Villain Professor of Heroes

In front of the dormitory parking lot, buses were lined up.

These buses were taking the students on an overnight trip to Graford City.

Since I had followed them to the dormitory, I decided to see them off. Just then, the students came out carrying their bags, having changed into civilian clothes.

“Have a safe trip, everyone. But where are the three of you going?”

“It’s none of your business, right?”

Yu Hye-won climbed aboard the bus with a smile.

“Will you be able to take care of your meals while we’re gone?”

Professor Han spoke as if they had been the ones to cook for him, and Song Do-yoon merely nodded.

The children waved at me through the window, and I continued to wave until the buses departed.

But where exactly are these kids heading?

Well, there must be plenty of places for three girls to go.

After all the buses had left, I headed toward the staff dormitories.

Having nothing particular to do, I planned to relax at my place, catch up on some movies, and read a book.

Besides, I had emergency duty on Saturday.

It’s probably for the best.

Doing something like that is better than spending my time alone.

***

After finishing my shower, I opened the fridge, took out a suitable frozen meal, and put it in the microwave.

As the microwave ran, I became lost in thought.

Even now, in my forties, I find myself eating frozen dinners every evening by myself, unmarried.

In my younger days, I worked at Sikrito and never once thought about marriage, and afterward, deluded by the mental barrier, I lived alone as if I were possessed.

But now, things are different.

I hold the steady position of a professor at the Academy and have become aware of living a normal life, unbound by possession.

Still, the question arises: Must I continue living on frozen meals until I grow old alone? That seems quite pathetic.

A man without friends or family…

I can already see the future: after retirement, I live as an isolated elder, ultimately found as a skeleton months after passing away.

Perhaps now is the time to consider getting married, forming a family, and integrating further into society.

But… it will be afterward, after I’ve guided all my students to graduation and become S-Ranked heroes.

That is my current goal.

Yu Hye-won will earn her father’s approval, Song Do-yoon will live happily with her family without a care, and Han Min-ha will learn to fend for herself.

I will succeed in helping my beloved students, uphold the oath I made to Han Min-ha’s parents, and finally shed my guilt.

Yes, marriage is a luxury that can wait until that day.

I don’t have the temperament to multitask; I must focus on one goal.

This is why I haven’t accepted Professor Jin’s feelings either.

By the way… it’s strangely quiet without the students around.

I took out my phone, half-expecting a message, but there was nothing.

Where could the three of them possibly be going?

Shall I ask in the group chat?

No, I better not. That would damage my professorial dignity.

Suddenly, I heard a tapping sound at the window and turned my head sharply.

But there was nothing at the window.

It turns out I had mistaken the microwave timer for a tapping sound.

Damn it.

Did they slip back to try and enter through the window like last time after pretending to go on an overnight trip?

After uncovering the frozen meal, I sat on the sofa with a few spoonfuls when my phone rang.

Filled with anticipation, I answered it, only to find it was Professor Hyun Ju calling.

“Professor Yu? Is there something the matter?”

[Professor. What are you doing right now?]

“I’m eating dinner at the dormitory.”

[Check the news right away.]

“News? Has an incident occurred?”

[Just look.]

I turned on the TV to see smoke billowing from the Organization building.

What is this?

The red banner at the bottom of the screen read: ‘An unknown explosion occurred at the Organization headquarters, cause under investigation.’

Has there been some problem with the facility? If not, could it be a villain?

No, what villain in their right mind would attack the Organization headquarters?

“Professor Yu. What is this?”

[Actually, I just called one of my colleagues at the Organization, and it seems to be related to Gos Hawk.]

“Gos Hawk?”

[Do you remember when Gos Hawk was transferred to the Organization?]

Yes, I remember. I saw the news after speaking with the Chairman of the Advisory Board.

Due to the Organization’s media controls, only a brief mention was made.

“Could it be that Gos Hawk destroyed the Organization and escaped while in custody?”

[The escape is confirmed, but it wasn’t done solely by his ability. It seems like he had outside help.]

