Chapter 71
Chapter 71
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 71
>Chapter Title: First Test (6)
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Watching Instructor Chu Il-hwan, who always smiled slyly with half-closed eyes, twist his face into something grotesque filled me with certainty.
‘Damn. He really did have ulterior motives.’
I was glad I’d firmly nailed down that I like women this time.
Chu Il-hwan belatedly composed his expression, cleared his throat, and spoke.
“Ahem. In any case, congratulations on gaining ‘enlightenment’ and improving your skills this time. If you keep refining yourself like now, after graduating from the Demonic Path Academy, you’ll be able to take on a major role in the Church.”
At his attitude, eager to wrap up the interview, I immediately cupped my hands and left the hall.
‘He might force the pain of heartbreak out of me.’
Just because that was his taste didn’t mean he was definitely that kind of person. No, probably most aren’t.
But that guy was a lunatic who practiced demonic arts.
Who knew what horrific thing might happen the moment I let my guard down.
* * *
Right after Il-mok left. Instructor Chu Il-hwan thought to himself.
When he asked about his relationship with Bang Mi-hwa, he answered that he likes women.
And combining that with Il-mok’s recent behavior and the rumors floating around.
‘He’s saying one cadet like Bang Mi-hwa isn’t enough to satisfy him.’
As expected of a talented guy—his greed matched it.
At first, he’d been surprised by the sudden confession, but Instructor Chu Il-hwan didn’t really pay it much mind.
The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s doctrines didn’t forbid having three wives and four concubines.
After all, they placed the highest value on revering martial prowess and punishing evildoers with force. As long as you didn’t take women by force, and as long as you didn’t neglect your training for lust, the atmosphere was one of indifference.
‘He really is an amusing young master.’
Chuckling to himself, Instructor Chu Il-hwan heard the door open and reverted to his usual grinning expression to greet the next cadet who entered.
“Come in. Cadet Dokgo.”
“Greetings, Instructor.”
Unlike his arrogant demeanor, Dokgo Pae was polite to the instructor.
‘Hmm.’
Unlike Il-mok, who sat on his own, Instructor Chu Il-hwan watched Dokgo Pae take his seat and thought.
‘The eldest grandson of the Dokgo family in Carrock City. Normally, he’d be a promising talent, but because of the youngest young master, he falls short in many ways.’
After a moment’s deliberation, Chu Il-hwan decided to probe that point lightly.
“What do you think of this test, Cadet Dokgo?”
“It was a shame.”
“Oh? In what way?”
Wondering if he had some self-reflection after all, Chu Il-hwan got an absurd answer in return.
“I couldn’t fight properly because I wasn’t allowed to injure them, so I lost pointlessly. If it had been a life-or-death spar, it would’ve been different, Instructor!”
At that bold, confident reply, Chu Il-hwan grinned back as he thought.
‘In a different way from the youngest young master, I want to kill him.’
The side effect of his Black Thunder Demon Palm writhed up his right arm.
Barely suppressing the murderous urge, Chu Il-hwan forced a grin and said.
“Very well. Since you think that way, I won’t ask about your martial prowess. Then, what about the other aspects?”
“Other aspects?”
For Dokgo Pae’s baffled expression, Chu Il-hwan added.
“You now know this test wasn’t just about competing in martial arts, right?”
“Isn’t it enough for a martial artist to excel in martial arts?”
“After graduating from the Demonic Path Academy, you’ll belong to some branch. This was training and a test to cultivate the ability to carry out the Sacred Church’s solemn orders. It doesn’t mean only martial skill matters.”
Only then did Dokgo Pae nod as if understanding.
“I get what you mean, but it doesn’t suit me.”
At Dokgo Pae’s idiotic remark, Chu Il-hwan felt the dormant Black Thunder Dragon in his right hand thrashing madly.
Exercising extreme patience to suppress the demonic art’s rampage, Dokgo Pae continued.
“I’m the eldest grandson of the Dokgo family, destined to stand above others someday, Instructor. I think leaving the trivial matters to others and crushing enemies with the strongest force is my role. Oh, and come to think of it, I found one cadet who was pretty good at that in this test. Teaming up with him from now on doesn’t sound bad.”
At Dokgo Pae’s follow-up, Chu Il-hwan finally calmed the Black Thunder Demon Palm in his right hand.
‘Phew. At least his head isn’t just for show.’
Organizing his thoughts, Chu Il-hwan spoke rapidly, like shooting an arrow.
“Indeed. Understanding and utilizing your comrades’ strengths and weaknesses is also crucial. Especially as you rise higher, that skill becomes even more essential.”
“I’ll keep that in mind, Instructor.”
“Think deeply on this matter going forward, and you may go.”
Normally, he’d point out more details, but Instructor Chu Il-hwan hurriedly shooed Dokgo Pae out.
Somehow, he felt like any more conversation would lead him to actually kill the boy.
* * *
Meanwhile, around that time.
Just as Instructor Chu Il-hwan was conducting interviews in A-Group, Instructor Eun Ryeo was doing the same in B-Group.
“Cadet Joo Seo-yeon.”
At the curt, icy call from her usual prickly-looking instructor, Joo Seo-yeon replied with a bright, innocent face.
“Yes, Instructor!”
“Hmm. There’ve been many evaluations saying you’ve improved in various ways compared to when you first entered. Was there some trigger?”
“It’s all thanks to Young Master Il-mok!”
“…Have you forgotten that all fellow cadets in the Demonic Path Academy are equals? Calling him ‘Young Master’ can create discord.”
“I’ll be careful, Instructor!”
Despite saying she’d be careful, Joo Seo-yeon was still beaming innocently.
Sighing faintly at the sight, Instructor Eun Ryeo spoke in her blunt tone.
