I Became an Unknown Professor at the Academy

“Come in.”

As I opened the door to the director’s office, Ahn Hyun-do stood up as if he had been waiting for me.

“Would you like something to drink?”

“I’ll have some.”

The guy made an unnecessary comment about having only water and green tea available, then started preparing green tea for himself.

The director’s office was surprisingly spartan.

I leaned against the newly added sofa.

“What’s the matter?”

“It’s about the freshmen, but are you busy? Your schedule seems pretty empty in the afternoon.”

“I just don’t want to talk to you for too long.”

“You’re such a cold-hearted guy.”

The guy, holding a teacup with white steam rising from it, sat on the sofa opposite me.

Slurp!

“You’ve got it easy.”

“I worked hard when I was young, so I think I deserve some leisure in my old age.”

“If you want to spend the rest of your life leisurely, it’s best to get to the point quickly.”

“Are you going to throw me out the window this time?”

“…”

Compared to last year, the guy had noticeably fewer wrinkles on his face. He must have delegated his work to others and spent his time in the Gate, achieving personal fulfillment.

“First of all, thank you for dispersing the freshmen gathered downstairs.”

“Let’s get to the point.”

“Are you really not considering increasing the number of students? I heard you mention something about giving them a chance earlier.”

“I’ll handle that, so don’t worry about it.”

“You’re such a devilish guy…”

“If you’re going to talk nonsense, I might as well throw you out the window again.”

“…”

At my not-so-subtle hint, Ahn Hyun-do quietly averted his gaze from me.

“I plan to handle the two students during the selection test for the course.”

“Well, accidents were common during the tests until about 10 years ago, so it’s a reasonable excuse. But these days, it’s a bit…”

“And we’re not just some random Academy, you know.”

“The test will be conducted in an actual Gate. And participants must sign a waiver.”

It was a simple task to either swallow a 5-level Gate with a crystal or create a Gate at an arbitrary location. The last step was to have the students sign a waiver stating that they were responsible for any accidents that occurred within the Gate.

“It’s a reasonable idea, but do you have to do it now? Can’t you just do it during the vacation period?”

The guy, who was the director of the Academy, nonchalantly drew a line across his throat with his thumb while keeping his hand at an angle.

“Is the thing on your shoulder just for show? If I was going to do that, why didn’t I just handle it outside without letting them in?”

“…”

At my words, Ahn Hyun-do quietly averted his gaze.

“I’m just saying it’s possible. Who wouldn’t know that?”

“Tsk.”

At my dismissive remark, the guy made a very aggrieved expression and opened his mouth.

“So, if I take responsibility, is that enough?”

“The fact that I submitted the proposal and you approved it is enough.”

“…”

“If you have nothing else to say, I should leave.”

“I invited you, but you can leave now.”

As the guy waved his hand dismissively, I didn’t like the look on his face, so I sent magical power towards the teacup he was holding.

Crack!

“What?!”

The guy’s wide-eyed expression was quite funny.

“You can leave now.”

“You devilish guy!”

Ignoring his loud voice, I left the director’s office.

.

.

.

After Baek Woo-jin left.

“Ugh… Why is this artifact breaking so easily?”

Ahn Hyun-do sighed as he looked down at the cracked teacup, as if struck by lightning.

Looking at the cracked teacup, he felt a bit anxious, imagining himself in the future.

‘Maybe I should have just told him everything…’

Isn’t it better to strike first?

But that devilish guy is quite scary.

Even now, remembering the time I was thrown against the wall makes my back hurt.

“Ugh… What’s done is done. What can he do if I say I didn’t know?”

Ahn Hyun-do carefully placed the cracked teacup on the table and stood up. He then walked over to his work desk, which had a clear view of the area below, and sat down in the chair.

“Did you save the contact information…?”

Ahn Hyun-do scratched his head for a moment, then opened a drawer. Inside was a white envelope with the emblem of the Cradle and a partially torn seal, along with a document related to exchange students.

