Kangha waves one hand in the air, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "...Or I'll quickly become the headmaster!" he announces loudly, his voice ringing with laughter. His words draw attention, though his carefree demeanor suggests he doesn't mind.
Before he can say anything else, the faint sound of footsteps interrupts him. Kangha turns his head slightly, and his laughter halts abruptly. The headmaster is approaching from behind, walking steadily across the school grounds with a stern yet curious expression.
Kangha's grin remains, but he wisely falls silent, shifting his weight as if preparing for the headmaster's inevitable questioning.
The headmaster finally stops a few steps away, his tone firm but laced with curiosity. "Why are you saying such things, Kangha? You were never interested in becoming a headmaster. And if I recall correctly, you dropped out of this school."
Kangha's eyes gleam with amusement, his expression unbothered. "Grandpa, this school is mine now. I've returned… considering your age, of course," he says, his voice lighthearted but carrying a hint of affectionate teasing.
The headmaster narrows his eyes slightly, though his lips twitch as if fighting back a smile. "You can't be the headmaster, Kangha," he says firmly. "Once someone leaves this school, they cannot return—not like that."
Kangha throws his head back and lets out a loud, carefree laugh. "Well, Grandpa, I've always been the exception, haven't I?" he replies, his words carrying both humor and confidence.
The headmaster exhales sharply, shaking his head. Despite his words, a small smile tugs at the corners of his mouth.
Kangha's laughter echoes across the courtyard, but the way he smirks makes it seem like he's mocking everyone around him. This does not sit well with the headmaster. His face hardens, and his eyes narrow as he steps closer to Kangha.
"Kangha," the headmaster says sharply, his voice edged with irritation. "You're taking this too far. Rules are not something to be mocked."
Kangha, unfazed by the growing tension, chuckles softly and crosses his arms. "Grandpa, relax. It was a joke for the schoolchildren, not for the family man," he says with a playful grin. "You can't just bend the rules to suit your mood."
The headmaster's jaw tightens. "And who's changing the rules, Kangha?" he retorts, his voice steady but charged.
The air between them grows heavy as they stare each other down, their gazes locked in an unspoken challenge. Both stand firm, neither willing to back down.
Kangha finally breaks the silence, his voice dropping to a serious tone. "I've come back to take what's rightfully mine—the school," he says, his eyes boring into the headmaster's.
The headmaster straightens his posture, his stern expression softening into something more contemplative. Turning his head slightly, he looks out at the students watching the exchange in stunned silence.
"Kangha is right," the headmaster announces, his voice loud enough to carry across the grounds. "According to the rules, he can indeed become the headmaster."
A ripple of murmurs spreads through the crowd, but the headmaster raises a hand, silencing them. "However," he adds, his voice firm once more, "there is another rule. He must prove his ability before he can take on the responsibility."
Kangha's lips twitch into a knowing smile. "Then let's get started," he says confidently, his tone daring yet determined.
The headmaster nods slightly, his expression unreadable. The stage is set, and the weight of what's to come hangs heavy in the air.
Before the headmaster can say anything more, Kangha's expression shifts. The smile that had danced across his face moments ago fades, replaced by a serious and thoughtful look. I didn't think it would be accepted so easily, he muses to himself. But how will they measure ability? His mind churns with possibilities, his confidence momentarily shadowed by doubt.
Meanwhile, among the students gathered in the field, Ji-yeon, Miss Choi, and Woo-Jin stand side by side, observing the exchange.
Miss Choi narrows her eyes at Kangha and murmurs just loud enough for herself, "Don't get trapped in your own game, Kangha."
Beside her, Ji-yeon leans closer and whispers in her mother's ear, her tone tinged with curiosity and admiration. "It might be dangerous… but Mother, I think he's played his hand well."
The headmaster's voice rises, commanding everyone's attention. His stern expression gives way to a faint smile as he announces, "Every student here, including this year's class, will participate in this competition. It will test the abilities of everyone present."
A ripple of unease spreads through the crowd, whispers echoing in the air. Miss Choi's face tightens, her eyes fixed on Kangha. "It's a trap," she mutters, her voice low but resolute.
Ji-yeon glances at her mother, her brows furrowing. "A trap?" she echoes softly, her voice laced with concern.
Miss Choi nods, her gaze unwavering. "The competition isn't just about ability—it's a test of will. And Kangha... he might be walking into something far more dangerous than he realizes."
