held there. And the hypothesis I presented in that situation. As I finished the story roughly, Kang Minseong nodded and parted his lips.
"...I expected the mutation hypothesis. But monster growth."
"Do you think it's impossible, Chairman?"
"There haven't been such cases until now. The current situation hasn't been going on for years, and not much time has passed. There were no such incidents before, so it can't be helped. Sorry if that's disappointing."
"No. It's fine. I understand completely."
Mutations appearing among monsters had been happening much earlier. In contrast, monster 'growth' had never occurred before. Naturally, it's understandable that he can't easily agree with my hypothesis.
Still, I can't help feeling a bit disappointed. I thought that if I could get Kang Minseong's help, things might resolve more easily...
"But, it's none other than you. You, whom our granddaughter follows so much, saying such things makes me think it's not something to dismiss lightly."
Was he valuing my abilities highly, or was it just thanks to Suhyeon? I was slightly confused, but decided to just pretend not to know and move on. Since a positive answer came out, it was good for my position.
"If your hypothesis is really correct, it would be quite serious."
"Why do you think so?"
"That's also according to your opinion. Many ability users are stagnating. I agree with that."
They say in the early days, there were no ranks or anything, and everyone rolled around like crazy. Then as things became more comfortable and they subdivided personnel more. It became natural to apply ranks and focus on missions appropriate to each level.
It's not that ability users were disappointed with their initial rank and sat down. Rather, many work hard because they dream of higher ranks.
However, the problem is that once they reach their set rank. They become satisfied with it and don't think about moving further at all.
Just reaching B-rank is enough to make a living anyway. C-rank isn't too bad either. You just need to escape D-rank. They don't even hope for A-rank. Not just anyone can reach there. Living in high places is nice, but not being at the lowest is sufficient.
As such thoughts spread, C-rank, or at most B-rank. Most only reached that far and stopped making any further effort.
"I can understand it. Even if going from D-rank to C-rank isn't too difficult, going from C-rank to B-rank, B-rank to A-rank requires incomparably more effort and time."
"And it's not certain whether the rank will actually rise even then."
"Exactly that. If they're satisfied with their current rank and focus only on their duties, there's no problem with making a living. It's not like ability users are absolutely insufficient like before—there are enough."
The behavior shown by Silver-rank students at the Academy was also part of this.
There's no reason to struggle to death, it's enough to just do moderately well. They delayed dungeon subjugation and Gate processing to do all kinds of training to raise their rank. If positive results don't come out, it's just wasting time.
Moreover, as the number of ability users increased, everywhere became saturated. If you don't come, they'll get someone else, and if you're pushed out that way, work falls through. So they try even more to only work within the set boundaries.
Ability users who were once humanity's only heroes. But in the current situation where they've become just one profession, it was perhaps a natural result.
"Thinking about it, this is ridiculous yet funny."
"In the end, the sure method is for them to become strong on their own. They have to grit their teeth and do it to preserve their lives. Hehe! This feels like old times are coming back."
Both existing ability users and Academy students all have to roll around like dogs.
Like the early world when monsters were causing havoc and Gates were appearing everywhere. Where those who don't make effort fall behind and only those who overcome themselves can advance.
Kang Minseong seemed quite pleased with this fact.
"...Did you perhaps know this and drive the students hard?"
"Isn't that right? You could say you did it to promote Bronze students to Silver, but there was no reason to instill such competitiveness and urgency in Silver or Gold ranks. Unless Examiner Baek Seojin was a bad person focused on tormenting students."
Precisely speaking, Kang Minseong's words were correct. But if I acknowledge that, too many parts become unexplainable.
How did I know about the monster mega-transformation I'd never experienced? Even about appearing at the right time for when that would happen. It's no ordinary troublesome matter. So I have to bring up that again.
"That just happened to fit together by coincidence."
"Is there another reason?"
"I think Chairman would already know from hearing about it. Isn't that right?"
A look of 'I made a mistake' briefly passes across Kang Minseong's expression.
Suhyeon probably told him. About the 'story' I have. That I lost a friend who was active as an ability user and realized something.
