Chapter 124
Chapter 124
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: The Time of Tempering (1)
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The cadets of the Righteous Martial Academy who had gone on the field trip were required to submit an inspection report.
'In modern terms, it's like a report or travelogue, right?'
However, the inspection report wasn't just a simple travel journal.
It was the first exam subject for the midterms of the semester at the academy.
For someone like me, who was aiming for the top ranks in academics, there was no way I could half-ass it.
Well, it wasn't difficult anyway.
'I've been so busy with official and personal matters.'
I had experienced a ton of events, and by some stroke of luck, there were plenty of elements I could embellish.
I recalled those elements one by one as I wrote the report.
In the introduction, I mentioned the academy's founding spirit as the reason for breaking precedent and extending spots for the Yunmaei, Hyangran, and Yunguk cadets to the Murim Alliance inspection.
In the body, I focused on the events during the trip where I collaborated with my peers.
And in the conclusion, I wrapped it up with the academy's motto: compete within, unite under the banner of righteousness without.
Knock knock.
"Came from the Director's direct research hall."
"Come in."
"Studying for midterms, I see."
"Hello, Senior!"
"That's enough. No need for formalities. Keep studying. You're all working hard for exams. Anyway, I'm here to deliver your inspection report grades."
"Compared to you seniors in the research hall, we're nothing... Would you like some tea?"
"Thanks, but as you can see, I have to deliver graded reports to the other dorm councils too, and there's a pile of manuals to sort by end of day. I'll gratefully decline."
"...Ah."
"...Don't even think about coming over."
There was no explicit command, but the intent was crystal clear.
"...Yes, sir."
Anyway.
My inspection report came back marked with red ink for a perfect score.
"And congratulations. I'll be off now."
"Take care."
After seeing off the graduate student senior in indigo martial robes who had suddenly left our council room.
Ha-seong, who had stretched out in his seat, approached me.
"What are you congratulating me for?"
"Your inspection report grade came out great."
"How great...? Huh? Young Master Yong-un? That red ink on the graded report says 'full marks', doesn't it?"
"Ha-seong, did you never learn Thousand Character Classic? Even So-cheon hyung did."
"No! Of course I can read it! I mean, isn't the top grade the highest? Am I wrong, sis?"
"According to the academy rules, top grade is normally the highest, but at the professor's discretion, a certain percentage can get perfect scores. Hmm. If top grade is 100 points, perfect is like 105?"
After explaining the difference between perfect and top grade to Eun Ha-seong, Yin Xia Lian turned to me.
"By the way, a perfect-score inspection report from Young Master Eon? Mind if I take a look? I'm curious how you write one that gets perfect."
"Nothing special. Look if you want. Take mine too."
Yin Xia Lian took the two reports from me, flipping through the pages and nodding repeatedly.
"Wow. After seeing Young Master Eon's report, mine looks like a merchant guild's financial summary. So this is how you do it..."
Watching her, So-rung and Ha-seong started making a fuss.
"As expected of Brother Eon! You'll surpass that Zhuge Seolji and take first in midterms too, right?"
"It's possible... Zhuge young lady is Little Martial Strategist, so Young Master Yong-un would be Grand Martial Strategist?!"
"...Hey. Eun Ha-seong. They call Zhuge young lady Little Martial Strategist because she's like mini Zhuge Liang. No such thing as Grand. And hype is a sin. Both of you, quit the fuss."
As I scolded them.
Jeong Hyeon, sitting nearby, invoked Primordial Heavenly Lord.
"What? Found another 'way' today?"
Wondering what nonsense he'd spout.
"As the saying goes, the full moon wanes, but Young Master Eon guards against arrogance in his heart with utmost vigilance, making him like a true new moon..."
No need to hear more.
I shook my head and pointed at Dang Ok-gi, who was sitting at the end, plugging her ears and reviewing her notes.
"You guys aren't studying for exams? Take a page from Dang Ok-gi over there."
"Among the burdens of deputy and vice-deputy, the most important is burden...? Why? What? Why's everyone staring? Did I say something?"
"Said it's nice seeing you study. Take a page."
"N-No way! You're teasing me, right?!"
She's not exactly role model material either.
Anyway.
At my scolding, Yin Xia Lian and Jeong Hyeon awkwardly turned back to their studies.
But Ha-seong and So-rung grinned and retorted against my study nag.
"Sister Ok-gi and you aren't taking the same subjects as us tomorrow, right?"
"What does that have to do with you not studying?"
"Guess you didn't know. Heh heh. Our exam doesn't require studying."
"Exactly!"
