Correcting the Villainess of the Academy - Chapter 101

Chapter 11

Exposure (11)

Golden hues, reminiscent of an autumn field, shimmered beyond her long, delicate eyelashes.

Someone might willingly embrace ruin just to win her love.

The natural beauty exuded by a girl her age… one could clearly say it had that much power.

However, no one would suspect that this girl was the same person who had hurled such sharp, heart-wrenching insults.

“Ah, I noticed earlier… you had a wound on your arm… Does it hurt?”

When no response came, a voice, filled with unease and anxiety, inquired again.

I pondered for a long time about the purpose of the attitude she was showing now… but in the end, the conclusion was always the same.

I realized once again that she only revealed her true self in places where no one else could see.

It was, in fact, only natural that she behaved like this in a place where many eyes were watching.

“…”

“Haha, now that I think about it, it seems our daughter was quite concerned.”

As my silence grew longer, Baek Ilyong, the head of Paechun, joined the conversation with a jovial tone.

“Why not be generous and accept it? After all, this situation arose from a public matter. You’ll likely encounter each other often in the future, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t harbor too much ill will.”

“It’s alright. Thank you for your concern.”

Even though worrying over it wouldn’t provide any answers, I could only offer a polite response to his courteous concern… but even uttering that short sentence wasn’t particularly easy.

“…Of course, there’s no ill will. After all, you were only doing what was necessary, Senior.”

“Hahaha! That’s what I’d expect from the bloodline of the Black Lion. Thank you. I will ensure that you are appropriately compensated later.”

Baek Ilyong, the head of Paechun, chuckled heartily as he patted my shoulder.

“Ah…”

But the girl behind him showed no sign of satisfaction.

Instead, only a faint sigh, heavy with a trace of moisture, escaped her lips.

Though the moment of melancholy was fleeting, I could clearly sense that the girl harbored such feelings. It felt so natural that I despised myself for noticing.

But no matter how much I pondered, I couldn’t grasp the source of those emotions.

Regardless, Baek Ilyong turned away and continued his conversation with the Heukryeon couple.

“So, Senior. Are you really planning to return to the Supreme Council?”

“And if I am? What business is it of yours?”

“…That’s a bit harsh. Surely, it’s not entirely unrelated.”

For the first time today, a hint of hostility flickered in the man’s voice.

“I’ve made this decision because I can no longer bear to see innocent people suffer. The shame is something only this person and I need to carry.”

For some reason, it felt like Sa Daeryong’s gaze briefly brushed over the top of my head.

“Thanks to someone who kept crossing the line, it made the decision easier. But isn’t that right? You can’t justify everything by using the past as a shield.”

“It seems there’s some misunderstanding. The 25th Regulation was a bill proposed solely to prevent the market monopoly of certain corporations. We wouldn’t want to create more hardships for the already struggling populace, now would we?”

“Words can be twisted to serve any purpose. Continuing this conversation would just be a waste of time. If we’re done here, we should get going.”

“Oh, I apologize. I’ve kept you too long despite your busy schedule. Well, it’s understandable, given this is your first time returning in 15 years.”

At Sa Daeryong’s words, the man finally stepped back, signaling that the conversation was over.

He left with a bright smile, as if nothing had happened.

“Well then, take care. And once again, welcome back to the Supreme Council.”

“Thank you. Let’s go.”

After offering a courteous reply, the couple resumed walking.

The corridor was still deserted, with only the sound of crows flapping their wings echoing around.

I followed them.

The unexpected encounter had left my mind in disarray, so I needed something to help calm it down.

“Um… What do you mean by the Principal is not here…?”

Sa Daeryong answered.

“Ah, Hae Wolhwa is currently down in the South. It seems you missed the news because it coincided with your departure to Jeokhwa.”

“What? Why is she in the South…?”

“As I understand, there was a request for support from the Southern Command. There’s supposed to be a large-scale subjugation in the uninhabited zone soon.”

The lady of the house continued the explanation.

“The military sees this as a golden opportunity since the 1st Regiment of the People’s Liberation Front has been annihilated. And with the confirmation that the owner of the Southwestern Plains, who had been preventing the expansion, has died of old age, they likely want to expand human territory a bit, even if they have to overextend.”

The mention of the owner of the Southwestern Plains brought something to mind.

When I was in the South, I remember hearing that story from a soldier while watching the sunset on the ramparts with Yeon Minha.

A massive variant of the Dartrigas, so large that it was nearly the height of the ramparts, was said to be living beyond the uninhabited zone.

The special-class demonic beast identified as the owner of the Southwestern Plains.

It was a giant beast that looked like a turtle, with rocks split and loaded onto its carapace.

Moreover, I recalled the soldier who had told me about it had immediately been killed by a black magician, his chest pierced.