“Still, it’s fortunate you’re showing clear growth. Of course, you’re still lacking a bit in every area, but if you keep this up, by the time you graduate, you should catch up sufficiently.”
“Instructor, catching up isn’t enough! I need to graduate second place!”
“S-Second…?”
Instructor Eun Ryeo’s expression cracked for the first time as she stared at Joo Seo-yeon in bewilderment.
“Yes, Instructor! I have to graduate second and be with him!”
“…….”
Instructor Eun Ryeo’s head began to spin. Who was “him”?
‘No way, is she talking about the youngest young master?’
Suddenly, the tangled threads in her mind unraveled. No wonder her results started improving recently thanks to the youngest young master.
‘She’s been working hard to impress her crush.’
Having grasped the situation, Instructor Eun Ryeo quickly resumed her blunt expression and issued a dismissal.
“Very well. Keep up the effort.”
“Yes, Instructor!”
Right after the spirited Joo Seo-yeon marched out.
“Whew.”
Letting out a deep sigh, Instructor Eun Ryeo massaged her fatigued facial muscles.
And shortly after. Hearing the next cadet had arrived, Instructor Eun Ryeo said in her blunt expression.
“Come in.”
At her command, the door slowly opened, and a shrunken cadet entered very cautiously.
“Take a seat.”
“I-I-I p-prefer to st-stand, In-Instructor. It’s m-more c-comfortable.”
At Jeong Hyeon’s attempt to keep exactly one zhang distance as always, Instructor Eun Ryeo barely maintained her blunt expression and replied.
“If that’s more comfortable, stand and listen.”
“Y-Yes, Instructor.”
But contrary to her blunt expression, what came from Instructor Eun Ryeo’s mouth was pure praise.
The way he supported his teammates from afar with interceptions during battles, how he hunted animals and secured food, and his excellent tracking skills while pursuing other groups.
Wrapping up her praise for Jeong Hyeon’s performance during the test, Instructor Eun Ryeo said.
“In this test, at least, you performed well enough to rank in the top five.”
At the string of praises from Instructor Eun Ryeo, the fully hunched Jeong Hyeon replied faintly with a completely flushed face.
“I-It’s all th-thanks to Y-Young M-Master Il-mok.”
Instructor Eun Ryeo felt a sense of déjà vu.
‘Just a different speech pattern and attitude, but the exact same answer as Cadet Joo Seo-yeon.’
She couldn’t shake the feeling that Il-mok was turning into a terribly sinful man.
And for some reason, unlike with Joo Seo-yeon, Eun Ryeo gave a different response.
“Cadet Il-mok’s leadership was excellent, but perfectly carrying out that role was your own ability, wasn’t it?”
Eun Ryeo hoped Jeong Hyeon wouldn’t rely excessively on Il-mok. Unlike Joo Seo-yeon, he seemed like he’d crumble from even a minor hurt from him.
“Also, there’s no guarantee you’ll be in the same group as Cadet Il-mok in future tests. He knew you well and led accordingly, but others won’t. So from now on, you need to tell your teammates your strengths yourself.”
Jeong Hyeon’s flushed face instantly paled.
Imagining being grouped with others instead of Il-mok, and having to explain his strengths to them, made his breath catch.
Seeing the slender-built Jeong Hyeon turn ashen, Instructor Eun Ryeo sighed faintly and said.
“Aren’t you going to unwrap the bandages even for a bit? You seem uncomfortable in many ways.”
At Eun Ryeo’s consideration, Jeong Hyeon carefully refused.
“I-It’s f-fine, Instructor. I’m u-used to it.”
As he spoke, placing a hand lightly on his chest, he felt the tightly bound bandages inside his clothes.
He’d wrapped them tightly because they interfered with shooting arrows. For the same reason, fidgeting with his short-cropped hair—which also got in the way of archery—Jeong Hyeon averted his gaze from Eun Ryeo’s eyes.
At that anxious sight, Eun Ryeo barely suppressed a sigh and said.
“Go out for a bit, find somewhere without people, and catch your breath.”
“Th-Thank you, Instructor!”
Watching Jeong Hyeon’s retreating figure as he quickly cupped his hands and left the hall, Eun Ryeo let out the sigh she’d held back.
It wasn’t a sigh of disdain. It was one of pity.
“Haa.”
With her expression fully crumbling, Instructor Eun Ryeo relaxed her tense facial muscles as she thought.
‘How can I help that child?’
At the thought that had risen unbidden, Eun Ryeo hurriedly shook her head.
The side effect of the demonic art she cultivated was excessive compassion and an inability to refuse.
It was hard to hold back when seeing pitiful people or those who needed her help.
She maintained a cold face and blunt speech precisely to avoid that side effect.
More accurately, to avoid cases where someone acted pitiful and made requests of her.
With a cold face and blunt tone, opponents often got intimidated and gave up on asking. It was a life hack of sorts.
Of course, it was a side effect somewhat suited to her role as an instructor caring for young cadets, but revealing it was dangerous.
An instructor’s role was to watch over and teach all cadets, not focus all attention on one or two.
No, if she let the side effect control her and overextended to help all cadets excessively, she risked failing at even basic duties.
“Whew. That was close.”
Recalling Jeong Hyeon, who particularly stirred her compassion, Eun Ryeo sighed in relief.
She was certain that if Jeong Hyeon cried and asked her for something, she absolutely couldn’t refuse.
“Ah!”
Finally pulling herself together, Instructor Eun Ryeo belatedly realized an important fact and made a regretful face.
“I forgot about that.”
It was something she needed to tell the others, but especially something crucial that Jeong Hyeon had to know—and she’d failed to mention it.