The skilled instructor, Soohyeok, didn't serve for long.
From the beginning, the practical training was only two weeks long, and Team 8 completed it without incident.
After that, the graduation ceremony was led by Im Sayeol, who took over from Shahar.
Everyone passed—except for Team 3, who had dropped out earlier due to conflict with Team 8.
It wasn't exactly unprecedented, but it was still rare.
It also meant that this class performed particularly well.
"You've all worked hard. From now on, no one will call you trainees anymore."
With a refreshing smile, Shahar stood before Team 8—Soohyeok, Baek I-yeon, and Jin Changhyuk.
"Excellent work. Since you've all shown such remarkable results, you'll likely receive some very attractive offers. Whatever you choose is entirely up to you. However, allow me to add a final word—not as your commander, but as someone who was briefly your teacher."
Raising her index finger, Shahar looked around at the former Team 8 members, each wearing a subtly conflicted expression.
"You don't need to chase honor. You're already honorable for having resolved to step onto the battlefield for this world.
But I hope you'll make choices you won't be ashamed of. No need for more words. Well done."
With that, Shahar turned her back to them and began walking slowly forward.
And so ended their brief relationship with Instructor Shahar.
They might see her again somewhere, someday—but for now, this was a definite farewell.
That fact left everyone with complicated emotions.
There was likely just one reason for those emotions:
'She was a good teacher.'
Shahar was, without a doubt, a good teacher.
Though not human—an elf—she was passionate about their training. She had firm standards, which some might call inflexible, but they were clear. She never showed emotional bias and truly cared for every member of Team 8.
That's why the farewell felt so bitter.
But it couldn't be undone.
They too, now awakened, had to choose the path of Guardian or Hunter and step into the battlefield. One final ability evaluation remained, but Shahar would not be present for it.
If they let her go now, who knew when—or if—they'd see her again.
"Waaaah, Instructor Shahar!"
Baek I-yeon, whose eyes had been glistening for some time, finally burst into tears and cried out.
Shahar, walking away leisurely, turned her head.
"What is it?"
At that calm question, Soohyeok happened to catch a glimpse of a small, clear tear at the edge of her eye.
A sudden breeze swept it away before the others could see it.
In the next moment, Baek I-yeon ran forward and threw herself into Shahar's arms.
"You helped me so, so much. Without you, Instructor Shahar, I never could've worked this hard. Sob sob."
Shahar, looking a little surprised, soon let a gentle smile form on her lips.
Her hand naturally rested on Baek I-yeon's head, softly brushing her hair.
"I too was so happy to meet you all. And it's been an honor to be with you up to this moment."
"If you leave now, when will we see you again?
Instructor Shahar, don't you have a phone?"
"A phone, hmm…"
A subtle expression crossed Shahar's face.
She had thought phones were among Earth's more amusing items.
But she hadn't made one herself, thinking she didn't really need it.
"If fate allows, the wind will carry our paths together again."
"Waaah, that's so vague!"
Still crying, Baek I-yeon stayed in Shahar's embrace as the elf looked toward Soohyeok and Jin Changhyuk, who had quietly walked over.
"I had hoped for a clean, cool farewell…"
And she could've had it.
Had she chosen to, she could've disappeared before Baek I-yeon even started crying.
But she hadn't.
Because even Shahar had found it hard to leave.
There was a reason her steps were slow.
"Um…"
Jin Changhyuk was the first to speak.
Throughout training, he had been the quietest—especially toward Shahar.
He found her difficult, intimidating.
"I have something to say."
His voice trembled subtly.
His brow was deeply furrowed, and he couldn't meet her eyes.
"As you know… I'm a criminal with a record."
This had been revealed on the first day of training. Shahar had stated then that it didn't disqualify him from becoming an awakened one.
Hearing his strained voice, Shahar nodded with the same smile she wore on that first day.
"Yes, you did say that."
"On the first day, you told me that if I wanted to become an awakened one, that desire could be an honorable form of atonement."
It had been during the Q&A session.
"I remember."
The Elvish word: Lang-der—atonement.
"That wasn't true. I… I wasn't honorable. That kind of feeling—I never had it. I just… wanted to make money. Not once in my life did I have the kind of heart you spoke of."
Now, even Jin Changhyuk's body began to tremble.
"My whole life…
I've never been honorable. Not to my siblings, not to my teammates, not to you…"
He had committed theft and pickpocketing—resulting in a criminal record.
He had three younger siblings, abandoned by their parents, and had taken on the burden of supporting them alone.
He'd dropped out of school early and stepped into adult life far too soon. That hardship led him down the wrong path.
He even got tattoos, not wanting to seem weak or be looked down upon.
He almost joined a gang—but backed out at the last moment.
"I could've worked harder. I could've studied, looked for a different way. But I… I always went for the easy way…"
His eyes turned red.
