I Became an Unknown Professor at the Academy

Three days.

For some, it might feel short, while for others, it could seem long. But one thing was certain: it was undoubtedly a very tight timeframe for a group of students, not an organization, to prepare for exploiting a gate.

“Ughh!! This is so heavy!”

Edyn carried a backpack that was twice her size on her back and two heavy suitcases in each hand, for a total of five bags. She gritted her teeth and took one step forward.

“You have to be careful with these; we need them right away, right?”
“Hey! Who doesn’t know that?! That’s why I’m carrying them like this!”

Suppressing the urge to throw the suitcases she was holding, Edyn huffed at Maria, who was walking behind her with Nayoung and Na Yeon-ju on either side.

“Damn… Why is the parking lot so far away?”
“We’re almost there, so hang in there.”
“Y-Maybe I should carry one…”
“It’s okay. She’s complaining, but she’s still maintaining top-tier grades among the apprentice paladins.”
“Huh?”

Na Yeon-ju, who had been watching Edyn’s quickly disappearing figure as she grumbled, turned to Maria with wide eyes.

“Is Edyn really top-tier?”
“Yes. She doesn’t show it because of Hana and Seo-hee, but she’s a hidden ace who can beat Seo-hee if she uses her divine power.”
“Wow!! There’s hope!”
“Haha, Na Yeon-ju, you don’t trust us enough yet?”
“Ah, I…”

Maria patted Na Yeon-ju’s waist, and she couldn’t help but swallow nervously and smile awkwardly.

She had promised herself to be more careful with her words, but with such a large investment, she couldn’t help but let her excitement slip.

“Haha, you’re so cute.”
“Heh, heh…”

Na Yeon-ju, unable to read Maria’s emotionless face, wagged her tail like a puppy and quickly snuggled up to Maria, rubbing her head on her shoulder.

“Stop fooling around and come open the door!”

.

.

.

“Phew, I can finally relax.”

Edyn, who had borrowed a vehicle from Yesol, slumped back in the seat.

“Do you want a potion?” ”
Oh, thanks.”

Nayoung took out a small glass bottle from her waist pouch and handed it to Edyn.

Pop.

“Hmm… It smells like strawberry medicine.”
“I didn’t have enough ingredients to worry about the taste. But it won’t be too bad.”

Edyn gulped down the peach-colored liquid.

“Ugh… It has a strange aftertaste.”
“Here’s a candy.”

Edyn grimaced and put a grape-flavored candy in her mouth, finally relaxing.

“How long will it take?”
“We’ll be there in 30 minutes if there’s no traffic.”
“That’s plenty of time.”

They were on their way to a snow-themed gate, the stage for the selection test for the additional students in Professor Baek’s gateology lecture.

Normally, for an Academy event like this, the participants would gather in one place and travel by bus. However, this test was different in many ways.

First, after receiving the list of students who expressed their intention to participate, individuals and teams were grouped together and informed of their individual assembly times.

In other words, the number of participants and their identities were unknown to anyone outside of their respective teams.

Some argued that the teams entering later would have an advantage in terms of food and condition since they had to endure three days. However, these were in the extreme minority.

Anyone with a bit of common sense would know that entering as early as possible was more advantageous.

While the first team was most likely to encounter monsters, they also had the opportunity to secure the best spot.

“But you said we’d enter in the order of application. Doesn’t this make us the first team?”

Edyn checked the time on her smartwatch and asked Maria.

“I don’t think so.”
“Seriously? It’s 5 a.m. right now.”
“Exactly.”

Maria looked at Edyn, who was lying down in the rearview mirror, and continued.

“It’s already been five hours.”
“You don’t think they started at midnight, do you?”
“Professor Baek is the type of person who would do that. You know that, Edyn.”
“Yeah, I guess…”

Edyn sighed and sat up.

