How to Be a Dark Hero’s Daughter

* * *

And so, the first day of the new semester arrived.

Hmm, but it seems the matter has become bigger than I thought.

There were even reporters at the academy’s main entrance.

‘What kind of coverage is this?’

I entered the lecture hall.

Ah, there’s one thing that makes the academy different from the universities or graduate schools from my past life.

‘The classroom is just one, and professors come in to give lectures, right?’

It’s similar to high school.

‘Hmm… familiar faces everywhere.’

I slowly looked around at the people. When I entered, the classroom buzzed.

“Hmm. Hmm.”

Was his name Henkel?

He’s the student who kept badmouthing me until I heard it.

“Oh, congratulations on becoming the top student.”

I smiled faintly. Henkel’s face turned red. Then Henkel started looking around nervously.

“Cedric didn’t come with me.”

I said kindly. Upon hearing this, Henkel straightened up and started acting cool, though he was fidgety just a moment ago.

“It might be hard for you to adjust to school life, so if it’s okay, I can help…”

“Oh, is that so? You mean hang out together?”

“Well, something like that…”

Henkel hesitated in his response.

Is he using a mixed formality in speech? Did conceding the top student position make him change his attitude?

“Of course, I don’t want to upset the second prince, but it’s cooperative for the princess to come to this department…”

“Cooperative?”

“Isn’t it too early for the first female top student? It should happen gradually.”

“Oh, is that so?”

How should I handle this?

“I’m sorry, but I’ve decided not to enroll.”

“What?”

Henkel froze. So did the other students who overheard.

“Why are you here then?”

Just then, a resplendent bell rang.

It signaled the beginning of the first lecture.

I slowly walked to the front of the classroom.

“Hello.”

“…!”

“I’m Leticia Scallia de Lewellton, appointed as a professor this year.”

I squinted and looked around.

“There are many familiar faces. Oh, right.”

I smiled faintly.

“You all seem curious.”

I tilted my head slightly.

“If you have any questions, please raise your hand and speak up.”

I spoke, looking into the students’ eyes.

“Look me in the eyes and speak up front. I’d appreciate that for now.”

Henkel looked like his jaw was about to drop.

“Professor?”

“Oh yes. Since becoming the first female top student seemed too early… I thought I’d start as a professor. Oh, right. Isn’t it also the first time an associate professor of criminal justice is a woman?”

I tilted my head.

“My family tends to prefer the flashy style.”

I laughed lightly.

“I wanted to aim higher than top student.”

“…”

“Very pretentious.”

I picked up the chalk.

Hmm, it seems tough from the first lecture.

“Also, this lecture has become a mandatory course for the Judicial Department from this year. If you want to graduate, you have to take it. If you get a low grade, you won’t graduate.”

The students’ faces were in shock.

Especially those who seemed troubled. Probably those who badmouthed me.

“Was your name Henkel? Come up first.”

“Yes, yes!”

Henkel stiffened and stood up.

“Since you were the valedictorian, I’d like to ask you a lot today. I’m curious about your views on law and criminology.”

“Heh, yes.”

“You can answer fully, right? To my level of questioning.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“First question.”

“Yes.”

“Don’t you know the common sense… that you should use formal language in front of a professor?”

“…”

Ah, is this not a question? Hmm.

My personality seems to have worsened.

“I’ll give a special assignment for the first day.”

“…”

“Knit something by next week.”

Henkel, who was pale, started shaking.

“Do it yourself, not someone else.”

I added the finishing touch with a smile.