I Became a Swordsmanship Instructor at the Academy 59

Became a swordsmanship instructor at the academy

Chapter 59

I told the kids to watch and began sparring with Se-jin.

Though she wasn’t the one who got scolded, she seemed tense because of the atmosphere, but once we started sparring, she demonstrated her skills as if nothing had happened.

She started attacking at a slightly faster pace than in the previous match.

CLANG!

She blocked steadily and counterattacked, but Se-jin is certainly on a different level.

Although there are some slightly unpolished areas visible, she skillfully uses the Breaking Form and gradually gains the upper hand.

“From now on, I’m going to add some variations, is that okay?”

“Yes!”

I attacked by applying slight variations to the textbook swordsmanship, and although it wasn’t as perfect as before, she still maintained the advantage, blocking well.

In the original story, Kim Se-jin appears as a talent no less gifted than Kim Do-hyun, one of the protagonists, but I thought it might be too early for adaptations yet she’s truly amazing.

Of course, not everything is perfect.

I think the unpolished areas I pointed out earlier will be resolved gradually, but today her sword feels unusually lighter than last time.

After discussing in advance, I slightly increased the speed, and her reaction time slowed down, and her movements gradually became duller.

It hasn’t even been 15 minutes yet, is she already tired?

Thinking her condition seemed quite poor, I ended the sparring by knocking her sword away.

“Overall it was good, but your sword is much lighter than last time. Your stamina seems to have dropped too.”

“Ah… I’ll increase my exercise time a bit more.”

“No, it’s not that serious, but I don’t think lack of exercise is the problem.”

“Huh? Then how should I compensate…?”

“You seem to be in poor condition. Kids, don’t you think Se-jin looks thinner than a few days ago?”

“We were just talking about that earlier. Sis, you’ve lost so much weight.”

“Are you on a diet?”

“I told you I’m not. I think it’s because I’ve been doing practicals and moving around a lot lately. I’m fine.”

Now that I look closely, Se-jin has dark circles under her eyes too.

She doesn’t seem to be sleeping well, and as a third-year student, she has more class hours than first-years, plus she’s the student council president, so she doesn’t have much free time.

Moreover, she spends both weekend days doing portal raids with her father’s guild members, so her schedule is almost as tight as mine… No, even tighter than mine.

Of course, Se-jin is an exceptional student who’s almost a Hunter… No, she could be considered a Hunter without issue, but Hunters aren’t made of iron.

Although magic can supplement strength and stamina, it’s just a supplement and can’t perfectly replace them.

What Se-jin needs right now is not more exercise time but good sleep and proper meals.

“I think rest is just as important as training. How about taking a break from the supplementary lessons for a while? I think you’ll be fine without them.”

Being objective, the supplementary lessons don’t mean much to Se-jin.

It’s true that the Breaking Form created by my master is excellent, but with Se-jin’s skills, she could win the martial arts tournament even without it.

Besides, the Breaking Form was created to counter weapon techniques taught domestically.

Of course, since it was developed to face monsters, there are similarities, but it’s uncertain how much it will help.

“No. I’m fine.”

“If that’s what you want. But feel free to contact me and take a break whenever you’re busy or tired.”

“Yes.”

If it were other kids, they would have jumped at the chance to take a break.

I feel impressed by her dedication but also sorry for her.

“Let’s end today’s class here.”

“Huh? Really?”

“It’s not even 8:30 yet…”

“If you’re doing this because of me, I’m really fine.”

“Well, I’m not fine. We need days like this sometimes.”

“That’s right. Teacher, you’re the best!”

When I said I’ll buy snacks too, they all got so excited that I wondered if these are the same kids who were sulking after being scolded earlier.

***

After showering, I see it’s already 7 o’clock.

I checked my phone again, but there was still no contact from Jinsu.

Is he still unable to decide?

I was planning to order a bouquet when he contacted me, and even looked up flower shops, but now I’m feeling frustrated beyond just being disappointed.

I left the dormitory and arrived at the cafeteria.

