In the student cafeteria of the Qinglong Academy.

"I'm so jealous..."

"To think a temporary instructor would take on classes from the very first semester..."

Akyunho and Myungiloh paused their chopsticks, casting envious glances at the two people sitting across from them.

"Are you jealous? If you are, why didn't you do better?" Baek Su-ryong grinned confidently.

Jeong Gyeol-so-young beside him awkwardly smiled, looking a bit embarrassed.

This morning, the four of them checked the course registration lists posted around the academy.

Akyunho couldn't hide his frustration as he stirred his soup with a spoon, grumbling.

"Okay, I get that Jeong Gyeol-so-young got the top score in the entrance exam, but I was second! Why am I not getting a class while my brother is...?"

"You aren't asking because you don't know, right?"

"I know, I know."

Tsk, Akyunho clicked his tongue, nodding his head.

Everyone knew by now that Baek Su-ryong and Namgung-su had made a bet regarding their students' entrance exam scores.

...

And surprisingly, the winner of that bet was Baek Su-ryong.

Myungiloh recalled what had happened yesterday and muttered, "Surprisingly, Namgung-su admitted defeat quite readily."

Just yesterday, all the instructors at Qinglong Academy gathered in the conference room.

It was to assign classes for the first semester of the year.

-...

I have something to say.

At that moment, Namgung-su acknowledged the contents of the bet with Baek Su-ryong and admitted his defeat, stating that he would give up one of his classes to Baek Su-ryong.

Of course, there were those who opposed it.

- Hmm, that’s a problem.

If you change classes on your own, what will happen to the academy's standing? I think you should reconsider, Mr. Baek...

- I think the same.

It’s a promise made to the students...

- I’m worried if a temporary instructor can handle Mr. Namgung-su's class...

The assistant director, Gwak Cheol-woo, subtly tried to invalidate the bet between the two, and instructors from Namgung-su's faction joined in.

But it wasn't as if there were no supporters for Baek Su-ryong in the academy.

- ...

I believe a promise made between men should be kept.

Maek Geuk-ryeom, who had been quiet, spoke up briefly.

- Hehe.

It sounds interesting.

If they themselves are okay with it, what’s the problem?

Recently, with the financial situation improving, the headmaster, who had regained his color, nodded with satisfaction.

With a face that seemed to say he was beautiful, he asked Baek Su-ryong,

- Our lucky charm, or rather, Mr. Baek.

So, which class of Mr. Namgung are you going to take?

Back to reality.

Akyunho tilted his head in confusion and asked, "But brother, why did you choose that class? Understanding the Sapa Martial Arts and Practical Preparation?"

- I will take on <Understanding the Sapa Martial Arts and Practical Preparation> this semester.

When Baek Su-ryong said that during yesterday's meeting, everyone wore expressions similar to Akyunho's.

Even Namgung-su clicked his tongue as if he found it pathetic.

- Is he really throwing away the opportunity like that?

Ignoring his mumbling, Baek Su-ryong firmly stated he would take on <Understanding the Sapa Martial Arts and Practical Preparation>.

As the top instructor at Qinglong Academy, Namgung-su was responsible for many classes on his own.

He was known as the most workaholic instructor in the academy.

There were many popular classes during prime time that students preferred, but there were also classes that were not as popular.

<Understanding the Sapa Martial Arts and Practical Preparation> was one of the less popular classes.

Although it was a class taught by Namgung-su, not many students found it interesting.

It was seen more as an elective rather than a required course, so students who were short on credits would take it lightly.

In fact, it could be said that it was only filled because Namgung-su was the instructor.

"If only you had chosen swordsmanship, lightness skill, or even external martial arts classes..."

The classes Myungiloh just mentioned were all very popular.

Since they were all during prime time, if he had taken just one of those, there would have been no problem in achieving results for the semester.

But Baek Su-ryong only smiled meaningfully at his younger brothers' worries.

"There's a reason I chose it."

If he had chosen sword techniques, Taoist methods, lightness skills, or external martial arts, he would have to focus solely on teaching that one subject.

Most of the popular classes were like that.

Baek Su-ryong did not like that.

At that moment, what caught his eye was <Understanding the Sapa Martial Arts and Practical Preparation>.

'Understanding the Sapa Martial Arts? It has enough autonomy to teach whatever I want, right? Plus, it’s a common elective for all grades.'

The fact that it was a common elective was very important.

It meant he could bring in students he wanted to teach, regardless of their grade.

'Moreover, it’s a class that often goes outdoors.'

It was also a class that could easily go outside under the pretext of practical training.

This was a necessary part of Baek Su-ryong's future plans.

"Well, I guess you’ll do just fine, brother."

"Even if you always do nonsensical things, the results have been good..."

With a sigh of resignation from the two, Baek Su-ryong looked bewildered.

"Is that a compliment or an insult?"

The two, avoiding Baek Su-ryong's gaze, changed the subject.

"Jeong Gyeol-so-young, you’re really impressive."

"To get a class from the first semester, you truly live up to being the top scorer."

"... You guys, isn’t your tone different from what you used to say to me?"

At the praise from the two men, Jeong Gyeol-so-young shyly smiled and tucked her hair behind her ear.

If she didn’t drink, she was a true lady.

"There are hardly any majors in Ancient Martial Arts. The full-time instructor is retiring this year, so I was lucky."

"Wow..."

"Those who study well are always so humble!"

"..."

In reality, Ancient Martial Arts was a subject that was not only rarely heard of but also the number one subject that students avoided.

For boys and girls at the boiling age, being told to sit quietly and attend a history class was close to torture.

"I’ll do my best! There must be kids at Qinglong Academy who love history just like me!"

