Chapter 10

“Hello, student Yu Hye-won.”

After greeting her, Yu Hye-won stood in front of me, looked up as if she were a cat, and began to speak.

“You look particularly radiant today.”

“Is that so? Perhaps it’s because the weather is getting warmer.”

“When will you find time for that discussion?”

Yu Hye-won, still smiling, got straight to the point.

“When would be a good time? What’s the matter?”

“Just various things.”

“Hmm. Well, my schedule is fully booked today, so how about tomorrow or the day after?”

“Let’s do it today.”

“No, I already said I’m not available today. Also, please don’t block the entrance.”

I slightly pushed Yu Hye-won’s shoulder to the side.

Since Yu Hye-won was blocking the entrance, other students couldn’t enter the lecture room and were standing there in the corridor.

But knowing Yu Hye-won’s background and abilities, the other students dared not utter a word to her and were merely exchanging glances.

It was clear to see the hierarchy forming even though it had only been a month since the semester began.

By now, there were probably sly groups of students forming around her.

This year’s grade will likely experience all sorts of disturbances and trouble with them at the center.

As predicted, when Yu Hye-won moved, several students quickly entered the lecture room and surrounded her from behind.

***

Today’s lecture room is on a flat area unlike the one last time. The teaching assistants had removed all desks, and mats for the students to sit on were laid out in the vacant space according to their numbers.

The students, though confused by the unfamiliar setting, each picked up a mat as appropriate.

Yu Hye-won stood at the very front, and her group surrounded her as if guarding her.

“Hello, students.”

I greeted from the podium while surveying the students.

“Are you adjusting well to the Academy life?”

Here and there came affirmative replies.

“Very good. Please sit on the mats placed in front of you like this.”

I demonstrated by sitting cross-legged on a mat placed near the podium. The students followed suit, curious but cooperative.

“You don’t need to take out your books. After all, reading them endlessly won’t yield much. This particularly applies to Basic Defense.”

Once every student was seated and bags were set aside, I continued.

“The foundation of defense is a tranquil mind. Once your mental state wavers, so will your defensive barriers.”

The students began to look uneasy, exchanging worried glances.

Even without them asking, I could sense their unspoken thoughts.

“Could it be that you’re asking us to close our eyes and meditate…?”

Half right, half wrong.

Indeed, meditation is involved, but not in the ordinary sense.

“Everyone, close your eyes and calm your minds.”

At this signal, four teaching assistants entered the room.

The sight of solid iron pipes in the teaching assistants’ hands widened the students’ eyes in shock.

“There’s no reason to worry. Those are merely additional tools to help students who have trouble concentrating.”

“Are you going to hit students who fall asleep?”

Someone protested.

This is the upper-level class. These individuals come from families known for their prestige outside.

But this only applies beyond Academy grounds.

Here, the professors have the upper voice.

“Replacing harsh words, let’s call it aiding lecture participation.”

“That’s the same thing as hitting, though!”

Numerous protests arose.

“Everyone, silence!”

Yu Hye-won called out, startling those who seemed ready to rise and silencing them instantly.

With an intimidating glare now turned into a smile, Yu Hye-won turned back to me.

“Professor, I have a question.”

“Please ask.”

“Since the top portion of my uniform bothers me and affects my concentration, is it alright if I take it off?”

“Feel free.”

Before the words even fully escaped, Yu Hye-won was out of her top and went further, removing her shirt to reveal a white short-sleeve T-shirt underneath, and below it, the outline of a black bra.

She then stretched ostentatiously, pointedly presenting herself towards me.

Though it was obvious what she was doing, and I found it embarrassing, I chose to ignore her actions.

“Let’s begin.”

With the teaching assistants’ imposing presence and Yu Hye-won’s proclamation, the students quickly settled into position, closing their eyes with anticipation.

Very good.

The upper-level students efficiently followed along with my explanations during the meditation.

By the end of the lecture, several students managed to form faint defensive barriers using their aura.

Astoundingly, Yu Hye-won succeeded in visualizing hers, a feat usually possible only in graduation year. Her talent is undeniable.

“The lecture concludes here. Once back in the dormitory, reflect on today’s practice before sleep, and you may start to feel your Aura tangible at some point.”

The next lecture included the lower-level class taught by Professor Han.

Han quietly sat near the farthest corner mat.

Upon the teaching assistants entering with iron pipes, as before, questions of protest arose from the students.

I gave the same responses as before, then began the meditation.

It started off well.

Naturally, when teaching assistants with iron pipes were present, who would allow themselves to lose focus?

However, it didn’t last long.

Around fifteen minutes in, the first student requiring auxiliary tools was met with a loud thud.

“Oof…!”

One student who had nodded off was struck on the back with an iron pipe, falling forward with a whimper.

“Keep your back straight, student. If you falter from something so basic, you cannot be a hero.”

“Yes, Professor…”

The sudden sound startled students who were just slipping into slumber, making them stiffen their shoulders.

“Very good. Now listen to me while maintaining that position.”

Walking between the students, I gently explained the methods of manipulating Aura.

Aura is an energy possessed by anyone with the talent of a hero, which is usually unnoticeable but can be felt and controlled through training.

Aura, with practice, grows stronger, aiding in everything from forming defensive barriers to emitting killing beams and sonic booms.

Feel your Aura flowing within and around your body.

Imagine you’re enveloped in heavy, dense jelly, which will make it easier to sense it, and so forth.

Unlike the upper-level students, the lower-level class struggled conspicuously.

Over half of the students were wincing in frustration, frowning, squirming in discomfort, with sounds of iron pipes meeting flesh and low screams intermingled.

This is quite… an evident disparity in levels.

Walking through them as I explained brought me to Han Min-ha seated at the very back.

Han wore a strained expression, clearly making strenuous efforts to feel the Aura.

Sweat trickled down her furrowed brow, sticking to her hair, and her glasses had slid down.

Halting beside her, Han slightly opened her eyes, glanced up, and then upon catching my gaze, hastily bowed her head.

Without a word, I inspected her Aura.

Against my expectations, her Aura was quite solid.

Her Aura appears to be of high purity.

So this is the privilege of a hero’s offspring, I suppose.

It seems the Organization’s choice to grant her admission wasn’t without basis.

With proper training, she might become quite capable.

***

After all the lectures, I stopped by the staff room to check my schedule for tomorrow before heading to the research room.

I had to input today’s lecture results into the faculty system and finalize a few tasks.

As I ascended the corridor to this floor and approached my research room, someone was visible standing in front of the door.

“Professor?”

Yu Hye-won greeted me with a smile.

“Student Yu Hye-won. Is there something I can help you with? Isn’t it physical training time now?”

“But there is something important I need to convey specifically to you. I felt it couldn’t wait until tomorrow.”

“No, go ahead to physical training. Didn’t I clearly tell you I’m unavailable today?”

I moved past Yu Hye-won to unlock the research room door.

In the instant, Yu Hye-won extended her hand, attempting to grab my wrist.

As her hand nearly touched me, my defensive barrier activated, strongly deflecting her grasp.

The clash with the Aura that enveloped her hand triggered a fierce spark momentarily.

“Oof…!”

Yu Hye-won hastily withdrew her hand, massaging her tingling wrist with a regretful look.

Impressive. Already at the level of manipulating Aura like that.

Moreover…

I smiled and directly looked at Yu Hye-won.

“Student Yu Hye-won, what precisely are you trying to do?”