Chapter 41: The Midterm Exam (1)

Namgung Yun-ho rose from his bed.

It was a pleasant morning, a welcome change from the days when he could barely drag himself out of bed. He stretched, loosening his muscles and joints that had stiffened during the night. He felt light, almost as if he could fly.

“Perfect.”

He had been diligently taking care of himself in preparation for this day. His instructor had even given him a special tonic, a strange-smelling concoction he’d called a secret recipe.

“It tasted like hell, but it seems to be working.”

He felt refreshed and energized, his body light and agile. It was a strange but welcome sensation.

He opened the window, letting in the crisp morning air. He watched as the sun slowly chased away the darkness that clung to the Shinmu Academy. Today was the day of the midterm exam. He had one stop to make before heading to the Grand Training Ground.

After a brief meditation session, he grabbed an old flask.

“Let’s see… where’s that flask…?”

He had a ritual to perform before the exam: collecting the medicinal spring water, a habit he had developed.

“Ah, there you are.”

He tucked the flask into his robe and left his room.

***

As he stepped out, he saw a familiar figure waiting for him.

“You’re finally up.”

“Tan? What are you doing here so early?”

“I know you go somewhere every morning at this hour.”

“Haha, I need my morning dose of spring water, especially before an exam. It helps me relax.”

“I’ll come with you. I’m already awake, and it’s too early to go back to sleep.”

“Sure, I’d like that.”

***

It was a pleasant change to have company on his morning walk.

Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!

The cheerful chirping of birds filled the air, but it was soon drowned out by Jegal Tan’s voice.

“Time flies, doesn’t it? It’s already time for the midterm exams.”

“It does.”

“It never seemed to go this fast before. It used to drag on forever. It’s a strange feeling…”

Namgung Yun-ho smiled, listening to his friend. Just like his morning routine, Jegal Tan had changed too. He was no longer the anxious, insecure student he once was. His face was more relaxed, his demeanor softer.

“Why are you smiling? Is there something on my face?”

“No, I just noticed how much you’ve changed.”

“Really?”

Jegal Tan chuckled.

“Well, I do feel like I’ve mellowed out a bit. But people still seem to be afraid of me.”

“You’ve caused a lot of trouble, you know.”

“Even the instructors are afraid of me, so it’s understandable that the students are too. I’m one of the older students in Dongcheon Hall.”

“That’s true. Not many students stay in Dongcheon Hall past twenty.”

Dongcheon Hall.

It was the lowest-ranked hall in the Shinmu Academy, a place where students learned the basics before moving on. Some, like his younger brother, the Little Sword Dragon, skipped Dongcheon Hall entirely and started their training in Euncheon Hall.

Dongcheon Hall was essentially a preparatory school for the less talented.

‘It seemed so daunting before.’

Each year that passed, the shame had grown heavier.

*Why am I not good enough?*

*Why am I being left behind?*

He had withdrawn, avoiding the gazes of other students. His self-esteem had plummeted, making him an easy target for opportunists and bullies.

‘But that’s all in the past now.’

The fresh mountain air filled his lungs, invigorating him.

***

They reached the spring, a small, secluded spot nestled between rocky cliffs. Water trickled from bamboo pipes, creating a soothing melody. He knelt and filled his flask, his movements practiced and efficient.

“I never knew this place existed.”

“Not many people do. I found it by chance.”

He had spent a lot of time wandering the academy, searching for quiet, hidden places.

“It’s refreshing.”

“Maybe you should try these morning walks more often.”

“No thanks. Lately, I’ve been losing to my blankets every morning.”

His words echoed someone else’s sentiments.

“Are your blankets attacking you too? Are they too powerful to resist?”

Jegal Tan scratched his head sheepishly.

“Actually, I’ve been trying to understand our instructor, so I’ve been imitating his habits. And I have to admit, it’s quite enjoyable.”

Jegal Tan, unable to escape the clutches of his blankets. It was an amusing thought.

“I’m even thinking about practicing my meditation in bed.”

“Please don’t.”

The “Instructor Slayer,” curled up in his blankets, meditating.

Namgung Yun-ho burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny?”

“Haha, let’s go back.”

It was a good start to the day.

***

Back at Dongcheon Hall, the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement. It was understandable. The midterm exams were crucial for students who wanted to advance to higher-ranked halls. The students were especially eager this year, having been confined to the academy for weeks.

Namgung Yun-ho noticed a group of students gathered ahead, the male students staring at something, mouths agape.

“Is that…?”

“It must be.”

They pushed through the crowd.

And there she was.

