episode_0168

Looking at the date, it was about 6 days later.

Because I was going back to where I needed to be.

The start wasn’t peaceful, so the way back was peaceful.

Since I only chose roads where there would be no people, the road back home was quiet.

And I, who was walking along that path, just ran at an inhuman speed and said nothing.

The guy following behind had also stopped saying anything.

We were just running through the wind and finally met the ” people we had been looking forward to meeting.

“Professor.”

“… It’s been a while.”

It’s a touching reunion. No, it would be a touching reunion.

Because the gazes of my students looking at me right now were filled with profound emotions of longing, joy, and return.

Rather, it feels burdensome to receive such attention.

I understand. Hasn’t it been five years since I disappeared?

But actually, from my perspective, I didn’t feel like that much time had passed. In the final battle, he absorbed the god at the place where he moved to the sphere handed over by Dimostra.

The time it took for that process felt like a moment, so it didn’t seem like much time had passed.

Excluding the 6 days it took to get here, for me it was like seeing it in about a week.

Of course, it is true that I, too, am glad to see it, considering the many things I have experienced and various other things.

It was a bit burdensome because it created an atmosphere as if young retriever puppies were rushing towards their owner who suddenly appeared.

“It’s nice to see you after a long time. How was everyone?”

As I said that, I briefly turned my attention to the plane they were on.

Just as I did my best to absorb the divinity within it, the people of this era probably did not just sit idle.

Even at first glance, the horsepower flowing through the streamlined fuselage was unusual, so I thought it was an unusual vehicle.

Not long ago, no, not long ago. Just about 10 minutes ago, while I was flying through the Himalayan Mountains, an object with a strange presence was flying towards me from the sky.

At first, I tried to hide because it seemed clear that it was not just flying, but accurately sensed my presence and was approaching me. Because there was no need for unnecessary engagement.

However, the energy I was gradually feeling was very similar to what I knew and was giving off a mana that made me feel nostalgic, so I proudly exposed myself.

And after that moment, we have reached the present.

and

There was silence.

No, let’s say something. It’s so awkward.

“Well, I have something I prepared. When I see the dean in front of me, I have a hard time saying anything.”

“Han Sejun.”

“It’s good to see you again, Dean. Did you have a good trip?”

He became taller. That’s how I felt when I saw him.

He had more muscles than before, his skin color seemed a little more tanned, and above all, the magical power he had accumulated was on a completely different level than before.

“Ha, me too. They say that if you really want to say something, the words won’t come out, and that’s true.”

Sejun opened the door, but it seemed like the other guys were equally speechless.

When emotions are heightened like this, one action is more important than ten words.

“Everyone, come here.”

As soon as the words are out, everyone gathers in front of me in small groups. And I am the ones who gathered like that.

“Ah!”

“Ugh! Professor?!”

I just opened my arms and gave everyone a big hug.

Sudden skinship. No, if you just look at the current form, it didn’t feel that way, but it was more like the team members putting their arms around each other and strengthening their spirit before the game started.

Whatever it was, everyone gasped in amazement because it was something I would never have done if I had been before.

Everyone is frozen in shock as they feel the sensation of their arms wide open. My muscles stiffened.

“Thank you everyone.”

“Ah.”

And I told my true feelings with honest feelings.

“Everyone protected this world well while I was away. Because I trusted you, I was able to fully fulfill my duties. I haven’t been able to speak before, but I’m glad I got this opportunity to tell you how I feel.”

“… Professor.”

“Don’t forget that I have always been proud of you and will continue to be.”

“… .”

Everyone opened their eyes wide.

And it was just that brief moment.

There was no answer to the cry of my heart, but the emotions mixed in the eyes looking at me right now did not require an answer.

It was the best answer that satisfied everyone.

“How can you say this all at once?” I said with a smile, without even questioning myself.

Hearing those words, a woman with brown hair smiles and approaches me.

“Let’s go, Professor. Let’s go back to where we all were.”

The scent of caramel approaches and lightly holds my hand. I did not resist it and just surrendered myself to it.

*

“Whoaaaam… It’s late at night. Now let us stand up.”

Late at night, Han Sejun stretches a little and gets up from the sofa in his office.

