Correcting the Villainess of the Academy - Chapter 179
Chapter 179
***
The Cradle’s grounds were vast, comparable to a small city. Above the enormous ramparts that surrounded it without a gap.
Professor Kwon Chanyul, with his hair tied back and a bushy beard, leaned against the wall, chain-smoking.
“Huu…”
He exhaled a puff of multicolored smoke and turned his eyes downward, a clear look of annoyance on his face.
-Welcome to the Cradle, the premier specialized high school for the cultivation of mages. Visitors are required to wear identification tags…
Even though it was the first day of the social gathering, visitors from all walks of life were already pouring in like a flood. The amplified voice guiding them echoed incessantly.
The avenue, impeccably clean without a speck of dust, stretched out. Dozens of large trees lined along it, adorned with colorful, sparkling lights. The Hwayangkwan, where the main event would be held, and various other large and small halls were bustling with preparations to welcome guests.
“…Tsk.”
However, amidst this dazzling festival, he frowned as if something displeased him.
Professor Kwon recalled what had happened during the last faculty meeting.
*
“The Education Committee has already reached the same conclusion.”
Professor No Jongha, with his plump and mischievous appearance, twitched his characteristic mustache as he spoke.
“Moreover, this year’s social gathering period coincides with the National Foundation Day! How can we treat this as a simple internal school event? Think, please, think.”
“But Lady Hae Wolhwa specifically asked us to pay special attention to the Cradle’s security while she’s away in the South.”
“Professor Moon is right! Full public opening at a time like this? And it might appear overly extravagant to outsiders…”
“Ahem, it’s precisely because it’s a time of turmoil that we should hold it grandly! The higher the public’s discontent, the more entertainment we should provide.”
The young professor, Shin Jae-yu’s objection was completely buried under the overweight middle-aged professor’s retort.
“The Supreme Council has been maintaining the same stance. The last Festival of the Falling Star was held on the largest scale ever for that reason. Our Cradle should also show our cooperation.”
“Still, the Principal…”
“Oh, come now, you think the Principal said that because he’s worried about security?”
The mustached professor’s voice was full of sarcasm.
“It’s not like it’s the first or second time he’s been difficult. He’s just gotten more grumpy in his old age. He can’t stand to see students having fun. I’m sure this time too…”
“What? Professor No. Even if the Principal is away, isn’t that going too far? Just because he scolded you for your poor research performance doesn’t give you the right to say such things.”
Professor Shin Jae-yu let out a humorless laugh.
“And aren’t you the last person who should be saying such things? There are rumors that you favor children from wealthy families. I don’t think that’s appropriate behavior for a professor, do you?”
“Wh-what? How dare you spread such baseless rumors…! This is defamation!”
“Did I say something wrong? And since we’re on the subject, why do you keep harassing that student, Yena? Every time she’s called to your office, she comes out with red eyes! Please, behave yourself!”
“Wh-what!”
“Why are you two suddenly acting like this!”
“Calm down…!”
As soon as the overweight professor jumped up from his seat, the faculty office turned into chaos. Only Professor Kwon Chanyul, with his tied-back hair, remained seated, lost in thought.
‘…Did he perhaps hear something from the Paechun family?’
Indeed, there was a strange sense of incongruity in Professor No’s overly enthusiastic demeanor.
It was already widely known that he was receiving support from the Paechun family. Moreover, the Paechun family had been consistently advocating for the opening of the Cradle to the public during the social gathering period through the Education Committee.
For over a decade, the Paechun and Jeokhwa families had been engaged in a fierce political conflict.
The Jeokhwa family had unexpectedly collapsed due to self-destruction, but the Paechun family did not seize the power they had dreamed of.
This was because the Heukryeon family, who had laid everything down and remained hidden, suddenly declared their return to the Supreme Council.
‘Perhaps they’re trying to use the social gathering as an opportunity to turn things around…’
“If you’re so worried, the others can handle the external security! I’ll take responsibility for the security of the main facilities on campus!”
The overweight professor’s red-faced shout echoed loudly in the faculty office.
