"Professor what do you think about this..."

"Professor, what might be the best solution for this?"

"Professor, are you busy?"

"Professor...can you help me on this part?"

"Professor!"

"Professor?!"

'Professor...Professor...Professor...Professor...Professor...Professor...Professor...Professor...Professor...Professor...Professor...Professor...Professor...Professor...Professor...'

"This is driving me insane,"

Dean muttered as he crouched under his desk.

The source of his torment? One particular student.

On that first day, there had been only one student who made the effort to communicate with him, to actively listen to his lessons. At the time, Dean had been touched by the boy's sincerity.

But now...

"Professor? Where are you? Hey~! Professor??"

It had been two weeks of constant, unrelenting attention from Elijah, and Dean had reached his breaking point.

He wasn't sure why, but something about the boy's persistent enthusiasm left him feeling utterly overwhelmed.

"I only have a week before the first exam... and so far, only one student has been participating in the lessons," Dean thought, conflicted.

After what felt like an eternity—forty minutes of hiding under his desk—Dean finally noticed that the noise outside had subsided. Cautiously, he peeked out.

No sign of Elijah.

He scanned left, right, up to the ceiling, down to the ground, ensuring the coast was clear before slipping out of the classroom.

'Be careful on what you wish for...'

Dean could vouch for that random quote. He had wanted to be a teacher who inspired his students, but he hadn't anticipated how exhausting that responsibility could be.

As he walked down the corridor, his gaze drifted to the window overlooking the school grounds outside.

There, sitting alone on the grass, was Elijah.

Dean's first instinct was to retreat—to avoid him. But something about the boy's posture stopped him.

Elijah didn't look like his usual, cheerful self. Instead, he seemed... deflated. His usual smile was gone, replaced by a saddened expression.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Memories stirred in Dean's mind.

He remembered a time when he, too, had been treated like an outcast—a disease.

He had once sat alone in a rocky alleyway, wishing someone would notice his loneliness.

Looking back then, perhaps he did wrong to avoid this child.

Dean hesitated, then began walking toward Elijah. As he drew closer, he overheard the boy murmuring to himself.

"Mom... I finally got admitted to your dream school," Elijah said softly. "But... I feel like I'm still not good enough."

Dean froze.

"I want to avenge your death, Mom..."

The words hit Dean like a blow. His lips tightened as a flood of emotions swept over him. Without thinking, he turned on his feet and ran, unable to face his student.

But as he fled, something inside him shifted.

That day, Dean made a silent vow.

No matter how difficult it was, he would face his fears and fulfill his responsibility.

Not as a reluctant adult who was forced on his duties.

But as a teacher.

****

'Is it done?'

Elijah wiped away his fake tears and glanced over his shoulder.

No sign of Professor Dean.

Standing up, he stretched his body, a dull pop of his joints echoed.

"Hmm~ Who would have thought I'm good at this?" he smiled silently.

Dean Porche.

In the original story, Dean and the protagonist, Dren, became best friends. Dean had once been a part of the infamous criminal mage society but fled that life. By the time of the main plot, he was raising orphans and striving to become a teacher.

Tragically, Dean's path took a darker turn when a misunderstanding shattered everything.

All the children from the orphanage died in Dren's arms, albeit done by another person.

Thinking it was his best friend who killed them, the protagonist became the object of Dean's hatred.

From that point, Dean sought vengeance, plotting Dren's death.

Elijah had always planned Dean to become one of the pitiful antagonist.

Yet, due to reader demand, Dean's fate changed. The misunderstanding was resolved, and he ultimately became an ally, winning the affection of fans.

Dean Porche was adored. He frequently appeared in fanart, celebrated for his charm and earnest attitude.

Elijah hated that.

Not this time though.

With his unique skill 'Author', Elijah was determined to reshape the story as he saw fit.

It doesn't matter if it's boring, bland, or anything.

"I will make Dean one of the greatest antagonists for Dohwun this time."

But for that, Elijah needed to act carefully. After the original protagonist's death, he wanted to keep the trigger of Dean.

Dean's sudden change required the perfect catalyst—himself.

Slowly, methodically, he would make Dean grow attached to him. He would earn his trust, his admiration, his affection. And then...

He would betray him.

He would pin all the blame on Dohwun, forcing Dean into his rightful role as the protagonist's one of the most dangerous adversary.

"Hehehe, isn't that a brilliant plan?"

But there was no rush. The longer he let the tension build, the sweeter the payoff.

For now...

"I should prepare for Chapter 2," he murmured to himself.

Elijah was walking back to his dormitory. The sun was beginning to set, and he was eager to sleep early for a change.

As he strolled, his gaze landed on a familiar figure.

A young man with striking green hair stood in the open area near the graveyard, gripping a worn wooden sword. He swung it repeatedly in the same downward arc, over and over, without a single break.

Far ahead the system interface hovered in the green-haired man's head.

[ Dolph Albinus, Background Character ]

Elijah paused, choosing not to approach right away. Instead, he kept his distance, observing from afar.

They only met once, and their first impression of each other is quite bad.

To put it simply, annoyed by his attitude, he beat the shit out of Dolph continuously until his face was barely okay. Of course, Dolph also punched him back.

If the students hadn't stopped them, Elijah would probably ended up having bruises and broken bones.

The instructors made it clear to Dolph that Elijah would be his roommate. And that, they cannot change rooms until the end of the semester at least.

After that incident, the two decided to stay silent as if nothing happened between them.

A few minutes passed by from watching him train, and just when Elijah was about to leave, he was called out.

"How long do you plan to stalk me?"