Chapter 10.2 - Act 10: D.C. 2 (2/2)

After finding ‘Lee Suh-ah humiliation image.png’ from a hidden folder, I opened it and double-checked.

Hmm, it was still here – the photo I took when Lee Suh-ah was lying down in the corridor crying. With a satisfied smile, I stared at that image for a bit before quickly pressing on the send button.

Soon after the sound of a vibration, a horrible shriek echoed from the side.

“Aaaak!!!”

*

“Isn’t it the Freshmen Opera Department’s turn soon, teacher Ku Mingi?”

“…Yes.”

Staring at the displeased expression on Ku Mingi with joy, Song Muntak made a slight smile as he faced the front again.

Inside the wide Future Hall, when the student holding a violin bowed, a roar of applause could be heard filling the hall.

‘Since opera is right after violin… it should be over soon.’

Crossing his arms, Song Muntak thought back on what had happened. When they had a little fight inside the principal’s room, they shared a conversation like this.

“Let’s try listening to it.”

“What?”

“You said you weren’t sure about the opera singer Jo Yunjae. We just have to check it this time around right?”

“Again? I already saw him during the song presentation but I’m not sure if it was that great.”

“The song presentation with another person’s song and a personal concert is different isn’t it?”

“So? What’s your point?”

“I’m saying we should listen to his song in this concert and decide upon it.”

“…Good. I will decide after hearing it and we will not talk about this any further after that.”

“Okay.”

When he finished having his flashback, Song Muntak smiled.

Unfortunately, there was a fact which Ku Mingi didn’t know that Song Muntak did. It was none other than the marking criteria and the notes taken by the examiners during Jo Yunjae’s prac test. Song Muntak was able to check it thanks to his authorities as a principal.

Elf King which would be sung in this concert did not have a great evaluation and in fact, the second song was closer to perfect.

Based on that fact, Song Muntak came to a conclusion.

‘Although it might have been possible with the second song, it will be difficult to beat other students with Elf King.’

It was a miscalculation made due to Song Muntak having distanced himself from direct participation in teaching and marking, not knowing the marking criteria of prac tests.

With both Song Muntak and Ku Mingi having their own thoughts, the Prac High-achievers Concert of the Freshmen Opera Department began.

“Freshmen Soprano, student Lee Suh-ah.”

The first was Lee Suh-ah.

Listening with his eyes closed, Song Muntak nodded his head.

‘As expected of Lee Suh-ah. She lives up to her name.’

It was a clean song without a single blemish, and was perfect enough that not a single listener could deduct marks from it. It could be said to have been a song perfectly optimised for the prac test.

The following students, Han Dasom, Kim Wuju and Jun Shihyuk all showed off perfect songs and as expected of students that got full marks, they showcased impeccable, flawless stages.

Seeing them, Song Muntak was put into a great mood, until teacher Ku Mingi opened his mouth with a smile.

“Isn’t it a bit plain?”

“…Nn?”

What was he talking about? Thought Song Muntak but soon, he stiffened.

It was strange.

Although the songs were definitely not bad, they were rather flat. Without anything fancy, they only displayed basic foundations and expressions. Putting it nicely they were solid, but in bad terms, they were lacklustre.

Flat, boring… dull songs.

‘They were so good I didn’t realise it but…’

With his eyes facing the blank Song Muntak, Ku Mingi spoke and raised the corners of his lips.

“But they were perfect. So perfect that there was nothing to point out, or any downside that called for a deduction of mark.”

“…They were.”

Ku Mingi replied with a shrug of his shoulders.

“That’s obvious. Since they were songs that would be for their prac tests, those kids would have sung songs optimised for prac tests which their specialist teachers handpicked with great care.”

And because the preparation time for the Prac High-achievers Concert was short, they had no choice but to bring those prac songs.

Ku Mingi concluded his words.

“Those four children had no other choice but to sing lacklustre songs.”

“…”

He smiled.

“But you are well aware what song student Jo Yunjae prepared.”

Hearing his words, Song Muntak opened his mouth dejectedly.

“Elf King. A showy song with changing vocalisations.”

“It would be great for concerts.”

It wouldn’t be just great; he would be compared to the other four, resulting in an overwhelming amplification as a result. That was how impactful Elf King, which appeared to be sung by multiple people, could be.

Ku Mingi, who had already checked with the examiners of the prac tests on what they thought, was certain as he rode on the bet.

‘The main protagonist of this concert will be Jo Yunjae.’

Song Muntak turned towards Ku Mingi who was wearing a satisfied smile and abruptly formed a discontent look.

“You already knew about it?”

“Well… yes.”

“Haa…”

Leaning back onto the chair, Song Muntak heaved out a deep sigh, and Ku Mingi who had seen that returned his gaze back to the front. Although he had won this small bet, it was nothing but a small bet based on spoken words.

‘It won’t be enough to truly change the principal’s thoughts with just that.’

To change his heart, the fundamental problem had to be solved.

A song.

It had to be greater than the misunderstandings around him that had been formed whilst he was mixing in with various other geniuses…

‘A perfect song.’

Squinting his eyes, Ku Mingi stared at the front as his eyes caught sight of Jo Yunjae in the distance entering the stage.