Eight weeks had passed since the start of the cadet academy.
The instructors had gathered in the conference room within the facility.
An emergency meeting was called despite it being the weekend because an order had been issued to move up the evaluation schedule, which was originally divided into first and second halves.
After discussing countermeasures, the final agenda was the report on the cadets' performance.
"Class 1 has achieved a record high, hasn't it?"
The head of the cadet academy beamed with joy at the report from the Class 1 instructor.
"It's only been a short while since the academy began, yet they've grown this much. You must have worked hard, Instructor! Excellent job!"
"It's all thanks to the cadets following along well. Haha."
The Class 1 instructor humbly bowed with a smile.
"Even so, an average of Grade 1.3? That's an improvement of up to two full grades in just two months! And the growth of the Eighth Young Lady… hahaha!"
Although only two months had passed since the start of the academy, every cadet in Class 1 had advanced to Grades 1 or 2.
Normally, increasing by two grades in a year was considered impressive growth, so such progress in just two months was almost unheard of.
"Class 2 and Class 3 have also done well! Not as outstanding as Class 1, but still an excellent improvement compared to previous years!"
The cadet academy head smiled with satisfaction.
Class 2 lagged slightly behind Class 1, but they had still put up a solid effort, driven by their competitiveness.
Class 3, as always, had shown mediocre growth, but compared to past years, they were achieving much better results.
"I was worried when the order suddenly came to advance the mid-term evaluation, but now I see the reason behind it. The cadets are truly remarkable! Haha! But enough of that. Let's continue with the reports! Next is Class 4, correct?"
The Class 4 instructor stood up with a grim expression, his face looking almost lifeless.
Noticing the mood, the Class 3 instructor leaned over and whispered to Lee Jung-ho, the Class 5 instructor sitting next to him.
"Isn't it a waste for you? You graduated at the top of Sword Gate (劍門), so why would you come here and take charge of Class 5?"
The Class 3 instructor had been a fellow cadet with Lee Jung-ho in their academy days. At his remark, Lee Jung-ho frowned slightly.
"I always wanted to be an educator. What's wrong with joining the academy?"
"Then you could've applied for Class 1. Look at those instructors—they weren't even top performers, but they got lucky with good cadets and now they're making a name for themselves."
"It's not about the class."
"That may be true, but Class 5 is still significant. It's a garbage dump, after all."
"…A garbage dump, huh?"
It wasn't a pleasant description, but it wasn't something he could refute.
He had chosen Class 5 because he wanted to help struggling cadets grow.
But so far, he had failed.
Even under his guidance, Class 5 had the highest number of failing and expelled cadets, just like always.
But—
"That might have been the case until now."
"What?"
The Class 3 instructor gave him a puzzled look.
Just then, the Class 4 instructor finished his report.
"…Class 4 seems to be a problem."
The academy head frowned slightly at the report on Class 4's growth.
Their performance was worse than previous years.
There were no grade improvements, and their training progress was falling far behind.
"The details of the upcoming evaluation haven't been fully revealed yet, but I hear it will be quite difficult. Classes 1 through 3 should be fine, but… tch."
Clicking his tongue in disappointment, the academy head glanced at both the Class 4 instructor and Lee Jung-ho.
"Class 5 didn't even reach Grade 6 during the initial aptitude test, did they?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"Sigh."
The academy head let out an exaggerated sigh.
Lee Jung-ho pressed his lips together.
There had been a reason for those results back then.
But he didn't bother explaining himself. That result wasn't important.
"Class 1 is at a record high, but Class 5 is at an all-time low. Isn't that right, Instructor Lee Jung-ho?"
All-time low. Was that really the case?
A strange smile crept onto Lee Jung-ho's lips.
"Go ahead and report."
The head of the cadet academy tossed the documents containing the cadets' personal records onto the table as if he had no interest in even looking at them. Then, he leaned back into his chair.
Lee Jung-ho gave a brief nod, stood up, and calmly began his report.
"I will begin. First…"
Cadet No. 1, Lee Cheol.
