Chapter 259
Chapter 259
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 259
Chapter Title: Shall We Give It a Try? (2)
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“Student Council President? What do you mean by that?”
When Hyung Gyeongryong asked in surprise, Jeon-gal Seolji, who was nearby, spoke up.
“Since you said ‘total,’ it sounds like you’re offering to take on the role that oversees all four major dormitories, right?”
At her words, Yongmyung tilted his head.
“As far as I know, no such position exists. Hey, Jangho, am I wrong about that?”
“Yongmyung, I’m right here in the middle—why skip over me and ask Jangho?”
“Do you know much about the academy’s history, Brother Socheon?”
“No. I know nothing at all.”
“……”
Seeing that, even Master asked.
- From the kids’ reactions, it seems this ‘Student Council President’ position never existed to begin with?
‘Yes. The Righteous Martial Academy has always been run centered around the four major dormitories since it opened.’
Yunmae, Hyangran, Yunguk, Cheongjuk.
They studied together under one roof, but the four major dormitories had different founding principles from the start.
The cadets’ temperaments were different too, and with peace holding steady, there had been no need for a president overseeing all four dormitories.
‘That’s why there’s never been a position called Student Council President at the Righteous Martial Academy.’
While I was conversing with Master like that.
Cheon Jangho asked me.
“As far as I know, it doesn’t exist either. Brother Yongun. How do you plan to take a position that doesn’t exist?”
“I’ll create it.”
I grinned and said to Hyung Gyeongryong.
“Hyung Gyeongryong, but first, shouldn’t we hurry to the Cheongjuk Dorm? We can talk details later.”
“Ah!”
At those words, Hyung Gyeongryong bolted off toward the Cheongjuk Dorm.
I checked the time on the sundial at the main gate.
Then I spoke to the younger Eon family members from the other dorms.
“It’ll probably be around the You hour when the Cheongjuk Dorm inspection wraps up. Go back for now and come to the Anti-Demon Defense League conference room by then. Special envoy team, dismissed.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Moving to the training grounds, I checked the achievements of the Cheongjuk Dorm cadets while I’d been away on my trip.
‘They haven’t been wasting their time.’
The Crane Wing Formation they deployed in unison was even more refined and polished.
‘When we fought in the Demonic Cult’s fortress, the seniors said we could slot right into their formation as is.’
It seemed like any Cheongjuk Dorm cadet could fit right in there now.
There were differences in skill levels, sure, but their coordination was seamless.
“Oh. Hyung Gyeongryong. Looks like you’ve made some real progress? Your reaction speed’s much better, and the true energy wrapping your moon blade has deepened too.”
“Compared to you, Vice President Eon, I’m just a firefly to the moonlight, but yes, there’s been improvement.”
It was incredibly encouraging that Hyung Gyeongryong and several other cadets had shown personal growth.
After confirming the formation and individual combat prowess, when everyone was utterly spent, I checked their mental fortitude too.
Beep beep! Beep beep beep!!
It was impressive how they gritted their teeth but kept their postures razor-sharp.
“Even while I was far away, I kept worrying about my family here at the academy. Seeing you all haven’t wasted your time makes me feel great…”
“…Ugh. Brother Eun. This is inspection time for those who stayed at the academy—why are we doing this? We did this every night on the journey too.”
“…More importantly, shouldn’t he at least let us rest before saying stuff like that? He’s my brother and all! But every time! He’s not human!!”
Groooowl!!
“…Who’s chit-chatting?!”
Grrrowl!!
“…That bastard Yo Soyeong?!”
“It’s U Sorung and Eun Ha-seong! I heard them!”
“I heard them too!”
“Even the seniors? No, seniors! You can’t do this! These guys have lost their senses…”
“Halt!”
“!”
“…Snitching again. Everything was good, but it seems our owls forgot that Cheongjuk is one. Cheongjuk Dorm. Drop and give me push-ups. Chant ‘Cheongjuk rises as one’ on the way down, ‘Cheongjuk is one’ on the way up.”
