The Academy’s Unrivaled Professor [Novel] Chapter 17

The Academy’s Unrivaled Professor – Chapter 017

Your Guild Or Your Son

Even at dawn the next day, all five of them gathered at the training ground without fail.

They had come out before the dawn had even broken and were warming up, but…

Things had always been awkward, but today the tension hung thick in the air.

“Come on, this is embarrassing.”

It was precisely because of Kwak Dojin.

“I’m not a death row inmate awaiting execution or anything. Why are you all glancing at me like that?”

In truth, it was somewhat similar.

An expulsion instead of an execution, though.

“Hey, youngest.”

“Twenty-first term! Han Taeho!”

“What’s with the loud response? Is this the military?”

Pfft, bursting into laughter, Kwak Dojin brushed Han Taeho’s shoulder.

“We’ve seen each other a few times now, so relax a bit, you punk.”

“…Understood.”

“And about me calling you an idiot last time, I’m sorry about that. I was a bit on edge back then.”

“Oh, not at all! It’s because I was lacking…”

“No, it’s true that I acted like trash.”

The other cadets exchanged startled looks. None of them had expected Kwak Dojin to admit he was wrong.

They knew the Mad Dog had changed.

Was it an easy feat to show up every dawn without fail and silently sweat it out?

However, they never expected him to actually apologize out loud like that.

By nature, an apology is easy to swallow but hard to spit out.

Because it requires the courage to bend one’s petty pride.

“Yoon Hyeonjong, I’m sorry to you, too.”

“You mean me?”

“Yeah, for grabbing you by the collar on the first day of class. Looking back, you were right.”

“It’s fine. Guys can grab each other by the collar when they first meet, right?”

Yoon Hyeonjong did not avoid the apology either.

He wasn’t so small-minded that he’d reject an honest apology.

A moment later, having finished training, Kwak Dojin showered and changed into his going-out clothes.

Then he checked his bank account balance.

[Balance: 2,450,000 won]

“Dammit.”

It was the money left over after paying tuition.

Precious money his grandmother had scraped together and sent him.

‘I was planning to graduate and give her a life of luxury.’

Well, he wouldn’t need to pay tuition anymore anyway.

Arriving at a liquor department store in front of the Academy’s main gate, he emptied his pockets and bought a bottle of premium single malt whiskey.

Blowing his tuition money hurt like hell, but the tuition fee he was offering the professor wasn’t a waste at all.

If he had more money, he would have bought something even more expensive.

‘Yuyeon said so yesterday.’

That a Supreme King Guild executive came, broke her phone, and threatened her.

And just like when that bastard Hwang Minwoo threatened her with the contract, he had stepped in and saved her then, too.

Hearing that, how could he stay still?

Carefully hugging the liquor packed in a luxurious box, Kwak Dojin headed toward the faculty housing.

Knock, knock.

“Come in.”

Kang Hyeon was sitting deeply leaned back on the sofa in his office, and across from him was a woman he had never seen before tapping on a tablet.

Kwak Dojin’s eyes instantly went wide.

‘Wh-Who is she? Is she his girlfriend?’

Looking at Kwak Dojin standing awkwardly holding the liquor bottle, Kang Hyeon jutted his chin.

“What are you standing there for? Come in.”

“Ah, yes. And the person next to you…?”

“My secretary.”

“Secretary?”

An exclamation unconsciously slipped from Kwak Dojin’s mouth.

What a gorgeous secretary!

So that’s what being powerful gets you…

“What are you gawking at? And what’s that in your hand?”

“Ah.”

Kwak Dojin carefully placed the luxurious box he had been cherishing on the table.

“Didn’t I get a free drink from you last time? Consider it tuition on top of that.”

Actually, he had spent his entire fortune meant for tuition to buy it, but he didn’t bother showing it.

“Oh, this is quite an expensive one.”

Opening the box, Kang Hyeon’s eyes sparkled.

“I never refuse a gift of liquor.”

Pop!

As he popped the cork without hesitation, a fragrant and rich oak scent wafted out.

“Smells good. Sit there. Let’s drink together.”

“With me?”

Even while asking, Kwak Dojin’s rear was already sticking to the sofa.

Honestly, it was a premium single malt that made his hands tremble when he bought it.

‘Do you know how much that costs? I have to at least taste it so I won’t feel wronged.’

Kang Hyeon didn’t pry into why he bought it or where he got the money.

