Ch.189Episode 37. Certification Exam (End)

More than an hour had passed since the exam began.

The certification exam was going more smoothly than expected.

While Yeon Muhui and Yu Ari couldn’t cover all areas, as the two competed to take down villains, it became relatively easier for other examinees to rescue civilians.

That’s not to say the two neglected rescue operations and emergency treatment.

Even while defeating villains, they rescued plenty of civilians.

The examiners were giving positive evaluations as they watched the two. They seemed quite satisfied that the students were living up to people’s expectations.

[The disciples of Hero Yujin are overwhelming. It reminds me of when Ha Yuri and Lee Bangsil took their certification exams,]

Another examiner’s voice came through the earpiece.

[At this rate, they could receive S-rank evaluations right after graduating from the academy, couldn’t they?]

Not “could”—they will receive S-rank evaluations. They need to be at that level if they’re not going to fall behind when fighting against Yeonhwaryong.

[By the way, I’m glad there hasn’t been any commotion during this certification exam.]

[Maybe it’s because Hero Yujin is watching over us. Haha!]

That could be true, but with heroes standing by here, I don’t think anyone would attempt a full-scale battle.

If they were to make a move, they’d first create confusion by manipulating civilians and then launch a surprise attack. Their forces have been significantly weakened anyway.

“It’s not because of me, but because the villains are also thinking strategically. With so many heroes around, they wouldn’t dare to attack openly.”

[How modest of you.]

As I was casually conversing and monitoring the students’ safety, an announcement came through.

[Examinee Yu Ari, Examinee Yeon Muhui, you have passed.]

This was the announcement made when someone exceeded the passing score to the point where there was no need to calculate further points. Apparently, they operated the exam this way to prevent talented students from monopolizing the scores.

[We already have successful candidates. These students have promising futures. They’ll surely become heroes who follow in Hero Yujin’s footsteps.]

“They certainly will.”

Because I’ll make sure of it.

“…By the way, would it be alright if I stepped away for a moment?”

I said this while watching Yeonhwaryong descending from the spectator seats. He seemed to be heading to talk to Muhui after the passing announcement.

Normally, one should clearly separate public and private matters, but this case was an exception.

I didn’t know how Yeonhwaryong found out and came here, but I needed to prepare for any possible situation.

[What? It would be better if you didn’t leave your post… Is something wrong?]

“…I think I saw someone I absolutely need to speak with. I apologize, but could you make an exception just this once?”

[Hmm. Will you be back quickly?]

“Yes. I’ll be right back.”

[Alright. I’ll allow it for a short while.]

“Thank you for your consideration.”

As soon as I received permission, I sparked and immediately jumped out of the building.

* @ *

“It’s been a while.”

“…Father?”

Yeonhwaryong boldly walked up to Yeon Muhui and Yu Ari, who were resting in the waiting room for successful candidates.

“How did you come here?”

“I thought you would pass this mere certification exam in one go, whether it was the written or practical test.”

“What are you saying…?”

Yeonhwaryong didn’t particularly believe in Muhui’s abilities to pass. He had simply placed his expectations on the obsession and killing intent he had felt when they crossed swords a year ago.

“Don’t you want to defeat me? Then of course you should pass in one attempt. If you struggle with a mere exam like this, you don’t even deserve to cross swords with me.”

He wasn’t wrong.

To defeat Yeonhwaryong, she needed to pass the certification exam with ease. Muhui knew this, so she didn’t bother to argue.

“…So? Did you come all this way just to say that?”

“Pfft.”

Yeonhwaryong let out a chuckle at Muhui’s blatant hostility and tapped the kashira at the end of his sword.

“Well. It seems Yujin taught you decently. Your stamina to move continuously and the techniques executed with smooth movements weren’t bad. But if you had trained under me instead of going to the academy, you would have become much stronger.”

Yeonhwaryong still regretted Muhui’s choice.

He could only see his daughter as foolish for not choosing the path that would have made her stronger more quickly and definitively.

“During the exam, any hero who faced you would have been defeated without being able to counterattack. Perhaps even Yujin. And I was planning to debut you as a hero on the day you received your certification, allowing you to follow right behind me.”

“…”

“I still don’t understand why you chose to take a roundabout path when you could have gone straight.”

“…Because I didn’t think I would be happy that way. I already experienced enough of that during middle and high school.”

“Happiness? Do you think there’s room for happiness in matters of life and death? Your thinking is still immature. You really shouldn’t have gone to the academy.”

“Sometimes there are things more important than becoming stronger.”

Muhui snorted at his words.

Coming to the academy, she met Yujin and gained the courage to face her family. Though it took time, she was able to restore broken relationships and learn to cherish others.

Not only that, but she had become much stronger than she was a year ago. She could feel it herself. Now she was confident she wouldn’t easily be pushed back even if she crossed swords with Yeonhwaryong.

But when he dismissed all of that as worthless and drew his conclusion, she felt angry, as if he was denying the past year.

“You may be right about some things, but strength isn’t everything for a hero.”

“What pathetic sophistry.”