Beep!!!
“Cheongjuuuuk!!”
Beeeep!!!!!!!!!
“We are oooone!!!!”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After wrapping up the inspection in such a harmonious fashion.
I headed to the Anti-Demon Defense League conference room with the Cheongjuk Dorm officers.
Upon arriving, Yin Ha-yeon slumped against the desk like she was collapsing.
She squeezed her eyes shut and spoke.
“Please. If there’s even a shred of conscience left in you, Young Master Eon, don’t give us any work today.”
“But when Maternal Uncle asked you to help me, you had plenty to say?”
“…That’s!”
That was when the younger Eon family members from the other dorms poked their heads in.
“We’re he… Whoa. You guys look rough.”
As they showed their faces, Dang Ok-gi, sprawled in the same pose next to Yin Ha-yeon, shrieked.
“You traitors! Why’d you get to skip out?!”
At Dang Ok-gi’s words, Namgung Yun and Jeon-gal Seolji spoke up in turn.
“Eon Yong-un ordered assembly for Cheongjuk Dorm cadets. It was to inspect those who stayed at the academy, right?”
“Yeah, Okgi, we weren’t involved from the start. Traitors? That’s not fair. …Ah. But aren’t you from Hyangran Dorm, Okgi?”
“Kyaaak!”
Dang Ok-gi, who had been rubbing her dry face, raised her voice at me.
“Eon Yong-un! From now on, say ‘The Righteous Martial Academy is one’!”
“That’s exactly why I called you all to the conference room.”
Those who hadn’t heard about the Student Council President idea looked confused by my words.
I got right into it.
“The first-years couldn’t take exams since some were away in the North Sea, so grade postings got delayed. But normally, after midterms this semester, each dormitory’s autonomous council elects its president for next year. Everyone knows that.”
At my words, Senior Ye Hae-su pulled out a notepad and brush with trembling arms and spoke.
“Are you saying you’ll run for Cheongjuk Dorm’s autonomous president, junior?”
“No, I’m thinking of running for total Student Council President, representing all four major dormitories’ cadets.”
“Pardon?”
“I figured you’d all react like that. Yes, it’s a position that doesn’t exist. It wasn’t needed, and no one proposed creating it. But now, the need has arisen.”
At my words.
Jeong Hyeon nodded and said.
“Indeed. The world is growing more chaotic. It’d be good for us cadets to have a clear, strong unifying figure. When the academy was attacked, we had all sorts of command issues and squabbles, didn’t we? Young Master Eon would be perfect for it. Look at everyone here—even the Mabyeon Five Nations and Cheongjuk are all mixed.”
“The academy’s nature makes ‘perfect fit’ arguments meaningless. We need the cadets’ consent.”
“…True enough.”
Taking over from Jeong Hyeon, I grinned and looked at the others.
“This isn’t something I can declare alone. It needs to come from consensus. With that in mind, let’s all work together on this.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ From that day, my Eon family juniors and I began building momentum.
We weren’t breaking any academy rules.
We used the posters where cadets could anonymously share their thoughts.
『The North Sea Ice Palace Incident, the Chaotic Plains, How Righteous Martial Academy Cadets Should Respond to Jianghu’s Crises.』
First, we posted about the current state of the Orthodox Jianghu and the academy.
“Hey, did you hear the latest dispatch from the Murim Alliance?”
“How would we know fresh news like that?”
“Well, the elites who went north as inspectors formed a joint army with the Each Palace Guard and North Sea Ice Palace, and they assaulted one of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s fortresses!”
Once the official Murim Alliance announcement about the Huseong Fortress assault spread, we posted more specific arguments.
『How Did the Huseong Fortress Assault Succeed? The Murim Alliance Leader’s Command that Enabled Unity and Cooperation.』
『Have We Truly Learned the Lesson?
