Chapter 80
Early morning.
A group of men had gathered somewhere, wearing dumbfounded expressions.
"Ha. It's true, it's really true."
"Is it really? Well then, I won the bet, so hand over the money."
"No way, how is this possible? Those lazy, indolent fellows are doing this?"
"That's what I'm saying. But hey, I made some money thanks to it, so I'm happy."
"Ah, damn it!"
The place they were at was the training ground where the White Wolf Unit practiced.
After shaking their heads in disbelief at the unbelievable sight, they bickered for a moment before quickly disappearing somewhere.
Regardless, the White Wolf Unit had been diligently training at the practice ground since early morning.
This had been going on for quite some time now.
Before Yeo Un-hwi became the commander of the White Wolf Unit, they used to barely show up even at the designated times, always dragging their feet.
But at some point, without anyone telling them to, they started morning training one by one.
And at the center of it all was Peng Do-hwan.
Although he had once been a member of the White Wolf Unit, he had left for some reason and ended up being the last to rejoin the unit when he finally returned.
But he was now one of the most diligent and hardworking members in training among the White Wolf Unit.
Sometimes, even his fellow trainees would be amazed at his dedication.
In the early days after rejoining the White Wolf Unit, Peng Do-hwan thought even the hellish training Yeo Un-hwi had put them through wasn't enough.
Although he had once been a candidate for commander, now he was just an ordinary member, neither commander nor vice-commander.
His position couldn't help but seem awkward and ambiguous.
Especially in the eyes of others.
In fact, there were those who looked unfavorably upon Peng Do-hwan, who had gone from being a commander candidate to a low-ranking member.
Perhaps the Peng Do-hwan before meeting Yeo Un-hwi might not have been able to bear such gazes.
But he had changed, and he had long since given up any desire for such positions.
Now, he only wanted to be a comrade who could be a strength and support to the White Wolf Unit and its commander, Yeo Un-hwi.
But realizing through his experiences so far that he was still far from adequate.
Thinking that this wouldn't do, he had started morning training.
Then, seeing this, other members joined in, half voluntarily and half involuntarily, not wanting to fall behind, until now it had become natural for the entire White Wolf Unit to do morning training.
And they weren't just going through the motions lightly, but maintaining the same intensity as their regular training.
It was unbelievable.
To think there would come a day when these people would be so diligent.
Their former appearance of being like wandering swordsmen could no longer be found in them.
Hence, people who couldn't believe their new behavior, like those this morning, even made bets about it.
And so, they were in the process of transforming into completely different people from before.
But then,
Pitter-patter!
Hm?
The White Wolf Unit members, who had been engrossed in training, saw something small running towards them from the other side of the training ground.
They all tilted their heads curiously, pausing their training to look in that direction.
What could it be?
"Ah!"
Upon closer inspection, they saw it was Young Lady Yul-i coming with the commander.
Soon, Yul-i arrived in front of them and greeted them very energetically.
"Hello!"
"Oh my! Young Lady Yul-i! What brings you here so early in the morning?"
All of the White Wolf Unit stopped their training to welcome Yul-i.
Their faces were full of smiles as they looked at her.
She seemed to become cuter and more lovable every time they saw her.
How was that possible?
But today, Young Lady Yul-i looked different from usual.
She seemed particularly excited about something.
What could it be?
But before the White Wolf Unit could ask, Yul-i, unable to contain herself any longer, blurted out her news.
"I'm going to the academy starting today, the academy!"
"What? The academy?"
"Yes! I'll study there and make lots of friends!"
"Oh, oh! I, I see!"
And for a moment, the White Wolf Unit members who had responded like that began to exchange glances with each other.
'Hey, is it okay to just answer like this?'
'Isn't that a bit lacking?'
'Hey! Someone say something more, quickly!'
While they were all rolling their eyes at each other, the quick-witted Do-gyeong was the first to clap his hands and say, "Wow!"
Then, not wanting to be late, the other White Wolf Unit members hurriedly joined in clapping.
Wow!
Clap clap clap clap clap!
"Hehe."
Yul-i then laughed with satisfaction, clearing her throat.
She seemed pleased to have gotten the reaction she was hoping for.
It was clear that she had come all the way here just to boast about this.
"Well then, goodbye!"
Soon, Yul-i, having finished her business, gave a quick bow and scampered off somewhere else.
It seemed she still had many more places to brag to.
"Yul-ah. It's time to go now!"
Yeo Un-hwi called out to Yul-i, but she had already disappeared into the distance.
"That kid, really."
At times like this, she was every bit the little rascal.
She was surprisingly stubborn too.
Just like Peng Seo-yeon, through and through.
But if Peng Seo-yeon heard this, she would surely say that Yul-i's personality and stubbornness took after Yeo Un-hwi instead.
Yeo Un-hwi, who had been briefly looking in the direction where Yul-i had disappeared, glanced at the White Wolf Unit and said,
"I'm going to take Yul-i to the academy. I'll see you later."
He was about to leave after saying goodbye, but then,
"Commander."
"Yes?"
"How could you do this?"
Led by Gu Tae-san, the White Wolf Unit crowded around Yeo Un-hwi.
Yeo Un-hwi tilted his head in confusion.
"What do you mean?"
"You should have at least consulted with us about Young Lady Yul-i going to the academy! How could you not say anything!"
