Chap 19-Funny Things

 

Dorothy Academy.

A place where the most outstanding talents in the world gather, and founded directly by the Transcendent, Dorothy Lightshield.

It was also the city with the most expensive land prices in Terra.

The path I walked on was paved with neat, white marble.

Well-manicured trees, beautiful fountains, and gardens and sculptures placed everywhere.

It was a cleaner and more beautiful landscape than anywhere else.

Magnificent buildings stretched out in a long row, with orderly paths and ponds, and landscaping in perfect balance.

Although it was splendid, in truth, there were many high-ranking nobles who lived in even better territories.

Nevertheless, the reason why this place was the most expensive.

That was because of ‘security.’

The academy was the safest area in Terra.

With a lower crime rate than any noble’s domain, and a place that had never allowed the intrusion of Magical Beasts even once.

It was because it was the domain of the Transcendent, Dorothy Lightshield.

The moment you set foot here, you could not escape her surveillance.

One of the few places where the power of a Transcendent directly influenced.

To dare cause an accident here was truly madness.

‘It must be pretty serious…’

That’s why when I was just bullied.

If the headmaster was normal…

There should have been her intervention in some way.

It meant that her senses no longer affected the entire academy.

My farewell with my teacher was approaching.

With a bitter feeling, I moved towards the cafeteria located in the center of Dorothy Academy.

As I pushed open the cafeteria door, I heard the unique smell of warm food along with a quiet murmur.

The cafeteria of Dorothy Academy was on a different level from the typical school cafeteria.

Spacious and antique interior.

The floor was paved with smooth marble, and the tables and chairs were intricately carved from the finest wood.

The gazes of the students in the cafeteria turned to me.

Some avoided my gaze as if startled, and some made small murmurs while being conscious of me.

“Isn’t that Yeon Bennet?”

“Did you see her getting beat up earlier? She has pride, so she didn’t even scream once.”

“But why does she look like that? She’s all wet?”

‘Scream, huh…’

I hadn’t even thought about it.

I enjoyed that miserable situation, and considering what I usually do, it wasn’t a big deal.

But next time… should I scream on purpose?

If I receive even greater ridicule, it might be even more enjoyable.

My steps were lighter than ever, but I moved forward more slowly than ever so that people could watch my miserable appearance for longer.

There were no students who openly blocked my path or tried to bully me outright like before.

Most of them hated me, but they were also afraid of me.

Well, it would be stranger if the kids who bullied me, who had been someone untouchable in the academy, did so overnight.

Clearly, those kids must have had backing.

I quietly headed to the cashier.

As I stood in line with my tray, the students in front of me looked uncomfortable and gradually distanced themselves.

[SYSTEM]

Yeon Bennet’s Account

Duke Bennett’s Family – 89,764,320 Gold

Academy Upkeep Fee – 532 Gold

I frowned slightly.

‘They sent it again.’

The money Duke Bennett sends.

Millions of gold were automatically deposited every month.

I had never used it, and I had no intention of using it in the future.

I didn’t want to touch the money that that damn man sent.

I chose the academy’s upkeep fee account and paid.

[SYSTEM]

-10 Gold

Payment Complete!

Balance: 522 Gold

The academy was providing all students with an upkeep fee of five hundred gold per month.

If you ordered the cheapest menu, it was enough for a month’s food expenses even if you skipped a few meals.

I took the tray and quietly moved.

A secluded spot.

I sat at the most remote table.

It had become a habit to go to tables where there were no people, fearing that I might inconvenience others, and now it was comfortable.

The cafeteria was still filled with murmurs.

The students glanced at my legs.

“Look at that… the marks the professor left are still there.”

“Wow… she must have been hit really hard.”

“I’ve never seen a noble get punished like that before.”

“So what? Her origins are commoner. She’s probably more used to that kind of thing.”

I slowly lowered my gaze.

As I sat on the chair, the hem of my skirt naturally rose, and the clear marks left on my skin were exposed.

I quietly crossed my legs.

The students’ gazes became even more focused.

I savored their gazes and picked up my utensils.

With their ridicule and contempt as side dishes, I slowly lifted my spoon.

It felt like my appetite was returning after a long time.

…

Bella had been feeling complicated lately.

Yeon Bennet, known as the world’s worst villainess.

And the truth about her.

Even though a child who was still a student sacrificed herself to save people, the world drove her to despair.

Serena Bennet’s bombshell declaration.

Yeon’s infamy rising even higher.

Bella felt powerless at her inability to do anything.

She wanted to let people know the truth about her, but because it would ruin her choice…

Thinking about the burdens she was carrying, Bella quietly sighed.

Then suddenly, an familiar silhouette walking out of the cafeteria in the distance caught her eye.

Yeon Bennet.

