Chapter 18
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Professor Chae Yeon-hwa
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1 hour 30 minutes later.
After learning the basics of creating an aura core from Wol Ha-yeon and even finishing a swordsmanship sparring session,
I returned to the dorm, washed up roughly, and hurried off to attend the morning lecture on Barrier Arts Basics.
"You know, if I said I've been waiting just for today, would you believe me? I was so bummed last week when we couldn't see the professor..."
"Right? I never imagined the very first lecture would have issues and we'd miss her. Seriously..."
"Anyway, I can't wait to see Professor Chae Yeon-hwa. They say she's insanely beautiful...
Rumor has it she holds her own against the Academy's Top 5 Beauties?"
"..."
When I arrived at the lecture hall, the male students who got there early were gathered in groups, chattering about the professor.
'Game devs, seriously... No matter how you slice it, isn't "Academy's Top 5 Beauties" a bit cringy?'
Of course, the protagonists of those "Top 5 Beauties" the guys were talking about were all the heroines.
Sophia, Yoon Seo-rin, Wol Ha-yeon, Amelia, and finally, Yoo Ji-an, the current student council president.
It was a title the game devs had directly coined for the five prettiest girls at the academy.
Well, considering the game's lore, it wasn't entirely incomprehensible...
Anyway, marveling once again at the game devs' amazing naming sense, I grabbed a seat in the back of the lecture hall.
As I pulled out my textbook to prepare for class, a foreboding thought suddenly flashed through my mind.
'...Wait a sec? Fuck, now that I think about it, the person I absolutely can't run into right now isn't Sophia—it's Yoo Ji-an.'
I still didn't know exactly how much the Oath of Indulgence could influence the heroines.
But if the oath affected Yoo Ji-an even on the level of Sophia... no, at least Yoon Seo-rin?
Things could get extremely messy from here on out.
Unlike Sophia, who entered with some shady ulterior motive but was otherwise normal,
Yoo Ji-an was a full-blown pervert perfectly suited to this erotic game world.
On the outside, she was the gentle, respected student council president.
But inside, she was a terrifying woman who could make career criminals look tame.
'That hidden ending where she force-fed you sensitivity boosters and mystery potions until you died from overdose was straight-up shocking...'
It was so horrific that even as a hidden ending, constant user backlash led to that story being patched out entirely.
'...Gotta avoid her at all costs. One slip-up, and I could lose my purity and hit a death ending in seconds...'
Recalling that nightmare sent chills down my spine, goosebumps erupting across my body.
The one silver lining? Yoo Ji-an's route only triggered if you joined the student council.
Of course, no telling how that might change now, but for the time being, I'd steer clear of the student council like the plague.
Snapping out of my thoughts, I tuned back in—the guys were still buzzing about Professor Chae Yeon-hwa.
"Hey, isn't Professor Chae a former hunter? Heard she was in a pretty famous A-rank party."
"Yeah, as an A-rank hunter, she'd naturally be in an A-rank party. Plus, barrier artists are super rare, so she must've been in high demand."
"Then why quit hunting to become a professor? Professors make more than most A-ranks, sure, but active A-rank hunters have way better perks, right?"
"Dunno. Rumor says it's to advance barrier arts in Korea, but only she knows the real reason."
The lecture hall filled with puzzled murmurs.
I listened quietly, tapping my fingers on the desk to stifle a laugh.
'Advancing barrier arts my ass... She's just a demon who infiltrated to flip the academy upside down.'
The real reason Chae Yeon-hwa became a professor?
To eliminate or recruit future threats.
She was a succubus—the demon race's top expert in intel, recruitment, and assassination—hiding her true form.
Two years ago, she'd planted herself here, faking a normal life to seduce or take out future S-ranks like Kim Do-yoon and Lee Soo-hyuk.
Of course, demons gonna demon, and I couldn't entirely blame the guys' reactions.
As a succubus, Chae had that signature allure in looks and vibe, and plenty of players loved it.
Some even tried romancing her—a non-heroine extra—pulling all sorts of stunts to raise her affinity.
But the endings? Always one of you died.
If you died first, it was simple.
Chae wielded barrier arts at world-class level and swung a greatsword to boot—a brutal combo that didn't match the "succubus" stereotype.
Players who let their guard down got bisected.
Or, a leveled-up protagonist turned the tables.
'...Either way, gotta boot her from the academy ASAP.'
Beating her 1v1? Impossible for me right now.
Her power ranked top-tier among A-ranks.
But leaving her be meant future casualties I'd have to worry about.
'What to do...'
As I pondered countermeasures,
Screeech...