"Why would I need to consult with you about that?"
"Aren't we close enough for that?"
"No, we're not that close."
"Huh, how could this be!"
At Yeo Un-hwi's firm response, all the White Wolf Unit members gasped and became dejected.
Why are they like this?
Sometimes, people around him would act strangely childish and obsessive when it came to anything related to Yul-i.
Especially the White Wolf Unit these days.
It was enough to make him laugh hollowly, seeing them spout nonsense as a group like this.
He thought he should warn Yul-i soon not to play with these strange uncles.
"Anyway, stop talking nonsense and keep training well. I'll be back."
"...Yes."
Leaving behind the sulking White Wolf Unit, Yeo Un-hwi turned to go find Yul-i, who had disappeared somewhere.
But then.
As soon as Yeo Un-hwi disappeared, one, two, three, four people behind him began to raise their heads and their eyes started to shine.
What kind of scheme were they plotting now?
"...Shouldn't we stop them? It looks like they're about to do something foolish again."
"I don't know, I don't want to know. Let's just focus on our training."
Only Peng Do-hwan and O Chae-mu continued their training diligently.
They were the only ones who hadn't been infected by the idiot disease.
"I'm going to the academy today! I'll make lots of friends there..."
"Yul-ah. That's enough."
"Eek!"
When Yul-i had boasted about going to the academy to exactly five of the workers at the Peng Family, Yeo Un-hwi finally found his daughter.
"Daddy! I still have so many people I haven't told yet!"
"Your mom is waiting. And if we're any later, you won't be able to go to the academy."
"That can't happen!"
So, finally managing to bring Yul-i back, they found Peng Seo-yeon already waiting for them at the main gate with a carriage.
Soon, Yeo Un-hwi boarded the carriage with his daughter, and they set off towards the academy.
And not long after,
"Wow."
Yul-i looked up at the academy's sign with an excited face.
Sowol Academy (小月學堂).
It was a pretty name.
Both Yeo Un-hwi and Peng Seo-yeon liked the name of the academy very much.
Soon, Yul-i, holding her daddy and mommy's hands, slowly walked into the academy.
"Welcome."
As they entered the academy, they were greeted by an elderly man with a kind face.
"I am Wang Won-pyeong, who teaches the children here."
"Hello, nice to meet you. I'm Peng Seo-yeon."
"I'm Yeo Un-hwi."
Then, Yul-i, sandwiched between her mom and dad, politely greeted him.
"Hello! I'm Yeo So-yul!"
"Hello, nice to meet you, Yul-ah. Welcome to Sowol Academy."
Wang Won-pyeong nodded and gestured towards the inside.
Following him further in and passing through a small door, the scene of Sowol Academy unfolded before the three of them.
The garden, spread out with beautifully grown trees of various sizes, was very spacious and beautiful.
It was large enough for children to run around and play inside.
On the large covered porch, several low desks were lined up in rows, and on one side, there was a small bookshelf and cushions where one could sit comfortably and read any book they wanted.
It wasn't like some of the popular academies these days with an enormous number of books and study rooms said to increase concentration, but rather, this appearance was more pleasing to the eye.
Amidst this scenery, children who had arrived earlier were happily chatting in small groups, moving between the garden and the porch.
It was truly a beautiful academy, just like its name.
Pleasant smiles had already spread across Peng Seo-yeon and Yeo Un-hwi's faces.
They already felt they had made the right choice in coming here.
"Hehe."
Glancing over, they saw a bright smile on Yul-i's face as well.
She seemed to like this place very much.
"The academy is really beautiful."
"Thank you for your kind words."
"Please take good care of Yul-i."
Wang Won-pyeong smiled in response to Peng Seo-yeon's gentle request.
Just then,
"Ah?"
One of the children playing in the garden made eye contact with Yul-i.
"Oh? That time, you..."
Yul-i recognized that child too.
It was the girl who had waved and greeted Yul-i from afar when they accidentally made eye contact at the market.
The girl approached Yul-i with a happy face.
The girl with pigtails waved her hand first.
"Hello!"
As the girl greeted Yul-i with a bright smile, Yul-i beamed back.
"Hi, hello!"
"Are you starting at Sowol Academy from today too?"
At the girl's question, Yul-i looked at her daddy, mommy, and Wang Won-pyeong.
When all three of them nodded, Yul-i smiled and nodded as well.
"Yes!"
"Heh. I see! Nice to meet you! I'm Eun Su-a!"
"I'm Yeo So-yul!"
"So-yul? Then you're Yul-i!"
She was a child with good social skills, as bright as her smile.
"Yul-i. Yul-i."
Eun Su-a repeated Yul-i's name a few times as if trying to memorize it, then her eyes sparkled as she took Yul-i's hand.
"Yul-ah, let's go! We still have time before we start our lessons, so I'll introduce you to the other children!"
"Oh? Um..."
Slightly taken aback by Eun Su-a's action of grabbing her hand, Yul-i looked at Yeo Un-hwi and Peng Seo-yeon.
As if asking if it was okay.
Soon, when her mommy and daddy nodded, Yul-i broke into a big smile and ran into Sowol Academy with Eun Su-a.
She looked very excited.
Soon, the sound of Yul-i and the children chattering filled Sowol Academy.
From that day on, Yul-i began attending Sowol Academy.