Villain Professor of Heroes

Yu Hye-won, caught off guard by the unexpected situation, wiped her hand that had sparked with an awkward smile.

“Yu Hye-won student. Surely you didn’t try to use physical force on a professor as an Academy student, did you?”

“How could I? Though my hand acted before I could think due to excessive frustration, I didn’t intend to…”

“If auras collide, sparks will fly.”

Her words were cut off.

“Aura-enshrouded hands can produce unimaginable destructive power. If I hadn’t formed a defensive barrier, we would have had a quite ‘interesting’ scenario.”

“An interesting scenario?”

“You’ll experience it firsthand the next time you attempt something similar.”

Yu Hye-won’s lips twitched slightly.

“But, Professor, you kept avoiding me for no reason…”

“Didn’t I clearly explain that I’m too busy today, so why don’t we meet tomorrow or the day after?”

There was no real way for her to counter, and Yu Hye-won said nothing and just stared at me.

However, she showed no sign of moving away from the front of the research room’s door.

I briefly considered pushing her aside forcefully but decided against it as it would create a ridiculous scene.

After all, I am an Academy professor.

With a heavy sigh, I began to speak.

“Very well, Student Yu Hye-won. Let’s have this counseling session. Since things have come to this.”

I pulled two cups of coffee from the coffee machine and sat across from Yu Hye-won.

“So, Yu Hye-won student. What would you like to discuss with me? I’m always happy to help with anything related to Defense Studies.”

“Do you remember the conversation we had during the opening ceremony?”

I remember. It was a subtle attempt to persuade me to select you in relation to being a guidance student.

“Have you thought about it?”

“Is that why you’re calling this counseling session—to hear my answer?”

“Hmm, how do you think I would react if I said it was to help you shape the answer I want?”

“I know what answer you want, but you won’t hear it easily because it’s not yet the selection period for guidance professors.”

“I know that, but it won’t hurt to hear the results beforehand, considering it’s coming up soon.”

“I cannot say anything definitively yet, Yu Hye-won student, as the selection period hasn’t started. Please go back and wait. In any case, guidance professor selection isn’t something the professor arbitrarily decides—it requires mutual coordination and procedures.”

“Then, do you have anyone in mind yet?”

“Not yet.”

“Could I assist in your decision-making process, even a little?”

“No, not necessary. I already know everything about you, Yu Hye-won.”

I don’t think I will take Yu Hye-won as my guidance student, all because of Han Min-ha.

After assessing Han Min-ha’s personality, I concluded that they absolutely wouldn’t mix well with Yu Hye-won.

Han Min-ha wouldn’t be able to handle Yu Hye-won and Yu Hye-won wouldn’t be able to tolerate Han Min-ha either.

However, I must elevate Han Min-ha to S-Rank. If I must choose between the two, I must select Han Min-ha.

And if I choose Han Min-ha, Yu Hye-won cannot be my guidance student.

That’s the reason.

After repeated rejections, the smile disappeared from Yu Hye-won’s face.

Her solemn expression reminded me somewhat of a cold, emotionless snake, which was somewhat unnerving.

She quietly stared at me, and a dangerous smile emerged on her lips.

“Thank you for the counseling today, Professor.”

Without drinking a single sip of coffee, Yu Hye-won stood up.

“I’ll come back if I get another chance.”

“Feel free to when there’s an opportunity.”

“There will surely be an opportunity.”

Her gaze seemed momentarily warm as she looked down at me.

Of course, it was just a delusion.

After Yu Hye-won left the research room, I finished drinking my coffee alone.

—

* * * * *

Finally, the guidance student selection period arrived.

Even though it hadn’t been a month since the opening ceremony, it already felt like several months had passed.

The Head of the Professor’s Department gathered all the professors for a long speech.

The guidance professor system boasts a long history and tradition, the responsibility is immense as the competence of the guidance professor can turn an F-Rank into an S-Rank, and so forth.

The professors half-listened to his speech while their eyes scanned the list of freshmen placed before them.

Naturally, everyone’s attention was on Yu Hye-won.

Every member in the professor’s department wished to be her guidance professor.

But a guidance professor is not just someone professors select.

