The Tycoon's Odyssey

Aria Cromwell was a dignified woman who had graduated from overseas with the highest score.

However, due to certain circumstances, she had to return home and become an assistant professor in this third-tier institute. Rumor had it that she had faced some issues at home, prompting her to pursue her PhD in Computer Science in her home country. And since she needed both money and time, she decided to join this institution.

Whatever, he wasn't interested in these details at all.

Once she finishes her research, she might move to a bigger city.

"Professor Aria!"

Hearing a loud shout, the woman suddenly stopped her steps and stared at the boy who was running towards her.

"Evan!" She tilted her head, a confused expression on her face.

"I need a bit of your guidance.''

Aria stared at him for a moment trying to recall who he was.

It wasn't that she didn't remember him since she could even tell his name, rather it was because he looked somewhat different from before.

Before, he used to have a gloomy, depressed aura. During psychological sessions arranged by the university, the psychiatrist found that Evan's mental health was poor and he seemed to be holding too much pain.

Three out of ten students here suffered from depression, but this guy's condition was particularly severe as if he had given up on living.

Usually, she would take students to her office and give them lessons, but nine out of ten boys would try to hit on her. As for girls, they would try to pry into her life and this was how all her background information had been uncovered by this group of gossipmongers. Since then, she refuted such a request coldly, but knowing Evan's conditions, she thought that she should handle things softly.

"Okay, follow me."

Aria turned around and continued walking forward, her high heels clicking with each step while being followed by Eva who sighed in relief.

'At least she agreed.'

Inside the teacher's office, Aria put down the books before asking Evan to take a seat.

Evan's nose wrinkled slightly, bothered by the dense smell of lilac perfumes which made him uncomfortable.

Aria observed Evan's movements and noticed that he indeed looked quite different.

Taking a deep breath, Aria put on a beautiful teasing smile that was capable of melting a man's heart and spoke softly.

"Hey, Evan, tell me, are you here to really study?"

Evan's body shivered as her sweet voice entered his ears.

"What do you mean?" he asked with a frown.

"I mean, have you come here to study or with some other intentions? Let me tell you straight if you are here to flirt with me like others, I can't entertain you.''

"Wait! Others had come to flirt with you? Wait a minute, they dared?" Evan asked, surprised.

He knew his classmates had too many guts, but this was unexpected…

Aria realized that her tone might have sounded flirtatious as if she was trying to seduce someone and felt disgusted with herself.

Though she was typically cold, her voice was low-pitched and sounded a bit coquettish.

It had been a year since she became a professor here and many students sought her help. She genuinely tried to guide them. Initially, they would study seriously, but eventually, they would show their true colors.

When she reprimanded them sharply, those assholes with brains in their lower parts instead of learning from their mistakes would make things worse. So, she changed her tactic and played the scapegoat method.

Most of the guys who came here to hit her off would reveal their true intentions when she asked this, after which she would lie that she was engaged. But only God knows why for some reason, no one had spread this rumor, unlike other rumors about her.

There were even rumors that she worked as an escort, which tarnished her reputation.

Kids these days don't respect their teachers.

"Yes, you wouldn't believe the number of boys who did this. So, tell me what are your intentions?"

Evan took a moment to observe Aria.

Name: Aria Cromwell

Skill: Academic Skill Intermediate [102/250]

Professional Programming skill [400/1000]

Intermediate Hacking[207/250]

Intermediate Mathematician[180/250]

Impression:37

Evan sucked in a breath of cold air seeing her programming skill.

As per the system's knowledge, this skill level came after advanced. Someone with this level could hack big companies in a matter of minutes.

It was such a shock that he couldn't manage to hide his expression, so he scolded himself.

It seemed like he really needed to learn some acting.

Aria frowned, noticing Evan's intense gaze as he sized her up.

She was about to rebuke him when Evan began to speak.

"Professor Aria, I will be honest with you."

"You are beautiful, hot, and mature. If I say that I am not  interested in you physically, I would be lying and as I mean I feel attracted to you however...."

"For now, I can't afford to have a relationship. I neither have time nor money to waste on the girl at the moment. As for those feelings of so-called love, I don't feel any such emotions at the moment. And while I find you attractive and am interested in you, I just feel you are not my type. I don't like your voice and figure.

It's not my personal preference; I value character more than physical features."

" However, I don't know for sure about the future. If I ever have such thoughts, I will tell you directly."

Aria's eyes widened and her mouth dropped wide open upon hearing the boy spitting facts with a straight at her face.

For some reason, she asked a boy if he liked her, only to be brutally rejected.

'He said he isn't interested. Is it for real or is he playing hard? But he seems quite sincere as if he is looking at a plain woman. That makes me doubt my charm.'

If Evan had heard her thoughts, he would have just laughed out loud.

One can never understand a woman. If you love her and flatter her, she will feel disgusted. But if you reject and dismiss her charm, she will become curious about you.

"Ohh! Is that so?" Aria could only shake her head.

"So, can we get straight to the point n?" Evan asked eagerly.

Aria began the study session, asking Evan a series of questions. Satisfied with his answers, she gave him a few more questions to solve.

Two hours passed in the blink of an eye.

"Evan, do you have a computer or laptop?" Aria asked.

"No!"

Aria then started asking other questions unrelated to the studies.

"Evan, I think I have a rough understanding of your problem."

"You might have learned well, but you lack in the execution. You don't have enough experience in the writing programs as for the questions, you have a hard time compiling the output."

"Secondly, your math is weak. Mathematics is the foundation of computer systems. If computer science is the knowledge then math is the soul that forms its core."

"Heck, I even wonder why you chose this field with such a shallow foundation."

Evan, who had kept mum, spoke with an embarrassed face.

"That's because I thought I could earn well if I chose this."

Aria stared at Evan for a moment and then shook his head with a smile.