Yong-yong's Demotion to Freshman
It was his own damn fault—he'd brought this on himself. Only after firmly instructing So Ji-hu and Jeong Hyeon-beom to stay put did I follow the assistant inside. And there, right in front of the dean's office, I ran into a face I was dying to see.
"Hm? Isn't that Gyeonja?"
Not Gyeonja, you moron—it's Yeol-ja.
"I trust you've been well, Lord Yong-yong."
"Wh-what? What?!"
Yong-yong, right? His courtesy name is Hyeonryong, and his given name is Baekryong, so... Park Seon-ryung. The third son of the Minister of Military Affairs and the mastermind who'd tormented me and my brothers for the past month.
"You must have truly lost your mind, spouting such nonsense."
Flustered by the unfamiliar nickname, he openly sneered at me.
"You've held out this long—that much I'll give you credit for."
"Is that so? I haven't even dropped my pants yet."
"......You have lost your mind."
He stared at me like I was some raving lunatic. The more Park Seon-ryung shook his head in utter disgust, the more thrilled I felt. I'll smash that smug head of yours myself.
I didn't think King Munjong would order an execution for the hazing incident I'd reported, but I didn't expect a slap on the wrist either. At minimum, expulsion; at worst, exile.
"Ahem. Ahem."
He seemed to finally realize he shouldn't get too close to me. Stepping back a pace, he addressed the closed door to the dean's office.
"Dean, sir. Cadet Park Seon-ryung and one other, reporting as summoned. May we enter?"
"Come in."
The reply came promptly. Park Seon-ryung opened the door first, and I followed him inside.
This was my first time in the dean's office, even after a month at the academy. Towering bookshelves lined the walls on either side, a guest table sat in the center, and at the far end loomed the dean's personal desk where he was seated.
"Both of you, come here."
The dean—whom I'd only seen once before, at the entrance ceremony—pointed sternly from behind his desk, his face set in stone.
Park Seon-ryung strode forward confidently and bowed without waiting for me.
"Cadet Park Seon-ryung, paying my respects."
"Uh, Cadet Kim Si-jin. Paying my respects."
You slimy bastard. I hurried to Park Seon-ryung's side and bowed to the dean.
"......"
The dean said nothing about rising, merely flipping through his papers with a rustle. The air was ice-cold, like a dagger plunging into my chest. But don't worry—my backup is King Munjong himself.
"Rise."
Steeling my subtly trembling heart, I stood. Even after Park Seon-ryung and I were upright, the dean continued poring over his documents for a long moment.
"Now, Seon-ryung."
Without lifting his eyes from the papers, he addressed Park Seon-ryung.
"Were you unaware of the ban on hazing?"
"No, sir. I was aware."
"Then why did you pull that stunt and cause all this mess?"
"My deepest apologies."
"And you, Kim Si-jin."
He still didn't look up, merely glancing at me briefly before asking calmly,
"Do you know how grave it is for a junior to harm a senior?"
"Yes, sir. I do."
"Then why did you do it?"
"I was too drunk."
"I heard you hadn't been there long."
"I get wasted after just one drink—it's my constitution."
"You do?"
Finally looking my way, he tilted his head in disbelief.
"Haaah... fine. What good does it do me to hold you two?"
With a sigh, he produced three silk-wrapped scrolls and a wooden box adorned with gold leaf.
Standing, he picked up one scroll and announced in a businesslike tone,
Cadets Park Seon-ryung and Kim Si-jin shall perform the four ceremonial bows.
"Wha...!"
What's the big deal? Is this your first royal decree? I inwardly mocked the stunned Park Seon-ryung as I prostrated myself. Snapping out of it, he hurriedly followed suit.
After completing the four bows, the dean unrolled the scroll and read its contents in a measured, even voice.
"Cadet Park Seon-ryung, attend."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Listen quietly."
"Y-yes, y-yes...!"
See? Rookies always show it. Even while prostrated, I listened to the decree with relaxed composure.
Cadet Park Seon-ryung of Jeonju Academy, as a senior tasked with guiding juniors, failed to uphold propriety, forcibly imposed the banned hazing ritual on new cadets, thereby disrupting academy discipline and causing grave harm.
This crime warrants expulsion.
However, considering your father's significant merits,
you are hereby demoted to first-year status for failing in your duties as a cadet. Henceforth, devote yourself to scholarship and etiquette.
I could feel Park Seon-ryung trembling even from here. No need to look—his face must be ashen.
Wait, "warrants expulsion, however..."? So not expelled?
Dad's connections! Even Munjong can't override the Minister of Military Affairs?
