Episode 78: The Guardian Gate and the British Magic Association (2)
“Min-hyuk!” Jeong Pan-ho followed Kang Min-hyuk out, “Thank you very much. Thanks to you, Pan-soo survived.”
“…Pan-soo is alive!?”
“Yes. The doctor told me that if you hadn’t acted so quickly, my son would be dead.”
“That’s fortunate.”
Kang Min-hyuk was sincere. Jeon Pan-soo was not a likable man, but he never wanted him to die. He had also been a friend of Kang Min-hyuk’s – remembering fighting back to back with him on the battlefield drove Kang Min-hyuk to try his hardest to save Jeong Pan-soo. Whatever their relationship, he couldn’t turn away from an ally in need. Jeong Pan-ho knew of the resentment that stood between the two. He knew that Kang Min-hyuk did not save Jeong Pan-soo out of fondness, but the reason did not detract from the fact. The fact was: Kang Min-hyuk saved his son’s life, and there was no act more meaningful than that.
Jeong Pan-ho continued, “I thought a lot while watching Pan-soo in the hospital room. I have rejected you many times over, treated you unkindly. I know that an instant change in attitude comes across as peculiar, but I intend to repay your grace. I would give my life to it. So, Kang Min-hyuk…I am on your side from now on. My loyalty to Kang Deok-cheol remains unchanged, but once this generation fades into the next, you alone will have my sword.”
His message was clear, and in the articulation of his decision, something changed in Jeong Pan-ho’s eyes.
He went on, “I don’t think you’ll reject fortified warriors entirely. You lived in the Guardian Gate and have first-hand experience of our strength; we – I – could be of great value to you. That is why I responded to the call of Moon Lord Kang Deok-cheol.”
The Guardian Gate’s Underdog may have looked shabby when he left, but he was indeed shining upon his return. He revealed a vision of the future to Suhomun, and they wanted a piece of it. He brought with him a sense of new life in bloom. Jeong Pan-ho was Suhomun’s Elder. He had been rolling off that floor for decades, and he had intimate knowledge of how things worked.
“If you make up your mind to take Suhomun,” he said,
“I will take your side over Lee Jun-ho. It is said that Kang Deok-cheol pledged allegiance to Moon-ju, but that doesn’t include a promise to the next generation. Remember: no matter how long it takes to come to pass, as long as I have the strength to raise my sword, I, Jeong Pan-ho of the Guardian Gate, will be on your side.”
It was affirmed. Even if his decision led to a flesh-and-bone trade, he would open up the path of blood. Jeong Pan-ho was inherently selfless, and therefore only thought about what would most benefit Kang Min-hyuk.
Lee Jun-ho’s future was insignificant to Jeong Pan-ho. If the happiness of one depended on the other’s discontent, Pan-ho was willing to deal the blow (so to speak) to ensure Kang Min-hyuk’s success.
“Okay,” Kang Min-hyuk nodded.
No more was said between the two. Kang Min-hyuk quietly and graciously accepted Jeong Pan-ho’s promise and walked purposefully out of Suhomun.
* * *
Kang Min-hyuk was wrapped up in thoughts of the Guardian Gate. The seeds of possibility had been sown, but there was no intention of harvesting them. He had to be prepared for an emergency. Lee Jun-ho’s performance in the dungeon-hunt was excellent and proved his worth as the Guardian Gate’s successor.
“Lee Jun-ho is a more than suitable person for Suhomun. It would be ridiculous for me – a wizard – to replace him now. Besides, the guardian gate must not lose its roots as a checkpoint. If the day to reap the seeds dawns, the roots will be lost. It’s one or the other – seed or source.”
It wouldn’t happen. Min-hyuk believed in Jun-ho Lee. Even in youth, he had all of the traits of a good leader – more-so than Kang Min-hyuk – and they had ripened beautifully over time.
Now that his relationship with Suhomun had been articulated, Kang Min-hyuk had a thousand other things to consider. First, he had to return to the academy. There was every chance that the place would be in a riot. A student who had merely gone to join an event to commemorate his mother’s death had struck up a magical revolution in the space of a few days.
As he approached the academy entrance, banners billowed in the breeze, catching Kang Min-hyuk’s eye. They looked as though they’d been made by Choi Byeong-ho, the head of the department…
[Magic Dept. freshman Kang Min-hyuk revolutionized magic!]
[Home of the world-class Archmage Kang Min-hyuk!]
“He became dizzy.
* * *
Choi Byeong-ho felt as though he was walking through clouds – like his boots were skimming that marshmallow-fluff that hung way up in the sky. He had been called by the President, who approached him with a glowing smile that touched his eyes with warmth.
