ch 245
Became a Swordsmanship Instructor at the Academy
Chapter 245
Did she hear?
"Tea, tea, cher?"
She heard.
It seems she heard everything Bianca said just now.
"So you can also use teleportation magic like Teacher Kang Shin-hyeok."
That's not what's important right now.
"Right now this is..."
"That's enough. Who are you trying to mess with right now?"
"Mess with? What did I do?"
"What did you do? I heard everything about you wagging your tail at our teacher."
"So what? Does the ball not go in just because there's a goalkeeper?"
...This is bewildering.
I've been teaching Bianca for nearly two weeks, but she's never shown any particular interest in me during that time.
"I don't know what you were thinking when you said that, but I've never thought of you, Bianca, as anything more than a trainee."
"You don't have to act innocent. Honestly, teacher, you have a lot of women."
Huh?
"Wh... what do you mean?"
"I saw you and Eunseo holding hands and talking affectionately behind the dormitory recently. Oh my, Se-jin, didn't you know?"
Kek...
Se-jin does know about Eunseo, but I had warned her to only focus on work at school.
"Teacher also tuned Eunseo for that reason, didn't you? If it's someone capable, well, I can understand meeting multiple women. So if I also become teacher's woman in exchange for tuning and teaching me that teleportation magic..."
"Shut that mouth!"
"...Why are you getting angry? Se-jin seems like she didn't know."
This is a complete mess.
"Stop."
"Teacher?"
I have no choice but to sort this out.
"You're right that I like both Se-jin and Eunseo. But I don't like just any woman. I'm not interested in you, Bianca."
"I'm also pretty decent..."
"Sorry, but you're not my type at all, Bianca. So why don't you leave now?"
She seemed like she wanted to say more, but when I stared at her intently, she smiled awkwardly and left.
I was about to threaten to kick her out if she got any pushier, but fortunately Bianca is sorted out for now.
But Se-jin's expression still hasn't softened.
"Listen, I'll explain everything."
I explained everything from beginning to end without leaving anything out.
"So she knew that I and Eunseo learned different mental cultivation methods and wagged her tail at teacher asking him to teach her too?"
"That's right."
"And bringing her to your room?"
"She said she had something to talk about."
"The internal energy cultivation method was an excuse and she's actually interested in teacher, isn't she?"
"That's probably not it. Honestly, I didn't get that feeling at all until I heard today's conversation."
"Teacher, you're insensitive about these things."
"Me? That's not true. How perceptive am I..."
Se-jin glares at me fiercely and I can't continue speaking.
"From now on, keep some distance from the trainees."
"I always do that. I spoke to her sternly today, so there won't be any more incidents like this."
"She didn't seem like she'd give up easily. And didn't you promise to only focus on work at school?"
"Th... that's right."
"So that's why we agreed to let our guild take Eunseo, but now..."
"At that time, something appeared on her hand so I was checking it."
"Say something that makes sense. Now you're saying that was an excuse... Fine."
Se-jin disappeared, probably using teleportation magic.
Even I think that was too ridiculous an excuse.
I called right away but she didn't answer, and when I sent messages there were no replies - she seemed really upset.
Looking at it objectively, it's not really my fault either, so I feel wronged, but I can't say I don't understand Se-jin's feelings.
Even though I received confessions a long time ago, I still haven't clearly chosen anyone.
Just for understanding and staying by my side despite this indecisive me, I have nothing to say even with ten mouths and I'm the greatest sinner in the world.
But what wronged...
After all that commotion, I lost my appetite for lunch, so I sat at my desk to work.
After wrestling with documents for a while, the preparatory bell signaling the end of lunch break rang.
I checked my phone but there were still no replies or calls.
I called but she didn't answer.
I'll have to meet her in the evening to apologize again and cheer her up.
I was about to prepare for afternoon classes when I noticed a square lunch box on the sofa.
Did Se-jin bring this?
When I opened it, there were various tempura, ribs, pancakes, japchae... all side dishes that I like and eat well.
In the last compartment of rice, there was even a heart made with green peas.
She didn't buy these - she made everything herself.
When did she make all this when she must be frantically busy with the incidents I caused and guild work...
This won't do.
I pressed the intercom on my desk.
—Yes, Principal.
"Please cancel this afternoon's classes."
—Pardon?
"Something came up."
I immediately put down the intercom and used teleportation magic.
This is the guild master's office at Ares Guild that I've visited often, but sitting at the desk is Kim Dae-chan, not Se-jin.
"What brings you here?"
"I came to see Se-jin... but she's not here."
"Weren't you meeting with her? She said she'd take a half-day off and come to work after lunch, so I thought she went to see you."
"Ah... well, we did meet but..."
"Did you fight?"
I've thought this before, but Kim Dae-chan is really quick to catch on.
"It wasn't a big fight..."
"That's fine. Young lovers can have some romantic quarrels. I understand. Did you try contacting her?"
"She won't answer calls or look at messages..."
"I thought you said it wasn't a big fight?"
...I have nothing to say.
I don't have time to stay here either.
I said I'd be leaving and moved to Se-jin's house, but Se-jin wasn't there either.
Thinking she might have gone to Master, I moved through the portal.
When I went inside, Luciel and Master were playing baduk.
"What brings you here at this hour?"
"Did Se-jin come here by any chance?"
"Why would Se-jin come here at this hour... Looking at your expression, you fought."
"You fought with Se-jin?"
"No, well... it's just nothing major... Luciel, can you come out for a moment and help me find Se-jin?"
"Se-jin is with me though?"
I wondered what she meant by that sudden nonsensical statement, but I quickly understood and took out a leaf from my wallet and tore it.