The lecture hall door opened, revealing a woman in a neat yet stylish blouse, jacket, and slim skirt.
Student chatter cut off instantly.
In the silence, only her high heels clicked across the floor.
"Good morning, everyone."
Her long pink hair shimmered faintly in the sunlight, pink eyes calmly scanning the room.
'Whoa... She's no joke in person. And that scent...'
Her beauty alone captivated the students, but the subtle fragrance? The vibe? It was intoxicating.
And as if confirming my suspicions, a system alert rang in my head.
[Trait Mental Resistance (B) activates.]
[Partially resists skill Dreamlike Fragrance (A+).]
'...Dreamlike Fragrance? She had that?'
Chae Yeon-hwa was just a mid-story extra who popped up briefly, got exposed by the protagonist, and died or barely escaped.
Being minor, info on her was sparse.
Every encounter was either her swinging a greatsword like a maniac or trapping you in barriers—never imagined a skill like this.
'...Makes sense for a succubus, though. Without Mental Resistance, I'd be drooling like these idiots.'
Shaking it off, I glanced around—most male students were gaping in near-ecstasy.
"Woooah... She's even prettier in person, Professor..."
"From today, I'm grinding Barrier Arts only!"
"...Haa."
Sighing at the dopey guys under her fragrance, I shook my head.
'Doesn't seem life-threatening, so I'll watch.'
Professor Chae watched their reactions with a sultry smile, then grabbed the mic.
"I get you're all excited, but barrier arts is more tedious and tricky than you think. Unlike flashy combat skills, it's invisible, so expect yawns and boredom."
"But it's a huge lifesaver in battle. Defense, sealing, detection, blocking... Barriers shine in every scenario."
As she spoke, faint light rippled from her fingertips, enveloping the entire hall in a transparent barrier.
"This is one basic: [1-Circle Protection Barrier]. We'll aim to learn it today. Come up one by one."
"Me!! Pick me first!!!"
"No, teach me!! I've dreamed of being a barrier artist like you, Professor!!"
Students shouted, ready to bolt from their seats.
I thought,
'...Men are such pitiful creatures...'
But turning forward, I noticed Professor Chae's eyes locked on me.
Her rose-pink pupils gleamed an eerie, intense pink.
'...Fuck, did she spot my resistance?'
"Ahem."
Unsure if she did, I cleared my throat and looked away, playing dumb.
She stared suspiciously for about 10 seconds, then clapped as if nothing happened.
"Alright, line up by order and try a blocking membrane. We'll all get a turn."
"Yes, Professor!"
The guys rushing forward looked like fans queuing for autographs.
The first guy clasped his hands, desperately gathering mana.
"Urgh... Haat!"
But all he made was a flimsy film that'd shatter under a fingernail—woefully unstable.
"Hmm, good 'power,' but lacking focus. Barriers aren't brute force; they're about delicately 'weaving.'"
'Word choice, wow.'
Chae calmly pointed out flaws like a pro, but the embarrassed student slunk back red-faced.
Similar fails followed.
Most couldn't even channel mana properly.
'No surprises—early barrier success is rare. Master it right, and it's S-rank potential.'
"Next, Kang Hyun-sol."
"...Yes."
My turn called, I stood slowly.
Facing her, her eyes pierced me again.
'...She definitely knows something. Not charmed? Suspicious.'
Her gaze felt loaded; cold sweat trickled down my back.
"Focus. Don't let mana flow wild—think weaving threads."
"...Got it."
Steadying my breath, I gathered mana at my fingertips.
It tangled at first, nearly unraveling, but wove like threads into a thin transparent film.
"...!"
Soft gasps rose around me.
"Not bad for a first try? It is your first, right?"
Chae nodded with a slight smile.
"Impressive debut. But it's too rigidly fixed. Next time, make it softer, more flexible."
"...Yes."
I hurried back—uncomfortable with the spotlight.
"Great, our first success! Momentum—let's see more!"
Chae encouraged the dejected students.
"No need for disappointment or inferiority. Practice, and you'll get it quick. Next up."
After every student tried the protection barrier in practice, class ended.
Students filed out, still hyped: "Professor's the best," "Can't wait for next class."
I packed quick to slip out,
"Kang Hyun-sol."
Her voice—seductive enough to rattle hearts—came from behind.
Trembling, I turned cautiously. She beamed her world's-fairest smile at me.
"...Yes?"
"Mind coming to my lab? Want to reward the only one who made a protection barrier..."
"..."
'...Fuck, she clocked me... We're screwed.'
This felt way worse than yesterday's dungeon fiasco. Real trouble brewing.