Nearly 130 students stand gathered in the field, the remaining having already left the school grounds after being disqualified. The headmaster checks on the disqualified students' well-being before announcing the next challenge: a shooting competition. He instructs the participants to pick a gun from the tables set up on either side of the field. Each student must aim at a target 50 meters away.
The students eagerly select their preferred weapons and line up in a single row, ready to shoot. At the headmaster's signal, they fire their guns, each weapon containing six bullets. Once all the rounds are used, they place their empty guns aside and stand waiting for the results.
The headmaster steps forward and announces the first cut: out of the 130 participants, only 50 remain. These are the ones whose shots landed closest to the target.
Kangha silently observes, his thoughts conflicted. This isn't fair, he thinks. If this is a real competition, only those who hit the target directly should qualify. Why are 50 being selected instead? This doesn't feel like an ordinary contest.
The headmaster raises his hand to silence the murmurs among the students.he begins, his voice calm yet commanding.
"I know you're all wondering,""This isn't like any normal competition where the winners are clearly defined. But let me make something clear: this wasn't a competition at all. I had another purpose."
The field falls silent, the students exchanging confused glances. The headmaster continues, "I wanted to see who, besides Kangha, could handle a gun and aim at a target. My real intention was something else entirely."
A wave of curiosity ripples through the students. What could he mean? Before they can dwell on it further, the headmaster speaks again.
"In the eastern part of our world, there are villages locked in conflict—two of them are at war. They've chosen me as their mediator,", his tone now serious. "Kangha, you know about these villages. Now, I want you to take ten people from this group—people I'll assign to you—and go there. Your task is to resolve their disputes and bring peace between them. This is your true test, Kangha. This is where your qualities as a leader will be proven."
The headmaster's gaze sharpens. "But remember this: those villages are enemies. They won't hesitate to harm outsiders, but I expect you to ensure that not a single one of your team members gets hurt. That's part of the test."
Kangha listens intently, his mind racing with questions. The competition, which seemed straightforward, has taken an unexpected turn. But despite his doubts, he nods in agreement. "I'll do it," he says firmly.
The headmaster's words echo in Kangha's mind as he prepares himself for the task ahead. This was no ordinary test. The stakes were higher, the challenges unpredictable. Kangha's resolve hardens. He knows Felix, his rival, would never make things easy for him. Perhaps he never will.
Kangha steels himself for what lies ahead, ready to prove his worth as a leader.
Kangha leaves the field and heads straight to Woo-Jin, eager to share everything.
"Really? The headmaster made everything so easy for you?" Woo-Jin asks, raising an eyebrow.
Kangha replies, his face still filled with disbelief. "I've been wondering the same thing," "How could he do this? This competition was supposed to be much longer, wasn't it?"
While Kangha's expression reflects confusion and surprise, Woo-Jin's face remains calm and unaffected. There's no trace of concern or doubt.
"Kangha, "the headmaster must have realized that you're capable enough. He knows he can't defeat you, so it's better for him to give you what you deserve without dragging it out."
Kangha shakes his head. "Woo-Jin, if he really is Felix, there's no way he'd do that. If he hands me my position outright, he loses the power to make decisions. And without that, he can't achieve any of his goals."
"Maybe Felix is giving up his position,"Maybe he's finally convinced he can't fight you anymore."
Kangha's eyes narrow, his voice sharpening. "No one like Felix gives up without a fight. If he's stepping back, then he's definitely planning something. This has to be a new strategy of his."
"You're overthinking it, Kangha. Sometimes things are just as simple as they seem. You should be happy about this."
"But there's nothing to be happy about," Kangha replies, his tone firm. His gut tells him something isn't right, and he can't shake the feeling that this is only the beginning of a much bigger challenge.
—------------
"Mother, did this really happen? Will Kangha become the headmaster with just one decision?" Ji-Yeon asks, her voice filled with disbelief.
"Yes," her mother replies with a nod. "The headmaster ended the competition so easily with a single decision."
"If Kangha becomes the headmaster, it'll be easier for him to handle everything, "He can protect the school from bad decisions, and maybe… maybe he'll even find his grandfather. But Felix—will he just let this happen? Mother, I'm sure this is part of his plan."
Her mother exhales deeply. "I feel the same, Ji-Yeon. But what could Felix be planning? What is he really after?"
"Have you talked to Kangha about this?" Ji-Yeon presses.
"No, "He left to meet Woo-Jin before I could catch him. I didn't follow him."
"You should have spoken to him," "He must be wondering about so many things right now."
—-------------
"Headmaster, what have you done? Why did you end the competition with just one decision?" Marty asks, his voice tinged with confusion and frustration.
"Marty, take the gun I gave you and make sure you don't mess up this time. Do you understand?"
"Master! What exactly are you planning to do?" Marty presses, his unease growing.
The headmaster smirks, his tone sharp. "Listen, Marty. I've seen that no matter how hard you try, you can't defeat Kangha—not even with power. You're so incompetent that you don't even know how to use the power you have. But I can't let him win. Under no circumstances will I allow him to take over. And as for myself, I won't face him directly. That's why I've decided to eliminate him in one swift move. Because, Marty, there's no way I'm handing this school back to him—or letting him reunite with his grandfather."
Marty stares at the headmaster in shock. "What are you saying? What do you plan to do?"
"You already know what you need to do,"You'll take your gun, set your aim on Kangha, and let the gun do the rest. If you make a mistake this time, Marty, I swear the punishment will be severe."
"But, Master," Marty hesitates, "have you already taken what you needed from Kangha? What if—"
The headmaster slams his fist onto the table, his voice ice-cold. "No! If I can't take what I need from Kangha, you will. One way or another, I will get what's mine."
With clenched fists and a look of ruthless resolve, the headmaster glares at Marty, leaving no room for further argument.