After the unprecedented academy assault, all that changed in Dangan Valley was the new academy building and the guard post switching from Lake Guard Iron Company to Takga Iron Fortress.
If the same crisis hits again, can we produce a different outcome?
The Righteous Martial Academy cadets need a unifying center too.』
And so.
Cadets began debating these issues whenever they gathered.
“Saw the new poster? It’s arguing we need a cadet representative, right?”
“I get where it’s coming from.”
“Get it? We’ve got a Chief Director. Do we really need someone like that?”
“What if the Chief Director’s not around? Our will might differ from the instructors’.”
“Can any cadet even represent all four dorms to begin with?”
“Hmm… One person comes to mind.”
“Who?”
“Cheongjuk Dorm’s Eon Yong-un.”
As a result.
A meeting was convened with the academy’s operations committee and the four major dormitories’ autonomous council officers in attendance.
As participants arrived one by one.
Professor Changryang sent me a transmission, frowning.
[…What scheme is this now?]
[Scheme?]
[Those posters. Your handiwork, right?]
[My handwriting isn’t that elegant. You know that, Professor.]
[…One of your followers just copied it down. Like Cadet Dang Ok-gi or Cadet Namgung Yun.]
This is why sharp instructors are a pain.
Well, the scheme would come up in the meeting anyway.
I pretended not to know.
Meanwhile, Elder Gyeonghye arrived at the conference room.
“Posters on the bulletin boards have always been common, but the recent ones are sparking talk everywhere in the academy… We have to review them. Administrative Director?”
“Ahem. Then let’s commence the meeting. The recent posters center on the need for a cadet representative overseeing the four major dormitories. Committee members and autonomous council officers, please share your thoughts. Yes, Professor Changryang.”
In the meeting that began that way, Professor Changryang was the first to speak.
“I’d like to hear from Cadet Eon Yong-un first.”
Professor Changryang immediately passed the floor to me.
With nothing to hide, I spoke right up.
“The world is in turmoil. The Righteous Martial Academy’s banner is ‘Compete within the academy, but unite under the banner of righteousness.’ But reality differs. Professor Changryang.”
“Speak.”
“Think back to when the academy was attacked.”
“……”
“Even though the Chief Director placed the Anti-Demon Defense League directly under himself, we clashed badly with Hyangran Dorm cadets. There were minor frictions with other dorms too. Can you guarantee it won’t happen again in a dire crisis?”
Having opened like that, I continued.
“I joined the Orthodox Jianghu’s joint army in assaulting a Demonic Cult fortress. There were elites from the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families, and heated debates over advance or retreat.”
At that point, Professor No Sam clicked his tongue.
“Tsk tsk. Doing embarrassing things in front of the kids.”
“Both sides had their reasons. The one who became the center and made the call was the Murim Alliance Leader. Without the Alliance Leader, we’d have run in circles debating pointlessly, unable to advance or retreat.”
“Hm.”
“Thus, I believe us cadets need a unifying center too. It’s time to figure out how to truly unite under the banner of righteousness.”
As I finished.
Professor Changryang and others crossed their arms in thought.
Among them, Yunguk Dorm’s Professor Jeon-gal Min questioned me.
“So, what exactly are you proposing, Cadet Eon Yong-un?”
“Academy rules say cadets elect their own representative. There’s no limit to one dorm. Let’s create a total Student Council President position to oversee all four dorms’ cadets. As Mabyeon Five Nations and Cheongjuk train together… naturally, we’ll unite.”
Having answered.
Elder Gyeonghye spoke next.
“Suppose the committee and autonomous council officers agree to create the position. Do you plan to run, Cadet Eon Yong-un?”
I didn’t answer immediately, pausing for effect.
Even if they knew I set this up, I had to show humility here.
‘Demagoguery ends in humility.’
After a brief silence, I smiled faintly at Elder Gyeonghye.
“It’s a position to lead and support all cadets from the center. I think it’s right to select candidates by recommendation from the start.”
Murmurs spread through the room.