Demotion? To first-year? Not just a grade drop—from third-year on the verge of graduation back to first-year?
I lifted my head to see Park Seon-ryung, face drained of color, staring up at the dean.
"D-Dean... sir. Is... is that real?"
"Hmph. Doubting a royal decree?"
"N-No, that's not...!"
"If not, then show proper respect for the decree."
That's right—say "We are immensely grateful for Your Majesty's boundless mercy."
"I-Im-Immensely... gr-grateful... for Your Majesty's... boundless mercy...!"
Thud! He slammed his forehead into the floor again, as if questioning if this was reality.
Serves you right, you prick.
"Now, Kim Si-jin. Your turn."
"Yes, sir. I've been waiting."
Biting back a laugh, I listened to the decree Munjong had issued for me.
Cadet Kim Si-jin, attend.
Having resisted illegal hazing and defended yourself, your resolve is commendable; however, a junior harming a senior disrupts discipline and cannot be tolerated.
Thus, cadet Kim Si-jin is suspended from studies for seven days.
Just words, right? No big deal!
That's it! That's the power of connections!
"Immensely grateful for Your Majesty's boundless mercy!"
One fighter demoted to first-year. The other gets a week off. No wonder people chase power like madmen.
"Urgh... guh...!"
A frustrated groan came from beside me, but another decree followed, so I focused on that.
Cadet Kim Si-jin, attend.
In subjugating the bandit Hong Gil-dong, you displayed great valor, devised strategies to protect the people, and upheld the nation's dignity. Your merits are significant.
In commendation, two breech-loading revolvers are bestowed upon you.
Forget not your loyalty henceforth; devote body and soul to serving the people.
Guns? More guns?!
"Immensely grateful for Your Majesty's boundless mercy."
"Here, take this and check the contents."
I rose halfway to accept the wooden box from the academy, carefully set it on the floor, and opened the lid.
Two breech-loading revolvers, just like the ones I'd broken during the Hong Gil-dong suppression, complete with spare parts—all packed neatly inside. With subtly shaking hands, I picked one up and inspected it. Not a single scratch, gleaming with fresh oil like it had just rolled off the production line.
Turning it over, I glanced sideways.
"!"
My eyes met Park Seon-ryung's—he'd been staring. Holding the revolver steady, I flashed him a sweet smile without breaking eye contact.
"......!"
Park Seon-ryung shuddered violently and whipped his head away. He wouldn't even sneak a peek anymore—clearly terrified.
"First-year cadets, rise and stand."
Even in this moment, the dean drove the nail in by calling us "first-year cadets." He handed us our student passes, sat back down, and said,
"Cadet Kim Si-jin, Cadet Park Seon-ryung—go now and apply yourselves to your studies."
"Y-Yes...! Dean... sir...!"
"Yes, sir. We will devote ourselves to our studies."
We bowed halfway to the dean and exited the office. Park Seon-ryung was still out of it, dazed the whole time.
Honestly, I felt a twinge of pity. He'd messed with the wrong guy and now had to spend two extra years at the academy, delaying his military career just as much. But oh well—his own damn fault.
Tucking the wooden box and pass under my arm, I approached Park Seon-ryung. Draping an arm around his shoulder in mock comfort, I whispered,
"Hey, Yong-yong."
"G-Get off me...!"
"What? Aren't we classmates now? Don't tell me...!"
I feigned shock in a way anyone could tell was teasing.
"You gonna defy the royal decree?"
"Guhhh!"
Park Seon-ryung's face flushed red like his head might explode. Glaring daggers, he shoved my hand away.
"How dare a filthy lowborn touch a yangban?!"
"Aw, c'mon—not as a lowborn, but as a fellow first-year." I poked his chest and belly with my fingers. For a mutt closer to a stray dog than nobility, he had a solid build under those fancy clothes.
"Ooh, you work out? Pretty ripped for a first-year like me."
"You dare...!"
"Me dare? Forgot I just got those revolvers?"
"You bastard!"
"Whoa, gonna hit me? Hit me! Right here—on the cheek. Like last time."
I thrust my cheek out at his bellowing challenge. Naturally, Park Seon-ryung couldn't even raise his hand. He glared murderously, clenched his teeth, and stormed off.
But I couldn't let him go that easily—I followed, eager to spread the good news.
"Senior! Hello—"
"Senior! Good day! Oh, and don't greet him! He's a first-year now! Not third-year! Hey! Yong-yong, what're you doing? That's a second-year senior—greet him! Hurry!"
"H-Hello—no! How dare you speak casually to me? You've lived a whole cycle less than I have!"