“…”

Baek Ri-seol stood tall and proud, three swords strapped to her back, her arms crossed. Her long hair flowed in the breeze, her face expressionless, her gaze fixed on some distant point. She seemed oblivious to the stares of the other students.

A cat-like female student approached her, her voice sharp. “Hmph! Are you ignoring me again? I’m going to wipe that smirk off your face this time!”

Namgung Yun-ho recognized her.

‘Isn’t that Song Hee-jeong from the Plum Blossom Sword Clan?’

Jegal Tan, as always, was well-informed.

“That’s Song Hee-jeong, a talented student from the Plum Blossom Sword Clan.”

“Why is she so angry?”

“It’s obvious, isn’t it?”

Unlike Namgung Yun-ho, who was usually oblivious to such things, Jegal Tan seemed to know everything.

“It’s because of Baek Ri-seol.”

“Why Baek Ri-seol?”

“You really haven’t heard the rumors?”

Jegal Tan smirked.

“Do you know what the students are calling Baek Ri-seol these days?”

“What?”

“The Ice Flower of Dongcheon.”

“It seems Song Hee-jeong, who used to be the most admired female student in Dongcheon Hall, feels threatened by Baek Ri-seol’s recent popularity.”

“I see…”

“She’s jealous, but Baek Ri-seol is ignoring her completely.”

Baek Ri-seol accepted the admiring gazes of the male students and the envious glares of the female students with indifference. She was the epitome of the Ice Flower, aloof and untouchable.

‘She’s changed a lot since we first met…’

It was hard to believe, considering how awkward and unsure she had been when they first met.

“Look at me when I’m talking to you!” Song Hee-jeong shouted.

Namgung Yun-ho was about to intervene, but a small figure darted between them.

“Waaah! Don’t fight!”

A small girl, Mo Yong So-hye, stood protectively in front of Baek Ri-seol.

“Fighting is bad!”

She waved her hands, and the tension in the air dissipated as the students’ faces softened.

“She’s so cute.”

“Is that Mo Yong So-hye?”

“She’s even cuter than I imagined.”

However, a few students, mostly those who specialized in unarmed combat, turned pale when they saw Mo Yong So-hye.

They stammered, their faces white.

“The Bloody Fist of Dongcheon.”

“I heard someone call her the Bloodthirsty Asura Mo Yong So-hye…”

“They say she turns her opponents into lifeless puppets.”

“One punch from her can knock your soul out of your body.”

Mo Yong So-hye’s face crumpled.

“Bloody Fist…”

Song Hee-jeong backed away, clearly intimidated.

She had heard the rumors about Mo Yong So-hye.

Her sharp features were now twisted in fear.

Jegal Tan chuckled.

“Well, this is getting interesting. I think it’s time for us to intervene.”

“I agree. If we wait any longer, Mo Yong So-hye will start crying.”

Jegal Tan stepped forward, and Namgung Yun-ho followed.

The students whispered amongst themselves as they saw Jegal Tan, who towered over the younger students.

“The Instructor Slayer…”

“The Ghost of Dongcheon Hall.”

Jegal Tan blushed, feeling self-conscious under their scrutiny.

Only Baek Ri-seol remained indifferent.

She raised her chin haughtily and tapped her foot impatiently.

“Hey, old men.”

She scanned the crowd, her eyes searching.

“Have you seen our instructor?”

She was back to her usual self.

The Ice Flower had vanished, replaced by a restless young girl.

“I haven’t seen him.”

“I waited in front of his room, hoping to bump into him, but he never showed up. I even checked the mess hall, where he usually hangs out.”

She had already searched the entire Dongcheon Hall.

“I heard there’s a magical incense that can track people. Maybe I should get some.”

Was she planning on stalking their instructor?

Namgung Yun-ho said, “I doubt he’s taking it easy today, even though it’s the day of the exam.”

“Really?”

Mo Yong So-hye, who had been chatting with her friends, returned and said, “I heard someone say that Instructor Yeo dragged him away by the ear.”

The three students nodded.

“It must be Instructor Cho.”

Baek Ri-seol lost interest and turned away.

“Hmph! There’s nothing to see here.”

She stalked away, her mood sour.

“Sister, wait for me!”

Mo Yong So-hye chased after her.

Namgung Yun-ho wanted to follow them, but…

“Stay back! No men allowed within ten feet of me, except for my instructor!”

She waved her hands threateningly, like a dog guarding a bone.

The two students had no choice but to walk behind them.

‘Well, it’s a good start to the day.’

Namgung Yun-ho quickened his pace as he saw the Grand Training Ground come into view. A grand stage had been erected in the center of the ground, decorated for the sparring matches.