Bella stopped walking.

‘Can I dare approach her?’

Just a while ago, she had pierced that child’s heart.

She had already said she forgave me, that it was okay, but…

Was it really okay?

Bella hesitated for a moment.

But soon, another emotion that arose in Bella’s heart made her move.

She wanted to be of help, even if just a little.

At least, she didn’t want to leave her alone and lonely.

Having made up her mind, Bella quietly moved towards her.

But as she got closer…

Bella felt something strange.

Her indifferent face was no different from usual, but her walk was clearly limping.

Bella instinctively narrowed her eyes.

And got even closer.

Yeon’s clothes were damp.

Water was faintly dripping from the hem of her skirt, and although they were almost dry, traces of wetness remained at the ends of her hair.

And…

Her legs.

The moment her gaze reached her calves, Bella felt her heart sink.

Red, swollen marks.

Dark purple bruises.

The marks of the beating that crossed her skin were exposed.

It wasn’t a simple fall or a small wound.

This was clearly…

Someone had punished Yeon.

Cruelly and harshly.

Bella was also a graduate of the academy, so she had experienced and seen corporal punishment.

There was no case where such severe injuries were left in any situation.

The corporal punishment inflicted at the academy was more for the purpose of discipline than punishment.

“……”

Bella’s hand clenched involuntarily.

Yeon, pretending to be okay and silently walking forward.

Bella could no longer just watch her.

As she approached, Yeon stopped.

“Senior?”

Yeon turned her head and looked at Bella.

“Follow me for now.”

Bella grabbed Yeon’s wrist and pulled her along.

Yeon did not resist.

Her body, which had fought fiercely without a single step back in front of six High-ranking Monsters, was very light.

Bella took her straight to her faculty-only residence.

Closing the door, quietly taking a breath,

Bella asked in a voice suppressing her anger.

“Who did this.”

Her voice was low, and suppressed anger was present.

“What?”

Yeon feigned ignorance, but her expression was filled with dismay.

“Your legs.”

Bella looked straight at her and said.

“Who did it?”

Only then did Yeon look down at her legs.

“Ah, that…”

She smiled as if it were nothing and replied.

“I just couldn’t answer a question in class, so I was punished.”

In that moment, Bella’s chest tightened.

“……Yeon.”

Bella looked at her.

“Well, I mean… I’m originally a troublemaker! I’ve caused a lot of accidents… it’s my own fault…”

Seeing Yeon rambling and defending them, Bella felt anger surge.

No matter how much of an academy professor, there was no way they would have the authority to inflict such punishment on the daughter of a duke.

She had worked harder than anyone for the sake of the world, but in the end, this was what came back to her.

“If you’ve decided to become a real villainess…!”

Bella’s voice trembled.

“At least… resist! Don’t just obediently take it!”

Yeon stared blankly at Bella.

After blinking in confusion for a moment, she soon smiled as if relieved.

“Ah, if it’s that, don’t worry. It’s really okay. The media is completely on our side now.”

Yeon continued, slowly walking towards the window.

“Mirage Times, that’s actually a media outlet created by Duke Bennett. Now, even without trying, my infamy is spreading on its own. There’s no chance the seal will be lifted.”

At those words, Bella clenched her fist tightly.

“That’s… that’s not the problem.”

Yeon turned around.

Bella’s eyes were shaking violently with anger and sadness.

“The people you protected are treating you like that, and you’re okay with it? You’re not angry?”

Yeon quietly exhaled.

“Haa, it’s because I made it that way. It’s what I wanted.”

She turned her gaze back to the window.

“I was the one who deceived them. Wouldn’t it be ridiculous for me to be angry at them?”

“But…! Still……”

She was right.

It was the path Yeon herself had chosen, and everything she was experiencing now was just a part of her plan.

She could understand it in her head.

But Bella couldn’t accept it at all.

Her chest felt suffocatingly tight.

As if a heavy stone had fallen on her.

Why doesn’t this child cherish herself at all?

Why does she try to endure all the pain as if it were natural?

Yeon quietly turned her head and pointed out the window.

“There.”

The place Yeon’s fingertip was pointing to.

The street outside the academy, visible in the distance.

A market alley lined with miscellaneous shops, people chatting with smiles, each faithful to their daily lives.

“Someday, I hope people can live like that in every region of this world. Without Magical Beasts, without Contamination… just, living while smiling.”

Yeon raised her head and smiled brightly.

“So… I think it’s really fortunate that I have this ability, and not someone else.”

At that moment, Bella couldn’t hold back any longer.

She took a step closer and hugged Yeon.

“……Senior?”

Yeon whispered softly, as if surprised, but Bella didn’t say anything.

Author’s Note

One more chapter will be uploaded tomorrow.

Thank you for reading!