Villain Professor of Heroes

An academic advisor leads the student toward good grades and a smooth graduation.

Thus, the relationship between a professor and graduate student in the real world is not quite right; the term “mentor” fits better.

Unlike overworked graduate students treated like slaves, guidance students actively use the professor’s assistance to their benefit.

Likewise, if the guidance student succeeds and becomes a renowned hero, it’s a career boost for the professor as well.

In this sense, Yu Hye-won is perhaps the best guidance student, whereas Han Min-ha…

The academic record of Han Min-ha, viewed under the authority of an advisor, was truly bleak.

It makes one think that even an average high schooler with decent physical conditions would perform better than this.

But… this is not likely the full extent of Han Min-ha’s potential.

People with low self-esteem generally cannot gauge their own abilities well and fail to utilize them fully.

If my intuition is correct, Han Min-ha’s aura is extraordinarily powerful.

If only we could teach Min-ha to properly use that, Min-ha will undoubtedly rise higher.

“Professor!”

While exiting the research building for a lecture, Professor Jin caught up from behind.

“Going to lecture?”

“Yes, Professor Jin, and you?”

“I am too. Let’s go together.”

Professor Jin’s attire was akin to a swimmer before a competition.

A full-body practice suit that minimizes friction in flight and protects against injury, hugged tightly to her body. She wore a loose-fitting training jacket over it and was exuding a healthy charm.

She was an entirely different human from me, who resembled a gray mold weakened by a lung disease.

Nevertheless, I haven’t coughed lately, so I feel like I’m on the mend.

Could it really be because of Han Min-ha?

“Professor Jin, regarding Han Min-ha…”

“Min-ha? What is it?”

“What do you think?”

“Min-ha… has just barely managed to lift off the ground. Other students can already manage low-altitude takeoffs. She is a bit late in this regard.”

“I see. Have you checked Han Min-ha’s aura?”

“Aura, yes.”

Professor Jin nodded as if understanding the intent of my question.

“You’ve noticed it too, I see. Min-ha’s aura is incredibly pure.”

By this, I mean high in purity.

Currently, there are only a few subjects that require direct use of aura.

In my case, Basic Defense, Jin’s Flight and Guidance, and Hyun Ju’s Comprehensive Attack.

For now, Comprehensive Attack is mainly focused on physical martial arts.

In truth, the only ones who have taken a closer look at Han Min-ha’s aura are Professor Jin and I.

“Han Min-ha is a hero’s offspring, and that’s why it’s like this.”

“I understand. Still, it’s strange, isn’t it? Heroes’ offspring are supposed to handle their aura more smoothly than others, but she’s somewhat… How should I say…”

“Dumb?”

“Aahaha…”

My statement made Professor Jin break into laughter without agreeing or disagreeing.

It must be a correct statement, but she hesitates to call her own student a fool.

She is genuinely kind and pure-hearted.

“Anyway, it’s a good thing. With a person like you, Professor, guiding her, I imagine she’ll quickly move up to the advanced class.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“Professor, may I ask why you took on a guidance student? Moreover, someone like Min-ha.”

“Well, you could say it’s out of idealistic concerns. I thought that by guiding a student everyone else had given up on and helping them graduate safely, I might gain a sense of accomplishment as a professor.”

My lie lit up Professor Jin’s eyes as she clasped her hands together.

“Of course… Professor…”

Within the professor’s office, we have matched all students adequately with professors. If students have no major objections to the results, the selection ends there.

After a long period of adjustment, these results rarely change significantly.

However, the biggest concern when taking Han Min-ha as a guidance student was Yu Hye-won’s potential reaction.

Perhaps something like “How dare they pair me with someone like Han Min-ha?” or “Professor Hyun has only me as a guidance student.”

But I’m not without a plan for this.

“Hello, Professor.”

When the students entered and naturally sat down on their personal mats in the lecture hall, the first ten minutes were dedicated to meditation to calm their minds.

Students in advanced classes have already mastered the basics of setting up a defensive barrier. Teaching assistants no longer needed to wield metal pipes.

As I stood on the podium to greet the students, Yu Hye-won entered soon after with her group.

When I last saw her, there were around three of them; now, her followers have grown nearly to ten.

So, half the class is already loyal to Yu Hye-won.

There are a few upper echelon classes, but Yu Hye-won’s is the top among those.

Half of her class follows her around like hunting dogs.

Perhaps, if projected forward, these kids will form a new hero clique centered around Hye-won upon graduating without incident.

Heroes rarely cooperate, but who knows?

Just for a moment…

How did it go in the original work?

Did Yu Hye-won drag these junior members around, or did she act alone?

I tried to recall, but it doesn’t come back fully.

It must have faded from memory after being immersed here for so long.

