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34. Final test (8)

"Hey, then let's take a break here!"

After Kim Yuri said that, the children stretched out or laid down on the table.

"What kind of Friday is it? I'm dying…"

"It's Friday, correct? It's only an exam period's Friday, yes…?" [1]

The exam studying we started after eating dinner.

Matching Kim Yuri's studying philosophy 'you have to work harder on Friday ahead of weekend', the process of it was very intense.

"Rather, how are you guys so good at studying?"

After Maeng Hyodon, who checked the quiz results record on the hologram, asked, some children replied:

"When the exam range is broad, you can't worry too much about the details. You study while looking at it broadly."

"I write down the things while recalling the content of classes."

"You can study while watching the lectures, as they're published on the internet…"

"Is there a need to work that hard?"

The ones who had outstanding grades, Kim Yuri, Han Yi, Min Geurin and Song Daeseok, spoke in turns.

Maeng Hyodon sent them a gaze as if he was staring at incomprehensible creatures.

"… What are they talking about?"

"…"

On the other hand, Kwon Lena, who was also struggling with the exam studying, avoided his gaze and casted 'quiet presence'.

'Kwon Lena started to prepare earlier than mid-term exams, but it seems it's hard when she is also taking violin lessons and practicing.'

In our class, the ones with low grades were Maeng Hyodon, Kwon Lena and Hwang Jiho.

It seemed that a sense of comradeship formed between Maeng Hyodon and Kwon Lena, but Hwang Jiho was an exception.

"That fucker continues to score 40 points, you know? If you make even one mistake, you're going to fail, you know? Why are you so relaxed?"

"Hahahaha! There is no way I'll make a mistake, you know."

"… You're saying you have 40 points because you didn't make a mistake? Should I be envious or not?"

According to Hwang Jiho's words, he had 40 points because he didn't make a mistake.

Maeng Hyodon's thoughts, who was probably going to be around 40 points, were visibly complicated.

"Even if you didn't make a mistake… if you work a bit harder, it would be good because our class average score would raise, you know!"

Sawol Seeum ended up adding useless words.

"Class average score… Do you want to raise that?"

"Yes! If it raises, teacher Ham Geunhyeong-nim will also be happy."

"I'll think about it."

If that bastard frivolously says he will raise the class' average score, he will get a perfect score.

If he does that, Hwang Jiho would take the co-first place seats together with Ju Su-hyeok and An Dain.

I would hate to see that.

"Just do what you were doing."

"Hahahaha!"

As if there was something to laugh about my words to receive bottom 40 points like usual, Hwang Jiho burst out laughing.

"Ah, right. We still haven't prepared the midnight snacks… Today Jiho and I are in charge of that."

"Right. Shall we go?"

The gazes of children, who observed Hwang Jiho and Kim Yuri move towards the kitchen, were half worried and half looking forward to it.

They were worried what those two would do together, but they seemed to be looking forward to it as they extremely liked their cooking.

'Let's check the messages.'

While waiting for the midnight snacks, as I activated the device, I saw a few new messages came.

[Geun Chansol] Is it good to suspiciously win?

[Wang Chansol] Even today you won, suspicious. [2]

As if they were frustrated I won against Yeon Garam, they sent a full package of messages with no context and putting out aggro.

[Me] Thank you for coming to watch the match. Please come next time.

[Wang Chansol] I don't like it?

[Geun Chansol] We're not going to watch your match, we're going to watch No 1. Garam's match?

In the end, didn't it mean they will come if me and Yeon Garam will play a match?

After I said 'Yes, then see you next time.', the stamp that looked like a bomb flew back as a reply, but I ignored it.

Besides that, there were several messages that arrived, but the most eye-catching was a message sent by another class 0 senior.

[Woo Gihwan] Are you the culprit?

What was that sound again?

After some pondering, the answer came.

'During the Heavenly Sacred Tree & Mountain Spirit incident, Hwang Jiho said that he was going to rob the 3rd year class 0, right? Are you trying to catch the culprit who reported to the school the traps laid down around the Heavenly Sacred Tree?'

I could almost see him say 'You know very well about the crime and say no?' and dig around if I reply 'no'.

I decided to pretend I don't know.

[Me] Yes?

That short message was immediately marked as read, but there was no reply.

I guess that as I thought, he was testing everyone.

A reply arrived after a few dozens of seconds.

[Woo Gihwan] Culprit was revealed. It was our class' strong homeroom teacher!

[Me] Yes?

What was that sound again?

[Woo Gihwan] At the message I sent, an immediate reply 'Yeah, I'm the culprit!' came… We will take revenge!

It seemed that teacher Im Yeonhwa-nim just thought those lunatics, who looked cute in her eyes, were playing a prank and played along.

I sent a rough message 'I'll cheer you on' and left the chatroom.

Immediately after that, when I was checking a few messages, the name 'Yeom Junyeol' caught my eye.

'It wasn't sent to the master, but to the junior Jo Uisin.'

The message started with a polite apology.

[Yeom Junyeol] Do you want to play a re-match when the final exams end?