Initial evaluation: Grade 1 → Grade 1.Mock exam: Grade 1 → Grade 1.
Cadet No. 2, Choi In-ha.
Initial evaluation: Grade 7 → Grade 2.Mock exam: Grade 5 → Grade 3.
Cadet No. 4, Kim Bo-sung.
Initial evaluation: Grade 6 → Grade 4.Mock exam: Grade 7 → Grade 3.
…
Cadet No. 11, Kim Han.
Initial evaluation: Grade 6 → Grade 3.Mock exam: Grade 6 → Grade 3.
…
"That concludes my report."
"W-what…?"
The head of the cadet academy widened his eyes and stared intently at the documents detailing the cadets' progress.
"T-then, how much has the class's average grade increased?"
"At the time of the initial evaluation, the class's average was Grade 6.4. As of now, it stands at Grade 3.5."
Silence fell over the conference room.
Class 5, which had been dismissed as a garbage dump, had now grown to the point where its average grade was comparable to Class 3, which was typically at Grade 3.
The cadets of Class 1 had already been praised for improving by one or two grades in just two months. But Class 5 had improved by an average of three grades.
"This concludes the report, excluding the five cadets who voluntarily withdrew."
"Are you saying… this report is true?"
"Yes, it is accurate."
The head of the academy still seemed unable to believe it.
"Even so, increasing by three grades in just two months… Could there have been some kind of mistake…?"
"All evaluations were conducted using the academy's official facilities. There was no room for error or manipulation."
Lee Jung-ho thought of the cadets of Class 5.
Even the night before the evaluation, they had trained as usual. Despite being exhausted from continuous training, they had still produced these results.
"Every cadet in Class 5 fought fiercely and changed. These grades are not a fluke—they are the rightful outcome of their efforts."
A Grade 3.5 average wasn't an outstanding number.
However, the scale of their improvement was almost unprecedented in the academy's history.
And to think, Class 5—once mocked as a garbage dump—had risen to the level of Class 3.
"I see. I did notice that the cadets of Class 5 were training late into the night on occasion…"
The head of the academy suddenly burst into laughter.
"I must have underestimated you. To rehabilitate the so-called garbage dump cadets… As expected of the top graduate of Sword Gate. I had completely misunderstood your teaching methods!"
"Head Instructor, I must admit…"
Lee Jung-ho gave a self-deprecating smile.
"It wasn't me. As you said, my teaching methods up until now were too soft and flawed."
"Oh? Then did you change your methods? Tell me—how did you turn those problem cadets around?"
Lee Jung-ho thought for a moment.
Had the cadets changed because of him?
No. They had changed on their own.
There was someone who had led that transformation—but it wasn't him.
"The one who changed the cadets was Young Master Lee Cheol. I merely assisted."
"What?"
"Even if I hadn't been here… Class 5 would have transformed just the same."
Silence filled the room once more.
Everyone had an expression of disbelief.
Lee Jung-ho simply smiled without saying anything.
***
There was an urgent announcement, so even though it was Sunday—the cadets' only day off—he had no choice but to call them together.
As Lee Jung-ho was about to head toward the dormitory next to the training grounds, he couldn't help but be surprised upon arriving at the training area.
'Looks like there was no need to call them in.'
Lee Jung-ho let out a small chuckle.
"I lost! Just give up already!"
"Damn it! It's not over yet!"
"Uwaaaah!"
Cadets doing endurance training.
Cadets sparring.
Cadets doing strength training.
Despite it being a holiday, most of Class 5 was already at the training grounds.
"Huh! A-Attention! Instructor, sir!"
As soon as the cadets noticed him, they immediately stopped what they were doing and stood at attention.
"Looks like you're working hard, even on the weekend."
Recalling what had happened in the meeting, Lee Jung-ho took a moment to observe them.
Their bodies were drenched in sweat, some bore injuries from training, and a few had cadet uniforms—known for their durability—hanging in tatters.
'Yeah, I didn't do anything.'
After silently taking in the sight, Lee Jung-ho finally spoke.
"First, call in those who aren't here. I have an announcement."
