Correcting the Villainess of the Academy – Chapter 167

Chapter 168

***

The day after a storm swept through the ward, I was finally able to complete the discharge process and return to the Cradle.

I desperately wanted to visit Mok Jinwoo right away, but the capital city was currently under a state of emergency due to an incident in the adjacent First City.

Naturally, the Cradle had also been placed under a temporary lockdown.

Still, they said it wouldn’t last long, so I had no choice but to wait for the right time.

“Left!”

“Duck!”

-Boom!

The first class after my return was Magic Tactics.

It was quite nice to loosen up my stiff body.

In the sparring field, students formed teams of five and engaged in fierce battles.

The sound of magic bullets colliding with barriers and exploding was deafening.

In the corner, a short lecture was being given to students who had already finished their matches and those waiting for their turn.

“…Now, does anyone remember what I said about this situation earlier?”

At the professor’s question, a student quickly raised his hand and answered.

“Wizards who live for their own glory tend to die young.”

A small ripple of laughter spread through the group.

“Good memory. 10 points for you.”

The stern-looking middle-aged professor with a monocle nodded.

“Among ordinary people unrelated to magic, it is often the case that wizards are perceived as invincible beings capable of taking on a hundred men each.”

He continued his explanation, walking back and forth in front of the squatting students with his hands clasped behind his back.

“This perception is not uncommon even among young wizards who have just awakened. However, this is a completely distorted perception, twisted from the premise. Of course, it’s not to say that such individuals don’t exist. Those who transcend limits have always existed throughout history. Just look at the Headmaster, and perhaps one of you might become such a person.”

I had a feeling that his sharp gaze beyond the glasses swept past me.

“But you should know by now. You’ve already experienced several field exercises and requests. The life of most wizards is such that they can die a violent death even from the lowest-grade magical beasts without fangs, third-class demons treated as mere grunts, or even a mere mutant.”

It sounded like something I’d heard before.

Come to think of it, it seemed to echo what Professor Moon Seonkyung had said when she scolded me during the Celestial Basin field exercise.

“What you need to learn from this training is clear. While organically switching between offense and defense, you must coordinate with others to cover any openings… Student Guk Jaeryong!!”

The professor suddenly turned and shouted.

On the sparring field, a male student, unable to withstand the fierce attack of the opposing team, broke formation and was running away at full speed.

“How dare you think of abandoning your comrades on the battlefield! You’ve lost 20 personal points, and you have an interview with me! Come to my office as soon as class is over…!”

“Tsk tsk. That guy hasn’t changed a bit in months.”

As I watched the professor’s back as he chased after the male student, a shadow suddenly loomed over me.

The gruff voice was also quite familiar.

A massive physique, well-toned muscles on full display, and short-cropped hair.

Choi Woojin from Sungshan, who had approached me at some point, plopped down beside me.

Then he showed interest in the bottle I was sipping from.

“An energy tonic? Did you get that as a sponsorship? I don’t think I’ve seen it before.”

“…Something like that.”

What I was drinking was the energy tonic that Kwon Yuri had left behind.

After several checks, I couldn’t find any traces of tampering.

In fact, it was so effective that I felt sorry for doubting it.

Even a small sip noticeably boosted my vitality.

It was too precious to throw away, and it seemed good for recovery, so I was carrying it around.

“The design looks familiar… Wait. Isn’t that Blaine’s No. 9 series?”

Blaine…?

That was definitely the name of the pharmaceutical company owned by Kwon Yuri’s family.

Come to think of it, Kwon Yuri did say it was an energy tonic produced by her family.

I didn’t expect Choi Woojin to recognize it at a glance.

But in the next moment, Choi Woojin’s words sent my mind reeling.

“And the color… Hey. This is the top-tier Nectar line. Where did you get this? Even if you brought hundreds of millions, you can’t get it because it’s always booked up.”

“Cough… Cough…!”

I choked and started coughing.

Right now, my dormitory room was stacked with over 30 bottles identical to this one.

She gave me something that valuable.

Just as a get-well gift?

“…”

What was that senior thinking?

Even if it was her family’s product… wasn’t it a bit too much?

“Well, I guess Heukryeon has a separate purchasing route. There’s no way Senior Kwon Yuri gave it to you directly…”

“…I don’t know much about family matters either.”

Feeling quite uncomfortable, I changed the subject.

“The request must have gone well? You don’t have a single scratch.”

“Of course. I’m not a weakling like someone else.”

Choi Woojin wore his characteristic wry smile.

“You were dispatched to the barrier guard, right?”

“That’s right. I followed the rangers on patrol beyond the barrier into the Demon Realm. It was a unique experience. I even managed to kill three second-class demons.”

I had never been beyond the barrier either.

I heard from the leader and my sisters that it was a hellscape where savagery and shamanism ran rampant.

Choi Woojin looked as if he had just taken a stroll in the neighborhood.

“How was it?”

“Well… the signs weren’t good.”

Unlike before, he answered with a slightly more serious face.

“This patrol was based on information obtained by the Northern Army Command. Demons are gathering near the barrier. According to the information, a new unified leader has emerged. They call him ‘The Regent’.”

“The Regent?”

Somehow, the term didn’t sound very pleasant.

“I talked to the rangers, and they said another major invasion might occur. Like two years ago.”

“…”

My head felt a bit heavier.

That terrible nightmare that took everything from me, again…

“What’s wrong all of a sudden? Did you get scared or something?”

But Choi Woojin’s teasing voice brought me back to the surface.

“That’s disappointing.”

“Nonsense. Who’s scared…”

“Hehe… Alright, let’s go with that. You know that Cradle students are the top priority for conscription, right? If a war breaks out, we’ll be sent straight to the front lines.”

Choi Woojin burst into an annoying laugh as I retorted.

Thanks to that, I managed to avoid getting lost in memories again.

“Well, war is something to think about later. It’s not certain yet. And we have more important things to deal with.”

“Important things?”

“The social season is coming up. We need to find a partner. Someone suitable for breeding.”

An unexpectedly vulgar word slipped out of his mouth.

“Breeding… what?”

“Why are you so surprised? It’s not like you’ve never heard it before.”

Choi Woojin, on the other hand, seemed unfazed.

“Improving bloodlines, preserving magic. We hear it from adults all the time. We need to choose well, right? To avoid genetic disorders like particle hypersensitivity from faulty pairings.”

Particle hypersensitivity, particle hypersensitivity…

It was a term I hadn’t heard in a while.

The image of a gaunt girl from a hazy memory reflexively popped into my head.

“…?”

I felt a gaze and turned my head.

Choi Woojin was still wearing his usual unpleasant smile, as if he had something to say.

“What is it? I’m telling you, I won’t duel…”

“No, no.”

He waved his hand.

“That’s not what I wanted to talk about. It’s ranking match week soon, anyway. If we get matched up, we’ll have to fight whether we like it or not.”

“…Then?”

“Ahem…”

He cleared his throat and hesitated, which was unlike him.

What was he trying to say?

“You…”

And after a long wait, Choi Woojin finally spoke, and it was something I had never expected.

“Do you have someone you’re seeing?”

“What?”

“I asked if you have someone you’re seeing.”

“…No, I don’t.”

I shook my head decisively.

I felt a peculiar emptiness in my left hand.

“Really? You’re not lying…?”

“Why would I lie about something like this?”

“Really? Is that so… Hmm…”

Choi Woojin murmured with a puzzled expression.

“Then was it really just a rumor…?”

“A rumor? What?”

“That you were seei… Never mind, let’s drop it.”

Choi Woojin quickly changed the subject.

“So why did you ask?”

“…Hey.”

“Yeah.”

“Would you be interested in meeting my sister?”

“…?”

My mind went blank.

Choi Woojin’s sister was Choi Ireh.

A second-year female student with a scholarly look, round glasses, and twin braids.

