I Became an Unknown Professor at the Academy - Chapter 27
A month had passed since Baek Hana took the entrance exam.
The result was a pass without a doubt.
Even though she was a transformation-type, the amount of magical power she held within her body was extraordinary, so I had to tamper with the numbers a little to make her average.
Even then, she displayed monstrous stamina and excellent reflexes, and during the mock battle that followed, she showed the examiners that she could cleanly take down monsters from the first to the fifth level, the final stage. She received excellent evaluations in all areas.
‘It’s only natural since her teacher is Claire.’
Even the student being taught was an extraordinary child with exceptional abilities and talents.
In conclusion, Baek Hana’s test ended smoothly without any major incidents.
The only surprising part was perhaps Nam Seo-hee’s behavior.
Nam Seo-hee.
A character whose personality and background changes every time the turn changes.
However, there is one thing in common. No matter what background she has, she always shows a friendly attitude towards Baek Hana when she enters the academy.
Nam Seo-hee was the type to sacrifice herself to help Baek Hana.
That’s why I allowed her to stay in the house. As expected, Baek Hana and Nam Seo-hee became friends.
‘…Friends, huh.’
I withdrew the magical power that had seeped into the notebook.
On the day of the test, I thought they were friends, but after seeing Baek Hana’s behavior afterwards…
Knock knock knock.
I closed the notebook at the playful knocking sound.
Then, the door to the study slightly opened, and Baek Hana poked her head in with her white hair spilling out.
“How much longer do I have to wait, Woo-jin~?”
“You’re rude.”
“Hehe.”
What was so funny?
The girl giggled as she walked into the study. She then spun around and asked me,
“How do I look?”
Her hair, which reached down to her waist, was neatly tied up, and she wore a turtleneck sweater the same color as her hair, along with black skinny jeans that revealed the lines of her thighs and calves.
Finally, she draped a white coat similar to the one I usually wore over her shoulders and confidently struck a pose, showing off her chest.
“The pants are too tight.”
“…Not that.”
At my words, the confident girl pouted and grumbled.
I got up from my seat and said,
“It suits you.”
“…Again?”
“You look pretty.”
“Yay~ Passed.”
Only then did the girl giggle and quickly link arms with me.
What was she passing?
Well, I wasn’t lying, but seeing her preen made me want to pinch her cheeks.
“Let’s go.”
“Even if we arrive early, we’ll still have to wait until the appointment time…”
“I know, I know. Let’s go~”
“…Fine.”
I had no choice but to let the girl lead me out of the study.
She dragged me all the way to the front door, took the coat from the hanger, and put it on my shoulders, even standing on her tiptoes to do so.
She was doing all this because today was the day she was getting her school uniform fitted.
I had already taken care of the necessary paperwork, so I told her to go with Nam Seo-hee, but she insisted that Nam Seo-hee was busy and that she wanted me to accompany her.
If only Maria and Edyn were here.
Unfortunately, as clergy, they wore robes provided by their respective temples instead of school uniforms, so I had no reason to call them this time.
“Let’s go, Woo-jin.”
“…Fine.”
I considered tapping her on the head for a moment, but seeing her smile so innocently made my heart tickle.
In the end, I had to let the girl lead me all the way to our destination.
**
The academy uniform is not just a symbol of affiliation.
Due to the nature of the education, which involves frequent practical training, the uniform also serves as protective gear to ensure the students’ safety.
Since it is responsible for the students’ safety, it is of utmost importance.
Because of its importance, the uniforms are tailored within the academy.
The academy, which is the size of a small town, could easily be filled with research facilities and dormitories, but facilities for students, who are not allowed to leave the premises except during vacations and weekends without special permission, take up half the space.
In addition, there are streets for blacksmiths and alchemical workshops.
Facilities for non-combat students are also well-equipped.
“That’s enough snacks for today.”
“Aww…”
Since there was some time before the appointment, I had to let Baek Hana drag me around the academy, and in the process, she boldly devoured more than ten snacks.
“It’s almost time, so let’s go in.”
“…Can’t I have just one chocolate?”
“No.”
“Aww.”
Baek Hana pouted and played with the straw in her coffee cup.
How did she become so cunning when she used to be so pure?
-
- Ding-a-ling~
A modern-looking tailor shop.
“Wow, it’s huge.”
As Baek Hana said, the tailor shop was quite spacious.
Since it was a place where not only uniforms but also any other clothing could be made for students and professors, it had to be large enough to store the materials needed for any request.
“Welcome.”
“…Hello.”
A woman with a monocle over her left eye walked out from the back and greeted us.
Baek Hana quickly straightened her expression and gave a slight bow.
The woman smiled at Baek Hana and then looked up at me.
“Normally, male customers are not allowed in here, but since we are only taking appointments for uniforms right now and there are no other customers, I will allow you to stay as her guardian. Please be mindful of this in the future, Professor.”
Since Baek Hana was still a minor, I was still her legal guardian. That’s why I made the appointment, and the woman in front of me recognized me as a professor from the application form.
“I will do that.”
“Oh my…”
The nameless woman widened her eyes and opened her mouth in surprise.
