Chapter 49: Ignis Guild Master Cho Sang-geun
“Hey hey, they say the Ignis Guild Master is really coming!”
“Really? Isn't it fake like last time?”
“They say it’s real this time. The kids in the class next door said they saw Ignis vehicles entering in the morning.”
“To think it’s a special lecture by the Ignis Guild Master.”
The entire school was buzzing.
It wasn't just the 1st years.
Regardless of being 2nd or 3rd years, everyone was excited.
Thanks to that, the corridors of Taewoon High were filled with the students’ anticipation.
“It was a shame that last time when that strange hot-blooded teacher received a commendation, he just sat at the back and left.”
“Even though he didn't say a word, his aura spread out, and now a lecture…….”
“It’s a source of pride for a lifetime. It’s not just anyone else, we get to hear the actual combat experience of an S-Class.”
“Hey hey, he’s not just an S-Class, he’s the Guild Master of a super-large guild and 2nd in the Republic of Korea Hunter Rankings. On top of that, he’s a tremendous person who is always in the top five influential Awakened ones worldwide.”
The children’s expressions were all bright without exception.
The teachers were no exception either.
“No wonder the Principal looked in a good mood this morning.”
“Well, if they say the Ignis Guild Master is coming, even the Principal would dance.”
“Of course. Where else would we hear a lecture from an S-Class. It’s not Rome Academy.”
Amidst the excited atmosphere.
The students began to move to the main auditorium where the special lecture would be held, following the guidance.
***
Taewoon High Auditorium.
Hundreds of students gathered tightly.
In their eyes.
Tension, expectation, excitement.
All sorts of emotions were mixed together.
However, as one person appeared on the podium, the emotions began to fade as if washed away by rainwater.
Principal Ma Jae-min went up on the podium and placed his hand on the microphone.
“Today is a really, really! Important day! Although Taewoon High is called prestigious, even in that history…….”
Oh dear.
Groans flowed from the group of aligned students.
Because everyone knew well.
This repertoire.
“Such an opportunity is like a miracle that will absolutely never come again in your lives. This is also all because Taewoon High is prestigious….”
The Principal whose mouth had burst open.
At this rate, it was no different from his self-boasting time during the morning assembly.
The children, whose eyes were dwelling with expectation, were losing their concentration and even their expectation.
“Ahem, it isn't a boast, but I also used to…….”
Gazes staring into the empty air with dead eyes were increasing.
At that moment.
“……Hiiiiek!!!”
The Principal’s startled scream rang through the main auditorium.
Hundreds of eyes that were staring into the empty air headed to the podium all at once.
And there.
One person who reminded them of their first meeting was standing.
“Ah, seriously Principal. Until when do you plan to brag! I told you the protagonist isn't you today.”
At Yoo jin’s appearance, color began to be painted again in the children’s eyes.
The Principal, reading the room, retreated to the back, and Yoo jin grabbed the microphone.
Yoo jin’s voice rang through the main auditorium.
“Well, it’s nothing much, you guys suffered taking midterms so I prepared a gift.”
As expected!
The Savior!
He had already saved the children from the Principal’s self-boasting twice.
Grin.
“Oi, come out quickly, the kids are waiting.”
Behind Yoo jin’s voice.
Thud.
Thud.
A man appeared on the podium along with the sound of solid shoes.
Cho Sang-geun.
With just a single step.
The air of the entire auditorium changed.
Overwhelming presence.
The students swallowed their breath, and the teachers’ eyes went wide.
A living legend indeed.
Such a man walked slowly to the front of the podium and stopped in the center.
“I am Ignis Guild Master, Cho Sang-geun.”
At just that one phrase.
Hundreds of students went silent in an instant.
There were many reasons.
Republic of Korea Hunter Ranking 2nd.
Ignis Guild Master.
Flame magician who handles unextinguishable fire.
The strongest Dealer…….
Etc.
Since they were seeing such an existence this close up, and could even hear his legend-like tales of actual combat.
However.
The reason the students’ expressions subsided and they became silent was.
Right next to Cho Sang-geun.
Because of Yoo jin, who introduced him while scratching his neck leisurely as if calling a neighborhood younger brother.
No.
Who.
Calls the Ignis Guild Master…….
‘Oi, come out quickly, the kids are waiting.’
Like that.
***
The special lecture began.
“The subject of the special lecture is simple.”
Cho Sang-geun opened his mouth.
“Strength is not specs.”
