Episode 65: Return to the Martial Arts Academy

“Hahaha! Tomorrow’s the Spring Festival! I can’t wait!”

Instructor Deung raised his glass, his voice booming with excitement.

The other instructors seated around him nodded in agreement, their spirits high as they sipped their drinks.

It was late at night.

The courtyard of Yongdam Hall buzzed with the energy of a pre-festival celebration.

Every instructor and assistant from the academy was present, enjoying the food and drink.

Naturally, Sabi Kang and Tang Yi-hyeop were there too.

Occasionally, the two exchanged serious words over their drinks.

Just then, Mae Seol-ran approached and sat down beside them.

“Phew, really. Couldn’t you have helped me out a bit?”

She had just managed to escape the throng of instructors who had been vying for her attention.

Sabi Kang merely grinned, knowing better than to say, “With you as the center of attention, I had more freedom to move.”

Mae Seol-ran pouted and asked, “What were you two talking about?”

“We were discussing mana,” Tang Yi-hyeop replied quietly.

Mae Seol-ran’s expression turned serious as she continued, “I thought so. I wanted to talk about that too.”

Her gaze shifted to Sabi Kang.

While training the students, Sabi Kang had also taught Mae Seol-ran and Tang Yi-hyeop the method of mana conversion.

He believed they could master it without his help.

Mae Seol-ran had succeeded in converting mana, but Tang Yi-hyeop had not, due to not having prepared his body through the necessary techniques.

Mae Seol-ran had been able to do it because she had practiced Sabi Kang’s techniques diligently, morning and evening, during their training journeys.

Mae Seol-ran looked intently at Sabi Kang and asked, “I can feel the mana, but I have no idea how to use it. What exactly is it for?”

“Have you memorized all the incantations I taught you?” Sabi Kang asked.

“Of course. But I don’t understand their meaning or why I need to memorize them.”

Tang Yi-hyeop nodded silently, sharing Mae Seol-ran’s sentiment.

Sabi Kang chuckled softly. “Just memorize them for now. One day, you’ll find yourself using ‘mana’ naturally.”

That was the best advice he could give.

Explaining the intricacies of casting magic with mana would take forever.

The incantations Sabi Kang had taught were actually spells needed for casting magic.

Typically, casting magic required reciting long incantations.

To avoid this tedious process, mid- to low-level warriors in the demon realm memorized frequently used spells every morning.

By simply uttering the trigger word, they could cast magic instantly.

However, high-level warriors could skip memorization and still cast magic without the lengthy incantations.

Initially, it seemed like a unique trait of the demon realm.

But then, why did mid- to low-level warriors need memorization? Could this be overcome with techniques learned in the martial world?

Driven by this question, Sabi Kang dedicated decades to research.

After 31 years, he miraculously found the answer.

He compiled his research and developed a unique martial art.

Thus was born the Mana Conversion Technique.

This technique allowed the body to remember casting spells, enabling instant use when needed, much like using sword energy without incantations.

The demon realm was turned upside down.

It was a monumental achievement.

Mid- to low-level warriors could now skip memorization like high-level warriors.

However, it was a challenging method for those not quick-witted, as it required memorizing various lengthy spells.

While it might seem like a mere convenience, this groundbreaking technique earned Sabi Kang the title of Grand Duke of the Demon Realm from the Demon King.

‘Of course, I never imagined a day like today would come. Heh heh.’

Lost in thought for a moment, Sabi Kang’s lips curled into a cold smile.

Mae Seol-ran asked again, “Did you teach the students the Mana Conversion Technique too?”

“Of course. Though they can’t use it properly yet.”

They had learned to convert internal energy to mana, but opening a circle required deep insight or a catalyst.

Once a circle was opened, at least one year of internal energy was needed for the second circle.

Each subsequent circle required additional energy.

In other words,

3rd circle: two years.

4th circle: three years.

5th circle: four years.

And so on.

From the 8th circle, the required energy doubled.

8th circle: eight years.

9th circle: ten years.

These are minimums.

Even with enough energy, circles don’t automatically open, and gaining insight or a catalyst becomes harder with each circle.

“Do you think the students will do well at the Spring Festival?” Mae Seol-ran asked.

Sabi Kang smiled. “Just wait and see. The ones I’ve taught will be the best.”

Such confidence.

Mae Seol-ran chuckled, relaxing as she changed the subject.

“I’m surprised. I didn’t think you’d attend an event like this.”

“I have a reason to be here.”

Sabi Kang’s expression turned unusually serious, causing Mae Seol-ran and Tang Yi-hyeop to look at him with concern.

Tang Yi-hyeop asked, “May I ask what that reason is?”

“Many people might die or get hurt at this Spring Festival.”

“What?” Mae Seol-ran exclaimed, quickly lowering her voice as she glanced around.

“What do you mean? That’s a terrible joke, even as a joke….”

“It’s no joke.”

Sabi Kang’s gaze was steady, his tone serious.

His sudden change in demeanor left no room for doubt.

“If it’s not a joke, then on what basis…!”

“I have no evidence. But I’m certain the dark sect will interfere in this event.”

“The dark sect…!”

“Did you ask why I attended the pre-festival earlier?”

Tang Yi-hyeop nodded, his expression tense.

Sabi Kang glanced around before speaking in a low voice to the two.

[Listen carefully. There’s a traitor here, someone colluding with the dark sect.]

”……!”

