"... With that, I conclude my remarks and once again extend a warm welcome to all the new instructors."
With the end of Elder No's lengthy speech, the welcome ceremony for the new instructors at the Azure Dragon Academy concluded.
Clap clap clap clap clap!
The existing instructors and students gathered in the grand martial arts hall applauded the ten new instructors.
With hundreds of people present, it was quite a spectacle.
"Representative of the new instructors, Jegal Soyoung! Thank you to the instructors and students of Azure Dragon Academy."
Bow!
Jegal Soyoung, who joined as the top recruit this term, took the lead in bowing, and the nine others behind her followed suit, bowing in unison.
"Thank you!"
Elder No's lips curled into a satisfied smile at their disciplined movements, and the new instructors lifted their heads proudly.
"Now, lastly... just one more piece of advice..."
Of course, not everyone felt the same way.
I barely managed to stifle a yawn and muttered to myself.
"How many 'lastly' are there? Why are there so many procedures?"
As I made a bored face, Ak Yeonho, standing to my right, nudged my side and whispered.
"Brother! Control your expression! The students are watching."
"You should worry about yourself. I've already made a bad impression, so there's no need for me to manage it further."
As I openly yawned, I noticed Namgung Soo, standing at the front, twitching his eyebrows.
...
This is fun, maybe I should do it a bit more?
"Please hold on a little longer, brother. The welcome ceremony at Azure Dragon Academy is relatively simple. Some places have ceremonies that last all day."
This time, it was Myung Il-oh, standing to my left, dressed neatly with his hair slicked back, who spoke.
I shook my head.
"These orthodox sect folks, they sure love their formalities."
"Anyone hearing you would think you're not from an orthodox sect."
"Of course, I'm orthodox by birth, down to my bones."
It's just that in my past life, I was part of the Blood Sect.
In my past life.
Anyway, while we were grumbling, the entire event wrapped up, and the students who filled the martial arts hall dispersed.
Shortly after, a few of the existing instructors approached us.
"Jegal Soyoung."
"Ah, yes!"
At Namgung Soo's call, Jegal Soyoung stood at attention with a tense expression.
Namgung Soo spoke with his characteristic cold demeanor.
"You will be working with me starting today. Gather your belongings and follow me."
"Ah, yes. Understood!"
After saying what he needed to, Namgung Soo turned and walked away.
Jegal Soyoung hurriedly grabbed the large book she had left in the corner and followed him.
"Sigh. I can see the hardships ahead."
But it seemed I was the only one thinking that, as the other new instructors looked at Jegal Soyoung's retreating figure with envy.
The next person to be called was surprisingly Ak Yeonho, who had secured the second-highest score upon joining.
"Ak Yeonho."
"Yes!"
"You will come with me."
The person who called Ak Yeonho was a middle-aged man with a soldier-like demeanor and a square jaw.
Judging by the fact that he called the second-highest scorer, it seemed he was the next most senior instructor after Namgung Soo.
Following that, the names of the new instructors were called in order of their scores.
"Jin Eui-hyeop?"
"Here!"
"Seol Soo-yeon."
"Yes?"
"Myung Il-oh!"
"Assign me to anything!"
Azure Dragon Academy is much larger than I thought.
It's so vast that if you wander around without knowing, you'll easily get lost, and there are many buildings.
Because of this, for the first month, it's a tradition at Azure Dragon Academy for existing instructors to pair up with new instructors to help them adapt to the academy.
And usually, the senior instructor is chosen based on the new instructor's specialty and major...
'That's nonsense.
They're just picking based on scores.'
Before I knew it, eight people had been called and left, leaving only me and Gwak Dooyong.
And there were only two instructors left in front of us.
Cold sweat trickled down my hand.
'No way...
It can't be, right?'
Gulp.
I swallowed and turned to look at Gwak Dooyong.
At the same time, Gwak Dooyong looked at me.
'No, it can't be, right?'
'It won't be...'
We wished each other luck with the same anxious eyes.
The odds were fifty-fifty.
Surely, this academy wouldn't throw such a huge trial at me right from the start...
"Gwak Dooyong."
"Y-Yes?"
"Can't you answer properly?"
"Yes!"
The person who called Gwak Dooyong was Vice Principal Gwak Cheolwoo.
Gwak Cheolwoo let out a deep sigh and looked at Gwak Dooyong with a complicated expression.
"You'll come with me."
"Yes..."
With a face like he was being dragged to the slaughterhouse, Gwak Dooyong left, leaving only me behind.
'No...'
My expression was just as bad as Gwak Dooyong's.
Because the last instructor standing in front of me was...
"Follow me."
"... Yes, Grandfather."
It was Maek Geukryeom, the student director of Azure Dragon Academy and my maternal grandfather.
Seeing my sour expression, Maek Geukryeom's white eyebrows twitched.
"Why? Do you dislike coming with me?"
"Haha, no way. I was so happy that I couldn't manage my expression for a moment."
At my answer, Maek Geukryeom clicked his tongue and turned sharply, as if a cold wind blew.
"If you're only going to say things you don't mean, just keep your mouth shut and follow me."
"... Yes."
I answered politely and followed closely behind Maek Geukryeom.
'Damn it.
I'd rather go with Namgung Soo.'
For the next month, I would be working with the student director.
