I Became an Unknown Professor at the Academy

“Aaaahhhh!!
-Hey!! Stay in position!! Stay in… Blegh?!
Lim Gyeong-su, who was in the front, charged towards the swarm of insects, and in the gap left behind, a spider web shot out and covered the female student’s face.
-I’m gonna kill that bastard!!
-Sun-hye!!
-Grrrr!!
The female student named Hwang Sun-hye, while seeming to be in a frenzy, still managed to use her shield to protect the students behind her.
“Despite her outward appearance, she’s quite calm and has excellent sensory abilities.”
Claire, sitting beside me, evaluates the students and records her observations.
-Get down!
Nam Seo-hee, who was guarding the rear alone, gripped her sword, brimming with brain energy.
-Get down!!
The closest student, terrified by the brain energy, was the first to drop to the ground, and the others quickly followed, flattening themselves on the floor as soon as they peeled off the clinging spiders.
The only ones who didn’t duck were Lim Gyeong-su, who had run off in a panic, and Baek Hana, who was alone, stirring up the creatures’ nest.
Pzzzzzzzzzz!!
Nam Seo-hee’s sword, released from her hand, unleashed brain energy in all directions, devouring every obstacle in its path.
-Gaaahhh!!
In the process, Lim Gyeong-su, failing to protect himself with his magic power, was electrocuted and lost consciousness.
“…I think it would be better to advise him to consider a different career path.”
Claire’s evaluation of Lim Gyeong-su, lying on the floor and emitting black smoke, was somewhat toned down, but compared to the positive points she had mentioned for the others, it was by far the worst of the seven.
-Ugh!! Ugh!!
-Sun-hye, you’re going to die for real…
-Ugh… Ha! You want me to die, huh?!
-Yeah, it seems like it would be better for us to finish this here for the sake of the other Awakened who will be harmed by him in the future.
-I agree.
-Damn it, break the shield first!!
Except for Nam Seo-hee, who had exhausted her magic power, and Baek Hana, who was returning to the group with the recovered sword, the four students surrounded Lim Gyeong-su and began to vent their frustration.
“…Should I stop them?”
“They’re tougher than they look; this much is fine.”
Lim Gyeong-su’s low magic power sensitivity led to his electrocution, but in reality, his physical endurance was only one level below Baek Hana’s.
If I were to be generous, it might be on par with Kang Seok-ho’s steel ability.
‘It’s just that his mental strength is garbage.’
Even though his body could withstand the pain, he couldn’t endure the pain that came with it.
He also hadn’t fully manifested his abilities yet.
‘I’ll just wait until the exhibition…’
I wanted to get rid of him right away, but my memories from the other side told me to keep him by Baek Hana’s side.
-Look out!!
-Huh?!
-Ahh!!
The spider-faced creatures, having crawled back through the small hole in the ceiling, spat out spider webs at the students, and everyone except Baek Hana and Nam Seo-hee was caught in the web.
This was because they had gathered to punish Lim Gyeong-su.
“Next time, it might be better to increase tension by offering a reward or punishment.”
Scratch, scratch.
She kept her pen moving without stopping.
Using a tablet would be much more convenient and efficient.
‘I’m glad she likes it.’
I enjoyed the sound of the pen scratching as I watched the students being devoured by the spider webs.
“As promised, today’s practice will be just for gaining experience.”
“…”
“…”
The students, covered in white spider webs on their hair, faces, and uniforms, lay on the warehouse floor, looking at me with weary eyes.
I continued, looking at Baek Hana, the only one sitting at the back.
“Until the next class, write down your mistakes from today’s rift and submit them.”
With that, I ordered the students to disperse.
Lunchtime had long passed, but the Academy’s cafeteria was always open, so they could go there for a late meal and rest.
-Shower… Shower…
-I don’t have a spare uniform… What should I do?
-Why don’t you worry about your hair first?
The students, looking like undead, slowly got up and left the warehouse.
I approached Baek Hana, who was standing with Nam Seo-hee, both looking exhausted.
“Always trying to solve everything on your own is not a good habit. Sometimes, rely on those around you.”
“Ugh~”
I pinched her soft cheek and burned the spider webs on her head and body.
Fwoosh.
“…”
Nam Seo-hee, seeing the spider webs on her body burning, looked at me in surprise and bowed her head.
“That guy is with Lee Yesol, so take him with you on your way.”
I had forbidden them from entering the mansion except on weekends, but Claire had asked me to allow Baek Hana and the others to come to the mansion for theoretical education.
Knowing the real purpose behind this request, I reluctantly agreed, but it was true that it would benefit Baek Hana, so I allowed them to enter the mansion freely as long as they adhered to the curfew.
“Okay, I understand.”
Baek Hana smiled softly and nodded.
“Then I’ll go.”
“See you later.”
Baek Hana and Nam Seo-hee left the warehouse.
“That’s enough.”
Woosh.
After absorbing several rifts, the crystal’s self-awareness had grown stronger, and it emerged from the shimmering blue light.
Swoosh.
And as its self-awareness grew stronger, so did its fear of me, as it promptly went into the bag that Claire was wearing around her waist.
“Claire.”
“Yes, Professor.”
“…”
I turned my head to look at her, and she met my gaze without averting her eyes.
‘Indeed, humans are creatures that adapt.’