He simply poured the amber liquid into a glass and slid it in front of Kwak Dojin.

Soon, Kang Hyeon’s gaze turned to Lee Seah sitting opposite him.

“Chick, do you want a drink, too?”

“I am currently on duty, so…”

Lee Seah waved her hands in refusal, but her gaze was already fixed on the whiskey bottle.

At a glance, it was a label she couldn’t easily afford on a Management Bureau salary.

Gulp, her mouth watered involuntarily.

Forcing her gaze away, Lee Seah continued what she was saying.

“More importantly, Professor. Weren’t you complaining lately about why the liquor cabinet hasn’t been restocked? We have no budget left to restock it.”

“How stingy. What about that secret manual I gave you last time?”

“Do you know how long ago we used all that up? We completely replaced the furniture with premium ones twice, and kept restocking the liquor.”

“Did I drink that much?”

“Yes, you drank exactly that much. Honestly, I’d like to provide more for you, but… you know.”

Black’s budget was allocated from the nation’s money.

Of course, the potential benefits of tying Kang Hyeon down to South Korea were immense, but wasn’t there a limit?

“Don’t worry, though.”

Slide.

Lee Seah tapped her tablet a few times and slid it toward Kang Hyeon.

The screen was packed with a list marked with red warning icons.

[Request for Support in S-rank Dungeon Subjugation]
[Search of Collapsed Jeju Island Underground Labyrinth]
[Request for Annihilation of Internationally Wanted Syndicate]
…….

“Even if you casually resolve just one of these, you can easily restock the liquor cabinet several times over.”

It was a transparent trick by the Management Bureau to use Black.

Kang Hyeon waved his hand in disbelief.

“Put it away. Who do these bastards think they’re playing for a fool?”

Then, he looked at Kwak Dojin sitting in front of him with a pleased expression and raised his glass.

“Still, thanks to you, I’m drinking good liquor today.”

“Not at all, Professor. I look forward to your continued guidance.”

Just as Kwak Dojin was scratching the back of his head.

Knock, knock.

A knock rang out from the quiet door again.

Lee Seah asked, her eyes sparkling.

“Could it be the bait you threw out yesterday caught something?”

“Unfortunately, no. Come in.”

Click.

Kwak Dojin’s eyes went round as he saw the person who opened the door and appeared.

“Yoon Hyeonjong?”

Why are you coming out of there?

Yoon Hyeonjong had also brought a wooden box.

‘Is that?’

An ultra-expensive limited-edition masterpiece with flashy gold leaf decorations and even a serial number!

It was a liquor so expensive it couldn’t even be compared to what Kwak Dojin had brought.

‘No, this punk? He brings that right at this moment of all times?’

Kwak Dojin bit his lip hard inwardly.

Kang Hyeon chuckled as if it were absurd.

“What kind of flash gathering is this today? Why is everyone showing up like it was planned?”

Yoon Hyeonjong awkwardly and carefully placed the box on the table.

“My greetings are late, Professor. This is a token of my gratitude for saving my life last time.”

“Is that so? Then we have to open this one, too. You sit down as well. Let’s drink together.”

Kang Hyeon didn’t refuse at all this time, either.

Rather, he excitedly pulled out a new glass.

Watching the scene, Lee Seah muttered in disbelief.

“At this rate, all five of those cadets will gather here.”

“See, there’s no need for missions. When the kids take care of me like this.”

“…True.”

Filling the glass with liquor, Kang Hyeon continued leisurely.

“That’s just how the world works. You have to treat others well without expecting anything in return, for them to treat you well without expecting anything in return later on.”

What Kang Hyeon received from them wasn’t expensive liquor.

It was their hearts.

Rest easy.

One day, I’ll give you something worth far more than this bottle ever could be.

‘I know it well.’

Lee Seah muttered inwardly and nodded.

‘My salary went up three times thanks to the Professor, too.’

She made a decision.

She would spend a certain portion of her salary on restocking the liquor cabinet.

If the cadets were expressing their gratitude, shouldn’t his exclusive manager be able to express hers as well?

Just as the heartwarming drinking session was about to ripen.

Knock, knock.

The sound of knocking rang out again.

“Who could it be this time? Cha Yusik? Or Han Taeho? Seo Haein?”

“No, I think the bait I mentioned earlier finally caught something this time.”

Kang Hyeon spoke languidly, swirling the liquor glass in his hand.

“Come in.”

Click!

The door opened, and a man as large as a mountain walked in.

“…!”