“Byeong-ho Choi, as head of the department, you have worked hard. Thanks to you, a wonderful talent has been born! If the Department of Magic needs anything, be sure to let me know! Anything at all. Oh, and check your account. We should be awarded for our achievements, don’t you think?”
The Department of Magic was riotous. The world had suddenly begun to pay attention to it. Although it wasn’t the department’s success, specifically, it gained fame through association with Kang Min-hyuk. Due to this acclaim, the department could swiftly arrange classes to cater to the magic revolution. The studies focused on Battle Command and Medical Magic. All of it originated from Kang Min-hyuk.
The information included in the classes was just a reference released by Kang Min-hyuk for free. Still, because he came from the Department of Magic, rumors spread that they were responsible for his incredible advancements. Wizards worldwide announced their intention to enter the department belatedly, and large corporations invested in it. Its status increased daily. As such, the President’s attitude changed, and he, who usually didn’t look at the Department of Magic, called Choi Byeong-ho.
‘I hope that Min-hyuk will come back soon.’
Choi Byeong-ho wished for his precious disciple’s return only to prove himself to be a member of the Department of Magic. With that kind of mind, banners were installed one by one.
Choi Byeong-ho ran out in a panic to greet Kang Min-hyuk. The first thing Min-hyuk said to him was,
“I will go to England for the time being.”
“Huh?!”
The news seemed to drop out of the sky. Choi Byeong-ho’s expression was stained with despair. He subdued dungeons, spawned a revolution, and now he was disappearing to England?!
An ominous thought came to mind…
“Are you really thinking of joining the British Magic Association? There’s no way. We can’t let talent like yours slip away! Sure, it’s a great organization, but wouldn’t it be better to finish your studies? You could be a professor! Anyway, Min-hyuk, you can’t just leave. I can give you a professorship. Name your price! As much as you want. I can provide whatever you want! I could use the President’s pocket…”
The man’s gibberish was humiliating.
Kang Min-hyuk had no intention of leaving. There was still a lot he required from the academy.
“No. I wanted to discuss something with you, so I came to see you face to face. It would be impolite of me to leave without first communicating with you.”
“Can I ask what’s going on?”
The thought of losing Kang Min-hyuk caused Byeong-ho to tremble with anxiety.
A day ago, Kang Min-hyuk had received a call from John Wesley.
* * *
John Wesley’s voice poured through the phone, “I wanted to express my sincere gratitude on behalf of the magic academia. Thanks to your revelation of a new system of magic and medical magic, magical academia has the opportunity to take things a step further. Probably sooner or later, the World Magic Association will officially award plaques of appreciation and rewards. It is no less than you deserve.”
Kang Min-hyuk wanted to cut through the formalities and get to the main agenda.
John Wesley’s voice grew tense, “I’ll be honest with you. Due to the magic you unveiled in the dungeon subjugation, the current World Magic Association is riotous. As far as we know, you’re not a sixth circle wizard….so how did you defeat A-class monsters? It’s something we can’t understand.”
Kang Min-hyuk’s presentation had caused ordinary people to lose their essence and stand on unsteady foundations. The wizards, though, were different. They were curious. If they could harness that power, surely they too could deal with A-class monsters. John Wesley expressed this to him. Kang Min-hyuk’s reaction was cold.
“You are mistaken. I have disclosed my knowledge to advance magic, but that doesn’t mean I’ve given everything. Am I obliged to explain it all? I am not affiliated with any organization – I am just a student at the academy.”
John Wesley was speechless. Kang Min-hyuk shared his knowledge, but he was under no obligation to disclose it to him directly.
“Sorry. I didn’t think this far ahead.”
Still, John Wesley was a polite person. His intrigue was a perfectly natural reaction. Any wizard interested in growth would be curious about his magic.
John Wesley silently lamented, wondering what he should do next. If Kang Min-hyuk refused to reveal his magic, there would be no chance of causing him harm…the boy was a sanctuary – anything they did to him would come back to them tenfold. It was a fleeting thought, anyway.
Everything Kang Min-hyuk had demonstrated so far had been indirect. Previously unattainable knowledge, imperfect recordings that could only be observed through a screen. People can’t fully accept new things unless they witness them directly.
Some in the World Magic Association would deny Kang Min-hyuk’s work and endeavor to cut him down. That’s why he decided to ensure the current situation was used to his advantage – it presented an opportunity to alter his critic’s perspective.
“I will not reveal everything,” he said,
“But I will show you how I defeated the class A monster. If you’d like that, send a plane for me tomorrow.”
“Okay! Yes, yes, right away!”
John Wesley couldn’t refuse.
