No one in the training ground was moving.
Only the Thunder Tiger Sword was emitting a red light.
Just then, Namgung Il moved his sword slightly and asked Ma Dong-pal.
"Are you going to continue?"
"..."
The aning of that question was very simple.
At the point where the Zhanmadao was broken, the victory or defeat of the duel was as good as decided.
Namgung Il was asking Ma Dong-pal whether he would admit his defeat or not.
"...Haha—!"
Just then, Ma Dong-pal suddenly started laughing loudly.
Had he perhaps gone mad from the shock of being defeated in the sa way twice?
Namgung Il was looking at Ma Dong-pal with a slightly puzzled gaze.
"The reason I lost back then was by no ans because I was careless."
"..."
"It was just that you were stronger than . I've now clearly realized that."
Ma Dong-pal said with a laugh, as if he were relieved.
Seeing that, Namgung Il had a rather surprised expression.
He had thought that Ma Dong-pal would surely not admit defeat and would continue to attack, but looking at his tone and expression, it seed he was cleanly accepting the result of the duel.
"Since I've been broken like this in a head-on fight, I have nothing more to say."
"..."
"It's my defeat."
If Namgung Il had fought while running around like a cunning person, Ma Dong-pal would not have easily accepted the result.
But Namgung Il had not avoided the confrontation with him and had t him head-on with his sword.
Ma Dong-pal liked that very much, and since he had lost in a fair and square fight, he felt even more relieved.
"It was a good fight."
"..."
Ma Dong-pal said and held out his right hand.
Namgung Il, who was staring at him for a mont.
Soon, while sheathing the glowing Thunder Tiger Sword, Namgung Il also held out his right hand.
"You're an amazing guy. I never thought there would be a guy who could overwhelm with strength."
"If we're talking about pure strength, you're stronger, senior. I just filled in the parts I was lacking with technique."
"What? There's a technique like that? Could you perhaps teach next ti?"
"We'll see how you treat , senior."
Namgung Il and Ma Dong-pal were talking while shaking hands.
As if they had forgotten that they had been clashing violently just a mont ago, the atmosphere was very friendly.
"...Ha."
Seeing that, a hollow laugh escaped Ak Simin.
Why had he been worried that soone might get hurt until the mont the duel started?
Seeing the two who had beco close so quickly, he could see that it was a very useless worry.
"I already have a history of being scolded a lot by the headmaster for beating up a senior. I plan to end it moderately this ti."
Ak Simin could see that Namgung Il's words were by no ans a bluff.
It was a statent he could make because he had conviction, not a bluff.
In fact, the duel ended without either of them getting even a small scratch.
'A monstrous brat... he exceeds my imagination every ti.'
He had said that there were two ways for a duel to end with both sides unhard.
One was that both had the skill to end the duel at will, or the other was that one side's skill was overwhelmingly stronger.
In the case of this duel, it was the latter.
"..."
Ak Simin had thought that Namgung Il and Ma Dong-pal's skills were similar, or if not, that Namgung Il's side was slightly superior.
But as Namgung Il insisted on a head-on confrontation, he had thought that the montum of the fight had clearly tilted towards Ma Dong-pal's side, but from the beginning, his predictions were all wrong.
'It's Namgung Il's complete victory. In the first place, this duel was never a crisis for Namgung Il even once.'
Even the mont he had thought was a crisis was just a calm state where not even a ripple occurred for Namgung Il.
That was how much of a clear skill gap existed between Namgung Il and Ma Dong-pal.
Ak Simin thought that as a martial artist, he was purely curious about how far Namgung Il's true skills went.
"...Phew—."
Just then, Tang Wol-yeong, who had been watching the duel from the corner, let out a sigh of relief.
Although she knew that Namgung Il was strong, the opponent's skills also seed by no ans to be trifled with.
So she had been watching the duel with a nervous heart, but she could only relax after confirming that the duel had ended without Namgung Il getting hurt.
"That first-year is amazing."
Just then, Jin Gwon-nam muttered to herself from the side.
"It's an incredibly fast sword."
"...?"
"To think he swung his sword four tis in that one mont at the end. It's not sothing that can usually be done."
At those words, Tang Wol-yeong looked at Jin Gwon-nam with a puzzled face.
Did Jin Gwon-nam's eyes see how many tis Namgung Il had swung his sword?
Although Tang Wol-yeong could also confirm Namgung Il's movents until the second ti, she did not know exactly how many tis Namgung Il had swung his sword at the end.
