"Heh heh. It seems the student council holds Baek Suryong in high regard."

Noh Gunsang chuckled as he looked at the small booklet in his hand.

The booklet contained a lengthy discussion on the advantages Cheongryong Academy could gain by recruiting Baek Suryong as a new instructor.

"The most anticipated benefit is the increase in female students' motivation and class concentration..."

Of course, the author of this booklet was Dang Sosol.

However, where there are fervent supporters, there are also staunch opponents.

"I oppose this."

Vice Principal Gwak Cheolwoo firmly expressed his opposition with a determined expression.

"Winning the Heavenly Martial Arts Tournament? If we accept such a braggart as a new instructor, the entire academy will become a laughingstock."

This time, Gwak Cheolwoo crossed his arms tightly and stared directly at Noh Gunsang, as if he wouldn't back down even for the principal.

Noh Gunsang sighed softly.

"Does the Vice Principal think it's impossible for us to win the Heavenly Martial Arts Tournament?"

"In terms of student level, quality of education, educational environment, budget, and instructors' capabilities, we are the lowest among the four academies, let alone the Heavenly Martial Arts Academy."

"You're quite cold."

"Please call it realistic."

Even Gwak Cheolwoo's expression wasn't good as he said this.

Who would want to admit that Cheongryong Academy is lacking compared to other academies? But sometimes, one must acknowledge reality.

"... Even though the prestige of Cheongryong Academy has already fallen, we cannot choose a boastful clown and invite more ridicule."

"Vice Principal..."

"Principal, I cannot yield this time."

Gwak Cheolwoo spoke with determination, glaring.

"The final successful candidates should be selected based on fairness, by combining interview scores and practical test scores. Although Baek Suryong's scores are good, he is not among the final five."

"..."

Baek Suryong's skills were undeniable, but his statement about winning the Heavenly Martial Arts Tournament caused a significant divide in evaluations from instructors and students.

Noh Gunsang found this unfortunate.

"Even with such a strong recommendation from the student council?"

"A recommendation is just a recommendation. And if you look here, the Club Union has sent an opinion that if Baek Suryong is selected as a new instructor, it could cause a lot of internal conflict."

Noh Gunsang looked displeased as he glanced at the document Gwak Cheolwoo was holding and waving.

"The president of the Club Union is Paeng Sahyuk, right? I heard he was humiliated by Baek Suryong recently. Such personal opinions..."

"Principal."

Gwak Cheolwoo stood up and spoke seriously to Noh Gunsang.

"Not long ago, you were the one who told me not to let personal feelings interfere with a fair test. Have you forgotten?"

"..."

Indeed, he had said that.

It was when he stopped Gwak Cheolwoo from beating up his fifth cousin on the martial arts stage.

'Heh.

To be so stubborn...

This is quite troublesome.'

Noh Gunsang looked around at the other instructors with a troubled expression.

Many were nodding in agreement with the Vice Principal's thoughts.

Gwak Cheolwoo continued his offensive.

"We can only select five out of a hundred candidates. If we don't select them based on fair principles and choose a candidate favored by the Principal, I'm afraid the rejected candidates will doubt the transparency of Cheongryong Academy's hiring criteria."

Having said his piece, Gwak Cheolwoo smiled with satisfaction.

In terms of martial arts, he couldn't compare, but within the academy, his influence and political power were a step above.

"I fully agree with the Vice Principal's opinion."

"Both the process and the result must be fair."

"I also..."

As the meeting dragged on, Noh Gunsang sighed more and more.

'Are we really going to miss out on a talent who might restore the academy's reputation like this?'

The Vice Principal's words had merit.

In fact, Noh Gunsang was quite fond of Baek Suryong and had helped him several times, knowingly or unknowingly.

However, helping Baek Suryong any further would be crossing the line.

'...

Is this fate as well?'

Just as Noh Gunsang was about to say he understood with a deep sigh, someone spoke up.

"Anyway, it's only for three months as a temporary instructor. The monthly salary isn't much either."

"Who dares... Namgung Teacher?"

Gwak Cheolwoo turned to see who was throwing ashes on the cooked rice, and there was Namgung Soo sitting with a blank expression.

Namgung Soo continued speaking.

"I don't see why we must select only five."

"What are you saying...?"

"There are many capable instructor candidates this year, so why not select a few more and observe them a bit longer? If they're lacking, we can let them go after three months."

"No, Namgung Teacher..."

It was Namgung Soo speaking, of all people.

The only top instructor at Cheongryong Academy.

The only person Gwak Cheolwoo was more cautious of than Noh Gunsang was now defending Baek Suryong.

'He's basically saying to select Baek Suryong by suggesting we select a few more, isn't he?'

As the instructors all looked at Namgung Soo in disbelief, Noh Gunsang's face brightened, and he clapped his hands.

"Ho! That's a brilliant answer! Then how about we select ten new instructors this year?"

The Vice Principal jumped at the suggestion of selecting ten new instructors.

"Ten? Where will we get the salary for them all...?"

"I'll cover the shortfall with my own money."

"No, why would Namgung Teacher go so far as to use his own money...?"

Once again, as Namgung Soo stepped in, Gwak Cheolwoo's voice began to trail off.

To make matters worse, Maeguk Ryeom, who had been silent throughout the meeting, added a word.

"If the budget is insufficient, I'll contribute as well."

"Ha, the Student Director?"

