Correcting the Villainess of the Academy - Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Two Years Later (2)
T his w a s c op ied f ro m k i n gm t l. o rg

“…Ah.”

“Cradle…?”

The members finally showed understanding, but Lee Hyun furrowed his brows, still puzzled.

“Yes.”

“What’s that?”

Th i s wa s c opie d fr om k i n g m t l. o r g
“Ah.”

Hearing Lee Hyun’s question, Sa Jaehyuk let out a small sigh. To magicians, the existence of Cradle was almost common knowledge.

Sa Jaehyuk thought to himself, now there’s another reason to send him to Cradle.

“Simply put, think of it as a school. More precisely, it falls under the category of an academy.”

“Academy…?”

“Yes. It’s a highly exemplary educational institution aimed at properly educating young magicians like you, contributing to the prosperity of the nation and social stability. At least, that’s the official stance.”

“Pfft…”

“At least, that’s how it is…”

The members chuckled at Sa Jaehyuk’s remark. However, Lee Hyun still didn’t fully grasp the meaning of his words.

“…I get what kind of place it is. But what am I supposed to do there? Guard duty?”

“Guard duty? If you’re going to school, you’re obviously supposed to study.”

“Student…?”
T h i s wa s c o p i ed f r om k i n g m t l . org

Sa Jaehyuk continued in a calm voice.

“Yes. Lee Hyun. You’ll be entering Cradle Academy this year as a recommended student under the sponsorship of our Heukryeon Sashi family. And…”

“…What nonsense. Are you joking with me now…?”

“Do I look like I’m joking?”

“…”

Unable to bear the nonsensical conversation any longer, Lee Hyun snapped back. However, he was left speechless by Sa Jaehyuk’s confident demeanor.

“…You should listen to the entire explanation, right? So…”

Seeing this, Sa Jaehyuk sighed lightly and continued.

The Heukryeon Sashi family, Sa Jaehyuk’s lineage, was one of several magician families deeply involved in the establishment of Cradle.

These families had the right to admit students they selected without entrance exams every year, under the guise of finding suitable talents to foster the nation’s development.

However, for the past 15 years, the Heukryeon Sashi family had never exercised its right to recommend admissions.

“…We’ve left that seat empty for too long. As a result, our family’s influence in Cradle has been waning.”

“…So?”

“You’ll soon see, but Cradle is not just any educational institution. The connections made there usually last a lifetime, and it’s the only time to form close bonds with the children of prestigious families without barriers. Not to mention, if your abilities support you, you can form friendly relationships with celebrities and corporations through sponsorships. It could arguably be considered the most important time of one’s life.”

“Right. ‘Three years at Cradle are more important than the next thirty years,’ as they say…”
T hi s w a s c op i e d fr o m k i n g m t l .o rg

Ryu Sehwa chimed in from the side.

“…Well said. Anyway, that’s how it is. I’m not too concerned about the nation’s development, but if things continue this way, our family’s influence might vanish entirely from such a crucial place. And you are the means to prevent that.”

Hearing Sehwa’s words, Sa Jaehyuk nodded and continued. Lee Hyun asked Sa Jaehyuk in a dubious voice.

“…Even if what the commander says is true, why do I have to do it? If you don’t like me being in the squad…”

“Stop talking nonsense. I would do it myself if I could, but we’re all too old for that.”

Sa Jaehyuk shrugged his shoulders. But the objections came from an unexpected direction first.

“Old…!”

“Hey! Sa Jaehyuk!! You better take back what you said!!”

“No way…no way…!”

Yejin was too shocked to form words, while Yoon Chaewon pointed and shouted at Sa Jaehyuk. Ryu Sehwa was muttering to herself, hands on her head.

“Hey! Quiet down! How much did you guys drink!”

Sa Jaehyuk yelled at the members.

After calming the members down for a while, Sa Jaehyuk turned back to Lee Hyun and continued.

“…Ahem. Anyway, that’s the situation. And it’s about time you start earning your keep.”

