Chapter 97
—
Lunch break in the afternoon, Monster Studies lecture hall.
As the students opened the door and entered, they were once again surprised.
“Why is Professor Noh here…?”
“That guy is seriously strict.”
Some students quietly whispered among themselves.
Previously, they had been startled by the VR device when entering the room,
But this time, it was the appearance of Professor Noh, known as the most rigid professor at the academy.
The mere presence of Professor Noh, sitting silently, heightened the tension among the students.
This was especially true for the magic department students.
“…Remember when we submitted our group project for the magic department? Do you know what he said?”
A female student sitting far from Professor Noh whispered softly.
When the student next to her looked at her with curiosity, she continued her story.
“He said, ‘It’d be perfect for the trash can,’ and then actually threw it away.”
“Ew… He’s like a critic from an anime or something. Isn’t that way too much?”
“But he’s really good at teaching. He’s well-connected and has a ton of authority at the academy.”
“The protector of perfect balance, huh…”
Gaining exceptional skills at the cost of personality.
The student chuckled bitterly to herself, thinking how fair the world was.
At that moment,
The front door creaked open, and Si-hyun entered the lecture hall.
After placing a drink in front of Professor Noh, she walked to the podium.
The students, who had been staring at Professor Noh, shifted their gaze to Si-hyun.
The protector of imbalance stood before them.
Professor Noh also looked at Si-hyun, and the lecture began.
After completing the attendance check, Si-hyun explained Professor Noh’s presence.
“Everyone, Professor Noh will be observing today’s lecture. If there are areas where I lack, he will offer advice, so please don’t be too nervous and focus on the lecture as usual.”
Advice on areas lacking.
Some students glanced at Professor Noh before looking back at Si-hyun.
“Today’s topic is wyverns. Along with that, we’ll also cover a few other flying monsters.”
Professor Noh raised his hand immediately.
“I have a question.”
Si-hyun turned her attention to him.
“Yes, go ahead.”
“Why are you covering other monsters as well?”
“Because this is an introductory course. For students who need more detailed and in-depth content, I determined that learning in Professor Noh’s second-semester lecture would be more appropriate.”
“Hmm, I see.”
When Professor Noh nodded, Si-hyun resumed her lecture.
The students gradually became immersed in the lecture.
Professor Noh lightly observed the students, who were starting to focus.
‘…This level of concentration in a general education lecture.’
While it was common in his major lectures, it was quite rare in general courses.
To avoid distracting the students, he refrained from asking more questions and focused on evaluating the lecture mentally.
A pleasant tone that makes listening comfortable, check.
Standing while lecturing instead of sitting, check.
‘Hmm, unexpected.’
From a professor’s perspective, many conduct their lectures seated for their convenience.
However, doing as Professor Jung did allowed for better observation of students’ reactions.
The same held true for the students.
If the professor could see the students well, it meant the students could also clearly see the professor.
‘But the lecture content itself is average.’
There was nothing particularly special.
Which was expected, given it was an introductory course, as highlighted in their earlier question-and-answer exchange.
The fifth period of Monster Studies was rated as ordinary.
This was Professor Noh’s conclusion after an hour.
‘Not bad, but not as impressive as the rumors.’
At this point, a question arose in Professor Noh’s mind.
The students’ level of concentration and anticipation.
It was as if they were waiting for something.
‘…Aha.’
Perhaps they were expecting the VR device mentioned by Professor Jung earlier.
Professor Noh nodded slightly to himself.
His interest had been piqued as well.
And so, the break passed, and the sixth period was about to begin.
After briefly stepping out, Si-hyun returned to the lecture hall.
“Today, we’ll also be watching a video using the VR device. Everyone remembers the precautions, right?”
“Yes! We remember!”
“We’ve got it memorized!”
The students responded enthusiastically in loud voices.
For a week, they had eagerly awaited this moment to arrive.
The VR device used in Monster Studies provided an experience unlike anything else.
Si-hyun smiled faintly at the students’ passionate reactions.
It was a rewarding moment, given how much effort she had put into preparation.
“Alright, I’ll hand them out now.”
Si-hyun handed out the devices to everyone, including Professor Noh, adding a brief explanation.
Professor Noh looked at the device with a curious gaze.
And then, when everyone except Si-hyun was wearing the device,
Snap!
The moment Si-hyun snapped her fingers,
“Oh, ohhhh! What is this, what on earth is this!”
Professor Noh let out an uncharacteristic shout of amazement.
This device was revolutionary! A revolution in the field of magic!
It was truly an innovative creation.
* * *
For several days after the Monster Studies lecture ended,
Professor Noh found himself lost in thought about that day.
At the time…
“P-Professor Jung! After this semester ends, would you consider joining me?”
“…Excuse me?”