Students also select their professors, and after significant coordination, the final selections are made.

Currently, Yu Hyun-ju, the Comprehensive Attack professor, has the highest likelihood of becoming Yu Hye-won’s guidance professor.

Comprehensive Attack is one of the most fundamental subjects and very popular.

Moreover, Professor Yu Hyun-ju is an A-Ranked Hero, not a former one but currently active.

But some professors had differing opinions.

It’s already common knowledge across campus that Yu Hye-won spoke to me first during the opening ceremony.

Therefore, some think it’s possible she will defy expectations and select me, a professor in an unpopular subject.

“Anyway, please keep all these points in mind carefully and submit your choices with caution. That is all. Let’s prepare for the cheer!”

After shouting “Puff puff puff,” we exited the faculty office when Professor Jin Se-yeong approached me.

“Professor. Are you selecting a guidance student this year?”

“Hmm, I’m not sure yet.”

“Think about it. Having a guidance student isn’t a bad thing. It’s not a one-on-one setup, and if you feel burdened, you could select several students with poor grades and still have a fun time nurturing them…”

Jin Se-yeong suddenly shut her mouth and stopped walking.

Looking why, I saw the principal walking toward us with a few department heads.

“Hello, Principal.”

As I stepped aside to greet him, the principal stopped in front of me.

“Professor Hyun. Can I have a moment with you?”

“Are you speaking of me?”

“Is there another person with the last name Hyun who’s a professor here?”

With a warm smile, the principal looked around.

The department heads chuckled in a low voice, trying to win his favor.

“No matter how I think about it, I haven’t committed any major wrongs recently.”

With my statement, the principal burst out laughing.

The principal liked this type of joke, so it was appropriate to give that answer.

“If someone hears me, they might think I call professors who have done wrong all the time to scold them.”

“Oh my, Principal!”

At that moment, the professor department head bolted out like a dog with its tail on fire.

“Principal! What brings you here? Please come inside! We have warm coffee…”

“No, no. I’m here to meet Professor Hyun.”

“Professor Hyun…?”

The professor department head, startled, looked at me.

The expression in his eyes seemed to ask, “What strange deeds did you do this time?” I shook my head slightly.

“Principal, why does Professor Hyun…”

“Should I report to you every time I have a discussion with a professor?”

“No! Not at all! Not at all! Professor Hyun! What are you doing? Come, quickly greet the Principal!”

“No need. Just head to the principal’s office ahead of time. I’ll drop by another place first.”

With that, the principal waved and led the department heads away down the hallway, saying he’d see me later.

After bowing deeply and ensuring the principal was out of sight, the professor department head came over to me.

“Professor… What’s going on? Why does the principal want to meet with you alone?”

“Um, I’m not sure. Would you kindly let go of my shoulders? It hurts.”

The professor department head stopped shaking my shoulders, then stepped back.

“I’m not exactly sure what’s going on, but don’t make any mistakes. And report the results after the meeting…”

“I’ll report the results. And if there’s anything you’d like me to bring up with the principal, please let me know, and I’ll include it in the meeting.”

“Could you really…?”

The professor department head beamed and started giving me instructions.

“Got it. I’ll make sure to mention it appropriately.”

“Thank you, Professor. You’re the only one who can do it!”

After the department head patted me on the shoulder and left, Professor Jin Se-yeong mumbled something.

“What an embarrassing human being… Anyway, Professor.”

“Yes?”

“Why does the Principal want to see you?”

“Exactly. I’m also curious.”

Though I said that, it wasn’t too hard to guess what the conversation might be about.

The Principal had a consultation with the Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Management Bureau during the opening ceremony.

The Chairman of the Advisory Board is Yu Hye-won’s father.

“Could you maybe take her as your guidance student?”

This will likely be the core topic of today’s meeting.

I waited for a long time in front of the principal’s office, then finally saw the Principal’s figure approaching.

“Sorry about that. Did you wait long?”

“I just arrived.”

“Come in, come in. Tea, please!”

The Principal shouted toward the annex office while putting his arm around my shoulder to open the door to his office.

“Sit down, sit down.”

The principal, smiling warmly, sat on the sofa first.

“How’s your body these days?”