With the familiar sensation, my vision changed... huh?
I haven't come recently, but I used to come here so often I practically lived here, so I'm familiar with it, but the surroundings have completely changed.
The Demon Realm Tree has an ordinary blue glow, and the blackish grass and earth have all changed to ordinary dark green and ochre colors.
If it weren't for the unchanged purple sun, I would have momentarily mistaken this for a different place.
It seems this place also changed as Luciel overcame the Demon Realm Tree's demonic energy, but I haven't been here recently...
No, that's not what's important right now.
—Well, well, who is this? It's been a while.
Kainakan is the same as always.
"You said Se-jin is here, where is she?"
—She's over there by the Demon Realm Tree. But do you happen to have jerky...
I immediately headed toward the Demon Realm Tree and saw Se-jin swinging her sword in light clothing.
—She's been doing that continuously without rest since yesterday. Is something wrong? And do you happen to have jerky...
It must be because of me.
I approached cautiously and she sensed my presence and turned around.
"So you were here."
"How did teacher...it is already the time for..."
"I canceled afternoon classes to come. I'm sorry."
"...What's there to be sorry about? Teacher didn't do anything wrong."
"No. I should have conducted myself more properly but I failed to do so."
"I'm fine. You even skipped classes because of me, I'm more sorry... Teacher?"
What do you mean you're fine when you're clearly not fine at all?
I approached and hugged Se-jin.
"There's nothing for you to be sorry about. Classes and such aren't more important than you. I'm really sorry."
"I'll smell like sweat right now."
"I don't care."
"...Teacher, I can't breathe."
"So... sorry."
I seem to have unconsciously used too much strength.
"Why do you keep saying sorry? I don't want to hear those words from teacher."
"..."
"I know it's not teacher's fault either, but I just... I think I like teacher too much."
I can't look directly at Se-jin as she speaks with tears welling up.
I know that we can't continue like this forever too.
Because hoping that all three, Se-jin, Luciel, and Eunseo, would understand is far too selfish a wish.
"I know this isn't the answer you want, but can you give me a little more time?"
"Teacher?"
"The crisis that will come in the future - I said 10 years to the media, but it will happen much sooner. Once that's settled, I'll make a decision too. Of course, if you become too tired and exhausted before then..."
"That won't happen. No matter what happens, I'll never give up on teacher..."
Tears flow down Se-jin's cheeks as she speaks.
"Even before making a decision, I'll make sure there are no more people added."
As I spoke, I hugged Se-jin once more.
It's pathetic beyond words, but this is the best I can do right now.
***
"Let's call it here for today."
After comforting Se-jin, I returned to school.
Fortunately, Eunseo was conducting classes in my place, and I apologized to the trainees and extended the time a bit.
"Thank you for your hard work."
"Good work."
"Teacher, did something happen earlier?"
"Ah... Eunseo, I'm sorry."
"Sorry for what? It wasn't particularly difficult. But what happened? You've never done this before."
"...I'll explain at dinner later. There's also a place we need to go together. Let's meet in the principal's office when you get off work."
"Yes."
After sending Eunseo away, I sent a telepathic message to a conspicuous blonde man among the group of trainees leaving the auditorium.
—Trainee Conrad, let's talk privately for a moment. Come to the principal's office.
Conrad started and looked around before looking at me, so I nodded once and left the auditorium first.
After returning to the principal's office and waiting briefly, the door opened and Conrad entered.
"What's the matter?"
I thought Bianca might have told him, but Conrad seems completely unaware, suggesting she didn't say anything.
I told him about what happened during the day and gave him a warning.
I had already expressed my rejection to Bianca, but to prevent recurrence, it would be better to tell the parents too.
I was going to say that if he came out with 'what's wrong with our daughter,' I would exclude Britain from the academy entirely, but fortunately Conrad quickly accepted my words.
"I think I've been too lenient with my daughter. She has such outstanding talent that I've never properly scolded her... I'm sorry for causing you trouble."
He even bowed his head deeply while repeatedly apologizing, and with him being so humble, it's a bit awkward to say anything stronger.
"I spoke to your daughter, but I hope there won't be any more incidents like this. No matter how much she wants to become stronger, this isn't the way."
"Teacher Kang Shin-hyeok is absolutely right. But, it probably wasn't just because of the internal energy cultivation method."
"Pardon?"
"Ever since losing to teacher's disciple, our Bianca has shown a lot of interest in teacher. She said she wanted to go to Korea for training. She also really wanted to come to this academy..."
...What exactly did she see?
Well, it doesn't matter.
No matter how much Bianca likes me, I've never once thought of her as a woman.
After giving a final warning, I sent Conrad away.
While I was processing accumulated documents, I heard a knock.
Is it Eunseo?
I checked my phone and it's already 6 o'clock.
"Come in."
As expected, it's Eunseo.
"Teacher, I'm here."
"Can you sit and wait for a moment? Let me finish this and we'll move together."
"Ah, you said there's also a place we're going together. Where are we going?"
"I'm going to show you the people I care about."
After finishing the last document, I took Eunseo's hand and used teleportation magic.
"Teacher, this place is...?"
"Se-jin's house."
"Sister Se-jin house? Suster doesn't seem to be here. Is it okay for us to enter like this..."
"It's fine. Both of them. They'll be here soon, so let's wait."
"Both?"
"Yes, both."
I would have preferred to take her to the portal, but Primordial Heavenly Honored One and Zhang Sambong had warned not to increase Master's ties with this world any further.
Speak of the devil and he appears - soon Se-jin and Luciel appeared with blue light.