Chapter 63

The official notice read as follows:

Due to the current very grave situation, it has been deemed necessary to make some revisions to the education systems of hero academies.

However, upon inquiry, what exactly this “current situation” entailed, a table below was filled with dates, locations, and descriptions of incidents.

“Is it this many?”

Professor Jin groaned upon seeing it.

The table listed incidents similar to what we had seen earlier.

Suspected joint attacks by villains, as well as the number of heroes who fell victim to them.

Glancing at the dates, it became clear that these incidents had been occurring almost every day since nearly a month ago.

At first, it seemed strange that a mere appearance of a few villains would warrant such an official notice, but this was a very serious matter.

“Recent movements of the villains are suspicious. The ones who used to act alone or in small groups have recently started showing organized behavior.”

The head of the faculty explained to the professors examining the notice.

“Although we don’t know exactly yet, the Management Bureau suspects that the villains, who used to look out only for themselves, might be attempting to form some sort of unified command structure.”

In other words, a so-called Villain Alliance.

The professors exchanged glances, their expressions grave. If the Management Bureau’s assessment was accurate, this was indeed a very serious matter.

Until now, the world hadn’t descended into chaos despite the sheer number of villains because the villains lacked a controlling system like the Management Bureau.

Though most heroes operate individually through private offices, they broadly fall under the control of the Management Bureau.

In the event a specific area faces something beyond its capacity to handle, the Management Bureau even has the authority to mobilize nearby heroes by force.

While such instances are rare, what’s important is the presence of a legal agency, an organization that manages and appropriately restricts the identities of heroes.

This is why, no matter how much chaos the villains may cause, the organized response from the Management Bureau neutralizes their efforts.

But the Villain Alliance mentioned by the head of the faculty could potentially be a game-changer, capable of upending this very dynamic.

Thus, the Management Bureau and the Education Department hastily issued this notice.

And the instruction contained within the notice was thus:

“So, the Education Department immediately ordered the educational system for this year’s freshmen to be changed to a team-based system.”

The educational reform mentioned in the notice referred to a shift from the current class system to a tiered team system.

Since incidents of entire hero offices being wiped out were happening consecutively, it was predicted that the current behavior of heroes would result in continued casualties.

Even if the Management Bureau were to force heroes to mobilize, it would be hard to counter sudden ambushes or surprise attacks, and current active heroes are unlikely to comply with such controls for a long period.

It seems that the Education Department’s intention is to conduct a trial system on the freshmen, who are yet untainted by the ways of heroism.

This is about creating organized heroes to counter the organized villains.

There would surely be a lot of changes required in the combat-hero organization of the Management Bureau, but that’s none of my concern.

As an academy professor, my job is simply to teach students in line with the changing educational system.

But how exactly does this team-based system work?

That was explained in the following section.

“The current plan from the Education Department is to form teams of three to five members each, with specific professors being assigned to oversee several teams.”

At this, Yu Professor remarked, “It’s just fancy talk for introducing homeroom professors, isn’t it?”

“That’s somewhat accurate,” the faculty head admitted awkwardly, wiping the sweat off his forehead. “But whereas before all the students in a class followed the same curriculum, now we’ll consider each individual’s abilities, structure them for optimal combat efficiency, and teach them collective combat styles accordingly.”

“That seems like the same thing,” Yu Professor grumbled.

Despite this, the faculty head’s explanation went on: “In any case, the reason we’ve been urgently convened is because we must categorize the students and form teams before the start of the new semester.”

Sighs could be heard around the room.

Given that many professors were already unable to enjoy their holidays due to home visits, this last-minute work bomb was particularly burdensome—only two days before the opening of the semester.

Forming teams based on student characteristics and assigning appropriate professors isn’t an easy task.

Moreover, the students are all at home now.

This means that everything must be sorted out purely through paperwork without any face-to-face interaction, which is no easy feat.

“Hiing…”

Professor Jin let out a discouraged whimper, her face falling.

“This is how one of our precious two annual holidays just goes up in smoke…”

“There’s nothing we can do about it. We’ll just have to work through it.”

“It’s too sad… But given the situation, we can’t just complain endlessly.”

The sentiment was shared by other professors, who each dealt with the development by muttering complaints or furrowing their brows.

Not only are they losing their vacation, but also the unexpected circumstances bring with them a mix of confusion and worry.

“The director is also on site, and likely all the staff will return by morning tomorrow. So don’t despair… Even I feel quite flustered myself,” the department head said.

The professors muttered in agreement: “Nothing we can do,” “Alright.”

Everyone knows this situation isn’t anyone’s fault.

The Education Department and Management Bureau sending out absurd orders just two days before the new semester isn’t anyone’s fault. Neither is the emergency meeting called by the dean or the mandatory task imposed on the department head. It isn’t even the fault of the heroes who fell victim to the villains.

