I Became an Unknown Professor at the Academy

“Ugh…”

Park Mina groaned softly, feeling exhausted despite having just woken up.

Her body was still stiff, even after sleeping.

The desire to sleep a little longer crept up on her, but she pushed it away and got out of bed.

AM 07:19

She thought she had woken up earlier than usual, but when she checked the clock on the wall, she realized she had overslept by 19 minutes.

“Haa.”

Her shoulders were heavy, her back and calf muscles were taut as if they would snap at any moment, and her joints creaked like rusty hinges every time she moved.

“Kkkk~!!”

Park Mina stood there, scowling, and stretched her arms above her head to relieve the stiffness.

“Haa…”

Only then did the unpleasant feeling of stiffness begin to dissipate.

Clap, clap!

She slapped her cheeks lightly to wake herself up and headed to the bathroom, where she took a shower and came out. Then she heated up a simple lunchbox that she had stored in the refrigerator and ate it for breakfast.

Even during the break, the student cafeteria was always open, but she preferred to rest in her room, where she felt more comfortable.

Vroom──!!

As she finished her meal, feeling satisfied with the right amount of fullness, the smartphone and smartwatch on her bedside table started ringing loudly.

[Dad♥]

Park Mina checked the name on the screen and answered with a slightly brighter expression.

“Yes, Dad.”

[Hmm, your voice sounds bright, so I assume I didn’t wake you up.]

“Hmph, I’m so diligent. I’m going to the training room later.”

It had been almost a month since the break started, and Park Mina had been going to the training room and sparring hall every single day without fail.

[It’s good to see you working hard, but are you taking care of your health?]

“Don’t you know me, Dad? I’m very diligent in managing my condition.”

[Hearing that makes me feel a little relieved.]

“I’m fine, so you should focus on the guild.”

Beep-

A mug placed under the capsule machine filled with dense, condensed coffee, emitting a fragrant vanilla scent.

Park Mina took a sip and pouted slightly.

“Anyway, you must be busy with all the rifts appearing lately… Why did you come to see the grade evaluation?”

[Hmm, don’t be mistaken. I didn’t come to see you, my daughter. I came to find talented individuals to recruit.]

“Hmph…”

In fact, Park Mina knew that her father would be visiting for the grade evaluation. She had asked him to come.

However, the ending was not very pleasant.

Escaping through the secret passage with Kang Mu-seok had gone well.

But then, she was quickly subdued by the student council president, who was wearing a strange costume.

The problem was that she was tied up with a thread pulled from the shadows and ended up hanging from the deepest part of the test with Kang Mu-seok, in a position she was too embarrassed to describe.

‘It’s so embarrassing, I could wake up and scream.’

It was a shameful and embarrassing memory that made her want to scream even in her sleep.

[Hmm, but, daughter? Did you deliver the gift I gave you?]

“Yes, I did. I’ve even asked you several times via email. Why don’t you just send it directly to the Black Lion Guild?”

[Hey!! Then it would seem like I’m bowing down to Kang Mu-seok.]

“I don’t know. Anyway, I delivered it.”

[It’s very precious, so I told you to always carry it with you when you go out.]

“I told you I did.”

[Hmm, I understand. And daughter? Make sure to answer when I call you on the 13th.]

“The 13th?”

Park Mina turned her head to check the calendar and confirmed that the 13th was indeed the day after tomorrow.

“Just say tomorrow, don’t make it confusing.”

[You should try being in my position. I have to remember all the meetings I have lined up~ I keep the dates in my head.]

“Do you think I don’t know that you have a secretary?”

[Anyway!! Take a break from training tomorrow and stay in your dormitory room. And make sure to answer when I call.]

“No.”

[What, what?!]

Park Mina smiled at her father’s surprised reaction and continued,

“Well, yesterday, there was an announcement on the broadcast. It said that students who wished to observe the General Assembly of the Awakened could do so in the auditorium. Even the president and the chairman of the World Awakened Association can’t see it, but I can. How can I stay in my room?”

[……]

“Dad?”

[Oh, yes, I’m listening. So, you can observe the General Assembly of the Awakened?]

“Yes. Only students who remain in the dormitory are allowed to observe. It’s not like anyone can observe!”

Park Mina was prohibited from going out or staying out due to disciplinary action.

Furthermore, she had unintentionally trolled the second-year upperclassmen, who were called the Golden Generation, during the grade evaluation.

In fact, even during the break, she had to visit the Academy twice a week and was summoned to the secluded backyard by Hong Yeom’s Naju and the Iron Knight’s Kang Seok-ho.

