I Became an Unknown Professor at the Academy

The morning of Friday.

-Pee-a-woom~

A small fairy poked its head out of my coat pocket and yawned. I gently pushed its head back inside and checked the time on my smartphone.

AM 09:46

Fourteen minutes until the start of the lecture.

Usually, I would have left the mansion one minute before the lecture, but today I waited for Claire, who hadn’t come out yet.

“S-sorry…”

And four minutes later, at 50 minutes, she appeared.

Her face was flushed.

Her back slightly hunched, shoulders drawn forward.

Most of all, her shirt looked like it was about to burst, the buttons straining to contain her chest.

I couldn’t even look her in the eye, so I approached Claire, who was barely maintaining her composure, and put my arm around her bent back.

“Woo-jin…?!”

Tuduck──!!

As I straightened her back, several buttons popped off her shirt and fell to the floor, hitting my chest.

“Change into another outfit…”
“It’s fine.”

I released her from my embrace as her body temperature rose, and I left a faint mark on her forehead with my lips.

“I thought your growth spurt was over, but it seems like you’re still growing.”
“…”

Her face turned from red to a bright pink.

I watched the white steam rising from the top of her head, which I had seen before, and then took a step back.

“The other suits are similar, so just stay home.”
“Yes.”

I handed her the small disaster that was in my pocket to the fairy, who was twiddling her fingers, not knowing how to react.

“I won’t be too late, but have lunch first.”
“If you’re not too late, I’ll wait.”

I nodded at her request and turned around.

“I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

.

.

.

Last year’s lecture was about guardian and gate growth, and this year’s lecture was planned to be about the upcoming 14 level gate and the unique individual guarding it.

“I’ll end the lecture here.”

Usually, I would have left the classroom at this point, but today I still had something to do, so I picked up my briefcase with the assignments and leaned against the chair I had prepared for Claire.

“Looks like everyone’s done taking notes.”

-Hiiik……!! -Hey, brats!!
-How can you take notes with your eyes down…?
-Shut up and take notes.

The students, who had been looking at me with puzzled expressions, turned their attention back to the board.

“Professor.”

I glanced at Yoon Iseul, who was taking notes diligently using her unique ability, shadows.

“I said I wouldn’t take questions.”

“It’s not about the lecture, but I wanted to talk to you about the reward you promised me in England… Can you spare some time?”

A bet.

I did remember making such a promise.

“If it’s not inconvenient, let’s talk now. Otherwise, we can discuss it during the personal consultation.”
“Personal consultation…?”

At Yoon Iseul’s question, I turned to the students again.

“Starting today, I’ll have personal consultations with the new members in order of their arrival.”

In the corner of the classroom.

The young ones of the Church of the Goddess of Mercy were gathered together.

“Iseul.”

I called the name of the oldest among them.

“You’re first. Follow me after the lecture.”
“Yes, Professor.”

I acknowledged her concise but respectful bow and turned back to Yoon Iseul.

“So, your answer.”

She hesitated for a moment, but then she glanced at Baek Hana, who was taking notes with her ears perked up nearby, and looked at me with determination.

“The position of the head of the disciplinary committee is currently vacant. I’d like Professor Baek to take on the role.”
“I refuse.”

I didn’t even need to think about it before answering.

“Okay…”

And my answer was different from what she expected, so Yoon Iseul looked at me with slightly disturbed black eyes.

“It’s not a difficult request.”
“Yoon Iseul.”
“…”

Her small lips kept opening and closing.

“I’m sorry. I was shortsighted.”

She stood up from her seat and bowed in apology, not considering the other students’ gazes at all.

La-la-la~♪

At the same time, a calm classical piece played through the speakers, signaling the end of the lecture.

“Think about it until your consultation.”
“Yes, thank you.”

Yoon Iseul sat down and continued taking notes using her shadows.

“Jane Moore.”
“Yes, me?!”

The promising young student from all over the world stood up.

“If it’s not inconvenient for you, I’ll have your consultation together with Yoon Iseul’s.”
“Yes!! Great!”
“Okay.”

I picked up my briefcase and stood up.

“Iseul.”
“Yes, Professor.”
“Are you done taking notes?” ”
“Yes, I’m done.”

