Unlike the Dragon incident, the Black Spirit affair didn’t cause much of a stir.

The Black Spirit was easier to encounter compared to the Dragon, after all.

Most importantly, the Divine Company announced that they had successfully managed the initial response.

It also helped that the teacher involved was secretly an Eclipse, and that fact was kept under wraps.

“I don’t feel right about taking credit for your work.”

Jin Siwoo said that, but…

In truth, keeping it quiet was also for my benefit.

There’s nothing to gain from being exposed to the media right now.

It would only provoke other dark mages.

With the Dark Church and even Eclipse making appearances, showing my face would be asking for trouble.

I could end up making enemies of every dark mage organization.

“Besides, someone with better dark magic detection skills than Jin Siwoo might notice me.”

Even though I haven’t absorbed any black mana recently, you never know.

Risking it all just to be labeled a “hero who saved students from a dark mage” isn’t worth it.

Especially when I already have three other headaches to deal with.

For instance…

“Han Hyejin is dead.”

…That was the news Jin Siwoo suddenly shared this morning.

After spending the night trying to crack the Memory Lock spell (though I didn’t succeed), I rushed to the dormitory at dawn to apply magical measures to those affected by Han Hyejin.

The first thought that crossed my mind upon hearing the unexpected news was simple.

“…Was it me?”

Did she die because of the side effects of the memory magic I used on her?

“I don’t think so. When I last saw her, she wasn’t in such bad shape.”

That made sense.

She couldn’t have died from mere memory magic side effects.

Jin Siwoo’s words might have seemed incompetent during the Black Spirit incident, but…

He was still the second most knowledgeable about dark mages at this school, so I decided to trust him.

“I’ll track it down. You should focus on your classes.”

Since I needed to prepare for the open class, it was best to leave it to Jin Siwoo for now.

With the first problem set aside, the second headache naturally came to mind.

The research funding issue.

“…It’s tight.”

Shinhwa High isn’t exactly stingy with support.

Even as a contract teacher, the research funds I receive are higher than those of new professors.

Yet, the funds are still insufficient… and it’s entirely my fault.

“Did I overreach…?”

Research that can be published.

The magical theory research I’ve been working on for the past three months.

The final research I want to conduct.

Running three projects simultaneously means triple the materials needed.

Purchasing all sorts of rare materials adds to the cost.

Fortunately, this issue should be resolved after the open class.

There’s supposed to be additional research funding if the open class goes well.

…Still, I’ll need to find other ways to cover any shortfall.

“Alright then.”

Ironically, the most trivial of my three headaches was the one causing me the most stress.

“This one’s the most annoying…”

During Modern Magic class.

Standing at the podium, my gaze drifted to one side of the lecture hall.

I wasn’t the only one.

Most of the students in the room were looking in the same direction.

Unlike Hana, who was flustered and unsure of what to do, Kim Ina stood confidently.

Yes.

Kim Ina was my final headache.

…Why is she here when she’s not even enrolled in my class?

“Um… Ina?”

Hana called out to Kim Ina, sweating nervously.

“What’s up, assistant?”

“Ina, you didn’t sign up for this class, did you…?”

“That’s right~”

Then why are you here?

You’re not taking my class.

And more importantly…

The Black Spirit incident was just two days ago.

Why are you already attending classes?

And why are you auditing?

“But assistant, I don’t have any classes at this time. So I’m just taking a break here.”

“Oh, I see…!”

What’s with the “oh, I see”?

If you’re taking a break, go back to the dorm.

Why are you causing a scene in my class?

Hana glanced at me briefly, then turned back to Ina with a start.

“…Still, being in someone else’s class is…”

“Oh? Someone else’s class?”

Kim Ina grinned, showing her teeth as she looked my way.

“Our teacher Jaesang is here. Why is it someone else’s class? Right, teacher?”

If you ask why it’s someone else’s class, it’s because you didn’t sign up for it.

“Don’t be so harsh, assistant. It’s not like anything changes with me here.”

“Is that so?”

…Why are you being convinced?

If I leave this unchecked, I feel like more and more students will start auditing, so I decided to wrap things up.

“Ina.”

“Yes, teacher!”

Kim Ina turned to me with bright, eager eyes.

…Was she always this lively?

By now, she should have said something like “You’re annoyingly handsome” at least twice.

I wasn’t fond of her half-open eyes looking up at me, but now that she’s changed so much, it’s hard to adjust.

“Stop bothering our assistant and head back.”

“I can just ignore her!”

I glanced at her, suggesting she ignore herself with a raised eyebrow.

Still sporting her signature pink hair and makeup.

That’s something I could ignore.

If only she didn’t have Sally’s egg on her desk.

“Why! Sally’s egg is so pretty.”

“Putting a ribbon on it doesn’t make it pretty.”

“I didn’t put the ribbon on.”

Kim Ina then looked over at Liz.

“Right, Liz?”

“That’s right! Isn’t it pretty, teacher?”

Oh, it was you?

I can see why you two are friends now.

“If this keeps up, I won’t be able to start the class.”

I decided to change tactics.

If persuasion doesn’t work, I’ll go with fear marketing.

“Ina.”

“Yes.”

“Sally’s egg thrives in a mana-rich environment.”

Kim Ina tilted her head, not understanding.

“And?”

“I’m about to teach a spell that disperses mana.”

“Hmm?”

She still looked confused.

“If I disperse all the mana in this space, what do you think will happen to Sally?”

“Oh!”

She might not know exactly what would happen, but she understood it wouldn’t be good.

She quickly stood up and cradled the egg in her arms.

“What? Teacher, you were worried about me, not kicking me out~?”