His fists clenched so tight they turned white.
"I'm a liar. I stood here pretending I had some noble reason, and nodded at your kind words when I didn't deserve them. Yes, I'm a liar. A coward. A fraud."
Tears began to fall from the man's eyes.
Regret flowed down his worn cheeks.
"But to someone like me… You, Instructor, were comfort itself. You told me even someone like me could become an honorable warrior. You gave me courage. Thank you. Truly, thank you."
Jin Changhyuk bowed at a perfect 90-degree angle, tears dripping onto the ground.
It was the deepest, most respectful bow he knew.
"From now on! I'll be a great big brother. I'll be a disciple who's not ashamed of himself!"
Jin Changhyuk's confession was sincere and heavy with emotion.
Moved by it, Baek I-yeon had stopped crying, and Soohyeok was now looking at him with wide eyes.
Shahar wore her usual smile—but this time with a slight awkwardness—as she gently lifted Jin Changhyuk to his feet with both hands.
"During our time together, you were never once shameful.
No matter how you began, it doesn't mean you can't change your path. Remember—Lang-der."
"Lang-der…"
Repeating her words, Jin Changhyuk's eyes trembled.
"You won't have to shed tears of regret anymore. Every battle, every will to protect, will become your honorable atonement. That makes you a true warrior."
Shahar and Jin Changhyuk locked eyes, their gaze deep and solemn.
Absolute trust.
The feeling was unfamiliar, and it shook him—but in the end, it melted him completely.
Seeing this, Shahar's eyes curved into a deep smile.
"I'll be watching you."
To that, Jin Changhyuk straightened his back and replied proudly:
"Yes, ma'am!"
Shahar, with a firm and warm gaze, now turned her attention to Soohyeok.
"And you…"
Her thoughts were complex.
In truth, she hadn't taught much to Soohyeok, Baek I-yeon, or even Jin Changhyuk—they were instinctive fighters, awakened with natural talent.
All she could do was try to be a pillar of support while they trained.
She wasn't sure she'd succeeded.
But as things came to an end, it didn't feel bad.
Soohyeok, however, was different.
In his case, she hadn't even been a pillar.
He had always stood alone—exceptional, independent.
He was so extraordinary that no one could dare claim to have taught him anything.
"It was an honor to be with you."
Soohyeok bowed his head respectfully.
His voice sounded light, but there was sincerity behind it.
He was echoing Shahar's own words from before.
"Indeed…
What greater harmony of emotion is there than this?"
It had been an honor for both of them.
That's what a teacher-student relationship should be—not one-sided, but mutual.
Just that thought filled a corner of Shahar's heart with deep satisfaction.
She wanted to praise herself for choosing to participate in Earth's training program.
"I'll see you on the battlefield."
"Yes, ma'am."
Shahar reached out her hand, and Soohyeok took it.
A farewell as clear and bright as a cloudless sky.
***
The day after saying goodbye to Shahar.
Soohyeok once again headed to the Yeouido Awakeners' Association.
To complete his official registration as an awakened being in South Korea.
As originally planned, Soohyeok applied to become a Hunter.
He then proceeded to take physical and mana aptitude tests.
Though his training was complete, an awakener's work remained dangerous—thus the association categorized them with internal grades.
Grade 1 to 13.
This was the ranking system used for Hunters in South Korea.
There was only one Grade 13 in the entire country—and five at Grade 12.
These six individuals were considered South Korea's elite force—its frontline and foundation.
Soohyeok approached the test earnestly, wanting to know where he stood on this objective scale.
And on that very day, he received his results:
Grade 6.
After completing all tests—physical capability and mana aptitude included—the association staff handed Soohyeok the results and a silver bracelet marking him as a Grade 6 Hunter.
Their face was frozen in shock.
'Didn't they say he just finished training yesterday?'
Where in the world does a rookie rank at Grade 6?
Most awakened trainees are graded at Grade 1.
Those who perform decently land in Grade 2.
Mid-size guilds and the Awakeners' Association scramble to recruit these Grade 1 and 2 individuals.
They're not considered rookies anymore, but still, not all of them are guaranteed success.
There are cases of late bloomers, rare but real—awakeners who started with low scores but rose to high grades later.
Then there are Grade 3 awakeners—the ones truly called "rookies."
Even then, only one or two appear per class, and sometimes none at all.
To be immediately viable for Grade 3 portal deployment right after training—that's talent.
These individuals are coveted by even the top guilds.
And when such gifted rookies develop further, they may surpass Grade 10.
Grade 10 represents the top 1% of all Korean awakeners.
It's no surprise then that countless offers start pouring in for talents with that kind of potential.
Of course, there were times when someone even beyond a rookie appeared—
A monster that surpassed all expectations.
Like the one known as:
"The Leveling Warlord."