The ambassador glanced at me briefly.

“This test is indeed a way to initiate that child. However, you can’t be unaware, Master, that this will give rise to old rumors about Ha Hyun’s initiation. But what if Ha Hyun says he will take the test with him? Who can object if a child already acknowledged by the family makes an unnecessary proof?”

I rolled my eyes. So it was Master’s intention all along.

‘How was it in the original?’

Back then, Ha Hyun wouldn’t have even considered taking the test.

The presumed protagonist, the priest, may have somehow managed to climb the winter volcano, but Ha Hyun was neither here nor there, making it impossible for him to climb the volcano.

‘So they initiated him forcibly because they had no other choice?’

If that’s the case, I can somewhat understand why Ha Hyun despised the priest so much…

In any case, the ambassador let out a light sigh while looking at the stern-faced Master and added,

“And consider this, if that child really passes the test. They’re both your disciples; how would it look if one did it and the other didn’t? Wouldn’t that give rise to talk?”

The ambassador then turned to me and explained.

“You probably didn’t hear this part. The person who brought that child was Yuwoon, and there was a command to take responsibility and accept him as a disciple if he passed the initiation test.”

“Ah.”

So that’s how it is. That’s the context in which I become Master’s disciple.

I already knew the outcome, but this is the first time I’ve learned about the process. As I nodded, Master explained in a voice that seemed like he was swallowing a sigh,

“…I was going to tell you tomorrow.”

Seeing Master’s somber mood, I purposely gave a bright smile.

“That means I’ll have a co-disciple.”

Master hesitated a bit at my reaction. At the same time, the ambassador spoke in a slightly lighter tone.

“Do you know the content of the test?”

“Yes, I heard it from the executioner.”

“Then, you also know you won’t fail, right?”

“…Really?”

“Of course.”

I had thought I could do it but wasn’t entirely sure. But if the ambassador says so, should I be confident? As my eyes sparkled, the ambassador lightly smiled.

He then looked at Master and chided,

“Loosen up, will you? Do you think a child who has received a jade charm and even learned dark arts can’t do it?”

“…Even so.”
“Even if Sanmun has already acknowledged and you are teaching, and even if no one voices doubts about this child anymore, there may still be those harboring lingering discomfort. Ha Hyun said Hwasan is ultimately a place where people live, and he’s right.”

He spoke softly.

“The heart doesn’t operate through reason. Just look at yourself. You don’t object to the child you brought, who has no background and is just a commoner, climbing the Winter Volcano, yet you’re angry that Ha Hyun, who has a background and has learned martial arts, is taking the test. Ultimately, it’s because you have more affection for a child you’ve known longer.”

The master didn’t say a word.

“Anyway, if Ha Hyun volunteers to take the test alongside the child, those with lingering discomfort won’t have anything more to say. After all, someone who has already received Sanmun’s acknowledgment and holds the title of Doho is stepping up to do something unnecessary. It won’t be easy, but it will be more effective. We can resolve something that would have taken a long time in just one day. If the child you brought takes the test alone, talk would inevitably turn to Ha Hyun, successful or not, since you’re the one who brought him.”

I numbly listened to the Ambassador’s ongoing words and suddenly thought, ‘I don’t even need to persuade.’

I had been thinking about how to convince as I came here, but it was meaningless. The Ambassador was doing it all for me.

After the Ambassador finished speaking, a brief silence ensued. Then the master finally let out a small sigh and began to speak.

“I was short-sighted.”

It was finally an admission.

Simultaneously, the Ambassador shot me a quick glance. There had been no warning or prior discussion, but I instantly knew what it meant.

I moved a little closer to the master. As soon as he looked at me, I immediately sought permission.

“Master, I also want to take the test. Please allow me to do so.”

The master, who had been looking down at me with somewhat complicated eyes, eventually bent one knee and sat down to level his eyes with mine. After scrutinizing my face for a moment, he finally nodded.

“You’ve grown so much in less than a year, I wonder if I’ve been underestimating you all along.”

His face seemed to experience a fresh emotion, but I understood the master’s feelings.

‘After rescuing someone left alone due to the massacre of their family, I see him faint and wake up only to ask, “Who are you?” It’s the first time I’ve seen such a situation.’

It was understandable.
Furthermore, ever since that day, they had brought me out from my corner where I had been crying, and had diligently taught and cared for me.

“Come to think of it, despite teaching you quite well…”