Chapter 51

## Chapter 51. Final Selection Announcement (2)

"Haha. It seems the Student Council has a very high opinion of Baek Su-ryong."

Noh Gun-sang chuckled as he looked at the small booklet in his hand.

The booklet contained a lengthy description of the advantages the Blue Dragon Academy would gain if they hired Baek Su-ryong as a new instructor.

"The most anticipated benefit is the increase in female students' motivation to study and their concentration in class..."

Of course, the author of this booklet was Dang Xiao-xiao.

However, where there are enthusiastic supporters, there are also staunch opponents.

"I am against it."

Vice Principal Guo Tie-wu firmly expressed his opposition.

"Champion of the Heavenly Martial Competition! If we hire such a braggart as a new instructor, the entire academy will become a laughingstock."

Guo Tie-wu crossed his arms resolutely, looking straight at Noh Gun-sang, as if he would not yield even to the Principal this time.

Noh Gun-sang sighed.

"Do you think it's impossible for us to win the Heavenly Martial Competition?"

"Our students' level, the quality of education, the educational environment, budget, and the instructors' capabilities—all of these aspects are the worst among the Four Great Academies, including the Blue Dragon Academy."

"You're being realistic."

"Please call it being practical."

Guo Tie-wu's expression was not pleasant as he spoke.

He didn't want to admit that the Blue Dragon Academy was inferior to other academies.

But sometimes, one must face the reality.

"...Even though the Blue Dragon Academy's reputation has already fallen to its lowest, we cannot hire a braggart and invite more ridicule."

"Vice Principal..."

"Principal. This time, I cannot yield."

Guo Tie-wu, who had made up his mind, glared and said:

"The final selection should be based on the combined scores of the interview and practical test, ensuring fairness. While Baek Su-ryong's scores are good, they are not enough to place him among the top five."

"..."

Baek Su-ryong's skills were beyond doubt, but his claim of winning the Heavenly Martial Competition had caused a significant divide in the opinions of the instructors and students.

Noh Gun-sang found this regrettable.

"Even with such a strong recommendation from the Student Council?"

"A recommendation is just a recommendation. And here, the Club Federation has sent an opinion that hiring Baek Su-ryong as a new instructor could lead to many conflicts within the school."

Noh Gun-sang looked at the document Guo Tie-wu was waving with a displeased expression.

"The president of the Club Federation is Pang Sha-hui, right? I heard he was humiliated by Baek Su-ryong recently. Such personal opinions..."

"Principal."

Guo Tie-wu, standing up, spoke seriously to Noh Gun-sang.

"Not long ago, you told me not to let personal feelings interfere with a fair examination. Have you forgotten?"

"..."

Indeed, he had said that.

When Guo Tie-wu tried to beat his cousin's son like a dog in a sparring match, Noh Gun-sang had intervened.

'Heh. To think he would be this stubborn... This is a difficult situation.'

Noh Gun-sang looked around at the other instructors with a troubled expression.

Many of them nodded in agreement with the Vice Principal.

Guo Tie-wu continued his attack.

"We can only hire five out of a hundred candidates. If we don't select them based on fair principles and instead choose someone the Principal favors, I fear the rejected candidates will suspect that the Blue Dragon Academy's hiring standards are not transparent."

Guo Tie-wu smiled confidently after finishing his speech.

While his martial arts skills might not compare, his influence and political acumen within the academy were superior.

"I fully agree with the Vice Principal's opinion."

"The process and the result must both be fair."

"I also..."

As the meeting dragged on, Noh Gun-sang's sighs grew longer.

'Might we lose a talent who could restore the academy's reputation?'

The Vice Principal had a point.

In reality, Noh Gun-sang had greatly favored Baek Su-ryong and had helped him several times without anyone knowing.

But helping Baek Su-ryong any further would be crossing the line.

'...Is this fate?'

Just as Noh Gun-sang was about to sigh deeply and agree, someone spoke up.

"Anyway, he's only a temporary instructor for three months, right? And his salary isn't that high either."

"Who...? Namgung Seon?"

Guo Tie-wu, who had been looking for the person who would ruin a done deal, saw Namgung Seon sitting with a blank expression.

