I Became an Unknown Professor at the Academy - Chapter 44

After leaving Yoon Do Sik’s research room, Baek Woo-jin headed not to the mansion but to the Temple of Bwiar in the Street of Light.

-It’s him…

-He’s so tall.

-But why is he wearing those weird glasses?

It was around the time when the day’s activities were coming to an end, and the Street of Light was bustling with young apprentice priests who had just finished their classes. Dressed in all white, they stood out from Baek Woo-jin, who was clad in deep black, drawing curious glances from the crowd.

Ignoring the stares and whispers, Baek Woo-jin entered the Temple of Bwiar, which was still open.

“You’ve arrived.”

Lee Yesol, who had been standing guard near the entrance, quickly approached Baek Woo-jin with an ungainly yet brisk pace and took a small box from the wide sleeve of her robe, offering it to him.

Baek Woo-jin took the box and checked its contents.

It was a smartphone with a black background.

“It’s not the model you usually use.”

“The one you were using was discontinued ten years ago.”

“I see.”

“If you give me a little more time, I can definitely find another one for you…”

“No, it’s fine.”

Baek Woo-jin put the box in his bag and the smartphone in his pocket as he replied, “I apologize for troubling you with such an errand.”

“Hoho, I went for a walk, so don’t worry about it.”

It wasn’t a lie. Lee Yesol had indeed enjoyed running the errand, though she had to break a sweat to stop Baek Woo-jin from barging into the prayer room and trying to smash the statue of the person she revered.

“Is Claire upstairs?”

“Yes. She hasn’t come down yet.”

As Baek Woo-jin glanced at the stairs, Lee Yesol quickly spoke up, her voice now modulated.

“Would you like to pay her a visit?”

“She’s probably asleep.”

“Exactly.”

“……?”

“Oh dear.”

Lee Yesol accidentally let her true thoughts slip and quickly covered her mouth with her palm. As she did so, Baek Woo-jin quietly observed her, and—

“Oh, it’s the Professor!”

“Hello.”

Edyn and Maria entered and greeted Baek Woo-jin warmly.

Edyn, with her pink hair swaying, stood next to Baek Woo-jin.

“Are you waiting for the Executor?”

“Don’t bother the Professor and go upstairs to change your clothes.”

“Eeeh—”

Before Baek Woo-jin could respond, Lee Yesol cut in, and Edyn, with her hands clasped behind her neck, whined.

Squeak—!!

“……?!”

“Sorry, Professor. It seems Hana is busy with her assignment and can’t play with me.”

Maria grinned and rubbed Edyn’s back, who silently complained about the pain, before leading her up the stairs.

-I’m so embarrassed… Please have some manners in front of the Professor. You’re 20 years old now, you know?

-Why are you nagging me when the Professor isn’t even saying anything?! And stop hitting my back!!

-Tsk, tsk. You’re so sensitive. How will you ever become a Paladin?

Their bickering gradually faded as they climbed the stairs, and soon, it was completely inaudible.

Lee Yesol lowered her voice and said, “I’ll make sure the children keep this under wraps, so why don’t you pay a visit?”

“I don’t see any need for that.”

“Oh dear, I’ve said too much again.”

Baek Woo-jin slightly bowed his head, looking down at Lee Yesol’s head, before turning to the stairs. Lee Yesol quickly spoke up.

“It’s the top floor.”

“……”

Baek Woo-jin silently ascended the stairs, taking one step at a time.

**

In the pitch-black darkness, where nothing could be seen.

It wasn’t that the room was dark; it was because Claire’s eyelids were firmly closed.

‘……’

After regaining consciousness a while ago, she found that her body wasn’t responding to her will. To be more precise, she couldn’t even move a single finger as she wished.

She sighed inwardly for what felt like the hundredth time.

Due to her turbulent emotions from yesterday’s events, she hadn’t been able to sleep well. As dawn broke and the sun rose, the smartwatch by her bedside lit up, and this was the result.

There was no need to find the culprit; it was obvious who was responsible. Claire couldn’t even bring herself to curse inwardly.

Eventually, she accepted that there was nothing she could do for the time being and tried to think again.

Click.

The sound of the doorknob turning caught Claire’s attention.

Click.

The sound came again.

At the same time, Claire’s heart began to race.

Although her body was immobile, her senses were intact. She could hear, smell, and feel, yet she detected nothing but the sound of the doorknob turning.

She couldn’t sense anyone approaching, nor did the concentration of magical energy change. Not even the sound of footsteps could be heard.

And she knew of only one being who met all these conditions.

Huff.

The familiar scent of the study wafted into her nose.

But that wasn’t all.

Swish. The soft rustle of fabric, and a slight weight was added to her chest.

