I Became an Unknown Professor at the Academy

“That’s enough for today.”

As soon as Kang Hanna declared this, the students on the sparring ground sank to the floor, exhausted and out of breath.

Kang Hanna looked down at the sweating students with a mischievous grin and said, “The observers this tLime were handpicked by Professor Baek Woo-jin hLimself, so give it your all.”

“…” The students, who had been waiting for Kang Hanna to leave, suddenly came back to life.

As expected, Kang Hanna waved her hand dismissively and turned away.

“Oh, by the way, don’t forget that the artificial gate strategy will be conducted in the same format as last year. If you want to form a team, make sure to coordinate in advance.”

Kang Hanna winked at the students, indicating that she was done talking, and quickly left the sparring ground.

At that moment, all eyes turned to Baek Hana, who was resting on the bench.

Baek Hana was the strongest student in the Academy, surpassing even the upperclassmen.

She was the world’s strongest rookie.

In the Academy’s popularity poll, she dominated the female category.

Everyone knew that being on the same team as Baek Hana, also known as the Ice Queen or the Wolf Queen, was as good as a guaranteed success in the artificial gate strategy. However, no one dared to approach her.

One reason was that Nam Seo-hee, the second-ranked student, was always by her side. But more Limportantly, they all knew from experience that the artificial gate strategy wasn’t just about the result; it was also about evaluating individual judgment and skills in overcoming given situations.

While forming a team with Baek Hana would make the strategy itself easier, it would also reduce the opportunities to showcase individual skills. In the worst case, they might not even get a chance to swing their swords.

‘I guess I should team up with that guy again.’

‘Still, I’ve done it once last year, so I should be better than the others…’

‘Hey, does that mean Lim Gyeong-su… Is he going to be on the Queen’s team again?’

The students’ gazes shifted to Lim Gyeong-su, who was polishing his shield.

“What? What’s going on?”

Lim Gyeong-su, who had been cleaning his shield with an oiled cloth, was startled by the sudden attention. He trembled and stood up.

His exceptional danger detection ability had developed over years of torment.

The problem was that, despite his excellent detection skills, his mobility wasn’t particularly impressive due to his role as a tank.

“Lim Gyeong-su! I challenge you to a duel!”
“I’m next!”
“This time, I’ll break that shield of his!”

The male students slowly surrounded Lim Gyeong-su, their eyes wide with determination.

“Huh? What? What’s going on? I didn’t do anything this time!”
“Get him!”
“Showing your back as a tank? Aren’t you ashamed?”
“You’re the ones ganging up on him!”

Lim Gyeong-su broke through the sparring ground’s window and managed to escape, with the male students hot on his trail.

Nam Seo-hee, who had been watching the commotion, turned to Baek Hana and asked, “Are you forming the same team as last year?”

“Yes, that would be more comfortable.”

Although Na Joo-hee and Lim Gyeong-su had joined the team randomly, Baek Hana had become quite close to Na Joo-hee during the tournament, and Lim Gyeong-su was taking the same class as her, so he was one of the few male students she recognized and felt comfortable with.

“Are you uncomfortable with them Seo-hee?”
“No. I’m fine as long as you’re happy, Hana.”
“Ugh…!! Oh, I sweated today…”
“I like it.”
“…”

Baek Hana felt embarrassed as Nam Seo-hee hugged her waist from behind and walked with her to the changing room. It wasn’t the first time this had happened, so she blushed slightly and entered the changing room with Nam Seo-hee.

“Are we having lunch at the cafeteria?”
“No, I’m skipping lunch today.”
“…”
Nam Seo-hee, who had been wiping her sweat with a towel, turned to look at Baek Hana.

“I have to stop by the mansion for lunch.”
“I see.”

Although she was a little disappointed that they couldn’t have lunch together, Nam Seo-hee’s face relaxed as she realized she wasn’t being summoned by the student council.

“See you at the next lecture, then.”
“Okay. I’ll let the others know.”
“Thanks.”

Baek Hana gathered her belongings and left the training ground.

Hmm~ Hmm~♪

For some reason, Baek Hana was in a good mood just thinking about seeing Baek Woo-jin’s face. She walked lightly, avoiding people’s gazes, and headed towards the mansion.

“I’m back.”

As soon as she opened the front door, a savory smell filled the air, and Baek Hana’s lips curled up slightly.