“I’m fine. Recently, my coughing has slightly improved.”

“Ah, that’s good news. I always feel sorry seeing an excellent person like you suffering from lung disease.”

“Thank you.”

The Principal chuckled and slapped his knee.

“Alright. How are the new students?”

“It hasn’t been a month yet, so I haven’t fully assessed them, but as always, we seem to have some excellent talents.”

“That’s expected. After all, Graford Academy doesn’t just admit anyone indiscriminately.”

The principal slapped his knees once more and asked,

“Are the kids casting their defense barriers well?”

“The upper-class students have already started using the basic physical barrier freely, and the lower-class students are beginning today.”

“Hmm, seems there’s a significant gap, but since this has always been the case, there’s not much we can do about it. Right.”

As tea was served, the principal took a sip first and then encouraged me to drink.

“Drink, drink. This is bellflower tea. It’s good for the lungs.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

After taking a small sip, I returned the tea cup and waited silently for the principal to speak.

Up until now, it was small talk, but now it was time for the main discussion.

As expected, the principal, after taking a few sips of tea and adjusting his taste, began.

“Did you know the Chairman of the Advisory Board visited me at the opening ceremony?”

“I’m aware. I saw him at the main gate.”

“Yes. That person suddenly came to have a consultation with me for some reason.”

“Was it about something specific?”

“It’s about Yu Hye-won, they said. Do you know what they mean?”

“Yu Hye-won is the Chairman of the Advisory Board’s only daughter.”

“Of course. It would be strange if you didn’t know, given she topped the initial assessment.”

“Yes.”

“What could it be, then? It was all phrased officially, but essentially, they asked me to take extra care of their daughter.”

“Most likely.”

The Principal slapped his knee and continued while gently rubbing it.

“How’s Yu Hye-won?”

“Right now, were she to become a Hero today, she could receive a minimum of C-Rank.”

“Really? That high?”

“Yes. While I don’t know about her other subjects, but in my subject, she formed the basic structure of the defense barrier from the very first day.”

“Ho ho. That’s quite impressive. I imagine you’re interested in taking her, aren’t you?”

“It might be enjoyable, but other professors think the same.”

“Indeed, this guidance student selection period is coming up, and everyone will be sensitive.”

I smiled.

“Professors are evaluated by the ranks the guidance students receive at graduation, so it’s natural that they want excellent students.”

“Yes. But it doesn’t concern me much…”

“How so? You’re also a member of the teaching staff.”

“As you know, defense studies is an unpopular subject. Who would choose me to learn the mere physical defense barrier? Moreover, I’m not the type who can take on someone exclusively to guide them.”

The Principal rubbed his knee in a meaningful way.

“Is that so? It might be possible. What was it? That… if you master high-level defense techniques… isn’t it…”

“Mind Grab.”

“Right, right. If investing time results in Mind Grab, it’s understandable.”

“Yes.”

“But isn’t this year different? Students like Yu Hye-won aren’t common.”

“It’s not like I’m asking for it, and students still have the right to choose, so wouldn’t that be hard?”

At that, a certain gleam passed through the principal’s eyes.

After a brief pause, the principal massaged his knees in silence before slapping them.

“I received a phone call from the Chairman yesterday.”

“Yes?”

“It’s about Yu Hye-won. They were talking about the guidance professor… Parents are all the same like that.”

Though he said this, the Principal must fear the Chairman.

The positions necessitate it, whether they want to or not. The Management Bureau’s Chairman has immense influence, and the Academy, which does business with the Management Bureau, must bow to such a Chairman.

“You’ve been asked to be designated as Yu Hye-won’s guidance professor.”

I see. As expected.

Not that there’s room for arrogance; anyone who’s not a fool would have guessed this conversation would lead here.

“Yes.”

“Do you have any intention to take on Yu Hye-won?”

“That requires some thought. Both professor and student must mutually agree.”

“Alright, think about it.”

Afterward, the Principal tossed a few dull topics, which I amiably replied to with a smile.

The meeting ended shortly afterward.

As I closed the principal’s office door, I decided to forget the discussion entirely.

I wasn’t confident about handling both Han Min-ha and Yu Hye-won, who are polar opposites.

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