There, they were beaten in the name of guided sparring.

It wasn’t malicious bullying, though. They did beat her mercilessly, but they also gave her a few words of advice and left.

[Well, then you can’t stay in the dormitory…]

“That’s right~”

[But, daughter. Can you leave the General Assembly in the middle?]

“Hmm? Why?”

[Well, you might need to use the bathroom or something…]

“I’m not a child. And I’m an awakened person, so I can control my physiological needs!”

[Oh, my ears are ringing!]

“Hmph.”

Park Mina let out a small snort and gulped down the lukewarm vanilla latte.

“If you have nothing else to say, I’m hanging up. I need to go to the training room.”

[But you have to answer my call tomorrow, even if it’s during the General Assembly. Do you understand? Huh?]

“Can’t you just send an email? What’s so important?”

[I can’t tell you now, so are you promising?]

“I don’t know…”

Park Mina checked the time and sighed softly.

“I’ll try to answer if I can.”

[You have to answer, right?]

“I understand. So, are we done?”

[Yes, I’ll talk to you again tomorrow. Work hard today.]

Tteureuk──

“Why do you keep treating me like a child…”

Park Mina’s lips curled up slightly, but it was barely noticeable.

After ending the call with her father, she rummaged through the pile of clothes on the floor and found a wrinkled tracksuit to change into.

“I’ll have to tidy up my room when I get back today.”

She did her laundry every day, but she had been throwing her dried clothes on the floor every night because she didn’t have the energy to fold them.

However, since she was attending a very important event tomorrow, she decided to take it easy during training today and return to her room early to prepare for the event.

Tteeririk──

Park Mina left her room and headed to the first-floor lobby, where she spotted Kang Mu-seok, who was also heading to the training room.

“Hey, Kang Mu-seok.”
“…”

Park Mina smiled inwardly as Kang Mu-seok stopped and turned around at her call. She walked up to him and said,

“You’re a little late today.”
“How, how do you know that? You, don’t tell me…”
“Don’t talk nonsense. Every time I go to the training room, you’re always there before me. Today, you’re late, so it’s natural, right?”
“I can’t even joke with you.”
“It’s not like we’re that close.”

Kang Mu-seok’s face was expressionless, but he felt a little embarrassed when he realized that Park Mina was just teasing him. He turned away and continued walking.

As they walked towards the training room, Park Mina asked,

“Hey, are you carrying the gift my father gave you?”
“…”

Park Mina frowned at Kang Mu-seok’s silence and said,

“You didn’t lose it, did you?”
“I left it in my room because it was getting in the way.”

Kang Mu-seok’s voice trembled slightly.

However, Park Mina didn’t notice this subtle change and glared at him with a slightly dissatisfied expression, continuing,

“I told you to carry it with you because it enhances your magic power.”
“Can you keep something as big as a fist attached to your body all the time?”
“But it increases my magic power.”
“…”
“See? You always close your mouth when you have nothing to say.”
“Anyway, I find it uncomfortable.”

Kang Mu-seok’s ears turned slightly red, and he quickened his pace. Park Mina followed behind him.

“Hey, at least tomorrow, you have to bring it, okay? I’ll check to make sure you’re carrying it properly…”

Park Mina’s mouth slowly closed as she spoke.

“Look over there…”

In the distance, they could see a group of paladins in silver armor, led by a handsome man with flowing golden hair.

Kang Mu-seok pointed to the coin on the left breast of the paladins’ armor and said,

“He’s a saint.”
“Wow…”

Park Mina’s eyes widened, and she jumped up.

“Should I ask for an autograph?”
“Why are you asking me?”
“You too, you should ask for one!”
“Are you serious…?”
“You never know when you’ll get another chance like this. Just follow me!”
“You, you’re like a gorilla…”

Park Mina smiled as she looked at Kang Mu-seok, who was being dragged along by her.

“You’re stronger than me, but you’re pretending to be dragged.”
“…”

Kang Mu-seok finally stopped grumbling and quietly followed behind Park Mina.

“Where are you going?”

To get to the Street of Light, they should have turned left, but the saint’s group continued to move forward.

As the two of them followed the saint’s group, hoping to get an autograph, they had to slow down as they approached the distant wall of the Infinite Labyrinth.

“We, we have to turn back… Oh, no, let’s go together!”

The Infinite Labyrinth, which was known as the Forbidden Land.

Park Mina cursed at Kang Mu-seok, who was already far ahead, and ran after him.