Chapter 9

For a while, the administrative office and faculty were fully occupied with the task of dividing up the freshmen into classes.

The classes were split based on the initial assessment results.

It wouldn’t be possible to teach everyone the same way without considering their levels.

The goal was to allow capable students to thrive and help struggling students improve.

Han Minhwa was placed in one of the lower-level classes.

Since no expectations were held, there was no disappointment either.

Once the classes were decided, supervisory assistants were assigned.

In simple terms, these assistants functioned like homeroom teachers and guided all aspects of student life at the Academy.

Though called assistants, they were scholars renowned in their fields, simply without the talent to be heroes.

To begin with, one couldn’t become Academy faculty without an impressive background.

At that moment, the faculty department head walked in, took the seat at the head of the conference table, and greeted everyone enthusiastically.

“Good evening, everyone!”

Confused by the greeting in the morning, professors looked at each other, unsure how to respond.

I quickly realized the situation.

The department head, probably having stayed up for the class allocation tasks, was making a joke considering his day to have started last night, thus calling it evening for himself.

Of course, the all-nighter was likely exaggerated.

Such an absurd joke.

Among the professors, Information Acquisition and Operations Professor Hyeo Taehyun, who had known the department head for a long time, spoke up.

“Haha! Oh, Director, did you stay up all night?”

“Only you, Hyeo Professor, understand me.”

Hyeo Taehyun explained the joke to the other professors.

Only then, with forced but unavoidable smiles, the professors responded with generic pleasantries like “Good evening, Director,” and “You worked hard.”

When our eyes met, Hyeo Taehyun winked as if saying, “You already understood, didn’t you?”

Indeed, with his talent for gaining information and reading people, he was unusually quick-witted.

Professor Hyeo was well-liked by everyone.

Always considerate, sharp-witted, humorous, and thoughtful to others, he was impossible not to like.

Moreover, he was the only one who could candidly criticize the department head with a smile.

For some reason, though still a regular professor, his tenure matched that of an associate professor.

What should’ve been an unforgivable joke that ruined the meeting turned out to be salvaged, thanks to Professor Hyeo.

Thinking the joke worked, the department head was in a great mood, and the meeting proceeded not too badly.

Today’s meeting was regarding assigned classes, supervisory assistants, and the upcoming academic advisor allocations.

There was little new content; now that classes were formed, teaching should proceed more systematically according to levels.

Also, students were to be assessed in advance for upcoming advisor assignments.

With that, the department head livenly clapped and said,

“Let’s do great today, everyone. Prepare the chant!”

“Yeh…!” “Yehh…!”

In response, the professors, with less-than-enthusiastic voices, lifted their fists.

Only Professor Hyeo Taehyun shouted “Yeah!” loudly, injecting some spirit.

“Let’s start the chant!”

“Wonderful…! Powerful…! Successful…!”

“Everyone!”

“Fullfullfull!”

As we raised our fists three times, quickly, and altogether six times, I thought to myself:

This is utterly absurd.

The meeting of renowned current and former hero professors.

Ordinary people would think we’re having deep discussions about how to effectively teach the future heroes in the morning.

But in reality, it’s just “Fullfullfull.”

“Thank you all! Let’s go!”

As the chant ended, Professor Hyeo loudly declared,

Professor Hyeo always acts this way at the end of meetings to give it a proper conclusion.

Without this, the department head would just linger and keep chatting.

“Thank you all!”

With Hyeo’s cue, professors quickly rose from their seats and left the office.

So, the actual motto of our faculty department wasn’t “Fullfullfull”, but “Thank you all. Let’s go.”

Just as everyone was standing up, the department head called me.

“Professor Hyun. Can I have a word?”

“Yes, Director.”

Sitting back down, the department head indicated the seat diagonally across from him.

“Come sit closer. Don’t you want to talk to me?”

“No, I’ll come.”

As I moved over, the head waited for the other professors to leave before asking,

“How’s your health these days?”

“Fine, thanks to your care, Director.”

“Care? By the way, are you not going to take guidance students this year?”

“I’m not sure yet.”

Actually, I had Han Minhwa in mind but couldn’t say it casually without knowing the department head’s intentions.

“Didn’t you meet Yu Hye-won at the orientation?”

“It wasn’t really an introduction, but we did exchange a few words.”

“What about?”

“When she asked if I was a professor, I confirmed it, and that was it.”

The department head, skeptical, furrowed his brow and stroked his chin.

“Hmm… Is that so? The story from the Advisory Chairman and the Principal’s meeting wasn’t like that?”

“What story was that?”

“They mentioned talking about assigning you as an advisor, didn’t they?”

I roughly understood the situation.

Yu Hye-won must’ve told her father about me.

Did they already have someone else in mind?

“Perhaps. I didn’t have such a discussion.”