“I won’t walk the same path as you.”

“…So that’s the clumsy form you developed? It seemed similar to the Geomhwaryu, yet different.”

“Clumsy…?”

Unable to contain herself after feeling that all the techniques Yujin had taught her were being denied, Muhui rose from her seat and placed her hand on her sword.

She wanted to settle the matter right there and prove that Yujin was right.

In response, Yeonhwaryong also placed his hand on his sword.

“Father…!”

“What? Why don’t you draw it? I’ll gauge your current skill level right here.”

Muhui quickly judged that it wouldn’t be good to be within Yeonhwaryong’s iaido range if a fight broke out. But her pride wouldn’t allow her to back down.

Just as she was about to draw her sword, the waiting room door swung open.

“That’s enough.”

Yujin said as he leisurely entered. Walking in with a relaxed smile, he patted both of their heads and said:

“Congratulations on passing.”

“Ah, thanks…”

“N-no, I’m glad I could live up to your expectations, Instructor.”

After enjoying their reactions while blatantly ignoring Yeonhwaryong, Yujin turned around.

“Yujin…”

Yeonhwaryong glared fiercely at Yujin.

Where Yujin was standing was within range of Yeonhwaryong’s iaido. If he attacked seriously, Yujin might be hit defenseless.

“I see you’ve fully taken on the role of a nanny now.”

“Not a nanny, but an instructor. Well, they are similar, I suppose.”

Yujin shrugged, thinking about all the times he had cleaned up after them. Yeonhwaryong narrowed his brow at Yujin’s casual response.

“…I wanted to face you again.”

“Stop it. You’ll get hurt.”

“You…!”

“Fight her instead of me. About a year from now.”

Yujin said, pointing at Muhui with his thumb. Yeonhwaryong snorted in disbelief. He still thought Muhui was no match for him.

“What do you think will be different in a year?”

“It will be different. They say the landscape changes every five years these days. A year should be enough for some change.”

“Are you playing word games with me now?”

“It’s not word games; I’m being completely serious.”

Yujin stepped closer and grinned at him.

“Keep being so arrogant, and you’ll find yourself tripped up when you least expect it.”

“…An interesting provocation.”

Yeonhwaryong glanced at Muhui, who was still gripping her sword behind Yujin. As if she were beneath contempt.

“Fine. Let’s see in a year. Don’t disappoint me.”

“There won’t be any disappointment. Oh, except maybe with your own stagnant skills—”

Shing!

Unable to tolerate Yujin’s provocation, Yeonhwaryong drew his sword.

It was a fast iaido strike, but not fast enough to escape Yujin’s dynamic vision. Yujin caught the black blade with three fingers just before it reached his neck.

“I don’t think drawing your sword in a place like this is appropriate.”

Yujin glanced toward the waiting room door. Hearing the murmurs of successful candidates beyond the door, Yeonhwaryong lowered his sword.

“You’re lucky.”

“I’ll take that.”

Yeonhwaryong stared at Yujin for a moment before turning away. Watching his back, Yujin said:

“Oh, by the way, the name of that technique you called clumsy is Yeonhwaryu.”

“…And what of it? Isn’t it just a derivative that copied Geomhwaryu? There is no swordsmanship that surpasses Geomhwaryu.”

“That’s something to say after Muhui loses to you.”

“What?”

“If she wins, then Yeonhwaryu surpasses Geomhwaryu. Wouldn’t that make it the original style?”

It was a stretch. Yujin was aware he was forcing the argument.

No matter how much stronger Yeonhwaryu might be than Geomhwaryu, as long as it was based on Geomhwaryu, it couldn’t become the original style.

“You’d better not disappoint my expectations, Yujin.”

“Don’t worry. Muhui will become much stronger than she is now.”

Just as Yujin finished speaking, another successful examinee opened the door and entered. They were startled upon seeing Yeonhwaryong.

“Oh, w-wow!”

“It’s the Geomhwa Hero!”

“Hello! I’m a fan!”

Yeonhwaryong ignored the examinees’ reactions and left. He still had no interest in the weak.

‘What an inflexible personality. No wonder there’s discord in his family.’

Yujin smiled bitterly and turned around. Muhui had let go of her sword and seemed unsure of what to say.

“Muhui, Ari.”

“Yes?”

The two answered almost simultaneously.

“Let’s go eat when I’m done with my examiner duties. I’ll buy you anything delicious to celebrate your passing.”

“Ah, yes.”

“And Muhui.”

“Yes?”

“Don’t worry too much. You’re a student I’ve acknowledged.”

Muhui felt a strange sense of pride at Yujin’s words. She nodded and softly replied, “Okay,” with a smile on her face.

“Instructor… what about me?”

Yu Ari asked indifferently. Yujin gave her a thumbs up and said:

“Of course I acknowledge you too, Ari. That goes without saying.”

“Still, please say it directly. It feels like you’re d-discriminating otherwise.”

‘Are you really jealous over something like this?’

Yujin smiled wryly as he patted Yu Ari’s shoulder.