ch 252
Became a Swordsmanship Instructor at the Academy
Chapter 252
Three years—depending on how you look at it, it could be considered either long or short.
—Breaking news. South Korea's Hwasin Guild Master Lee Ji-sung and Special Team 1 have successfully conquered an S-grade 10-person portal on the African continent.
The TV screen shows Lee Ji-sung and his companions smiling brightly.
"Hwasin Guild is doing really well these days."
Normally, they should be in the middle of a war with Antas, but I annihilated Antas.
I thought the original story had already gone off track, but surprisingly, many things haven't changed.
Lee Ji-sung graduated from Hunter School a year ago and created a personal guild just like in the original.
Hwasin Guild, named after the company.
Do-hyun, Seong Ji-an, Min Chan-seong, Nam Ji-hyeon, Yu Hye-ji, and all the other friends around him joined Hwasin Guild.
"See, I told you we should have recruited those kids. Someone interfered."
"Huh? Was Lee Ji-sung also going to join your guild, sister?"
"Not Lee Ji-sung, but most of his companions there had interviews with our guild."
Se-jin glares at me.
Actually, Do-hyun, Chan-seong, and Ji-an had interviews with Ares Guild, but I opposed it.
It's not that I want things to proceed according to the original story now, but I thought it would be more beneficial for their future growth to be in Ji-sung's guild rather than Ares, which was swamped with administrative work due to the things I had set in motion at the time.
But their growth rate is much faster than expected.
They've already conquered nearly 20 S-grade portals, and Lee Ji-sung and Kim Do-hyun are S-rank, while all the other members are also A-grade hunters.
Moreover, Chan-seong contacted me recently saying that when he returns to the country, he and Ji-an plan to take the S-rank promotion exam together.
Thanks to the Wudang Sect's mental cultivation method I distributed over the past three years, both the number and quality of hunters worldwide have improved significantly, but S-rank hunters haven't increased dramatically.
If those two become S-rank hunters, including the existing Do-hyun and Ji-sung, that would be four.
Even if it's rotten, it's still a sea bream—as expected, the protagonist is still the protagonist.
"We should congratulate our juniors with a good heart for doing well."
"...I am congratulating them, but looking at that just makes me feel upset, so let's watch something else."
Se-jin grabbed the remote and changed the channel, but since it's news time, the same breaking news is on other channels too.
"Should I just turn off the TV?"
"Sister, but Ares is still the best, right?"
As Eunseo says, even though Hwasin Guild is rising in popularity, they can't compare to our Se-jin's Ares.
Ares Guild has as many as seven S-rank hunters.
Kim Dae-chan, Kim Se-jin, Seo Eunseo, Seo Eunsu, Kim Min-hee, Lee Jinsu, and Park Minha—seven in total.
"...That's true."
"Don't be upset. No matter how hard they try, brother is in our guild."
After the final graduation ceremony at the academy a year ago, I also registered my name with Ares Guild.
I joined because they told me to at least register, but I'm not actually doing any external activities.
Occasionally, when Se-jin or Eunseo go to conquer S-grade portals, I secretly accompany them.
Or I help Se-jin with some paperwork.
Other than that, I don't participate in things like portal conquests.
It's not particularly because I'm busy with work.
I stepped down from the academy principal position at the end of last December, and most of the shelter construction around the world has been completed.
Over 80% of countries worldwide, including South Korea, have been conducting evacuation drills since this year.
If I were active, other kids wouldn't have opportunities to shine.
And I think I need some rest after running so hard all this time, so I've hardly done any external activities for the past year.
Of course, that's only externally—I've been dating the girls and focusing on personal training.
I can now use Absolute Domain as freely as breathing, and my sparring with Master has reached a level where we can't easily determine the winner.
Of course, there's no rapid development like before.
When Master goes into serious mode, it's hard to last even one shijin.
According to Master, the next stage is immortal.
I thought there might be other paths, but I suspect the next stage is indeed as Master says—abandoning the five desires and seven emotions.
Of course, I have absolutely no intention of doing that.
"Brother, sister, you both need to start preparing soon."
"Oh, right. I should shower now."
It's generally a relaxed and leisurely daily life, but today there's a very important event.
"Huh? Then should I shower together too?"
Se-jin pokes my side with a mischievous expression.
"...What do you mean shower together? I'm going to shower with magic."
The biggest change over the past three years is that I've come to live in the same house as Se-jin and Eunseo.
Cohabitation.
Even though I decided to date both of them, living in the same house seemed a bit much, but both of them wanted it.
They said we even got permission from our parents, so why would we need to live separately?
