Time passed quickly, and before long the season arrived when the sunlight gradually grew hotter.
Yu Arin was sitting calmly in a certain space.
Not long after, a small white-haired old man approached her side.
"Have you come?"
"Yes, Master."
After briefly checking in, he abruptly held out his hand toward Yu Arin.
"Then let me take a look."
"Yes."
A satisfied smile formed at the corners of the old man's mouth as he quietly closed his eyes.
"You've improved greatly compared to when you first came. If you keep going like this, a complete recovery might even be possible."
"Thank you."
"For someone who should be happy, your expression doesn't look very good. Is something wrong?"
"No, Master. Then I'll go train now."
Yu Arin sprang up from her seat.
With a stiff expression, she turned her back and left, her cold tone unchanged.
The old man watched her retreating figure quietly.
She said nothing was wrong, but he didn't need to hear it to know.
He knew why she felt no joy at all over something she should have been delighted by.
'Even if there was improvement, it wouldn't get this good in just three months.'
Yu Arin had enrolled in the Seongmu Academy to learn martial arts, which was essentially her last hope.
Yin-Yang Harmonization Divine Art.
Just as its name suggested, it was a martial art that balanced the yin and yang energies within the body.
However, over the course of three months, Yu Arin had shown no notable progress.
She couldn't even properly suppress her own yin energy, let alone handle another person's energy.
And yet her condition had improved, which meant that something had happened without her knowledge.
The white-haired old man clicked his tongue and fell into thought.
'Who intervened, and how?'
What on earth had happened to Yu Arin over the past three months?
By what method had this change been brought about?
The old man opened his eyes and gently gazed in the direction Yu Arin had just left.
"Shall I wait until she tells me herself?"
Expectation began to spread through his eyes, which had been filled with worry and pity.
"Come to think of it, were you originally an instructor at the Seongmu Academy?"
"Why? Got a problem with that?"
"No. I'm just really happy. Haha."
As I laughed it off casually, Kang Museong frowned.
"It's all because of you. I tried to make you the top student, and this is what happened."
"So Unseong took issue with it."
"Tsk, that old geezer threw a complete fit. Then the higher-ups got angry and sent me here to cool my temper by teaching kids."
"Thanks to that, I'm very happy to be living under such a great senior."
"…Stop it. It's creepy."
I smiled faintly as I watched Kang Museong wave his hand dismissively.
Believe it or not, I was genuinely glad that Kang Museong had become an instructor at the Seongmu Academy.
He was the only senior I could handle however I pleased.
Whether he knew how I felt or not, Kang Museong looked at my report card and said,
"Still perfect scores on the written exams. Guess you were born with a good head on your shoulders."
"The training evaluations are good too."
It had been three months since enrolling in the Seongmu Academy.
Today was the day to review our training direction and performance so far.
The main purpose was to warn students with poor performance and praise outstanding ones.
During that time, I faithfully followed a routine of Shinro Mind Method, classes, training, and Extreme Yang Divine Art without any major incidents.
Thanks to that, dividing yin and yang energy had become much easier, and I'd grown quite familiar with Dragon Flash, one of the first forms of the One-Sword Style.
The catch was that it was the only form I'd trained so far.
As if to prove he hadn't become a senior for nothing, Kang Museong pointed that out precisely.
"That's only because it's something people from your clan do. I still don't have an evaluation for you."
"Come on, you're really stingy with praise."
"I'm not stingy. I'm just stating the facts."
How strict.
Still, I didn't dislike that about him.
It meant he intended to evaluate students based on their actual skill, not their family reputation.
If talented people who'd been overshadowed by their background could stand out and grow, that was something I welcomed wholeheartedly.
"I'll give a proper evaluation during the practical exam coming up soon."
"Ah, so it's already that time."
Finally, the topic I'd been waiting for came up.
This was also why I was glad Kang Museong had remained as an instructor.
"Speaking of that practical exam, usually it's done in pairs, right?"
"That's right."
Kang Museong glanced at me and frowned again.
