Ch 142
Became a swordsmanship instructor at the academy
Chapter 142
"Let's end today's class here."
As soon as my words finish, everyone just slumps down where they are.
"Teacher, I feel like I'm dying."
"Jinsu, don't exaggerate. Your juniors are watching too."
I scolded him, but truthfully, since I only had them self-study for three days, I made them work a bit harder today to make up for it.
That's probably why everyone looks visibly exhausted.
"It's not exaggerating. Those guys just had regular class today, but we went on practicum."
"The third-years went on practicum too."
"Uh... We didn't have practicum but..."
"It's okay. First-years can find it tough. Those four seniors of yours sitting there pathetically were even more of a mess."
"Aw, why would you say something so hurtful? It's because we're older. Last year, I wasn't as weak as these juniors here."
Anyone listening would think only Jinsu aged.
Anyway, that guy's got nerve, I'll give him that.
"Stop talking nonsense and everyone get up. If you stay still after sweating in this changing weather, you'll catch a cold."
I got the kids up and sent them back to the dorms, stopping by the store on the way to buy them each a drink.
This supplementary class has quite a few more people than last year.
Two first-years, five second-years including the original four plus Minha, and three third-years, making it ten people total.
Since I had them self-studying until now, I didn't realize, but with more people comes more work and more things to pay attention to.
Theory classes aren't much trouble, but just having everyone spar for five minutes each takes fifty minutes.
Plus, last year Teacher Kim and Teacher Hong helped out, but I can't expect that kind of help this year.
Still, it's fortunate that Jinsu, Minhee, Eunseo, and Eunsu - these four experienced the Breaking Form last year, so they understand it relatively quickly.
Of course, to apply the parts I modified today, they'll still have to work hard.
As I enter my room, Luciel appears as usual.
"Let's go fishing."
"Again? I'm a bit tired today."
I didn't have class today, but I've been continuously modifying the Breaking Form and taught earnestly for the first time in a while.
I take out a chocolate bar to appease the whining Luciel, and when I come out after showering, she's holding my phone and talking to someone.
"What are you doing?"
"The thief cat wants to go fishing too?"
"You probably coaxed her into it."
Se-jin was saying her guild has been quite busy lately... Where did she get the time for this nonsense.
"No, I didn't."
"What do you mean no? Give it here."
I snatched the phone away.
―Teacher?
"Oh, yeah, it's me. Are you really going fishing?"
―Luciel asked me to come...
"I'm not feeling great today, so I was thinking of resting."
―Ah, then please rest. Actually, I was a bit tired too. Should we meet at the Demon Realm Tree then?
"Ah, right. I'll hang up and come right over."
I happen to have a bit more work left on modifying the Breaking Form, so I'll go there and finish that before sleeping.
After hanging up, I tore a leaf.
My vision changed instantly, and I could see the familiar camping car.
Since I haven't come often recently, the outside should be covered in dust... But it's not?
―It's been a while.
Kainakan emerges from the ground - it seems this guy has been maintaining it separately.
"It's been a while. Have you been well?"
―Me? Well, same as always.
"Did you maintain the camping car?"
―Well, it's not that difficult, just a puff of breath and it's done. By the way, do you happen to have any jerky?
Since he's being so good, I take out jerky with subspace magic, and he devours it in one bite before extending his giant foot again.
The sight is quite cute, so just as I'm about to take out more, Luciel appeared.
WHACK!
She smacks Kainakan's head directly.
―M... Master?
"Hey, do you know how expensive jerky is? Eating it all in one gulp like that... Hey, one bag of jerky costs as much as ten chocolate bars."
"Come on, how much could that cost? Why are you hitting him? Don't be petty about food."
"You do. You always tell me I have no money and to save my chocolate bars."
"You consume them at an alarming rate. You eat them without even unwrapping them."
"I don't do that anymore. And he doesn't need jerky to live. Use the money you'd spend on his jerky to buy me more chocolate bars instead."
By that logic, she doesn't need chocolate bars to live either.
Kainakan blinks his large eyes and disappears underground.
She's like a terrible owner.
I'll have to take care of him separately when she's not looking.
***
"Alright everyone, quiet down. Take your seats."
These kids are always full of energy, but whether it's because they all returned from practicum or because it's Friday afternoon, the atmosphere is quite chaotic.
"In today's homeroom, we'll decide what to do for the festival. Class president, come forward and consolidate everyone's opinions."
"Huh? We already discussed everything in our group chat."
"Really? What are you going to do?"
"A cafe."
"Our class is doing a cafe too? I heard classes 1, 2, 4, 7, and 9 are all doing cafes."
"It doesn't matter. We'll definitely have the highest sales in our class."
Minha looks quite confident.
"You're overflowing with confidence. What concept are you going with?"
"Teacher, I prepared a PPT."
This time it's Eunseo.
"What amazing thing are you planning that you prepared a PPT?"
"If we get first place in festival sales, we get 30 bonus points. Our class has to get first place in the second semester too."
Is it because I promised to take them to a ski resort if they got first place in the second semester during last summer's unity competition? Everyone's fired up.
Thirty points isn't exactly a small amount, but it's not that big either, so doing well on midterms and finals would be more important than the festival.
"Well then, let's see. The cat and maid concepts were already taken by classes 2 and 7. Class 4 is doing a ghost concept."
"Aw, teacher, who does cafes with those concepts these days?"
"That's perfect for failing."
Look at these kids. What could they have prepared to be so confident?
