"...What are you talking about?" Mae Geuklyom asked, bewildered.
However, Kwak Cheolwoo only stared into his cup with a calm expression. That only made the request harder to understand.
If he were drunk, I could dismiss this as nonsense, but that expression... it looks like he has already given up.
"You might not care, but I do. This place is your life, isn't it, Father-in-law?
Mae Geuklyom sighed. "Look here, Cheolwoo. How could you tell me to become Principal? You're the one who deserves that position after everything you've done."
"If I become Principal, someone has to step into the Headmaster's role."
"......"
"If you're trying to test me, stop. I've never wanted to be promoted. I'm happy being Headmaster, just as I always have been. I'm not cut out for such heavy responsibility."
Since you're the one asking, I'll give it a go."
"......"
"Senior." Kwak Cheolwoo set down his cup and looked at Mae Geuklyom with his single eye.
Mae Geuklyom scowled at the silence. "Hey! Say something!"
"Senior." Kwak Cheolwoo set down his cup and looked at Mae Geuklyom with his single eye. As he opened his mouth, a waft of strong alcohol stung the air. "...I'll be honest. I want to become the Principal of the Azure Dragon Academy."
Countless thoughts raced through his mind.
His gaze wavered like a raging tide. Greed, lingering attachment, and raw emotion were written so plainly across his face that Mae Geuklyom was momentarily speechless.
"Senior, I want to see the Azure Dragon Academy become the world's best academy too. I want us to beat the arrogant Heavenly Martial Academy at the Heavenly Martial Festival, and I want our students to be proud of who they are."
"I was confident I could lead better than Principal Noh Goonsang. My martial arts are far inferior, but I believed I was a better leader."
"......" Seeing that sincere smile, Mae Geuklyom could not stay angry.
In truth, he was the person who had effectively acted as Principal for the past few years. While Noh Goonsang was lost in deep despair and spending his days hoho-ing idly, it was he who had kept the academy running.
The Blazing Blade Kwak Cheolwoo was a man who, despite a modest reputation in the jianghu, held good standing as a martial artist and was an outstanding instructor. He had been appointed when the academy's fame was fading, stayed through every opportunity to leave, and eventually became Vice Principal.
Mae Geuklyom had watched it all. He knew well what Kwak Cheolwoo had been aiming for. "I know you want the Principal's seat, and your opportunity has finally arrived. Why are you spouting strange nonsense instead of seizing it?"
"I thought so too, but..."
"Enough. Come with me to see the Principal tomorrow. You'll do fine."
Mae Geuklyom tried to end it there, but Kwak Cheolwoo stroked the area around his eyepatch and smiled bitterly.
"......" Seeing that sincere smile, Mae Geuklyom could not stay angry.
"No. Losing an eye has made me see some things with more clarity."
Mae Geuklyom's face hardened. "You...!"
"Senior," Kwak Cheolwoo interrupted firmly. Gone was all trace of hesitation, replaced by steadfast conviction. "The Azure Dragon Academy is no longer a sinking ship, but a sleeping dragon about to awaken and rise to the heavens. The person who stands at its helm should be worthy of standing at those heights."
Mae Geuklyom's anger flared. "So? What exactly do you think you're lacking?"
"My standing in the jianghu, my martial arts, my influence. I fall short of what the current Azure Dragon Academy needs in every respect."
"Nonsense!"
You are the history of the Azure Dragon Academy.
"This is the conclusion I reached after thinking carefully."
Mae Geuklyom was confused. How could Kwak Cheolwoo not want an opportunity he had waited so long for? Yet this is where he ends up after much deliberation?
Kwak Cheolwoo stared straight at Mae Geuklyom. He was under no illusions. What the academy needed now was not someone like himself, but a man who could stand firm against the Principals of the Five Great Academies, the Sect Leaders of the Nine Sects One Gang, and the Heads of the Great Clans.
Although you weren't with them when they fought, you were here protecting those who stayed behind."
"Senior, I want to see the Azure Dragon Academy become the world's best academy too. I want us to beat the arrogant Heavenly Martial Academy at the Heavenly Martial Festival, and I want our students to be proud of who they are."
"...It will happen."
"Isn't it strange how we couldn't even have imagined that a year ago?" Kwak Cheolwoo smiled warmly, happy at the very thought.
"Senior, I want to see the Azure Dragon Academy become the world's best academy too.
"......" Seeing that sincere smile, Mae Geuklyom could not stay angry.
"So please, become the Principal, Senior. Keep the students focused and unified. I'll be right beside you."
Mae Geuklyom clicked his tongue softly as his son-in-law walked past. "...Damn foolish fellow."
Having said his piece, Kwak Cheolwoo rose from his seat, his expression lighter than it had been all night.
Mae Geuklyom flinched, but quickly looked back up at the night sky, afraid his son-in-law would catch a glimpse of his expression.
"That's all I want to say. I'll be on my way."
Mae Geuklyom saw him to the door and stood watching long after his figure had vanished from sight.
Countless thoughts raced through his mind. He thought of Kwak Cheolwoo's words, his own long years at the Azure Dragon Academy, Noh Goonsang's quiet struggles, and the worried faces of instructors and students. The faces of graduates, old and new, drifted through his memory.
"It's cold out. Why are you just standing there?" a familiar voice asked.
Mae Geuklyom turned around, unsurprised by this frequent visitor. As soon as he saw Baek Muheun's face, though, his voice caught in his throat.
"What brings you here again?" he snapped gruffly, embarrassed to be caught in such a vulnerable state. "Didn't I tell you to stop dropping by for no reason and to look after Suryong? That child takes after his mother. Like Yakbing, he never wears his heart on his sleeve. You need to be by his side..."
"Not sure. You as the Azure Dragon Academy Principal... If that happens, I don't think I'd want to stay here a moment longer."
Baek Muheun shrugged. "I came to see Yakbing, not you, Father-in-law."
Having said his piece, Kwak Cheolwoo rose from his seat, his expression lighter than it had been all night.
"You insolent brat..." Mae Geuklyom's face flushed red, and he let out a long sigh. "...You're the same as ever. Go on in."
"Are you staying out here?"
"I need some fresh air."
Baek Muheun nodded and went in alone.
Mae Geuklyom clicked his tongue softly as his son-in-law walked past. "...Damn foolish fellow."
Even as he said it, he knew. Baek Muheun did not visit him once a day just to see his late wife's portrait. The truth was plain enough from what he always brought with him.
"I brought some medicinal herbs, Father-in-law. Brew them and drink up."
Moments later, Baek Muheun returned with the gourd of strong liquor Kwak Cheolwoo had gifted him instead of the usual herbal concoction.