Claire was both perplexed and grateful for the situation.

If her body had been free to move, her expression would have surely changed.

At the same time, her thoughts became complicated as she couldn’t clearly remember what she had been wearing when she lay down or the state of the room.

Had she thrown off her clothes carelessly and fallen asleep without washing up…

‘…I curled up in bed.’

As Claire recalled this, a crimson blush slowly spread across her face. If she could, she would have bitten her tongue. A warm, soft touch landed on her forehead.

Swish.

Her hair was neatly tucked behind her ears, and then her forehead was covered.

Hahh—!!

The crimson blush on Claire’s face deepened, turning a vivid red. The weight on her forehead soon disappeared, but the blush on her face remained.

• • Ring~!!

A short but loud ringtone.

It was followed by the sound of rustling clothes and something being knocked over.

“I thought that matter was concluded this morning.”

Baek Woo-jin’s voice, clear as a bell, rang in her head. Claire’s restless mind naturally calmed as she focused on his voice.

“I’m sure I said I needed time.”

“Tsk.”

After a short sigh, Baek Woo-jin’s voice fell silent for a while. The silence returned.

Claire waited for the silence to be broken, and eventually, Baek Woo-jin’s voice returned.

“Next summer.”

Next summer.

What was happening then?

But Claire couldn’t find the answer to her question.

Click.

In the midst of the silence, the sound of the doorknob turning could be heard.

**

Baek Woo-jin, who had just left Claire’s room, descended the stairs.

Coincidentally, Lee Yesol was preparing dinner and put down the dishes as she approached Baek Woo-jin and spoke.

“You’re back early.”

“There’s no reason to stay longer.”

“I see.”

Lee Yesol showed a hint of disappointment, and Baek Woo-jin added, “She seemed to have a slight fever, so check on her later. Her body seemed fine otherwise.”

“Y-Yes!”

Lee Yesol covered her mouth with her hand and quickly replied. Baek Woo-jin stared at her for a moment and then turned away, saying, “Check on her later, and if her condition is fine, ask if she wants to join me on an external schedule tomorrow. Leave an email if you must, but she’ll probably insist on coming even if it’s inconvenient.”

“Yes, I will do as you command.”

Lee Yesol once again presented the top of her head to Baek Woo-jin, who glanced down at her before quietly turning away.

Ignoring Lee Yesol’s farewell, which was more like a send-off, Baek Woo-jin left the temple. The first thing to greet him was the sky, gradually turning a crimson hue.

As the color deepened, he walked through the now-quiet Street of Light and returned to the mansion.

Baek Woo-jin opened the door and stepped into the foyer, hanging his coat on the rack and changing into the furry slippers Baek Hana had given him. He then walked down the hallway, which looked no different from usual.

His steps faltered as he detected a faint coffee scent coming from up ahead.

Baek Woo-jin changed direction, heading toward the kitchen instead of the study. He walked down the long hallway, turned the corner, and finally entered the kitchen, following the increasingly strong coffee scent.

“Hah.”

A sigh, almost a groan, escaped Baek Woo-jin’s lips.

Coffee sticks were strewn everywhere, and their contents—the coffee powder—were scattered all over the shelves, the floor, and the corners of the table.

Rustle.

An empty cereal bag flew into Baek Woo-jin’s hand. It seemed that cereal alone hadn’t been enough to fill her stomach.

Baek Woo-jin left the kitchen as it was and followed the trail of white powder—sugar—that was sparsely scattered on the floor. The trail led straight to the study.

He pushed open the study door, which was more ajar than it had been in the morning.

“Haa.”

A longer sigh escaped his lips.

The study was in disarray, with sparkling earrings and necklaces lying here and there, along with various shiny trinkets of unknown origin.

Baek Woo-jin surveyed the mess in the study and then pushed open the bedroom door.

Unlike the study, which had been completely transformed, the bedroom looked exactly as it had in the morning, except for one thing.

-Peep…

The sound of a chick came from the bed.

Baek Woo-jin approached the small basket next to his pillow.

-Peep… Peep…

In the basket, lined with a red cloth, was a pure little rascal curled up, covered in coffee powder and cream from head to toe, breathing evenly.

Baek Woo-jin watched this sight for a moment before quietly leaving the bedroom and standing in front of the study window.

Tok, tok.

Several white flower petals, plucked from the bushes outside, flew through the wide-open window and piled up on Baek Woo-jin’s palm.

The petals, which reached the length of his index finger, curled up as he held them tightly between his thumb and index finger.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

He swung his hand a few times, seemingly satisfied, and then nodded before entering the bedroom.

Click.

The bedroom door closed quietly.