Academy’s Villain Professor

Chapter 254 : Chapter 254

Chapter 254: Preparation

The Clington Academy felt incredibly foreign after returning for the first time in several months.

Although I had only played the role of a professor for barely one semester, even the memory of that half-year had faded, the place was so changed.

Like a newcomer arriving in the city for the first time, I blinked my eyes and looked around.

The buildings that had initially felt old yet imposing when I first set foot in Clington were all gone, replaced by gleaming, new structures.

The initial battles must have caused several small earthquakes, so even the buildings that looked fine on the outside probably weren't completely intact.

Thus, they seemed to have decided to completely rebuild the campus since this happened anyway.

So, I slowly headed toward the building where the staff quarters were located.

The employee dormitory where I stayed couldn't be called good even by stretching the truth.

When I was first assigned this room, my relationship with the Dean was quite awkward, and I was assigned that small room as a form of revenge.

Every building on the campus had been replaced with shiny, new structures.

Naturally, my staff quarters should also…

"Huh."

I made a foolish sound looking at the staff quarters in the distance.

It hadn't changed.

The dormitory was still dilapidated and small.

Why on earth?

And Ji-an, who was squatting by the communal entrance on the first floor of the dormitory, bolted up when she spotted me.

She had gotten a cramp in her leg from waiting for me in an uncomfortable posture for several hours, but she quickly ran toward me, limping slightly.

"Mister! You came fast!"

"Yeah, I did. But..."

Gently pressing the back of Ji-an's neck with my fingertips as she hugged me, I lifted my head.

Looking at the building, which was stubbornly holding its ground alone, I asked.

"Did they not do construction here?"

It was utterly confusing, considering the other buildings right next to it were completely torn down or at least underwent major renovation.

At my question, Ji-an took a step back and grinned broadly.

"I stopped them!"

At her proud exclamation, I instantly felt dizzy.

Barely keeping my wits about me, I asked, genuinely unable to understand.

"…Why?"

As someone who had been looking forward to a new home, I was a bit taken aback.

Ji-an put her hands on her hips, puffed out her chest, and declared proudly.

"Because it's a precious place where our memories reside!"

I had only lived in that house for barely half a year myself.

Ji-an had only stayed for about a couple of months.

Was there no memory?

Of course, I couldn't say none at all.

But still.

I only lived there for barely half a year.

Ji-an had only stayed for a couple of months.

It was definitely not worth giving up a free, new dormitory room, no matter how I thought about it.

Ji-an, however, unaware of my thoughts, was simply beaming happily.

"It was the first time I ever had a home. When they tried to bulldoze it! I couldn't stand it! I immediately lay down and protested!"

"…And the Dean accepted that?"

"He just smiled and said it was fine?"

"Haa."

That ill-tempered old man.

He wouldn't have accepted Ji-an's objection just to save a few bucks.

He was trying to tease me again.

"You can't be helped, really."

I laughed hollowly and ruffled Ji-an's hair.

In the end, I climbed the only unchanged stairs at Clington and stood in front of the front door.

I grabbed the doorknob, opened the door forcefully, and stepped inside.

The still-familiar space, completely unchanged, and the person inside greeted me.

So-hee, having changed into comfortable clothes, stood up from the bed.

"You came back quickly? You said lunch was iffy."

"Yeah. I just loosely shrugged off the guys who tried to arrest me there and came back…"

I suddenly stopped talking and moved my lips.

Seeing me hesitate, So-hee tilted her head, looking puzzled.

Why the sudden behavior?

However, I quickly closed my lips and smiled lightly.

"I'm home."

At my greeting, the eyes of both So-hee and Ji-an widened more than ever.

But that momentary shock was fleeting.

Both smiled brightly and welcomed me.

"Welcome back."

"Welcome home!"

***

Unlike me, who wondered what we should eat for lunch outside, the two adamantly refused to eat out, insisting on eating the food I made.

"…This is a bit unexpected."

When I said I didn't have ingredients, So-hee immediately took out a large bundle of ingredients from the kitchen.

It seemed they had already prepared everything.

Since I couldn't disappoint the two of them who were begging for homemade food.

I finally tied the strings of the apron.

One stew, fried rice, fried food, and pasta.

Although the combination was strange, they ordered every menu item I knew how to make with the sole ambition of trying all of them.

"My tum, my tum!"

Ji-an exclaimed, her cheeks stuffed with food.

"Eat slowly. No one's stealing it."

Considering her original lifestyle, Ji-an was far from being a glutton.

She was rather prone to being nagged for picking at her food too much.

But today was different.

The food was made by Ho-cheol.

This title seemed to have pleased her considerably, and she was absorbing the food with the determination not to drop a single crumb.

So-hee, on the other hand, had eaten enough and put down her chopsticks, simply looking at me with enjoyment.

I put down my chopsticks and asked.

"Why?"

"No, I'm just happy."

Although she didn't show it, So-hee was feeling the greatest satisfaction and fulfillment she had felt in recent times.

A few months ago, when I quit being a professor and left this place.

She thought that perhaps a moment like this might never come again.

No, she half-believed it.

However, I betrayed her expectations in a good way and returned to keep my promise.

So how could she not be happy?

Although problems remained mountainous, at least the feeling of this moment was eternal.

I couldn't say anything when she just said she was happy.

I picked up my chopsticks again, enduring her gaze, which was hot enough to be a burden.