"You are now a teacher in the Student Guidance Department."
"..."
"All instructors should know this, but especially those in the Student Guidance Department must be familiar with every corner of the academy. Why do you think that is?"
"To avoid confusing the lecture locations...?"
"That's a given."
At my answer, Maek Geukryeom clicked his tongue and, for a moment, his eyes shone coldly like a cold-blooded animal.
"To catch those hiding in corners smoking, drinking, and engaging in inappropriate relationships...! You need to know every nook and cranny of the academy to catch them."
I was so taken aback by the unexpected answer that my mouth fell open.
'This has nothing to do with teaching, does it?'
At this point, isn't this more like a detective catching criminals than a teacher?
Perhaps sensing my thoughts, Maek Geukryeom straightened his posture and looked at me directly.
"Teaching martial arts isn't the only duty of a teacher. Guiding students away from the wrong path is also an important duty of a teacher. Why did you apply to Azure Dragon Academy?"
"To become a top instructor..."
"And what else?"
"... I applied because I wanted to be a good teacher."
At my sincere answer, Maek Geukryeom nodded and said,
"A good teacher is someone who guides students on the right path and helps them correct their course if they're going astray."
Even if it's the same words, those spoken by someone who has worked in one place for decades carry a different weight.
"That's why I specifically asked the Vice Principal to assign you to the Student Guidance Department."
"... Pardon?"
Instead of saying such things...
"Stop talking and follow me. It's faster to show you while explaining."
...
And so, I spent the entire day being dragged around by Maek Geukryeom, memorizing the map of Azure Dragon Academy.
"This is the lightness skill training ground. It's set up with various environments to practice lightness skills. Do you see the traps over there?"
"Yes."
"Sometimes, there are those who hide in those traps to smoke. Keep an eye out."
"..."
"This is the student council building. Don't let your guard down just because they're part of the student council. These guys have smuggled alcohol into the academy more than once using their status."
"..."
"This is the club union building. It's a major area to watch. Most inappropriate relationships happen here. If you catch them in the act..."
"If I catch them?"
"You can punish them on the spot."
"..."
"This is the closed training hall. It's mainly used by senior students who need enlightenment or some alone time. Occasionally, some try to sneak in cigarettes or alcohol... If caught, they are punished by doubling their closed training time."
"..."
He's a devil! This old man is a devil!
By the time we had circled the entire academy with the merciless student director, the sun was already setting.
"It's dinner time."
We went to the student cafeteria and sat right in the center.
No one dared to come near us.
Even the other instructors sat far away.
"Is there anything you're curious about from the places we visited today?"
Even during meals, Maek Geukryeom sat with his back straight, his eyes sharp, holding his chopsticks.
If I casually answered "No," I'd surely get scolded, so I thought carefully before answering.
"Not at the moment. I'm still organizing it in my head."
"... Ask if you think of anything."
"Yes."
After spending the day together, I felt like I understood Maek Geukryeom, the martial artist, a little better.
Despite his appearance that seemed like he wouldn't bleed even if stabbed, Maek Geukryeom meticulously and kindly guided and explained the entire academy.
Although most of it was about where delinquent students usually hide to smoke and drink, how they deceive instructors, and what punishments to give for various wrongdoings.
Also, although he always seemed angry, he rarely actually got angry.
In fact, this stern and blunt exterior was a mask created for his role as the student director.
Perhaps inside, he's actually a warm person?
"Grandfather, you seem to care a lot about Azure Dragon Academy."
"Stop talking nonsense and just eat."
"Yes..."
Or maybe not.
As we silently ate together, Maek Geukryeom casually asked,
"Why did you say that?"
"... Pardon?"
"About winning the Heavenly Martial Tournament. Did you think saying that would help your chances of getting accepted?"
I answered nonchalantly while picking up a bean side dish with my chopsticks.
Today I learned that the food at Azure Dragon Academy is terribly tasteless.
"No. I thought it would actually be a disadvantage."
"Then why?"
I casually replied while eating the bean side dish.
"Because it's not something I can do alone. I need to give the students and instructors time to prepare mentally."
"..."
"Hmm?"
Wondering why there was no response, I looked up at Maek Geukryeom and saw him looking at me with a strange expression.
Is that... a smile?
If someone who hasn't smiled in about 30 years suddenly tries to smile, wouldn't their face look like that? With such a face, Maek Geukryeom was looking at me.
"Heh... You're just like him, bold and reckless."
"Haha. Are you talking about my mother?"
"No. Your father, that scoundrel."
"..."
The face that seemed to be trying to smile froze as Maek Geukryeom glared at me.
I tensed up slightly, gripping my chopsticks a bit tighter.
Just in case a side dish flew at me like a hidden weapon, I needed to be ready to block it.
'Damn father! Why did I have to take after you!'
Technically, I took after my father, but in a situation like this, anyone would blame their father.
Still unable to forgive the man who stole his daughter, Maek Geukryeom seemed to have his emotions stirred every time he looked at me, as if he was reminded of that wretched man.
After glaring at me, Maek Geukryeom let out a deep sigh and said,
"Do you know? That scoundrel... No, your father. In the past thirty years, the results achieved when he was here were the highest Azure Dragon Academy ever achieved in the Heavenly Martial Tournament."
...
What?