*
“Senior? You were slacking off again, weren’t you!”
The shout that rang in his ears jolted Professor Kwon out of his thoughts.
He frowned and turned his head to the side.
A bob-haired female professor who had approached him at some point was looking at him with a playful expression.
“Slacking off? Can’t you see I’m diligently standing guard?”
Professor Kwon tapped off the ashes from his cigarette and chided Professor Shin Jae-yu.
“And ‘senior’? Don’t you know how to address me properly? You should say ‘Professor’…”
“What does it matter? It’s just the two of us.”
The female professor, not even pretending to listen and dropping all formalities, left him speechless.
“Sigh…”
“Anyway, why the long face? On such a nice day.”
“It’s because it’s a nice day that I have a long face.”
“Always so gloomy. That’s why you’re still not married at your age.”
Professor Shin Jae-yu stuck her tongue out at him.
“Is it because of security?”
“Yeah.”
Professor Kwon reluctantly answered.
“But why do you look so excited? After having that big fight with Professor No.”
“Ugh, don’t even mention that fatty. Can you see? I have goosebumps…”
The female professor frowned intensely and shook her hands.
“Well, what can you do about a decision that’s already been made?”
The female professor said nonchalantly.
“Since it’s come to this, might as well enjoy it. It’s nice to have so many people around and all the excitement. It makes my heart flutter…and brings back old memories…”
Her eyes, looking down at the school grounds, reflected the past from over a decade ago.
“Remember? I had a huge fight with that Sa Jaehyuk guy over there.”
“How could I forget?”
Professor Kwon shook his head as if he had a headache.
“You were really something. How could a country girl think of slapping the heir of a prestigious family? I think we had a cold war with the Sehwa family for a while because of that, right?”
“Hmph. He should have behaved himself if he didn’t want to get hit.”
Professor Shin Jae-yu pouted.
“I’m telling you, it was Sehwa who was being unreasonable. How can a Head of the Disciplinary Committee take the side of a delinquent student? She was just crazy about that guy…ugh…”
The female professor’s voice, which had been full of complaints, gradually softened.
“Still, those were good times…everything was fun…and Yujeong was still…”
The female professor, who had unknowingly mentioned someone’s name, quickly changed the subject as if to brush it off.
“Ugh, enough about the old days. Should I take out my old uniform? I bet no one would notice if I mixed in with them.”
“Uniform at your age…are you Hae Wolhwa or something? Although, you look even younger than her…never mind.”
Seeing the female professor’s face contort, Professor Kwon quickly stopped talking.
“…Yeah, what can you do about a decision that’s already been made.”
In truth, the Principal’s concerns were more likely to be unfounded.
The Cradle was inherently designed with terrorism in mind. Even the sewers were closed off and directly connected to the sea, leaving no room for external intrusion.
In addition, there were high ramparts, hundreds of automated security dolls, and a constant presence of mage personnel.
The only point of entry was the thick main gate, blocked by various security measures such as Demonic Energy measurement devices and demon detectors.
Although it was open to the public, only individuals from prominent families who had undergone thorough background checks were granted access. And 30% of them were experts from the National Guard, dispatched at the request of support during the social gathering period.
Even that fat, mustached Professor No Jongha was an unparalleled expert in detection and transformation. He wouldn’t have received the Paechun family’s support otherwise.
It’s just that his personality was rock bottom.
“I really hope nothing happens…”
Professor Kwon let out a weary sigh.
“Commotion is such a pain…”
***
Jin Yeseo, dressed in a light, airy dress, was waiting for someone under a tree on the school grounds.
She was wearing a comical monkey half-mask, but she wasn’t particularly trying to hide her identity. Her radiant blonde hair and eyes enveloped in a green glow still drew attention.
Rather, it was more of a playful gesture.
More than half of the people strolling around were wearing various masks sold at the stalls, giggling and chatting. Jin Yeseo was happy to join them.
“Huu…huu…”
Even though a fresh breeze filled the school grounds, Jin Yeseo fanned herself as if she were in the middle of summer.
