On the morning of the school trip, students gathered at the Azure Dragon Academy's grand training ground. Some chatted with friends, unable to hide their excitement. Others yawned repeatedly, saying they hadn't slept. A few pretended the trip was no big deal yet showed up with bundles as large as themselves.
Although they were martial artists, most were still teenagers. The word 'trip' was bound to excite them.
"They're all having the time of their lives," Baek Suryong chuckled as he surveyed the students. He didn't understand why they were so worked up over a training trip just a day's journey away, but he enjoyed seeing their vibrant energy.
Take the Five Young Azure Dragons huddled over there, for example. Hadn't they pulled an all-nighter and put up a sound barrier while plotting something?
Why, just an hour ago, he had brought his Black Dragon Pointer down on Hyonwon Kang's head when the punk approached him with a swagger and a goofy grin.
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"Fufu, Mr. Baek Suryong. We'll be in your care for the next few days~"
"Those kids are acting really suspiciously. .. Just what are they up to this time?" he mumbled, his instincts as a peerless master picking up on something unpleasant.
"Hyung-nim!" a familiar voice called out.
Baek Suryong spun around. Ak Yeonho was striding toward him, visibly tired. Namgung Su accompanied him.
Seeing the two together so early, Baek Suryong clicked his tongue and chided Namgung Su, "Aren't you holding a grudge for too long? How many more days are you going to keep picking on him for what happened?"
"Don't treat me like I'm the same as you," Namgung Su said firmly. "This morning, I received word that I am to depart first as the advance party."
"An advance party? By yourself?"
Was he a guy who could smile so cunningly?* Baek Suryong was once again struck by a sense of unease.
"I'm going with him. It'll be better to have someone from the Ak Clan guide him and ensure he gets there without any problems," Ak Yeonho added. Perhaps because Baek Suryong now knew he was an adopted son, though, his smile seemed to lack its usual vigor.
"Hmmm..." Baek Suryong thought it was strange that the two were leaving as an unscheduled advance party, but given Namgung Su's meticulous nature, it wasn't entirely incomprehensible.
Still, is it really a coincidence? Well, at least Namgung Su seems completely unbothered.
"Who will lead the students in your place?"
"The Principal will accompany your group, so there shouldn't be any major issues. Besides, the estate isn't that far away. Even you, Baek Suryong, probably won't be able to cause too much trouble on the way there."
"Huh? Anyone who heard that would think I cause trouble all the time."
"......"
"......"
"...What the hell, you bastards?"
In any case, Namgung Su and Ak Yeonho, the advance party, planned to arrive at the Ak Clan's branch estate to check the accommodations, survey the terrain, and coordinate the schedule. If they used their movement arts without resting, they would arrive before lunch.
"So you're leaving now?"
"In a little bit, after we hear the Principal's address," Ak Yeonho replied darkly.
Baek Suryong stared at him. "Yeonho, are you sure you're okay?"
Ak Yeonho scratched his head awkwardly. "I've been kind of tired lately, what with all the preparations. Maybe it's because I haven't been sleeping much?"
Baek Suryong raised a fist and shook it. "Don't forget what I told you before. Say the word anytime, and I'll help you out."
Ak Yeonho chuckled and nodded.
"Everyone, be quiet!" Vice Principal Kwak Cheolwoo shouted, his voice infused with inner qi, as he climbed onto the platform.
The noisy grounds fell silent for a moment.
"The Principal will be here shortly, so sit up straight, line up properly, and be quiet!" Kwak Cheolwoo bellowed, his sharp eyes piercing the crowd as he asserted his authority.
Ak Yeonho whispered to Baek Suryong, "The Vice Principal has been working really hard lately."
"Why?"
"Because the Principal will appoint a successor before he steps down. He wants to make a good impression before then."
"Well..." Baek Suryong had no particular opinions about Vice Principal Kwak Cheolwoo. Unlike Pung Jinho, he wasn't corrupt, but whether he was qualified to be principal was debatable.
He's an outstanding martial artist, but his other qualities are ambiguous. To put it nicely, he's pragmatic. To put it not so nicely, he's shallow and self-serving. The way he's always observing Namgung Su and Pung Jinho is quite telling...
Well, he was sure the students knew this better than he did.
Nevertheless, quieting excited students before a school trip was no easy task. Even the normally shy ones kept whispering to their friends. The vice principal's authority had little effect, and the noise level only decreased slightly.
"These rascals...!"
Feeling humiliated, Kwak Cheolwoo raised his eyebrows, preparing to unleash a Lion's Roar, when Noh Goonsang walked up to the platform.
"Hohoho! Don't frown on such a fine day," he said breezily. "Thank you for your efforts, Vice Principal. You may step down now."
"...Yes, Principal." Kwak Cheolwoo hesitantly clasped his hands in greeting and descended the podium.
Noh Goonsang slowly scanned the students. They instantly fell silent, all eyes on him.
"...I really should stop him from retiring," Baek Suryong muttered to himself.
Ak Yeonho and Namgung Su nodded in agreement.
The uniforms were tailored to fit each student's physique. Unlike the mass-produced uniforms they had worn to the Heavenly Martial Festival before, these were far more durable and comfortable.
Noh Goonsang smiled warmly and began, "We're already heading towards the end of autumn. This year has been particularly eventful. We've had new freshmen and new instructors, and there have been many changes for the existing students as well. You all know this better than anyone."
"......"
"Although the final exams and the Heavenly Martial Festival are still ahead of you, you've all done well so far. Please think of this school trip as a reward for all your hard work and a chance to unwind."
Although Noh Goonsang had spent most of his time as Principal rather inconspicuously, he had now become an indispensable figure to the Azure Dragon Academy. The students weren't privy to the details, but they knew Noh Goonsang had decided to retire for the sake of the academy, even risking the reputation he'd built over many long years.
This was sincere advice from such an adult. Who would dare to interrupt him?
"However, you shouldn't get too excited and end up getting hurt. Everyone, please keep that in mind, okay?"