Correcting the Villainess of the Academy - Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Two Years Later (3)
-Clang!
The training ground was filled with loud noises from early morning. Sparks and sword clashes spread in all directions each time their wooden swords met.
Today was the day Lee Hyun was leaving for the capital to enter Cradle, and he was having his last sparring match with Sa Jaehyuk.
Despite using wooden swords, each collision emitted a sharp metallic sound as if they were real blades.
-Whoosh!
“You’re too slow today! Are you so excited you couldn’t sleep?”
“Quiet…!”
Sa Jaehyuk taunted after narrowly deflecting a strike. Lee Hyun, irritated, spun around and aimed his sword’s tip at Sa Jaehyuk’s neck, quickly closing the distance.
Lee Hyun was almost certain of his attack’s success. However, in the next moment, Sa Jaehyuk’s voice, which should have been in front of him, suddenly came from behind.
“Always maintain your composure.”
“Darn…!”
Lee Hyun couldn’t finish his sentence.
-Boom!
Sa Jaehyuk kicked Lee Hyun’s back powerfully. Lee Hyun, sent flying, crashed into a concrete wall which shattered completely as if hit by a bomb.
The explosion-like sound filled their ears.
“Cough…cough!”
Through the dust, coughing sounds emerged. Shortly after, Lee Hyun pushed away the wall’s debris and got back on his feet.
“I could have won this time…”
Lee Hyun looked at Sa Jaehyuk with eyes full of regret.
“With that temper, you don’t stand a chance. How many times have I told you the importance of calmness for a magician? Hmm? There’s even a meditation course at Cradle, make sure to take it seriously.”
“…If I had fully released my Prediction Eye, I surely would have won…”
Lee Hyun murmured while fidgeting with the particle array device on his wrist, his competitiveness evident.
“Really, this kid…”
Sa Jaehyuk glared at him, as if hearing something unbelievable.
Over the past two years, Sa Jaehyuk had managed to grasp quite a lot about Lee Hyun, including his abilities.
He labeled Lee Hyun’s witch’s power as “Seal.”
Within a certain radius around him, the movement of Vessel particles completely halted. This affected particles in the air and those internalized through the Source alike.
Magic, being the phenomenon of artificially rearranging particles, naturally couldn’t manifest within this area.
Predictably, Lee Hyun had been unaware of his ability until Sa Jaehyuk informed him.
Its origins remained a mystery.
Fortunately, after becoming aware, Lee Hyun learned to control its activation voluntarily. Now, he kept his ability turned off in daily life.
Sa Jaehyuk had explicitly warned him about this. Until now, it was manageable, but Lee Hyun was about to enter Cradle, living closely among many magicians.
Continuously manifesting his power could cause unnecessary disturbances.
While his power leaked unconsciously during sleep, his skill level should easily secure a private room.
And in abnormal circumstances, like fainting, his power didn’t leak, so sudden incidents in duels or practice wouldn’t cause much trouble, Sa Jaehyuk thought.
Besides his power, Lee Hyun also exhibited traits of a witch.
T h i s w a s c o pi e d f r o m k i n g m t l .o r g
Unlike regular magicians who can only use internalized particles for magic, he could directly manipulate ether particles from the air.
Lee Hyun’s particle conversion rate was a witch-like 100%.
Considering Sa Jaehyuk’s own rate was 27% and most magicians ranged from 8-23%, this was astonishing.
More ironically, Lee Hyun, born a complete non-responder, showed an innate understanding of magic.
Currently, Lee Hyun had achieved the 7th level of the family’s unique magic, Prediction Eye, at an incredibly fast pace, considering he hadn’t been studying magic for even two years.
Therefore, Sa Jaehyuk always felt fortunate that Lee Hyun wasn’t an actual witch.
T h i s wa s c o p i e d fr om k in g m tl. o r g
If Lee Hyun were to harbor ill intentions, no magician in the country, including Sa Jaehyuk, could stand against him.
Even the powers demonstrated by witches 15 years ago couldn’t match his “Seal.”
However, Lee Hyun wasn’t invincible.
His body remained that of a complete non-responder.
Even magicians from historically short-lived families needed over a decade for their Source to form and their bodies to adapt for magic use after awakening.
Hence, consistently using magic with a non-responder body was impossible.
