Chapter 69

“Did Song Do-yoon really say that?”

“Yes. Through Student Han Min-ha, he asked me to relay a request.”

Smoking area in front of the lecture hall.

Before heading into the lecture, I was discussing Song Do-yoon with Professor Yu Hyun-ju.

“It seems he was desperate, doesn’t it? This makes me feel kind of sorry for Song Do-yoon.”

“That’s probably because of the outstanding performance Han Min-ha showed during the last Human Combat Ability Evaluation. It must’ve made him want the same kind of guidance.”

“Exactly. Raising someone from last place is no small feat. He probably wants the same treatment. So, you’ve decided to take him under your wing?”

“Yes. There’s really no reason not to when we break it down. Additionally, both Students Han Min-ha and Yu Hye-won think it’s a good idea.”

“In that case, it’s settled. Actually, all we need is mutual agreement between the two of us. Let’s do it this way. I’ll inform the head afterwards.”

“Understood.”

Professor Yu stretched and said,

“Actually, it turned out pretty well. Honestly, I have too many teams to handle, so I couldn’t give them individual attention anyway. It’s fortunate that Song Do-yoon didn’t drop out and ended up under your guidance.”

“Is there anything special I should know about him?”

“Hmm, not really. He doesn’t talk much and always walks around looking brooding, but he’s extremely talented across the board. He was in the upper echelons of the higher classes.”

It’s hard to get detailed insights since I’ve only been a homeroom teacher for a few months.

Especially considering Professor Yu oversees many students.

Maybe I should ask Kim Assistant for more information since she’s been managing Song Do-yoon since he entered.

Personally, I dislike arrogance, but since Song Do-yoon is joining, it’s better to know as much as possible.

—

“Song Do-yoon, what do you want to know?”

As expected, Assistant Kim raised her eyes with a face full of discontent.

“It’s because Song Do-yoon will be moved to the team I’m guiding this time.”

“So?”

“To properly guide him, I need to understand his characteristics. An interview alone isn’t enough, so I’m consulting Assistant Kim, as the supervisory assistant.”

“Assistant Kim.”

Hmm, ideally, I’d prefer to keep things amicable.

“Kim Assistant.”

I held up my hand as Kim Assistant seemed ready to argue.

“No, let me start. As I mentioned before, it’s problematic if you keep trying to put yourself on equal footing with professors.”

“But Professor got the last name wrong, so that’s why I—”

“Perhaps. However, my problem isn’t just with correcting that. You, Assistant Kim, certainly know better.”

“Not Kim Assistant…!”

“I get it. You, Kim Assistant, follow both your parents’ last names, and I’m aware of that. But please don’t impose that on me. I lived in a time when using two last names was unheard of.”

I smiled faintly and continued.

“Besides, if Assistant Kim acted within her appropriate role, I wouldn’t stubbornly insist on calling you ‘Kim Assistant,’ would I? There’s no reason for me, as the professor, to follow the arrogant attitude of an assistant who doesn’t understand her place.”

My straightforward words left Assistant Kim unable to retort, and she tightly closed her lips.

“Listen, Assistant Kim. Of course, I know you have a significant amount of experience and look down on almost all the faculty, but there’s a big difference between keeping that to yourself and displaying it openly like you do. So, try to tone down your behavior and use discretion when you feel like acting superior. Just remember, the professors here can tear down a villain or two with just their bare hands.”

Kim Assistant forced herself to maintain a cold expression while suppressing her anger.

“Tell me about Song Do-yoon.”

After glancing away momentarily, Assistant Kim finally spoke.

—

Back in the research room, I cross-referenced what I had heard with Song Do-yoon’s profile from the Academy system.

Let’s summarize:

Song Do-yoon was born into poverty, and his father passed away when he was young.

Reason: Industrial accident in a hazardous environment.

His mother worked hard to support Do-yoon and his younger sister but became paralyzed from the waist down after a traffic accident.

So unfortunate…

No, who am I to call anyone unfortunate?

I have no memory of my parents.

The earliest memory I can recall is the orphanage.

Apparently, I was left in front of the orphanage as a baby.

I don’t hold any resentment towards my parents for abandoning me.

There must have been some urgent situation forcing them to do so.

I discovered my Hero’s talent when I beat up some kids who were looking down on me for being from the orphanage.

Before Academy, when there was no such thing as a mental barrier, I had quite a temper.

I often found myself confronting and nearly killing groups of people who ostracized me. It was during one such encounter that my Aura accidentally activated.

Of course, my parents couldn’t have been heroes.

