I Became an Unknown Professor at the Academy

Tick-tock, tick-tock.
Na Yeon-ju, who was sitting upright, swallowed as the ticking of the clock sounded louder than usual.
“You can sit more comfortably if you like.”
“No, no! This is comfortable!”
Na Yeon-ju tensed up at the relaxed voice, fearing she might lose her focus and start giggling. She straightened her back even more.
‘…You’re a bad professor.’
She muttered to herself, thinking about how he had brought her here and then left her alone with the senior priest, who was known as the most fearsome within the church.
“Hmm.”
“…”
Na Yeon-ju’s mouth went dry as the senior priest’s gaze seemed to scan her.
“Did the professor give you any special instructions?”
“Instructions…? I, I’m sorry… What do you mean by instructions…?”
Na Yeon-ju scratched her cheek, looking embarrassed, and Yesol blinked and opened her mouth.
“Did he say anything to you?”
“Y-Yes, he told me to take a day off and said he would help me with my homework…”
“Homework?”
The senior priest tilted her head, and Na Yeon-ju quickly added,
“I have some overdue vacation homework… He said he would help me with it…”
“The professor?”
“Y-Yes. I told him I had to go back to do my homework, and that’s what he said…”
“Hmm~”
The senior priest looked like a beautiful and kind person, but Na Yeon-ju couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being scrutinized like a snake eyeing its prey.
“Did I do something wrong?”
“No, no.”
Yesol covered her mouth and smiled softly.
“It seems the professor has taken a liking to you.”
“Liking…?”
“Yes. I was recently invited to the professor’s mansion, and today, he invited you to dinner on your first meeting. It seems he has a good impression of you.”
“C-Could that be true…?”
Na Yeon-ju widened her eyes and opened her mouth.
Yesol watched her with amusement and stood up, as the promised 30 minutes were almost up.
“I’ll go get my things. Please wait here.”
Yesol was excited about the various doll clothes she would put on the cute fairy. She climbed the stairs with a light heart.
Unaware of Na Yeon-ju’s slowly reddening cheeks.
.
.
.
The children, who had briefly left the room, returned to Baek Hana’s room and found her awake and getting out of bed.
“Hana…!!”
-Pee!
Lee Nayoung and the fairy were the first to rush to Baek Hana and embrace her.
“Hey, don’t crowd her right after she wakes up.”
“Yeah. It’s my turn next, so move aside.”
“…”
“What?”
Nam Seo-hee’s shameless response made Edyn frown and glare at her, but then she shook her head.
“Are you okay?”
Edyn approached the bed and asked.
They didn’t know what kind of nightmare Baek Hana had experienced, but they were sure it wasn’t a good one. That’s why they were worried about Baek Hana, who had been the last to wake up among them.
“Sorry for worrying you…”
“Don’t worry about it.”
Baek Hana’s voice was slightly weak, and Edyn scratched her cheek and snorted.
-Hot!
The fairy, which had been sitting on Baek Hana’s head, flew down and cried out.
“Why is your face so red? Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Huh? Y-Yes, I’m fine.”
Baek Hana absentmindedly stroked Lee Nayoung’s head and stammered, touching her own cheek with her other hand. She awkwardly smiled, feeling the heat on her face.
“Hey, if you’re in pain, just say so. Don’t suffer in silence, or I’ll call the professor.”
As Edyn made a move to turn around,
Whoosh!
Baek Hana’s hand, which had been stroking Lee Nayoung’s head, moved in a blur and grabbed Edyn’s wrist.
Thud!
A not-so-good sound followed.
“Ahh!”
“S-Sorry!”
Baek Hana quickly released her hand, startled by Edyn falling to the floor.
“What are you two doing?”
Maria sighed and crouched down, unable to hold back her laughter at the unexpected situation.
Whoosh!
Divine power, which was different in nature from magic power, flowed into Edyn’s swollen wrist.
“Sorry, but she said she’s fine, and you’re still playing around…”
“Are you breaking my wrist as a joke?”
“It’s just a slight crack, so don’t overreact.”
“Why is everyone against me?”