“Earning my keep? What does that mean?”

“What do you mean? Exactly what I said. It’s about time for you to pay back for the food you’ve consumed. Not to mention the treatment costs, various examination fees, fuel, your custom-made Stellite Blade, high-end barrier suits, and even that mask. There’s nothing that didn’t cost me money…”

“What kind of… Who charges their subordinate for that…!”

Lee Hyun reacted vehemently to the unexpected statement, but Sa Jaehyuk calmly continued the explanation.

“Let me make it clear, all the expenses for you were paid out of my pocket. The military budget wouldn’t cover it.”

“I thought we had a fair deal. I’ve been participating in anti-rebel and monster extermination…”

“You’re not officially enlisted as a combatant in our unit. Legally, you’re just an auxiliary. Your combat achievements aren’t even recorded. That can’t be considered a trade.”

“That’s absurd…!”

“Up until now, I’ve fulfilled my duties diligently. I’ve fed you, housed you, trained you, equipped you, and even passed on our family’s unique magic to you. And you want to shut your mouth after just taking out a few pieces of trash?”

“…I’m 18 years old. Surely that place takes students at 17…”

“A mage’s physical age isn’t that important. It’s more about when they awakened. Though you’re a bit of a special case, nobody cares about a year or two difference. And on paper, you’re 17. You haven’t forgotten, have you?”

“There will be a lot of kids from good homes there…I don’t know anything about manners. It might tarnish the reputation…”

“Do you think Cradle is some kind of aristocratic school? Half of the students there come from backgrounds like yours. Just learn a few important things from your sisters before you go, and you’ll be fine.”

“I’m not good at studying… I don’t know anything about magic theory…”

“Cradle is there to teach kids like you. And though you might not be as smart as me, you’re pretty quick-witted, so don’t worry.”

“Pfft…”

“Really spouting nonsense… We know exactly what Cradle is like…”

Unable to hold back any longer, Ryu Sehwa and Yejin burst into laughter. Sa Jaehyuk ignored their murmuring and urged Lee Hyun on again.

“Be quiet. So, anything else you’re curious about?”
T h i s w a s co pie d f r o m k i n g m tl . or g

“…”

Having run out of things to say, Lee Hyun remained silent. Seeing this, Sa Jaehyuk drove the final nail in.

“Seems like you’ve got the gist of it now. Shall we summarize?”
T hi s w a s c op i e d f r o m k i n gm t l .o rg

“…”

“Lee Hyun. You’ll go to Cradle under the sponsorship of the Heukryeon Sashi family. Represent me and our family in social and networking activities. Fulfill your duties as a student, acquiring various knowledge and actively participating in campus exams.”

“…”

“Do that faithfully for three years at Cradle. Earn excellent grades and ultimately restore the reputation and influence of our Heukryeon Sashi family at Cradle. That’s all.”

“…Is this an order?”

“Yes. It’s an order. This is a legitimate request from your superior officer and the party to the deal.”

Sa Jaehyuk’s firm reply echoed. Lee Hyun asked in a resigned voice.

“…If it’s an order, I’ll follow it. So when do I start?”

“There’s still plenty of time left. The major operations have just ended, so for now, spend your time on odd jobs and learn the necessary knowledge from your sisters. I’ll inform you of the detailed schedule later.”

“…Understood.”

Lee Hyun responded in a deflated voice, then began to prepare to return to his room, putting his mask back on.

Yoon Chaewon tried to stop him.

“Hyun, are you leaving already? You haven’t eaten dinner yet. At least have some…”

“…I’m sorry. I’m not really hungry… I’ll be going first. Good night to you all.”

“Hey…!”

Before Chaewon’s words could reach him, Lee Hyun had already darted out of the office. A momentary silence filled the space he left behind.

“Really… every time I see him, it breaks my heart…”

Ryu Sehwa muttered, looking at the door through which Lee Hyun had left.

“Who wouldn’t say the same. But, Jaehyuk, weren’t you a bit too harsh with him? ‘Paying back his food expenses’? Couldn’t you have used nicer words?”

