"The winner of the Alumni Tournament is the Handsome Swordmaster, Master Baek Muheun!"
"WAAAH!"
A roar erupted, loud enough to rattle the spectator stands. The heat of it warmed the chilly winter air.
"H-He passed all those mechanical contraptions in less than eight minutes..."
Although the Alumni Tournament was only a friendly duel intended to build excitement for the Heavenly Martial Festival, the crowd cheered fervently for the two swordsmen who had shown them a whole new level of competition.
The students and instructors from the other academies tensed up as they watched.
"That was a duel I'll never forget!"
A young monk sensed it and turned to greet him with a clasped-hands bow.
"The Handsome Swordmaster... How could a master like that have been unknown until now?"
"He was truly worthy of the title 'swordmaster.'"
"The Handsome Swordmaster... Some might call it an exaggeration, but no one here can deny it."
"The Divine Annihilation Nun impressed me too. Even after she was defeated, she gave an alias to the winner!"
Although the Alumni Tournament was only a friendly duel intended to build excitement for the Heavenly Martial Festival, the crowd cheered fervently for the two swordsmen who had shown them a whole new level of competition.
In addition to evaluations of their martial arts, discussions about the Handsome Swordmaster's appearance heated up.
"My goodness, how can he be so dashing at his age?"
"What's wrong with his age? I think it's better that he's middle-aged!
This is not just a contest of strength, but a competition of total physical ability, including flexibility, elasticity, and endurance.
"The Handsome Swordmaster... Some might call it an exaggeration, but no one here can deny it."
Everyone nodded in agreement with Baek Muheun's new alias. The man himself, however, flushed crimson with embarrassment.
"Ahem..."
"My goodness, how can he be so dashing at his age?"
As Baek Muheun stepped down from the stage, a flood of congratulations poured in from the Azure Dragon Academy's instructors and students.
"Azure Dragon Academy, listen up!"
"Congratulations, Headmaster!"
"I'm so jealous. You got two aliases at once that others struggle their whole lives for..."
"Which of the two are you jealous of?"
"Well, I'm more jealous of 'Handsome' than 'Swordmaster'..."
The instructors were polite enough to restrain their laughter, but the students teased their Headmaster earnestly, refusing to let the rare opportunity pass.
Fortunately for Baek Muheun, the Heavenly Martial Principal's omnidirectional telepathy quieted the murmurs.
"I'm so jealous. You got two aliases at once that others struggle their whole lives for..."
[We will now take a short break.]
The Heavenly Martial Principal called a break to cool the excitement, and the crowd began to flow out like an ebbing tide. Spectators gathered in groups to chat or drifted off to attend to personal matters.
Now, it was time for the current students of the Azure Dragon Academy to experience this feeling for themselves.
Finally free of the endless congratulations, Baek Muheun sat down beside his son and sighed. "Whew! I was fine on stage, but now that it's over, I'm exhausted! And that was just a friendly match. I don't know why I'm getting so many well-wishes... Why are you looking at me like that?"
Baek Suryong smiled enigmatically as he studied his father, who seemed more embarrassed than ever before. A dozen witty remarks came to mind, but he decided to keep his message short, simple, and sincere.
"Congratulations on winning."
Baek Muheun, who had been watching his son wordlessly, nodded slightly and smiled. "...You little punk. Thanks."
He had finally achieved victory at the Dragon and Phoenix Tournament, a feat that had eluded him thirty years ago. Although competing in a duel tournament again at his age and drinking in the cheers was embarrassing and awkward, it made him happy all the same.
Now, it was time for the current students of the Azure Dragon Academy to experience this feeling for themselves.
"Azure Dragon Academy, listen up!"
All eyes turned toward Noh Goonsang. Having left his duties as principal to Mae Geuklyom, he watched the friendly duel in comfort with the other instructors.
His smile brimmed with confidence.
With a gentle gaze, he looked over the excited students. "When the break ends, the first official match begins. Students on the participation roster, please start warming up."
"Okay!"
"H-He passed all those mechanical contraptions in less than eight minutes..."
A few students answered vigorously and stood up to stretch. Among the Five Young Azure Dragons, two shrugged off their outer garments and loosened their limbs.
Noh Goonsang turned toward Baek Muheun. "Headmaster Baek, as a proud alumnus of the Azure Dragon Academy, I'd like you to say a few words of encouragement to the students."
Of course, there was also someone who didn't care at all.
Baek Muheun rose from his seat and smiled at the students, who watched him with sparkling eyes. He had been in their position once, too. It was a confusing time, filled with anticipation, nervousness, and anxiety.
The person who had helped him back then was the former headmaster, Mae Geuklyom.
"There's no need to be nervous. Anyone would think you're a top contender. You should know you're lucky just to have made it this far."
"...Do you really have to rain on my parade after I've come all this way? Should I just forfeit?"
"Who told you to forfeit? I'm telling you to relax. Winning the Dragon and Phoenix Tournament would be a great achievement, but it's fine if you lose. You're still young, aren't you?"
"......"
"A student shouldn't get hurt in an school tournament. Don't get hung up on winning. Just go out there and do your best without getting injured."
"Really? Then I'll just take it easy?"
"...Were you even listening to me properly?"
Baek Muheun recalled that fateful day as he looked each student in the eye. "There's no need to be nervous. Perform the way you've trained, and you have a good chance of winning. Show them what you can do, but make sure you don't get hurt. Understood?"
""Yes, Headmaster!"" the students answered at the top of their lungs, their morale soaring.
The students from the other Great Academies glanced over at them contemptuously.
Now, it was time for the current students of the Azure Dragon Academy to experience this feeling for themselves.
"Those bastards keep glaring at us."
"Let them. Being watched is better than being ignored."
A young monk sensed it and turned to greet him with a clasped-hands bow. He was the winner of last year's Dragon and Phoenix Tournament and the President of the Heavenly Martial Academy's Student Council, Shaolin's Divine Dragon Ilgak. A martial arts genius, he wielded all Eighteen Martial Weapons as easily as breathing.
Geo Sangwoong grinned, patted Hyonwon Kang on the shoulder, and stepped forward. Ya Suhyeok followed at his side.
"Let's go, Suhyeok."
"The Handsome Swordmaster... How could a master like that have been unknown until now?"
"We'll be right back!"
The Azure Dragon Academy's Monochrome Bears were scheduled to compete in the first official match of the Heavenly Martial Festival.
Is it true that monks can't eat meat?"
He was the winner of last year's Dragon and Phoenix Tournament and the President of the Heavenly Martial Academy's Student Council, Shaolin's Divine Dragon Ilgak. A martial arts genius, he wielded all Eighteen Martial Weapons as easily as breathing.
The staff member in charge of the proceedings made his way around each academy zone, shouting instructions. "Students participating in the first match, please get ready!"