“Haha, it’s an unavoidable choice for the welfare of our students.”

Ahn Hyun-do began typing on his tablet, transferring some of the conversation he had with Baek Woo-jin earlier into an email.

.

.

.

“Today’s class is over. Everyone, good work.”

The white-robed priest quietly left the classroom, signaling the end of the lesson for the trainee clerics.

“Yeon-ju, let’s go to the cafe!”

“We already went to the cafe at lunchtime. Why don’t we watch a movie before the evening service instead?”

“Yes! I like movies!”

Na Yeon-ju, who had entered the Arena Academy through the cleric admission process after accepting Baek Woo-jin’s proposal, had successfully made friends and exchanged contact information with most of her classmates.

“Okay! Then—”

Bang!

The classroom door opened violently, and Edyn burst in, her pink hair flying.

“Na Yeon-ju!”

“Yes, yes?!”

Na Yeon-ju raised her hand high in response to her senior and older sister, Edyn, who had shouted her name.

“Pack your bags and follow me quickly!”

“Huh? Yes, yes, I understand…”

Na Yeon-ju blinked a few times at Edyn’s sudden appearance and disappearance, then quickly gathered her belongings and stood up.

“I’m sorry, but I think I have to go now because my senior called me.”

“No, it’s not like that… Yeon-ju?”

Na Yeon-ju’s classmates patted her on the shoulder and stroked her head sympathetically as she calmly packed her things and stood up.

“If you’re having a hard time, feel free to talk to us. We can’t help, but we can offer advice.”

“Yes, I’ll help you whenever you need it.”

“Yeah… stay strong.”

“Uh, thank you…”

Na Yeon-ju awkwardly smiled as she left the classroom, feeling the concern of her classmates.

“This way!”

“Yes, I’m coming!”

Na Yeon-ju hurried towards the end of the hallway where Edyn was waiting.

“Where’s Maria?”

“She went to get our youngest member.”

“Huh?”

“Did you see the announcement that just came up?”

“I was in class until just now…”

“Why would you want to take a boring theology class when you can work as Professor Baek’s secretary?”

“Hehe…”

Na Yeon-ju scratched the back of her head, unable to find an appropriate response. She quickly changed the subject.

“So, what’s the announcement about?”

“It’s a great opportunity.”

“Huh? What?!”

Na Yeon-ju barely managed to catch the smartphone that was suddenly thrown at her.

“Phew…”

Na Yeon-ju, who had almost dropped her senior’s smartphone, breathed a sigh of relief and checked the brightly lit screen.

[Subject: Additional Students for Non-Major Gate Mechanics Lecture]

Students will be recruited through a selection test.

Difficulty: 5 levels. Theme: Snowfield. Content: Base Camp Construction and Stabilization of the Surrounding Area (3 days), up to 7 people are allowed to form a team. Individual participation is also allowed, but the base camp size will be fixed at medium (50M).

*Food supplies required for base camp construction will be divided among the students after discussion.

“Gate Mechanics lecture? What’s this about?”

“Haven’t you heard of Professor Baek’s lectures?”

“Huh?!”

Na Yeon-ju, who had been looking at the smartphone with a confused expression, widened her eyes and looked up.

“Can we participate in this too?”

“Yes, it seems like any student from the Academy can participate. So, can we form a team with Hana and Seo-hee?”

“I don’t think they can participate since they’re already taking the lecture.”

“Oh…”

Na Yeon-ju’s jumping excitement deflated.

“Oh, there they are.”

“Huh?”

Na Yeon-ju, who was still feeling dejected at the loss of a strong ally, weakly raised her head.

“Edyn… unnie?”

“What?”

Na Yeon-ju pointed to Maria, who was carrying another senior on her back, and asked with eyes like a lamb being led to the slaughterhouse.

“Can we also include Nayoung unnie in our team?”

“That’s why I brought her.”

“Huh? What?!”

Something seemed to have gone terribly wrong.