“So, we’re at least the fifth team?”
“If we assume one team per hour, that’s about right.”
“Well, that’s plenty of time. Entering first doesn’t guarantee the best spot anyway.”
“Ugh… I’m starting to get nervous…”
“Don’t worry too much. We’re clerics, after all. We can easily handle the monsters that inhabit the 5th stage.”

Maria nodded as she watched Edyn pat Na Yeon-ju’s shoulder and smile.

“Edyn’s right, Na Yeon-ju. The monsters in the 5th stage will be too scared to approach if we just scatter some divine power. Don’t worry too much.”

Yes, that would be the case for ordinary monsters in the 5th stage. And if the test was simply about guarding a base camp for three days, it would be a guaranteed pass unless they intentionally failed by destroying the camp.

‘Of course, it’s unlikely to be that simple.’

As the navigation system approached their destination, Maria prayed silently.

She hoped that the God she served and worshipped was not involved.

【Bapapa-bam~!! New challengers have arrived!!】

Maria, Edyn, and Na Yeon-ju all looked up at the floating child in the air, their faces hardening.

【I’m just an assistant, so there’s no need to be so nervous! I’ll explain the rules briefly, so listen carefully, okay~?】

Bwiar, maintaining her form through the tablet placed next to the gate, smiled with her signature innocent smile and continued.

【Have you all brought your signed oaths?】

At Bwiar’s question, the four lambs took out their oaths, stamped with their fingerprints, from their pockets.

【You’ve been given the minimum qualifications!!】

Hwalrruk──!!

The oaths in their hands were enveloped in white flames and instantly turned to ashes, leaving no trace behind.

【My cute children, I’m giving you the qualification to enter without those ominous oaths!!】

“…”
“…”

Maria and Edyn couldn’t help but exchange glances, knowing that this wasn’t right.

‘Hey, is this okay?’

‘How would I know…’

‘Damn, if it’s Professor’s personality, he’ll definitely make an issue out of it.’

‘Yeah…’

But neither of them could say anything to Bwiar.

Daring to consider others’ opinions in front of the God they served.

They believed that such irreverence was only allowed for those who had devoted themselves to the level of high priests or shrine priests.

【You must build the base camp within exactly 24 hours of entering the gate!! If you’re even a second late, you’ll be immediately disqualified, so be very careful!!】

But whether Bwiar knew their thoughts or not, she continued to perform the role entrusted to her by Professor Baek.

【And do you see the shelf next to the gate? There’s a necklace inside. You must wear it before entering, okay~!!】

Bwiar pointed to the silver necklace, her expression slightly calmer, and continued.

【If you lose the necklace, you’ll be disqualified. Do you understand what this means?】

Maria swallowed dryly as all eyes turned to her, and she nodded carefully before speaking softly.

“We must be cautious and vigilant not only of the monsters but also of the other students taking the test with us.”

【That’s right. Everyone except the four of you is a competitor.】

“I have a question.”

【I’ll allow it. My lovely little child.】

Feeling the deep affection in Bwiar’s voice, Maria relaxed and asked her question more comfortably.

“Is there a limit to the number of people who can pass?”

【No. As long as the conditions are met, all participants can pass this test.】

“Ah…”
“…”

Despite this being good news, Edyn couldn’t help but question her partner’s reaction as her face turned pale.

【You must build the camp within 24 hours of entering, wear the necklace, and maintain the camp for three days. If you understand, wear the necklace and enter~!! Ah! I’ll give you about five minutes now, as you might need time to adjust or change your mind!!】

Paat!

With a short flash of light, Bwiar disappeared into the tablet.

“Is there anyone who wants to quit now?”
“Are you crazy?”
“Me, too.”
“I trust you, sisters.”
“Okay.”

Maria smiled mysteriously and headed towards the necklaces.

“Hey, why did you look so upset at the end? If we just talk, we might not have to fight, right?” “Yes. If there are no other participants, that’s what will happen.”
“…”

When Edyn shot her a ‘what nonsense’ look, Maria returned with four necklaces and whispered softly as she handed them to Na Yeon-ju and Nayoung.

“We might not be much help, after all.”