Noh Goonsang stared blankly at the withdrawal letter Gongson Su handed him. “Quitting right after enrolling… This is a first.”
“Hoho, it seems I’m setting multiple records at the Azure Dragon Academy,” Gongson Su chuckled.
There’s a bitterness hidden in that laughter, Noh Goonsang sensed. “Won’t you regret it?” he asked softly.
“I will. A lot,” Gongson Su admitted, his gaze lingering on the Azure Dragon emblem next to the withdrawal letter. Since he was dropping out, he had to return the emblem he had worked so hard to earn.
“However, I cannot shamelessly continue my martial arts training while watching the country rot because of corrupt officials,” he continued.
In his absence, power-hungry officials in the palace had curbed the Emperor and greedily grasped for power. Despite the Emperor’s wisdom and benevolence, his lack of experience with these seasoned power players left Gongson Su no choice but to return to the palace.
“Still, I wish to support the Azure Dragon Academy from afar,” he suddenly offered.
Noh Goonsang’s eyes widened. “Support? What do you mean?”
From what Gongson Su had seen, the Azure Dragon Academy was a treasure trove of hidden talents. Unfortunately, the Academy’s lack of notable success in the Heavenly Martial Festival over the past decade had led to a decrease in student confidence and financial support, creating a vicious cycle that pushed the Academy further into decline.
Gongson Su planned to break that cycle.
“Principal, from this year onwards, you don’t need to worry about financial issues,” he affirmed. The rightful source is novèlfire.net
“Hoho…” Noh Goonsang was stunned by this unexpected fortune. With just a few words, Gongson Su had ensured that financial support for the Azure Dragon Academy would surpass even that of the other Five Great Academies. “I don’t know how to thank you enough.”
“This is the least I can do. I hope my fellow classmates will continue to take pride in being students of the Azure Dragon Academy.”
“……” After staring at Gongson Su for a moment, Noh Goonsang suddenly tore up the withdrawal letter.
“W-What are you doing…?”
“Freshman Gongson Su,” Noh Goonsang said in a serious tone. “I will process this letter as a request for a deferment, not a withdrawal.”
Noh Goonsang pushed the Azure Dragon Emblem back towards Gongson Su. “When you’re done with your duties at the palace, you can resume your studies anytime you want.”
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“Of course, you will have to take a simple retest. I won’t accept you back if you neglect your training.”
“Hohoho…” Gongson Su chuckled bitterly. He was already sixty-five. In five years, he’d be seventy, and in ten years, seventy-five.
Resuming my studies? Can I wrap things up at the palace in five years? There are no guarantees. But whether it’s five years or ten, does it matter?
Gongson Su found himself smiling. Carefully placing the Azure Dragon Emblem back in his chest pocket, he stood up. “Understood, I won’t neglect my training. I’ll be going now.”
“The Azure Dragon Academy will be very different when you return,” Noh Goonsang