“Uhh… Professor…?”
“Are you coming to your senses?”
I cast a hangover-relief magic spell on her.
Though she did make some pretty inappropriate comments, it was while she was drunk.
Considering her usual behavior, I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt.
After she regained her composure and we finished our light meal, we left the restaurant.
Checking the time… oh no.
“Aisha, we might be late if we don’t hurry.”
“Yeah… we should probably pick up the pace…”
Thanks to our alcoholic alchemist, all the extra time we should’ve had vanished.
‘Damn Alkea, let’s see how your collection’s doing… thinking about it, didn’t our Dean like his drink too?’
While considering how fun it’d be to casually leak the locations of the fine wines secretly hidden around the Academy,
We started walking down the seemingly endless hallway at a half-jog.
How long had it been?
The classroom door came into view.
-Creeeak!
“Finally… we made it…”
“You’ve worked hard. Take a moment to catch your breath.”
As if she was planning to do just that anyway, her chest rose and fell dramatically.
I conjured up a water bottle and handed it over.
“G-gladly…”
With trembling hands, she opened the cap and brought it to her lips.
-Glup glup
Watching her enthusiastic drinking made me thirsty too, so I was about to create another bottle when…
“Good morning, Professor.”
“Hello, Professor!”
The students started coming in.
“Yes, good morning.”
Though I greeted them with a smile, inside I was dying.
‘Thought I could catch my breath for a bit… but looks like we’re starting right away.’
What could I do? This is the life of a professor I chose.
Seeing Aisha still panting made my heart soften, but I didn’t show it and gestured instead.
At the same time, she began distributing the prepared materials.
Once she confirmed the last student in the back row had received their materials, she announced loudly:
“Alright then, let’s begin today’s lesson. Please focus everyone.”
* * *
Starting the class while not in the best condition made me a bit anxious, but as always, the lesson proceeded smoothly.
‘In this kind of peace… when I thought the first class would be incredibly disappointing.’
A lecture that begins and ends without incident, just like those academy series I watched in my past life.
I was certain something would happen.
Like an unknown assailant bursting in during class or an emergency at the academy.
No, actually there was another reason for my disappointment.
“…”
Arguing students questioning whether someone has the qualifications to teach are a common trope in academy stories.
So when I was assigned my subject, I went crazy researching materials.
If anyone questioned my qualifications, I planned to show them the vast difference in knowledge.
But after all my preparation…
‘There wasn’t a single student stirring up trouble.’
Were they all model students, or were they just diligently attending class?
‘I guess it’s only the first day.’ ‘The bad students are probably sizing me up.’ I kept telling myself this for months…
But nothing happened.
Well, there was one thing.
‘The thank-you letters on Teacher’s Day… from every single student who took my class…’
Only then could I admit it.
They were too good.
There were none trying to nitpick at the lecture content or randomly challenging me to duels to test my skills.
‘For example…’
“…”
That blue-haired student who’s been patiently raising her hand since a while ago, waiting politely for permission to speak.
Surprisingly, she’s one of the top noble families in the empire.
You’d think she’d be someone who judges others by their status or background based on her appearance alone.
But her actions are completely opposite.
She treats everyone equally, without regard to status or origin.
Just like her sister who graduated last year, she’s proof that you shouldn’t judge people by their looks.
“Miss Lianis, do you have a question?”
Once I gave her permission, she finally began speaking.
“Professor, I have a question regarding the ‘multiple incantations using opposing attribute mana’ you mentioned earlier…”
Her problem is asking questions right before class ends.
And they’re always the kind that require long answers.
I subtly checked the clock.
About 10 minutes left in class.
Her current question would take at least 15 minutes to answer properly, even if explained quickly.
“…If you do that, you can further amplify the efficiency-”
“-Miss Lianis, I’ll answer that question separately later. Today, I have an announcement to make.”
“…Yes, sorry.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for. Miss Lianis is simply fulfilling her duties as a student.”
I stopped her from bowing and began talking about the upcoming exam.
