I Became a Swordsmanship Instructor at the Academy 53

Became a swordsmanship instructor at the academy

Chapter 53

I think doing something for the first time is always difficult.

Because there’s no precedent.

Of course, there are cases where one becomes a pioneer and leaves a good precedent, but this retreat doesn’t seem likely to become one.

“Teacher Kim Je-ha from our 1st Hunter School will be the Education Director.”

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

“Aren’t there zero A-rank hunters among the 1st Hunter School teachers who came as instructors? The Education Director for this retreat will be our 2nd Hunter School’s Teacher Kim Jeong-hyun.”

“I heard Teacher Kim was hired last year and isn’t even a regular teacher yet?”

“What does it matter if they’re a regular teacher or a newcomer? We should go by skill.”

“We came as instructors for the kids’ retreat, so what does skill have to do with it? If we’re going by experience, our 1st Hunter School’s Teacher Kim Je-ha should take the position.”

“Ha, someone without skills wants to be the Education Director?”

“What did you just say?”

“Did I say something untrue?”

SIGH, all this fuss over the Education Director position…

Yesterday, I broke through a wall.

What felt like just a moment to me actually took nearly half a day, so I hurriedly got ready and barely arrived on time.

Starting with a meal at the retreat center’s cafeteria, we began checking the facilities and curriculum.

Perhaps because there have been many issues raised about retreats lately, the company had prepared everything so well that there was nothing particularly wrong.

The facilities were in good condition, nothing strange about the curriculum, and the food was decent enough, if not up to school standards.

I thought we would finish early since we only needed to decide on the tasks and assign groups, but we’ve been arguing for an hour already.

The cause of this prolonged debate is the position of Education Director, the retreat instructor in charge.

I was hoping to finish quickly so I could go to the portal and practice with my master, but neither our school’s teachers nor the 2nd Hunter School teachers from Incheon show any signs of backing down.

The vice principal did mention before that our school and the 2nd Hunter School don’t get along well so there might be trouble, but I never expected something this pathetic would actually happen.

“How about settling this with a duel?”

One of the 2nd Hunter School teachers suggested.

Right. That would be better.

Continuing to argue verbally won’t lead to any conclusion, so it would be a hundred times better to decide cleanly with a duel.

“Let’s do that. We’ve been at this for an hour already, so let’s decide with a duel.”

“That sounds good to me.”

“I was about to suggest the same thing. Let’s do it.”

The 2nd Hunter School teachers, seeing their chance, rush to agree, but our school’s teachers look visibly flustered.

That’s understandable since there’s an A-rank hunter among the 2nd Hunter School instructors, but none from our school.

“Deciding on an Education Director with a duel…”

“Do you have any other alternatives? If so, please share.”

“How about five representatives from each school…”

I thought they were going to give in to the 2nd Hunter School, but our teachers aren’t pushovers either.

While the 2nd Hunter School has an A-rank hunter, they also have C-rank hunters, whereas all our school’s teachers are B-rank hunters.

“Why have five duels? That would take all day. Let’s just have one representative from each side.”

“Since your side suggested a duel, we should be able to offer our opinion too.”

Another tug-of-war ensued, but the company representatives, seemingly at the end of their patience, sided with the 2nd Hunter School. It was decided that each school would select one representative for a duel at the playground in 30 minutes.

The 2nd Hunter School teachers left the conference room first, while our school’s teachers seemed to be staying behind to talk.

As for me, I have no interest in positions like Education Director, so I was planning to go to the playground early to wait when Teacher Baek approaches me.

“Teacher Kang, would you possibly consider being our school’s representative…”

“I have no interest in such positions. You saw I didn’t say a word during the meeting.”

Teacher Baek hadn’t spoken a word to me since it was revealed I came from a non-hunter school at the beginning-of-semester gathering, but since the second semester began, he’s been greeting me and talking to me.

On the way to class, he even apologized, saying he was sorry but couldn’t help it because he was conscious of the other teachers.

Honestly, I didn’t feel great about it, but since he apologized, I at least exchange greetings with him.