"Amazing."
"..."
"Are you guys also hiding amazing skills like that brat?"
Jin Gwon-nam asked, looking at Tang Wol-yeong and Jeong Hyeon-yeong alternately.
It didn't seem like there was any particular intention, and it seed she had asked the question out of pure curiosity.
"No way."
"..."
"Namgung Il is special. But I didn't think he would be at that level... I was also a little surprised."
Jeong Hyeon-yeong imdiately waved his hands and answered.
At that, Jin Gwon-nam looked at Tang Wol-yeong and asked.
"How about you?"
"..."
"Are you as strong as Namgung Il?"
Tang Wol-yeong did not answer that question.
Although Jin Gwon-nam tilted her head and continued to stare at Tang Wol-yeong, she lightly nodded her head as if she thought Tang Wol-yeong had no intention of opening her mouth.
"If you don't want to answer, you don't have to."
"..."
"Still, the fact that you're not particularly denying it... can I think that you're not an ordinary first-year either?"
Although the tone was a question, she was not particularly asking Tang Wol-yeong.
Jin Gwon-nam nodded her head with a aningful smile as if she had understood sothing herself.
"It seems this can't be repaired either. I'll have to get a new one again."
"I feel a little sorry for saying that."
"It's okay, I'll manage if I cut down on my food expenses."
Namgung Il and Ma Dong-pal, as if they had beco completely close, were still continuing their conversation in a friendly atmosphere.
Just then, Ak Simin walked between the two.
"You two have beco very close. If that's the case, why did you say you were going to have a duel?"
"A martial artist communicates with his sword. I liked Namgung Il's sword."
"..."
It was very rare for Ma Dong-pal to talk to a junior he had only t a few tis to that extent.
Well, given Ma Dong-pal's personality, was this way of exchanging swords a way to get close quickly?
Although he had been nervous at first, in any case, the result seed to have flowed in a good direction.
"That's a relief. But for now, could you two stop talking for a mont?"
"Senior Ak, are you perhaps jealous of the relationship between and Senior Dong-pal?"
"What?"
"Senior Ak also has a cute side."
As Namgung Il said that, Ak Simin opened his mouth with a dumbfounded expression.
"That's not it... what I'm saying is that I'd like you to get out of the training ground quickly."
"Why?"
"I was using this place without permission."
"...?"
"It would be quite troubleso if a teacher were to see this scene."
Namgung Il had naturally thought that Ak Simin had received permission.
But to think that he had been using the training ground without permission until now.
Was that person really the class president of the Vermilion Bird Class? Namgung Il had that question again.
Creak—.
It was then.
As they say, speak of the devil and he shall appear. As soon as Ak Simin said that, the door of the training ground opened and soone ca inside.
"...!"
The person who had entered the training ground was Gok I-hyeon.
Accordingly, the people's expressions changed in various ways, like thieves caught in the act of stealing.
Gok I-hyeon noticed the strange atmosphere and ca inside.
"I heard a strange sound from outside and ca in to see... everyone, what are you doing here right now?"
"T-teacher!"
Ak Simin urgently approached Gok I-hyeon.
As if to sohow handle this situation, Ak Simin said to Gok I-hyeon with an awkward smile.
"I-I was just looking over their martial arts for a mont!"
"Is that so? For that, it seed I heard the sound of tal."
"That's a bit... as I was looking over their martial arts in detail..."
"Hmm—."
Gok I-hyeon swallowed his saliva and glanced at the spot where Namgung Il and Ma Dong-pal were standing.
At that mont, as if he had discovered sothing there, Gok I-hyeon began to move his steps.
"T-teacher?"
Although Ak Simin followed him in a flustered manner, Gok I-hyeon ignored him and continued to walk forward.
And his steps stopped.
In the place where Gok I-hyeon was looking down, the broken blade that had not been dealt with was lying on the floor.
"What on earth is that?"
"...!"
"It looks like a broken blade... was there sothing that would cause a saber to break while you were looking over their martial arts?"
"Th-that's..."
Since the crucial evidence was laid out in front of him, Ak Simin could no longer continue his words.
To say that it had been lying here originally, Ma Dong-pal was holding the broken Zhanmadao too proudly.
'You clueless brat... you should have dealt with it while I was distracting him!'
Although he rebuked Ma Dong-pal inwardly, Ma Dong-pal did not even notice that rebuke and was staring at Ak Simin blankly.
