Ju Yu-cheon tilted his head, puzzled.
“Now, Instructor Sa, are you saying you accept Miss Mae as the assistant instructor…?”
“Absolutely!”
Before Ju Yu-cheon could finish his sentence, Sa Bi-gang turned to him with eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. The fierce demeanor he had shown just moments ago had vanished without a trace.
Ju Yu-cheon still looked confused, his head slightly tilted.
“But just a moment ago, you were adamant about not accepting Miss Mae as the assistant instructor…”
“Did I say that? Hahaha! Dean, you must be joking. I was simply overwhelmed by your generous offer…”
“No, it wasn’t an excessive offer. It’s customary to assign an assistant instructor to the special class…”
“Haha! With such consideration, how could I possibly refuse? Since you insist, I have no choice but to accept…”
“If you’re not comfortable, you can decline…”
“Dean!”
“Hmm? What is it?”
Sa Bi-gang suddenly adopted a serious expression, his face dripping with sincerity as he spoke.
“Are you trying to paint me as someone who rejects even the dean’s kindness?”
“That’s not my intention.”
Sa Bi-gang abruptly clasped his hands in a gesture of respect.
“Thank you for your consideration, Dean. We were indeed short-handed. In fact, our special class truly needs an assistant instructor.”
“Hmm. Then it’s settled. Miss Mae will be assigned as the assistant instructor for the special class?”
“Of course. I’m just concerned if Miss Mae would be willing to take on such a humble position.”
Mae Seol-ran smiled gently.
“I consider it an honor to take on any role. I may be lacking, but I look forward to working with you, Instructor Sa.”
Sa Bi-gang eagerly grasped her hand.
“Thank you, Miss! Or should I say, Instructor Mae?”
“Please, call me whatever you find comfortable.”
“Your kindness could make even a fairy weep!”
The dean stroked his beard and spoke.
“Ahem. Then, I’ll consider this matter settled.”
“Thank you, Dean. Ah, Miss Mae.”
Sa Bi-gang turned to Mae Seol-ran.
“Our class will soon embark on a martial arts excursion. Are you aware of this?”
“Yes, I heard about it. I’m quite excited! Traveling with the students, we’ll get to see many places, won’t we?”
Sa Bi-gang nodded.
“Indeed. We’ll see many places, taste many things, touch and feel many experiences…”
“Pardon?”
“Oh, nothing. Welcome aboard.”
“Thank you, Instructor.”
Mae Seol-ran beamed a fresh smile.
Meanwhile, watching the scene unfold, Deung Bu-hyeong let out a sigh of relief, a smirk playing on his lips.
‘Heh. Enjoy it while you can, Sa Bi-gang. You’re slowly walking down the path to ruin.’
Just then, a young voice called out urgently.
“Instructor! Instructor Sa Bi-gang!”
Turning his head, he saw a student running towards them, breathless and frantic. It was Jo Mun-tak, his face pale as a sheet.
Sa Bi-gang furrowed his brow and asked, “What’s the matter?”
Jo Mun-tak hesitated, glancing at the dean and Deung Bu-hyeong before speaking.
“Speak up.”
“Well, it’s… Ja-ryang…”
**
“There are six stab wounds, and I’ve applied medicine. Avoid strenuous activity for a while. There are quite a few bruises too.”
Jin Baek, the head of the medical wing, looked down at Yeom Ja-ryang on the bed with a sympathetic gaze.
Standing beside him, Sa Bi-gang asked in a subdued voice, “Will he be able to join the martial arts excursion?”
“As a physician, I wouldn’t recommend it. Resting and recuperating would speed up his recovery.”
“No! I can go!”
Yeom Ja-ryang shouted, sitting up abruptly, only to wince in pain and lie back down.
“Ugh.”
“Careful. You’re quite injured.”
A clear voice rang out, accompanied by a fragrant scent. Turning slightly, he saw a woman supporting his shoulder with her hand.
Bending over, her neckline was even more visible.
‘Gasp! This woman… the one I met earlier… Wasn’t her name Mae Seol-ran?’