So a year ago, we bought several mansions on the outskirts of Gyeonggi Province and remodeled them by combining them, and we moved in six months ago.
We chose Gyeonggi Province instead of Seoul not for economic reasons.
It's just that now even Eunseo has learned teleportation magic, so there was no need to buy a house in Seoul.
Rather than economic reasons, it's because of people's attention.
It's not that we're being particularly cautious, but I'm quite a famous person, and Se-jin and Eunseo are equally famous.
But if we went completely to the seaside or the provinces, it would consume too much internal energy to travel.
It wouldn't matter for me and Se-jin, but it would be a bit burdensome for Eunseo.
So we found a house in a somewhat quiet area of Gyeonggi Province.
The house is quite large, but we don't have a housekeeper for privacy protection.
We can handle house management with magic anyway.
"Where are you going today? You're not going on a date without me, are you?"
I'm heading to my room when the door to the adjacent room opens and Luciel comes out.
Se-jin's parents and Eunseo's parents think only the three of us live here, but naturally, there's space prepared for Luciel too.
Though she's in portals more often than at home.
Was it two years ago?
Luciel started researching new magic, but it seems like there haven't been any clear results yet.
If she had succeeded, she would have come to me to brag about it already.
"It's not a date. I told you last week. We're going to a wedding."
"That was today?"
"Why, is something wrong?"
"No, I just thought time was going by quickly."
"How bland."
"Would Sister Luciel like to come too?"
"I'll pass."
I went to my room and quickly showered with magic and changed clothes.
I put on a suit, and while the size still fits perfectly, it feels slightly awkward.
It feels a bit stuffy too.
I used to wear it every day when I was at school, but lately I've only worn comfortable clothes.
I'm choosing a watch and selecting a tie when there's a knock and Eunseo enters.
"What?"
"I thought I'd help you with fashion coordination."
"Is what I'm wearing now not good?"
"It's not bad, but I'll choose a tie for you."
What Eunseo chose is an incredibly flashy floral patterned tie.
I don't remember buying it, so either Eunseo or Se-jin must have bought it, but when did they buy something like this?
"This doesn't seem right. Isn't it too unbalanced?"
"Right now it's too plain, so you need this much impact to get attention."
"Um, Eunseo? I'm not the main character today."
"Hmm, that's true."
We finally agreed on a plain navy blue tie and finished setting up with Eunseo's help.
"Is Se-jin still showering?"
"She's drying her hair now. Sister said it would take a bit more time, so should we go first?"
When I went to Se-jin, she was just drying her hair.
She said it would take some time and told me and Eunseo to go first, so I used teleportation magic with Eunseo.
I've been to dinner with Eunseo and Se-jin several times before.
We went to the grand banquet hall where the wedding was taking place, showed our invitation, and went inside.
There's still a lot of time left, but it's quite crowded.
I see many familiar faces.
What catches my eye most is Jinsu grinning at the entrance of the ceremony hall.
I think this is the first time I've seen him dressed up in a suit like this, having only seen him in school uniforms or guild uniforms.
"Teacher!"
As soon as he sees me, he runs over and bows his head.
"Jinsu looks handsome all dressed up like this. Congratulations on your wedding."
Minhee and Jinsu, who have been crazy about each other since school, are finally getting married today.
According to what I heard from Eunseo, Minhee wanted to wait a bit longer, but they had a baby.
Minhee said she'd die before wearing a wedding dress with a belly showing, so they hurriedly booked a venue.
"I was always handsome. Thank you."
"Jinsu, am I invisible?"
"No. Eunseo, thanks for coming too."
"Where's the bride's waiting room?"
"It's inside over there."
There were too many people coming to greet me here and there, so we had a brief conversation and moved away.
"Aren't you going to see Minhee?"
"I need to give the congratulatory money first."
"I already sent it to the account. There was an account number under the invitation."
"Really? Then can I just ask for the meal ticket when I go?"
"Yes."
"Eunseo, which one did you choose?"
I'm troubled because both Minhee and Jinsu are my beloved students and they're in the same guild.
Even if the money goes to the couple, the one who doesn't receive it might feel a bit disappointed.
"Eunseo, did you choose Minhee?"
"No. I chose Jinsu, but sister said she'd do Minhee."
Since they're sisters, there's no need to worry.
Well, then I'll give to both of them.
I immediately transferred money and went to the bride's waiting room with Eunseo to find Minhee in a white wedding dress taking pictures with the kids.
"Oh? Teacher!"
"Teacher!"
Since most of them are from the swordsmanship class, they all brighten up when they see me.
Eunsu is here too.
