Chapter 17

“Mama…!” “What are you doing!?”

The two students hastily raised their arms to shield their faces, then looked at me with puzzled expressions.

I smiled and turned the coffee cup upside down to show them.

Not a single drop of coffee spilled out; it stayed calmly within the cup.

“What is it, Professor?”

“I’ve applied a defensive barrier on the cup’s opening.”

I righted the cup again and continued, “A defensive barrier can be applied not just on the body but also on objects. It can be formed in various ways.”

“If it’s such an amazing skill, then why has it become a not-so-popular subject?”

Perhaps a little hurt from worrying about the coffee spilling, Yu Hye-won sarcastically asked.

“I think I mentioned this during the lecture, but a calm mental state is fundamental for defensive techniques. However, it’s quite hard to maintain that calmness during combat. On top of that, the most important point is that heroes specializing in defense lack excitement. Like me.”

It’s similar to boxing or martial arts.

Compared to continuously dodging or just blocking, it’s much more enjoyable for observers to watch as the fighters exchange attacks and get bloodied.

To satisfy the public’s eye, heroes must rise in ranks.

At the comment that heroes focusing on defense like me aren’t fun, Yu Hye-won openly snickered, while Han Min-ha tightly bit her lips to suppress her laughter.

“Honestly, I am a bit hesitant about it. It’s definitely helpful, but during the course of learning it, you may end up thinking it’s a waste of time. Well, we’ll discuss that later since today isn’t the best occasion.”

Yu Hye-won slightly raised her hand.

“But Professor, I do have a question.”

“What is it, Yu Hye-won student?”

“Could you please refrain from using such formal titles? Calling by our last names alone would be much simpler for both you and us, wouldn’t it? Right, Min-ha?”

Caught off guard, Han Min-ha quickly nodded in agreement.

“Uh? Er… Yeah.”

“Alright, Hye-won. Go ahead with your question.”

Pleased with the more relaxed title, Yu Hye-won asked with a cunning smile.

“As far as I know, Professor, weren’t you a retiree rather than an active hero? There aren’t many retired professors. What was your reason for retiring?”

“The reason I retired?”

Caught off guard by the sudden question, I braced myself by setting up a mental barrier to steady my mind.

This is quite a troubling question.

Because the original story never mentioned why Professor Hyun retired.

There could be a backstory, but nothing was noted in the content I’ve read.

Perhaps there is no established backstory. Like how in a game, areas not implemented yet appear as a grey void.

“What exactly did you do when you were active?”

As Yu Hye-won pressed on, I quickly thought of a good idea.

“It’s a secret.”

“Uh… What do you mean by that?”

“It’s confidential information, so I can’t disclose it.”

In a world where heroes operate, there should be special units that carry out missions secretly, right?

Whether they really exist or not, it seems plausible.

And regardless, when a former hero says mysteriously, “It’s a secret,” how could anyone not believe it?

Fortunately, Yu Hye-won understood the implication and nodded.

“Is that so? I apologize for asking an inconvenient question.”

“It’s fine, but I would appreciate it if you didn’t press further.”

“Hmm… Understood.”

It was a weak threat for someone whose father was a member of the Advisory Board, but at least I avoided the awkward situation.

“Professor.”

Then Han Min-ha slowly spoke up.

“Excuse me, but may I ask one question?”

“What is it?”

“Are all heroes without records involved in the same sort of activities?”

Thinking of the blank space in Han Min-ha’s family relationship section on her profile,

Could it be that Han Min-ha’s parents also have no records?

It must be because this timeline predates the one in the original story.

Still, I couldn’t explain that directly.

“I can’t say for sure, but… likely.”

Since I didn’t know much about it, I gave a vague and evasive answer.

“I see.”

Han Min-ha seemed to interpret it as something related to confidentiality and readily acknowledged it.

I should probably look into this later when I have time.

“So, I’m curious about both of your opinions. To be honest, Hye-won, there’s nothing more that your academic advisor can do for you. But Min-ha… Hmm. Thus, the advanced defense course might be suitable for both of you. What do you think?”

“I don’t mind.” “It would be good to learn anything.”

Fortunately, both seemed to have no objections to studying defensive techniques.

In this manner, I could roughly outline how to guide the both of them.

I placed the pre-printed grade sheets on the round table.

Upon recognizing it was a grade sheet, Han Min-ha blushed even more and lowered her head.

“These are both of your grade sheets. While it might be obvious without the sheets, I want to clearly diagnose the current situation. And…”

I looked at the disheartened Han Min-ha and the triumphant Yu Hye-won.