When we met, there were a lot of things we couldn’t talk about, so we only cleared things up after we returned to the academy.

How many stories must have accumulated over the past 5 years? Flowers bloomed brightly with the stories that had been told, and they did not lose their vitality until midnight approached.

It was quite enjoyable to hear stories about the Academy from a time when I was not there.

There were various things that happened, but I was satisfied that I was able to maintain the resilience of the academy like my students did.

“The time has already come to this. I’m sorry I took everyone’s time.”

“It can’t be so. Haha, I realized it while we were talking, but the dean has really changed a lot. Should I say that I feel a little more like a person? He doesn’t seem like an authoritative and strict person. Well, it’s only natural since 5 years have passed.”

Saying that, Sejun taps the shoulder of the dozing blonde boy to wake him up.

“Let’s go, kid. I’ll take you to a place to rest.”

“Ah? Ah yes. I’ll just take a step back now. Mr. Northmund.”

Eldarim, a blond boy, wakes up from a dream, makes a dazed expression for a moment, then bows his head to me and gets up following Sejun.

When I see that, I secretly chuckle a little.

Seeing that smile, Sejun suddenly opens his mouth with a mischievous expression on his face.

“But isn’t he really your son? The energy I feel is very similar to that of the Dean. When I first met the dean, I thought you really brought a hidden son with you? It seems a bit mature for a 5 year old, but I thought that might be different for white people… ”

“… Professor Sejun Han.”

“Oh, sorry, Dean Hyun. Dean Northmund, then I will leave. Have a good night. Let’s go, kid.”

As an aside, I also froze for a moment when I saw Jang Ah-hyun snarling at Se-jun in a cold tone.

She was soft and gentle in front of me, but I didn’t know she was capable of making such scary faces.

“What did Professor Han hear? The professor said that he only felt that way because the energy he absorbed was similar to the energy possessed by demons.”

“I guess I was just asking as a joke. There will be no ill will towards him.”

“The salary should be reduced a bit in the future… .”

“… Don’t do that. I just said it because the atmosphere was nice.”

What was revealed to them was explained to some extent. This world is the content of a novel, I was a part of God, and I was injected with false memories. How can I explain something like that?

Skipping all this and more, I said that in the process of approaching the source of the devil and dealing with it, some of its energy was absorbed into me.

Unfortunately, the energy that could not be completely processed went out into the world and gave personality to the remaining monsters.

“I’m sorry. Even if some of the energy hadn’t leaked in the process, they wouldn’t have turned into demons.”

“No. This is better. Because they have intelligence, they can communicate to a certain extent, and they no longer commit killings out of ignorance like before. And everyone knows that the professor worked harder than anything else.”

“Yes, I’m really glad you came back. Thank you for coming back, Professor.”

Jang A-hyeon and Yoon Sia help me out one by one and comfort me.

Of course, like they said, I didn’t make a mistake. By returning the divine power of a great being to this world, reality was nailed to a world destined for collapse.

The fact that the monsters regained their intelligence due to the divine power flowing in during the process was a side issue that inevitably arose.

“Still, I have to say something to Professor Sejun Han. I can’t believe you said that to someone who hasn’t even gotten married yet.”

“… Siaya.”

“Hehe, Professor Han, there was a big problem during the next practice session.”

I’m only saying this now, but she must have been thinking the same thing as Sejun until now.

Even though she had special feelings for me, you might wonder why she didn’t say anything when we first got off the plane and met.

At that time, she was staring at the child.

I didn’t ask because I was a little scared at the time, but I’m sure he was thinking the same thing as Sejun.

When I returned to the academy and talked to him and found out that it wasn’t true, his frozen expression melted like snow, so it’s 100% true.

“Is the problem of mine people serious?”

“Um… There are no such serious problems anymore. At first, there were demons who randomly attacked and slaughtered humans, but most of those guys were subdued by people with supernatural abilities and the military.”

“I see.”

“Now, they hide underground and do not engage in proper activities. This is better. It’s at a much better level than before, when the gate opens and monsters pour out.”

“I guess it’s not necessarily the level of need for a talented person from Elm Academy.”

“Ah… That’s probably what each country thought. It’s a foolish idea.”