As Yeom Ja-ryang’s face turned red, Mae Seol-ran exclaimed in surprise.
“Oh my, you seem to have a fever!”
“Ahem. I don’t think that’s something to worry about.”
At Jin Baek’s words, Mae Seol-ran placed her delicate hand on Yeom Ja-ryang’s forehead.
“But he’s so hot…”
“Miss Mae, if you keep your hand there, he’ll only get hotter.”
“Really?” Mae Seol-ran quickly withdrew her hand.
While Yeom Ja-ryang tried to regain his composure, Sa Bi-gang spoke bluntly.
“I’ll take him on the excursion.”
“Yes. But…”
Yeom Ja-ryang’s expression darkened again as he remembered losing all his money.
Reading his expression, Sa Bi-gang asked, “Tell me what happened.”
“Well… it’s my fault. I went down to the village with the club funds…”
“Why the village?”
“To meet Yeon Woo-gyeong.”
“Yeon Woo-gyeong?”
Sa Bi-gang’s expression flickered for a moment. He knew all too well about Yeon Woo-gyeong’s cunning nature.
Yeom Ja-ryang explained the situation.
“I’m sorry, Instructor. If I hadn’t left the academy…”
Yeom Ja-ryang bit his lip.
Sa Bi-gang shook his head.
“It’s not your fault. The real culprits are those thieves.”
Though Yeon Woo-gyeong also seemed suspicious.
As he swallowed that thought, Mae Seol-ran patted Yeom Ja-ryang’s shoulder.
“Yes, like the instructor said, don’t blame yourself. You did nothing wrong.”
“You know Ja-ryang?”
Sa Bi-gang asked in surprise.
“No, we just met briefly today.”
“To remember his name after such a short meeting, Miss Mae, you are remarkable.”
“Oh, you’re making me blush with all these compliments.”
Sa Bi-gang took Mae Seol-ran’s hand again.
“Miss Mae, let’s protect these students together!”
“I’ll trust you, Instructor.”
“Miss Mae.”
Meanwhile, watching the two with a somewhat sticky atmosphere, Yeom Ja-ryang’s expression gradually cooled.
‘What are they doing in front of an injured student? Ugh, that perverted instructor…’
Just then, Sa Bi-gang’s expression turned cold as he looked at Yeom Ja-ryang.
“By the way… where is Gok Bo-ok?”
“I don’t know. He said he was going to fetch Yeon Woo-gyeong…”
“So he went to Da-ru. Understood.”
Sa Bi-gang turned away, his expression as cold as if the earlier scene had never happened. Mae Seol-ran quickly approached him.
“What are you planning to do?”
“I’m going to fill in some gaps.”
“Gaps…?”
“Then, I’ll leave this student in your care.”
Sa Bi-gang glanced back with a smile.
For a moment, Mae Seol-ran felt a strange flutter.
Thump.
‘Who is this man…?’
Caught off guard by the unfamiliar feeling, Sa Bi-gang was already leaving the medical wing.
**
On the second floor of the largest teahouse in the village, the Sinseon-ru.
“Hahaha! You’re a genius at times like this.”
Gok Bo-ok laughed heartily, and Yeon Woo-gyeong smirked.
“Anyway, good job. This will put Instructor Sa in a tough spot for a while.”
“Hehehe. Losing the club funds will surely lead to disciplinary action from the academy, right?”
“The martial arts excursion is likely to be canceled.”
“With only five days left, such a major incident… Ah, you should have seen Yeom Ja-ryang’s face.”
“I can imagine it.”
“He was so flustered. By now, Yeom Ja-ryang must have been taken to the medical wing. The instructor will find out soon enough that the funds are gone. I’m really curious about Instructor Sa’s reaction.”
“He was too full of himself. Just a mere assistant instructor for the spear techniques.”
“Exactly. I doubt he’ll ever suspect we were behind this…”
Gok Bo-ok trailed off, feeling the icy gaze of Yeon Woo-gyeong, and clamped his mouth shut.
Yeon Woo-gyeong spoke in a voice as cold as ice.