With her enthusiasm burning, the two men clapped and flattered her.

"Jeong Gyeol-so-young, you can definitely do it."

"If you need help, just call me anytime!"

"Tsk tsk. I can see right through you guys."

Baek Su-ryong clicked his tongue as he looked at the two.

In fact, both he and Jeong Gyeol-so-young were in the same boat, taking classes that students didn’t particularly like.

But Akyunho and Myungiloh had no choice but to envy even that.

"Only about two months left, right?"

"Yes..."

"Ugh..."

The temporary instructor period was three months.

After three months, depending on their performance, some would be hired as full-time instructors, while others would have to pack their bags and return home.

In this situation, whether or not they were assigned a class could greatly impact their performance.

"So, I was wondering... Do you two need a teaching assistant?" Myungiloh asked, his eyes shining.

Most classes at Qinglong Academy usually had one teaching assistant.

Due to the nature of martial arts classes, there were many demonstrations and matches, and it was easier to match up with a skilled instructor than with a student.

And usually, temporary instructors took on the role of teaching assistants.

The first to act among the two was Akyunho.

"Brother Su-ryong, you know I absolutely hate Sapa, right? Jeong Gyeol-so-young, I’ve been interested in history since I was young. If you just pick me, I’ll study hard and definitely be of help. Hehe, here, have some of this."

Akyunho winked and shared some of his meat side dish with the two.

The older Myungiloh clicked his tongue in disdain beside him.

"Tsk. Is that all the determination you have?"

Myungiloh reached into his pocket and pulled out two thick envelopes, swiftly stuffing them into the pockets of the two.

Then, lowering his body like a sycophant, he whispered, "…Please accept this. It’s my small token of goodwill."

Akyunho gasped as he witnessed the bribery unfold before his eyes.

"Ah, Myung! Bribery is cheating! You’ve crossed the line!"

"If you think about it, isn’t the meat side dish a bribe too?"

"No, how is that the same as stuffing cash into someone’s pocket?"

"If you felt wronged, you should have prepared in advance. I just showed my determination."

"Wow...!"

"Excuse me, but I don’t really need a teaching assistant..."

"Ugh. Let’s just eat quietly, you guys!"

As the four of them were making a ruckus in the cafeteria, a sudden new voice cut through.

"Hey, teachers."

If it had just been a voice, they might not have paid much attention, but the deep inner strength behind it made all four heads turn simultaneously.

"It seems a bit excessive to be so lively with others around."

A middle-aged man with a carefully groomed long beard stood with his hands clasped behind his back.

The middle-aged man smiled casually, but his voice was firm as he continued, "It’s nice to see young people gathering and being lively, but I hope you refrain from actions that lower the dignity of Qinglong Academy."

The middle-aged man's name was Pung Jin-ho.

He was a popular instructor who had taught students at Qinglong Academy for nearly twenty years and was known as the second-in-command of Namgung-su's faction.

-...

Don’t make an enemy of Pung Jin-ho.

In some ways, he’s someone to be more wary of than Namgung-su.

Baek Su-ryong recalled the advice Maek Geuk-ryeom had given him and stood up.

"I apologize for being noisy. We’ll tidy up and leave shortly."

Following him, Akyunho, Myungiloh, and Jeong Gyeol-so-young also stood up with tense expressions to apologize.

"We're sorry."

"We'll be more careful."

"I-I’m sorry..."

Pung Jin-ho brushed his shiny, thick beard.

His love for his beard was well-known at Qinglong Academy.

Seeing the temporary instructors looking so tense, Pung Jin-ho smiled gently.

"Do you think I came here to pick a fight with you?"

"..."

The faction of instructors centered around Namgung-su was the largest force at Qinglong Academy.

However, Baek Su-ryong had been at odds with Namgung-su since before the entrance exam, and the three who were close to him had gradually become targets of dislike.

'Why did he suddenly come?'

'Is he looking for something to criticize...?'

'I should have just eaten quietly...'

But contrary to their thoughts, Pung Jin-ho extended a hand of reconciliation instead of conflict.

"That’s not it, so relax. With the semester starting soon, is it really necessary for instructors to engage in pointless power struggles?"

"Yes, yes?"

"Ah..."

"Phew."

The three, excluding Baek Su-ryong, sighed in relief.

"If something like this happens again, I’ll mediate, so don’t worry about it. I came to tell you that."

Pung Jin-ho smiled brightly at them and turned to Baek Su-ryong.

"Mr. Baek, I have high expectations for you. Since you joined, a new breeze has begun to blow at Qinglong Academy."

"…Thank you."

"Just one request, please refrain from conflicts with Mr. Namgung in the future. That side is difficult for me to mediate as well."

As Pung Jin-ho smiled broadly, Baek Su-ryong also responded with a proper smile of a working adult.

"I will try my best."

Although he had already crossed the river of no return with Namgung-su, he didn’t intend to sever ties with all the instructors.

Especially if the other party was Pung Jin-ho, a highly influential instructor at Qinglong Academy...

'Just because he warned me to be cautious doesn’t mean I should blatantly distance myself.

That would be foolish.'

Rather, if he could use the other party appropriately, that would be even better.

At that moment, as if reading Baek Su-ryong's thoughts, Pung Jin-ho unexpectedly made a proposal.

"I appreciate your understanding of my position. If it’s alright, would you like to have a drink with me tonight? I have some things to discuss... Of course, I’ll treat you."

At that moment, Baek Su-ryong's eyes sparkled.

"I happen to know a great place."

That evening, they met at a large tavern in the city.

Coincidentally, it was run by Bok Man-chun.