Villain Professor of Heroes

After the track training ended and they returned to the training field, Han Minhwa dropped onto the muddy ground on all fours.

Then, Minhwa violently threw up and spat out bile.

Next to Minhwa, Yu Hye-won stood arms crossed, her face scrunched up in disapproval.

“Seriously, you’ve never completed a circuit even once?”

“That… it’s not that… Ugh… I haven’t gone this fast before…”

“Hmm… Hey. If you can’t even manage 10km at this speed, how do you plan to graduate? And even if you do manage to graduate, with this pitiful stamina, you’d probably be killed instantly upon encountering a villain. If that’s your plan, might as well drop out now.”

Yu Hye-won unleashed a barrage of verbal abuse without batting an eyelid.

“Listen up, fungus. Running at a pace you’re comfortable with isn’t going to change anything. You need to push yourself to the point of vomiting if you want to improve your stamina. To break through the ceiling in your head and rise above it will require suffering—it’s the law. Understood?”

“Umm…”

“And stand up straight. Don’t sit around gasping for breath like that. Stand up and take a deep breath!”

“Ah… I get it…”

While mercilessly berating Han Minhwa, next to Hye-won, Song Do-yoon watched Minhwa with cold eyes.

Han Minhwa struggled to stand, stretching out her arms to either side and taking a deep breath.

With each deep breath Minhwa took, his chest—unnaturally large due to muscle—rose and fell dramatically.

Male students returning after the track training passed by with vacant expressions, covertly glancing at Minhwa’s chest.

“Flip your eyeballs back in before I rip them out! What are you looking at?!”

As Yu Hye-won shouted furiously, the male students hastily turned away their gazes and ran into the training field.

“Done with your deep breathing? Come on. We need to follow the loop course.”

“Ah…”

Han Minhwa looked unsure of himself, but Yu Hye-won turned around without a flicker of hesitation and began walking ahead.

“Hurry up.”

When Song Do-yoon spoke coldly, Minhwa nodded weakly and followed them with difficulty.

* * * * *

After nearly an hour of physical training, Han Minhwa could barely make his way back to the dormitory.

Following Yu Hye-won and her group was far beyond Minwha’s current capabilities.

Even a sparrow following a stork would have its legs torn off—let alone with Hye-won, who was in an altogether different league.

However, Yu Hye-won had no intention of pushing Minhwa this hard every day.

Exercising in this fashion would only yield counterproductive results.

Nonetheless, without someone occasionally pushing this way, Minhwa, carrying around that massive chunk of fat, would never evolve into a more capable individual.

In this respect, the unrelenting Yu Hye-won was the perfect coach for Minhwa.

“Don’t skip your shower just because you’re tired. Relax your muscles by washing in warm water. If you show up with a stinky sweat smell tomorrow, I’ll make you regret it.”

“Understood… thank you.”

While watching Minhwa’s shaky figure climbing the stairs while gripping the railing, Hye-won clicked her tongue in dissatisfaction.

Still… dragging him by the collar, he managed to complete the circuit somehow.

They mentioned he was the son of a hero and eligible for bonus points. It seemed he had at least some fundamental stamina.

If he had been truly incompetent, he might have fainted halfway through.

With proper training, this could very well turn out to be a usable asset.

“Hye-won. Hold on a moment.”

As she was pondering all these things, Song Do-yoon called out to Hye-won.

“What is it?”

“I need to talk to you about something.”

Song Do-yoon gestured with her chin indicating that they should go outside.

An act that other people would never dare to attempt, but Song Do-yoon did so casually, and Yu Hye-won followed without a word.

“What’s up? Why the serious vibe?”

“Professor Han. What’s your relationship with him?”

Yu Hye-won’s eyebrows twitched.

“What relationship? You’re talking about Professor Han?”

“When I popped into the restroom briefly during the last lecture, I happened to see Han Minhwa in the hallway.”

“So?”

“When I asked him where he was going, he said he was going back to the dorms to change into athletic wear.”

“So?”

“But I saw through the window that he pretended to head toward the dormitory, rounded the lecture hall, and then headed to the research building.”

Yu Hye-won glared at Song Do-yoon without saying anything.