“Watch your mouth. Even if the instructor finds out, there’s no evidence. Everything should be done without leaving a trace.”
“S-sorry. I got carried away…”
“Anyway, good work. Now, let’s just sit back and watch.”
At that moment, a voice interrupted.
“What are you planning to watch?”
Everyone turned their heads at the sudden voice.
Sa Bi-gang was climbing the stairs to the second floor, approaching Yeon Woo-gyeong.
Gok Bo-ok and Yeon Woo-gyeong were visibly startled.
‘Why is the instructor here…? Could he have already seen Yeom Ja-ryang and come down here?’
But it seemed too soon for that.
As the students stared blankly, Sa Bi-gang spoke with a chilling tone.
“Why are you so surprised? Like someone with a guilty conscience.”
“How did you…?”
Gok Bo-ok mustered the courage to ask.
Sa Bi-gang shot him a cold look.
“Ja-ryang was brought to the medical wing. No, he made it there himself. His body was covered in wounds. Slashed, torn, and beaten. He fought desperately and managed to escape to the medical wing.”
Gok Bo-ok swallowed hard.
Sabigang dragged an empty chair over to the table and plopped down heavily.
As he munched on the snacks laid out on the plate, he continued speaking.
“Truly impressive. Even though he’s my student, I can’t help but praise him. He said there were three opponents. Yet, he fought with all his might to keep his membership dues from being taken. He may not have won, but he fought well. Especially compared to the coward who ran off claiming he’d call for backup.”
Sabigang’s dark eyes bore into Gokbo-ok with an intensity that made it hard for him to breathe.
“Th-that is…”
A cold sweat trickled down his spine.
“Let’s get to the point.”
Sabigang’s eyes narrowed.
“What are you doing here?”
“Th-that is…”
“Why is the one who said he’d call for backup still lounging around here? Is there some complicated, delicate situation I’m unaware of?”
“Well, I-I just got here myself…”
“Is that so? You just arrived?”
“I couldn’t find where it was…”
Sabigang’s gaze shifted to the teacup in front of Gokbo-ok.
Just then, Yeon Woo-kyung interjected.
“I ordered that in advance.”
“The cup’s already empty.”
“Bo-ok was late, so I drank it.”
“Your cup’s still full, though.”
“I ordered another. I do love tea.”
Yeon Woo-kyung smiled sweetly.
Sabigang studied him for a moment before asking, “Was it you?”
“What do you mean?”
“Who orchestrated this?”
“I’m not sure what you’re implying.”
Yeon Woo-kyung averted his eyes and took a sip from his cup.
“Opportunities like this don’t come often. If you’ve done something wrong, now’s the time to confess and ask for forgiveness. I’ll grant it.”
“Well, I’m not sure what you’re talking about. Did something happen to Yeom Jaryang?”
Sabigang chuckled slyly.
Such audacity.
“Ha. I like it. Yes, it’s that kind of boldness that makes disciplining someone enjoyable, don’t you think?”
”…”
“You’ve just thrown away your last chance. From now on, if I find any fault in what I learn, you’ll face severe consequences.”
“Do as you wish.”
Yeon Woo-kyung chuckled softly.
Sabigang turned his attention back to Gokbo-ok.
“You.”
“What is it?”
Gokbo-ok stood up, feigning confidence with his hands on his hips.
Sabigang gestured toward the stairs with his chin.
“Lead the way.”
“Lead the way? To where…?”
“To where you encountered those masked men.”
Gokbo-ok sighed and shook his head.
“Let’s just drop it, shall we? There’s nothing there now anyway. It’s too late, and I’d rather just sit here and enjoy more tea…”
Smack!
Crash!
Gokbo-ok was sent sprawling, knocking over the table and chairs.
The cadets and nearby patrons gasped and turned to look.
Stunned, Gokbo-ok clutched his cheek and stared at Sabigang.
Sabigang approached him, crouching down with a sly grin.
“Lead the way. While I’m still asking nicely.”
“A-are you assaulting a cadet right now?”
“Of course not. I’m disciplining you. For defying an instructor and acting out of line. As a proper instructor should.”