Chapter 123
Chapter 123
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 123
>Chapter Title: Club (1)
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Ignoring the endlessly chattering Seo Physician, we traveled for quite a while before finally arriving at the Demonic Path Academy without much trouble.
Entering through the main gate opened by the instructor, the Seo Physician and I headed straight for the Academy Master’s hall.
“You’ve returned faster than expected, Il-mok Cadet.”
“I’m not fully recovered yet, but I returned first for the upcoming exam.”
The Academy Master nodded curtly at my response, then turned to look at Seo Jae-pil.
“Are you the physician from Tranquil Heart Clinic who will now handle counseling at the Demonic Path Academy?”
“Yes, Academy Master. I am Seo Jae-pil.”
“Good. I’ve already given orders to prepare the residence where you will stay. For now, arrange counseling sessions starting with the instructors, one by one.”
“I will do so.”
The Academy Master nodded once at his reply, then spoke in a quieter voice than usual.
“Have you heard from the medical officer about the other reason we brought in a physician from the Tranquil Heart Clinic?”
“Yes, Academy Master.”
“Make sure to pay attention to that matter during the counseling process.”
It was about cooperating in capturing any subordinates who might still be lurking within the Demonic Path Academy. That was Seo Jae-pil’s second mission.
‘From the drug incident to the chatter on the way here… it seems his head is filled with nothing but medicine.’
I couldn’t bring myself to trust Seo Jae-pil.
But I couldn’t voice such thoughts in front of him to the Academy Master.
‘For now, I’ll keep an eye on him.’
As I was thinking that, the Academy Master was already looking at me.
“Il-mok Cadet, return to Black Dragon Hall and rest. Seo Physician, call an instructor to guide you to your residence.”
I wanted to rest anyway, so I gave a fist salute and left the hall immediately.
Unfortunately, resting right away at Black Dragon Hall was impossible.
“Young Master Il-mok!”
“Please wait a moment!”
Nearly ten people rushed over and surrounded me.
To be precise, they were divided into two groups.
One group of five led by Baek Cheon and Bang Mi-hwa, and another group of three consisting of Dokgo Pae, Mak Ho-yeol, and Gwak Sul surrounded me.
‘Damn. They’ve already returned?’
Seeing Baek Cheon and Mak Ho-yeol, it seemed the senior cadets who had gone out for training about a month ago had already returned.
The leaders of the two groups who had successfully surrounded me began chattering excitedly.
Baek Cheon snapped open his fan, his clear eyes shining.
“Young Master Il-mok! Naturally, you should join our Theater Club!”
Dokgo Pae immediately cut in.
“Hmph. There’s no way Young Master Il-mok would join such a trivial club! Naturally, you should join our Body Training Club!”
It seemed the club system mentioned before had already been implemented in the Demonic Path Academy.
‘The Theater Club is one thing, but what is this Body Training Club?’
Just hearing the name made something unpleasant churn in my stomach. Perhaps due to my obsession with cleanliness, the sweaty implication gave me goosebumps.
Ignoring my condition, Baek Cheon and Dokgo Pae began arguing freely over my affiliation.
“As expected of someone from the Dokgo Clan with no sense of tradition—completely ignorant of refinement.”
“Such petty thinking is typical of the Baek Clan. A man should possess a solid and weighty charm.”
Though both were among the Five Great Demonic Families, the Dokgo Clan had pledged itself to the Demonic Cult decades later than the Baek Clan.
Of course, both had traditions spanning over two hundred years, so to me, there was little difference.
‘If we’re talking about tradition, the Ahn Clan would be the most established.’
Among the Five Great Demonic Families, the Ahn Clan—known for sorcery and formations—boasted the longest history.
I recalled Jin Ha-yeon mentioning that since the early days of the Demonic Cult, the Ahn Clan head had always assisted the Cult Leader during rituals.
“Shall we settle this today?”
“Heh. Just like a fool from the Dokgo Clan.”
While I was briefly lost in thought, the two forgot their original purpose and drew their weapons.
I tried to slip away quietly—
“Please calm down, Vice Leader Dokgo! The decision belongs to Il-mok Cadet!”
Because of Gwak Sul’s intervention, everyone’s gaze returned to me.
It was a strange feeling. Everyone was looking at me, yet the emotions in their eyes were subtly different.
Baek Cheon, Bang Mi-hwa, Dokgo Pae, and Joo Seo-yeon all looked at me with complete certainty.
‘Why is the Body Training Club so confident?’
Meanwhile, Gwak Sul’s eyes held a faint hostility.
I couldn’t tell why.
Others, like Ha-young and Mak Ho-yeol, simply hoped I would join.
Especially Jeong-hyeon, standing at a distance, whose eyes were slightly moist.
‘What happened to make her that desperate?’
It stirred sympathy, but—
“I’m sorry, but I will not join either.”
I already had another club in mind.
A club I had planned from the very beginning.
To be precise, one I would create myself.
* * *
“Not allowed.”
At Instructor Eun-ryeo’s firm response, a rare look of bewilderment appeared in Il-mok’s eyes.
After Chu Il-hwan’s dismissal, Eun-ryeo had taken the position of head instructor for new cadets.
“There are two reasons, Il-mok Cadet.”
“I will listen.”
“First, I am already in charge of the Theater Club. One instructor cannot oversee multiple clubs.”
“…You are in charge of the Theater Club?”
Eun-ryeo clenched her teeth.
‘This is because of you!!’
She had no interest in theater whatsoever.
Yet she took the role because of Jeong-hyeon.
Unable to ignore her pitiful state, she had volunteered.
“Instructor Cheok Il-so handles the Body Training Club, and Instructor Jeong Gyu-seok handles the Doctrine Research Club. Others already have assignments.”
“…Is there truly no one left?”
“…There is one new instructor. However, a club requires at least three members. That is the second reason.”
“…Can members transfer?”
“…Yes.”
Il-mok left immediately.
* * *
Afterward, Il-mok went to Black Dragon Hall.
After searching thoroughly, he found them.
“There you are!”
The trio trembled.
“W-What is it, Young Master Il-mok?”
“Were you looking for us?”
“I have a request.”
He smiled—while gripping his sword.
* * *
The next day.
Il-mok visited a new instructor.
Ma Do-yeong.
“You want me to oversee a new club?”
“Yes.”
“…Meditation Club?”
“Yes.”
The club Il-mok had planned from the beginning.
A club for peaceful life.
A meditation club.
In other words—a napping club.