If we must assign blame, it would probably fall on those wretched villains.

If the Villain Alliance really does exist, the world will never be the same again, and the academy must be prepared.

And we professors must do our utmost to increase the survival rate of our students post-graduation.

Yet somehow, this whole thing seems awfully similar to how they group heroes in Sikrito.

Could it be due to the Chairman of the Advisory Board’s influence?

Otherwise, it might be inspired by the high survival rates of Sikrito heroes.

Thus, all the faculty members of Graford Academy began a two-day all-nighter session.

* * * * *

“Haa, it’s finally over…”

Professor Jin sighed deeply as she slumped back into her chair.

The ever-cheerful Jin Professor today looked as though she’d had the life sucked out of her, her eyes droopy and her face pale like faded wallpaper.

“Wow, this is so exhausting… Are you alright, Professor?”

“I’m fine,” she replied.

Two days of brutal overnight work.

The professors had toiled tirelessly day and night to implement the instructions from the Education Department.

No matter how dire the situation, altering an educational system that had been in place for years in just two days was nothing short of an outrageous order.

Nevertheless, they managed to pull it off.

There were certainly some hiccups along the way.

I vehemently opposed attempts to separate Yu Hye-won and Han Min-Ha into different teams.

Both students were coveted—one being the top-ranked student and the other excelling in the Human Combat Ability Evaluation—causing many professors to desire them.

Though I rarely get angry due to my use of Mental Barriers, feigning anger wasn’t difficult.

Seeing a side of me the professors hadn’t encountered before, they were taken aback. The department head sided with me, likely as repayment for my decision to take Yu Hye-won as my guidance student amid pressure from the advisory committee at the start of the semester.

Had I persisted, things might have gotten quite awkward.

At the time, I accepted Yu Hye-won in part to include Han Min-Ha, but it seems this decision has turned out beneficial.

Thus, for the following semester, I’ll be the homeroom professor for both Yu Hye-won and Han Min-Ha, teaching them in earnest.

Ordinarily, I should have formed a team of at least four students, but considering hero rankings and subject importance during allocation, not a single student ended up with me, a C-class and unpopular Basic Defense professor.

Looks like we’ll end up continuing with the guidance group as it is for the entire semester.

It’s actually working out well.

“Still, I don’t quite get what difference this is supposed to make.”

Rubbing her temples, Professor Yu Hyun-Ju spoke.

“Why not just add a group combat subject to the existing curriculum? Homeroom professors can’t teach every subject anyway, and ultimately, the existing faculty would still be responsible for advanced courses. Why the overhaul?”

“That’s true. To be honest, I don’t think this will have some dramatic effect either.”

“Well, the Management Bureau and Education Department aren’t just random kids playing around; they must have some idea, given the crazy decision to change the educational system two days before the semester.”

“It’s a trial application, so if it doesn’t work, they’ll revert it to the previous system after the semester.”

“In that case, it’s just frustrating either way.”

Professor Yu shook her head, signaling her unwillingness to continue the conversation.

“All done anyway, so how long are we staying? School starts tomorrow, so we should get some rest. Or should I say, today already.”

Glancing at the clock past midnight, Professor Yu sighed.

“Yes, Professor. Let’s head back.”

Professor Jin stood me up by grabbing my arm.

* * * * *

I made my way to the faculty dormitory with Professor Yu and Professor Jin.

The sticky summer night breeze was uncomfortable; hence, Professor Yu seemed particularly irritable.

“This damn academy. I should submit an application for exchange teaching and get back into the field. This place is driving me crazy.”

“Hmm, sounds like Professor Yu is still pretty upset after missing out on that overseas trip.”

“Exactly! And Professor Jin, don’t act like you wouldn’t feel the same. Plus, I got called back here for an emergency meeting during a home visit for my guidance students.”

If that’s the case, it seems you spent the entire holiday just working up until the very last moment.

It’s more surprising that you’re not angry.

“Still, we have more days for winter break. How about we plan a small trip together then?”

At Professor Jin’s suggestion, Professor Yu smirked.

“I’m not joking. Let’s really go. It would be perfect with the three of us. What do you think?”

“Two rooms? One for me, and one for you and Professor?”

“Gyek…”

Professor Jin gave an awkward sigh and glanced at me after Professor Yu’s comment.

Since I had no particular opinion, I simply smiled.

“It’s true… Professor only has Min-Ha and Hye-Won on his mind these days.”

“Exactly. Professor is the epitome of an academy teacher.”

“Haha. I’m just paying attention to my guidance students.”

I smiled and let their banter slide.

However, despite treating it as a joke, I secretly found myself looking forward to the start of the new semester.

It wasn’t about anything else; my drive stemmed from a strong motivation to educate Yu Hye-won and Han Min-Ha according to the new educational system.

Nothing more than that.

Truly.