I Became an Unknown Professor at the Academy

Whoosh.

A gentle breeze carrying the scent of spring blew in.

As consciousness, which had been subdued, resurfaced, a familiar sound became increasingly distinct.

-Peep!!

-Thank you.

I opened my eyes, taking in the sound.

The languor that had visited me after a long time was no longer present. It was a significant advantage to be able to recover physically through sleep alone, without any special measures.

I got out of bed and headed to the study.

The warm sunlight and spring breeze gently flowed in through the wide-open window.

The short hand of the clock on the desk pointed to the number 1. It was quite convenient to be able to wake up at the desired time without needing to set an alarm.

I turned my body slightly and leaned out the window.

-Peep?

The tiny creature that had been adorning Claire’s head with white petals in the yard spotted me and blinked.

I quietly raised my index finger to my lips.

-Peep~!

As if understanding my intention, the little creature turned its attention back to Claire and resumed its task.

It entered the tall bushes and plucked the coveted petals, carefully placing them on Claire’s head. One by one, the petals formed a somewhat haphazard yet passable floral crown.

Her lustrous golden hair, shimmering with light, swayed gently in the breeze.

I hesitated slightly, torn between enjoying this natural sight or calling out to her and seeing her face.

It was a fleeting hesitation, and.

I turned away without choosing either option.

The weight in my heart seemed to tilt further with each new morning.

“I can’t put it off any longer.”

I had intended to hold out until the summer festival, but as my possessiveness toward Claire, not just Baek Hana, began to grow, I felt I couldn’t leave things as they were any longer.

‘But there shouldn’t be any problems.’

Taking advantage of the unexpected variable, I summoned the Clock Tower’s lunatic. Originally, I had planned to reveal the crystal core after the ‘gate manipulation’ incident next year, but since I had ignited his curiosity, I had no choice but to make use of him.

Moreover, he had drawn the attention of others by engaging in unnecessary antics that I hadn’t instructed him to do, so he needed to serve as a proper lightning rod.

-Peep!!

With some time to spare before the disciplinary committee began, I was reading up on external news when the little creature, adorned with petals as usual, flew over.

-Pappa pupu.

“…… .”

It seemed that the little creature had learned from Baek Hana, as it offered me a small piece of chocolate while sitting on the kitchen table. It probably wanted me to peel it.

-Peep~

After peeling the chocolate and handing it back, I watched as the creature held it in its hands and nibbled on it like a squirrel. Somehow, its eating style seemed to be resembling Baek Hana’s more and more.

“Ah…”

I wondered when I would stop hearing that sound.

I turned my head to see Claire, with her head still adorned with petals, looking at me with a startled expression.

“Are you, um, bothered by the noise…?”

“No.”

“Oh, oh, then, coffee…”

-Peep!

Claire and I watched as the little creature, startled by my sudden movement, scurried after me. Soon, a cup of steaming hot coffee was placed in front of me.

I took a sip of the instant coffee, with its familiar taste and aroma, and quietly put my hand in my pocket. If I didn’t, I felt that I would instinctively reach out and hold her hand.

…Crunch, crunch.

…Crunch, crunch.

Since I didn’t say anything, Claire also remained silent.

For a while, the only sound in the kitchen was the little creature munching on its chocolate.

I checked the time and stood up. Claire naturally followed behind me, and for some reason, the little rascal also trailed after us as we headed toward the entrance.

“About dinner…”

“Please make something not too heavy.”

“Not too heavy…”

Claire, still with petals on her head, clasped her hands together and wore a determined expression, as if she were about to tackle a gate.

I buttoned my jacket and channeled my mana toward the two of them.

-Peep?

“……?”

Stems grew from the petals on their heads, intertwining and forming a framework.

I savored the sight of them wearing makeshift floral crowns and quietly turned away.

**

[Underground of the Main Building]

“Go in there.”

“Thank, you…?”

Baek Hana and her group entered the judgment room of the disciplinary committee, perplexed by Kim Sung-won’s unusually friendly behavior.

“Why is he being so nice?”

“I don’t know. And keep your mouth shut until we get back.”

The four of them entered a space reminiscent of a courtroom and took their seats, which had their names written on them.

-The disciplinary committee members have entered.

Choi Min-sik, the head of the faculty, spoke through the speakers, filling the entire judgment room with his voice.

Baek Hana and her companions, along with the other students who had arrived earlier, swallowed nervously.

The professors entered one by one and took their seats. The first floor was filled first, followed by Jayden and Lee Hyeok on the second floor. And finally, on the third floor.

Baek Woo-jin, wearing a black jacket, sat in the first seat.

【Let’s begin.】

-The disciplinary committee will now commence.

The bright lights dimmed as a hologram appeared in the center of the room. Soon, the replicated images from yesterday, created by Robert, were projected.

