Chapter 52: Graduation (2)

Chapter 52: Graduation (2)

“Did you pass the test, Mr. Jin-Ho?”

“No.”

The Dongmyeong Education Foundation's proxy chief director, Jo Gyu-Min, held back his laughter at Kang Jin-Ho's curt reply and handed over a cup of coffee. Kang Jin-Ho trudged over to the office's couch and plopped down.

“You failed again, Mr. Jin-Ho?”

“Yes.”

'Yup, he's pissed...'

Kang Jin-Ho's face was totally expressionless. But Jo Gyu-Min had interacted with the youth enough times to read the actual emotion underneath that stoic facial expression.

“Mr. Jin-Ho, it's fine to be bad at driving, you know?”

“What are you implying, Mr. Gyu-Min?”

"You can simply hire a chauffeur, after all. How about it "

Kang Jin-Ho shook his head. “I've been told that a driver's license is a must.”

“Well, that is true, but...”

Who would be! Sane enough! To let! Kang Jin-Ho pass?!

Jo Gyu-Min had the misfortune of going along for a ride during Kang Jin-Ho's practice driving after the latter had passed the theoretical test. And after that day, he swore to never get in any car driven by Kang Jin-Ho ever again.

Jo Gyu-Min preferred a clean, quick death, not some abominable torture where his life continuously flashed before his eyes. He definitely didn't want to go through that again if he could help it. Especially after experiencing the 'miracle' of remembering so many old forgotten memories buried deep in the recess of his subconsciousness!

Jo Gyu-Min tried to sound as comforting as possible. "Mr. Jin-Ho, you don't need a driver's license in this day and age."

“Are you telling me to give up?”

“...No, of course not.”

Kang Jin-Ho wordlessly sipped the coffee.

“Then, what about your next test, Mr. Jin-Ho?”

“I've already applied for it. It's scheduled to take place in three days.”

“Oh, I see.” Jo Gyu-Min inwardly prayed for the fate of the next examiner unlucky enough to ride next to Kang Jin-Ho. "However, I'm sure you didn't come here to tell me that, Mr. Jin-Ho."

Kang Jin-Ho put the coffee cup down and cleared his throat. “Ahem. I have a favor to ask.”

“A favor, you say?” Jo Gyu-Min's voice got louder at this surprising revelation. The one asking for favors until now had been him, not Kang Jin-Ho, and that was what surprised him the most. In fact, the latter hadn't made single demand from his supposed 'personal secretary' until now.

Technically speaking, the matters involving the orphanage and the bicycle were entrusted to Chairman Hwang Jeong-Hu, not Jeong In-Gyu. Jeong In-Gyu's job was to assist Kang Jin-Ho in any way he could, but he was currently stuck in a weird situation where he hadn't done anything noteworthy yet.

'Is it finally time to show what I can do '

Jo Gyu-Min cried out in elation inwardly. Lately, it had been getting somewhat embarrassing to make the same old bog-standard "Nothing noteworthy has happened, sir" report to Hwang Jeong-Hu over and over again.

But now, a chance to demonstrate his true worth had finally landed on his lap. By combining his excellent administrative ability and the Jaegyeong Group's abundant wealth, nothing should be out of reach, and anything should be possible. After all, Jaegyeong was prepared to support Kang Jin-Ho no matter what!

Jo Gyu-Min was confident in performing whatever task—perfectly and efficiently!

“Please speak, Mr. Jin-Ho!”

Kang Jin-Ho nodded. “Very well. It's about Jaegyeong University.”

“Pardon? Jaegyeong Uni, you say?”

“Yes.”

“What is this about?”

Kang Jin-Ho spoke as if it was nothing serious, "Should it be called special admittance? Wait, the university does have a screening process for special scholarship students, don't they "

Jo Gyu-Min tilted his head slightly. Didn't most universities have that admittance process? Although he hadn't looked into it yet, he was pretty sure that Jaegyeong University also had such a thing. "Yes, they do."

“Can you find out more about it, please?”