“…Right.”

Yejin softly agreed with Chaewon. Sa Jaehyuk sank back into the sofa and replied.

“Quiet. I have to push him like this. Otherwise, he’ll spend his whole life following us around. Is that what you want?”

“That’s not what I meant… but still…”

Chaewon trailed off, seemingly hitting a nerve with Sa Jaehyuk’s scolding.

“He’s smart enough to have gotten the gist of it. So stop fussing. You’re acting like this, and that’s why he’s still…”

“Though, the commander came up with excuses quite well? I almost fell for it myself.”

“That’s what I’m saying. You’d think he’s really into managing his reputation… Like someone who’s been rolling around the frontier for over ten years would…”

As Yejin changed the subject, Sehwa chimed in right away.

T hi s w a s co p ied fr o m k i n g m t l .org
Including Chaewon, they were all aware of Sa Jaehyuk’s intentions behind sending Lee Hyun to Cradle.

They were thinking along the same lines over the past two years; they had grown quite fond of him and didn’t want to send him away.

But he needed different experiences.

Despite grandly calling it social and networking activities, in reality, it meant just enjoy school life with peers.

But knowing Lee Hyun’s character, he wouldn’t have accepted it so easily.

That’s why Sa Jaehyuk had to use the strong term “order.”

They had saved Lee Hyun that day, but for a child who had lost everything, regaining life was not easy.

Lee Hyun’s interest in an unexpected field was evident after he formally learned magic from Sa Jaehyuk and the team members; he strongly desired to join the battlefield.

Initially, due to concerns for his mental state, this was rejected, but battlefields are always unpredictable.

Moreover, the northeastern front was a hotspot with demon incursions and bandits in collusion with them constantly causing trouble.

Judging it safer for him to be with them, Sa Jaehyuk allowed him to join the expeditions. From then on, Lee Hyun began to fully exhibit his talents.

He brutally slaughtered any demons or rebels he encountered.

While they were merciless, Lee Hyun’s level of brutality was unusually severe.

Had Sa Jaehyuk not covered for him, he might have been court-martialed multiple times.

Given his past, his aversion was understandable, but the current situation could hardly be called normal.

Like a glass bottle, ready to shatter at any moment, that was Lee Hyun.

Th i s w as c o p i ed f r o m ki n gm t l . o r g
Thus, despite Sa Jaehyuk’s somewhat rough methods, not a single member objected to the decision.

“But, even though I agree with sending him to Cradle… can Hyun really handle it…?”

Ryu Sehwa voiced her concerns with a worried tone.

“…I’m a bit worried about that too…”

“Surely he’ll manage. Even someone like you graduated from Cradle just fine…”

Before Chaewon could finish, Sa Jaehyuk curtly cut her off in a brusque tone.

“Well, if a rascal like the commander can graduate without issue… it’s not untrue…”

“Kuhp…”

T h i s w as c o p i e d fro m ki ng m t l.o r g
“Pfft…”

Hearing Sa Jaehyuk’s words, Yejin mumbled to herself. Sehwa and Chaewon struggled to hold back their laughter.

***

Back in his room, Lee Hyun stood in front of a mirror.
T h i s w a s c o pi e d f r om k i n g m tl.o r g

The room, devoid of even a single small lamp, was pitch dark. Only the sound of wind seeping through the cracks of the window filled the space loudly.

Lee Hyun slowly brought his hand to his face. With a click, the mask came off.

Lee Hyun’s bare face was reflected in the mirror.

“Oof…”

It was the moment Lee Hyun faced his own reflection. A burning pain spread from the scar, as if his skin was being scorched by fire.

His skin felt itchy, as if insects were crawling on it. His vision narrowed, and his heart pounded fiercely.

Unable to bear it any longer, Lee Hyun put the mask back on.

Then, as if nothing had happened, all discomfort vanished, and a sense of comfort enveloped him again.

Lee Hyun still couldn’t look at mirrors.