Haon

Not dropping the sword was tolerable. But mixed in was one pair of eyes that didn't know why it had won.

• Baek JunkyungI'll log that. It's been three years since you left a line on a first bout, Instructor.
  HaonErase it.
  Baek JunkyungRecords don't get erased. That's my job.
• Im SeoraHow many cadets have ever heard 'tolerable' said to their face?

I don't take questions. If you really need to know, ask the blade.

• Im SeoraI'll ask next month.
  HaonI'll be waiting.
• YugyeomYour blade's gone dull. Looked to me like the one taking the questions needed the answer more than the one asking.
  Haon...Which is exactly why you should've sharpened it before you left.
  YugyeomCall and I'll come. Same as before.

The board demanded every night-training record, so I sent up all twenty volumes as they were. Read them if you think you can stomach it.

• Kang TaeyulEighteen of the twenty volumes are written in the same hand, all logging nights that ran past dawn. Is that training, or is it just habit?
  HaonSeems the day class still judges people by their handwriting.
• Baek JunkyungInstructor, I stayed up all night transcribing twelve of those volumes myself. I'd appreciate that not going unmentioned.
  HaonWhich is why your handwriting falls apart toward the end. Sleep, next time.
• No SinyoungTwenty volumes of paper changed hands and not a single duel was held. I built this system for exactly the opposite reason.

Once the cold wind sets in, the steel flinches before the hand does. Three guards have cracked this week alone.

• YugyeomIt's not the steel that's flinching, it's whoever's holding it not resting all winter. I've watched that hand for over ten years, you think I wouldn't notice?
  HaonA blade merchant reading palms too, you'll be charging double.
• Choi DaeunThree of the dorm kids have cracked hands too. I'll handle the ointment, but getting them to sleep is on you, Instructor.

I put a new handle on the archive door. The old one had gone smooth from someone touching it too often.

• Im SeoraYou said it was a room no one is let into. I'm asking whether that still holds.
  HaonTouching the handle and coming in are two different things. You're rank one, you should know the difference by now.
• Do GyeonghwanInstructor, you're supposed to change the lock, not the handle.
  HaonA lock keeps people out. A handle takes the measure of a heart. You only need to worry about the former.