-As you can see, the students brought before this disciplinary committee have committed clear wrongdoing, and the evidence to prove it is also indisputable. Therefore, we will move directly to the sentencing phase without any interrogation or defense.

The hologram disappeared, and the room brightened again.

【The decisions made here will never be overturned. So if there is anything you wish to say, speak now.】

Baek Woo-jin’s voice settled heavily in the room.

Baek Hana clenched her hands on her knees, trying to calm her pounding heart amidst the growing anxiety.

【It seems there aren’t any. Then…】

Baek Woo-jin called out the students’ names and proceeded to recite the rules they had broken and the corresponding punishments.

For the students who had actually taken the stage and manifested swords and magic, he ordered the confiscation of their academy uniforms. For the bystanders, he imposed a near-expulsion level of demerit points and restricted their outings and overnight stays outside the academy until the end of their second year, except for vacations.

【Maria, Edyn.】

The two girls held each other’s hands tightly and swallowed nervously.

【You are also guilty of standing by and doing nothing. Therefore, you will receive the same number of demerit points. However, as your lives are tied to the Temple of the God of Amusement, today’s ruling will be handed over to the temple, and the subsequent punishment will be left to the temple’s discretion.】

The two girls’ faces paled at an alarming rate.

【Na Joo-hee.】

The girl with red hair raised her head. Her red eyes held no hope.

【Illegal sparring, manifestation of highly lethal magic, and destruction of academy facilities. You are also to hand over your academy uniform, but considering that your motive was to protect Na Min-seo, believing her lies, the following ruling will be made. You will receive 59 demerit points, and all outings and overnight stays outside the academy, including vacations, will be prohibited until the end of your second year. Additionally, regardless of your academic performance, you will be placed at the bottom of the class rankings for this year.】

Na Joo-hee, who had been half-dead, widened her eyes in surprise.

While 60 demerit points meant expulsion, the fact that she had been given another chance felt like her life had been saved.

【Baek Hana.】

Baek Hana finally looked up at Baek Woo-jin, who had called her name last, and stared at him directly.

【Although Na Min-seo’s guilt has been established, you are also guilty of participating in the sparring and committing violence. You will receive the same punishment as Na Joo-hee, excluding the demerit points.】

Bang―!!

The judge’s gavel struck the floor.

【If there are any objections from the committee members, please raise your hands.】

A brief silence ensued. None of the disciplinary committee members raised their hands.

【As there are no objections from the other committee members, the disciplinary committee is now adjourned.】

Baek Woo-jin stood up, and Jayden and Lee Hyeok, sitting on the second floor, followed suit. The rest of the professors also left the judgment room after Baek Woo-jin.

-The rulings made today will be delivered to you and your guardians tomorrow via official letter. You may now leave.

The tightly closed door opened.

No one could easily get up from their seats.

Baek Hana, too, was stunned by the restriction on her outings and overnight stays.

**

**In front of the elevator.

I called out to the boy who remained after I had sent the other professors up.

“Jayden.”

“Yes, Professor.”

I spoke to the boy, who was overly polite.

“Bring your master to the old building of the Alchemy Workshop tomorrow evening.”

“…… Yes!!”

The boy nodded vigorously, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

“You may go up first. I have some separate business to attend to.”

“Yes, see you tomorrow.”

Without knowing the exact time, the boy got into the elevator and disappeared from my sight.

Left alone, I retraced my steps, hiding my presence.

I passed the door I had come through and headed further down.

The door was wide open, revealing the students lost in their thoughts. I approached Baek Hana, who had a rather comical expression on her face as if she were half out of her mind.

I quietly stood behind her and placed my hand on her forehead.

“……?”

Baek Hana’s eyes widened as she felt my touch.

Then, as she turned to me in surprise, I gently tidied her hair. I smoothed her messy bangs and carefully untangled her knotted hair.

Slowly, savoring the soft sensation.

“Hana?”

“…… Why?”

“Your face is red.”

“I’m just hot.”

Although she maintained a blank expression, the heat rising on her cheeks could not be concealed.

My desire grew little by little.

I reluctantly withdrew my hand and took a step back.

“Ah…”

Baek Hana turned away, letting out a short exclamation. Her gaze was fixed on me.

It was impossible for her to see me, yet as I slowly backed away, her blue eyes followed my movements.

“Shall we go?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah…”

At Nam Seo-hee’s question, Baek Hana nodded.

Soon, Baek Hana left with the other three girls she usually hung out with.

One by one, the other students also got up and left, and before long, I was the only one left in the room.

The bright lights that had illuminated the room went out, and darkness descended.

I took a step forward, having retreated enough, and scowled.

“It’s severe.”

My body allowed me to leave only after I had erased all traces of Baek Hana’s presence.