Cho Sang-geun did not say grandiose words.
“Strength comes from the attitude of enduring to the end.”
He did not show off himself either.
“In actual combat, specs can betray you. But attitude does not betray.”
The children held their breath and began to listen.
“Fighting to the end without giving up. Protecting your comrades, and yourself in any situation. That is true strength.”
Buzz―.
Awe appeared on the children’s faces.
Even after that, Cho Sang-geun’s voice continued.
Just calmly.
What a Hunter is.
What preparations they should make in the future.
He spoke about those things with sincerity.
His voice was quiet, but it had power.
A weight as if pouring everything into every single word.
Hundreds of people were immersed without even breathing.
“Wow…….”
“It’s the first time I’ve seen such eyes from the students.”
“If only they listened like that during normal classes.”
The eyes of the teachers in the auditorium went wide without exception.
“Well, still.”
“It is understandable. Since even we are like this.”
The teachers listening to the lecture from the back also admired him.
Cho Sang-geun’s tales of bravery, the lack of arrogance despite being in the highest position, and the force of a true strongman.
Because Cho Sang-geun’s charm was enough to make one side of even the teachers’ hearts hot.
They had no choice but to nod.
Furthermore.
The teachers’ gazes headed toward the back of Cho Sang-geun.
Lee Si-wang.
Ignis Guild Vice Guild Master.
Overwhelming A-Class Hunter Ranking 1st.
That man, who was evaluated as a Guild Master-level powerhouse even in Taewoon High, no, even in society.
Without an inch of movement.
Was guarding Cho Sang-geun’s back.
“They seem like people from a somewhat different world.”
“Right. Since they are people sitting in the highest seats.”
Many emotions dyed the eyes of the gathered teachers.
Among them were the Year 2 homeroom teachers.
Those making the same expressions as the other teachers of Taewoon High.
Envy, awe, jealousy, each of their emotions were swirling inside their eyes.
“By the way…….”
The eyes of the Year 2 homeroom teachers shook violently.
“…….”
“…….”
The expressions of the Year 2 teachers subsided.
Harboring absurd emotions as if they couldn't believe their own eyes.
Teacher Kang Hye-rin, the only one showing a smile on her face, arranged her white gown and opened her mouth.
“Teacher Yoo jin really seems like an unpredictable person.”
Behind Kang Hye-rin’s voice, the gazes of the Year 2 homeroom teachers were focused on one place all at once.
Behind Cho Sang-geun who was lecturing.
Lee Si-wang guarding him.
And on such Lee Si-wang’s…….
Shoulder, the appearance of Yoo jin dozing off while leaning half-way.
Lee Si-wang, who was controlling his emotions, bit his lip tightly and gave Yoo jin a signal gently with his finger.
A gesture conscious of others.
Consideration.
But despite such efforts, Yoo jin was only nodding off while leaning on Lee Si-wang’s shoulder.
Like a scene on a subway.
Whisper whisper.
The murmuring that arose among the teachers spread even to the students.
“Don’t tell me he is dozing off?”
“But he is sleeping leaning on Hunter Lee Si-wang’s shoulder…….”
“I saw last time, Hunter Lee Si-wang came to Class A and already did a special lecture once?”
“Are the two close?”
“They must be close. Isn't that why the Ignis Guild Master came too?”
“Didn't he come because of the Principal?”
“Did you not see earlier? Teacher Yoo jin must have called him, not the Principal.”
“No, does the Ignis Guild Master come just because a teacher tells him to?”
“Hmm……. True. Why did he come?”
“They must be friends.”
“Is there any way a teacher and the Ignis Guild Master are friends? Even if he is a teacher at a prestigious high school.”
“Then what is that.”
Unlike being aligned in a disciplined manner, cracks occurred between the children.
At the students’ buzzing…….
Tak!
Ignis Guild Master Cho Sang-geun, who was lecturing, hit the table lightly.
And then…….
Swish.
Cho Sang-geun’s head turned to the back.
Lee Si-wang, who met his eyes, shook Yoo jin, who was dozing off, awake in bewilderment.
Yoo jin opened his eyes at the strong shaking.
His brow was furrowed.
Yoo jin’s hand grabbed Lee Si-wang’s arm and shook it.
At the sight of them bickering, Cho Sang-geun, who was lecturing, let out a deep sigh and entered between them.
And all senses of the students filling their eyes with that series of processes paused temporarily.
What is this?
