Only After Death?
I thought becoming a professor meant just teaching them how to swing a sword properly.
But who would've guessed I'd have to deal with this crap. And on the first day of class, giving her a private lesson, no less.
I knew the world had a way of surprising you the longer you lived, but at 29, it felt like I'd seen every damn thing.
Still, this deranged young lady needed to understand. She had to grasp just how utterly delusional her words were.
"Alright. That'll do."
"Wh-what are you doing, Professor?"
"You'll see."
So I grabbed a napkin from nearby, pulled out my fountain pen, and started scribbling.
"First, before I explain, let me give credit where it's due. Well thought out, Alun. Taking responsibility for your family's sins as a member—it's commendable."
"Ugh... I didn't say it for praise!"
"Yeah, yeah, I get it. But look at this first."
The napkin I held out had the number 12,000 scrawled on it. Obviously, the exact amount of gold coins she'd so proudly vowed to repay.
"Let's do some simple division now."
Under the 12,000, I jotted down a number.
First, 70.
"...This means 70 gold coins. Any idea what that amounts to?"
"The... professor's monthly salary?"
"Spot on. Pretty hefty, right? Even for a worthless parachute like me, on paper, I'm a full professor at the empire's top academy."
Yeah. With one gold coin worth about 100,000 won, my take-home pay was a reasonable 7 million won a month.
But even that wasn't enough to pay off the debt anytime soon.
Scratch, scribble—
"It doesn't divide evenly, but roughly speaking, that's about 171 months on the principal. Divide by 12, and you're looking at around 14 years."
"Fourteen... years..."
"Feasible, right?"
"Even for me, that seems doable...?"
Sure, if she slaved away like a dog in prison, even if nothing stuck to her hands, she'd clear it before 40.
"No. That's never happening. That's my standard—you're different."
But the moment I said that, I drew three vertical lines next to it.
"Huh?"
How dare you think we'd start from the same point?
"Pay attention."
The first difference between me and Alun: our starting lines were worlds apart.
"Let me say this upfront—I'm high-income. The 70 I wrote? That's an amount most couldn't dream of on a normal salary."
"Wha...?"
"Truth is, I had connections, and I killed the Demon King. That's why I get paid this much. But what do you have right now? What business are you gonna work at?"
She pondered blankly for a moment, then spoke.
"Well, all I've got is my body, so... manual labor, I guess."
"Then, scraping by at some random job, you'd make maybe 15 gold a month at best."
I crossed out the 70 on the napkin and changed it to 15.
"...That's all?"
1.5 million won a month. Her face soured at the sight.
Why? Because the Orlan count's family was a prestigious central noble house—enough that I'd trusted them with my deposit money.
Just a month ago, she'd lived as their lady. Money she'd once spent without a thought was now her entire monthly wage. Of course it tasted bitter.
So, you hate it?
If you hate it, start a business or invest.
But that takes startup capital, right? You've got no money, no house. Sorry to say, you're worse off than me—a total bum.
No escape for you.
Wait. She's a woman, right? Marriage is an option.
But who'd take her? A debt-ridden girl like this? No benefits, and her body's wrecked to boot.
...Lucky her face is unscathed, still got that purple hair charm, but those scars and aftereffects? Lifelong. In this world, no man would accept her. Guaranteed.
Yeah, no need to say it—she knew.
"Got it? Moving on."
"Yes..."
So I cut to the chase and started on the second point: living expenses.
"Lady Alun, how have you lived so far? Food, sleep?"
"Th-the family handled it, obviously."
"But now you'll be on your own. Everything's your responsibility."
"I understand!"
"Then you get that you can't dump your entire salary into debt repayment?"
"Ugh...!"
People need food, shelter, clothing.
No matter the debt, you gotta eat to function, sleep to keep going.
So you'd spend on that, leaving less than half your pay for the debt. Even tightening your belt, maybe 50% at best?
I crossed out the 15 and wrote 7.
"Ugh...!!"
Alun whimpered pitifully as her spine crumbled, but society was harsh like that.
"And we're not done."
Pity wouldn't cut it, so I pulled out the third reason.
"Everything so far was just the principal."
When you borrow money, interest is a given.
"The moment you declare responsibility for your father's debt, I'll draw up a formal contract with you, per societal law. But there's interest, right?"
"Interest... ugh...!"
On 12,000 principal, even a generous 1% annual rate is 120 gold.
Oh my god.
