NOVEL NEXT Chapter 97
Lunchtime in the afternoon. Introduction to Monster Studies classroom.
Students who entered after opening the door were greeted with the same shocked expressions as always.
“Why is Professor No here…?”
“That guy is really strict.”
Some students whispered quietly as they chatted.
They were startled by the VR device when they entered, and now the notoriously strict Professor No from the Academy had made an appearance.
The tense atmosphere thickened, thanks to the silent presence of Professor No, making the students feel even more on edge.
Especially the magic students.
“…Last time we submitted our group project in the magic major, do you remember what he said?”
A girl sitting far away from Professor No whispered in a hushed tone.
When the student next to her looked on with curiosity, she continued.
“He literally said, ‘It would be perfect to just toss it in the trash!’ and then actually threw it away.”
“Ugh…What is he, some kind of critic from an anime? Isn’t that a bit much?”
“But he really teaches well. He has good connections too. I heard he’s super influential at the Academy.”
“The guardian of perfect balance…”
Gaining excellent abilities but losing his personality.
The student inwardly chuckled bitterly, thinking, “The world is really fair.”
At that moment.
The door creaked open, and Si-hyun returned to the classroom.
Si-hyun placed a drink in front of Professor No and walked to the lectern.
The gazes of the students, which had been on Professor No, shifted to Si-hyun.
The guardian of imbalance was here.
Professor No also looked at Si-hyun, and the lecture began.
After taking attendance, Si-hyun explained Professor No’s observation.
“Everyone, today’s lecture will have Professor No observing. If I have any shortcomings, he will give me advice, so please don’t be too nervous and focus on the lecture as usual.”
Advice on shortcomings.
Some students glanced at Professor No and then back at Si-hyun.
“Today’s topic is wyverns. We’ll cover a few flying monsters alongside this one.”
Professor No shot his hand up immediately.
“I have a question.”
Si-hyun’s gaze turned to Professor No.
“Yes, go ahead.”
“Why are we covering other monsters together?”
“Because it’s an introductory lecture. I figured that students who needed more detailed and in-depth content should take Professor No’s lecture in the second semester.”
“Hmm, I see.”
When Professor No nodded, Si-hyun resumed the lecture.
The students began to immerse themselves in the lecture gradually.
Professor No lightly surveyed the engaged students.
‘…Their concentration is this high during a general studies class.’
That was common in his subject lectures, but it was truly rare in a general studies class.
To avoid disrupting the students, Professor No checked his mental evaluation sheet instead of asking additional questions.
Pleasant tone that makes it comfortable for the listener, pass.
Standing instead of sitting while teaching, also pass.
‘Hmm, surprisingly good.’
Many professors preferred to sit for their comfort during lectures.
However, to observe the students’ reactions closely, it was necessary to teach like a full professor.
It was the same from the students’ perspective.
If the professor could see the students well, it also meant that the students could see the professor well.
‘But the lecture content itself is quite ordinary.’
There was nothing particularly special.
In a way, it made sense. Like the first question and answer exchanged earlier, it was an introductory lecture.
Professor No’s assessment of the Introduction to Monster Studies at the end of the fifth class. Unremarkable.
This was his evaluation after an hour.
‘Not bad, but not as impressive as the rumors suggested.’
At this point, a question arose in Professor No’s mind.
The students’ concentration and anticipation.
They looked like they were expecting something.
‘…Ah.’
The VR device mentioned by the full professor earlier. Could they be looking forward to that?
Professor No nodded slightly.
He too was intrigued.
As the break passed, it was time for the sixth class to begin.
Si-hyun, who had briefly left the room, returned to the classroom.
“Today, we’re going to watch videos using the VR devices. Remember the precautions, right?”
“Yes! We remember!”
“We’ve got it!”
The students responded with enthusiastic voices.
They had been eagerly anticipating this moment for a week.
The VR device for Introduction to Monster Studies offered fun that couldn’t be experienced anywhere else.
Seeing the students’ passionate reactions, Si-hyun smiled lightly.
It was a moment filled with fulfillment for the hard work she had put in.
“Alright, I’ll distribute them to everyone.”
Si-hyun handed out the devices to all the students, including Professor No, while providing simple explanations.
Professor No looked at the device with a gleam of excitement in his eyes.
Once everyone else, except for Si-hyun, donned their devices—
Snap!
The moment Si-hyun snapped her fingers—
“Oh, oh woah! What is this, what in the world!”
Professor No exclaimed in awe, unable to keep his composure.
This device was a revolution! A revolution in the magic world!