So, this means that they can continue to put pressure on the academy. This will require me to appear before the organization and make some compromises.

Because I have the reputation of being a world hero, no organization can ignore my remarks.

“… It means that demons are the problem.”

I quietly got up from the sofa, repeating the words to myself.

And slowly, with the sound of stepping on marble, I approach the open window.

It was close to midnight, and there was no one on the streets of the Academy, with only the lone halogen streetlight shining daylight.

It must be a scene I have seen every day in this office, so why do I feel so longing for it?

The sky is colored an ultramarine blue, almost black, and a couple of floating stars are visible.

Rather than the pitch-black darkness inside the fog, it is a vibrant, deep blue darkness.

‘It’s beautiful.’

These are the first words I uttered while looking at the sky. It didn’t feel any different before. I have often looked at the sky and thought about it, but I have rarely felt that the sky was beautiful.

In particular, not many people would find a sky like today with barely any stars to be beautiful.

I didn’t know that I was feeling that way even more because there were these girls standing behind me looking at the same sky.

I quietly closed my eyes.

There are spiritual powers that still remain in this world, things that can be felt when you close your eyes and focus your senses.

They walk through this world with the same energy as me.

Having intelligence means having your own image.

Just as humans have different personalities, monsters that have regained their intelligence and returned to their past as guardians also have different thoughts, personalities, and ideas.

Some guardians have little interest in the world, while others have great interest in the world. Some beings are grateful for their returned intelligence and live among humans, while others claim that they are superior and prey on this world.

‘Then we have to stop it.’

This world is no longer in a novel, but the world I will live in from now on. Then there is no reason for there to be elements of anxiety in the world I live in.

Their return to being Guardians was a secondary matter, but that is why I felt the need to resolve them first.

I focused my mind and slowly moved the divinity within me.

I haven’t used this newly acquired power a few times yet, but it still moves quite well in response to my will.

It felt like it had been a long time since I rode a bike. You won’t forget how to ride it, but it will feel a little awkward to control at first.

However, just as it was not necessary to learn how to move your hands and feet, the sacred power that was now mine moved like my limbs and extended out into the world.

Consciousness is floating.

Like Yoo-young, who was in the place that greeted you after climbing the stairwell in the past.

My consciousness was constantly floating, rushing through the divine power scattered in this world.

As if the guardians had accepted and used this power, the strings of consciousness of the guardians scattered around the world were visible.

‘Right. ‘Is it possible to convey it like this?’

There was no reason to waste time, so I quickly increased my strength. The divine power I possessed emanated from me and connected with their strings scattered around the world.

─Huh?

─What is it?

─Suddenly something huge appeared in my head!

─Above, a great being?! Him? No, He would have perished!

There were more Guardians scattered throughout this world than I thought.

Since the monsters were pouring out of the gate, it would not be surprising if there were still monsters that could not be dealt with somewhere in the countryside or deep in the mountains of each region.

And at this moment, their consciousness, which had returned from being the remaining monsters to becoming guardians, was connected by a single string.

─I, Elm Northmund, have taken over the responsibility of a great being. And since I have been granted permission to succeed him and become your master, you must all submit to my will.

─Really! Really! It was true that Northmund followed in his footsteps!

─Nonsense! I don’t want to believe it, but this energy I feel from Northmund is definitely… !

─It’s rude, you should show respect to your master!

There was silence for a moment. In that silence, I took a moment to understand the situation.

The emotions that flowed through me as I connected with them were dominated by embarrassment, so I felt the need to drive the wedge even further.

As they gathered all their divine power and unleashed it, the strings connected to them began to wriggle. As all the sacred power was poured into this place without measure, golden waves covered the world.

It was unclear whether divine power was visible to the general public. It probably won’t be visible. Not only for the general public, but also for people with special abilities.

However, those with special abilities seemed to be feeling the energy, as the dormitory suddenly became noisy and people began to come out.

Surprised, they jumped out in their pajamas and bare feet, looking up at the sky and pointing their fingers. Later, some who are prone to the occult may claim to have witnessed an unprecedented miracle.

─Guardian Caldena sends greetings to Northmund, who inherited the great being.

─Guardian Vistarosa offers her service to her new master.