After all, this wasn’t the only novel I read, and it wasn’t a masterpiece that would stick in my mind forever.

I know the main points, so it doesn’t matter if I can’t recall all the details.

Just after the lecture ended, Yu Hye-won sought me out.

“The guidance student assignment seems a bit off.”

“In what way?”

“Han Min-ha? It’s absurd.”

“Han Min-ha’s grades are so low that other professors didn’t want her. Since every student must have an advisor, I, studying unpopular subjects, took her on. There’s no major issue there.”

With my mental barrier set, my lie is undetectable.

Still, Yu Hye-won continued to protest without picking up on anything.

“I don’t mean to question the procedure, Professor. The problem is how someone like me, who topped the initial assessment, is paired with that kid who barely passed and ended up passing out.”

“If being paired with Han Min-ha will lower your grades, I guess I underestimated the situation.”

“Huh?”

“Given your standard, Hye-won, helping Min-ha might even raise your own grades. Or is it that you’re unwilling to even converse with someone of a lower rank?”

By openly highlighting moral issues, Hye-won became silent with slight irritation, then brought up something else.

“Didn’t you initially say that you wouldn’t take me on as a guidance student?”

“I changed my mind. People’s hearts are constantly in motion.”

“Is that so? There wasn’t any external influence that changed your mind, was there?”

While maintaining a defensive mental barrier, I smiled and met her gaze.

“There’s no denying there might’ve been some external factors, but also internal ones. Although, the internal factors were more decisive, and I don’t think it’s necessary to emphasize them.”

“And what about the internal factors, Professor Hyun?”

“Let’s say this. Since so many professors wanted to guide you, and you chose me despite that, it wouldn’t be right for me to reject it from either your perspective or the professors’.”

“I never knew you cared so much.”

Despite the sarcasm from Hye-won, I kept my smile and continued,

“Furthermore, even before enrolling, you had me in mind, checking the school website. You even approached me during the opening ceremony.”

“Hmm.”

Hye-won crossed her arms, waiting for my next statement.

“And for that, I am deeply grateful. Although, I won’t deny the fact that my first impression wasn’t the best. You do have a somewhat inappropriate attitude, don’t you?”

“That’s…”

Hye-won tried to argue back, but I ignored it and carried on.

“But, perhaps, it’s just a clumsy expression of pride in your talent and skills, I thought.”

“Yes…?”

Smiling with a wink, I proceeded,

“So… perhaps guiding an excellent student like Hye-won could give me some pride and fulfillment in choosing this profession.”

Startled by the sudden shift, Hye-won looked confused and just stared at me.

Right now, I’m creating a situation where Hye-won tacitly accepts Han Min-ha.

Making it clear that I chose you willingly, while being stuck with Min-ha procedurally.

Making her realize that having a mediocre student by her side can make her shine even more.

Nothing beats a strategic promotion approach.

“So, that’s how I chose you as my guidance student. Does that make sense?”

“Yes, I suppose I can accept that…”

It doesn’t matter whether she truly accepts it or not.

The important thing is stopping her from causing trouble over sharing a guidance student with Min-ha.

“Thank you for choosing me as your academic guide, Hye-won.”

Smiling warmly, Hye-won quickly averted her gaze.

“Let’s do our best together.”

It’s kind of like when a door-to-door preacher who fully expects rejection rings the bell, only for the door to open wide and be invited in for tea.

That would be Hye-won’s situation now.

For a while, Hye-won stared at me with a bewildered expression.

Then, finally, she smiled slyly and opened her mouth.

“Professor, aren’t you underestimating me just a bit?”

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

“Hmm. Reflect on it calmly. Anyway…”

Hye-won said with softened eyes.

“I appreciate you choosing me as your guidance student. I’ll believe what you said about Han Min-ha.”

I don’t think Hye-won accepts my words at face value.

However, making her at least understand it to a degree was my goal, which has been achieved.

In the near future, Hye-won shouldn’t cause any trouble with Min-ha.

It could seem like I’m overly cautious about not irritating Hye-won.

But no matter how others might perceive it, it doesn’t matter as long as I successfully guide Min-ha to graduation.

“Alright, I’ll inform you of the guidance student orientation schedule soon; we can talk more then.”

It’s not a big deal.

We just call them in, introduce ourselves, discuss how we’ll assist, and what they might need.

For professors of popular subjects like Comprehensive Attack with Professor Hyun Ju or Flight and Guidance with Professor Jin, who have several guidance students, the term ‘orientation’ is appropriate.

However, as I only have two students—Hye-won and Min-ha—it’s less like an orientation and more like a tea time.

I could just call them into the research room, make some coffee, and that’s it—it’s simple.

[!– Slider main container –]

---