I Became the Academy’s Kibitz Villain

If there was one thing that changed in this world after the Great Cataclysm, it would undoubtedly be “birth.”

-Forget about choosing between sons or daughters; let’s just have one child and raise them well.

-Forget about sons or daughters—let’s just try to have one ability user.

The times had shifted.

The world now demanded more children, more ability users.

The urban legend that having children at a younger age resulted in stronger ability users had gradually turned into statistically significant data, leading the age of marriage and childbirth to steadily decline.

“You’re telling me to get married in my twenties? Kids cost money, you know. Who’s going to cover that?”

“If you give birth to an ability user, the government covers it all!”

“And if they’re not an ability user?”

Having an ability user child was more valuable than winning the lottery.

So, everyone started having children, even middle-aged couples with kids in middle school or even college tried for another child just in case.

Naturally, in this world, childbirth wasn’t considered unusual; instead, it became the norm to have children as early, or rather as “efficiently,” as possible.

Yet, there were those who didn’t follow this mass childbirth trend.

When others were having children, there were women who wanted to read even more books, amass more knowledge, and reach positions of wealth and honor in society.

They sought to become part of society’s “elite intellectuals” and chose a more certain and stable path to power through their abilities rather than taking uncertain risks.

Professor Lisa La Lakshmi was one of them.

“She gained wealth, fame, and power with the support of the Secret Society. She owns a 5-billion-won apartment in Busan, a villa in the countryside, several cars, and she’s even a professor at Sejong Academy. Outwardly, she’s stunningly beautiful. But she’s single. Why do you think that is?”

“Because of her age?”

“Exactly.”

Lisa La Lakshmi had it all.

But in the process of acquiring it, she had spent so much time that she ended up as a golden miss.

In this world, even the term golden miss didn’t exist.

“Harang, socially speaking, would it be better if the mother of a famous 39-year-old university professor was a mom, or if it were a 20-year-old maiden bride? Just generally.”

“…I don’t know how to answer that. But generally, from a man’s perspective, wouldn’t the latter be preferable?”

“Right. Regardless of gender, everyone tends to prefer a younger partner.”

Regardless of gender, the more capable someone was, the more likely they were to prefer a younger partner.

Just as it was not unheard of in the entertainment world for someone to marry a partner 13 years younger, people in this world also preferred a younger partner, or rather a partner young enough to bear children with an “efficiently” young body.

This world was fixated on giving birth to ability users.

And Professor Lisa La Lakshmi was a victim of this crazed era.

“Sure, she could marry. Maybe a man in his late 30s, a couple of years younger than her, or perhaps a middle-aged man in his 40s who’s starting to show a belly. But would a woman who’s built something socially want to marry someone like that?”

“Not at all.”

“Exactly. That’s why Professor Lisa is looking for a man. An S-class villain like Goblin? That’s not the point. What’s important to her are three things: a good-looking, fit, young man. That’s what matters.”

“Blunt, aren’t you?”

“But, it could help in my relationship with Baek Seol-hee.”

Harang’s eyes widened.

Until just now, she only felt pity for the older single professor, but now, it seemed she was intrigued as if it had become her own concern.

“What do you think I’m about to say?”

“…That if a woman is capable, she can meet a younger, handsome, and fit man?”

“Precisely. And even if she were with someone who seems a few levels below her socially, it wouldn’t be a big deal.”

I placed my hands one above the other.

“S-Class hero, Korea’s number two, Baek Seol-hee. Her counterpart is Do Ji-hwan, a mere seventh-grade librarian. Objectively, there’s no reason for Baek Seol-hee to marry, let alone secretly conceive with this man, is there?”

“True. Objectively. It’s not like anyone’s out there bragging that Do Ji-hwan’s bat is Special EX-grade.”

“…Well, that’s information we’ll have to look into later, so let’s move on. Objectively speaking, their marriage would be unthinkable. Society would be thrown into chaos.”

Just what kind of man was Do Ji-hwan that Baek Seol-hee would consider retiring from hero work due to pregnancy?

It was hard to imagine them as a typical young couple in their twenties who fell in love at first sight. There was just too much of a gap between them.

“It’s always better to take your lumps later, and even a cold isn’t as bad the second time.”

“So childbirth is the most painful the first time?”

“…Right. So, I’m planning to use Professor Lisa La Lakshmi, now that I’m here. For Baek Seol-hee.”

“You plan to pair Professor Lisa with an ordinary man and make it a social issue.”

“Precisely.”

Harang adjusted his posture, starting to listen attentively.

“A woman with more social power attracting a younger man. Although the details differ, ultimately it’s similar to the relationship between Hero Baek Seol-hee and Librarian Do Ji-hwan.”

“So, Professor Lisa meets a new partner in Jeju, causing a stir, and then Baek Seol-hee steps in afterward… Even if the shock is big, Professor Lisa’s situation would soften the blow.”

“Exactly. And the reason I’m going through this bothersome process… well, you know, right?”

“Yeah.”

With an annoyed expression, Harang lay back on the bed.

“The dwarves will be in an uproar.”

Dwarves.

Strictly speaking, it referred to the little people.

To the dwarves who supported Snow White, taking care of her alone in the forest, it would look like a beggar, not a prince, had come to sweep her away.

“Like a swamp monster marrying the princess.”

“…??”

“Ah.”

Oops.

That wasn’t made post-Cataclysm, so it didn’t exist in this world.

“A more fitting comparison might be… the Frog Prince.”

Magically, a fairytale-like scene unfolded.

One day, Princess Baek Seol-hee brought a frog before the dwarves.

Princess Baek Seol-hee introduced the frog as her husband, and the dwarves were stunned by the absurdity of the situation.

-“No matter how handsome a frog may be, a frog is still a frog!”

-“It’s just a frog that likes books! Princess, please come to your senses!”

-“How charming could a frog’s tongue possibly be? Let’s rid ourselves of this vile frog!”

The dwarves would undoubtedly react with intense rejection.

Such was the gap between an S-class hero and an ordinary non-ability user—it was like that between a princess and a frog.

However.

-“I’m pregnant with this prince’s child.”

They already had their union?

The princess’s child was already growing inside her?

-“Aaahhh!!”

The dwarves would spew blood in rage.

-“What’s so special about that frog?! I’ve been supporting you all this time, standing by your side, dealing with those who badmouthed you! Ah, to think I’d lose to a frog!!”

Among the dwarves, there would be one ability-user dwarf furious about losing to a frog.

-“Hmph, I’ll transform into a demon!!”

“They’d become a demon.”

This world was simply not one where Baek Seol-hee and Do Ji-hwan could be together without causing a stir.

“There are too many crazy people in this world.”

At that moment, in Seogwipo City.

Knock, knock, knock.

Someone knocked on the door.

Just after showering and getting ready for bed, Yoon Iseon carefully headed to the entrance, wondering who could be knocking.

“Excuse me, Student Council President.”

“What is it?”

It was someone she knew.

Someone she knew, but a man.

Click.

Yoon Iseon put the chain on before opening the door.

“What brings you here at this hour, Vice President?”

“If you keep such distance, I might feel hurt.”

“I’m the one who should feel hurt. Have you been drinking?”

“Yes.”

The Vice President adjusted his disheveled glasses and gently swirled the wine he held in one hand.

“Since we’re here in Jeju, how about a drink between student council members?”

“The student council is just you and me, so are you suggesting we drink alone?”

“Yes.”

……

Yoon Iseon wasn’t a fool.

She wasn’t someone lacking intuition.

She understood the meaning behind the gaze looking at her from beyond the slightly open door and through those glasses.

“Vice President.”

“Use my name-”

“Sorry, but I need to watch the Goblin Documentary Special now.”

……

“Don’t interrupt my fangirling.”

Yoon Iseon closed the door.

“Wait, President.”

But before she could, the Vice President wedged his foot inside.

“Why do you keep rejecting me? I’m not that terrible-”

“Yes, you are, so leave. Really, just find someone who likes you.”

“President!”

“Would you please leave before I call the police, or rather, association agents? Seriously, what are you doing? This is your last warning. Step back before I use my ability.”

“…Is it…”

The Vice President clenched his fist, trembling.

“Is it because I’m still an A-grade, unlike the President, who’s an S-grade…?”

……

“All these years, I’ve been supporting you by your side—”

“Sorry, but I’ve found someone I like.”

At those words, the Vice President recoiled.

It wasn’t a conscious retreat but an instinctive reaction of fear.

“What… What do you mean?”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Just that.”

Thud.

As soon as Yoon Iseon closed the door, she locked it, exhaling deeply as she pressed the Taegeuk Watch.

“This is ‘Firefox.’ I’m sorry, but the Vice President is still trying to get into my room. Yes, I think if I talk to him, it’ll only make a bigger mess.”

Speaking to the association agent, Yoon Iseon collapsed onto her bed.

“…Surely he won’t turn into a demon just because I didn’t accept his confession.”

Yoon Iseon felt a chill down her spine.

“Still.”

Watching the Goblin in the TV documentary, Yoon Iseon fiddled with her lips.

“He wouldn’t be the kind of trash to threaten me with demonic transformation just because I didn’t accept him. Hmm… probably.”