“But even so, it’s a strange situation. That person has never left the capital unless it was something truly serious since their youth.”

“The moniker ‘Slothful Hae Wolhwa’ didn’t come about for nothing. Perhaps even she has grown a bit more active with age…”

“…”

Even though I had brought up the topic, I couldn’t focus on their conversation.

The words that had been softly exchanging back and forth were now just a distant murmur.

All I could feel was a pair of golden eyes still locked onto me.

***

“I will now return to the Cradle. Jeokhwa will never forget the grace Heukryeon has shown us.”

“Dear, are you really alright…?”

As Yeon Minha, sitting across the table, bowed deeply, the lady of Heukryeon sent her a concerned glance, trying to dissuade her.

“Please reconsider. Given your current situation, exceptions can easily be made. You don’t have to graduate from the Cradle to inherit the family business of Jeokhwa…”

“No.”

But Yeon Minha firmly shook her head.

“I don’t want to give my enemies even the smallest opening.”

Seeing her resolve, the lady let out a small sigh and reluctantly nodded.

“…Alright. If that’s your decision, who am I to stop you…”

The Jeokhwa incident, which had stirred the capital for days, was finally approaching its resolution.

Although Yeon Jeongmun’s crimes were unforgivable, Yeon Minha was recognized for her efforts to stop him, allowing her to preserve the name of Jeokhwa and the status of the Five Families.

However, punishment was still inevitable. The companies and foundations that Jeokhwa owned were to be redistributed to new owners, but all of them ended up in the hands of Heukryeon, who had declared their return to the political arena after 15 years.

This outcome was heavily influenced by Yeon Minha, who had barely maintained her position as the heir.

After all, it was a far better outcome than seeing the Stellite Mines fall into the hands of Paechun and its faction.

“Understood. Don’t worry too much about Jeokhwa’s businesses. As soon as you graduate from the Cradle, the restitution process will begin immediately. Just focus on your studies.”

“…Thank you.”

Yeon Minha once again expressed her gratitude to the lady.

As their conversation continued, Yeon Minha finally mustered the courage to ask a question that had been nagging at her.

“Excuse me, may I ask you something…?”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“Is it true that Hyun is really… a part of Heukryeon…?”

Yeon Minha still stumbled slightly over the name, as if she wasn’t yet accustomed to saying it.

However, instead of answering, the lady only shook her head slightly.

Even from that small gesture, Yeon Minha could infer the answer.

“But I wish to think of it that way. And in a sense, it’s not wrong. My husband and I have already accepted that child as our second son.”

“Why? Why would you go so far for someone who isn’t even related…?”

“…To avoid repeating the same mistake twice.”

But the lady’s response only deepened Yeon Minha’s confusion. The sorrow in the lady’s voice was palpable, but its meaning remained elusive.

However, before Yeon Minha could start piecing it together, the lady quickly shifted the topic with a slightly playful smile.

“But you seem to be getting along very well with our son. No matter how I look at it, it doesn’t seem like an ordinary senior-junior relationship. Am I right?”

“Ah…”

Yeon Minha’s face instantly flushed as red as a ripe strawberry.

The question she had been pondering moments ago vanished without a trace. She stammered out a response, struggling to form coherent sentences.

“He’s certainly a treasured junior, but… we still have to get to know each other better… It might be a bit too hasty…”

“Fufu, that’s enough. I can tell without you having to say it.”

Realizing that the lady was teasing her, Yeon Minha quickly changed her expression.

She cleared her throat and tried to steady herself, and the lady smiled at her with a hint of melancholy.

“Ahem, ahem…”

“Still, I’m relieved. It seems you won’t repeat the same mistakes we did…”

Then, gently taking Yeon Minha’s hand, the lady made a plea.

“Please, continue to get along well with that child.”

As if there was no need to say it, Yeon Minha slowly but surely nodded her head.

“…Yes.”

***

“Hmm~ hmm~”

A female student hummed a small tune as she strolled through the Cradle’s grounds.

Her hair was dyed yellow, and she wore a tight skirt that barely covered her thighs. She gave off a rebellious aura at first glance.

Her white name tag, matching the color of her uniform, bore the name ‘Yoo Sera.’

While others were buzzing about black magic and demons, she had no interest in such troublesome matters.

She was content to have entered the Cradle, hoping to mingle with students from good families and secure her diploma.

“Huh…?”

Her attention was suddenly drawn to something.

She noticed a large headline on a newspaper stand next to a shop sign.

-Jeokhwa Incident Takes an Unexpected Turn… A New Crown Prince of Heukryeon Emerges… (First Report)

“…What’s all this about?”

Frowning slightly, the female student recalled a certain masked male student she had teamed up with during an external mission.

End of Chapter