𝗦𝗨𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗥 𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗦, Go Won

➷(20) WELCOME CELEBRATION

Sang-ho placed the mage uniform in front of Jang Uk.

"That is the uniform worn by Jeongjingak's mages." The leader said. "You will maintain your dignity as Jeongjingak's mage and do your best to master spells." Sang-ho placed the Spirit Plaque on the uniform. "That is the Spirit Plaque given to Jeongjingak's mages." The leader said.

"Those who possess it are given full access to everything in Songrim and Jeongjingak." The leader explained. Sang-ho placed the book of regulations on the uniform. "That is the Book of Regulations." The leader said. "You will follow our rules, and if you violate them, you will be punished accordingly."

"Jang Uk, stand up and bow to the leader." Sang-ho said. Jang Uk stood up, then got on his knees to bow. "Jang Uk, turn around and bow to your fellow mages." Sang-ho told him. Uk stood up and turned around, then got on his knees to bow. All of the mages bowed their head to Uk. He then turned around to face the leader.

"From this moment on, Jang Uk, the eldest son of the Jang family, is a mage of Songrim Jeongjingak." The leader announced. Jang Uk was now a Jeongjingak mage. The world really had changed if this was happening. But, Da-hye was happy for Uk.

The mages gathered around to congratulate Uk. Dang-gu and Da-hye were planning a celebration for Uk with Maidservant Kim.

"All right, everyone." Dang-gu shushed everyone. "Today we have a welcome ceremony for our newest mage, Jang Uk." Dang-gu announced.

"Let us all meet up at Chwiseonru!" Da-hye said.

"OOOOH." The mages started cheering.

"The Jang family has already paid for every bottle of alcohol and food at Chwiseonru." Maidservant Kim said. "So everyone, get ready to drink until you drop."

The mages cheered and clapped even louder, this time. "Chwiseonru!" They cheered. "Jang Uk!"

︵‿︵‿୨🤍୧‿︵‿︵

Da-hye was getting ready for the ceremony. "Da-hye." Dang-gu said outside of the door. "Da-hye, are you in here?"

"Yes." Da-hye responded.

"Here." Dang-gu gave something wrapped in white paper.

"What is this?" Da-hye unwrapped the thing.

"It is a raisin tree pill. Master Heo gave it to me." Dang-gu explained. "It helps prevent a hangover. I know you can hold your liquor well, but the next morning, you get really bad hangovers." Dang-gu said.

"Awh." Da-hye hugged her brother. "My little brother cares from me!"

"We were born at the same time." Dang-gu hugged his sister back. Da-hye chuckled, "No, I was born 2 minutes earlier."

Dang-gu sighed, admitting defeat. "I will go now, then." he left Da-hye's room.

Maidservant Yang entered Da-hye's room. "What hairstyle would you like today, Young Lady Park?" Maidservant Yang asked.

Maidservant Yang styled half her hair up and half her hair down.

︵‿︵‿୨🤍୧‿︵‿︵

When Da-hye and Dang-gu arrived at Chwiseonru, many mages were already there. The singers were dressed in pink.

Da-hye joined some mages who were seeing who could drink more shots, while Dang-gu ran off to sing. It was Da-hye and Gu-hyo's turn to compete. In Da-hye's opinion, Gu-hyo was the best looking Jeongjingak mage besides Da-hye, Dang-gu, and Yul.

Da-hye and Gu-hyo took their first shot. "The first shot is always the easiest." Gu-hyo said.

23 shots later, Gu-hyo was completely wasted while Da-hye was fine. She was really extremely good at holding her liquor.

"One more, one more." Gu-hyo said drunkily.

"I don't think you can go for one more." Da-hye chuckled, almost making fun of him.

"I can, I can." Gu-hyo said, trying to get another shot. "Here, take one more."

"Gu-hyo stop." Yeol said. "You are completely wasted!"

"No, no." Gu-hyo said. "I am fine, look at me." he burped loudly.

Da-hye giggled. "You should stop now."

"One more. I am perfectly fine." Gu-hyo's head fell on the table.

Master Heo and the leader called Uk, Da-hye, Dang-gu, and Yul to have a drink with them.

"Uk, you owe me one." Master Heo said. He was so drunk. "So promise me this." Master Heo stuck out his pinkie finger.

"Promise you what?" Uk asked.

"That one day, when I ask you do to something, you will promise to do it no matter what." Master Heo said.

"Yes, I promise." Uk said.

"Oh, wait." Master Heo said. "Before you make your promise, there is something I must clarify. I am asking you this because you are acquainted with Master Lee." Master Heo told Uk. "By any chance, have you been taking the chaste herb tea for training?" Master Heo asked.

"No." Uk said. "I have not. Never."

Master Heo clapped his hands. "So you are not practicing celibacy?" Master Heo asked.

"Of course not." Uk said. "I want to get married. That is just ridiculous."

"Then all is good." Master Heo said. "Here." Master Heo stuck out his pinkie finger to do a pinkie swear with Uk. "You are also a candidate now." Master Heo told him. "All three of you are candidates." He told Yul, Dang-gu, and Uk. Candidates for what?

"Do not forget to thank Master Lee." The leader told Uk. "If he did not vouch for you, things would have gotten complicated."

"You almost had people get the wrong idea about by mastering Tansu, which was Naksu's specialty." Master Heo said.

"Uk even wanted to become Naksu's pupil." Dang-gu joked. Da-hye put her hand on her forehead, Dang-gu was always saying things that did not need to be said.

"What do you mean?" The leader asked.

"Pardon?" Dang-gu said. "He was frustrated that he could not find a master to open his gate of energy." Dang-gu explained. "So he said it as a joke."

"Did you really say that?" The leader asked Uk.

"Yes, I did." Uk said.

"Yul, I want you to tell him what kind of punishment is given to mages who perform sorcery." The leader told Yul.

"If you perform sorcery, your entire energy flow will be cut off, and you will be unable to cast any spells." Yul said. "Then you will get banished from Daeho, and your descendants will never be able to become mages."

"Remember that." The leader said. Things had gotten serious really fast. "Do not ever say anything like that again." The leader told Uk.

"Why is it wrong to perform sorcery?" Uk asked.

"What?"

"Regular magic can kill people too," Uk said. "On the contrary, sorcery can help save someone's live." Uk explained. "Rather than differentiating between the two, a person's true intention behind the spell seems a lot more important."

"Then are you saying you are open to using sorcery if it means you could save someone's life?" The leader asked.

"If I can use sorcery to save someone, then I do not think it would be a problem." Uk said.

"You damn boy! How dare you!" Master Heo shouted. "You are a mage of Jeongjingak. How dare you say that you are open to using sorcery?" Master Heo asked. "If this is how you're going to be, give me back the torrent of energy I gave you."

𝗜 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗜 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝟭,𝟮𝟯𝟱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁.