Chapter 20 – Time Has Passed – Part 3

Chapter 20 – Time Has Passed – Part 3

The Professor maintained his smile at Woojin’s sudden mention of class.

On the contrary, Woojin finished observing the Professor’s forehead, eyebrows, eyes, nose, cheekbone muscles, and even his lips in an instant.

His brain was consciously trying to remain calm in its reaction.

Woojin was also puzzled as to why.

“It seems the Perfect CSAT Scorer also has high Academic Fervor. Shall we begin the class then? Before that.”

Clap… clap, clap, clap, clap.

The Professor clapped.

It was an unbelievable Righteous Path for Ira, a 20-year-old freshman who had just entered the Business Department.

“Excellent answer.”

The students also clapped from the bottom of their hearts.

The Lecture Hall was filled with applause, and the students’ gazes focused on Woojin.

Woojin looked at them and fell into thought.

He merely answered the Professor’s question like everyone else, but all eyes were on him.

He felt he wasn’t living up to the Righteous Path, which was the standard of ordinariness.

‘Being ordinary is difficult, I’m still lacking.’

Woojin thought he needed to work even harder in the future.

“Alright, then I will begin the class. Introduction to Business Administration is…”

At the Professor’s words, the freshmen all picked up their pens and concentrated.

The students moved their pens tirelessly as the Professor taught.

On the contrary, Woojin was lost in thought for a moment.

A lecture means systematically teaching academic content.

Accordingly, the Professor explained the contents of the book.

Woojin already knew everything.

This was partly because he had read the Major Textbook as soon as he bought it, but more importantly, he had seen countless books with similar content before reading the Major Textbook.

Therefore, it didn’t feel new to him.

At that moment, a student glanced at Woojin.

Feeling the gaze, Woojin quickly adjusted his pen.

I shouldn’t be too relaxed.

It seemed like they noticed he wasn’t taking notes or listening attentively to the Professor like the other students.

It was even possible they had observed his micro-expressions while he was lost in thought.

If anyone knew what Woojin was thinking, they would have just blinked.

The students were simply showing interest in Woojin.

Whether he knew it or not, Woojin controlled his unconscious and self-consciousness, achieving a oneness of self and object.

As a diligent student, that is.

As it approached 11 AM, the Professor finished with a smile.

His gaze was directed at Woojin.

Alright, I’ll see you next time. Have a good lunch.

The Professor, having left the Lecture Hall, headed to the Department Office to meet with the Teaching Assistant.

Upon opening the door and entering, another Professor greeted him.

Professor Lee, how’s the atmosphere among the new students this year? Oh, that student who got a perfect CSAT score, his name is Shin Woojin? Right?

The fact that S University Professors were talking about the perfect CSAT score meant that even they acknowledged how unprecedented last year’s CSAT was.

Professor Lee, recalling Woojin, let out an involuntary chuckle.

Then he held up the textbook he was carrying.

He truly sees the essence of things.

He couldn’t believe how surprised he was when he mentioned the Temptation of Ira.

He felt it was remarkable that someone could say such a thing at 20 years old.

No, honestly, putting aside my position as a professor, and thinking about it, I’m ashamed to admit that I had never thought of the word “temptation” or “ire” as the simplest and clearest in business.

I’ve seen many businesspeople, but their explanations were not tailored to the title of “effort” or “ire”; instead, they were remarkably good at presenting a “righteous path” that others could not dispute or refute.

I wanted to ask more questions about how much more he knew, but I held back.

It was the first class, and I thought other students might be intimidated by Shin Woojin’s energy.

Instead, I applauded.

“Wow…”

As my fellow professor’s eyes sparkled, Professor Lee felt a pang of jealousy.

That look was definitely…

Professor Lee opened his mouth with a relaxed smile, contrary to his true feelings.

“Hahaha. Just kidding. He was just like a perfect CSAT scorer. He seemed like a student who read more books than other students usually do.”

Despite his words, the fellow professor’s expression remained unchanged.

He’ll want to keep him close.

All professors who have experienced Shin Woojin will think that.

Professor Lee left the Department Office, thinking he had said something unnecessary.

This won’t do.

Professor Lee muttered, looking back at the door he had just exited.

“I have to move first. First.”

Meanwhile.

As Woojin stood up, a male student who looked around 25 years old approached him.

He appeared to be about 178 centimeters tall, and his hair was shaven on the sides.

His skin was moderately tanned from the sun, making him a student with a strong masculine aura.

Woojin knew Kim Mansu from seeing his self-introduction and profile in the group chat room.

By the look of his wrinkles, he seemed to be in his late twenties, but he was 20 years old, the same age as Woojin.

“Wow, you speak really well. I thought I was listening to a lecture…”

Students began to gather around Woojin in small groups.

To them, Woojin was no longer the image of Youngsoo and Cheolsoo who tore out of the Korean language book.

Woojin’s appearance when answering the professor’s question was much like seeing an expert.

Mansu said,

“Wow… I’m really lucky. I’m taking a class with someone who boasts a perfect CSAT score, ha ha ha!”

It felt like a dream that he, who had only been fighting in his teens, got into S University, and he truly couldn’t believe that one of the only three people who appeared in the news was right before his eyes.

He also thought it was good fortune.

His father’s last wish to study hard had brought him here.

“Woojin, want to eat together?”

Woojin nodded at Mansu’s words.

Humans are social animals; it was essential to socialize in groups.

“Sure.”

“Okay! Let’s go eat!”

Woojin walked across the campus with Mansu towards the cafeteria.

People sitting on the lawn, laughing brightly, or couples.

The lively voices of people passing by, hugging books, the chirping of birds, the sound of the wind…

‘It’s peaceful.’

May this peace continue… may it not be broken.

Woojin wished and wished for the time that others ordinarily let pass.

Then, Mansu asked Woojin,

“Why are you looking at it like you’re at a zoo?”

“Because it looks ordinary.”

“Huh?”

While Mansu was scratching his head, trying to interpret Woojin’s words, Woojin was already walking away, his back to him.

“Wait for me.”

There were many people in the cafeteria.

There were various menu items, and Woojin chose a dish with a Hamburg Steak on top of an Omurice.

The price was really cheap, and it came with three side dishes and soup.

He really wanted to try the student meal at the University Cafeteria.

“Aren’t you going to eat?”

At Mansu’s words, Woojin took a bite of the Omurice.

Woojin’s eyes widened slightly.

A taste like this for 3,000 won…

The Hamburg Steak was also very delicious.

What was that saying again…

Right.

“It’s a great deal. A real bargain.”

Mansu repeatedly brought his spoon to his mouth like a machine, keeping his eyes fixed on Woojin.

It wasn’t like he had come to a Michelin Guide restaurant, but he was savoring each bite like a gourmet.

He even closed his eyes while eating.

It was a sight he hadn’t seen among his peers. No, regardless of age, it was rare to see someone eat food with such reverence.

He remembered what his deceased father, who used to farm, said to his mother.

‘This is all to marry off my children.’

Those were the words his father said when he handed over the harvest, and Mansu thought it was right to eat even the most humble food with gratitude, just like Shin Woojin.

It had been a long time since he had seen someone treat food this way.

“So, you’re having lunch here?”

At the sudden voice, Woojin and Mansu turned their heads.

It was none other than Professor Lee, who taught Introduction to Business Administration.

He set his cafeteria tray next to Woojin and smiled gently.

He spoke in a friendly manner.

“May I sit here?”

Woojin was observing Professor Lee’s face, demeanor, and non-verbal cues.