No, I stopped my hand right in the position of holding the chopsticks.

Instead, I stared intently at So-hee and asked.

"Do you want to be the Hero Association President?"

"Eh?"

So-hee genuinely panicked and asked back.

"Are you crazy?"

"Why would I be crazy? It's just that there's no one suitable to do it."

Of course, I didn't know So-hee's administrative abilities.

However, the position of Hero Association President didn't particularly require such abilities.

If the position required ability or strength, I wouldn't have suggested it so casually.

The real work that requires experience and knowledge is ultimately handled by the working-level staff below and the Bureau Directors of each department.

It was essentially an honorary position, but the current President had arbitrarily concentrated power.

"It doesn't require any great ability. In fact, you probably won't even get paid much."

"No, even so. Me doing that?"

I didn't even have the authority to decide that, but even if that weren't the case, it was an utterly absurd suggestion to So-hee.

"It's a job that requires morality more than ability, and the current Bureau Directors are, well…"

By natural order, one of the Bureau Directors or other high-ranking executives would rise to the President position, but by my standards, they were all people who shouldn't ascend to the President's chair.

The Legal Department Director?

He was only somewhat clean compared to the others and thus seemed suitable, but he was not a perfect person.

In fact, it was a natural principle.

There couldn't possibly be a perfectly incorruptible human being without any desires.

And even if there were, such a great person would never seek such a high position or power.

So-hee was only more flustered by my explanation.

"Then what about me?"

"You have as much ambition as anyone else. But you're timid. Would you dare to accept bribes or solicitations? You'd be too scared, wouldn't you? And most importantly…"

I leaned forward, resting my arms on the table.

"You're the kindest person I've met in the Association. I'd be happy for you to take it."

At the assessment, which was too blatant and utterly unexaggerated, So-hee's face instantly flushed bright red.

Only Ji-an, who was vigorously chewing her food, looked at the conversation as if it were outrageous.

If only she had swallowed her pasta, she would have had something to say!

***

The next day. I headed to the hideout before dawn and immediately sought out the Hero National Cemetery.

I didn't forget to bring Smiley.

No, Jeong Yu-hwa.

However, I had no intention of digging up her original grave and putting her in a coffin.

Instead, I established a new site.

Since the discussion with the Association was already complete, there was no need to worry about any commotion in between.

However.

"Is this spot okay?"

So-hee asked beside me in a slightly worried tone.

Naturally, this was the Hero National Cemetery, but this section was not the plot for heroes.

It wasn't even the hero section, let alone the S-rank hero section.

It was the non-hero section.

Specifically, the plot for retired heroes or people employed in hero-related industries like the Hero Association, etc.

"Yes. I like it here."

I nodded.

In her final moments, she died as Jeong Yu-hwa, the person, not Smiley, the hero.

It was written in the letter, too.

I sat down on a nearby bench.

Looking around, I recalled the past.

The day Smiley, the hero, died, the rain poured down madly, as if representing my own horrible feelings.

But today was different.

Back then, countless people gathered.

But they only regretted and mourned the death of an outstanding hero; they didn't truly mourn a single person.

People gathered and grieved, but their hearts did not.

And today, there were barely three of us, including myself.

But at least we were mourning Yu-hwa's death more genuinely than they were back then.

And the three of us weren't the end of it.

Sensing a presence in the distance, I turned around.

An unexpected face was approaching.

Da-yeon and Ye-jin.

They were walking up the path, dressed in black suits.

And a few meters away from them, Swordmaster was standing in similar attire.

Still, it seemed he had no intention of fighting here, as his favorite sword wasn't even at his hip.

The two, who had approached me, bowed their heads without a word.

I didn't greet them with any customary words either.

Instead, I patted the side of the bench with both hands.

The two immediately sat down on either side of me.

Glancing at me, Ye-jin first asked cautiously.

"Are you okay?"

"No. Of course I'm not okay."

At my firm, almost chilling answer, the two instantly tensed up and shrank back, but.

"But I feel better because you came."

They could finally relax at my joke.

"I should be the one asking. She was family."

"Well, I don't remember her at all. I know it with my head, but I don't feel it in my heart, I guess."

"Still, she'll probably be happy you came. No, she'll definitely be happy."

Saying that, I got up from the bench.

No matter how close and familiar I was, the family connection by blood was separate.

They should have time for family, too.

"If you have any last words, say them."

"Oh, ah. Counselor."

Da-yeon noticed So-hee belatedly and stood up from the bench, looking surprised.

She had heard from Swordmaster about the kidnapping.

It was truly a relief to see her return safe and sound like this.

So-hee chuckled and waved her hand lightly.

"You two talk for a bit. I have something else to do."

I gestured with my chin toward Swordmaster, who had approached nearby.

"There's a spacious open field over there. Shall we walk for a bit?"

Just the two of us.

And the remark I added subtly hinted that a simple walk wasn't the only purpose.

"Bring your sword too."

At that, Swordmaster, and the others, flinched and stared at me.

"Ah, I know that expression, but don't look at me like that. It's not what you're thinking."

Of course, even if I said that, my words weren't very credible from the moment I told him to bring his sword.

However, I was also sincere.

Contrary to their worries, I had a different objective in asking for the sword.

Up until now, I had always been on the receiving end of the attack when facing Swordmaster, but this time was different.

"By the way, have you ever caught a monster before?"

Today was my turn to test the Swordmaster.