Kangha stands tall, his gaze fixed on the headmaster, determination flickering in his eyes. The stage has been set, and the stakes are higher than anyone could have anticipated.
Miss Choi's face turns pale as the realization dawns on her. "They're trapping him," she whispers, her voice trembling with worry.
Ji-yeon notices her mother's distress and gently places a reassuring hand on her arm. "Mother, Kangha will find a way out of this trouble too," she says softly, her voice calm yet filled with quiet confidence.
Meanwhile, Kangha stands next to the headmaster, his posture straight, his expression unreadable. He listens intently as the headmaster addresses the students, his voice firm and commanding.
"This will be a competition like no other," the headmaster announces, his gaze sweeping over the crowd of students. "It will test every single one of you, and it will be absolute in its demands. There will be risks—real risks. Injury, disgrace... even death."
The students exchange uneasy glances, a murmur of fear and disbelief spreading among them.
The headmaster's tone hardens as he continues, "Once you step into this competition, there will be no turning back. You cannot leave until it is over. I will see the bravery, strength, and resilience of every one of you. But understand this—those who lose will be expelled from the school, permanently. And yes, someone might lose their life."
The crowd falls silent, the weight of his words settling heavily on their shoulders.
The headmaster pauses, his eyes narrowing. "For those who are unwilling to take this risk, I give you the chance to leave now. Walk away, and you can leave the school safely today. But once the competition begins, there will be no second chances."
Kangha's gaze remains fixed on the headmaster, his jaw tightening. He knows the challenge has been set—and it is far more dangerous than he had anticipated.
Miss Choi clenches her fists, her worry deepening. "This isn't just a competition," she murmurs. "It's a trap… a calculated trap."
Ji-yeon looks at her mother, her voice a soft whisper. "But Kangha… he's never lost before, has he?"
Miss Choi doesn't respond, her eyes locked on Kangha, silently praying he knows what he's doing.
The voices in the field grow louder as the students begin murmuring among themselves. Unease and curiosity ripple through the crowd as they exchange worried glances and hushed conversations.
Suddenly, a boy steps forward, his voice cutting through the chatter. He looks about seventeen years old, with a long, sharp face and short-cropped hair. His posture is straight, and he is dressed in an army uniform, giving him an air of confidence and discipline.
"Headmaster," the boy calls out, his voice clear and bold. "Whoever wins this competition… will they become the headmaster?"
The crowd falls silent, all eyes turning to the headmaster, awaiting his response.
The headmaster fixes his gaze on the boy, his expression calm but commanding. "No," he replies firmly, his voice carrying across the field. "If Kangha wins, he will take the role of headmaster, for a headmaster must be the most capable among everyone."
He pauses, letting the weight of his words settle before continuing. "However, the winner of this competition will not leave empty-handed. There will be a reward—a significant one. The victor will also earn the position of school principal."
A ripple of surprise spreads among the students, their whispers rising once again. The stakes of the competition have become even clearer, and the tension in the air thickens.
The headmaster's words create an uproar among the students. Excited murmurs and anxious whispers spread like wildfire, the competition's stakes sparking both fear and ambition in their hearts.
Kangha, standing beside the headmaster, glances at him out of the corner of his eye. His jaw tightens, and his fists clench at his sides. His earlier confidence seems to waver, replaced by a simmering anger that he works hard to contain.
Amidst the growing tension, Kangha's thoughts shift. More than anything else, his concern rests on Miss Choi. He glances briefly in her direction, noticing her pale face and the worry etched into her features.
If my grandfather were here, Kangha thinks, his eyes hardening as he looks back at the crowd, he wouldn't have spoken so harshly. He wouldn't have treated an old friend this way or set up such a merciless challenge.
His thoughts swirl with a mix of resentment and determination, but outwardly, he remains silent, masking his emotions behind a stoic expression. Kangha knows he can't let his feelings show—not yet. He must stay focused, for there's far more at stake than just his pride.
Kangha stands silently beside the headmaster, his expression unreadable as his eyes scan the crowd. He can sense the mix of fear, determination, and ambition brewing within the students.
The boy in the uniform straightens his shoulders, his face unreadable, but his clenched fists reveal his inner resolve. "Understood, Headmaster," he says, his tone steady.
The field buzzes with energy, the realization dawning on everyone present: this competition is no ordinary test. It's a battle for power, prestige, and survival...