“Now that we’re on the same team, we should help each other. Right, Hye-won?”

“Do you mean I should drag this one along or something?”

“Hmm.”

I gave an ambiguous answer while laying out the grade sheet for everyone to see.

Yu Hye-won excelled in every subject, class rankings, and overall placements — all A’s and above.

In contrast, Han Min-ha was near the bottom in most subjects, mostly Cs and Ds.

Still, she wasn’t dead last. There were a few people below her.

After reviewing the grade sheet, Yu Hye-won stared at Han Min-ha with an expression of complete disbelief.

“Are you borderline intellectually disabled?”

“Uh? No?”

“But how can you be like this…?”

Though it was a rude comment, it seemed more out of genuine curiosity than malice.

“Wow… This is…”

Yu Hye-won moved Han Min-ha’s grade sheet toward herself, then began to distort her face until she sighed and shook her head.

“Hey, Han Min-ha! Seriously…”

“Sorry…”

Although why Han Min-ha apologized for underperforming to her peer was unclear, she did.

“I didn’t bring the grade sheets here for you two to envy or belittle each other.”

Smiling, I took the grade sheets from Yu Hye-won’s hands.

“I’m your academic advisor, but I’m merely a professor, and you are students. As much as I try, even I can’t delve deeply into each of your situations like your peers could. That’s why…”

“Because you’re asking me to help Han Min-ha. Isn’t that it? Right?”

Yu Hye-won glanced at the shrinking Han Min-ha then continued talking.

“I’m your guidance student, not Han Min-ha’s advisor. Why should I have to? I didn’t become your student to clean up after the bottom feeder.”

“So why did you choose me among so many excellent professors to be your advisor, Hye-won?”

“That’s because…”

“Did you plan to become a defense-specialized hero?”

The thought of someone with such great abilities becoming a defense-specialized hero was completely absurd.

Yu Hye-won simply wanted me as her advisor.

Only that.

But with that motivation alone, I have nothing more to offer the fully developed academy student, Yu Hye-won.

Thus, I plan to involve her somewhat in Han Min-ha’s development.

While I can support them from an administrative position as their professor, I can’t monitor every aspect of their academy life.

Still, will Yu Hye-won actually help Han Min-ha?

She will.

If her arrogance and superiority complex are adequately stimulated, that is.

“The advisor and the guidance students form one group. Though ours is small, other professors are responsible for more than ten guidance students. These students stick together, supporting and pulling each other until graduation—and even afterward.”

Yu Hye-won crossed her arms defensively.

“…Fine. I get it. I’m far superior, and Han Min-ha is so bottom-tier that she can’t possibly make it on her own.”

“Exactly. I’m asking for your help with Min-ha, and with me. For someone like you, Hye-won, this shouldn’t be too difficult, right?”

“Hmm…”

Yu Hye-won crossed her arms and didn’t say anything.

Yes, that’s enough for today.

Just her not outright rejecting the idea of sharing guidance with Han Min-ha is a significant achievement already.

“Alright, let’s wrap up the orientation. We’ve introduced ourselves and set the direction forward. Starting now, let’s solidify a progressive relationship through regular meetings.”

“Hmph.”

Though Yu Hye-won snickered at the slightly formal statement, she seemed much more acceptable than expected despite lacking manners.

“Let’s end here for today since lectures will start soon. Good job, everyone.”

“When’s the next meet-up?”

“Hmm, there’s no set schedule, but we should meet at least once a week, right? I’ll let you know once it’s decided. Leave the cups, I’ll clean them.”

Han Min-ha quickly withdrew her hand when she tried to clean up, and upon seeing that, Yu Hye-won clicked her tongue in dissatisfaction.

“Goodbye, Professor.”

Han Min-ha bowed deeply to leave while Yu Hye-won didn’t offer any formal goodbye gesture.

“See you all. We’ll see each other during the lecture.”

Yu Hye-won left first, and Han Min-ha ran after her like a squire following a knight.

They’re quite the odd pair.

Still, I need to make them fit somehow.

Without Yu Hye-won’s help, Han Min-ha won’t be able to adjust to the academy.

Since she’s already quietly being excluded, having the rich clique girl pretend to be friendly could act as immediate radical treatment.

That’s the characteristic of kids at that age.

Where fists are closer than the law, and they admire their more successful peers more than professors.

* * * * *

“Hey, Han Min-ha.”

After leaving the research building, Yu Hye-won stopped and turned around.