I wouldn't trust those two to be fully prepped, unlike Jeong Hyeon or Yin young lady.
"...? An open-book subject in the academy curriculum? First I've heard."
"Our professor said we can have books open during the exam!"
Ah.
Open-book?
"...You're gonna shit bricks."
At my words.
The two in front of me and the master at my waist all questioned simultaneously.
"Why?!"
-Indeed. I'm curious too. With books open, isn't it like swimming with floats? Why shit bricks?
"Brother, as I said earlier, I'm not So-cheon hyung level. I can read and recall meanings. Books make me sleepy, but even I wouldn't sleep during exam time?"
With three questioners, I trusted master would filter, stared at Ha-seong, and spoke.
"Professor saying books open means 'Even with books, you idiots won't solve it.'"
"...!"
"...."
"Anyway. If you wanna see me in the dunce cap till finals, aim for below average grade . Academy life gets fun."
At my words.
Ha-seong and So-rung gulped and hastily opened their books.
That night.
The council room candles burned uselessly until dawn broke.
Thus, the Righteous Martial Academy's midterm period began.
During exams, cadets regardless of gender all resembled beggars from the Open Faction.
Inevitable, since.
Sacrificing sleep for study hollows faces first.
Those with packed schedules even skip washing to save time, throwing on hooded wind-resistant robes and shuffling to exams.
Especially Azure Bamboo Hall cadets.
'We have one extra schedule than others.'
While other dorms just did exams by day, study by night.
Azure Bamboo Hall squeezed in formation training under Hall Lord Myeong Tae-seong.
"Don't charge blindly! Colorful Sparrow Formation isn't Crane Wing! Wings move short and round! Ready to switch to tail or head anytime! Tails same: be ready for wings or head!"
Thus, Azure Bamboo Hall cadets looked utterly ragged.
-No need to explain; even passersby know they're from that slum lord's dorm.
'...?'
-?
But perhaps the venom built from my relentless drilling and championship glory from inter-dorm spring tournament fertilized well?
Their eyes burned fierce.
About ten days of such fierce eyes held.
"Good! Great! Much better than start!"
As midterms neared end.
Myeong Tae-seong finally praised.
"Now worthy of Converging Formation! Yes, spread Colorful Sparrow wings like that!"
Thus speaking, Myeong Tae-seong gave special encouragement to a few Azure Bamboo cadets.
"Cadet Jin Kyung-ryong is solid. Fits tail, head, wings perfectly. Decent leadership too."
"Huff. Huff. Hngh. Thank you, Senior!"
"Cadet Jeong Hyeon has Kyung-ryong's strengths plus broad vision."
"Overpraise. But my discernment pales to Young Master Eon's like firefly before full moon."
"Haha. True. Speaking of, Eon Yong-un: has both's strengths plus perfect grasp of Colorful Sparrow's core principle. Truly impressive."
At Myeong Tae-seong's words, honored master chimed.
-Hmph. Has an eye for talent.
Master saying that embarrassed me a bit, and sensing subtle recruitment vibes, I humbly drew line.
"Thank you, Senior. But as I've said repeatedly. No plans to join strike team now, gilded words or not."
But Myeong Tae-seong just shook head.
"I know. Not buttering you up. Colorful Sparrow differs from Buddhist or Taoist formations. Know how?"
Then questioned me.
Having read original where protag gen used it, plus inspector's senses, answer easy.
"Colorful Sparrow aims to slay foes in real combat, right?"
Myeong Tae-seong nodded vigorously.
"Exact. But can't injure allies in practice, so without killing sword insight, even geniuses need positions spelled out to lead formation organically as nucleus. Yet you did without teaching. Like you've survived desperate fights."
Myeong Tae-seong continued.
"Anyway. Not just you three, all grasped principles bodily. Time for real deal."
Said to go serious.
Assigned me, Kyung-ryong hyung, Jeong Hyeon as attacking opposing force for Colorful Sparrow.
Suddenly facing us as foes, So-rung's pupils shook as he asked.
"B-Brother Eon? Go easy, right?"
Words from U So-rung's mouth, but others felt same.
'I get it.'
We three strongest in Azure Bamboo first.
'Memories ingrained.'
Especially Ha-seong from Huiju onward needless say.
Peers from entrance exam obvious.
Seniors' fond Dongyun Hall memories strong too.
Understanding didn't mean mercy.
No gain for me or them.
I smirked.
"So-rung. Do I look like the type to go easy?"
At that, U So-rung gulped, shook head.
"N-No?"
"Right on."
Conversation ended.
I deployed Shadowless Heaven-Splitting Step, kicking off instantly.