“Did Han Minhwa have any other reason to go to the research building besides seeing the professor?”

“Why exactly was it that you saw that?”

“It was just a coincidence. I saw it through the window on my way back to the lecture room.”

She had actually used a compact mirror while hiding to spy, but Song Do-yoon lied without batting an eye.

“What’s the point here?”

“I don’t know if the professor called Minhwa, or if Minhwa went on his own accord.”

Song Do-yoon subtly pressed Yu Hye-won’s nerves, and Hye-won’s lips curled into a cold smile.

“Anyway, it seems like you didn’t know anything about it, but might there be some underlying issue that needed to remain hidden from you? For instance…”

“For instance, a romantic relationship between the professor and the student?”

“I wasn’t trying to suggest something so drastic. Nonetheless, the situation definitely raises some suspicion.”

That was exactly what Song Do-yoon had intended.

To make Yu Hye-won start suspecting Han Minhwa.

Song Do-yoon was deeply uncomfortable with Han Minhwa’s sudden appearance, drawing Yu Hye-won’s undivided attention.

It irritated her that someone had appeared to usurp her role as Yu Hye-won’s right-hand woman, a position she’d sacrificed her pride to secure.

A shy, chubby nobody who appeared out of nowhere—what business did she have monopolizing her attention when she lacked any outstanding qualities? Song Do-yoon judged this all to be due to them both being under Professor Han’s academic supervision.

Hence, she aimed to sever this link.

“You might as well confirm whether or not there’s something suspicious to set your mind at ease. It’d be a relief if there wasn’t.”

“Maybe I should…”

Yu Hye-won smiled wickedly and winked.

Hye-won was smart.

She had already figured out that Song Do-yoon was jealous and trying to malign Minhwa.

She also knew all too well that neither Professor Hyun nor Han Minhwa were the type of people to engage in the kind of scandalous behavior Song Do-yoon was suggesting.

However, it was certainly suspicious that Minhwa went to the research building in secret.

Not in the sense that they might be engaging in inappropriate relations as Song Do-yoon had implied, but perhaps there was something else going on.

Considering Minhwa’s past of almost dropping out, this could have been some kind of bizarre impulsive action.

“Thanks. That’s a good tip.”

Yu Hye-won laughed and lightly pinched Song Do-yoon’s cheek.

At this gesture, the usually ice-cold Song Do-yoon’s expression briefly softened, becoming vulnerable.

“Ah…”

But she quickly regained her composure, frowning.

“Don’t touch me like that. It’s annoying.”

“Friends don’t get upset over things like that. Anyway… you go back and rest. I’ll go and see Minhwa like you said.”

With that, Yu Hye-won turned around and walked into the dormitory.

Alone, Song Do-yoon touched the cheek that Yu Hye-won had pinched, standing there dazed for a moment.

And then she coldly glanced up at the floor where Minhwa’s room was located.

I can’t tolerate anything coming between me and Hye-won…

No matter what, I won’t let it stand.

* * * * *

Yu Hye-won approached Minhwa’s room and tried to turn the doorknob.

Since a door lock was in place, it didn’t open right away, so Hye-won started knocking furiously on the door.

“Open the door!”

“Wh… who is it?”

“It’s me. Open up.”

Soon, after a loud shuffling sound, the door was slightly opened.

When Yu Hye-won grabbed the doorknob and pulled it wide open, Minhwa, wrapped in a large towel, stumbled out awkwardly.

He had just finished showering, as Minhwa’s glasses were fogged up, and his hair was plastered to his head like wet seaweed.

“Why…? What’s going on? Did you come to check if I’ve showered…?”

“Cut the chatter and get back in. I have something to talk about.”

Yu Hye-won pushed Minhwa aside and walked into the room.

As Hye-won sat astride the bed, Minhwa closed the door and hurriedly came in.

“What’s up…? Then, can I… put some clothes on first…?”

“No, just sit.”

“Uh…”

Minhwa, hesitating, sat down on the chair opposite Yu Hye-won, arms crossing to cover her chest, shoulders hunched.

Seeing this pathetic posture, Yu Hye-won clicked her tongue irritably.