It was truly an innovative product.
* * *
A few days after the Introduction to Monster Studies lecture.
Professor No sat lost in thought, pondering that day.
At that time…
“Hey, Professor Jeong! Would you consider coming under me after this semester ends?”
“…What?”
“You shouldn’t waste your magical talent! I don’t know why your job is a paladin, but let’s fully utilize that talent!”
“Oh, haha….”
Professor Jeong dodged the suggestion with a roundabout answer, appearing like a carefree person without greed.
‘How can I persuade Professor Jeong…’
For several days, Professor No repeatedly pondered this thought.
Professor Jeong was truly an excellent person, lacking nothing in humility, talent, effort, or personality.
Experiencing why students were so thrilled about her, he wholeheartedly agreed.
The rumors about her were by no means exaggerated. In fact, they fell short.
Even her initial ordinariness began to be reinterpreted.
So much that Professor No found himself deeply infatuated with Si-hyun.
And then, on the day of the regularly held professor meeting.
Professor No couldn’t concentrate on the meeting at all.
His mind was still filled with thoughts about Si-hyun.
Then, it happened.
“Is that lecturer still doing well?”
“Are you talking about Professor Jeong?”
“Not a professor. Just a part-time instructor. I still get chills thinking about the special lecture by Kang Cheol-min Hunter. What was with that attitude?”
The person they had been discussing was right on his mind.
Professor No naturally shifted his gaze toward them.
“Those who look cute often have a terrible attitude.”
“Haha…”
“Don’t even get me started on their speech habits! Where did they even learn that?”
That was definitely a boomer comment.
A professor close to the Cheongrim Guild was among those who had previously tipped Professor No off about the rumors.
He continued to badmouth Si-hyun.
As a result, an even bigger boomer chimed in, clicking his tongue as he joined the conversation.
“Tsk tsk tsk! It seems these people only know one thing.”
Professor No looked at them with a disdainful gaze.
“What? A terrible attitude? Hah, what a joke. You see only as far as you know. How can people like this be professors?”
It was none other than “Professor No” speaking.
He was second in authority at the Academy after the president, meaning he held quite a lot of influence.
With the arrival of a colossal boomer, everyone else fell silent.
Professor No spoke unilaterally.
“Those who call themselves professors in the magic world. Instead of proving facts, they gossip about others. Tsk!”
“…”
“While they’re busy trying to keep Professor Jeong at the Academy, they look like foolish people.”
Professor No, who didn’t hesitate to let out a curse, was simply that kind of person.
However, no one dared to voice a counterargument to him.
The aura Professor No exuded overwhelmed most other professors.
The president, who had been observing the situation quietly, subtly raised the corners of her mouth.
‘Of course, Si-hyun! Even that stubborn professor was charmed. Truly a talent.’
The president didn’t stop Professor No.
She was genuinely pleased to see him take the lead in the venting.
It felt as if a once-blocked throat had been cleared.
* * *
Late in the morning.
I sat on the sofa at home and shifted my uncomfortable posture.
Si-yoon, who was nestled right beside me, was chattering away.
“Unnie, unnie, unnie. Just once would be great. Okay?”
“…… I don’t want to because it’s embarrassing.”
“Don’t be like that! Let’s give it a try!”
“…… Ugh.”
Wriggle, wriggle.
Si-yoon clung to my arm and pouted adorably.
I couldn’t say no to this-aggression and kept hesitating.
“The viewers want to see you and me collab! I think it would be fun too!”
“But still… appearing directly is a bit…”
“I’ll help you out from the side! Okay? Unnie—”
Si-yoon, clinging to my arm, rubbed her face against it.
Her sweet, teasing voice tickled my ear.
“Didn’t you say you needed to buy new summer clothes? I’ll help you with that too! Okay? Okay?”
“…… Oh, come on.”
Now she was using a soft voice similar to a character, starting to cling tighter.
With sparkling eyes and an excited expression, she gazed at me.
As if that would make me give in…
…Honestly, she was cute.
“…… Fine, just one time. Got it?”
“Yay! Unnie is the best! Love you!”
With a bright smile, Si-yoon pulled me into a tight hug.
So soft.
Not long after, Si-yoon, delighted, jumped back and ran to her room.
She probably wanted to post an announcement, right?
“…… Hmm, what should I do?”
Si-yoon was clearly aiming for a role reversal, right?
Her plan was probably to let me experience broadcasting firsthand to see what it feels like.
Since I decided to do it anyway…
“Hehe.”
I should have some fun with it too, right?