Iseul, who was quick-witted like a priest, picked up her things and came to my side.

“Baek… Maria. Please take care of the aftermath.”
“Yes, Professor. I’ll take care of it.”

I left the classroom with Iseul, leaving behind Baek Hana, who was sitting there with a shocked expression.

.

.

.

“To Beroth.”
“Okay. The Great One said your lecture would be beneficial, so she provided me a lot of support.”

The conversation ended there, and I headed straight to the Temple of Mercy.

I stopped in front of the temple, where a statue of a woman with a merciful smile holding a small cradle stood. I opened the tightly closed door and entered.

“It’s not open yet…”

A priest who was moving a basket covered with cloth approached me, froze when he saw my face, and then stepped aside.

“I’d like to use the prayer room.”
“…”

After a few beats, the priest came to his senses and bowed his head.

“The child next to you will guide you.”
“I will guide you.”

I followed Iseul’s guidance and passed through the central chapel, then went up the stairs behind it to the second floor.

“It’s just like the Temple of Amusement.”
“I’ve heard that the interior is designed to be as similar as possible to avoid confusion among the believers, with only the scale being different.”
“Okay.”

After a brief reply, I opened the door to the nearest prayer room and sat down facing a small statue that was a smaller version of the statue at the entrance.

And just as I was about to take off my glasses.

【I’d appreciate it if you could hold back. To get rid of it, I’d have to consume a lot of divinity.】

A faint light particle gathered in front of the statue, and it took on the form of a mature beauty, identical to the statue.

“You know a lot.”

While using emptiness I could attract the attention and vigilance of the gods, who had been quietly content with their lives. That’s why I only revealed myself to Bwiar, and even then, only for a moment.

【Please don’t misunderstand. A few days ago, Bwiar came to me and talked about you… in human language, it’s called gossip. I learned about ’emptiness’ then.】

“…”

I’ll have to stop by the Temple of Amusement on my way back. Damn that guy.

【I’m surprised. I didn’t expect you to come to me directly.】

The entity didn’t have a physical body, but it seemed to have manifested itself on earth, with its light brown hair slightly falling behind its ears.

【I should tell you in advance that I can’t help you directly like Bwiar.】

“I’ll also tell you in advance that I don’t need the help of Mercy.”

【I see. You’re already in love.】

“…”

I stared into the faintly golden eyes of the entity, which was emitting a faint golden light.

“On the day the Priest Council begins, lock the doors of all the temples. If that’s too difficult, thoroughly inspect the believers who visit that day. No exceptions.”

【I can’t lock the doors, but I’ll make sure to thoroughly inspect the believers.】

The entity, like Iseul who followed me, didn’t ask me for any reason and agreed to follow one of the choices I presented.

“That’s all I have to say.”

I stood up to leave, as I had promised Claire.

【Thank you for choosing to look at me without prejudice.】

Beroth bowed slightly, not too much.

【I promise that I, Beroth, will only give you truthful answers so that you won’t regret your choice.】

“…”

Because of the deep-seated distrust of the gods and the hatred for the power of emptiness within me, Beroth’s actions didn’t make me feel much better. But perhaps because I felt the sincerity in her words, the emptiness that showed its teeth at Bwiar this time didn’t need to be suppressed by me.

“Let’s go.”

【This Priest Council.】

I turned around and stopped again at Beroth’s voice from behind.

【The children will coordinate the schedule, but the location will be here at Arena Academy.】

“Bwiar?”

【It’s fortunate that Bwiar pushed for Korea, but the choice of location reflected the opinions of me and other entities. I think you know the reason.】

The reason the others chose this place.

It was to see me in person.

And the cause of all this was that damn guy.

It was because she broadcasted my fight with Ben Stiller that this situation came about.

“If you have nothing else to say, I’ll go.”

【I have a request, not a favor.】

“Say it.”

A legitimate request.

I quickly searched my memory, but I couldn’t find any memory of a debt to her.

【Please don’t miss the consultation with the child waiting outside.】

“Consultation…”

It was a request I hadn’t expected at all.

【Yes, consultation. Iseul may look mature, but she’s very sensitive.】

I nodded at the woman who was genuinely concerned about the child.

“I’ll reschedule the consultation.”

I have somewhere else to go first.