She was grateful for the mask.
Judging by the heat she felt on her face, she must have been making a very loose and comical expression for a scion of the Five Families.
‘Why, why am I like this…what am I supposed to do if I’m already like this…’
Jin Yeseo was tapping her chest, trying to soothe her burning insides.
At the sound of someone’s footsteps approaching her directly, she reflexively turned around with a bright smile.
“Why are you so late…huh?”
However, Jin Yeseo’s face immediately contorted with disappointment.
It wasn’t the man she had been expecting, but a greasy-looking male student with slicked-back hair, waving his hand at her.
“Well, well, if it isn’t Junior Jin Yeseo?”
“Chun Suho…Senior?”
Her joy quickly dissipated like burnt ashes. Jin Yeseo stared coldly at the male student approaching her with an overly familiar air.
“That’s a pretty dress. What were you doing alone? Are you not with your friends?”
“…I’m waiting for someone.”
Despite Jin Yeseo’s frosty reply, the male student didn’t seem to care. Instead, he moved closer and began to actively engage her in conversation.
“Hmm, I see. Of course, it’s nice to be with your female friends, but it might be a bit dangerous for a freshman to be alone on such a crowded day. You need a reliable senior like me…”
‘Sigh…’
The unwelcome leech didn’t seem to have any intention of leaving on its own. Jin Yeseo sighed inwardly. She wasn’t paying any attention to Chun Suho’s words, so only a mumble filled her ears.
“I’ve heard a lot about you from Harin…you’re even prettier in person than I heard…”
The self-absorbed man’s words were becoming increasingly absurd.
Jin Yeseo was somewhat familiar with Chun Suho. He was the older brother of Chun Harin, a member of the student council’s executive committee who formed the Baek Seoyeon faction with her.
Moreover, his name had come up in the last student council meeting.
‘Since things didn’t work out with Senior Yeon Minha…is he doing this to me now?’
She didn’t like Yeon Minha at all, but it was clear who was at fault in the recent commotion.
‘How pathetic. A third-year hitting on a freshman, not even a second-year…’
“You can call me ‘Oppa’ instead of ‘Senior’…”
“Excuse me, Senior.”
Unable to bear his antics any longer, Jin Yeseo stopped the man’s words.
“My friend will be arriving soon. I’m sorry, but I’d like you to leave now.”
“Oh, oh?”
A polite but cold and firm rejection. Third-year Chun Suho looked genuinely surprised.
“Shouldn’t you be enjoying the social gathering with your friends, Senior? Don’t waste your time in the wrong place.”
“Ah, ahaha…waste of time…why would you say something so hurtful between us…”
‘Between us?’
Jin Yeseo swallowed a humorless laugh at the man’s words.
“Our Yeseo has such pretty fingers. But probably not even half as pretty as mine.”
The male student, desperately searching for a conversation starter, looked at Jin Yeseo’s hand, which was tucked under her arm.
“Excuse me, Senior. What do you think you’re…”
“How about we compare our hands? Huh? They’re so small and delicate…”
‘What is this bastard…’
Jin Yeseo cursed inwardly as she watched the male student reach out his arm. She had been treating him with respect, even though she didn’t want to, only because she didn’t want to cause a scene before meeting her boyfriend.
She was planning to kick the male student in the groin before his arm could touch her.
“Aaaagh!”
However, the male student’s attempt was thwarted before Jin Yeseo could even move. He suddenly screamed like a girl and contorted his body.
In contrast to the pained male student, Jin Yeseo smiled brightly as if she couldn’t be happier.
“You, what the hell are you doing! Security! Security! There’s some weirdo here…Aaaagh!”
“I don’t know. I think you’re the weird one.”
A strange figure, who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere with a lion mask pulled over his face, grabbed Chun Suho’s wrist and twisted it.
“What the hell are you doing to someone else’s girl?”
The eyes of the figure beyond the mask exuded an overwhelming sense of intimidation.
End of Chapter
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Jhonrock
Lol! I can already imagine Yeseo reaction to that statement…