Chapter 84

After the meeting at the center, I was plagued with an incessant headache.

The memory of that villain in the green cloud resurfaced, shaking my mental barrier.

The mental barrier is usually unbreakable, rarely faltering under normal circumstances.

However, once it begins to waver, its repercussions are immense, rendering me incapable of doing anything properly.

Fortunately, I didn’t faint this time.

Back in the archives of the academy’s basement, I had briefly lost consciousness due to a sudden shock.

This time, my prior knowledge of the memories seemed to have cushioned the impact somewhat.

But even so, the headache pounding away led me to report it to the department head and leave early.

Thankfully, there were no lectures scheduled after the meeting, so I went straight back to the dormitory.

Once inside, I slumped onto the couch, passing the time as I could.

With the headache, I couldn’t think of doing anything.

Damn… it was the villain.

Was it really the one who had killed Senior Han Tae-woo and his spouse, leaving me half cripple?

What kind of person could that be, hiding in such an isolated place for years?

Since he’s been captured by reconnaissance satellites and his existence has been officially exposed, Sikrito must already be aware of him.

How much does the Chairman of the Advisory Board know about this?

Even though Sikrito is not involved anymore, they likely have some information.

I should take some time this weekend to meet them.

And… I must avenge them.

In Sikrito’s way.

To repay the deaths of Senior Han Tae-woo and his spouse and eliminate the heavy guilt I’ve carried all this time, I must seek revenge.

But can I even approach that person amidst the lethal gas that corrodes equipment?

If I fall victim again, just like last time…

If I lose all my memories or even die, what happens to the children?

At that moment, I noticed a shadow reflecting against the window and turned my head.

Seeing Yu Hye-won floating outside my window, I briefly wondered if I was dreaming.

While I was indeed thinking of the children, why would I see a phantom of Yu Hye-won, let alone one wearing a gym uniform, floating in the air?

When I saw Yu Hye-won, the headache that had been tormenting me for hours suddenly eased.

In its place, a sense of calm washed over me.

It’s truly astonishing.

Having spent almost a year together, we grew close, forming a strong bond.

Looking at her face, I feel truly at peace.

Even if this is just an illusion, I want it to continue.

But yet again, my mental barrier protected me without fail.

I slowly rose and walked toward the window.

“Student Yu Hye-won? What are you doing?”

As I opened the window, she pushed past me and entered the room.

“Since you didn’t answer your phone, I came and found you here lying around on the couch.”

“I wasn’t lying around. Also, don’t be informal.”

“That’s what I thought.”

“Professor!”

Hearing a voice, I looked down to see Professor Han in gym clothes waving at me.

By his side was Song Do-yoon, hands behind his back, tapping his heels on the floor and looking elsewhere with a stoic expression.

“Were you skipping physical training?”

“It’s over. Anyway, it’s done.”

Had that much time passed?

“What are you doing here?”

“Since the professor wasn’t answering calls or texts and wasn’t in the research room, we thought something might have happened.”

“Academy professors, while at the academy, usually don’t run into much trouble. Now that I’ve confirmed everything is fine, go back to the dormitory.”

“Well? Are you just going to shoo away students who came here out of worry?”

Yu Hye-won shoved me aside and leaned out the window.

“Come up here!”

“But the door is locked.”

“Dummy! Come up right now!”

Soon, Han Min-ha and Song Do-yoon entered through the window like Yu Hye-won.

“Hehe, professor, we’re sorry for the intrusion.”

I hadn’t noticed how cramped the room felt until the three students came in.

“Wow, there are two rooms. This one is your bedroom. It smells nice.”

“There’s nothing in the fridge. Professor, do you not eat at home?”

“Professor, can I use the restroom? I couldn’t go while being dragged here.”

Holding onto the bed, sniffing the pillow, Han Min-ha was snooping around the bedroom, Yu Hye-won went through the fridge, and Song Do-yoon disappeared into the bathroom.

This is completely chaotic.

“Well, please sit on the couch at least. I’ll bring out something to drink.”

I forced Han Min-ha, who had collapsed on the bed and Yu Hye-won, rummaging through the kitchen cabinets, onto the couch.

Song Do-yoon… hearing the sound of him washing his hands from the bathroom, I pretended not to hear it and took out a bottle from the fridge.