No, I’m kicking you out.

“Such a tsundere!”

“Tsund… what?”

“Get with the times, teacher!”

Giggling, she bounced towards the back door.

“Bye-bye~”

Creak, slam.

“…”

The brief silence felt even quieter after all the noise.

“Let’s start the class. Hana, attendance is all set, right?”

“Ah, yes!”

Hana handed me the attendance sheet, all checked off.

“Um… teacher. You said ‘our assistant’ earlier, right?”

“Hmm? I did?”

“Hehe…”

“…Hana?”

“Oh, uh! I’ll head back to the lab…! Good luck, teacher! I mean, don’t work too hard, teacher!”

With that, Hana opened the front door and left with a spring in her step.

“Um… teacher.”

There seemed to be a lot of people calling me today. I turned to see Shin Haeryeong.

She was looking at me with a twisted smile, her chin resting on her hand.

“Are you going to start the class?”

“Yes.”

“…Alright.”

Even as I began the lesson, her voice had a strangely cold edge to it, which left me a bit hurt.

…But this isn’t my fault, is it?

***

After class, I was summoned by the principal.

I assumed it was about the Black Spirit incident, but his agenda was different.

“For this open class, we’re planning something special.”

Typically, Shinhwa High’s open classes involve parents signing up in advance to observe existing classes.

“This year, we’re adding a special class for all parents.”

He explained that they were planning an entirely new class just for the open day.

“We’ll conduct a class for the entire student body, with one representative teacher from each grade. Considering the parents, the scale will be about 600 people.”

After hearing the principal’s plan to fill the auditorium, it was clear he was working hard to overturn the negative perception from recent incidents.

But…

What does this have to do with me?

“Do you really not know?”

Seeing my puzzled expression, the principal asked.

“No, I have a guess.”

“Your guess is probably correct.”

The principal took a sip of his tea before continuing.

“We’d like you to conduct the first-year open class.”

So that’s it.

They’re asking the most outstanding teacher for the first-year students to handle this special class.

I am quite remarkable, but taking on a special class as well…

“I’m busy.”

Preparing one more class isn’t particularly difficult, but with my research expanded, I needed to be cautious about increasing my workload.

I only have one body, and my available energy is limited.

If research funds were unlimited, I could endlessly expand my magical research, but no matter how you look at it, a class is…

“Besides, I’m a contract teacher. Is that okay?”

“You’re a teacher at our school before being a contract worker. I don’t see a problem. And honestly… there’s no one as talented as you.”

“Hmm…”

That’s true.

There’s no one as smart as me at this school.

Even so…

“Considering it’s in front of the parents, someone like Teacher Yoo Haein from Korea University might be more…”

“There will be an increase in research funding for the teacher in charge of the special class.”

“…I mean, I graduated from a respectable university too. I’ll do my best within my capabilities.”

“That’s the spirit! As expected of Teacher Jaesang!”

The principal laughed heartily, pleased.

“By the way.”

But his laughter didn’t last long.

“You’ve heard about Teacher Han Hyejin, right?”

“Ah, yes.”

Han Hye-jin was the Eclipse.

The principal, unaware that I had personally apprehended her, cautiously inquired, “Thanks to Shinsung Company, we avoided a major crisis… and the parents haven’t raised any significant issues, but…”

Two incidents involving dark wizards in just over two months since the semester began. Considering the scale of each incident, it wasn’t hard to imagine the pressure the principal must be feeling.

“If something similar happens again, someone will have to take responsibility.”

And it seemed the principal was well aware that it would likely be him.

“Preventing dark wizard attacks in advance is impossible,” I replied.

“You’re right.”

“The parents probably understand that too. What’s important is how we respond when the situation arises.”

“That’s true as well.”

“Don’t worry too much, Principal.”

I spoke calmly. “Team Leader Jin Si-woo from Shinsung Company is quite reliable.”

And I’m here too, after all. If the principal, who is endlessly supportive of me, faces the risk of being replaced, I’ll step in to prevent it. Though I might need to weigh the pros and cons.

“Is that so…”

The principal took a sip of his tea and chuckled, “If it’s Mr. Jae-sang’s word, I can trust it.”

“Now then, moving on.”

Was there more to discuss? I waited for him to continue. It was probably something like, “I look forward to your future research.”

“Due to the recent incident, all of Ms. Han Hye-jin’s classes are now vacant, which is a problem.”

It was announced that Han Hye-jin had to resign suddenly due to personal reasons. Being a temporary teacher, no one found it particularly strange. They just criticized her lack of responsibility. The classes from the past three days were canceled, but as long as the empty slots were filled, there shouldn’t be any major issues.

‘Is he hoping I’ll recommend a new teacher?’ If that’s the case, I had no one to suggest. My colleagues from a decade ago were no longer at the age to take on temporary teaching positions. It was a shame to miss the chance to place someone close to me in the school, but this time, I had to shake my head.

“I’d like you to take over all of those classes, Mr. Jae-sang.”

…What?

“After much consideration, you’re the perfect fit.”

“???”

Why is this suddenly becoming my responsibility? Even though I enjoy teaching, adding more classes to my current schedule would leave me with no time.

“But I’m already handling two courses, which amounts to six classes in total. Perhaps Ms. Yoo Hae-in could…”

“If your teaching load increases, we can double your research funding.”

“…Of course, I’ll take it on. I was planning to do so even before you asked, Principal.”

“Haha, as expected! You’re the hope of our school! The best teacher!”

I felt oddly tamed, but who cares? More research funding! More magical research! For that, I was willing to be the principal’s loyal servant.