Chapter 2: First Day of Academy (2)

Simple Self-Introduction.

The students’ curious gazes turned toward me as I finished my brief self-introduction.

“Allen Zest? The founder of the famous Allen Trading Company? Why would someone like that come to the academy as a new teacher…?”

“I thought he’d be incredibly arrogant since he succeeded at such a young age, but for someone so accomplished, he seems surprisingly kind and likable.”

“Still, his face is just so-so.”

The students buzzed among themselves, recognizing me from my introduction.

As expected, fame really does draw attention.

That kid who called my face “so-so”—I’ll remember them. Just wait.

Ah, no. I shouldn’t think like that. Image management. Image management.

…Huh?

“I look forward to working with you all. Thank you.”

“Now, everyone. As you know, despite his young age, Professor Allen is an extraordinary figure whose name is widely recognized across all of Hyphnear. Such an accomplished person has chosen to become a teacher for the sake of our academy’s students. So, for the next year, I expect you all to follow his instructions diligently.”

Lydia, the homeroom teacher of the class I was assigned to, concluded my introduction with those words.

She avoided making eye contact with me as she wrapped up the morning assembly.

Was I making her uncomfortable? Or maybe she had some kind of idealized image of me?

Still, her timid demeanor was a bit concerning.

If the students end up disregarding her later, I’ll be the one stuck dealing with the fallout as the assistant homeroom teacher.

While the students had to rush from one lecture hall to another without rest, I wasn’t here as a student but as a teacher.

I didn’t have to constantly move around like them.

At least this was one perk of being a teacher.

Wait, come to think of it, this academy had a free-course system, so the students weren’t bound to a fixed schedule either.

In my past life, I attended a Korean-style high school, and in this life, I never received higher education, so I’d momentarily forgotten.

…Something feels off.

No, this isn’t the time for that.

The important thing is my life at the academy from now on.

Following Lydia’s guidance, I moved to the faculty office, sat down, and slowly sorted through my current situation and future plans.

First, the background of this academy.

I’d already organized my thoughts on that, so now was the time to analyze how to integrate myself into the main story.

The most crucial step in joining the main story was figuring out which work of fiction this world belonged to.

If I could recall what kind of world this was, I’d naturally remember the key events, central characters, important items, and settings—allowing me to either take control of them or prepare accordingly.

The problem was that I still hadn’t remembered the title of the work this world was based on.

With no other choice, I had to at least deduce the genre as a fallback.

The genre would naturally limit the kinds of events that could occur.

First, my guess was that this world’s genre was romantic fantasy.

There was no concrete evidence, but I was at least 80% certain.

In typical male-oriented fantasy, combat and strength were always central.

Swords, magic, monsters, and adventure.

There could also be side elements like skills, heroes, and demon lords, or unique settings specific to the work.

But the common thread was that everything ultimately revolved around battles and growth.

Yet, after living in this world for over twenty years, I could confidently say:

This world had no magic, no monsters, and the physical abilities of its inhabitants were no different from those of Earthlings in my past life.

There were soldiers, of course, but they weren’t superhuman—just ordinary professional military personnel.

I’d even considered whether superhumans might be active in some hidden underworld unknown to the public.

But despite appearances, I’d risen to prominence in this world using knowledge from my past life and had connections with nobles and royalty to some extent.

I wasn’t omniscient about the world’s secrets, but I wasn’t so ignorant as to be unaware of a hidden world where superhumans operated.

The closest thing to magic was Gifts—special abilities a rare few were born with.

But even those were only slightly more convenient for daily life, nothing beyond what ordinary humans could already do.

No shooting fire from hands or beams from eyes—nothing completely beyond human capability.

The world was peaceful, physical abilities were ordinary, and even the sole fantastical element—superpowers—was minor.

My conclusion? This world was too bland to be male-oriented fantasy.

That left only one possibility: female-oriented fantasy, or romantic fantasy.

Hmm. I’d read plenty of web novels and comics in my past life, but I wasn’t well-versed in female-oriented works.

Still, if political conflict was the main source of drama, I could at least leverage my skills.

It wasn’t the worst-case scenario.

In the end, I’d have to rely on improvisation for the crucial parts.

“Um, Professor Allen, why did you come to Everlight Academy?”

“You can speak comfortably. You’re the homeroom teacher, after all.”

“Ah, no. I prefer it this way.”

While I was lost in thought, Lydia spoke to me.

Had she noticed I’d been silent since entering the faculty office and assumed I was struggling to adjust?

I exchanged a few pleasantries with her to manage my reputation.

Though my words were just lip service, Lydia seemed deeply impressed.

If she’s this easily swayed by flattery, how will she survive in this harsh world?

What a naive young lady.

As I glanced around, I realized it wasn’t just Lydia who looked moved.

The other teachers also wore approving expressions after hearing my words.

Wait, were they all affected too?

Ahem. It seemed my reputation management was a resounding success from day one.

But even so, if they kept looking at me with such overwhelming admiration, I’d start feeling the pressure.

“Would it be alright if I took a look around the academy? Since I’ll be staying here, I’d like to familiarize myself with the surroundings.”

“Ah, then I-I can go with you and show you around—”

“It’s fine. Don’t you have your first class today, Lydia? I wouldn’t want to disrupt your preparations. I’ll take a leisurely look around on my own.”

Wanting to escape the teachers’ stares, I stood up after saying that.

No one stopped me, even though I technically had my own class prep to do.

.

.

.

Outside, freed from the faculty’s stifling gazes, I decided to explore the academy.

Since I’d already sorted through my current situation and couldn’t solidify any plans without knowing which story this world belonged to, familiarizing myself with the layout was the next best thing.

The key event locations in the academy were likely limited, so getting to know them early would be useful.

For today, I’d start with the First Main Building.

Casually, I strolled through the building where my assigned Class 1-A was located.

First floor.

Second floor.

Third floor.

Fourth floor.

Fifth floor.

Educational facilities really were all the same, huh?

Even though this was my first time here, everything felt oddly familiar.

I’d expected more excitement, but it was surprisingly mundane.

Maybe I was a little disappointed.

Ding-dong—

Right as I finished exploring, the break bell rang.

Students began trickling out of classrooms.

“Good morning, sir.”

“Good morning.”

“…Hey, I heard the bakery near the west gate sells crazy good pies, but apparently, they’re not that great?”

With students now milling about the halls, it was time to wrap things up.

No need to cultivate a slacker image on the first day.

Lunch was still a while away, so I might as well visit the snack shop and grab something light.

Maybe a madeleine or two from the academy store.

.

.

.

On my way to the shop, walking away from the First Main Building, I suddenly felt a strange dissonance.

“…Huh?”

Wasn’t there a girl climbing over the wall just now?

But when I looked, there was no sign of her—not even a shadow.

…Wait. Why did I imagine that?

Now that I thought about it, Everlight Academy was a prestigious institution where only the most talented or noble-born students enrolled.

There was no way a girl would do something so foolish on the first day.

I’d been feeling weirdly out of place all day.

Shaking my head, I headed to the snack shop.

.

.

.

I bought a cheese madeleine at the shop.

The rich, savory cheese blended perfectly with the sweet, soft texture of the madeleine.

And so, the first day at the academy passed without incident.

I returned to the faculty dormitory and went to sleep.

.

.

.

First Day at the Academy

Standing at the lectern, I smiled leisurely at the students.

“Good morning. Starting today, I’ll be your assistant homeroom teacher for Class A. My name is Allen Jest. Though I have no prior teaching experience, I’ll share my knowledge and experience to support your growth.”

…Wait. Something feels off.