And the successor of Sungshan, who was affiliated with Paechun and constantly opposed us.

That same dynamic was also evident in the Cradle.

Yeon Minha also frequently expressed her animosity towards Choi Ireh, who kept hindering her in the student council.

Come to think of it, Choi Woojin’s casual demeanor towards me was rather strange.

“She’s been so hysterical lately, it’s driving me crazy. She rejected everyone because they weren’t good enough, but I don’t understand why she’s like that.”

“…So why are you telling me this?”

“My sister has a rather unique taste. She likes slender and polished-looking guys. And… I think you fit that description perfectly.”

He gestured with his chin towards the male student who was now receiving a harsh punishment from the professor.

“Look at that Jaeryong guy. He’s supposed to be one of the Magi 27 Families, but look at him. Compared to him, you’re… well, not as good as me, but still decent.”

“…I’m the one who broke your sister’s jaw, right? And Sungshan is completely opposed to Heukryeon…”

“Breaking her jaw just proves your strength. And factions change. Sungshan was at odds with Paechun until 50 years ago.”

It was a very sudden proposal.

Judging by his serious expression, it didn’t seem like a joke.

“…”

But I shook my head.

“I’ll pass.”

“What? Think about it again. Honestly, there’s no better match than my sister.”

“I said I’m not interested.”

“Next! Choi Woojin’s team! Come forward!”

“…Tsk. It’s already my turn.”

Choi Woojin, who was about to continue his persuasion, clicked his tongue at the professor’s call.

Then he got up, dusting himself off.

“Anyway, think about it some more. It’s better to make your own decision than to be sold off somewhere, right? Better than ending up like Jin Yeseo, being dragged around by her family.”

And as his voice faded away, the name of someone I had momentarily forgotten came to mind.

***

It was still a mystery.

Why did she just leave after requesting a visitation?

There were no overlapping classes today, so I didn’t run into Jin Yeseo.

Well, even if I had, I wouldn’t have been able to ask her directly.

There was only one place in this Cradle where we could talk.

“Hut! Ha!”

As soon as the day’s activities were over, I headed to the old training room in Building A.

As expected, the familiar sound of someone’s shouts and the blade cutting through the air echoed.

And… what’s this?

I could smell something sweet.

“Haa… haa…!”

Jin Yeseo was so engrossed in her training that she didn’t even notice me entering the training room.

But I could tell from her expression.

What she was doing now wasn’t just pure training.

It was more like an ascetic practice to clear her mind of distracting thoughts.

I knew because I had gone through similar experiences countless times.

Was she troubled by something serious?

It didn’t seem like the kind of problem that could be easily solved.

Her whole body was drenched in sweat, and she was panting slightly, but her eyes were still filled with the shadow of agony.

-Tsk tsk. You’ve become too complacent. You should be focusing on training, but you’re thinking about other things? Listen up. I’ll clear your mind for you.

Suddenly, the leader’s voice echoed in my head.

When he and my sisters first took me in, I was still filled with sadness during basic training, and he had a very displeased look on his face.

And under the pretext of sparring, he beat me to a pulp.

…The strange thing was, it was surprisingly effective.

Although I suffered from severe muscle pain for about a day, I was able to concentrate better afterward.

“…”

I didn’t have a way with words.

And I didn’t like listening to other people’s problems.

But maybe I could help her clear her mind.

After all, we had been through life-and-death situations together.

I might as well help.

I needed to loosen up my body anyway.

“Hey.”

“Ah… You startled me!”

After a moment of thought, I deliberately made my presence known as I approached.

Jin Yeseo shuddered and glared at me.

“Hey! If you’re here, you should say something!”

“That’s why I said something.”

I picked up an old practice blade lying in the corner of the training room.

“Wh-what’s going on all of a sudden…”

“What do you mean? It’s sparring. What we always do.”

And I pointed the blade at the bewildered Jin Yeseo and said.

“Come on. I’ll be your partner.”

End of Chapter