“Tell me. What did you do at Professor Han’s research lab today?”

“Eh…?”

Caught off guard by Yu Hye-won’s direct question, Han Minhwa felt his mind go completely blank.

How does Hye-won know about this…?

Could Song Do-yoon have said something…?

Minhwa’s body, already heated from the shower, began to sweat in anxiety.

“What were you doing there?”

“Uh, the professor called me… for…”

“For what?”

“For academic counseling about academy life…”

“And why did you pretend to head toward the dormitory and then go to the research building?”

“Uh…?!”

Han Minhwa gave an obvious reaction due to tension, prompting Yu Hye-won to grin sinisterly and cross her legs.

“Tell me. Why were you there?”

Realizing he had been cornered and needed to come clean with the truth, Han Minhwa wasn’t a complete fool.

At least, he knew not to reveal anything about the secret organization Sikrito.

Therefore, Han Minhwa told Yu Hye-won a slightly edited version of the truth.

“Actually…”

* * * * *

“So… Professor Hyun worked on a team with your parents? That sounds like some nonsense. Irritating.”

Yu Hye-won’s irritation was understandable.

No hero ever worked as part of a team and split the rewards.

And yet, three heroes working together?

A more credible story would be the legendary Doctor Shift being a real person and currently attacking the academy.

But Han Minhwa didn’t appear to be lying in any way.

And so, Yu Hye-won decided to tentatively believe him.

“The professor thinks that the reason you can’t use Aura might stem from this and called you for a chat. Is that so?”

“Uh… yeah…”

“Did you know that your professor was friends with your parents? And the professor?”

“No… I’ve never met the professor, and he didn’t know my face until he recognized my parents’ names and decided to inquire further…”

“So how about it?”

“Huh?”

Yu Hye-won crossed her arms and spoke.

“So, how about it? Now that the professor told you these things, do you feel like trying to use Aura or what?”

“It’s not that I don’t want to use Aura… honestly, I’m not really sure what to do…”

As Hye-won was about to get angry at his frustrating reply, she reconsidered her thoughts.

She had gotten herself into trouble the last time she had mocked him, so she was reluctant to comment carelessly about an issue tied to Minhwa’s parents.

Roughly listening to his story, it seemed that Minhwa couldn’t use Aura due to trauma from his parents’ disappearance, and the professor was trying hard, maybe through reminiscing, to make him change his mind…

This method didn’t seem entirely wrong.

What would your late parents think if they saw you like this? For the sake of your parents in heaven… This sort of clichéd melodrama wasn’t too bad.

But Minhwa’s parents had disappeared, and Professor Han had worked with them in the past…

There seemed to be some missing link between them…

“Go to bed after drying off.”

Yu Hye-won stood up quickly after finishing her words.

Since she had confirmed that this wasn’t something she needed to worry about, it was fine.

Song Do-yoon was like a deceitful snake whose words couldn’t be trusted, but this Han fellow wasn’t quite to that level. She trusted this much.

“Goodnight, Hye-won… Tomorrow…”

Before Minhwa could finish, Hye-won slammed the door loudly and stepped out into the corridor.

* * * * *

Walking toward her room, Yu Hye-won suddenly stopped as if remembering something and took out her cellphone to call someone.

While the call connected, Hye-won took a deep breath and cleared her throat.

The person responded.

“Ah… Dad. Can I talk to you right now?”

[What is it?]

“Do you know about my academic advisor, Professor Hyun…? Could you tell me about what he did during his active days?”

[Why are you interested in this?]

“It’s about another student in my advisory group.”

Her father waited silently for more.

Yu Hye-won swallowed before continuing.

“His parents disappeared during their active years… and the professor said he worked with them on the same team…”

After hearing this, Yu Hye-won’s father was silent for a long time.

While normally she’d rush him to speak quicker, Hye-won waited patiently.

She was genuinely afraid of her father.

Even though she didn’t outwardly show it, she was anxiously fretting that she might get into trouble for saying too much.

As the silence dragged on, sweat started soaking through Yu Hye-won’s back.

After a while, her father finally spoke, his voice heavy.

“If Professor Hyun said that… Then it must be true…”

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