"Divide that 120 by 7, and interest alone takes over a year. Principal? Forget it. You'd slave for life unpaid. Despairing, huh?"
"But hitting you with that—fresh from count's daughter to newbie—might be too cruel. Let's erase it for now?"
"P-please erase it..."
"Done."
Fine, whatever. Out of pity, no interest—just repay my money.
Scribble, scratch...
"...So, at 7 gold a month, pure principal repayment takes 140 years."
"Wha... eek...!"
She blinked at me in shock.
"Alun, are you some long-lived elf?"
"No..."
"Or a demon remnant exempt from lifespan karma?"
"No..."
"Conclusion: Even calling a century 'living till death,' you'd still owe 40 years' worth."
Snap!
"How the hell do you plan to pay it?!"
I capped the pen. Now she finally got her situation.
Her eyes, blazing with noble pride twisted into madness moments ago, were gone.
Now she bit her lip in plea, whimpering like a desperate fool.
"For noble duty, I'll repay it all... Easy to say. But look at reality now."
"I... can't handle it..."
"Exactly. At least be realistic if you're talking to me."
That should do it. My head already hurt from this mess; explaining nearly drove me insane, kid.
"Sniff... sob..."
But...
"Alun?"
"Waaah...!!!"
After my harsh words, her mental walls collapsed. She wailed, squeezing out sobs from her core.
Not like her fiery resolve in the basement earlier. This was infantile regression. Even a newborn would be quieter.
"Wh-what should I do...? My... life..."
"Cold truth: it's ruined. But it's not your sin, so pretend you know nothing about Dad's debt?"
"Even so, sob, I can't...!!!"
Sigh...
Even after my clear breakdown, her stubbornness held firm.
Normally, facts like these would make anyone tuck tail.
She knew she was screwed, but wouldn't budge.
I even gave her an out—why charge into doom?
Is this the original's iron will? Once she decides, no changing.
...Fine then.
I rubbed my boiling neck and spoke calmly.
"What insane stubbornness. Fine, I acknowledge your repayment intent."
"Jo-Joseph...?"
"...Forget everything I said."
Rip—
I tore the napkin to shreds and stared down at her, frozen in place.
"D-don't stare like that... The burns are ugly."
"They're not."
"...Pardon?"
"It's just your feature now. Don't call the burden you carry for life 'ugly.'"
She gaped, eyes softening as she looked up. I continued slowly.
"I'll give you an alternative."
"Alternative...?"
"Look, even after all this, we're professor and student. I had no intent to squeeze you while you're under me on salary."
Gulp. She swallowed.
"If you want to repay that much, as creditor, I'll grant a formal one-year grace period."
"What do you mean?"
"Quietly attend school till graduation."
Throwing her into society now? She'd fail, starve, and still not pay. Better in the academy.
"But this grace isn't free."
"Then...?"
"On condition you, in your hopeless state, endure all scorn and aim for top ranks in all subjects, including mine—while recovering."
Her pinkish-purple eyes widened in disbelief.
"Why... give a sinner like me this chance...?"
Why? So you graduate top, become an elite earning 900-1,000 gold easy—not some 15-gold grunt. I get my money before I croak. Then we hunt your dad. Best realistic option. Damn, if only she saw my genius...
"...Because I'm your professor."
I summed it up in three words. Too lazy for details. Alun, oddly moved, just sobbed on the floor.
"Don't worry. No discrimination. Daughter of the family that stiffed me or not—once I hold the chalk, I treat you right."
"Joseph... Jo-Joseph...!"
"No crying. Speak."
"...Professor!"
Her title shifted from "Joseph" to "Professor." Interesting. Guess you're enrolling?
She grabbed my wrist again.
"Look, despite this... I know nothing of the world, but I'm good at housework..."
"Why bring that up?"
"Grateful for the grace, but I can't do nothing. So... if it's okay with you, let me help after class. Cleaning, laundry, anything... everything...!"
"No. I'm good."
"N-no! It lightens my guilt!"
"Why's that my problem...? Professors don't do personal errands."
"Y-you're abandoning me...! Please, don't...!"
What a tiresome woman. When did I say I'd ditch her? Whatever.
"......Do what you want. Slack on grades, and you're out."
"A-ah! Yes, yes! Professor! Thank you. Thank you!"
Anyway, she'd recover soon. One less truant. And I'd get a fallen lady as a maid. Life's full of surprises.