I feel a bit sorry for stealing the attention the bride should be receiving.
"Teacher, thank you for coming."
But Minhee smiled brightly without showing any sign of discomfort. Moreover, she tried to stand up and bow, so I stopped her.
"Just sit down. The dress is uncomfortable and you're not alone."
"This much is fine."
She still has a youthful face and looks like a student, but she's already getting married—time really flies.
"Still, it doesn't hurt to be careful. And you look pretty today."
"Thank you."
"I mean the dress, not you, Minhee."
"Teacher!"
"Of course I'm joking."
She wasn't originally ugly, and while not as much as our Eunseo, Minhee was quite popular too.
"Teacher really hasn't changed. You'll take a picture with me, right?"
"Hey, Minhee, it's almost time for the wedding ceremony, so you can't take pictures with other men."
Even Eunseo joins in from the side.
"Stop being jealous. What other man? Teacher is teacher."
There must be things for the women to talk about among themselves, and guests keep coming, so I took a picture and tactfully left.
Eunseo, who came with me, also seems busy talking with friends she hasn't seen in a while, so I came into the ceremony hall first.
I also got caught by former students and talked for a bit before coming into the ceremony hall and taking a seat.
Students keep coming to greet me, but this really... feels more like a reunion than a wedding.
It was nice to see them, but too many people seemed to be gathering, so I moved to a corner seat.
While waiting for the ceremony to begin, Jinsu suddenly enters the ceremony hall, looks around, and approaches me.
"Teacher..."
What? Why the tearful face?
"What's wrong? Is there a problem?"
"I just saw the text message. No, such a large congratulatory gift..."
Oh, that's what it was.
"You're the first among my students to get married, and our Jinsu deserves at least this much. I gave the same amount to Minhee."
"What? No, Teacher..."
He's so moved that tears are showing, making me more awkward.
It's not even that much, just 100 million won.
"It's money you'll have to pay back when I get married."
"Ah... right..."
"Kid, I'm joking. You give according to your ability."
"But it seems like too much..."
"That much is fine. Oh, is it because of gift tax? Congratulatory money shouldn't be taxed, right? If they make trouble later, say I gave it."
I know that congratulatory money and condolence money aren't taxed separately if they're within socially acceptable ranges.
100 million won isn't a small amount, but compared to my wealth, it's definitely not a large sum.
Just this month's book royalties alone will be several tens of billions.
It's not a novel or anything—I published a book on mental cultivation methods when I quit the academy.
It was translated into languages worldwide immediately upon publication and is selling like hotcakes.
It became a bestseller in countries around the world, and there was even an article recently saying it surpassed Bible sales.
It's probably decreased a bit from when it was first published, but I think it's close to 100 billion won.
The amount settled last year was about 2 trillion won.
"Thank you. I took out a lot of loans when buying a house this time, so it might be better not to tell the kids..."
"It's fine to tell them. I'll do similarly for the other kids when they get married."
Well, it's not like I'll take money with me when I die.
Even if I spend 100 million won every time my students get married, the deposit interest is much more than that.
After sending Jinsu away, the MC started announcing to turn off cell phones, so Eunseo came.
Se-jin came too, and both of them took seats on either side of me, and the wedding ceremony began shortly after.
The vice-principal served as the officiant, and it was quite boring, like when he gives moral lectures.
Still, the MC mischievously made them kiss and had the groom carry the bride and sit down and stand up, which was entertaining to watch.
After the ceremony, we came to the banquet hall.
As we brought food, Se-jin and Eunseo were deep in conversation.
"Sister, Minhee was really pretty today, wasn't she?"
"That's right. The wedding dress really suited her."
Both of them don't say it directly, but they seem quite envious.
I want to get married too.
Even though I don't seem to age at all thanks to my internal energy, I'm already thirty. I've already gotten permission from all the parents.
I haven't announced it publicly, but I consulted with Kim Cheol-hwan and obtained dual citizenship two years ago.
I'm a bit worried about announcing it to the media, but I've already accepted that.
The problem is the Demon King's advent.
There haven't been any premonitory phenomena or irregularities for three years.
But the Primordial Heavenly Honored One directly warned us, so I can't be optimistic.
If it proceeds according to the original story, there's only about 1-2 years left.
I'll solve the Demon King's advent crisis and get married with everyone's blessing.
A group of people approaches from far away.
"Oh? Teacher, you were here. I didn't see you earlier, so I thought you didn't come."
"See? I said there's no way Teacher wouldn't come to senior Jinsu's wedding!"
It's Do-hyun, Chan-seong, and Lee Ji-sung.