Chapter 89: A true genius professor, an educator Part 1

Riyan, the professor, had changed.

Everyone at the Imperial Academy whispered those words.

Of course, it wasn’t because of rumors that success had drastically changed him or that his true colors were finally showing.

Among the Imperial Guard, there was even a media management department specifically tasked with handling external views and reputation concerning Professor Riyan.

Such rumors couldn’t possibly arise in the first place.

An extraordinary talent, a white crane among the clouds.

Not only was his capability impeccable, but his character also surpassed even the highest of standards, reaching an almost superhuman level.

He was a person of whom one could say, “You could search him from top to bottom, and not find a speck of dust.”

Thus, when people said Professor Riyan had changed, they didn’t mean it in a bad way.

It was simply an acknowledgment of undeniable facts that the students themselves were discussing.

Professor Riyan had indeed changed.

***

Even just looking at the current scene in Class A, it was clear.

The students’ faces were painted with astonishment.

As this was the class of the professor who always accomplished feats beyond common sense, the students normally wouldn’t even blink at most events.

But this situation was an exception.

Though no one dared to voice it for fear of being rude, they all had the same thought in their minds with mouths slightly agape:

‘The professor… arrived ten minutes early?’

Typically, he would be at least five minutes late.

Sometimes, he even skipped lectures altogether without prior notice.

Yet, here he was, arriving before the class even began for the first time ever.

Of course, he was a diligent person.

When he was late, it wasn’t because he lacked professional responsibility—it was usually because he had been helping someone in need on his way.

Today, it might have just been a peaceful day, allowing him to arrive early by chance.

But the abnormalities didn’t stop there.

“Good morning. Did everyone have breakfast?”

At those words, everyone froze as if they had been struck.

If one were to describe the emotions on their faces in simple terms, it would be: ‘The professor… gave us a morning greeting?’

Nobody disliked the professor.

A kind greeting from him was a rare blessing.

However, his tone and behavior were so unlike him that it threw everyone off.

“Studying is important, but don’t forget that health matters too. Make sure to get proper sleep and maintain a regular eating schedule. If you neglect those things, it’ll cause trouble later, so take care of yourselves.”

He added with a smile, “I didn’t take care of myself, and now my body aches all over.”

The sight of Professor Riyan making light small talk and cracking a joke was utterly surreal.

The combination of those two words—Professor Riyan and jokes—was unthinkable.

The professor’s previous behavior only added to the confusion.

***

[Five years of dating ended in a breakup? What does that have to do with me? Seeing you waste my time crying like this makes it obvious why you were dumped. Leave immediately.]

[When’s my birthday? I don’t know. Ask the parents who abandoned me. Ah, now I understand—you wanted to remind me that I’m an orphan, didn’t you? This oppression makes me wonder why I’m still here. I’ll submit my resignation at once…]

The first response, while harsh, was essentially warm advice: “Stop wallowing in sadness and focus on improving yourself.”

The second was his way of awkwardly deflecting embarrassment when students prepared a birthday party for him, as he felt shy about expressing gratitude outright.

Both examples made his personality crystal clear.

A warm-hearted person at his core, but one prone to misunderstandings.

Not someone adept at communication.

The professor was not one to display such friendliness openly.

***

The sight before them defied logic.

Though everyone struggled to adapt to this sudden change, life moved forward, and more peculiar events unfolded.

“Since no one is absent, let’s begin the lesson.”

Professor Riyan picked up a piece of chalk and started writing on the board.

Humans naturally fear the incomprehensible.

The students trembled as they witnessed something unimaginable.

‘Th-The chalkboard… has something other than “Self-study today—do not disturb the professor” written on it?’

The chalkboard, previously thought useful only for students sneaking sketches of the professor’s portrait, now displayed a clear, concise explanation and summary of the day’s lesson.

It was a useful tool to aid learning—who would have guessed?

