The nurse, who was checking on the injured schoolstudents, knocks on the door and steps inside. "Miss Choi, Woo-Jin has regained consciousness. You should go check on him," she informs.
Miss Choi stands up immediately. "Alright, let's go," she says. Kangha follows her as they both walk out of the room behind the nurse, heading to Woo-Jin's bedside.
"How are you feeling, Woo-Jin?"
"My chest hurts,"
"Is this serious?" Kangha turns to the nurse, his tone laced with worry.
The nurse explains calmly, "According to his X-ray, two of his ribs at the lower end are fractured. It will take some time to heal."
Both Miss Choi and Kangha are left speechless, their faces etched with shock. Woo-Jin's condition is worse than they imagined. He lies on the bed, completely still, his face pale from pain.
Meanwhile, the other injured children have already been sent home, and both Woo-Jin and Ji-Yeon are officially withdrawn from the competition. After ensuring Woo-Jin is settled and resting, Miss Choi and Kangha step out of the ward. Neither of them says a word as they walk back to their room.
When they enter, they find Ji-Yeon fast asleep. Kangha glances at her briefly before heading to his own room without a word.
—----------------
"Ahhhhhh!"
. "This is exactly how much it hurts to heal, because it's invisible!" Headmaster said, Marty's voice echoes with frustration as he paces back and forth. He glares at Marty, who sits on a bench, clutching his injured shoulder.
"I told you to defeat Kangha, but instead, you let him beat you! Now, I'm wondering how I'm supposed to take you to the next competition. According to the rules, the losers are eliminated.""And you've injured your shoulder! How do you expect to make it to the next level in this condition?"
The headmaster's last words hit like a whip, filled with anger.
"Master, I tried!" Marty blurts out, his voice shaky. "But he hit my arm first. I don't know how, but after that, I couldn't move it. It was like he already knew my strength just from my first punch!"
The headmaster's gaze hardens as he folds his arms. "That's because Kangha is a perfectionist and a highly trained fighter. He struck precisely where it would paralyze your muscle. He's experienced in every aspect of combat. And your biggest mistake? You showed him your full strength in the very first punch. That's all he needed to gauge you. Then, instead of thinking strategically, you let your anger take over. That was your downfall."
Marty swallows hard, guilt washing over him. "Master, I'll be more careful in the future. I won't make the same mistake again."
"How?" the headmaster scoffs. "How will you get to the next level when you've already lost? This loss has cost you more than the match—it's cost you your place."
"Master, there must be a way!" .
"There isn't," the headmaster replies coldly, his tone final. "At the moment, there is no way."
—--------------
"Headmaster, you're here?" Miss Choi asks, standing at the doorway, surprised to see him this late at night.
"Yes," he replies with a calm demeanor. "I saw Ji-Yeon fall earlier, and I heard she got injured. I just came to check on her."
Turning toward Ji-Yeon, he asks, "Ji-Yeon, how are you feeling now?"
"I'm much better," Ji-Yeon responds softly, avoiding his gaze.
"How many of our students are injured, Miss Choi?" the headmaster inquires, his voice tinged with concern.
"Well, sir, over 120 students were affected. Thankfully, there were no fatalities or major bone fractures, but about 150 have sustained injuries," Miss Choi explains.
The headmaster's expression darkens as he sighs deeply. "Miss Choi, I've come to realize that holding these fights was a mistake. Many of our students suffered because of this, and that's unacceptable. Someone could have lost their life. None of the new students even have proper fighting training. This competition was supposed to test Kangha's abilities, not harm others.
"So, I've decided to organize a shooting competition tomorrow. It will be safer, and only those selected will proceed to the next level. Please inform the students of this change."
With that, the headmaster turns and leaves the room.
Ji-Yeon and Miss Choi exchange bewildered glances before Ji-Yeon speaks up. "Mom! How did it take them this long to realize this?"
"I don't know," Miss Choi replies, her eyes lingering on the door. "But something must have happened—or is about to happen."
—----------
"The headmaster has added all the students back into the competition for tomorrow, and now it's about shooting. What is he trying to do?" Kangha asks, confused, as he sits with Miss Choi and Ji-Yeon in his room.
Miss Choi replies thoughtfully. "I don't know, Kangha," "But it seemed like the headmaster was trying to appear regretful."
Kangha lets out a short laugh at her words. "Regretful? The headmaster? He's never been ashamed of anything. But it is strange—why the sudden decision to include everyone again?"
Miss Choi nods slowly, lost in thought, when Ji-Yeon interjects, "Kangha, when you fought that boy, the one who came at you aggressively, did you defeat him in the end?"
"Yeah, he fell. I hit his arm hard enough to immobilize it."
"Then that means he was eliminated from the competition at that moment?" Ji-Yeon presses further.
"Yes," Kangha confirms, narrowing his eyes. "But why are you asking?"
"Don't you think all of this is suspicious?" Ji-Yeon says, her voice dropping into a serious tone. "First, that boy had an unusual amount of strength—dangerously so. And now, after you defeated him, the headmaster is suddenly resetting the competition? By the rules, you've already won. The winners should move forward, and eventually, you should finish the competition and take the headmaster's position."
Kangha stares at her, his brows furrowing. "Ji-Yeon, are you saying the headmaster wants that boy to win?"
"Exactly!" "I'm certain the competition is being restarted because the headmaster needs him to stay in. And I also believe that boy's unusual power came from the headmaster himself."
"But why?" Kangha mutters, frustration creeping into his voice. "Why would he go to such lengths, even cheat, just to make me lose?"
Miss Choi looks at Kangha gravely. "Because, Kangha, taking the position of headmaster—or even remaining in it—gives Felix an incredible amount of power. This school have a great support system in our world.This school shapes the future of countless children. It's a foundation for creating leaders, thinkers, and fighters who influence the world. If Felix controls this school, he can control everything."
Kangha clenches his fists. "So this isn't just about me. It's about something much bigger."
Miss Choi nods solemnly. "Exactly. And if Felix succeeds, the balance of this world could shift entirely in his favor."