Due to unconsciously manifesting his power in the past, his body had already accumulated considerable damage.
T h i s w a s c o p i e d fr om k i n g m t l . o r g
Although somewhat normalized now, using magic beyond a certain time and intensity could still fatally strain Lee Hyun’s body.
“No need to rush. Losing to me isn’t due to not releasing your Prediction Eye, but lack of experience. From that perspective, none of your peers can match you, even without relying on your power.”
“Really? But there are many nobles’ children there. You’re just trying to comfort me…”
“I don’t give false comfort to men. And you’re mistaken about something. Nobles’ children often lack experience because their parents keep them under wraps to prevent premature awakening.”
“Premature awakening?”
Th i s w as c op i e d f r o m k i n g m t l . or g
“It refers to awakening before the body is ready, usually triggered by strong stress. Magicians with higher talent are more susceptible.”
“Ah…”
“Most cases of premature awakening end in particle rampage, leading to death or disability. Noble lineages, being highly talented, face greater risk.”
“I didn’t know being from a good family isn’t just about comfort…”
“Well, it is comfortable. But once they safely awaken, there’s no escaping their fate. From the moment they enter Cradle until retirement, they’re relentlessly pushed. Cradle will be noisy for a while with all the young masters and mistresses whining around you.”
After listening and pondering, Lee Hyun asked.
“…So, were you whiny too? The sisters said you were nothing but a troublemaker in your student days…”
“Hey! You believe that nonsense? I swear, you guys are hopeless. Just for that, I should…”
Sa Jaehyuk, despite preaching the importance of calmness, seemed anything but calm.
“…Will it be okay? My leaving a void…”
Listening to Sa Jaehyuk’s rant, Lee Hyun mumbled. Sa Jaehyuk, not amused, made a fake motion to hit him.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself with such nonsense. Instead of worrying, focus on making friends. Understand? Neither I nor your sisters will be at Cradle.”
“…What if I make a mistake and cause trouble for you and the sisters…”
Sa Jaehyuk sighed heavily at Lee Hyun’s lack of confidence.
“Look, making friends and studying hard can’t be that hard, right?”
“Still…”
“And I’ve said it before, even if you cause trouble, I can handle it. So don’t feel down and just do what you want to.”
“…”
“You have a commander capable of handling even if you impregnate a girl or two as if it never happened. Though more than three might be challenging… What?”
Sa Jaehyuk was mid-rant when suddenly a water bottle flew at him at tremendous speed.
Sa Jaehyuk dodged it effortlessly, and turning towards the source, he saw the team members approaching, with Yoon Chaewon leading with a furious expression.
“Sa Jaehyuk! You lunatic! What nonsense are you spewing to him!”
“Hyun, cover your ears. You don’t need to listen to that.”
“Really… disgusting…”
Chaewon roared at Sa Jaehyuk, Sehwa gestured for Lee Hyun to cover his ears, and Yejin glared at Sa Jaehyuk with disdain.
“There are things you say and things you don’t! How can you even think of such filthy examples?”
“Did I say anything wrong? It was just an example to ease his mind…”
“Hey! You’re calling that an excuse…!”
Chaewon’s high-pitched scolding filled the air. Sehwa and Yejin turned away from the scene, approaching Lee Hyun.
“Hyun, just think of it as monkey chatter. Forget it and let’s review what your sisters taught you instead.”
“Tired from sparring with him all morning? Drink some water first.”
“…Thank you…”
For the past few days, the team had been thoroughly educating Lee Hyun, with about 80% of it being advice on relationships.
“…Ignore any sponsor offers from shady corporations. And… be wary of overly friendly women. If you find someone you like, consult your sisters first…”
“Good job! All correct answers.”
“See? I told you Hyun is smart, remembering all that.”
“Trying to turn him into a monk or what…”
“Hey. You were told to be quiet.”
As Sa Jaehyuk started to grumble, Chaewon sharply cut him off.
“That should be enough. Just remember what your sisters said, and you’ll have no problems until graduation…”
-Thud!
Sehwa was praising Lee Hyun for memorizing all the warnings and was about to pat his head when suddenly, Lee Hyun swatted her hand away.
“Ah…”
Surprised, Sehwa’s eyes widened. Normally, light touches were fine with the mask on, but Lee Hyun had taken it off for the sparring, momentarily forgetting.