Professor Riyan, who had always emphasized self-directed learning, suddenly shifted from his usual method of leaving students to their own devices.

‘Why the change in teaching style?’

Some students even whispered wild theories about twins or disguises.

But such ideas were, of course, unreasonable.

“This is the fundamental structure of the five prime elements. If there’s anything you don’t understand, ask without hesitation.”

Understanding something and teaching it are vastly different skills.

The latter is exponentially more difficult, requiring the ability to clearly convey concepts.

Yet, Professor Riyan managed to do so effortlessly.

Knowledge that would take four years of study to grasp, he taught and had his students master within just forty minutes.

No grand mage could achieve such a feat.

He was a human who had mastered the study of magic.

A being standing at the apex of all mages—a peerless existence.

Only Professor Riyan could accomplish such a task.

This alone confirmed his identity.

***

Professor Riyan had undeniably changed.

Although the situation defied logic, the students grew accustomed to it within days.

After all, he was still their professor.

He had always been kind—he simply refrained from showing it outwardly.

In crucial moments, he always sided with his students and supported them quietly behind the scenes.

Perhaps it was the recent kidnapping incident that spurred this change.

It seemed he had decided to be more honest with his emotions.

But this wasn’t a flaw—it was something to celebrate.

While the Crows who tortured him deserved condemnation, the matter had already been resolved by the Saint herself.

The Imperial Academy remained peaceful as always.

This, too, was thanks to the great Professor Riyan’s grace.

I think I now understand how the protagonist of a “trash noble” story feels.

“A-are you saying Master didn’t beat me senseless like a dog on Chobok Day and just lay there breathing?” cried a teary-eyed maid.

All I did was go for a light jog, yet the knights were making a huge fuss, exclaiming, “The young master has changed!” with admiration.

“Our child ate a meal? Instead of flipping the table and demanding pocket money to gamble with?” The head of the family wept uncontrollably, overwhelmed with genuine emotion.

Surely, they must have been as dumbfounded as I was.

‘This is just the bare minimum of what I should have been doing all along.’

Receiving a salary yet skipping lectures, pushing self-study sessions to kill time, and showing up late whenever possible—that was the odd behavior.

I had merely normalized my previously abnormal work habits.

Yet the uproar over such a small adjustment was so excessive that I felt bewildered.

My reputation seemed to be skyrocketing to unimaginable heights.

‘Am I just bad at getting fired? Is it my own fault for doing something weird that keeps holding me back?’

I had pondered those questions countless times, but it wasn’t that.

The effort I had put into trying to get fired had at least curbed the madness.

Now that I had stopped trying, the results were plain to see.

I could hear cheerful greetings directed my way from every corner.

Students I had deliberately alienated and those who once avoided me were now approaching without hesitation after hearing the rumors.

From light small talk to expressions of gratitude for past favors, and even little gifts—they had me stuck in the hallway for over thirty minutes despite it being a short corridor.

The difficulty of getting fired seemed to be soaring, but…

Well, it wasn’t entirely unpleasant.

‘It’s not like getting fired is the only path forward.’

I do have a certain talent for theory.

Although I lack knowledge of the original work, I could still use my abilities to help nurture the students.

That was another way forward.

After all, I’m human too.

I can’t help but feel attached to people who care for me and go out of their way to support me.

If everyone could end up happy, that would be the best outcome.

I still had plenty of time.

The protagonist was in their third year.

Even in the shortest timeline, the story wouldn’t reach its conclusion until after the first year.

If I could make the academy stronger in the meantime—if I could reach the point where I was sure I wouldn’t die—there would be no need to desperately try to escape from here.

So, I made up my mind.

I decided to stop running and face it head-on.

To act according to what my heart told me.

That was why I had recently felt happy…

And it was also why I now felt more despair than ever.

***

My ears were ringing.

A loud explosion echoed in the air.

A grotesque demon smiled at me.

As always, the world had ignored my wishes.