After I lowered the blinds and connected the beam projector to the laptop, Eunseo came forward and plugged in her USB.
Then she opens the PPT... Wait, hold on. What is that?
[Class 2-10 Cafe Theme: Space Superstar Kang Shin-hyeok.
Overview: A themed cafe based on our homeroom teacher Kang Shin-hyeok, who is Korea's youngest S-rank Hunter, honorary director of the Hunter Association, and has 800,000 followers on Star-stagram.
One drink order includes 1 random Kang Shin-hyeok photo sticker and 1 entry ticket.
Orders over 10,000 won receive an additional photo card with a signature.
3+ drinks OR 1 drink + dessert order includes a small photo smartphone ring holder and 2 entry tickets.
Orders over 50,000 won receive 5 entry tickets and a mug cup printed with Kang Shin-hyeok's photo and signature.
Entry ticket prizes: Kang Shin-hyeok towel, mouse pad, secret photo book, body pillow, meal voucher, etc.]
I thought they'd ask me to borrow an expensive coffee machine at most, but what on earth is this...
"What is this... What's that secret photo book?"
"Ah, that's just called secret but it's nothing special. You just need to take a few photos."
"Who would pay money for something like that?"
I may have recognition, but I'm not a celebrity.
"When we posted photos from last summer's unity competition on our class SNS, the posts with your photos got incredibly hot reactions."
"Huh... What?"
"When you take photos for the photo cards, just take a few extra shots, so don't feel too burdened. If you really don't want to, we can remove that."
"I haven't even said I'd do it yet, but who decided on their own?"
"Teacher, you're also a member of class 2-10, so please cooperate obediently."
"That's right, teacher! We only have you."
"But if there's no response, only the teacher will be embarrassed."
"Don't worry unnecessarily. That won't happen."
"Right. Teacher, you're so popular."
"We'll have record-breaking sales."
"If there really aren't any customers, the teacher can do free hugs while soliciting customers..."
So you're planning to squeeze everything out of me.
It's quite creative, but realistically it seems difficult.
The festival budget is 30,000 won anyway.
For a cafe, we'd need to buy coffee, other drinks, ice, plastic cups, etc. to have a decent setup, so even 30,000 won would be tight, but making all those goods would be impossible.
If I chip in some money, it would certainly be possible, but it's somewhat embarrassing and I'm afraid it might become a laughingstock if it fails.
"I understand what you're saying, but don't goods like that need to be outsourced to companies? With a festival budget of 30,000 won, even just making photo cards would be tight."
"Ye-seo is in the broadcasting club. She has a camera, so we can use that for photos. The school has a laminating machine too."
"The other goods are no problem either. Se-ho's dad is the CEO of a company that specializes in making idol goods."
"Uh... What? Still, we shouldn't impose on him. Se-ho's father isn't running a charity."
"Dad said it's okay to pay later."
"Wait, as a civil servant, if I engage in this kind of commercial activity, there might be legal issues..."
"Teacher! We asked my dad about that too. My dad's a lawyer, and he said doing this kind of one-time event at a school festival shouldn't be a problem."
I tried to find a way out, but they've prepared thoroughly.
"Fine, fine. But if it fails, don't blame the teacher, okay?"
"Yes!"
"Don't worry!"
Everyone answers well, but I'm worried I'll end up taking responsibility if it fails.
After finishing homeroom and dismissal, I came to the teachers' office to write up the plan.
Come to think of it, what will the Academic Affairs Director think when he sees this...
Did I make a mistake agreeing to this?
It's too late to back out now... I don't know.
I'll watch and if it looks like it'll fail, I'll ask Se-jin to slip in some money and bring friends to buy things.
After eating dinner and finishing the supplementary class, it's 9 o'clock.
Fortunately, starting this year, there are no supplementary classes on weekends to guarantee students' rest.
Considering I wasted three days this week, I thought about calling them individually for supplementary classes, but with practicum this week too, I thought it would be better not to push them too hard.
I stopped by the dorm just to change clothes and left school.
As soon as I left school, Luciel appeared in the passenger seat with a flash of light.
"Let's go fishing. We haven't gone even three times this week."
If I go with just this one, she'll probably nag me again for not catching anything.
Se-jin said she's on a regional expedition and will return on Sunday.
While thinking if there's something else to do, I remembered I decided to visit the portal where my master was this weekend.
"Before fishing, let's stop by a portal."
"What portal? The one you went to with the thief cat last time?"
"How do you know about that... Ah, you must have seen it when we went last time."
When I went with Se-jin last time, she didn't come outside, but i was wearing the necklace.
"Why there suddenly? That master person isn't there anymore, right?"
She doesn't seem keen on it.
"Se-jin greeted him last time, but you didn't."
"Greeting? There was no one there. Don't tell me bowing to the ground after setting up food was greeting?"
"It's our traditional ceremony. And even if you can't see, master might have become an immortal and be watching over us."
She seems to be looking at me like I'm pathetic, but she still says okay, so I parked the car in a suitable corner and used warp magic.
My vision changed instantly, and I could see the portal in the middle of a dense forest.
When I went to the portal last time, the environment had changed considerably, so I installed an alarm magic.
But until today, no particular reaction or alarm has reached me.
The magic is still intact.
Looking from outside, nothing seems different from last time.
Then what was that internal change last time?
"What are you doing? Aren't we going? Let's hurry up and go fishing... OW!"
"Stop nagging."
I flicked the grumbling Luciel on the forehead and walked toward the portal.