Chapter 1

“Here.”

Hazel looked up at the obviously dissatisfied voice. Although the student wore the uniform correctly, his stance was lax. He was at the age to graduate from the academy next year, yet his defiant glare showed he was still very much a child. Hazel sighed inwardly at the lack of any sign of remorse.

‘I should just send him back now since he doesn’t seem like he’ll listen no matter what I say.’

If he understood when spoken to nicely, he wouldn’t have done something that required writing a reflection in the first place.

Hazel glanced at the reflection paper on the desk and spoke.

“Good job. I think you’ve reflected enough while writing this, so I won’t contact your guardian. But don’t be relieved. The semester isn’t over yet.”

“Professor!”

The male student raised his voice, his eyes glaring sharply, thinking she was threatening him. He was two heads taller than her, but Hazel didn’t flinch as she continued.

“Why? Is there a problem?”

Tilting her head as if wondering what the issue was, he couldn’t suppress his irritation and stomped out of the office.

Bang-.

Startled by the loud noise as if the door was about to break, Hazel let out a small scream.

What if the door breaks like that! Does he know how annoying it is to file a repair bill?

Hazel sighed deeply and picked up a pen. It was to record the consultation she just had in the log.

Everyone working at the academy knew that students secretly broke the rules. They just turned a blind eye because it would be a hassle if things got out of hand.

Hazel’s hand, diligently jotting down the consultation details, suddenly stopped. She felt a surge of frustration.

If it were just breaking the rules, she wouldn’t have reacted so sensitively.

‘Why can’t they wait just one more year to live as they please?’

If the uniform was worn improperly or the learning attitude was poor, having them write a reflection and warning them about their behavior would suffice.

But this case was too different.

Whether they used proper protection, whether strange rumors were spreading, whether it was a coercive relationship without one party’s consent.

There were too many things to worry about.

“Who would have thought someone would do such a thing on campus.”

She gripped the pen tightly.

At 28, it had been 4 years since she started working at the empire’s most prestigious educational institution, the Academy.

When Hazel was confirmed for the professorship, she vowed to become a good teacher like the professor who inspired her to take this path.

However, in those 4 years, she had to experience firsthand the deep gap between imagination and reality.

The endless paperwork, countless classes and evaluations, and the final exams that had to be prepared immediately after the midterms.

If only that were all, thanks to senior professors who dumped all the tedious tasks on her, she had to take on student management duties as well.

Still, she was satisfied just watching the students prepare to step into society. That was why she decided to become an academy professor.

However, this time, the mental shock was quite significant. She had overheard something she shouldn’t have while searching for materials in the library.

She had discreetly cleaned up the scene and called each student separately for counseling, which was now completed.

The fortunate thing was that it wasn’t a coercive relationship without consent, and the unfortunate thing was that this wasn’t the first time.

Since it was a matter that couldn’t involve calling guardians, Hazel sternly warned them that it could ruin not only their family’s honor but also their future.

‘The problem is that they probably won’t listen to my warning.’

Thinking they would desperately search for a place where they would never be caught again, Hazel swallowed her bitterness and checked the time.

“Is it already this late?”

It was the time the professor who would temporarily take charge of the fencing club for a year was supposed to start.

Hazel rubbed her tired eyes, having not slept properly for days, and left the office.

‘If he was going to come, he should have come early, why at such an awkward time. I thought I could take a short nap…….’

Blaming others unnecessarily, Hazel yawned widely when she heard a noisy voice. 

Who’s making such a racket.

She wondered, stopping in her tracks.

Wait, if my eyes aren’t deceiving me……

“I’m Enoch Meyer, taking over for Professor Carlo for the next year. Nice to meet you.”

Hazel froze in place, her mouth agape as if she’d forgotten how to breathe.

If they were just acquaintances, she might have been surprised and felt a bit happy, but she wouldn’t have been this shocked.

‘Why is Enoch Meyer here……?’

Enoch Meyer.

The heir of the Meyer Marquis family, the aide to the Imperial Knights Commander.

A man with an impeccable appearance, noble lineage, and outstanding abilities, leaving no room for flaws.

And the first love of 17-year-old Hazel Hoover, who didn’t know much about love.

A first love that ended without even receiving a proper response to her courageous confession!

Thus, Hazel’s first love ended without a sound.

But she wasn’t sad. It was an impossible unrequited love from the start, and he was still a beautiful piece of her youth.

Noticing Hazel standing frozen and silent, his blue eyes, tinged with purple, turned towards her.

“Hello, Hazel. Have you been well?”

He had been tall 10 years ago, but he seemed even taller now, so much so that even if she stretched her arms, she might not reach his head.

He had been charming as a boy, but now, as a complete man, his features were more defined, and his demeanor slightly softer.

His trained knight’s solid physique exuded an aura that couldn’t be treated carelessly.

How could her heart not flutter, even for a moment, when her first love, whom she had loved with all her heart, returned as a matured man?

Suppressing her heated emotions, Hazel greeted him.

“Well, I’ve been fine. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Though her greeting was awkward, he smiled as if it didn’t bother him.

“You said you wanted to be like Professor Nelson, and you’ve achieved your dream.”

“Huh? Oh, yeah, I guess so. Haha!”

Did I ever tell Enoch that I wanted to be like Professor Nelson?

It was such a long time ago that her memory wasn’t clear.

Was it because she met Enoch, whom she had cherished in a corner of her memory? She intended to just greet and leave, but she couldn’t bring herself to move.

Professor Francis, who had been watching the two alternately as if gauging something, spoke.

“Professor Hoover, why don’t you show him around?”

Startled, Hazel quickly lifted her head, and he shrugged as if wondering what the problem was.

“We were just talking about who should introduce the academy. It won’t take long, so think of it as getting some fresh air.”

“Well, I can’t say I can’t, but I haven’t finished my work yet…….”

Trailing off and hesitating, Professor Francis clicked his tongue.

“You’re academy mates, aren’t you? You should help out at times like this. How unfamiliar must this place be for him. It’d be more comfortable for him to go around with Professor Hoover than with us, whom he’s meeting for the first time. Just help out this once. Okay?”

“No, I……!”

Before she could say anything, Professor Francis disappeared, leaving Hazel staring blankly at his retreating figure. She snapped back to her senses at the presence she felt behind her.

“…Shall we go?”

Hazel, who found herself unexpectedly paired with Enoch, asked in an awkward voice. Enoch smiled gently as he watched her.

“Sure. Let’s go.”

As time passed, his personality seemed to have changed; his eyes, which were always sharp, had softened. In the unfamiliar atmosphere, Hazel glanced at him sideways, hoping he wouldn’t notice.

For some reason, their eyes met perfectly in the air. Startled, Hazel blurted out whatever came to mind.

“It’s been a really long time since we met, but it’s not as awkward as I thought, right?”