"Teacher."
"...?"
"Actually, we weren't looking over martial arts, but having a duel."
Just then, Namgung Il said to Gok I-hyeon abruptly.
Ak Simin, who could not hide his astonishnt at that action.
Although he inwardly questioned Namgung Il why he was saying that honestly, Ak Simin also knew well that any more lies were aningless now that the evidence had been discovered.
"...To have a duel, at least one teacher must be present, but I don't see a teacher."
"..."
"Would you explain what happened, student Namgung Il?"
Since the situation had co to this, there was no way to do anything now.
On top of that, hadn't Gok I-hyeon pointed at Namgung Il, not him?
Ak Simin decided to take a step back and just watch the situation.
"That's..."
Namgung Il roughly explained the situation to Gok I-hyeon.
After hearing that, a silence followed for a while.
The others maintained their silence and waited for an answer until Gok I-hyeon opened his mouth.
"...I roughly understand the situation."
"..."
"You wouldn't be unaware of the school rules, right? It is a violation of the school rules for students to have a duel on their own."
"I didn't know, but Senior Ak knew."
As Namgung Il said that, Ak Simin, who was in the back, was startled.
To sell his na so disloyally in a situation like this.
Although Ak Simin glared at Namgung Il slightly as if he were resentful, he had no choice but to return his expression to its original state as soon as Gok I-hyeon turned his head.
"..."
Gok I-hyeon looked at Namgung Il and Ak Simin alternately.
And after roughly confirming the appearances of the people in the training ground, he looked at Namgung Il again and said.
"Be careful in the future."
"Then..."
"Since no one was hurt, I will let it slide just this once."
As Gok I-hyeon said that, Ak Simin's eyes widened as if he were surprised.
Namgung Il, who secretly gave a thumbs-up to Ak Simin.
As if he had completely forgotten that he had sold his na just a mont ago, Ak Simin was quietly cheering for Namgung Il.
'It's a good thing the person who caught us was Gok I-hyeon.'
If it had been another teacher, he wouldn't have been able to get away with it like this.
But Gok I-hyeon was lenient about this kind of thing, and wasn't he also in a relationship where he already shared a secret with him?
He had just spoken honestly this ti just in case, but it seed it had worked out well as planned.
"Student Namgung Il."
"...?"
"What are you wearing around your neck?"
Just then, Gok I-hyeon asked abruptly.
The two necklaces that had co out, he didn't know when.
It seed they had co out of his clothes on their own during the duel.
"It's just an ordinary necklace."
"It's a little unusual to be wearing two."
"One was a gift."
Although he wanted to add that he was wearing it forcibly because he didn't want to be expelled, Namgung Il barely held back the words that had co up to his chin.
"...I see."
"..."
"Anyway, I hope you get out quickly so that you don't get caught by the other teachers."
It seed he had wanted to say sothing more while looking at the necklace... but Gok I-hyeon left the training ground first with those words.
Thud—.
As soon as the door closed, Ak Simin approached Namgung Il.
"Well done! I was a little resentful when you sold out, but I'll forgive you specially!"
"I'm so grateful."
"But did you speak honestly because you knew that teacher would just let it go?"
"Well... yes."
"You have a great sense of this kind of thing."
Answering Ak Simin's continuing banter roughly, Namgung Il looked at the door where Gok I-hyeon had left.
Namgung Il answered so and looked at the door where Gok I-hyeon had left.
'This... I don't know if I'm getting too much help.'
It seed he was receiving quite a lot of help from Gok I-hyeon.
No matter how much his origin was that of a beggar, wouldn't it be a little shaless if he received this much help?
Namgung Il thought that if he had a chance later, he should repay Gok I-hyeon with sothing small.
'By the way, this... it is a bit uncomfortable.'
Namgung Il thought so, looking down at the necklace that had co out.
Although he had already expected it, the necklace often ca out of his clothes even with a little vigorous movent.
Although he had no intention of taking off Namgung Jeong-ung's keepsake from his neck, to be honest, the ring that Seo Shin-won had given him was a bit cumberso.
'...Should I take it off?'
No, what if he really said he would expel him then?
To make matters worse, Seo Shin-won's visits to him had beco more frequent recently.
"...Haa—."
It's uncomfortable, but it can't be helped.
Namgung Il decided to endure it a little longer, until Seo Shin-won's visits beca less frequent.
(End of Chapter)
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