Since I had late-night snacks with the kids yesterday, I wasn’t very hungry, so I ate moderately and was leaving the cafeteria when I saw Jinsu entering.

“Lee Jinsu, good morning.”

“Oh? Teacher, good morning.”

His greeting is “good morning,” but his face looks quite tired, suggesting he’s been pondering a lot.

“So, are you still thinking?”

“Ah… No. I’ve decided. I’m going to confess again today.”

“Good. You’ve made the right decision.”

I thought he was still thinking because he hadn’t contacted me, but this is great news.

“If you could end class a little early today… Or should I talk to her before class starts?”

“I think it’s better to do it after ending class early. But why didn’t you contact me in advance when you decided?”

“Ah, I thought you would be sleeping. I was planning to visit your office this morning to tell you.”

“Is that so? Alright. I’ll end class early today, so do your best.”

***

“That’s it for today’s class. Since everyone did well on today’s test, I’ll buy ice cream. Everyone rest, and Minhee and Jinsu, could you follow me?”

‘Yesterday he told me to confess in front of everyone again, but why is he calling just me and Minhee separately?’

“Lee Jinsu, what are you doing? Aren’t you coming?”

“Ah, yes. Coming.”

I thought he might want us to talk alone first, but the teacher didn’t say anything.

Just like during class, Minhee wouldn’t even look in my direction.

It’s so awkward that I can hardly breathe.

Sigh… Is confessing again really the right thing to do?

The teacher spoke positively about it, and I thought about it for a long time last night before deciding, but honestly, I’m worried.

While I was thinking about what to say again, the teacher suddenly stopped walking.

“Jinsu, would you go to the school gate and pick up a delivery?”

“Huh? A delivery?”

“Yeah. I was told teaching materials would arrive today, and I just got a text saying they’ve arrived. It should be at the security office.”

Normally, I would have suggested sending Minhee or complained, but I was dying from awkwardness just now, so I immediately agreed.

The school gate is quite far, so I increased my pace, thinking that if I take too long, there might not be time to talk.

I arrived at the security office and said I was here on the teacher’s errand, but… huh?

“Excuse me, is this it?”

“This is the only thing that came for Teacher Kang.”

It’s not teaching materials but a beautifully wrapped bouquet of roses.

I was wondering if he had ordered it for me to give to Minhee when I felt a vibration in my pocket.

“Yes, Teacher.”

“Have you reached the security office?”

“Yes. But instead of teaching materials, there’s a bouquet of flowers…”

“I thought it would be better to confess while handing over a bouquet rather than empty-handed, so I ordered it.”

I hadn’t even thought of that… I’m truly moved.

“Oh, thank you so much. How can I ever repay this kindness…”

“What kindness? Still, I paid a lot for it, so do well.”

“Yes. I understand. I’ll be good to you for the rest of my life.”

“Instead of being good to me, do well with your confession. And that’s not free. If it goes well, pay me back after you get a job.”

“Yes. Thank you so much.”

“Alright, hurry up and come back. I’ve already bought the ice cream, so I’ll go ahead and set the mood.”

***

“Teacher, I’ve chosen everything.”

“Ah. Good.”

I hung up the phone, handed the card to Minhee, and picked up one of the ice cream bags.

“I can carry both.”

“It’s fine. I have a free hand anyway. Let’s go.”

“Teacher, aren’t you buying us snacks too often lately?”

“Don’t you like it?”

“No, we like it… But you bought us lunch yesterday, late-night snacks during supplementary lessons, and lately you seem to be spending too much money.”

“It’s okay. Teacher has a lot of money.”

Hwasin Electronics stocks, which make up over 90% of my assets, are steadily rising, and the dividends I received on the recent dividend date were quite substantial.

Besides, a teacher’s salary itself isn’t that low.

“Kim Minhee, what was that expression just now?”

It was just for a moment, but it can’t escape the eyes of a supreme master.

It was definitely an expression of contempt.

“No, that’s… Ah! I was just thinking that whoever becomes your girlfriend is going to be really lucky.”

“That wasn’t the expression I saw.”

