"Isn't he a bit too young to be a professor?"
Ji Hoon gave the class a small, almost imperceptible nod but said nothing. The silence was thick, and the students were still trying to process his appearance.
The current professor spoke up again, his voice drawing the students' attention. "Professor Ji Hoon is not only new here, but he also graduated from the latest batch at the Beast Doctor Academy. He's one of the youngest, but don't let his age fool you—he's incredibly skilled. He's here to teach Taming, a class that has recently been added to the academy curriculum."
Hannah's eyes flickered to Seojun, then back to Minseok. "Is he… really?"
Minseok nodded slowly, "It must be him. There's no mistake."
"I'm really sorry, Professor Ji Hoon," The professor said in a low voice. "The students here… they still don't acknowledge tars. Since it's seen as the weakest class…"
Ji Hoon smiled a little and was about to reply, "It's okay," when suddenly, one cocky student from the back of the room leaned back in his chair and said loudly, "Weakest class tsk, More like useless class."
So students chuckled quietly.
Hannah's brow furrowed. She crossed her arms and stood up slightly from her seat.
"You all say tars are weak," she spoke firmly, "but one of the top rankers in the U.S. is a tar—Sir Thomas."
So students turned to look at her, surprised by her sudden defense.
But before she could say more, another student near the window leaned back with a smirk. "Tch. That guy? Everyone knows Sir Thomas is a special case. Apparently, he was chosen by so high-ranking deity or sothing. That's not normal taming."
He shrugged. "Without that divine buff, I bet he'd be just as useless. All they do is hide behind beasts and let them fight. Real fighters go head-on."
Hannah's eyes narrowed even more. "So what if he was chosen by a deity?" she snapped. "You think that just erases the years of training he went through? That doesn't make him less of a tar."
The cocky student rolled his eyes. "Still not impressed. A class that needs a divine boost to matter isn't worth much."
Before Hannah could shoot back, another student stood up from the back—one of the quieter boys who usually kept to himself but had always admired top rankers. He looked annoyed.
"At least he's more capable than you," the boy said sharply. "All you do is yap yap yap, like you've achieved sothing.Sir Thomas is out there risking his life. What have you done besides run your mouth?"
The classroom fell silent for a mont. A few students snickered quietly, and the cocky student scoffed but said nothing back.
The classroom was still filled with quiet murmurs when their horoom professor let out a tired sigh.
"Looks like it's not the right ti yet, Professor Ji Hoon," he said, turning to him. "Is it okay to take more ti? I'll collect a list of students who are interested in joining your class."
Professor Ji Hoon nodded with a calm smile. "Yes, please. Thank you for the help."
A voice whispered from the back loud enough to be heard before Ji hoon leave.
"As if we'll enter that useless class. What a waste of ti."
The horoom professor's expression darkened. He turned sharply to the class. "Enough! Show so respect. He's a professor. He earned his place here more than any of you have."
So students quieted, but a few still grumbled under their breath.
"He looks like he's our age anyway," one boy muttered. "Just taller."
"He's like a student playing dress-up," another added, chuckling with his friend.
"Hey, at least he graduated from Beast Doctor Academy," a girl replied from the front, rolling her eyes. "What have you graduated from, huh? Middle school?"
The classroom filled with a mix of awkward laughter and silence.
After stepping out of the classroom, Ji Hoon—no, Seojun—walked quietly down the hallway. His face remained calm, but the mont he turned a corner where no one could see him, he let out a long sigh.
"…Kids these days," he muttered under his breath.
[Host, you really let them talk like that? Why don't you punish them? Show them what you got!]
Seojun rolled his eyes. "You really want to go wild, huh?"
[Obviously. Just one summon. Or a little power flare. Co on~ Let them know who they're ssing with.]
Seojun let out a deep sigh. "I'm not here to fight kids. I'm forced to do this anyway."
[Forced? Really, Host? That's what we're calling it now? You literally chose to be a teacher with a fake na and fake glasses.]
"I didn't choose the glasses," Seojun muttered. "John picked them."
System about to say more, "Do you want to silence you off for a week?" Seojun muttered.
[…No, thank you. System will behave.]
Before Seojun could say more, a voice suddenly called out from behind.
"Seojun!"
He turned and saw Alexa running toward him, waving excitedly. Alex followed right after her, slightly out of breath but smiling.
"There you are!" Alexa said, stopping in front of him. "Why didn't you tell us you were starting today?!"
Alex nodded. "Seriously. We were going to co find you after hearing about the taming class, but… you kinda shocked everyone."
"Let us tour you while we talk!" she said cheerfully. "When did you co back? Your beasts said you'd be gone for a month."
Alex walked on Seojun's other side, hands in his pockets, listening quietly.
Seojun replied calmly, "I finished my business earlier than expected. I ca back two days ago."
Alex glanced at him. "Two days? Where have you been hiding, then?"
"I'm actually staying in a hotel nearby," Seojun said. "Chairman Alexander ca to visit there."
Alexa's eyes widened. "Wait—is it Grandpa that—"
"No," Seojun interrupted before she could finish, his voice gentle but firm. "It's John."
He paused for a mont, looking ahead.
"He said… he thinks Nathan and Elshienne will be safer if I'm near them."
Alexa fell silent for a second, then gave a soft nod. "So… you're doing all this for them."
Alex glanced between the two, then gave a small smirk. "Guess we'll be coworkers then, Professor Ji Hoon."
Seojun gave a small smile back. "Looks like it."
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