Kang Hanseong (1)
Kang Hanseong slammed the attendance ledger down on the desk with a sharp thud. He scanned the room, his eyes lingering on each student one by one as he took roll and sized them up. On the surface, it just looked like he was glancing around, but I knew better.
He's gauging them. Setting his own standards and judging accordingly.
His piercing gaze eventually reached me, and it hung there unusually long. I could sense the subtle curiosity he felt. He was probably giving me high marks... but it didn't sit right.
Why's this guy staring at me like that? It was creepy as hell.
"Pleased to meet you all. I'm Kang Hanseong, your instructor starting today. I consider it an honor to be assigned to your class for the next six months as we reshuffle halves."
Most of the class gasped at his introduction.
"I-Is that really Instructor Kang Hanseong? I thought he was handling S-Class?"
"Exactly. With his skills and achievements, he should be at least A-Class... why B?"
"Then who teaches swordsmanship to the S-Class kids?"
"Someone else, I guess. There's Instructor Yoo Bin too..."
As the murmurs grew louder, Kang Hanseong released a subtle wave of pressure. An intangible ripple spread through the entire room—a technique that used minimal mana for a short burst. It was the kind of precise mana control you'd expect from an A-rank hero.
"Quiet. I understand you're all surprised. I can't go into details, but due to internal academy matters, I've been assigned to B-Class. Rest assured, there won't be any issues. I'll give my all to teach you, no matter the class."
The room fell silent. From the looks on their faces, everyone was secretly thrilled. And who could blame them? The top-tier instructor they'd never dreamed of getting was volunteering to teach them personally.
'Internal matters,' huh... Naive kids like Ohana would take it at face value—oh, something must've really gone wrong. But not me.
That white wolf? No way in hell.
The Kang Hanseong I knew always paid back what he was owed—with interest, doubled. What idiot would cross him on purpose? More likely, he'd volunteered to come down here himself.
▶Master. That part is as expected…
'Yeah, high chance it's because of me.' He wants to keep a close eye on me, up personal. Whether it's the principal's order or his own idea.
'Suspicious of the demon label, most likely...' But knowing him, I figured there was more to it.
"Even though it's the first day, I have no intention of going easy. You're all cadets of Prunel Academy, so I trust none of you have grown slack."
He glanced around and nodded approvingly.
"Everyone, change into your gym uniforms and prepare."
"Eh... gym uniforms? Aren't you in charge of no-technique combat, Instructor?"
"Yeah, shouldn't it be combat gear?"
Kang Hanseong shook his head at the questions.
"Unfortunately, before I teach you anything, you need conditioning. For the time being, we'll prioritize physical training. See you outside."
* * *
"Huff... huff..."
"Ugh, gonna puke."
"How many laps is this...?"
"3... over 30 now."
Glancing back, most of the kids had collapsed on the ground, exhausted. Some were even retching, gasping for air.
Pathetic...
Those who successfully manifest skills are called Awakeners. Feared and envied for their superior physiques and special abilities, but they're still human at the core. Without consistent training, they regress. These days, especially, pure physical trainees were on the decline.
Lots of reasons, but ultimately, humans prefer the easy path.
'No need to sweat it out in close combat when you can snipe mobs from afar with skills.'
Random tangent, but the point is: modern Awakeners neglect body training. Especially the naturally gifted ones—they see no reason to push through pain when talent carries them.
'That's why a few laps have them wheezing.'
▶Master. This isn't an ordinary field.
'This? Might as well be a stroll.'
Right then, a sharp tingle shot through my body. I twisted aside—bang! A paintball whizzed past, aimed precisely at my vulnerable side. Non-lethal, but fast enough to bruise on impact.
And that was just the start.
'One behind. One from the left. Two at the back of my head.'
I pivoted my ankle to alter course. Bullets missed by a hair's breadth. I ducked to evade the follow-up from behind.
Screams echoed around me in the meantime.
"Ow! Hit my shin!"
"W-Wait! Don't fall! Me too! Eek!"
As time passed, bullets and traps multiplied—not just in number, but in cruelty and precision.
About 20 minutes in, only a few breaths remained audible.
Feels good to run like this again.
This was one of the academy's special training rooms, designed for agility, evasion, and situational awareness—essentials for any Awakener. I'd run laps here until I dropped in my past life.
I lightly sidestepped a club lunging at my legs and checked the survivors. Song Junho was huffing but keeping up decently. Ohana had hung in there before dropping out.
'The other two...'
A girl with her bangs swept back, glaring like she was hunting me, and a buzz-cut tank of a guy.
Inabi and Cheolwangguk. Both would make names for themselves later. Guess the ones with real grit stand out early.
I was sizing them up when—
"You look awfully relaxed, Cadet Choi Siwoo."
I turned toward the voice. Kang Hanseong matched my pace right beside me, handling traps effortlessly without a hint of strain.
"Dodging casually while checking on the others. This training must be too easy for you."
"No way. Looks easy, but it's tough."
"Yet not a drop of sweat. And dodging every trap like it's a show."
They telegraphed their presence so obviously—how could I not evade? Still, the white wolf chatting me up personally? He was usually the silent type. What was his angle? I stared without responding.
"Don't you feel wronged?"
"...Pardon?"
The unexpected question threw me off.
"Being placed in B-Class. With your skills, you belong higher. I assume you're dissatisfied with the treatment."
Oh, that.
"...Not really? B-Class is plenty good. Overkill for a no-name like me."
"Overkill? You're underselling yourself. Anyone blinded by jealousy or vanity might not see it, but I know better, Cadet Choi Siwoo."
His gaze was heavy, intense.
"That realm you've shown—it's not just impressive, it's absurd. And the bone-grinding effort to reach it."
Creepy when a dude stares like that...
"Thanks for the kind words."
"If you want, I can speak to the principal directly."
"About what?"
"S-Class placement. It's early enough to switch. You'd need to show your skills again, but I can arrange it."
I clicked my tongue inwardly. What a pain—he's meddling.
"Appreciate the offer, Instructor. But no need."
"...Why? You're being treated unfairly, Cadet Choi Siwoo. Despite your talent, just because you lack a proper family or backing."
Quiet fury seeped into his tone. I smirked inside.
Didn't notice in my past life... but he's such a kid.
Wronged? Unfair? Over this?
"It's fine. I'll climb up anyway."
"...It won't be easy. Your entrance exam performance has eyes on you. Some will drag you down out of malice. That's how Awakener society works. No owner leaves a protruding nail alone."
"Then I'll smash those too on my way up."
"......"
Kang Hanseong stared in disbelief, like what kind of guy is this? After a silent pause, he looked up and let out a light chuckle.
"I see. My apologies, Cadet Choi Siwoo. Looks like I underestimated you."
"Thanks for the praise."
"This is personal, but... would you consider becoming my personal disciple?"
"...!"
I doubted my ears. But his expression said I heard right.
Personal disciple...?
Personal disciple—think exclusive master-disciple contract. Far from a casual title; it involved a ritual linking minds.
'Beyond basic teaching, it transfers breathing, habits, quirks, unique movements—everything perfectly.'
The ultimate opportunity and honor for any cadet's growth. A privilege reserved for elite instructors like him.
...Proposing on first meeting?
Pure goodwill? Or did he need me for some plan?
Either way, I was declining.
"Thanks for the offer, but I'll pass."
"Unexpected... May I ask why?"
Why? Fuck, you serious?
"Mind-linking with another guy? Creeps me the hell out."
"......"
Kang Hanseong stared blankly before bursting into bigger laughter than before. And so, morning class ended with just me and him running to the finish.