Kwak Dojin sprang to his feet.

Because he recognized who the man was.

The culprit who ruined his life, Hwang Minwoo’s father.

‘Hwang Taegwang!’

Why was that man here?

* * *

Having changed locations, the two men sat facing each other in the faculty housing reception room.

“I apologize for the sudden visit.”

Hwang Taegwang bowed his head first.

Kang Hyeon returned the greeting as well.

“I am contract professor Kang Hyeon.”

He was observing formalities on the surface, but Hwang Taegwang knew.

That this man was the very monster the Management Bureau was protecting.

“Khm, I will get straight to the point. Yesterday, a person from our side committed a grave discourtesy. It is entirely my responsibility.”

Not bothering to answer, Kang Hyeon swirled his whiskey glass with his right hand.

Hwang Taegwang knew perfectly well it meant ‘skip the useless talk and get to the point.’

“The video you possess, Professor. I wish to resolve that matter quietly.”

“Quietly?”

Sniff.

Kang Hyeon lifted his glass and smelled the aroma.

“Saying they committed a discourtesy earlier, yet you want to resolve it quietly, huh…”

“Those words are not wrong.”

Hwang Taegwang nodded.

“I am the head of an organization. I cannot move based on emotions alone. I merely wish to clean up the mess before it gets bigger. If there is any necessary compensation, Supreme King will take responsibility.”

The corners of Kang Hyeon’s mouth curled up faintly.

“Any compensation at all is fine?”

“Within the range that Supreme King can handle.”

Kang Hyeon set down the glass.

Clack.

It was a small sound, but Hwang Taegwang felt his shoulders instinctively stiffen.

“I will ask you one thing.”

“Speak.”

“Your child is very precious to you, isn’t he?”

At the sudden question, Hwang Taegwang’s gaze wavered for a moment.

“…He is precious.”

“And the guild?”

“It is even more precious.”

An answer without hesitation.

Kang Hyeon stared at him intently.

It wasn’t a lie.

That made it even more interesting.

“Good. Then I’ll ask one more thing.”

Kang Hyeon slowly raised his body.

The feeling was entirely different from when he was leaning against the sofa.

The air in the reception room grew heavy.

‘So this is his momentum!’

Hwang Taegwang finally felt he understood why Song Cheolho made such a fuss.

Having weathered all sorts of storms, he knew just by looking into his eyes.

‘A beast that could devour anyone.’

Do you really need to fight a tiger to know it’s strong?

His instincts were telling him.

If you fight him, you will lose.

“What is it that you want to protect right now?”

“It is Supreme King.”

“Then you’re saying you can discard your child?”

Hwang Taegwang’s brow twitched.

He wasn’t stupid enough not to understand the meaning behind those words.

“If necessary.”

Kang Hyeon scoffed.

“Anyone can say that. Let’s see if you still mean it when a blade is at the throat of your own flesh and blood.”

His voice was still languid, but strangely cold.

Hwang Taegwang did not reply.

Because he judged it was better not to say anything.

Kang Hyeon walked over to the window.

And looking down at the Academy’s scenery through the gap in the curtains, he spoke.

“The compensation I want is two things.”

Hwang Taegwang’s eyes sank.

“Speak.”

“First. Hwang Minwoo must pay the price for what he did to Baek Yuyeon and Kwak Dojin himself.”

“…!”

“Second. Clean up the rotten lines Supreme King has scattered throughout the Academy.”

Kang Hyeon did not bother raising his voice.

He simply turned his head and stared straight at Hwang Taegwang.

But at that moment, Hwang Taegwang’s intuition screamed.

This man isn’t negotiating right now.

He is warning him.

‘Choose your son, and you lose the guild. Choose the guild… and you lose your son.’

And, at the same time, giving him a chance.

‘I won’t bother digging into whatever your Supreme King Guild is doing outside, or whether you’re rolling in a field of shit. However, take definitive responsibility and clean up the dirty tricks you pulled inside my territory, the Academy. If you cross even this line, I will smash both the guild and everything else without leaving a trace.’

Gulp.

Hwang Taegwang’s Adam’s apple bobbed.

Kang Hyeon walked over and grabbed the doorknob.

“Let us hear the answer at the Disciplinary Committee tomorrow. I pray you make a fitting choice.”

Click!

As Kang Hyeon disappeared along with the sound of the firmly closing door.

“Hah.”

Only then did Hwang Taegwang exhale the breath he had been holding.