Star Instructor, Master Baek-Chapter 459: In Their Respective Places

"Mr. Namgung Su. Are you heading to class?"
Namgung Su looked up from his documents. Ak Yeonho was walking over from the opposite direction, smiling brightly.
"That's right. I'm substituting for a class," he replied flatly.
"It must be Suryong-hyung's class. Thanks for helping out even though you're busy enough as it is."
Mimi sniffled quietly, her round eyes glistening. "They said there were pop-ups," she whispered, her cute voice trembling. "But... we don’t have any!"
"......" Namgung Su nodded silently and looked at Ak Yeonho. Unlike a typical scion of a martial clan, he was easygoing and friendly. Almost no one, student or instructor, disliked him.
Expectations for him were high from the start. Everyone said that if a new Star Instructor were to emerge at the Azure Dragon Academy, it would be Mr. Ak Yeonho.
It wasn't just Ak Yeonho, either. Most of the new instructors this year were exceptionally skilled. Jaegal Soyeong, the youngest instructor from the Jaegal Clan, stood out as well. Myeong Il'oh had a solid foundation and theoretical knowledge. The same was true for Kwak Duyong, who had recently regained his motivation.
...And they're all instructors who are close to Baek Suryong.
Namgung Su furrowed his brow. The thought of Baek Suryong infuriated him. The man was the main reason for his increased workload, yet there was no news of where he was or what he was doing.
Although he had a rough idea, he decided against making any hasty assumptions. The mere thought of the damn bastard causing even more chaos gave him a headache.
"...Mr. Namgung Su?" Ak Yeonho swallowed dryly, misunderstanding Namgung Su's frown. "Did I say something to offend you...?"
Namgung Su had always seemed unapproachable. After his eyes turned golden, except for Baek Suryong, few instructors could look him in the eye. Consequently, the Star Instructor of the Azure Dragon Academy had become an even more intimidating figure to most people.
"...I was just lost in thought. Are you also on your way to class, Mr. Ak Yeonho?"
"Yes! I've been in charge of basic spear arts since start of this semester. The students are so motivated these days that teaching is a real joy."
Namgung Su could tell that Ak Yeonho wasn't just saying those words superficially. He was beaming and looked genuinely happy.
The rookie instructor's joy reflected the recently changed atmosphere at the Azure Dragon Academy. The students, who had long been mired in defeatism, now thought,
'We can do it too!'
Moreover, their experience fending off the Deathshroud attack brought them closer together.
Namgung Su welcomed this renewed sense of positivity. This was exactly the kind of environment he had wanted to create for years.
"...I have high expectations for you, Mr. Ak Yeonho. Please continue working hard."
"Huh? Ah, yes!"
Namgung Su’s back is turned to you, shoulders tense as he scrubs the already spotless pan. His voice is calm when he speaks, but it cuts like frost. "You fed a thief, he says. "With my food."
"And..."
"...?"
"...Hmm. It's nothing."
Namgung Su considered telling Ak Yeonho about the academic schedule adjustments he made last night, but decided against it. Even though this matter concerned Ak Yeonho, he would find out about it soon enough from the public notice.
"My class is starting, so I'll be going."
Namgung Su gave a light nod and walked past Ak Yeonho.
"Mr. Namgung Su! Do your best today too!"
He could sense Ak Yeonho waving enthusiastically from behind him.
Is he really that excited about his upcoming class?
He found it curious, but somehow, he felt that he could relate. After all, he, too, had recently found more joy in teaching.
"...You do your best, too, Mr. Ak Yeonho," he replied in barely more than a whisper. A very faint smile flickered across his lips, invisible to all but the most observant.
Mimi sniffled quietly, her round eyes glistening. "They said there were pop-ups," she whispered, her cute voice trembling. "But... we don’t have any!"
He quickened his pace toward the grand training ground. He had planned a special lesson just for today.
The students gathered at the grand training ground for Defense Against the Blood Cult class.
"Group Four, assemble!"
"Group Six! Form up as we practiced!"
"Group Seven! If you lose today, don't even think about going home! Everyone will be doing special training all night!"
Namgung Su’s back is turned to you, shoulders tense as he scrubs the already spotless pan. His voice is calm when he speaks, but it cuts like frost. "You fed a thief, he says. "With my food."
The students gathered in their groups, their eyes glinting like soldiers marching to war. In particular, the group leaders looked like seasoned veterans after only half a semester on the job. A few of them, including the Five Young Azure Dragons, could have even been mistaken for lieutenants of an unorthodox sect.