“S-sorry… I didn’t mean to… I just…”
Realizing his reaction, Lee Hyun cautiously glanced at Sehwa, his body slightly trembling.
“I’m really sorry…”
T h i s w as c o p i e d f r o m kin gm tl .o rg
“No, it’s my fault… sorry…”
Sehwa smiled awkwardly at Lee Hyun’s apology.
“Yeah, right… Sehwa was wrong!”
Thi s wa s c o p i e d f ro m k ing m t l . o r g
“…Yeah. Sehwa was bad…”
T h i s wa s c o pied fr o m k i n g m t l . o r g
“Ah… eh…”
Chaewon and Yejin tried to lighten the mood, but the air had already cooled significantly.
Lee Hyun, feeling awkward, looked around, picked up his mask from the corner, and put it back on.
He then approached Sehwa and hugged her.
“Oh?”
T hi s w a s c op i ed f r o m kin g m tl . o r g
Surprised by Lee Hyun’s action, Sehwa’s eyes went wide again, then she smiled broadly and patted him.
“My goodness, when did our Hyun learn such affection… I’m about to cry…”
“Hyun! Me too! Give me a hug!”
“Me too…!”
“Yah, heavy…!”
Chaewon and Yejin rushed over, turning the training ground into a chaotic scene.
“Tsk tsk. Go crazy, all of you…”
Sa Jaehyuk clicked his tongue, as if he had seen something appalling.
“But really, I’m worried… Can he make friends with that mask on…? I mean, is that even allowed in the school…?”
Amid the joyous atmosphere, Sehwa mused as she finally managed to escape the turmoil.
“It’s up to him to figure it out. And for safety, it’s better this way.”
“Still…”
“The principal has already approved it. Don’t worry about that aspect.”
“Then I guess… But the principal is… Hae-sensei? Wow, that person as the principal…”
“That’s right. Always giving the commander a hard time because of us… Oh? Look over there!”
Chaewon, who had joined the conversation, pointed out as the car to take Lee Hyun to the capital arrived in the distance.
***
“Take care, Hyun. Keep in touch, okay? I’ll be mad if you forget.”
Chaewon said to Lee Hyun.
“Will do.”
“My sibling is also entering Cradle this year. If you meet them, can you befriend them quietly without mentioning me…?”
Sehwa patted Lee Hyun as she spoke.
“I’ll definitely be friends.”
“If it gets too hard, you can always come back. No one will say anything. Understand?”
Yejin spoke last.
“Don’t worry. I won’t let you down.”
“That’s not what I meant…”
Yejin smirked and stepped back. Sa Jaehyuk, who had been making an awkward face, finally stepped forward. Lee Hyun looked at him with a slightly displeased voice.
“…You never taught me in the end.”
“What?”
“About the power. You said you’d tell me later why I can use magic…!”
“Oh? That?”
Sa Jaehyuk replied nonchalantly.
“I’ll tell you after you graduate from Cradle. You’re too young for that now.”
“No…!”
As Lee Hyun was about to protest, Sa Jaehyuk suddenly tossed him a note. Unfolding it, Lee Hyun found an address written on it.
“Remember this.”
“…What’s this for?”
“You’ll find out later. If something happens, we’ll come, but if it’s urgent, seek help at this address.”
“…Understood.”
“And don’t go around saying you were part of our squad. It won’t do you any good to mention us. Just as I told you last time.”
“…Understood.”
Despite having said their goodbyes, Sa Jaehyuk seemed to have more to say. After coughing awkwardly for a while, he finally spoke in an embarrassed tone.
“Ahem, since you’re not a squad member anymore, can’t you call me ‘hyung’ just once before you go?”
“What?”
T h i s wa s c o p i e d f r om k ing m t l .o r g
Lee Hyun looked bewildered by Sa Jaehyuk’s request, hesitating for a long time.
Sa Jaehyuk looked expectantly at him, but his hopes were shattered in the next moment.
Th i s was c o pi e d fr o m ki n g m t l . o r g
“…Take care, Commander. I’m leaving.”
-Bang!
As Lee Hyun closed the door, the car took off. In the rearview mirror, the sight of the team members patting Sa Jaehyuk’s back and laughing receded into the distance.
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