“Is that so? Anyway, about guidance students…”

“You’re asking me to take on Yu Hye-won, aren’t you?”

“What? Did I ever say that?”

“Isn’t that your intention?”

“No, no. Advisor assignments need mutual agreement, not orders from someone like me, the Director.”

Still, the department head subtly continued,

“By the way… I heard Yu Hye-won ranked first in the initial assessment. You know, top students graduate first and start as B-rank heroes.”

“I know.”

“While teaching such students is both a great opportunity and experience, right? Even with thirty years in this job, I’m quite envious.”

“Then, Director, would you consider being the advisor?”

“What… What…?”

The department head stuttered, caught off guard.

“Wouldn’t it look better if the department head directly managed a student instead of someone from a non-popular course like myself? Given Yu Hye-won’s abilities and background, the department head suits her better than a regular professor.”

“Uh… Is that right?”

“Yes. The Advisory Chairman, being so interested in the daughter’s education, might feel disconcerted if the advisor is a regular professor with lung disease, constantly coughing.”

Intentionally trailing off, the department head began to look uneasy, darting his eyes around.

“You’re right there. Professor Hyun’s point is valid.”

“Moreover, there’s no regulation issue, so Director, please take on the responsibility yourself. Surely the Advisory Chairman and Principal will appreciate it, seeing a busy department head personally guiding a student.”

“Hmm…”

“I have less burden by not taking such a heavy responsibility, the director can teach a brilliant student nearing retirement, it’s better for Yu Hye-won to be taught by a distinguished department head rather than me, the Principal can gain favor with the Advisory Chairman, and the Chairman will feel good seeing their daughter taught by someone at your level. It’s a win for everyone.”

The department head was quiet, lost in thought.

He must be struggling to suppress the rising ambition in his heart.

Initially, having me as an advisor could’ve been simply for praise, but now the scenario could make him the object of high-ranking attention and trust.

His favorability towards me would increase as well.

Yu Hye-won’s advisor position is coveted by anyone.

She’ll automatically be top of the class, you can develop a network with the Advisory Chairman, and as long as her personality is accommodated, it’s a prime position.

I’m not only rejecting such a position but also suggesting a superior takes it.

Of course, this only works because our head is a senior with ambition; a smarter head professor might have seen right through me.

“First, let me discuss with the Principal,” he finally said.

“I’ll convey that you suggested this, and that I personally caring for Yu Hye-won would benefit the Academy.”

“Do that. The Principal will surely appreciate your initiative.”

“Really? Do you think so?”

I simply gave him a faint smile in response.

**

As I stepped out of the research building for class, someone called me.

“Hey, Professor Hyun!”

Turning back, I saw Professor Hyeo Taehyun smoking at the smoking area, beckoning to me.

I shook my head no by miming smoking with my fingers, but Hyeo Professor just smiled, stubbed out his cigarette, and waived the smoke away.

“Done?”

“Yes.”

“What did you talk about with the director? More nonsense?”

I hesitated whether I should bring it up.

Professor Hyeo Taehyun specialized in information acquisition and covert operations.

If he wanted, he could easily find out what was discussed between me and the director.

Lucky for me, he’s friendly, or he could’ve been quite a headache.

It’s probably best to just tell him.

“Advisor-related stuff.”

“Advisor? Why? Oh, I see. Yu Hye-won, right?”

“I see you already knew.”

“Not exactly. What else could it be?”

As expected, someone with a background in information can deduce a lot from a small clue.

“So, you’re going to take it, right?”

“No, I suggested the Director do it himself as it was too burdensome.”

“Ha ha ha ha ha!”

Before I could finish, Professor Hyeo roared with laughter.

Despite this not being particularly funny, he laughed so hard tears streamed down his face as he playfully slapped my shoulder.

“Professor Hyun, you’re quite the joker.”

“Am I?”

“You’re not deliberately toying with the Director, are you?”

“Really, it’s not that. I just don’t want to take on Yu Hye-won.”

“Man, would any parent appreciate an old guy suddenly stepping in after specifically targeting their daughter?”

“That’s true, but I genuinely don’t want to handle Yu Hye-won.”

“Point taken. Being in the spotlight is nice, but if it burns too hot, your head’ll fry.”

Professor Hyeo chuckled at his own joke and waved me off.

“Go on, class is starting.”

“I’ll go. Thank you, Professor Hyeo.”

“See you.”

The morning spring breeze was chilly, and staying out too long might bring on another coughing fit.

I quickly crossed to the lecture hall and ascended the lecture room.

Unluckily, my first lecture today was with the upper-level class containing Yu Hye-won.

As I prepared, the students began filing in.

“Hello, professor.” “Good morning.”

“Hello, Professor Hyun.”

Yu Hye-won entered with a smile.