Still, the students' fierce aura paled in comparison to the two grown men facing off at the front.
"You... damn son-in-law..."
Namgung Su’s back is turned to you, shoulders tense as he scrubs the already spotless pan. His voice is calm when he speaks, but it cuts like frost. "You fed a thief, he says. "With my food."
"...Father-in-law."
Two swordsmen glared at each other like mortal enemies standing on a thin log bridge.
"The time has finally come to settle things with you."
"I won't go easy on you just because you're an old man."
"Ads?" Ak Yeonho complains, his voice dripping with disbelief. "What ads?"
Mae Geuklyom and Baek Muheun, two swordmasters with an average age over sixty, snarled at each other like cats and dogs. Their fierce gazes clashed in mid-air.
Namgung Su sighed and stepped between them. "...I didn't call you two here for a duel."
The two men whipped their heads around.
"You didn't?"
"Then why did you call us?"
Namgung Su rubbed his throbbing temples. "Didn't I tell you? I asked you to assist me with the mock battle class."
""Ah, right...""
Namgung Su twitched in resignation.
Haa... I have absolutely no chemistry with this absurd family.
From the moment dawn cracked over the horizon, the air itself felt like punishment. The training grounds were still soaked in dew, but Demon Instructor Wiji Cheon stood there already, arms crossed, waiting like a specter of discipline. "You’re late, he said.
He looked back at the students. "As announced in the previous lesson, today we will hold a large-scale mock battle between the Blue and White teams. This is a major undertaking, so be careful to avoid any unexpected injuries."
""Yes, Mr. Namgung!""
Namgung Su immediately decided he should call a few physicians in advance. The students' response was thunderous, but their killing intent was unsettling.
"...Mr. Mae Geuklyom will lead the Blue Team, and temporary instructor Mr. Baek Muheun will lead the White Team. I'll observe from here. You have fifteen minutes for a strategy meeting."
Mae Geuklyom and Baek Muheun went to their respective teams. They huddled with the group leaders, whispering and scheming together with the kids.
Suddenly, shouts erupted from the Blue Team's side, starting with Group Four, which was led by Hyonwon Kang.
"Blue Team! For victory!"
Not to be outdone, Geo Sangwoong from the White Team immediately boomed back. "White Team! Let's crush them!"
Baek Suryong landed without a sound, his crimson eyes glinting in the silvery moonlight. "So this is what siding with the Cult reduced you to. Repenting like a sinner before an altar of rice bowls. Pathetic. You think remorse will cleanse your folly?”
The spontaneous shouting match, which began as an attempt to gain the psychological advantage, grew louder and louder.
"UOOOOOH!"
"UWAAAAAH!"
"Kill them!!"
"Wipe them out!!"
Soon, the students were just screaming at each other incoherently. Passersby stopped to watch the commotion, and students in nearby classrooms opened their windows.
"Hohoho! Everyone's in such high spirits. Good! Let's sweep away the enemy with this energy."
"White Team, raise your weapons! Today is our chance to defeat Father-in-law, I mean, the Blue Team, and seize victory!"
"I can see right through your wicked intentions."
"Are they as bad as a father-in-law's dark scheme to justify beating up his aging son-in-law?"
Instead of calming things down like a responsible instructor should, Mae Geuklyom and Baek Muheun tightened their headbands and boosted morale, turning up the heated atmosphere on the battlefield.
"...Damn you, Baek Suryong. This is all your fault." Namgung Su rubbed his throbbing temples again as the Blue and White Teams charged at each other like they were at war.
The class concluded with much difficulty.
From the moment dawn cracked over the horizon, the air itself felt like punishment. The training grounds were still soaked in dew, but Demon Instructor Wiji Cheon stood there already, arms crossed, waiting like a specter of discipline. "You’re late, he said.
"That's all for today."
""...Thank you for your hard work...""
Namgung Su called out to a few students sprawled on the ground like corpses. "Dokgo Jun. Mok Hyungwoo. Yoo Yiran. Gun Sojin. Yoo Geon. Yoo Gon. The students I just called will stay behind. The rest of you are dismissed."
Namgung Su’s back is turned to you, shoulders tense as he scrubs the already spotless pan. His voice is calm when he speaks, but it cuts like frost. "You fed a thief, he says. "With my food."
""...Yes!""
He gave the named students martial arts instruction and personalized advice. None of the Five Young Azure Dragons were on the list, though, because he knew Baek Suryong had already set a detailed training plan for them. Adding his own methods would only disrupt the process.