"... Lately, there's been a lot of work. We need to accept new students soon. Maybe it's because I'm getting old, but trying to handle all these tasks alone is making my bones ache."

No one believed that the mighty Maeguk Ryeom was struggling due to old age, but no one dared to question him either.

Though he didn't like to step forward, he had more experience than anyone else here.

"Hahaha! The Student Director is right. The more hands, the better. Somehow, I feel this year Cheongryong Academy will be very busy."

With Noh Gunsang, Namgung Soo, and Maeguk Ryeom all in agreement, Gwak Cheolwoo looked almost on the verge of tears.

"Is there anyone who opposes this opinion?"

Gwak Cheolwoo looked around the instructors with his last hope, but there was no instructor with the guts to stand by their beliefs against the three masters' gaze.

"... Alright. If everyone thinks so... let's do it that way."

In the end, it was decided to increase the final successful candidates from five to ten.

This unprecedented event happened all because of one candidate.

"Then, as per the academy's tradition, let's post the entrance exam results on the main gate."

Noh Gunsang wrote down the ten final successful candidates from the top to the bottom in one stroke and showed it to everyone.

"I'll announce it as it is. Does anyone have any objections?"

"... No objections, but."

It was Namgung Soo.

Noh Gunsang looked at Namgung Soo with a worried expression, wondering what he might say next.

'Don't tell me he's going to object now...'

Namgung Soo pointed to one name on the final successful candidates list.

As everyone expected, it was 'Baek Suryong.'

"Since he was so confident, how about we let this friend take charge of a class?"

"A class... Are you suggesting we let a new instructor take charge of a class?"

At Noh Gunsang's concerned expression, Namgung Soo curled one corner of his mouth and said.

"There is a class that even a new instructor can handle, isn't there?"

"Don't tell me..."

"Let's have Baek Suryong take charge of the supplementary class."

The next day, the list of final successful candidates for new instructors was posted at the main gate of Cheongryong Academy.

First Place: Jegal Soyoung

Second Place: Ahn Yeonho

Third Place: Jin Euihyeop

...

Sixth Place: Seol Suyeon

Seventh Place: Myeong Ilho

...

Ninth Place: Gwak Duyong

Tenth Place: Baek Suryong

The following ten are appointed as new instructors at Cheongryong Academy.

- Cheongryong Academy Principal Noh Gunsang

"Ha, I passed..."

"Brother! We all passed!"

"..."

Myeong Ilho and Ahn Yeonho hugged me from both sides and jumped up and down, but I couldn't just be happy.

"Brother...?"

The two, being perceptive, lowered their arms when they saw my expression.

"Are you disappointed because of the low rank?"

I shook my head at Ahn Yeonho's question.

"The rank doesn't matter. It's not like they pay more for being first."

Whether first or last, I achieved my goal of joining Cheongryong Academy.

What made me frown was the phrase written separately under my name.

"What's a supplementary class?"

The two, who had been celebrating their success, finally noticed the phrase and widened their eyes.

"Supplementary class? I'm not sure..."

"I think I've heard of it before..."

"It's a class for students who need supplementary learning."

Turning my head at the unfamiliar voice, I saw Dang Sosol approaching, dressed extravagantly.

"Congratulations to all three of you."

"Thank you."

"Oh, come on. You can speak comfortably now, Master Baek."

Dang Sosol said, tucking her hair behind her ear with a coy expression.

"Well... alright. Anyway, can you explain in detail what this supplementary class is?"

"As I just mentioned, it's a class for students who need supplementary learning. Regardless of grade, students who fail in each grade enter the supplementary class."

No wonder they let me pass so easily...

This academy seems to want to hand me a big mess as soon as I join.

I sighed and said.

"So, the students in the supplementary class are the weakest in Cheongryong Academy, right?"

At my question, Dang Sosol shook her head with a vague expression.

"Actually, it's not about their skills... It's more about being a class of troublemakers."

"Troublemakers?"

"For example, students like Heon Won-gang."

Hearing the name Heon Won-gang, my ears perked up, even though I was disappointed.

'This supplementary class seems a bit different from what I thought.'

Dang Sosol continued with a frustrated face.

"The biggest problem is that students in the supplementary class rarely attend classes. They hardly attend regular classes, so there's no way they'd attend supplementary classes... And all of this will be included in the temporary instructor evaluation over the next three months!"

Such trivial issues are nothing.

If they don't attend classes, I'll just make them attend.

"Student Sosol, you said earlier that the supplementary class can include students from any grade, right?"

"Huh? Oh, yes. Although no student wants to enter it..."

"So, new students and fourth-year students can be in the same class? And I'm in charge of those students?"

"That's true, but... Why are you smiling like that?"

Oops, did I show that I liked it? I forced my lips, which kept trying to curl up, into a smile.

"I'm just excited at the thought of meeting new students."

"Oh my..."

For some reason, Dang Sosol blushed and covered her mouth, then soon opened her eyes sharply and said.

"This is clearly unfair treatment! I'll protest through the student council..."

"There's no need for that. No, absolutely don't."

"What?"

"Being the homeroom teacher for the supplementary class. I really like it."

It's obvious who assigned me to the supplementary class.

Namgung Soo.

You seem to want to mess with me...

'Oh dear.

It seems things will turn out exactly opposite to your plan.'

In my mind, a grand blueprint for winning the Heavenly Martial Arts Tournament was already being drawn.