Namgung Seon continued:

"I don't think we have to limit ourselves to just five candidates."

"What are you saying...?"

"Since there are many capable instructor candidates this year, why not hire a few more and observe them for a while? If they are not up to the task, we can let them go after three months."

"No, Namgung Seon..."

It was Namgung Seon, the only one-hit instructor at the Blue Dragon Academy, who was speaking.

The person who was more cautious than even Noh Gun-sang was now defending Baek Su-ryong.

'He's just saying to hire a few more. But it's as good as saying to hire Baek Su-ryong, isn't it?'

All the instructors looked at Namgung Seon in disbelief, while Noh Gun-sang, whose expression brightened, slapped his knee.

"Ah! That's a great idea! How about hiring ten this year?"

The Vice Principal jumped up at the suggestion of hiring ten new instructors.

"Ten? Where will the salaries come from...?"

"I'll cover the shortfall with my own money."

"No. Why would Namgung Seon go so far as to use his own money...?"

As Namgung Seun spoke again, Guo Tie-wu's voice grew weaker.

To make matters worse, Ma Ji-geon, who had been silent throughout the meeting, added his two cents.

"If the budget is insufficient, I can contribute as well."

"Student Advisor Ma?"

"...Lately, we have been short on manpower. We will soon be receiving new students. I'm getting old, and trying to handle all the tasks alone is making my bones ache."

No one believed that the great Ma Ji-geon was getting old and tired, but no one dared to challenge him either.

He might not like to take the lead, but he had more experience than anyone else in the room.

"Ha ha ha! The Student Advisor is right. More hands are always better. It seems the Blue Dragon Academy will be very busy this year."

With Noh Gun-sang, Namgung Seon, and Ma Ji-geon all in agreement, Guo Tie-wu looked almost on the verge of tears.

"Is there anyone who opposes this suggestion?"

Guo Tie-wu looked around at the instructors, hoping for a last-minute savior, but there was no one brave enough to stand up to the three masters.

"...I understand. If everyone thinks so, then... let's do it."

It was decided to increase the number of final selections from five to ten.

This unprecedented decision was all because of one candidate.

"Then, let's follow the academy's tradition and post the final selection results at the main gate."

Noh Gun-sang quickly wrote down the names of the ten final selections in order, from first to tenth, and showed it to everyone.

"I will announce it this way. Is there any objection?"

"...There is no objection, but..."

It was Namgung Seon.

Noh Gun-sang looked at Namgung Seon with a worried expression, fearing he might raise another issue.

'Not now, please...'

Namgung Seon pointed to one of the names on the final selection list.

As expected, it was 'Baek Su-ryong'.

"Since he was so confident, how about assigning him a class?"

"A class...? You mean assign a class to a new instructor?"

With a concerned expression, Noh Gun-sang listened as Namgung Seon smiled and said:

"Isn't there a class that a new instructor can handle?"

"Surely...?"

"Let's assign the supplementary class to Baek Su-ryong, the new instructor."

* * *

The next day, the list of final selections for new instructors was posted at the main gate of the Blue Dragon Academy.

<Announcement of Final Selections for New Instructors at the Blue Dragon Academy>

1st: Zhuge Xiao-ying

2nd: Ao Lian-hao

3rd: Jin Yi-xie

... (omitted) ...

6th: Xue Shu-yan

7th: Ming Yi-wu

... (omitted) ...

9th: Guo Dou-yong

10th: Baek Su-ryong

The following ten are appointed as new instructors at the Blue Dragon Academy.

- Principal Noh Gun-sang of the Blue Dragon Academy

"It's... I'm accepted..."

"Brother! We all passed!"

"..."

Ming Yi-wu and Ao Lian-hao hugged me from both sides, jumping up and down, but I couldn't share their joy.

"Brother...?"

Noticing my expression, the two of them slowly let go of me.

"Are you disappointed because of the ranking?"

Ao Lian-hao asked, and I shook my head.

"The ranking doesn't matter. It's not like being first will give me a higher salary."

Whether I was first or last, I had achieved my goal of joining the Blue Dragon Academy.

I frowned because