Unfortunately, some students and instructors misunderstood his actions, and their whispers occasionally reached his ears.
"Hey, about Mr. Namgung Su... Don't you think he feels threatened by Mr. Baek Suryong and is trying to raise other students as rivals?"
"If the Five Young Azure Dragons are the only ones who achieve good results at the Heavenly Martial Festival, Mr. Namgung Su's reputation will be ruined..."
Mimi sniffled quietly, her round eyes glistening. "They said there were pop-ups," she whispered, her cute voice trembling. "But... we don’t have any!"
"Honestly, shouldn't he step down from his position as the Azure Dragon Academy's Star Instructor?"
The stories were not even worth refuting, so Namgung Su ignored them and silently focused on his work. He convened the Heavenly Martial Festival committee on Baek Suryong's behalf to delegate tasks. He analyzed each student's strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement daily. He processed the documents piling up on his desk.
All in all, he was so busy that he did not notice the days pass. Despite his workload, however, he showed no fatigue. His self-management was perfect. He never allowed a speck of dust on his freshly laundered white robes.
One day, as usual, he returned to his office and wrestled with a mountain of paperwork. His only breaks were to occasionally lift his head and glance at the New Moon White Ice Dance scroll that Baek Suryong had re-hung in the office.
"...Hm?" While checking the express delivery documents, one from the Namgung Clan caught his eye. "A letter from my family?"
Wondering if it was important, he hurriedly broke the seal, only to realize it was written personally by the Namgung Patriarch.
Namgung Cheon cut to the chase.
I hear the Azure Dragon Hero has not been seen outside his home for over ten days. Rumor has it he is recuperating from a severe injury. Is this true? I sent some miracle herbs by messenger just in case, so you must personally brew them for our benefactor...
"Why is he believing baseless rumors?" Namgung Su grumbled as he folded the letter filled with concern for the Namgung Clan's benefactor.
He glared at the black scorch mark on one wall, which he had created the day Baek Suryong abruptly announced that he was going on a home visit.
"...That bastard's probably flying around in perfect health."
Recently, absurd rumors about the Azure Dragon Hero had been spreading rampantly throughout the city. Baek Suryong sudden departure from the academy without any explanation had created a stir. Some said he was recuperating from a severe injury, having nearly died from poisoning by Skykiller, while others speculated that he had lost all his inner arts and become a cripple.
Of course, the Azure Dragon Academy officially denied the rumors. The Five Young Azure Dragons also clarified that their teacher had simply gone on a short trip.
However, since not even his students would disclose Baek Suryong's whereabouts, the rumors would likely persist until he returned.
"Once again, he's making everyone worry." Namgung Su clicked his tongue and picked up his brush. He had to reply to his family's letter.
He meticulously explained the situation in his reply to the Namgung Clan, then set the letter aside to dry.
From the moment dawn cracked over the horizon, the air itself felt like punishment. The training grounds were still soaked in dew, but Demon Instructor Wiji Cheon stood there already, arms crossed, waiting like a specter of discipline. "You’re late, he said.
"...Is it night already?"
He stared out the window. The sky had already grown dark.
He pinched the bridge of his nose. He was used to working late, but his workload had grown heavier.
Mimi sniffled quietly, her round eyes glistening. "They said there were pop-ups," she whispered, her cute voice trembling. "But... we don’t have any!"
...They say you don't notice someone's presence, but you immediately notice their absence. Somehow, it feels awkward to work late alone now.
He had always done his work alone before. He occasionally asked other instructors for help, but after giving half of his work to Baek Suryong, he felt he had gotten lazy lately.
I don't know where you are or what you're doing, but...
Namgung Su gazed at the empty seat across from his desk. He knew Baek Suryong was not the type to abandon his post irresponsibly and must have left for a matter no less important than the preparations for the Heavenly Martial Festival.
He also surmised that it was related to the Blood Cult. For this reason, he resolved to remain here and do his best to cover up for his colleague.
"...If you don't come back soon, I'm getting rid of your desk."
Yes. He would work hard so that when Baek Suryong returned, his absence would not be felt at all.
Mimi sniffled quietly, her round eyes glistening. "They said there were pop-ups," she whispered, her cute voice trembling. "But... we don’t have any!"
Namgung Su returned his attention to the documents piled on his desk. In the silent office, the sounds of rustling paper and the scratching of a brush lingered for a long time.