What kind of hero abandons their baby?

I’m likely just an ordinary awakened talent, much like Song Do-yoon.

Anyway…

Logging out of the system, I stood up from my seat.

I didn’t feel any particular kinship or sympathy for Song Do-yoon.

I only pondered how I would guide him in the future and how he would get along with my other students.

And in that moment, I had an old-fashioned idea.

—

“Fffft, haaah.”

Yu Hye-won’s mouth turned red as she stuck out her tongue and wiped her sweat.

We were at Graford City Spicy Intestine Restaurant, where I’d used my professor’s authority to bring my students for dinner.

Myself, Yu Hye-won, Professor Han, and Song Do-yoon—four of us in total.

I thought we could get a bit closer by sharing a meal together.

But my idea seemed a bit outdated.

Though I expected Song Do-yoon to open up at least a little, he quietly ate without saying a word.

Despite being from the same class and having previously been partnered as comrades, Yu Hye-won showed no particular interest in Song Do-yoon.

“I want Colpis.”

That’s all she said while constantly ordering drinks.

“Damn, it’s spicy. But it’s still tasty.”

Yu Hye-won said, gulping down several Colpis.

Professor Han smiled as her face lit up, energetically wielding her chopsticks.

She was busy crafting a dainty lettuce wrap filled with spicy intestines and garlic.

“Professor, this way it’s not spicy at all. Come, try it.”

“No no, last time I tried a lettuce wrap, it was really spicy. Thank you, but I’m good.”

I shook my head, smiling at Han Min-ha’s insistence.

The spicy intestine is truly hot, so regardless of how it’s eaten, it leaves your tongue feeling flipped inside out.

Nonetheless, I’m here for the stamps from the coupons we’ve been collecting.

You get some free item after collecting ten stamps, right?

We’ve been forced to come here a few times to gather stamps, so at the very least, I wanted to finish the card.

“Sniff. I worked hard on that.”

Looking sad, Han Min-ha started to eat the lettuce wrap herself when Song Do-yoon suddenly spoke.

“I’ll have that.”

“Huh? Do you really want it?”

Pleased that Song Do-yoon finally spoke up, Han Min-ha handed the lettuce wrap to him with a bright smile.

He chewed it with his usual cold expression, showing no particular response.

“Does it taste good?”

“It’s good.”

“Hmm.”

Smiling, Han Min-ha started making her own wraps.

She really eats anything well.

“Hey, Song Do-yoon.”

Yu Hye-won grabbed the corn cheese I was about to eat and placed it in front of herself.

“Why did you join my team?”

In front of the professor, Yu Hye-won confidently referred to it as “my team.” Song Do-yoon stared at her blankly, devoid of any emotion.

Though Han Min-ha mentioned that Song Do-yoon is a homosexual and obsessively in love with Yu Hye-won.

Could something profound have happened during the vacation?

However, prying into such personal matters goes beyond the professor’s duties and is highly disrespectful as human-to-human interaction.

Sexual orientation is a personal freedom.

“Just. You seemed likeable.”

That was Song Do-yoon’s answer.

Yu Hye-won seemed ready to ask more but suddenly eyed Han Min-ha suspiciously.

“What are you doing?”

“Huh? What is it? I’m just making a lettuce wrap for the professor…”

Han Min-ha fumbled nervously, accidentally pushing the wrap into my mouth.

“This time, it really isn’t spicy! Please try it!”

Since it was already in my mouth, I had no choice but to eat it.

Amazingly, it wasn’t spicy at all and was quite chewy and delicious.

“It’s good.”

“Haha, isn’t it?”

For some reason, Han Min-ha avoided my glance and spoke in a timid whisper.

—

While both the professor and Yu Hye-won were focused on Song Do-yoon, Han Min-ha swiftly grabbed a piece of intestine and stuffed it into her mouth.

Rather than chewing and swallowing, she sucked on it in her mouth, extracting just the sauce.

After cleaning it thoroughly of seasoning, she spat the intestine onto a piece of lettuce.

At that moment, Yu Hye-won sharply snapped,

“What are you doing?”

“Huh? What? I’m just making a lettuce wrap for the professor.”

In her panic, Han Min-ha shoved the lettuce wrap into the professor’s mouth.

“This time, it really isn’t spicy! Please try it!”

The professor beautifully smiled upon eating it and replied,

“It’s good.”

“Hehe, isn’t it?”

Of course, it’s good, professor! I made it.

Han Min-ha glanced downward and nervously rubbed her thighs.