Other practical skills teachers have also approached me since the second semester began when my abilities became known, but none apologized separately like Teacher Baek.

“If Teacher Kang doesn’t help us, the 2nd Hunter School will take the Education Director position…”

“I honestly don’t understand. The Education Director isn’t even an official position, just being in charge of a three-day retreat… If anything, wouldn’t the Education Director be the one to take all the blame if any accidents happen?”

“But the school’s honor is at stake!”

What ridiculous honor…

“Will our school become prestigious if we take the Education Director position? Will we become a garbage school if we don’t?”

I absolutely refuse positions that only involve taking responsibility without extra pay.

In fact, I have no intention of doing it even if they offered more money.

“Teacher, this is a matter of school pride.”

Such overflowing loyalty to the school.

Actually, since it’s a school, should I call it school spirit?

Anyway, I told him I wasn’t interested and left the conference room.

I’m sure the vice principal forced me to be an instructor in anticipation of a situation like this, but the agreement was only to serve as an instructor, not to participate in duels.

Of course, they could find fault with that if they wanted to, but it doesn’t matter.

Now I’m also an ultimate master.

I stopped by the bathroom briefly before heading down to the playground.

I don’t plan to duel, but I definitely plan to watch.

After all, the two most entertaining things to watch are fires and fights.

When I arrived at the playground, our school’s teachers had also come down and were talking with serious expressions.

They were all so aggressive during the argument earlier, but now they all seem to be backing out, probably afraid of dueling an A-rank hunter.

“Teacher Kang really won’t help?”

“Teacher Baek is at least on speaking terms with him. Can’t you ask him again?”

For whose benefit?

Do they have faces of steel?

They treated me like I was invisible normally, but now that they need something, they say such things—their shamelessness is truly at an S-rank level.

“He said he has absolutely no interest, so I think it will be difficult.”

“Does Teacher Kang have no sense of belonging to our school?”

“What would he know? He didn’t even attend our school.”

TSK TSK. Right, I don’t know anything, so you guys figure it out yourselves.

“We’ve decided, but is the 1st Hunter School not ready yet?”

A female teacher from the 2nd Hunter School approaches me with a question, but she’s got the wrong person.

“You should ask over there.”

“You’re Teacher Kang Shin-hyeok, right? Aren’t you going to represent your school?”

“I’m not participating. I have no interest in positions like Education Director.”

“I heard you’re a B-rank who can use Aura Blade, but I guess rumors can’t be trusted.”

A male teacher standing nearby tried to provoke me, and it seems I’ve become quite famous.

I considered responding, but I stayed silent because if I did, they might challenge me to fight, and that would only benefit others.

He turned and walked toward our school’s teachers.

“Since Teacher Kim was going to be the Education Director anyway, shouldn’t Teacher Kim represent us?”

“No, I… Well, I am also a new teacher, so it might be awkward if I go. Why don’t you go, Teacher Baek?”

“What? No, I’d rather not…”

Even Teacher Baek, who had been strutting around school claiming to be from a prestigious guild, is like this, so I doubt any other teachers will step up.

SIGH, why am I starting to feel embarrassed for them?

“TSK TSK. Then just forfeit.”

“We can’t do that.”

“Then who’s going to represent you? Let’s decide quickly. Our 2nd Hunter School representative is Teacher Kim Jeong-hyun.”

As expected, the 2nd Hunter School sent out their A-rank hunter.

Their arrogant demeanor, confident in their victory, is a bit irritating, but seeing the practical skills teachers who usually looked down on me squirming is quite satisfying, indeed.

I wonder what they’ll do now?

As I watch with interest to see if they’ll give up without a duel or if they’ll actually fight, the man who provoked me earlier approaches.

“Are the 1st Hunter School teachers all cowards? Why don’t you step up? I’ll go easy on you.”

It seems this guy is the 2nd Hunter School’s representative, which is quite absurd.

They say a day-old puppy doesn’t know to fear a tiger.

I was determined to ignore him because stepping up would only be doing the practical skills teachers a favor, but I’m starting to get annoyed.