"Why? You want me to pair you with your friend Han Sanghyeok? That won't happen. We'll draw lots fairly."
"Of course not. Do you think I'd come all this way just to ask to be paired with Sanghyeok?"
"Then who?"
"Yu Arin."
"…Do you like her?"
"It's not like that."
"Yeah, right. Anyway, I have no intention of getting involved in your love life, so start praying to the heavens now. Pray that you get paired with Yu Arin."
"There's no need for that."
I never expected him to agree right away.
Should I try using Kang Museong's weakness that I'd been saving up until now?
"How is Senior Hyojeong doing?"
"…Who?"
"You know. Senior Choi Hyojeong, the one you have a crush on."
Kang Museong's expression stiffened.
That was a little scary.
They say you shouldn't poke at a person's weakness, and I'd stabbed straight into an extremely fragile spot.
But I couldn't stop now.
Fortunately, I'd practiced countless times ever since I learned Kang Museong was an instructor here, so the words flowed smoothly.
"The handkerchief you always carry was made by her, right? The one with the name Lee Geonha stitched on it."
That handkerchief was something Choi Hyojeong had woven to give to my cousin Lee Geonha.
She'd worked so hard on it, but Geonha tossed it into the trash as soon as he received it, and Kang Museong had picked it up and kept it.
A handkerchief made with care by the woman he loved.
He couldn't stand seeing it thrown away.
"…Haa."
Kang Museong let out a quiet sigh, then jumped up from his seat and drew his sword.
"Today, you die, and I die too."
He meant it.
As Kang Museong approached with clear intent to strike, I held out my palm and said,
"Calm down, calm down. I'm on your side."
"Then you can die for me."
"If we're on the same side, why kill me?"
"Don't you know only the dead keep secrets?"
"Just hear me out for a moment. I think Senior Choi Hyojeong should end up with Senior Kang Museong."
"…What are you even talking about?"
"I'll help you end up with Senior Hyojeong. Shouldn't we separate her from that complete lunatic Geonha?"
Kang Museong looked at me suspiciously, then lowered his sword.
I let out a quiet sigh of relief now that his hostility had eased somewhat.
"But how did you know about the handkerchief? I've never told anyone."
"I have an information source. And that source also knows all of Senior Hyojeong's preferences."
"Tell me who that source is, and I'll bury you with them."
"Seriously! I'm telling you I'll help you get together with Senior Hyojeong!"
"A brat like you?"
"I have more dating experience than you."
In my past life, I'd dated several times.
And more importantly, there was no one who could have less dating experience than Kang Museong.
"Senior Museong, other than your mother's hand, you've never even held a woman's hand, have you?"
In the next instant, Kang Museong's hand struck my head.
Too fast to dodge.
It was a massive impact, but I deserved it, so I endured it quietly.
"Ow! At least listen when someone's talking! I can tell you Senior Hyojeong's ideal type!"
"There's no need."
Kang Museong spoke bitterly.
"…It's Lee Geonha. He told me himself that he's her ideal type."
"That's not true."
That was just love at first sight.
You only know your true ideal type after actually meeting them.
I could bring Kang Museong and Choi Hyojeong together.
No—truthfully speaking, they would end up together anyway, even without my effort.
Before the regression, Choi Hyojeong, who had relentlessly pursued Geonha, eventually grew tired of his lack of response and sought out Kang Museong.
While pouring her heart out to him, she discovered the handkerchief.
When she asked why he had it, Kang Museong answered with a confession, and a week later, the two became lovers.
She chose Kang Museong, who had looked only at her consistently for over ten years, over Lee Geonha, who had never once looked back at her.
It had caused quite a stir at the time.
The rumors had even reached me, far in the rear.
"Senior Hyojeong wants someone who genuinely likes her. She has a kinder heart than anyone. So be confident. I'll do my best to help you."
"How?"
"I'll explain that gradually. Just put me in the same group as Arin, and everything will be resolved. Secrets protected, love protected. Isn't that great?"
