Villain Professor of Heroes

“Student Song. Increase the density of your aura.”

“Yes, Professor.”

“No, don’t make it thicker. Keep the thickness as thin as it is now, but make it more compact.”

“Like this?”

“Hmm, no. It’s become too thick.”

This was somewhere on the academy’s grass field.

The day was so warm and pleasant that we had set down a blanket and were holding an outdoor lecture on defensive barrier operation.

Right now, I was teaching them ultra-lightweight barriers.

Though extremely thin, like a strand of hair, this high-class defensive barrier could repel nearly all physical attacks.

It’s a misconception that defenses have to be thick.

Thick barriers may be easier to construct and possess significant strength, but they can break too easily under specific circumstances.

However, ultra-lightweight barriers offer superior durability and elasticity, capable of fending off almost any attack.

Taking it a step further was the high-composite defense barrier.

It’s a bit confusing since the terms sound similar, but it essentially refers to a barrier that even repels auras, making it one of the pinnacle defensive techniques.

To achieve that technique, first one must master the ultra-lightweight barrier.

But these ultra-lightweight barriers were incredibly difficult to create, and the children were all struggling with it.

Even Yu Hye-won, who was usually proficient, wasn’t making much progress, continually grunting with effort.

As such, ultra-lightweight barriers were truly a highly advanced skill.

Let’s check on Professor Han.

Squatting some distance away, Professor Han’s head was bowed, drooling in their sleep.

I created a small barrier in front of them and added a bit of technique, twisting it slightly.

The technique-imbued barrier acted like a mirror, reflecting sunlight onto Han’s closed eyelids, and only then did they squint and stretch.

“Ugh… I’m sorry, Professor. It was just too nice a day.”

“I understand. The weather today truly is perfect.”

As Professor Han said, the sunlight was warm, and the breeze was pleasant.

To make a barrier while sitting quietly on such a peaceful lawn would naturally lead anyone to fall asleep.

“But to learn advanced defensive arts, you must first master ultra-lightweight barriers. Otherwise, you won’t be able to use the advanced techniques.”

“I get it, Professor! I’ll try harder!”

Han opened their eyes wide and began forming the barrier in various ways.

But, as expected, they failed again.

“Professor, I have a question.”

Yu Hye-won, with the floating barrier in her hands, crumpled it roughly as she asked irritably.

“Why do you keep teaching us only defensive techniques? What are we supposed to do with just defense? Are you not teaching us any attack techniques because you don’t know them?”

“Haha, that’s unlikely. There’s a saying, ‘The best defense is a good offense.'”

“But?”

“If you reverse that phrase, isn’t offense the best defense?”

“What are you talking about?”

“In certain situations, defensive techniques can also be devastatingly offensive.”

Hye-won frowned, perplexed by the wordplay.

“Watch carefully.”

I formed a circular ultra-lightweight barrier in mid-air and launched it like a boomerang.

“Ugh?!”

At the sight of the branches, as thick as arms, cleanly sliced and falling, Han let out a scream.

Hye-won’s eyes gleamed with interest, and Song Do-yoon’s eyes slightly widened.

“Student Min-ha probably knows. Last summer, when we visited Hye-won’s house, you encountered a villain, right?”

“Oh, that’s right. That time when the professor split the villain in half.”

“That’s the principle. I used the cross-section of the barrier as a blade.”

Song Do-yoon raised his hand.

“Professor, when we did field training and beheaded the villain, did we use that method?”

“Yes.”

“Then, during the duel with Gos Hawk…”

“That was something else. If you consider using the edge of the shield to pierce something, it’s different from using the shield itself to beat down, which is what I did with Gos Hawk.”

Yu Hye-won, who had been listening, interjected.

“But something like that could be done with other techniques, not necessarily with a barrier, right? You could even do it with bare hands, couldn’t you?”

“You’re right. However, isn’t wielding both a sword and a shield that doubles as a blade better than just a sword alone?”