My disciple requested it, so obviously I had to agree, right?

I happily wrote a reply.

[Me] Yes, let's play next time.

[Yeom Junyeol] Then see you after the final exams.

As if Yeom Junyeol was checking the device just in time, he sent a reply straight away.

'But why no messages came on the master line?'

According to Yong Jegeon, it seemed that Yeom Junyeol was worrying if it was okay or not to send his greetings to me.

When I sent a very short greeting, as I thought it would be better to just send it myself.

[Me] Hi.

[Yeom Junyeol] Master-nim.

Almost simultaneously, one message came and one went, exploding into a crash incident.

I sent the message a very short moment earlier, but it wasn't even a difference of 100 milliseconds.

[Yeom Junyeol] Master-nim spoke first!

My kind disciple yielded the first word to me.

[Me] I tried to send it as a test. And to ask how you are doing. Exam studying isn't difficult?

[Yeom Junyeol] Yes, it's okay. Thank you for worrying about me! I'll get good marks to become master-nim's proud disciple.

Even if he didn't get good marks, Yeom Junyeol would be my proud disciple.

As the message was full of enthusiasm, I recalled Yeom Junyeol's smile as the line of the straight corners of his eyes changed.

[Me] Did you want to contact me about something?

[Yeom Junyeol] I wanted to greet master-nim!

You wanted to send a greeting, but then why did it take so long?

Yeom Junyeol's words continued.

[Yeom Junyeol] In fact, I wanted to contact you straight away when I got home that day when you gave me a device code. However, it was because I recalled the promise not to bother master-nim.

[Yeom Junyeol] … Can I say hello even if it's not an important matter?

Yeom Junyeol's messages came up very slowly.

I decided to give permission straight away because I could feel my disciple's worries.

[Me] It's fine. Your messages aren't annoying.

[Yeom Junyeol] Then I can contact you often?

[Me] Yep.

[Yeom Junyeol] Thank you!

I was bothered by the word 'often', but Yeom Junyeol was happy, so whatever, it was just good.

"Guys, let's eat snacks!"

Opportunely, as if the midnight snack preparations ended, on the table laid several bamboo steamers.

Today's menu was jiāozi, and among them were untan[3] jiāozi wrapped in skin so thin and translucent the insides were visible.

"It feels like swallowing clouds!" [4]

"The squid is delicious, the shrimps are delicious… Everything is delicious."

"This one personally made it, so it should be natural."

"… Frustrating."

When we were sharing a peaceful conversation, Min Geurin, who was receiving a call in the corner, approached the table in the middle of the call.

"… Yes, master-nim. Yes? Currently all our classmates are here. Because we were in the middle of the study meeting. Wait a moment."

"It's a call from the painter-nim, right?"

"Yep, he said to switch to the speaker mode so all of us can hear him together. And he said that if I can, I should sit at Daeseok's side to listen."

As soon as her words ended, Song Daeseok pointed at the seat beside him while setting up the chopsticks and plate.

"Geurin, sit here!"

As Min Geurin was sitting beside Song Daeseok after a long time, he looked at the top of her head, covered by hood, with eyes that couldn't contain his happiness while smiling.

"That guy's eyes are smeared with honey."

"What to do…! We can't sit in their vicinity. I think we should leave those seats empty."

While children became chaotic, Min Geurin changed the device's call settings to the speaker mode with the help of Song Daeseok.

From the hologram where 'master-nim' was written, I heard painter Hong Gyeongbok's voice.

[Geurin, stay calm and listen carefully.]

"Yes…"

After the call started, each of the children put an untan jiāozi in their mouths and their voices died down.

['Death of Imoogi' was stolen. We can't figure out when and how it disappeared.]

Taak.

After Hong Gyeongbok's words ended, Min Geurin collapsed as if crumbling.

"Geurin!"

Song Daeseok, who was at her side, swiftly stretched his hands out to lean her against his shoulder.

It seemed she was told to sit beside Song Daeseok in preparation for this situation.

Min Geurin clutched Song Daeseok's arm and continued to listen.

[We're planning to announce a large-scale investigation to get information and prevent back-door deals. It will become a nation-wide news tomorrow morning. And I'll block all interviews coming to you, so don't worry.]

"Yes…"

[We will make sure to find it.]

After painter Hong Gyeongbok told Min Geurin to stay calm and the call ended.

It seemed that he was busy cooperating in the investigation, because his surroundings were loud.

"The first painting I made with master-nim…"

After Min Geurin mumbled powerlessly, the class children spoke up to her.

"Tell us what you need. We will help if we can!"

"Yeah, contact us."

"Yes! Please contact us anytime." [5]

"Thank you…"

Thanks to the conversation with the class children, Min Geurin's gradually visibly relaxed.

Song Daeseok at the side, who hugged Min Geurin's shoulders and listened to the conversation, observed this scene with a bit of a confused face.

It seemed that he was embarrassed because she recovered faster than he thought from the shock of the news about her first work being stolen.

After seeing that she looked stable, I had some time to organize my thoughts.