Tang Yi-hyeop and Mae Seol-ran exchanged shocked glances.

They nearly jumped up in alarm.

‘A traitor!’

[What do you mean by that? A traitor!]

Mae Seol-ran demanded, her voice sharp.

[Exactly what it sounds like. There’s a hidden hand aiding the dark sect.]

[Who is it?]

[I don’t know. Not yet. Unfortunately, I couldn’t uncover it back then.]

Mae Seol-ran furrowed her brow.

What did he mean by “back then”?

Had something like this happened before?

Only Tang Yi-hyeop, who had heard the full story from Sabi Kang, understood.

[Do you have any suspects?]

[Everyone except you two.]

He referred to Mae Seol-ran and Tang Yi-hyeop.

In the past, these two hadn’t even existed in Yongcheon Academy.

Oh, there was one more.

[The dean is also excluded.]

Joo Yu-cheon.

He would die at this Spring Festival.

So he couldn’t be the traitor.

[I can’t believe it. What makes you say such a thing? This could cause… a huge uproar….]

[I’m not asking you to believe me. I’m just stating the facts. It might be wise to be prepared.]

[This is unbelievable….]

Mae Seol-ran still looked dazed, unable to shake off the shock.

Then suddenly.

[Why have you been speaking informally?]

[Hmm? Was I?]

[… Never mind.]

Mae Seol-ran sighed deeply.

Just then, Cheon Se-myung approached with open arms.

“Oh, Instructor Sabi Kang, there you are!”

All eyes turned to them.

Sabi Kang regarded Cheon Se-myung quietly.

Cheon Se-myung.

‘After the Spring Festival, he will disappear.’

Indeed.

Cheon Se-myung would vanish without a trace after the festival.

A perfect disappearance.

Some claimed he died, others speculated he joined the dark sect and went into hiding.

No one knew the truth.

Thus, Cheon Se-myung was a prime suspect.

Cheon Se-myung grinned.

“Haha. You’ve been working hard lately, coaxing and cajoling those stragglers, haven’t you?”

His words dripped with sarcasm.

Sabi Kang chuckled.

“Labeling promising students as ‘stragglers’—do you think that’s appropriate for an instructor? It seems you lack the qualities of a good instructor, Chief Cheon.”

Cheon Se-myung flinched, glancing around nervously.

“Ah, haha. I’m touched by your dedication to the students. But there’s no need to defend them. Sure, there are talents like Yeon Woo-gyeong and Mok Dan-hwa, but most are hopeless troublemakers, as all the instructors here know. Isn’t that right, everyone?”

Despite his words, he seemed wary of the Sword Dance and the Plum Blossom Sword.

Some instructors nodded in agreement.

But….

“Pathetic.”

Sabikang muttered under his breath and raised his glass.

Cheon Saemyung, unable to hold back any longer, furrowed his brow deeply.

“What did you say?”

“I’m just wondering how you can guide the cadets with such trashy thoughts. Perhaps it’s you who should be learning from them.”

Sabikang’s eyes had turned cold and steely.

Cheon Saemyung’s lips twitched with irritation.

‘This insolent brat dares…!’

His fists clenched, trembling with anger.

“That’s going too far.”

A man who had been quietly sipping his drink stood up slowly.

The instructors turned to look at him, murmuring softly.

It was Sang Pilji.

Among the first-year instructors, he was the only one on the verge of reaching the pinnacle of martial arts.

“Even if he’s your junior, you should show some respect, don’t you think?”

His voice was a deep, subtle pressure.

But Sabikang was unfazed.

“A senior should act like one. This is the best respect I can offer to someone who neither acts like a senior nor an instructor.”

“Haha, you’re quite the amusing fellow.”

As Sang Pilji approached with steady steps, Dang Ihyeop rose smoothly to block his path.

Sang Pilji’s eyes gleamed with interest.

“Oh, so you’re the famous Dang Ihyeop I’ve heard about. Nice to meet you.”

Dang Ihyeop simply nodded in response.

Sang Pilji looked at him with a curious expression.

“Instructor Sang, you’ll be facing Instructor Sa in a match at the upcoming Spring Festival.”

Cheon Saemyung, having regained his composure, spoke with a smirk.

Sabikang merely nodded, as if it were of no consequence.

‘Hmph! Let’s see how long you can keep up that bravado!’

Cheon Saemyung glanced around and then let out a hearty laugh.

“Hahaha! No need for everyone to be so tense. I just received a stern lecture from a junior because of my shortcomings. So, don’t worry about it.”

At that, the tension in the room eased, and people began to relax, sipping their drinks.

Cheon Saemyung moved closer to Sabikang.

“Since you care so much for the cadets, I have high expectations for the Spring Festival. By the way, it turns out our Flying Dragon class will be facing the Special Class. It’s fate, so let’s do our best. Oh, and I’ve told our cadets to go easy on yours, so don’t worry too much.”

“Of course, they should go easy.”

‘Finally acknowledging the difference in skill, are we?’

Cheon Saemyung felt a smug satisfaction, but Sabikang’s next words caught him off guard.

“The sharper the sword, the more gently it should be handled to avoid injury.”

“Haha. Are you saying the Special Class cadets are sharp swords?”

“Well, they’re probably better than the somewhat lacking ones in the Flying Dragon class.”

“What did you say…?”

“Anyway, since we’re opponents, I’m looking forward to it. I’ll tell our cadets to take it easy on yours.”

Sabikang grinned slyly.