“That is…”

“Defensive technique relies on aura shaping. In other words, mastering defensive techniques means being able to form aura into whatever shape you desire. Do you understand what that means?”

“I know that already…”

Han, who had remained silent until then, blushed and timidly spoke in a low voice.

During winter break, when Han visited me every night until we reached our limit, we used aura’s power to strengthen…

Is this child daydreaming about that kind of thing all day?

Certainly, I made a vow to an elder couple to bring Han to S-rank, and have been striving towards that. And yet…

My head started pounding just watching her gently rubbing her abdomen.

It’s been two months since school started.

During that time, we haven’t done anything, and with such careful contraception, she must have certainly menstruated at one point.

Yet she’s touching her belly like this… could she really be pregnant?

I’ll have to ask her after class.

Her behavior keeps distracting me and makes it hard to concentrate.

Difficult to concentrate, you say…

When my mental barrier is functioning properly, this should never happen.

The closer I get to the children, the weaker the mental barrier seems to become.

I don’t understand the principle behind it yet.

What would happen if the mental barrier completely breaks or malfunctions?

I can’t control the mental barrier.

Sometimes that’s annoying, but if it goes away, maybe it’s a good thing.

It’d mean becoming a normal human who can fully feel and express emotions.

Of course, I already act that way towards the children, but only towards them.

No… there could be adverse effects.

At times, the mental barrier feels like a divider separating the former me, a Sikrito agent, from the current me, an academy professor.

Teaching the children calmly now feels almost miraculous when I think back to my earlier days.

This isn’t false modesty or reminiscing; it’s objectively true.

Could it be that the mental barrier sprouted and split my personality into two?

Of course, this is all hypothetical, and not a drastic separation.

It could just be that I’ve become more moderate with age.

It could be a review of those fiery days long past.

I don’t really know. This “mental barrier”.

I only know that it’s the final stage of defense techniques. Nothing more.

Wait, when did I hear that the mental barrier is the ultimate final stage of defense?

Even though I teach the students that, I myself can’t trace its origin.

Was it in some paper? Or is it something I just assumed?

I don’t quite understand anymore.

Is the confusion affecting my memory and knowledge as it keeps getting battered by the children’s antics?

Still, everything else seems fine.

“Professor. Can you hear me?”

Looking up, Yu Hye-won was pinching my cheek and shaking it furiously.

Han tried to stop her, stomping her feet, but Song Do-yoon seemed not to care.

“What did you say?”

“How much longer are we going to stay here? We need to catch the excursion bus soon.”

Checking my wristwatch, it was indeed about time to end the afternoon session.

“We need to quickly go change clothes and pack.”

“I’m sorry, all of you. I was lost in thought. What’s this about an excursion?”

“Yeah. Starting from our sophomore year, we can have weekend excursions. All three of us are going.”

“All three? Where to?”

“Why are you so curious? Ah, hurry up! If I lose my bus seat, you’ll be responsible, Professor!”

“Haha, alright! Alright!”

From behind, there was a half-hearted cheer from Han.

“Okay. Let’s finish. Everyone, go prepare for the excursion.”

We packed up our blanket and briskly left the grassy area.

Yu Hye-won, eager to leave, was already far ahead, and Song Do-yoon, with his long strides, was also moving fast.

Han, slow in every aspect except battles, was puffing beside me, trying to keep pace.

“Phew, I’m out of breath. Professor, let’s book a motel this weekend. It feels spider-webby!”

“That’s something you should do only if you can evade the Hye-won radar.”

Lacking confidence, Han shut her mouth with an awkward look.

Also, now that I think of it, I should ask about something I considered earlier.

“Student Min-ha, are you pregnant?”

“Pregnant? Hehe, why does the professor suddenly ask?”

“You keep patting your abdomen, and I can’t think of any reason for that.”

“I got my period last week.”

“If that’s the case, why are you patting your belly?”

“Because the professor has a big XX going in and out like XXX, so I’m just showing affection towards the future baby we’ll make, right?”

Mental barrier! Mental barrier!

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