Edyn held her recovered wrist and looked dejected.
Maria stood up and turned to Baek Hana, pushing aside her burgeoning curiosity and fantasies.
‘She does seem to have a fever.’
Baek Hana’s skin was so fair that any change was immediately noticeable, and now her skin was flushed with a mixture of scarlet and red.
‘Sigh, why is she so clueless about these things?’
Maria sighed inwardly as she looked down at her best friend, who was sitting next to her.
It was obvious that the reason for Baek Hana’s flushed face wasn’t an illness if one thought about it for a moment.
‘If Hana was really in pain, the professor would have taken action by now…’
It was such an obvious fact.
And the reason for Baek Hana’s flushed face was also related to the professor, who had left a while ago.
‘…I’m a little curious.’
She knew it was a forbidden area that she shouldn’t know about, but that made her even more curious. Humans are naturally curious creatures.
“Anyway, get up now.”
Maria pushed aside her curiosity and fantasies and said,
“The professor said he would prepare dinner himself. So, get changed first.”
“B-But I’m not hungry…”
A loud rumble came from under Baek Hana’s blanket.
-Are you hungry?
The fairy sitting on Edyn’s head blinked and asked cutely.
Baek Hana’s face turned a perfect shade of red.
“What do you mean, not hungry?”
“Just get changed and come out.”
“Yeah, yeah. Even though our Hana isn’t hungry, her stomach is, so she’s asking you to listen to her.”
“Ugh…”
Maria smiled at Baek Hana, who was blushing with embarrassment and frowning. Then, she patted the shoulders of the two girls who were sitting on Baek Hana’s thighs like chicks looking for their mother.
“Hana is fine, so you two should get up too.”
“I’ll help…”
“Nam Seo-hee?”
Nam Seo-hee, who had always watched Edyn get slapped on the back, stood up at Maria’s eerie call.
“You too, Lee Nayoung.”
“Y-Yes.”
Finally, Maria poked Edyn’s cheek with her index finger, who was sitting with a sulky expression.
“Stop sulking and get up.”
“Why don’t you comfort me?”
“Sigh, there, there. I’ll comfort you.”
Maria chuckled at Edyn’s complaint and hugged her head to her chest.
“Sigh… That’s my fate, I guess.”
Edyn couldn’t even swear because of the fairy sitting on her head, so she just sighed to express her emotions and stood up.
“Then go and change your clothes~”
Maria patted Edyn’s buttocks as she complained and left the room with the other children.
Baek Hana was alone again.
“Ugh…”
She didn’t know what was so embarrassing, but Baek Hana flopped onto the bed and hugged her pillow tightly, kicking her legs back and forth.
-Baek Hana.
“Hmm…”
As soon as she lost focus, she heard the sweet whispers again.
Slap!
Baek Hana slapped her own cheeks hard, as she wasn’t sure what she might do if she felt the emotions from that moment again.
“Ouch!”
Her cheeks stung and throbbed, but the pain helped her calm her mind for a moment.
‘What should I do?’
She was hungry, but she didn’t have the courage to go out and face him.
If she saw his face now, her heart might jump out of her mouth.
“Calm down.”
As usual.
Recently, she had tried to distance herself to sort out her feelings, but now she didn’t need to.
‘No, no. Snap out of it…’
She couldn’t keep acting like a child and being clingy forever.
-Hana, are you still there?
At that moment, Maria’s voice was heard, along with a light knock on the door.
Baek Hana finally snapped out of it and quickly got out of bed, putting on the first clothes she could find.
“I’m coming out now!”
Baek Hana opened the door and stepped out, and Maria, who had been waiting outside, widened her eyes.
“You’re going out like that?”
“Huh? Oh, I…”
She was so flustered that she just put on whatever she could find.
Then, seeing her friend’s surprised expression, she realized what she was wearing.
A half-sleeve T-shirt that revealed her underwear and tight dolphin pants.
“No, I’ll change and come back.”
“Hoho~ It’s fine. Why are you embarrassed?”
Maria wiped the surprised expression from her face and smiled slyly, grabbing Baek Hana’s wrist.