“Your magical talents must not go to waste! I don’t know why your profession is a Holy Knight, but let’s fully utilize your abilities!”
“Ah, haha…”
Professor Jung tactfully declined his proposal.
Her demeanour was, how to put it, reminiscent of a hermit in the mountains, someone devoid of worldly desires.
‘How can I possibly persuade Professor Jung…?’
Professor Noh spent several days replaying these thoughts in his mind.
Professor Jung was an exceptional person, embodying humility, talent, effort, and character.
Having experienced her lecture firsthand, he could fully understand why students were so captivated by her.
The rumors about her were not exaggerated—in fact, they fell short.
Even the initial impression of “ordinary” began to be reinterpreted.
That was how deeply Professor Noh had been drawn to Si-hyun.
Then, on the day of the regularly scheduled faculty meeting,
Professor Noh found himself unable to focus on the meeting.
His thoughts were still filled with Si-hyun.
At that moment,
“Is that lecturer still the same as always?”
“Are you referring to Professor Jung?”
“Professor? She’s just a part-time lecturer.
Every time I think of her behaviour during Kang Chul-min’s special lecture, it makes my skin crawl. What kind of attitude is that?”
The conversation shifted to the person he had been thinking about.
Naturally, Professor Noh’s gaze turned in their direction.
“These pretty-faced ones always have the worst attitudes.”
“Haha…”
“And her manner of speaking! Where could she possibly have picked up such language?”
It was an incredibly old-fashioned complaint.
The professor, who had strong ties with the Blue Forest Guild,
Was the same person who had previously spoken to Professor Noh about rumors regarding Si-hyun.
He continued criticizing Si-hyun.
In response, a more senior professor joined the conversation, clicking his tongue disapprovingly.
“tsk, tsk, tsk! People who know only half the story.”
Professor Noh looked at them with a gaze full of disdain.
“What? Bad attitude? Ha! That’s rich. As they say, you only see as much as you know.
And these people are professors?”
It was none other than Professor Noh who spoke.
As one of the most authoritative figures at the academy after the principal,
His influence was immense.
With the appearance of this “Giant Traditionalist,” the room fell silent.
Professor Noh began speaking unilaterally.
“Professors of the magic department, huh? Instead of proving facts, you spend your time gossiping about others. Tsk, tsk!”
“……”
“You should be doing everything in your power to keep Professor Jung at the academy! And here you are, behaving like this. Pathetic people.”
Professor Noh didn’t hesitate to hurl criticisms.
That was simply his personality.
And yet, no one dared to rebut him.
The aura exuded by Professor Noh overwhelmed most of the other professors.
Watching the situation unfold quietly, the principal faintly lifted the corners of his lips.
“As expected of Si-hyun! She even managed to win over that stubborn professor. Truly a remarkable talent.”
The principal didn’t intervene to stop Professor Noh.
She was thoroughly enjoying watching someone else voice the complaints he had been holding back.
It felt as if a weight had been lifted from her chest.
* * *
Late morning.
Sitting on the couch at home, I adjusted my posture, feeling uncomfortable.
Next to me, Si-yoon clung tightly to my side, chattering away.
“Unni, unni, unni. Just once. Please?”
“…It’s embarrassing. I don’t want to.”
“Don’t be like that! Let’s give it a try!”
“…Ugh.”
Si-yoon clung to my arm, acting all cutesy.
Faced with her relentless display of affection, I found it hard to flatly refuse.
“The viewers keep saying they want to see a collaboration with you! I think it would be really fun, too.”
“Even so… appearing on stream myself is a bit…”
“I’ll be right there helping you! Come on, unni—”
Si-yoon rubbed her face against my arm.
Her sweet, playful tone tickled my ears.
“You said you needed new summer clothes, right? I’ll help you shop for those too. Please? Please?”
“…Geez.”
She even started mimicking Momobin’s voice.
Her sparkling eyes and excited expression stared straight at me.
As if that would work on me…
…Honestly, it’s kind of cute.
“…Fine, just this once. Got it?”
“Yay! Unni, you’re the best! I love you!”
Si-yoon beamed as she hugged me tightly.
Soft and warm.
A little while later, she bounced away excitedly and went back to her room.
She was probably about to post an announcement.
“…Hmm, how should I do this?”
It was clear what Si-yoon had in mind—she wanted me to understand her perspective.
By experiencing streaming firsthand, she wanted me to see what it was like for her.
Since I’d already agreed…
“Hmmph.”
I might as well have some fun with it too.
—
Read More at – GENZNOVEL.COM!!
PLEASE JOIN OUR DISCORD AND SUBSCRIBE THE ROLE TO RECEIVE LATEST NOTIFICATIONS!!
Click here -> https://discord.gg/S8c2kGVr2g
Comment