That it's important to advance even if it's difficult, rather than settling for reality. That I'm enduring harsh words and uncomfortable gazes to teach students this.
Even if Suhyeon kept her mouth shut, he would have heard through others. Since Ma Hakjun knows this fact, there's no way Kang Minseong wouldn't know.
"Ahem. Hmm. Well, sorry. If I happened to bring up the past..."
"Not at all. Rather, didn't good influence come from that?"
When I create an escape route for him, Kang Minseong immediately nods. Saying my words are right. That his friend could rest in peace since good results are coming back.
'Sorry. Friend whose name I don't even know.'
I've milked this so much that I'm starting to worry if it's brain rot. But there's nothing I can do. When you're extracting rich broth, you can't remove the bones.
"...Examiner Baek Seojin."
"How about I help you once? Would that be alright?"
What's this sudden talk? Help me? With what? Looking at Kang Minseong with that meaning, he immediately continued.
"That social atmosphere that's still just a simple hypothesis. So when you presented your countermeasure, they'd say it's just demanding sacrifice and duty without compensation again. I'm saying I'll help ease that to some extent."
While Suhyeon was kidnapped by the Elder and brainwashed. Kang Minseong showed great distrust toward the government including the Ability Association. Then he even acted independently, ultimately leading to complete defection.
Because of that very part, I hadn't unconsciously placed great expectations on Kang Minseong. Did I momentarily think 'he won't be of much help' like a fool? It seems I still unconsciously couldn't accept this world as it is.
But not anymore. Because Suhyeon is safely by Kang Minseong's side. Kang Minseong was also showing that instead of harboring distrust and going on independent action leading to defection. Rather, he had become a reliable supporter through trust in me.
"Where did you go that made you so late? I thought you couldn't wait and went back."
At Ma Hakjun's words, Kang Minseong shrugged his shoulders once. Then he shared what he had just heard from Baek Seojin with his friend.
"I heard the general story. The reason you called me is probably because of the other hypothesis Examiner Baek Seojin presented rather than the mutation hypothesis, right?"
"What? You said you were going to see your granddaughter, but were you with Examiner Baek Seojin?"
"Suhyeon follows that young man so much. Now it's more accurate to say that if you look for Examiner Baek Seojin, Suhyeon will be by his side, rather than directly looking for Suhyeon."
Ma Hakjun, who had been staring at Kang Minseong, soon smiled. This isn't good. When he smiles like that, Ma Hakjun always plays pranks.
"I can see you're clearly disappointed. Right?"
"What nonsense. I'm not disappointed at all."
"Stop talking nonsense and be honest. Your face is already full of disappointment."
No matter how much he denied it, Ma Hakjun kept asking Kang Minseong again and again. A prank and revenge against his somewhat immature friend who always makes him uncomfortable. Knowing this, Kang Minseong also played along appropriately.
"Your heart is already full of disappointment."
"...Yes. I'm disappointed. Satisfied? Very disappointed! Suhyeon doesn't even show interest..."
"Why are you so disappointed? You can't keep her by your side forever."
Ma Hakjun clicked his tongue lightly and returned to the main topic.
"What do you think? Do you really see possibility in Examiner Baek Seojin's hypothesis?"
"There's always possibility. Honestly, we can't say it's zero."
"That's true, but... monster growth. If this goes wrong, there could be great social chaos."
At those words, Kang Minseong clicked his tongue.
"When was there no chaos? When those monsters first appeared, when unprocessed Gates became dungeons. There was always chaos. You just get used to it."
"Aren't you worried at all?"
At Ma Hakjun's question, Kang Minseong shook his head. Then he said of course he's worried, about juniors who had been stagnating for quite a long period. How could he not worry about sudden whipping for those who were like carriages stuck in mud?
"But if they don't get out of the mud immediately, won't it be dangerous now?"
Patting Ma Hakjun's shoulder, Kang Minseong continued.
"Let's wait and see. If such things don't happen anymore, the mutation hypothesis is correct. If not, if such phenomena continue to be reported, then Examiner Baek Seojin's hypothesis is correct."
At his words, Ma Hakjun eventually nodded.