─Guardian Delastia recognizes you as her new master and declares that she will protect you until the end of this world.

─Your servant Edian swears allegiance…

But not everything was good.

─Fools! That person is the one who killed our master and took over his power! How can you serve someone like that?

─They are people without loyalty. Do you mean to say that you only change masters depending on whether they have power or not? I, Cornelius, cannot do that.

─Bastarosa you fool! You have been hostile to humans, so do you think he will accept you if you serve Northmund? Northmund is on the side of humans, not us! I’d be lucky if my head didn’t get cut and I rolled on the floor.

─The statement that Northmund succeeded is not certain, as he only declared it himself. Couldn’t it have been literally a robbery of power like Dimostra? I will not make a decision on Dewald until the facts are clear.

There was a lot more dissonance than expected. Well, it was something that could not be helped. How many people will suddenly swear loyalty to someone who suddenly says, “I am your new master?”

In a way, aren’t the people who show true loyalty the ones who fall in love with me in Zara right now?

Even though their former owner abandoned them until their intelligence disappeared and eventually abandoned them, isn’t he still loyal to them?

─Don’t you know, Dewald! Northmund was created by Dimostra by removing a part of him. It is not that outsiders murdered our masters and took away our power.

─That’s right! It is as if he has returned, so it would not be wrong to serve Northmund.

‘Hmm.’

It was taking place more like a debate than expected. A noisy debate, like a noisy market passage, with countless participants scattered around the world shouting.

The conclusion was not to be drawn right here. So there was no reason to continue.

-Let all who decide to serve me come to where I am. You all know the location.

With those words, I cut off the ties that connected each of us, and my consciousness, which had been swimming in this world, returned to the meager place called my body.

“Ugh.”

As my consciousness returned to my physical body, I felt a sudden headache. It was not an ordinary headache, but a sharp pain that felt like it was tearing between my eyebrows.

While I was standing by the window, I couldn’t stand properly and stumbled for a moment.

“Professor!”

“Are you okay!”

I felt the women standing right behind me supporting me.

I feel warmth and my strength is relieved. Is this the reward for expending close to the maximum amount of divine power? The reaction came back.

“First, let’s put the professor down. Assistant Professor Yoon.”

“Professor this way!”

They help me into the bedroom connected to my office. Even though it had been a long time since I left, this office was still as preserved as it was the morning I left.

As if no one came in. However, since there was no accumulated dust, someone must have been cleaning it all the time.

A soft feeling on your back.

That feeling made me feel a longing that I had really returned.

And other longings lying on either side of me.

“Hehe, I feel better now. It is a reaction using too much force at once.”

“Yes. I was really surprised when a tremendous amount of power suddenly came out from the professor. It would have been nice if you could have told me a little bit.”

“Haha, sorry. It’s okay now, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

“It’s okay, right? Hehe.”

She grabs one of my hands with both of her hands and wiggles, talking less.

‘uh?’

There are three people in this room right now, including myself.

What brought me into this room was my headache. At the time, the pain was so intense that it was difficult to move my body, but I’m fine now.

And there were two people on either side of me lying on the bed.

“… ?!”

Sensing a strange atmosphere in this situation, I turned on the tension switch.

The sight of four eyes looking at me as I lie down is unusual.

Even though it’s the season, it’s not yet enough to make me sweat. For some reason, I felt a drop of sweat running down my cheek.

Again, there are three people here including me.

One is my familiar student with chestnut brown hair, and the other is another woman with impressive long hair and prominent horns.

“No, wait a minute, it’s a bit different today. I’m so tired. How about giving me a little rest today… .”

“Are you tired? are you okay. Professor, you can rest well.”

“Hehehe, it’s been 5 years, Professor? He said he would be back soon and said he was a really bad person.”

As I had a premonition of something to happen in the future, I stood up and tried to step back, but they reached out their hands and stopped me.

The beads of sweat running down my cheeks had increased to the point where it was no longer an illusion.

‘What kind of power is this?’

Their appearance has become more mature. Unlike before, when they still looked young, they now have a well-grounded, mature feel.

And their skills must have become more mature, so they couldn’t escape the wrists that were caught.

So captivated by them.

I woke up the next morning.