“You have a nice voice.”
“I hear that often.”
It was something that Claire and the two girls who hung around with Baek Hana would say whenever they had the chance.
Also, objectively speaking, my voice was indeed nice.
“Don’t mind me and focus on your work.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
She took a small business card out of her pocket and handed it to me.
“My name is Becky.”
“…I see.”
By the way, the tailor shop for male students was right across the street.
I took the business card, intending to give it to Baek Hana later.
“Are you Baek Hana? Please follow me so we can take your measurements.”
“…Okay.”
Becky led the way, and Baek Hana followed her inside.
Left alone, I slowly looked around the tailor shop.
‘Mars leather, Firebird feathers, Yeti tendons…’
Rare materials that could only be obtained through auctions or requests outside were stacked here without a care in the world.
Among them were some difficult-to-handle materials, which gave me a glimpse of the skill level of the woman who had just taken Baek Hana inside.
It was also evidence of how much the academy was investing in this place.
After looking around as much as I could, I sat down on a sofa and waited for Baek Hana to finish.
‘She’s already 20.’
I still vividly remember the time when she would bury her face in a bowl of cereal.
Back then, I felt a bit overwhelmed at the thought of teaching her from scratch.
Now, that same girl has made friends, experienced an awakening, and is about to enter the academy.
It made me realize once again how quickly time flies.
‘…It’s a problem that she still throws tantrums, though.’
She has grown tremendously in body, mind, and thoughts, but there’s one thing that hasn’t changed.
Even though she’s only three months away from becoming an adult, she still throws tantrums and acts spoiled around me.
I let it slide when she did it at home, but now that she’s shamelessly hugging and clinging to me in public, I think it’s time to give her a proper warning.
“Professor.”
Becky appeared from inside and gestured for me to follow her.
Without asking any questions, I followed her inside.
In the center of the round room, which had a large mirror and various tools, stood Baek Hana, wearing the academy uniform, which looked more like a suit than a uniform, with a black base and white trim.
“What do you think?”
The girl spun around in front of me, just like she used to do at home.
The skirt was a bit short for combat, but the short spats underneath and the black stockings that covered them ensured that no skin was exposed.
However, the problem was that it was more distracting than actual exposure.
Instead of answering her question, I turned to Becky and said,
“You know she’s an awakening converter, right?”
“Of course.”
“Make room for her tail to come out…”
I glanced at the girl’s white hands, which were fidgeting.
“Professor?”
“I’ll contact you later.”
It would be enough as a birthday and enrollment gift for next year.
“I’ll wait outside, so come out when you’re done with the alterations.”
I went back out and sat on the sofa.
Exactly 30 minutes later, Becky and Baek Hana came out together, with Baek Hana now wearing the academy uniform instead of her regular clothes, and holding a thick paper bag, presumably containing her original clothes.
“Are we done?”
“Finally, Professor, please confirm it once.”
The woman winked at me and pushed Baek Hana towards me.
I looked at Baek Hana, who was standing in front of me, and she glanced at me for a moment before…
Poke.
A pair of white furry animal ears sprouted from the top of her head.
Then, she turned her body slightly, and…
Swish.
A fluffy tail shyly waved at me in greeting.
At that moment, Becky came forward, lifted Baek Hana’s vest slightly, and pointed to the skirt area where the tail came out, saying,
“You don’t have to worry about her skin being exposed. I’ve altered it so that the overlapping part opens up in response to her magical power.”
“I understand.”
Becky smiled and stepped back.
I glanced at Baek Hana, who was looking up at me, and said,
“It suits you.”
“…What about the ears and tail?”
Baek Hana, who had never shown them to me before, was overly cautious and kept looking to me for approval.
“They’re cute.”
“…!!!”
Her eyes widened at my words, and then she suddenly grinned and hugged me, giggling as her pointed ears flapped.
Moreover, the woman named Becky was watching us with a strangely irritating smile.
Slap!
“Kyaa!”
Baek Hana took a step back, rubbing her head where I had hit her.
“Haa… Let’s go.”
“Yes, please contact me later. I’ll be waiting.”
I bowed politely to Becky and turned to leave.
Baek Hana quickly caught up and linked arms with me again.
Squeak.
“Baek Hana.”
“What~”
The girl’s tail wrapped around my left thigh.
She rubbed her cheek against my arm, unaware that her actions were making me uncomfortable.
Just as I was about to scold her, I sensed a familiar magical power approaching the tailor shop, and I stopped in front of the door.
“Baek Hana.”
“Hmm? What~?”
The owner of the magical power was right in front of us.
“I told you not to lie.”
“…Huh?”
The tail that had been wrapped around my thigh fell away.
And then…
-
- Ding-a-ling~
The door to the tailor shop opened, and Nam Seo-hee walked in with her dark hair hanging below her shoulders.
“Oh…”
“Oh…”
Nam Seo-hee was surprised to see us, and Baek Hana, on the other hand, let go of my arm and stammered in surprise.
“Baek Hana.”
“Y-yes…”
She let go of my arm.
“Write a reflection letter until bedtime.”
“…Yes…”
Baek Hana’s ears and tail drooped.