What on earth am I watching right now?
Is it a dream?
Is it a hidden camera prank?
“…….”
“…….”
All students and teachers gathered in the auditorium had hardened like stone with their mouths open.
And.
All of that.
From afar.
One man watching from the crack of the auditorium door.
“…….”
Hunter Association.
Vice President Kang Yu.
He, who was looking at the auditorium with a dark expression, turned his body and turned back quietly again.
The door to the auditorium closed.
***
After the special lecture ended.
The parking lot near the Taewoon High New School Building.
“Thank you.”
Cho Sang-geun’s eyes, who had stopped to board the vehicle, opened wide.
His eyes headed to the source of the voice.
Stare―.
His mouth did not open easily.
It couldn't be helped.
The person who spat out those words.
The Returnee.
Because he couldn't even imagine such words coming out of his mouth.
As he looked at Yoo jin with round eyes for a long time like that, Yoo jin’s eyebrows became slanted.
“What is it, that expression. Did I say something I shouldn't?”
“No, that is…… I couldn't even imagine hearing such words.”
“Why on earth has my image become like this…….”
Yoo jin scratched the back of his head, let out a sigh, and continued speaking.
“Well, it doesn't matter. Still, keep just this one thing in mind.”
Yoo jin’s lips, looking at Cho Sang-geun, parted.
“I can say anything. I can bow this heavy head too. If it is for a student's matter.”
A smile rising small.
Yoo jin’s smile contained in Cho Sang-geun’s eyes looked to be shining brighter than any sun.
Cho Sang-geun and Yoo jin’s eyes collided in the empty air.
They looked at each other for quite a long time.
Then…….
Pop!
One face entered between them.
“But aren't you seeing each other in two days anyway? Why did you do the lecture today?”
At Lee Si-wang’s behavior, whom they didn't know if he had tact or not.
Only then did the two gazes pass each other.
“It’s a gift given because the kids suffered through midterms, so of course I have to do it right away when there is time. Your older brother also said he only had time today.”
“My older brother?”
Lee Si-wang, blinking his eyes, shifted his gaze to Cho Sang-geun.
“Why? Do you want to call me older brother? Call me comfortably. And come to work here from tomorrow.”
At Cho Sang-geun’s laser-like gaze, the corners of Lee Si-wang’s mouth shook.
“Ay, why would I come to work at a school. I told you I would bury my bones in Ignis Guild. Haha, ha…….”
Looking at Lee Si-wang laughing awkwardly, Cho Sang-geun and Yoo jin laughed lightly.
“By the way…….”
Cho Sang-geun’s voice rang amidst the laughter.
Yoo jin and Lee Si-wang’s gazes focused on Cho Sang-geun.
Cho Sang-geun, who was twitching his lips as if he had something to say.
He, who couldn't easily open his mouth despite the gazes toward him for a long time, let out a deep breath.
“It is nothing. Let’s meet in two days.”
“What is it, so bland. Anyway, thanks for coming today. I’ll write you down properly in the ledger too. Well, Ignis. In other words, I won't go under you though.”
Grin.
At the appearance of Yoo jin laughing playfully, a real smile spread on Cho Sang-geun’s face too.
“Does it make sense for a person like you to come under me. Still, it is a relief that my name is written in the ledger. Someday…… there will be a day it becomes helpful…….”
Sounds with unknown meaning.
However, the expression Cho Sang-geun made when spitting out those words was endlessly heavy.
“Then…….”
Cho Sang-geun, who bowed his head slightly, boarded the vehicle through the door the secretary opened.
Vroooom―.
The black vehicle left.
Yoo jin and Lee Si-wang, who were watching the receding vehicle, hardened their expressions.
“Why, that kind of expression…….”
“Exactly.”
Yoo jin’s gaze touched Lee Si-wang.
“But why aren't you going?”
“Right.”
“…….”
Yoo jin, shaking his head looking at Lee Si-wang, turned his body and headed to the school again.
Lee Si-wang sticking to his back hurriedly.
“There really isn't much time left.”
“What?”
“What do you mean what. The festival, the festival. Taewoon High’s main event!”
“That’s true. Time has passed this much already.”
Dark brown eyes headed to the sky.
The faces of Jin-ho and Tae-wook came to Yoo jin’s mind.
“Whatever the result becomes…… I hope both can be satisfied.”
Leaving unknown words behind, Yoo jin took a step.
D―2.
The Athletic Meet had approached to two days away.