Yu Hye-won eyed the drink suspiciously, turning it around with a questioning look.

“What’s this?”

“It’s bellflower tea.”

“Grandpa.”

“It’s not for grandpas. It’s good for respiratory health.”

“So, grandpa.”

Yu Hye-won’s comment drew a slight scolding response from Han Min-ha.

“Hye-won, this is something the professor kindly offered, so don’t be rude.”

Taking a sip of the tea, he immediately frowned.

“What is this taste?”

“Professor. Forget about that, let’s order something good to eat.”

Yu Hye-won placed the tea on the table.

“Hmm? You don’t know about the campus convenience store’s fried chicken?”

“Of course, I know, but why eat here?”

“Whaaaat? So you really intended to shoo us out? We didn’t even have dinner.”

“There’s the campus cafeteria if you want to eat.”

Then, Yu Hye-won pointed at her watch.

“Anyway, professor, you need to have dinner too, right?”

True, I usually eat alone and casually, so it’s a bit inconvenient.

No, I shouldn’t…

No, no. It’s not proper for a mentor to send worried guidance students back empty-handed.

“Fine. Let’s eat together.”

“Haha!”

Yu Hye-won’s smile of triumph was visible, while Han Min-ha was unable to conceal his satisfaction, struggling to control himself.

“Hey, Chun! Order fried chicken and snacks from the campus convenience store.”

Just as Song Do-yoon emerged from the bathroom, Yu Hye-won ordered him around like an underling.

“Why should I?”

“Uh? These days…”

“I’ll do it, so both of you quiet down. I’m paying anyway, right?”

I stepped in before they could start squabbling, igniting their aura in another argument.

“Everyone, tell me what you want.”

Through the academy app, I selected a variety of dishes as requested by the students and placed the order.

Though it’s referred to as the campus convenience store, it’s more of a mall with several renowned external franchise shops inside, given the academy’s proximity to Graford city, a 30-minute drive away, and the academy’s vast facilities.

“Hold on, hold on! Everyone quiet! Professor, hand over your phone. Let me place the order.”

Without giving it back to me, Yu Hye-won swiftly tapped away on the screen and completed the order without showing me.

What on earth did she order?

While Song Do-yoon stayed put, the others were busy rummaging through my dorm.

What could possibly be so intriguing that Yu Hye-won and Han Min-ha were opening every drawer and door they could?

“Wait! What is this? Professor! Why does this mirror have a hole in the middle? What is it?”

“It’s a DVD.”

“And what’s that?”

“It’s a device that plays movies. You insert the DVD into this gadget next to it and watch it on the TV.”

Hearing this, Han Min-ha gave a puzzled expression, unable to comprehend.

“Why make it so complicated to watch a movie?”

Ah… is it already an era where I have to explain DVDs?

“Hmph. Your tastes are somewhat similar.”

Yu Hye-won pulled out a gray underwear from the drawer and waved it around.

“Student Yu Hye-won, isn’t that a bit excessive?”

“How is this even gray? Professor, should I buy you a prettier one?”

“No need. You’ve done enough. Please keep it in its place. No, I’ll do it. No, never mind.”

I snatched it from her hands as she playfully stuck her finger through the center hole.

Good grief. It’s like I’ve let in a herd of cats, and there’s no order in the room.

At least Song Do-yoon is sitting quietly, so it’s a relief.

* * * * *

While Yu Hye-won and Han Min-ha were causing mayhem, Song Do-yoon sat quietly below the couch, hugging his knees without moving.

Song Do-yoon was curious about the professor’s room too, but he remained still for a reason.

It wasn’t because of his timid personality.

It’s because the professor’s toothbrush was tucked in the pocket of his gym uniform.

After using the restroom and washing his hands, Song Do-yoon had instinctively pocketed the toothbrush without realizing.

Song Do-yoon couldn’t explain why he had done that.

In the moment, it felt like the opportunity would never come again, so his hands acted on their own.

If only he had known, he wouldn’t have done the absurd act of stealing the toothbrush.

But since it’s already done, going back and returning it would seem wasteful somehow.

So, that’s how it was.

Unaware of the situation, the professor thought it was fortunate that Song Do-yoon was at least sitting quietly.

It was truly a chaotic scene.