Claire, who strictly separates her personal and professional lives, insists that when it comes to official matters like her role as an associate professor, she will completely exclude personal relationships…
I handed the document bag I was holding to her and continued.
“Take a short break and join us in 20 minutes.”
“Yes, sir.”
I headed towards the main building, leaving behind her response, which was both businesslike and tinged with a hint of pleasure.
**
[Conference Room 3]
‘Why am I here…?’
Kang Hanna, sitting in a corner, glanced around at the other professors sitting around the table.
‘Professor Jayden, Elder Lee Hyuk… and…’
The one-armed man sitting in the middle, who had joined the faculty after several professors had their heads chopped off.
‘What was his name again…?’
I had heard from other colleagues and assistants that he was an incredibly skilled individual. However, after years of being bogged down by assistant work and now overwhelmed by the influx of tasks as a professor, I had no time to pay attention to such matters.
One thing was certain.
Everyone except me was an exceptional person, both in terms of skill and reputation.
Click.
‘…?’
At the small sound that reverberated through the quiet conference room, where there was not a word of small talk, Kang Hanna quickly turned her head.
Hoping that there might be a colleague in the same situation as her…
‘Oh…’
But as soon as she saw the large-framed man in a black suit entering through the open door, Kang Hanna instinctively stood up from her seat.
“Oh, hello!”
The appearance of Baek Woo-jin, the de facto top power in the Arena Academy at the moment.
At Kang Hanna’s loud greeting, the professors one by one bowed their heads towards him. However.
“Haha, if you had told me, I would have come to greet you myself.”
Professor Jayden stood up from his seat, shedding his usual serious demeanor, and with a lighthearted expression, he pulled back the chair at the head of the table.
“…”
Baek Woo-jin stared at him for a moment, then, still standing, lightly patted Kang Hanna’s head, who was still bowing.
“From now on, just a greeting will suffice. And keep quiet in the conference room.”
“Ah, I’m, I’m sorry…”
As soon as his large hand rested on her head, Kang Hanna felt a tingling sensation. Embarrassed by her earlier enthusiastic greeting, she quickly sat back down.
“Jayden.”
“Yes, Professor.”
“Shut up and sit down.”
“…”
Professor Jayden sat down with a deflated expression.
Kang Hanna blinked, puzzled by his behavior, which was quite different from her own.
“I think you know why I called you here. You’ve dumped a terribly annoying task on me.”
“Hmm, it’s not that we dumped it on you, it’s just that…”
“One more word and I’ll throw you out.”
“Umm.”
‘…’
Kang Hanna doubted her own eyes, wondering what she was witnessing.
There had been rumors that Professor Jayden had been trying to curry favor with Professor Baek Woo-jin, but seeing them together, she realized that rumors were not to be trusted.
‘It’s not that he’s currying favor, but it seems like Professor Jayden is the one making advances…’
Despite being in a position of power, Professor Jayden was looking at Professor Baek Woo-jin with sparkling eyes, even though he was being treated rather harshly.
‘And what did he mean by dumping the task on me?’
I don’t know anything about it…
Kang Hanna couldn’t help but wonder why she was even in this meeting.
“Since you recommended me, I’ll make all the decisions. However, if you have any objections, feel free to speak up at any time. If I find your suggestion better, I’m willing to change the personnel.”
Kang Hanna listened attentively, although she didn’t quite understand what he was saying, and looked at Professor Baek Woo-jin’s round glasses.
“First, we need to select students. Excluding the graduating class, the valedictorian, and the salutatorian, ask each professor for their opinions and select 20 students. I’ll handle the final selection.”
The professors nodded, and Kang Hanna did the same.
‘…So it’s about the Academy Exhibition.’
Selection, graduating class, excluding the valedictorian and salutatorian.
As soon as she heard these keywords, Kang Hanna, being a graduate herself, quickly grasped the topic of the meeting.
“And…”
Kang Hanna snapped to attention, still not accustomed to his deep, resonant voice.
Professor Baek Woo-jin glanced at Professor Jayden, sitting next to him, and spoke.
“The head professor for the Ability Users is Jayden Martel.”
His tone was clearly disapproving, yet Professor Jayden, the person in question, merely nodded with sparkling eyes.
“And the overall supervisor for the Enhancement Users will be another professor.”
“…”
All the professors, except for Elder Lee Hyuk, widened their eyes in surprise, including Kang Hanna.
However, Elder Lee Hyuk, the person in question, reacted calmly, as if he had expected it.
“Then, of course, I should step down, Professor Claire.”
“Ah…”
“Indeed…”
Only then did the professors, who had been looking surprised, close their mouths and nod in agreement.
Even though Elder Lee Hyuk was exceptional, he couldn’t compare to an unofficial ranker and the Messenger of God.
But the professors had to open their mouths again at Professor Baek Woo-jin’s next words.
“It seems there’s a misunderstanding. She will be a special advisor, alternating between the Enhancement Users and Ability Users.”
“…”
At Elder Lee Hyuk’s enigmatic question, Professor Baek Woo-jin’s large glasses shifted slightly.
“Cheon Ji-ho.”
The one-armed man reflected in his glasses.
“…”
Cheon Ji-ho pointed to his chest with his remaining arm.
As if asking if it was really him.