“You used to walk around like that all the time. I was just surprised because it looked a little tight on you.”
“Back then…”
“And now that the food is served, there’s no need to delay any further.”
“Let’s go.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Maria’s determination made her cover her mouth and smirk. She knew it was wrong, but she couldn’t help but force her friend to make a bad choice because she wanted to see what would happen next.
So, Baek Hana and Maria entered the kitchen together.
“Hello there!”
They found a girl with a completely opposite energy from Lee Nayoung, full of enthusiasm.
“I’m Na Yeon-ju! I’m nineteen this year!! Today, I have the honor of dining with the professor, who invited me personally!”
The girl bowed at a right angle, and Baek Hana was momentarily startled but quickly regained her composure and returned the greeting.
“I’m Baek Hana. I’m a year older than you.”
“Nice to meet you, Hana unnie!”
Clatter.
As they exchanged greetings, a plate flew through the air and landed on the table.
“Don’t shout in the house.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
At his voice, Na Yeon-ju flinched but then shyly bowed her head towards him.
“Please sit down.”
“Y-Yes…”
Baek Hana’s heart raced at the sound of his voice, and she snapped out of it, taking her seat.
“Help yourself to more if you’re still hungry.”
Baek Woo-jin nonchalantly spoke as he ate a spoonful of stew, signaling the others to start their meal.
-Pee-um, pee-um~
“Here you go~”
Yesol prioritized serving the fairy over her own meal.
“It’s delicious!! I’ve never tasted such a delicious stew in my life!”
Na Yeon-ju’s eyes sparkled as she quickly finished her plate and immediately refilled it with more stew.
“How come our church only has such weird kids?”
“Do you realize you’re putting yourself down?”
Edyn and Maria quietly conversed and ate, observing their junior and younger sister, Na Yeon-ju.
And then.
“…”
“…”
Only Baek Hana and Claire, who were sitting on either side of Baek Woo-jin, focused on their food, burying their faces in their plates.
“It was delicious!”
“You really ate a lot.”
“Hey, that’s no way to talk to your junior.”
As the two seniors marveled at Na Yeon-ju, who had devoured several bowls,
Baek Woo-jin, who had been sipping instant coffee, spoke up.
“Na Yeon-ju.”
“Yes?”
Na Yeon-ju, who had been lying on the table, stroking the fairy and rubbing her full belly, suddenly looked up.
“I have something to say to you.”
“Something to say…?”
Na Yeon-ju’s eyes widened, and a red flush started to rise from her neck.
“Oh, p-professor!”
Na Yeon-ju stood up, pushing her chair back.
-Are you crazy?
-Shh…
Maria covered Edyn’s mouth and watched quietly.
Not just her, but everyone in the room focused on Na Yeon-ju.
“What’s going on?”
“W-Well, that…”
Na Yeon-ju’s gaze shifted to Claire, who was sitting next to Baek Woo-jin.
“M-My…”
Na Yeon-ju closed her eyes tightly and spoke.
“I’m truly grateful and honored by your feelings, but since we just met today… and above all, I deeply respect the Executioner, so I can’t accept your feelings, professor! I’m so sorry!”
Na Yeon-ju bowed so low that her head almost touched the table.
“…”
“…”
A heavy silence filled the kitchen.
The children looked at Claire, and Claire looked at Baek Woo-jin. So, they didn’t notice.
Baek Hana’s blue eyes, cold and calm, were fixed on Na Yeon-ju.
“Na Yeon-ju.”
The silence was broken by Baek Woo-jin.
“Yes, sir.”
Na Yeon-ju was still bowing.
“I’m at a loss for words because I’ve never encountered a case like yours.”
Baek Woo-jin put down his teacup and continued.
“What I was going to say was that I wanted to offer you a job as my driver starting next year.”
“Huh?”
Na Yeon-ju made a deflating sound and raised her head.
“I don’t know what you might have misunderstood, but I’ll give you the detailed conditions later.”
With that, Baek Woo-jin stood up and left the kitchen.
And naturally, everyone’s attention shifted.
“Oh, oh…”
Na Yeon-ju’s face turned pale.