“Looks like you’re scared too? Our school’s teachers are good at healing magic, so don’t worry and come out.”

SIGH…

I really didn’t want to get involved, but when I hear talk like this, I have no choice.

They say if you stay quiet, people will take you for a mute—this guy has definitely crossed the line.

“Have tigers ever fought ants?”

“W-what? What are you saying?”

“Are your ears clogged? Or if not that, is your comprehension lacking? I’m saying duels should be between those of similar levels.”

After my calm explanation, his smirking face instantly contorted, which was quite a sight to see.

“Hey, what kind of way is that to talk?”

The female teacher standing next to the man got angry.

Is she his girlfriend?

“No matter how much of a practical skills teacher you are, haven’t you heard the saying that politeness begets politeness?”

The other side was rude first, and I’m no saint, so there’s no need for me alone to maintain courtesy.

“You’re quite the talker for someone who won’t step up, just like the rumors say.”

“I didn’t want to join a battle between pieces of trash… But I guess I have no choice. Teacher Baek.”

“Y-yes?”

“Is it okay if I go? Of course, I won’t be the representative, I’ll just be filling in.”

“Ah, yes. Of course.”

“W-what did you just say? Pieces of trash?”

The term “pieces of trash” seems to have had quite an impact, as his face turned red like it was about to explode.

“I thought you were deaf, but your hearing is fine. Now I need to figure out how much I should hold back for the 2nd Hunter School teachers… How about all the 2nd Hunter School teachers attack at once?”

“W-what?”

“This person! There’s a limit to how much you can disrespect our 2nd Hunter School.”

“Hey, you! Do you think we’re nothing?”

“Don’t you understand Korean? When did I say the 2nd Hunter School teachers were nothing? I said you were pieces of trash.”

“Um… Teacher Kang, no matter what, such conditions…”

Teacher Baek interjected.

Honestly, it seems less like he’s worried about me and more like he’s concerned that if I lose, they’ll lose the Education Director position.

Of course, such a thing would never happen, even if the sun were to rise in the west.

“If he’s okay with it, don’t interfere.”

“It seems your arrogance reaches the sky because you’ve been in the media a bit, but I should take this opportunity to show you that the world isn’t so easy.”

Oh my, how scary.

Right. Anyone can have plans.

Until they get beaten up.

After I agreed, there was more prolonged discussion about who would referee, so I went to the playground and drew a circular boundary with a radius of about one meter around me.

“What are you doing now? After saying we should all attack, are you cowardly setting up a magic circle in advance…?”

A 2nd Hunter School teacher came over to pick a fight.

I have no idea what nonsense they were talking about, calling this a magic circle.

“How does this look like a magic circle to you? I don’t use magic.”

“Teacher Kang, I’ve been appointed to referee… Hmm? What’s this circle for?”

“I drew it because even if all of you attack, it won’t be a fair match. If I step outside this circle, I lose.”

If I were to completely destroy them from the start, they might claim I used forbidden techniques.

Actually, without this disadvantage, I might not feel any tension at all.

“You should have some limits when disrespecting people. Just a B-rank hunter, how dare you.”

“You’re quite arrogant.”

Without this disadvantage, I wouldn’t feel any tension at all, even if they all attacked together.

“Um… Teacher Kang, it’s already 3-to-1, is there really a need for such conditions…?”

“3-to-1? What do you mean? Aren’t all the 2nd Hunter School teachers attacking together?”

“They said they have their honor too and can’t do that, so only three will participate, and I told them to go ahead.”

“TSK TSK, even all of them wouldn’t be enough, what confidence. Well, since they rejected it themselves, I won’t say anything later.”

The opponents are one woman and two men; the man who provoked me earlier is holding a sword, perhaps a swordsman, along with a man with a spear and the woman who first spoke to me, who appears to be a magician.

“What? Are you really sure? It’s not even 2-to-1 but 3-to-1…”

“It’s fine, so let’s start right away.”

Teacher Baek hesitated briefly, then asked the 2nd Hunter School teachers if they were ready, and when they all agreed, he lowered his hand to signal the start.