“Outside help?”

[I called a colleague at the Organization, and apparently, some unidentified group of villains broke in and took Gos Hawk with them. They created a diversion on one side and sent an infiltration team to extract him.]

“Huh…”

[That’s why I called you right away. There’s a possibility that Gos Hawk, aiming for revenge, might target you again.]

“Yes.”

[From what I saw last time, he seemed to hold quite a bit of animosity toward you. It’s probably best to be careful, isn’t it?]

“Yes… I have no idea what’s going on. Anyway, thank you, Professor Yu.”

After hanging up, I stared at the Organization building on the screen, lost in thought.

Gos Hawk escaped… with outside help…?

I couldn’t think of any group bold enough to attempt such a move.

Gos Hawk is a hero rejected by both the heroic and villainous communities.

I fiddled with my phone and eventually called the Chairman of the Advisory Board, but the lines were busy, likely due to the situation.

It seems reaching him is going to be tough.

Well, I’m sure he’ll handle it appropriately.

If Gos Hawk comes back aiming for revenge, I’ll leave him permanently incapacitated this time.

At that moment, I thought of the students.

While it’s unlikely that Gos Hawk would harm them, I couldn’t rule out anything.

Upon calling, Yu Hye-won answered.

“Why?”

Hye-won student. Are you all together now? Where are you?”

[We’re together, but why do you need to know where we are?]

“Did you happen to see the news? Gos Hawk has escaped from the Organization. I’m worried about you.”

[Gos Hawk? Hey, Cong! Hey, BobbingCong! Your ‘boyfriend’ has been released!]

[Stop spewing nonsense.]

[The way you’re saying it!]

“Hye-won student. So, where are you now? If you’re out, it would be better to return home.”

[No need to worry. We’re in an extremely safe location.]

“An extremely safe location for an A-Ranked Hero… she hung up.”

Though she claims it’s safe, it still concerns me.

I tried calling back, but Hye-won must have blocked me since the signal was cut off.

I also tried calling Han Min-ha and Song Do-yoon, but to no avail.

What exactly are these kids up to?

Setting my phone down after a few spoonfuls of dinner, I picked it up again.

I really need to confirm their safety.

[Anyone. Please answer my call or contact me.]

While composing the message to the students, I had to admit one truth.

In my life where I have no family or close relationships, the three students are what matter most to me right now.

These kids are everything I have.

They’re the reason I’m able to smile, even in my drab, moldy existence.

Because it’s the truth.

***

After severing the call, Yu Hye-won’s defiance caused Legal Might to nervously scratch their head.

“Shouldn’t we inform Professor Hyun? He might be worried.”

“No way. It’s absolutely unacceptable. It must remain a secret from Professor.”

Hye-won firmly opposed Legal Might’s suggestion.

Currently, the students were at Legal Might’s office, having sought them out due to an idea from Hye-won for a way to face off against Professor Hyun.

Legal Might excelled at collaborative combat with sidekicks and had indeed taught them during field training.

Moreover, being a former colleague of the professor, Legal Might could provide specialized training.

If the students received special training from such a hero every weekend, they were confident they could defeat Professor Hyun.

Upon hearing this from Hye-won, Legal Might had thought of what the professor might be doing.

That crazy guy must still be teaching his students like he used to at Sikrito.

Sure enough, the students recounted how they had been beaten badly in their first battle.

With the professor’s techniques, the students must have felt as though they were getting run over repeatedly by dump trucks.

“Did the professor promise to grant a wish if you win?”

“Yes, so we must win. Could you please help, Hero? If you’re not too busy, that is.”

“Hmm… Even if I help, can you really defeat Professor Hyun?”

Hye-won tilted her head at the unconfident response.

“Hero, you’re the type destined to become S-Ranked, right? And Professor is just C-Ranked.”

“Is C-Ranked insignificant to you?”

Legal Might fixed a gaze on Hye-won and shook his head.

“Student Hye-won appears to be holding a rather serious misunderstanding.”

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