-Hana!!

“Piyak~”

Baek Hana, wearing slippers and walking down the hallway, held out her palm towards a cute fairy flying towards her in a dress she had never seen before.

-Piiang~

“So cute…”

The fairy wore a dress that beautifully combined white and sky blue, creating a heavenly look.

With her mystical wings and light green hair, she truly resembled a fairy from a storybook.

“Umm… Welcome.”
“Unnie?”

Baek Hana blinked in surprise at Claire, who was sticking her head out of the kitchen and greeting her.

“What’s wrong?”
“Well, umm…”

Claire hesitated at Baek Hana’s question, then carefully leaned forward.

“You’re wearing the same dress as Piyak?”

However, in Claire’s case, the dress accentuated her curves, giving her a seductive rather than cute appearance.

“Baek Hana.”

As Baek Hana was about to playfully approach her sister’s shy demeanor, a sweet voice stopped her in her tracks.

“Go to your room and change, then come out to the garden.”
“Huh? Oh, okay.”

Baek Hana nodded and quickly headed to her room.

“Wow…”

Baek Hana’s eyes sparkled as she saw the cute fairy and the same dress her sister was wearing laid out on the bed.

“But I sweated…”

After a brief hesitation, Baek Hana quickly changed out of her school uniform and into the dress.

“It fits perfectly.”

The dress was so comfortable that Baek Hana spun around in front of the mirror.

‘How can it fit so perfectly?’

Baek Hana’s cheeks turned slightly red as she looked at herself in the mirror. It felt like her secret, which she wanted to keep hidden, had been exposed.

“I have to go quickly.”

Shaking off her thoughts, Baek Hana left the room and headed to the garden in front of the study.

“I’m here.”

Baek Hana approached Baek Woo-jin and Claire, who were standing in front of the lush bushes and white flowers.

“You look good together.”
“Oh, you look prettier, unnie.”
“In my eyes, Hana looks prettier and cuter.”
“That’s enough…”

Baek Hana shook her head at Claire’s sudden compliment and quickly stood beside them. She noticed the camera set up in front of the study’s open window and asked, “Are we taking pictures?”

“Yes.”
“Huh?”

Baek Hana was gently guided between the two by a large, warm hand.

The composition was the same as when they had painted before.

But there was also a difference.

“Hana.” “Yes.”

Baek Hana placed her hands in front of her chest, and the small fairy in the light dress descended and stood on her hands.

“You need to stay still until I say it’s okay?”

“Yes!! I’ll be quiet!!”

Claire gently placed her hand on Baek Hana’s shoulder with a faint smile.

Swoosh.

And on the other shoulder, a large hand.

It was a sudden situation, but Baek Hana couldn’t help but smile at the affection she felt from the two.

Click!!

At the same time, the shutter sound rang out.

“Stay still for two more shots.”

Baek Hana nodded at Baek Woo-jin’s voice from the side. And his shadow moved.

Click!!

Another shutter sound rang out.

Swoosh.

“Um…”

Baek Hana was startled by the sudden white object blocking her view.

Click!!

With the last shutter sound, the white object that had blocked her view fell away. Baek Hana quickly turned her head.

“Oh…”

She realized it was the large glasses that Baek Woo-jin always wore.

“Go inside and have lunch.”

“Lunch!!”

Before Baek Hana could say anything, the fairy flapped her wings and flew through the study window into the mansion.

“Hana?”
“Yes…”

The glasses that had completely blocked her vision.

Baek Hana looked at the camera with a slightly shocked expression, then at Baek Woo-jin’s back as he checked the photos. She turned towards the mansion with Claire.

.

.

.

“I’m full.”

Baek Hana, her stomach filled with creamy stew with plenty of meat, rinsed her mouth with carbonated water and glanced at Baek Woo-jin, who was sipping coffee.

“I—”
“The next lecture will start soon.”
“Huh?!”

Baek Hana jumped up from her seat after checking the tLime.

“I’ll see you later!!”
“Baek Hana.”
“Huh?!”

Baek Hana, with half her body in the kitchen and half in the hallway, quickly turned her head.

“In this year’s evaluation, you don’t need to form a team.”
“Do I… do it alone?”

After taking a sip of coffee, Baek Woo-jin spoke.

“You’re on a team with the professors.”