"And if I don't?"
"I'll tell Senior Hyojeong that you have the handkerchief."
"If you're dead, you won't be able to talk."
"Then my information source will pass it on instead. This is what you call being surrounded on all sides."
"…Somehow, I didn't like you from the start. What is it with your clan? Why are none of you ever helpful to me?"
"I told you, things will be different from now on. Please trust me and just pair Arin with me."
Kang Museong pondered for a moment.
But I wasn't too worried.
Kang Museong was far from being a paragon of integrity.
He wasn't someone who'd openly commit illegal acts, but he was even less of a strict rule-follower, and he tended to act on impulse.
"The lot drawing will pair odd and even numbers together. The rolled slip inside the box—that's Yu Arin. Got it?"
Just as I expected.
"Thank you. I'll repay this favor with the fruition of love."
"Please don't do anything. And if that information doesn't go to the grave with you, then even Ironblood or whatever won't save you. You'll die. Got it?"
"Of course. A man's word is worth its weight in gold."
I bowed deeply and left the room.
I'd planned to bring Kang Museong and Choi Hyojeong together quickly anyway.
Before the regression, Kang Museong had been an important asset in the war against the Rakshasa.
But he had no choice but to remain loyal to my cousin Lee Geonha.
The reason was Choi Hyojeong.
Lee Geonha dragging Choi Hyojeong around, and Kang Museong being dragged around by Choi Hyojeong.
That ultimately led to a great tragedy.
'Lee Geonha…'
I didn't consider him my cousin.
Right or wrong aside, he lacked emotions that a human should have.
'I'll see him someday.'
Seeing my cousin was still a story for the distant future.
The scent of spring was refreshing.
Summer was just around the corner, and the heat was beginning to rise, but it still felt closer to spring.
Up front, Kang Museong was diligently explaining the exam.
"In this exam, we'll assess your training progress over the past three months. Your objective is to climb Namak and complete the assigned mission, then return. You'll wear weapons and armor equivalent to real combat."
"Won't you tell us the mission now?"
At someone's question, Kang Museong nodded.
"The mission will be assigned after the groups are finalized. Each group will consist of an odd and an even number."
"What? Then I can't be in the same group as you."
Sanghyeok clutched his head.
He was number 9, so there was no way he could be grouped with me, number 1.
"Accept it. You're always stuck with me anyway—wouldn't it be good to get close with other people for a change?"
"It's about points. If I'm with you, it's a guaranteed perfect score."
"Wow… judging your friend by points."
"In an exam, it can't be helped. You might not know, top student, but I need good scores to save face with your grandfather. What if he suddenly cuts off support next year? So at least let me have Yu Arin."
All the guys probably felt the same way.
If possible, they wanted to be paired with Yu Arin, who was skilled and beautiful.
Han Yeongsu was no exception.
Grinding his teeth as he watched Yu Arin and me walking together, Han Yeongsu was even offering earnest prayers.
I walked up beside him and said quietly,
"Don't tell me you're praying to be in the same group as Yu Arin?"
"…Get lost. I don't even want to talk to you."
"Come on, don't be like that. Even the gods have common sense—do you think they'd really pair you with Yu Arin?"
"Get lost, I said."
"The gods are merciful. They don't even give hope for things that were impossible to begin with."
"Damn it! I said get lost!"
As Han Yeongsu lost his temper, Kang Museong spoke up.
"Then number 1, come out and draw your group member."
I smiled faintly and stepped up onto the platform.
Being the top student is wonderful.
I reached into the box containing the even numbers and rummaged around before pulling out a tightly rolled slip.
Just in case someone tried to nitpick later, I unfolded it while still inside.
Then I announced the result loudly.
"Number 2."
"…Number 2, Yu Arin, is in the same group as Lee Seoha. Next, number 3, come up and draw."
Han Yeongsu stared at me with his mouth agape, as if he couldn't believe it.
Leaving something this important up to the heavens.
That's something you do only after exhausting every possible option, you idiot.