“As you all know, the exams are approaching.”
Various reactions erupted throughout the classroom.
Expectation, excitement, despair… multiple emotions could be felt.
Including the occasional “It’s finally here…”
“Professor, how will this exam be conducted?”
“Will it be written like last time?”
“How about practical for once, Professor!”
“Ignore that blockhead, Professor! Please, let it be written again!”
As the noise level increased, I silenced them with a single hand gesture, confirming the quiet before continuing.
“I know what all of you hope for, but as you know, our academy’s exam method is…”
All the students nodded as if they’d just said it for fun.
Random.
Surprisingly, this academy randomly decides which type of exam will be given.
Written is literally written tests, just like in my previous life.
Practical means fighting monsters in designated dungeons.
Whether the exam will be practical or written is entirely up to chance.
Students specializing in anti-monster magic could end up with a written test.
And those studying alchemy, which requires brainpower, could get a practical exam.
…By the way, these examples are actual events.
Last year, the alchemy students…
The day before the exam, they had to bring the potions they created and fight monsters.
If you’re unlucky, disasters like this can happen.
On the other hand, it’s a fair system that reduces the chances of cheating.
“…As the students know.”
In reality, it was different.
Professors arbitrarily decide the ratio of practical to written exams to be roughly 1:1.
I was quite shocked when I first heard about it.
Who in the world conducts exams like this?
When I first arrived, I thought it was a joke to fool new professors.
Now I’m used to it, but last year’s incident was unexpected.
Alkea, the alchemy professor,
chose practical just for fun and forced the students into the dungeon.
Needless to say, there were zero students who scored full marks.
Fortunately, points were distributed afterward,
otherwise all the students taking alchemy last year would have had to retake it.
This event further solidified Alkea’s already poor reputation-
‘-I shouldn’t be thinking about this now.’
Realizing I was still standing in the classroom,
I caught myself before my mind wandered elsewhere
and announced the end of the lecture to the students.
“The exam format will be announced later once the results are out. That concludes today’s class.”
“Thank you for your hard work!”
“You’ve all worked hard following along with such a long lecture.”
As soon as I finished speaking, the students hurriedly left.
“Aisha, shall we go?”
“Yes, I’ll just tidy up the classroom a bit…”
“…Alright, I’ll help.”
We tidied up the now empty classroom together.
I don’t know how things were in my previous life, but here, cleaning up after lectures was the responsibility of the professor and teaching assistant.
*
*
*
A little later.
Having finished cleaning up, I walked down the hallway with a light step.
The reason for my cheerful demeanor was simple.
“Aisha, if my memory serves me correctly…”
“Yes, you don’t have any more classes today… today’s lecture was both the first and last…”
Since there were no more classes today.
Just thinking about returning to my office and playing with Hwanyang all day made me excited.
Thinking about his soft fur, black moist nose, golden eyes that seem to shine…
‘Hwanyang, I’m coming!’
I quickened my pace down the hallway when…
Aisha spoke to me.
“Since yesterday, you’ve seemed in a good mood… Did the Dean mention extending your vacation?”
“Of course, that would be nice, but you know the Dean’s personality.”
“That’s true…”
Even Eisha, who never lost her smile surrounded by piles of paperwork, shook her head.
‘To think someone could live like that…’
Just as I was about to start a deep discussion about the Dean’s character, we arrived at my office.
‘Now that I think about it… I’ll be seeing Hwanyang often going back and forth. It wouldn’t hurt to introduce him early, right?’
If he mistakes me sneaking in to handle documents as an intrusion and bites, that would be trouble.
With that in mind, I invited her to lunch.
We could naturally show Hwanyang during lunch.
And have Hwanyang get used to Aisha’s scent so he won’t attack later.
“By the way, Aisha, if you have time, would you like to have lunch with me…?”
Hold on.
“Where did she go?”
I turned around at the casual second person speech that slipped out, but she was nowhere to be found.
Did I just get rejected before I could even properly invite her to eat?