Unfortunately, Park Yu-Min's achievement was nothing to write home about. All he had achieved so far was reaching the semi-final of a gaming tournament. He hadn’t even win that gaming tournament outright, so to grant the special scholarship to someone like that...

Even if the general awareness of the pro gamer profession had permeated throughout modern society, such an achievement wasn't enough to convince anyone. Heck, even a tournament winner would find it hard to get the scholarship, so a semi-finalist...

"I'll see what I can do, but..." Jo Gyu-Min muttered in an uncertain voice.

“Will it be difficult?”

“If the university has already decided on the screening criteria, then it'd be too late to admit Park Yu-Min-gun as a special case. We'll have to figure out where he has an advantage in the screening criteria, but I'm afraid that the profession of a pro gamer may not be enough to earn a computer science-related scholarship."

Kang Jin-Ho shook his head. “No, I didn't mean that way.”

“Then?”

“Isn't there a screening process for disabled candidates?”

“...Oh ” Jo Gyu-Min's jaw slightly dropped. There was indeed a screening process reserved especially for disabled students.

Thanks to the Ministry of Education's policy, universities with courses that run for four years must provide a scholarship screening process for students with disabilities. Since this process wasn’t brought up often, Jo Gyu-Min had completely forgotten about it until now. But he knew for sure that it was available.

“Yes, you're right. There is.”

"Wouldn't his personal situation, as well as how law-abiding his life has been so far, be enough to make up for his poor grades? He also entered and reached the semi-final in a tournament despite his current circumstances, too."

Jo Gyu-Min covered his mouth, sat back in his chair, and fell deep into his thoughts. It felt like he was onto something here. Being disabled was not going to be enough, but by emphasizing the boy's achievement as a pro gamer... Maybe, a solid case could be made on his behalf

“I think it's worth a shot.”

“Can it be done?”

"By taking the angle you suggested, yes, it might be doable. A student who never lost his hope despite his challenging circumstances and had done his best to balance his studies and work-life... Not only that, but he also managed to go pretty far in his profession, too..." Jo Gyu-Min muttered as his expression gradually brightened. If this event was handled well, Park Yu-Min getting accepted could boost the university and the foundation's image.

“I can't decide on this by myself, however. It'd require the consent of the chairman, the university's chief director, and the faculty members. All I can do is simply deliver your request to the chairman and offer my opinion on the matter.”

"I see. Please remember this, though..." Kang Jin-Ho firmly drew the line on the sand. "This process must not negatively affect someone else. I'd rather have Park Yu-Min disqualified if it means he's taking away an available spot from someone else who's more qualified than him."

“I get what you're saying, Mr. Jin-Ho.”

How strict... One could even say that this was bordering on being obsessive. Even so, Kang Jin-Ho didn't come across as dry and hardcore. Probably because he was so crystal clear on his principle of not harming strangers even for his friends.

“I'll leave it in your capable hands, Mr. Gyu-Min.”

“Thank you. I'll take care of it, so don't worry.”

Kang Jin-Ho nodded at Jo Gyu-Min's assurance and got up from his comfy seat. “Well, then. Shall we get going?”

“I'm sorry?” Jo Gyu-Min stared at Kang Jin-Ho in confusion. Get going? Where

“Not sure I follow... Where are we going?”

Kang Jin-Ho replied in a disinterested voice as if Jo Gyu-Min had asked a dumb question.

“I told you, I failed the driving test.”

“...Okay?”

“So, I must practice.”

“...!”

Kang Jin-Ho slowly cocked an eyebrow. "Weren't you planning to help me "

“Haha... ha... W-well, as you can see, I'm a bit busy, so...”

“I came knowing that you don't have anything to do.”

Jo Gyu-Min's complexion was instantly drained of all colors.

“You will help me practice, right?”

"Y-yes... Of course, I... will..." Jo Gyu-Min got up and followed Kang Jin-Ho outside the office like a cow being dragged to a slaughterhouse.

'Oh, dear Lord, please grant me mercy and help me come back home safe and sound today...'

For the first time in many years, Jo Gyu-Min offered a prayer to God today.