I Became a Swordsmanship Instructor at the Academy 42

Became a swordsmanship instructor at the academy

Chapter 42

“Bro, this is the portal clear signal, right?”

“We just came in. How could the portal…”

“So did Kang Shin-hyeok clear it by himself?”

That’s impossible.

The soldier who was on guard duty clearly said that the trash went in around 9:20 AM.

The team assignments started at 9, and no matter how quickly he arrived, it would have been 9:15. It’s not even 11 yet, so how could he clear it in less than 2 hours…

No, the time isn’t the issue.

“Say something that makes sense. That guy is B rank!”

It’s impossible for a B rank hunter to clear a B grade 10 portal alone.

Thinking there must be some misunderstanding, I was about to enter the forest with everyone when a person walked out.

“K-Kang Shin-hyeok?”

He’s covered in blood, but surprisingly, he doesn’t seem to be injured anywhere.

None of the blood on his clothes and sword is red, it’s all black.

“It’s an informal speech with Kang Shin-hyeok, but do you know me?”

“Well… No, did you possibly…”

“You guys were late. I was just planning to meet the minimum quota.”

My goodness, so he really cleared it alone?

“Since you came late, you’ll handle the corpses and cleanup, right?”

“No, wait! Did you really… What, what are you doing?”

In the middle of speaking, he suddenly approached me and reached out his hand, which made me instinctively step back.

“Why are you flinching? Someone might think I’m trying to hit you. I need your account number to send you the settlement. Should I just tell you mine directly?”

I noticed he was holding a piece of paper in his hand.

“W-Who’s flinching!”

Fearing others might really think that, I quickly approached him and snatched the paper.

“Half.”

“Half? What does that…”

“I have something to do, so just send half after the settlement. You know the market price, so it would be better not to try anything funny.”

I was about to say I wouldn’t do such a thing, but he just walked past me and left the portal.

***

I came down from the mountain, leaving behind the soldiers with their surprised expressions.

Looking at my reflection in the car window, I looked completely like a beggar.

Usually, I don’t end up like this.

I think I was too aggressive trying to finish as quickly as possible and return to Seoul.

Still, the stress that had been building up from all that restraint feels somewhat relieved now.

I took clothes from the trunk and changed.

I wrapped the worn clothes in plastic, wiped the sword once, put them back in the trunk, and sat in the driver’s seat.

I roughly wiped off the blood stuck to my head and body with wet wipes, but it seems it didn’t clean properly as I can still smell blood.

I thought it would be nice to take a shower, but I probably won’t have time for that.

I put on my earphones, called Teacher Kim, and immediately stepped on the accelerator.

—Teacher Kang, didn’t you say you’d call after the practical evaluation training today? Don’t tell me you didn’t go?

“No. I’m calling because it’s finished.”

—Already? It’s not even 11 yet.

“Given the situation, I had to hurry a bit. I’m just about to head up now, but could I meet with that reporter friend you mentioned yesterday?”

—It will take about two hours to get here, right? Where should we meet?

“Could we meet near the Education Office, if possible?”

—The Education Office is in Jongno District… Why there?

“I received a call this morning from the Student Rights something-or-other to come in for an investigation. They originally told me to come tomorrow, but they said I could come today if I was coming early.”

—How about near Gwanghwamun? My friend’s company happens to be in that area.

“That works out well. Let’s meet at Gwanghwamun Station at 1:30. If you let me know the location, I’ll go there.”

—Okay. See you later.

As I drove while organizing my thoughts, the Seoul tollgate came into view.

Teacher Kim said she had already met with her friend, so I sped up a little more.

Since it wasn’t rush hour, there was no traffic jam, so it didn’t take long.

When I called Teacher Kim to tell her I was nearby and ask where to go, she said she would come by car.

Given the situation, it seems she was being considerate.

I gave her the parking location and waited for a moment. When I heard a knock, I opened the door and got out.

“Teacher Kang… Oh my, your face is completely lopsided. Have you eaten?”

“I didn’t think about it. Thank you so much for helping. Is this the reporter? Hello, I’m Kang Shin-hyeok.”

“I’m Lim Eun-ji from Dongseok Daily. I heard you have to go to the Education Office for an investigation by 3, and since we don’t have much time, let’s get right to the point.”

“Ah, yes. It’s not much, but please get in.”

As soon as we got in the car, she immediately asked if the two of us were really in a romantic relationship.

She seems to have quite a direct personality, and this is better than trying to be considerate and beating around the bush.

“I swear to heaven, we are not.”

“Then do you have any evidence or witnesses to refute the situations that Deathpatch claimed when they asserted you were in a relationship?”

“I can testify that the reason for going to Jeju Island wasn’t some honeymoon with Eunseo.”

“I also have something prepared separately. Just a moment.”

I took out a laptop from the dashboard, turned it on, and played a video labeled “1.”

—Hello. I’m Hong Jong-sik, Guild Leader of Hwarang Guild.

—I’m Hong Ye-seul, a hunter affiliated with Hwarang Guild.

The two explained that I came to Jeju Island at the request of Hwarang Guild, went hunting with them every day, and had only two days off.

Towards the end of the video, both of them showed strong trust by saying that I was definitely not that kind of person, and that they would appear as witnesses if it came to court. Even though I had seen it once before, I almost teared up watching it again.

“When did you prepare this?”

“I asked yesterday, and they filmed and sent it to me.”

“This video certainly proves that going to Jeju Island wasn’t for a honeymoon.”

“What’s this number 2? Is this evidence too?”

“Ah, yes. Let’s watch it together.”

When I played video number 2, both of them were surprised.

—Ahem, this is Kim Man-dong, Vice Principal of the 1st Hunter School. To get straight to the point, I believe in Teacher Kang Shin-hyeok.

“Seon-hwa, isn’t this your father?”

“It really is my dad.”

—If you look at the first article that reported Teacher Kang’s incident, it says that Teacher Kang Shin-hyeok asked not to be exposed to the media after accomplishing a feat. They said the reason for such a request was to hide a honeymoon with a student, which is absolutely ridiculous nonsense.

“Your father is still as fiery as ever.”

“Haha…”

—I know better than anyone why Teacher Kang avoids media exposure. He appeared on our school’s YouTube channel, which is now defunct, and became quite a topic. There was some positive attention, but there were also many malicious comments. It was especially bad for Teacher Kang, and because he came from a non-hunter school, people thought he was an easy target and sent so many duel requests that school administration was paralyzed. After experiencing such difficult and troublesome situations, how could he possibly enjoy media exposure? Not everyone wants attention.

He then talked about his sparring with me, praised me as the only one who wasn’t afraid of him and challenged him, which is why he made me an outstanding teacher, and concluded by saying once again that he believed in me.

Actually, I didn’t specifically ask the Vice Principal, but when we spoke on the phone, he said he felt sorry for momentarily doubting me and sent the video saying it might be helpful.

“There’s some profanity in the middle and parts that aren’t very relevant, so I don’t think I can use it as is, but it will definitely help if I edit it. Is number 3 evidence as well?”

“Ah, that’s not a video, but an audio call file.”

By incredible luck, Eunseo’s mother had sent me a file that was automatically recorded during our previous call.

It includes the part about the hotel reservation and the content about Eunseo and Eunsu staying together at the hotel.

“You’ve prepared a lot. This seems like enough to just release the videos without needing an interview… Ah, do you also have evidence to refute that photo where you were arm-in-arm?”

“According to the article, the informant mistook Eunseo and me for a married couple, probably because Eunseo said the kids were waiting. The ‘kids’ Eunseo mentioned were the other students who were with us at the time. I haven’t contacted the children separately, but if I ask, they will testify anytime.”

“What about the physical contact?”

“It was lunchtime. I came to get my phone and wallet, and Eunseo grabbed me saying let’s go quickly. I usually get along very well with the kids, so…”

“After hearing the explanation, I understand, but it does leave room for misunderstanding.”

Actually, this is the part that bothers me the most.

After all, I can’t deny that there was physical contact.

We were so comfortable with each other that I thought linking arms was nothing…

I was too careless.

“Could you send these files to my email?”

“Ah, yes.”

“The evidence you’ve prepared is enough to prove Teacher Kang’s innocence, so don’t worry too much.”

“When do you think the article will be published?”

“I’m going to write it and upload it right away, so hold your worries.”

“I really appreciate your help.”

“Yes. Then I’ll be going… Ah, you’re going to sue Deathpatch, right?”

“Of course.”

Not just Deathpatch, but all the malicious commenters too.

I don’t plan to let anyone off the hook.

***

“Wow, so it was completely a misunderstanding. You must have had a hard time.”

“Why else would I come today when you told me to come tomorrow?”

“The Education Office will also issue a press release to help restore Teacher Kang’s honor.”

“I’d appreciate it as soon as possible.”

“Understood. You may go now. Thank you for your hard work.”

He stood up from his seat and even opened the door for me. He was quite prickly at the start of the investigation, but his attitude has done a complete 180.

Honestly, I was nervous when I first entered the Education Office, but my nervousness was wasted because the Education Office believed me just like the explanation I gave to Reporter Lim.

After all, the evidence was too clear.

Of course, not everything went perfectly well.

The photo of linking arms that had been bothering me eventually became an issue.

The investigator dealing with me didn’t say much, but an old man who came in midway, saying he was a Student Rights Advocate, picked at it.

As the person in charge of the Human Rights Center, he argued that no matter how close, a teacher should stop a student when they try to initiate physical contact, and said that after consulting with the school, a disciplinary committee might be convened.

For now, since the Vice Principal is on my side, it’s likely that no committee will be convened and it will be passed with just a verbal warning. The investigator also said that even if it is convened, it would probably just be a written warning, the lowest form of discipline, so I shouldn’t worry, but…

I didn’t even initiate the arm-linking, it’s unfair.

Thinking I should talk to the Vice Principal once, I was leaving the Education Office and took out my phone to find a message from Teacher Kim.

[Teacher Kang, are you still under investigation? When you’re done, take a look at this. http:.bit.l1/32MQRE]

What’s this internet link? Has the article already been published?

When I clicked, it wasn’t a news article but some popular internet community board. Wait, what is this?

[1287957. I’m also Teacher Kang Shin-hyeok’s lover. (Evidence included)]

[1287968. I’m Teacher Kang Shin-hyeok’s lover? (Photo included)]

[1287979. I’m the real Teacher Kang Shin-hyeok’s lover. (2 photos attached)]

[1287974. I’m Teacher Kang Shin-hyeok’s lover? (Verification included)]

[1287953. The real Teacher Kang Shin-hyeok’s lover shows up. (Verification shot attached)]