“It was, really.”

“Flattery won’t get you more treats.”

“Ice cream is enough.”

When the three of us were walking together earlier, I was worried because she didn’t say a word, but seeing her smile now, I feel a bit relieved.

I hope things go well when Jinsu confesses later.

I returned to the swordsmanship training ground with Minhee.

“One for each person, they’re all the same, so don’t pick. Don’t throw trash just anywhere, put it in the bag up front.”

“Teacher, what about Jinsu?”

“Jinsu will be here soon. Everyone, listen while you eat. Lately, it seems like the boys and girls aren’t getting along well, right?”

Minhee, who was handing out ice cream, froze as if she hadn’t expected me to bring this up directly.

“Um, Teacher, that’s because Jinsu…”

“Why blame only Jinsu?”

“It’s Jinsu’s fault.”

“Didn’t Minhee bully Jinsu too?”

Oh my, this is a complete mess.

“Everyone, stop. I heard why this is happening. At first, I didn’t want to interfere because it’s between students, but not just yesterday but also during class today, and even now. You’ll be seeing each other until graduation, and I don’t think it’s good for boys and girls to remain divided like this.”

“I’m sorry. You’re right, Teacher. I’m fine now, so everyone can stop.”

Contrary to what I expected, Minhee spoke up first, but Jinsu, this guy, when will he arrive…

I can see Jinsu coming from far away, carrying a large bouquet of roses. He may not be a gentleman, after all.

“Lee Jinsu, what’s that?”

“Where did you get that?”

“Don’t tell me you’re confessing again?”

Everyone is making a commotion, and Minhee looks even more flustered than before.

“Everyone, quiet. You’ve heard Minhee’s side, right? Now let’s hear Jinsu’s story?”

Jinsu came forward and immediately bowed his head.

“I’m sorry. When I confessed to Minhee last time, it was really a joke. When Minhee accepted my confession, I was shocked but, honestly, I was happy. If I hadn’t had feelings for Minhee in the first place, I wouldn’t have even thought of such a joke, but I was too cowardly.”

Everyone looks surprised at his serious tone, so unlike the usual prankster Jinsu.

“I’m sorry to my friends who defended me despite my wrongdoing, and to Minhee, I’m so sorry that I have no words to say even if I had ten mouths, but shamelessly, I want to ask for one more chance.”

After finishing, Jinsu walked up to Minhee, knelt on one knee, and handed her the bouquet.

“I’m really sorry. It might be hard to forgive me, but I’ll do my best, so would you give me a chance to make it up to you?”

On other occasions, everyone would have cheered or whistled to encourage her to accept, but since this has happened once before, this time they’re all watching silently.

This guy Jinsu, he speaks well, but he’s shaking terribly, showing how nervous he is inside.

Well, if things don’t go well even after going this far, no matter how thick-skinned Jinsu is, he won’t be able to hold his head up at school from now on.

Now it’s all up to Minhee’s choice.

I’m getting nervous too, even though I’m not the one confessing.

Minhee, at first she looked surprised, but now I’m not sure.

She seems a bit angry… Huh?

THWACK—!

“OWWW!”

Minhee kicked Jinsu in the shin.

Judging by the sound, he got hit pretty hard… But Jinsu, despite crying out, somehow maintained his posture.

“Does it hurt? I was hurt more.”

“Ah… Sorry.”

Oh well, it seems to have failed.

Even if he confesses again later, I need to resolve the situation first, but as I’m wondering how to do that, Minhee accepted the bouquet.

“I’ll forgive you just this once.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Jinsu stood up and hugged her.

Finally, the other kids cheer loudly.

That’s a relief. It’s really a relief, but… Somehow I feel like crying.

Of course, it’s not because it’s touching, but because I’m getting annoyed now that things worked out.

I’m still single, after all…

These kids, how long are they going to keep hugging?

The school rules don’t prohibit dating, but indecent physical contact is certainly forbidden.

“You two over there, how about separating now?”

Even if it’s just a hug, from my single perspective, it’s completely indecent physical contact!