Soon, every cadet, including Lee Cheol, who had been absent, gathered at the training grounds.
Once he confirmed the full attendance, Lee Jung-ho calmly began.
"It's sudden, but due to the first-half evaluation being moved up, you will all be granted a week-long break in advance. There will be no training during the ninth week."
Originally, the evaluation was scheduled for the final week of the first half of the year, but since it had been moved up by several weeks, they were given an early vacation.
"The first-half evaluation will take place in the twelfth week. It's essentially a quarterly assessment. After the break, we'll assume you've finished your adaptation period, and the training intensity will increase accordingly."
In the past, the cadets would have groaned and joked around, but now, their eyes burned with determination.
"After the break, there will also be supplementary lessons on Sundays. Consider this your last proper rest. Lastly…"
He was about to tell them to maintain at least minimal training during the break—but then, he shut his mouth.
'No need.'
Telling these cadets, who were training even on weekends, to keep up with training during vacation was pointless.
Instead, he turned to face Lee Cheol, who stood in the front.
Some instructors had mocked Lee Jung-ho for what he had said to the head of the cadet academy—claiming that he, once so rigid and unyielding, was now spouting nonsense. The cadet commander, who was from a branch family, had merely brushed it off.
'Well, who would believe that a mere thirteen-year-old changed all these cadets?'
But it was the truth.
No matter how fiercely a fire burned, it always needed a spark.
And Lee Cheol had been that spark.
"I trust you'll all handle yourselves. You've worked hard—get some rest. That is all."
"Salute!"
The cadets saluted, and the instructor, his expression indifferent, exited the training ground.
***
A sudden break had been granted.
I let out a deep breath, lost in thought.
'They moved up the first-half evaluation? Is this okay?'
For first-year cadets, the academy typically scheduled the first-half evaluation as late as possible.
Though it was called an "evaluation," in reality, it was a deployment into actual combat.
For second- and third-year cadets, their schedules were often pushed forward, but first-year cadets—who hadn't yet received enough training—were given as much time as possible.
Yet now, that evaluation had been moved up by several weeks.
'They wouldn't lower the difficulty… If anything, they'd raise it.'
In this damned family, hoping for humane treatment was a mistake.
Either way, worrying about it now wouldn't change anything. I sighed and turned to leave—
But then I noticed the cadets standing around, staring at me.
"Why aren't you all leaving?"
"We're watching you, young master!"
Kim Han grinned.
No matter how grueling things got, that guy never lost his smile.
"What are you going to do?"
Choi In-ha spoke next.
He glanced around at the other cadets before looking directly at me.
"Do about what?"
"During the break."
"Vacation is personal time. Why ask me?"
Their expressions turned odd.
It was as if they were shocked that I'd say such a thing.
That's when I finally realized what they were thinking.
"Rest when you can. I'm not planning anything for the break."
"...!"
The cadets' mouths fell open.
"Did… Did the young master really just say that?"
"I thought for sure he'd put us through some hellish training since there's no official schedule. Like, 'Surely none of you actually plan on resting, right?' and then force us into a training camp or something… We were all bracing ourselves for it."
They were whispering, but I heard them loud and clear.
I frowned.
"What exactly do you all think I am?"
"…A monster in human form."
"A training-obsessed lunatic."
"A beast…"
They muttered among themselves.
Now that we'd gotten closer, the atmosphere wasn't as tense outside of training sessions.
I narrowed my eyes at them.
"Want me to put you all through the first day of training again?"
"...!"
They flinched.
I chuckled.
"Rest when you can. Recovery is important too."
The cadets stirred again.
"Y-Young master, are you feeling okay…?"
Kim Han trembled as he approached.
"You brat."
I shot him a glare, and his eyes darted around in a panic.
"Anyway, I know that even if I tell you all to rest, none of you will completely slack off. Spend your time wisely. Get some good rest, and I'll see you after the break."
With that, I turned and walked away.
Class 5 had changed.
There were times when I even had to step in because some of them trained so recklessly that they risked serious injuries.
As I left, the cadets stood frozen for a moment—
Then suddenly burst into cheers.
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