'When and how the hell did it disappear?'

The first to come to mind was Dark Mastermind, but I shook my head straight away.

It didn't feel like Dark Mastermind's hand.

Considering Dark Mastermind's actions, they wouldn't stop at stealing the painting the moment they realized that old Korea branch head left clues.

'If I was Dark Mastermind, I would dispose of Hong Gyeongbok and Min Geurin, who could recognize that it's a fake and recreate that painting again.'

In conclusion, I thought that someone stole it, because the painting had tremendous value on its own.

Before the study meeting dispersed in a subtle atmosphere, I grabbed Hwang Jiho and spoke.

"We have to find that painting."

"It's not 'please find it', but 'we have to find it'? Looks like you're not speaking simply for a classmate, eh?"

"Yeah."

"I was wondering why you suddenly went to Hongcheon…"

Hwang Jiho looked at Min Geurin, who was going back home with Song Daeseok after a long time, and then at me.

When I was worrying if I would have to somehow explain where it was related to the 'Death of Imoogi'.

"Got it. I'll look for it."

Hwang Jiho didn't ask anything and nodded his head.

***

Monday.

The entire weekend was chaotic with the news about the 'Death of Imoogi' robbery incident, but today, the Eungwang School's students were startled by news they couldn't imagine.

Blue Violinist Kwon Jane's employment at Eungwag School.

After painter Hong Gyeongbok and ascetic Tak Geosan, it was an employment of another extremely famous person.

"The few humans that can fight Jin people one on one, continue to gather at Eungwang School like this!"

"Honestly, grandfathers painter-nim and Tak the Great aren't from our generation, so I didn't feel the actual impact, but senior Kwon Jane-nim, for real…"

On the road towards the school, the conversations were only about Kwon Jane.

The number of class hours was pretty small, but many people were surprised by the words that she teaches students.

And together with that surprising fact, several spin-off incidents broke out.

One of them was the current scene in the distance of the teacher wearing a gym uniform doing a three steps and bow pilgrimage while crying.

"Teacher-nim! Stay strong! It's only 5 more kilometers to go!"

"What can I do if you wrote something like this…"

"Bring more artificial tears!"

It seemed that Eungwang School's member, who rashly declared 'If senior Kwon Jane-nim will come as a teacher, I'll do three steps and bow pilgrimage from the main gates to the General Club Hall while crying.' on the general bulletin board, kept Their promise.

'The one who wrote that comment was the String Club advisor, huh?'

They only said 'the String Club I belong to' and didn't say anything about Them being a student.

While the String Club advisor continued Their three steps and bow pilgrimage with the artificial tears dripping from Their eyes.

Kwon Jane, who heard that They're acting like some kind of fool because of her, performed a cheering song in front of the General Club Hall as she waited, and the String Club advisor was filled with such strong emotions that after that, They went to pour out Their tears without even the artificial tears, and They stuck to Their thoughtless words.

"On Saturday– I went to the Eternal Lake team building, but– because of it– it was amazing…"

On the other hand, Kwon Lena, who took a lesson on Saturday, mumbled like this with a face as if her soul left her.

"Should I say that I came to my senses because the curse was lifted, or that the curse was lifted because I came to my senses…"

"What are you saying?" [6]

"I guess senior Kwon Jane-nim coming as a teacher made her really happy."

"… I don't think she is like this just because of the happiness."

From what I heard, it seemed that the operation of lifting the curse of Oaths of Silence Kwon Lena was under ended safely.

I was worried a lot about what kind of amazing process it was, but as the result was good, it was fine.

'As Kwon Lena's curse lifting ended safely, I hope that all other cases will also be solved well.'

However, painter Hong Gyeongbok, assemblyman Seong Gukeon and even the Ho tribe's head came out in addition, but the incident would go on as it seemed they wouldn't be able to catch its tail anytime soon.

Over the weekend, I participated in the study meeting with class children, sometimes played chess and was repeatedly overpowered by Baek Ho-gun, even when he was using only one hand during the sparring like before, soon July came.

Like before, the 'Death of Imoogi's whereabouts were unclear, and the final exams started.

*~*~*

[1] "It's Friday, correct? It's only an exam period's Friday, yes…?" — Sawol Seeum's sentence

[2] [Geun Chansol] Is it good to suspiciously win?

[Wang Chansol] Even today you won, suspicious. – Reminder, that '수상하다 (su-sang-hada)' can mean both to be suspicious and to win/be awarded. So Geun&Wang Chansol are just repeating the same word in raws.

[3] untan – means 'white clouds' (if somone can tell me what the name would be in Chinese, so it wouldn't be such mess…)

[4] "It feels like swallowing clouds!" – Sawol Seeum's sentence.

[5] "Yes! Please contact us anytime." – Sawol Seeum's sentence.

[6] "What are you saying?" – Sawol Seeum's sentence.

Translator's note: Jo Uisin, what are you acting like you didn't know that it was a teacher, hm? You suddenly switched to a polite tone in the narration when addressing that. You want me to believe it was accidental?