Correcting the Villainess of the Academy - Chapter 21
Chapter 21
T hi s w a s c o p i e d fr om k i n g m t l . or g
Reunion (3)
Contrary to the impression of a clueless country girl who had just arrived in the capital, Yena surprisingly knew a lot of various trivial facts about Cradle.
As we walked, Yena rambled on about the purposes of the buildings around us and the locations of facilities like dormitories and training halls. She even seemed to know everything about the students.
“Did you know? There are unusually many heirs from prestigious families enrolling in this class. Among them, there are even four successors of the Twenty-Seven Magic Clans. They said people like us should be really careful not to get caught up in troublesome situations. Hearing that makes me really worried and scared. Can I do well? Hiiing… Ah, but our class is said to be better than the seniors. Well, last year…”
Yena chattered on for nearly thirty minutes without getting tired. All I did during that time was silently match her pace or occasionally give short responses.
I briefly wondered how she could already know so many stories, but that question was soon resolved.
Contrary to what she had said earlier, Yena seemed to have already made quite a number of friends. She greeted someone with every step she took.
After greeting people for a while, Yena suddenly looked at me with an embarrassed expression.
“Hee… Actually, I came a bit early earlier… So while talking, I became a bit friendly with some people… Everything I told you earlier, I heard from those friends… Ah, but it’s not a lie…? I don’t have anyone close enough to stick with… Really… To me, you’re my closest friend…”
Yena poured out her explanations like a machine gun. For someone like that, she seemed quite close with everyone she greeted.
I didn’t particularly mind. Rather, I was just envious of her sociable personality.
Moreover, Yena had a harmless-looking impression like a herbivore, so she must have been able to become friends with so many people in a short time. Just seeing how she insists on sticking with me too, it’s evident.
Yena even voluntarily spilled her personal information that I hadn’t even asked about.
Thanks to that, I learned that Yena was from the eastern Sakju region, a remote frontier where electricity was available for less than 10 hours a day.
Yena also relentlessly asked me about things she was curious about. Where I was from, why I wear a mask, and so on.
However, I couldn’t tell her everything as honestly as she did. I told her the place written on my fake identity for my hometown and made up an appropriate excuse for wearing the mask.
My hometown had already turned to ashes and disappeared long ago, and there were far too many unspeakable circumstances entangled with the mask.
Unlike Yena, I wasn’t very curious, but there was one thing I wondered about. Why was a talented magician capable of entering Cradle being chased by lowlifes in that alley that day?
Although there were three of them, in a fight between a magician and ordinary people, even in a ten-to-one fight, it was common sense to me that the magician would easily win.
However, my question was resolved upon hearing Yena’s quite deflating answer.
“Actually, the truth is… I was so scared that I couldn’t even think of writing a magic formula… Hee…”
…It’s not like it doesn’t make sense. Yena said she had never even seen a magical beast in her entire life. For someone like that to suddenly face a crisis…
“T-This, you absolutely can’t tell anyone else…? It’s really a secret…? I’m telling you because I trust you…?”
Perhaps feeling embarrassed herself, Yena lowered her head with a face as red as a radish and whispered softly.
Th i s w a s c o p i e d f rom k i n gm t l .o rg
“…Anyway, there’s no one for me to tell, so don’t worry. More importantly, shouldn’t we get going now? The time…”
T h i s w a s c o pi e d fr o m k i ng mt l . o r g
Originally, the plan was to go to Hwayangkwan first, but while receiving Yena’s guidance and wandering around the campus, the start of the entrance ceremony was already imminent.
“Hiyaaak! You’re right…! We should go this way. Hurry, Hyuna…!”
T hi s w a s c o p i e d f r o m k i n g m t l . o r g
Upon hearing my words, Yena checked the time with a startled expression. Then, with bouncy steps, she led the way, guiding me to Hwayangkwan.
Hwayangkwan was a very large-scale banquet hall with its entire exterior wall made of glass. The ceiling was tremendously high, and luxurious chandeliers adorned with jewels were hanging here and there, emitting light.
By the time we arrived, the hall was already packed with students, leaving almost no room to stand. Yena and I found a spot at the edge where the crowd was relatively thinner and stood there.
“Phew… But it seems we’re not late…? That’s a relief… Hee…”
Yena wiped her forehead with a handkerchief and laughed softly. I could see a few strands of hair sticking to her cheeks, damp with sweat, where a faint blush had risen.
“Hyuna, look over there in the front…! Those are the students I mentioned earlier. The ones from the Twenty-Seven Magic Clans…”
Yena, who had been looking around, examined the front and whispered softly. Turning my gaze, I could indeed see several male and female students standing together in a group.
They all had expressions filled with confidence. At a glance, it seemed close to arrogance. Their demeanor naturally exuded composure and dignity.
Even with a rough estimate, it was immediately apparent that they were of good birth.
Come to think of it, Sa Jaehyuk had definitely mentioned it. He said that once I enter Cradle, my ears would be noisy for a while with the whining of young masters and ladies. Then, will they also become like that…?
There’s no ill intent, but honestly, I am a bit curious to see that.
“And the students on the right are the 2nd years. The 3rd years rarely come to Cradle because they’re practically on active duty. So those people are our direct seniors…”
Yena whispered again in a small voice. It seemed that the left side of Hwayangkwan where we were currently located was the spot for new students, and the right side was for the upperclassmen.
In contrast to the new students who were filled with dreams and overflowing with energy, the right side of Hwayangkwan seemed to have a gloomy and brutal atmosphere. Perhaps it was because of those incidents that happened last year. If they had been fighting and bickering all year long, it would be quite exhausting.
“Eek, but it’s a bit scary… Why does it seem like everyone has such sharp expressions…?”
As if she had received the same impression as me, Yena wrapped her arms around herself and pretended to shiver.
“…?”
While examining the faces of the 2nd year seniors, I suddenly noticed a female student with a familiar appearance.
The female student was standing a bit withdrawn in the corner even among the 2nd years.
Th i s w a s c op i e d f r o m k i n g mt l . o r g
Her long straight hair was neatly combed down. Her face had thin and sharp features. Her eyes were large and clear, and her lips were dyed a pale red color. Her nose was raised at an artistic angle, and her skin was clear without a single blemish.
It was a captivating and aloof appearance that would capture people’s attention at a glance. The profile photo provided by the principal was far from sufficient to fully capture her.
However, I could also clearly feel the arrogance and insolence leaking out from her cold eyes.
Yeon Minha, the eldest daughter and successor of the Jeokhwa Yeon family.
The target of the request Hae Wolhwa had made was right there.
***
I decided to observe her for a moment before the entrance ceremony began, hoping to possibly obtain any clues.
Yeon Minha seemed constantly dissatisfied with something. Her slightly protruding lips were full of mischief.
Around her were a few upperclassmen accompanying Yeon Minha. Even at her small gestures, they seemed restless, closer to attending maids or servants rather than friends.
However, after observing that sight for a few minutes, I could notice a few strange things.
Yeon Minha’s gaze lacked weight and was swaying back and forth. Her eyes seemed to be looking not at what was in front of her, but at something beyond the empty space.
Dark circles that couldn’t be concealed with makeup were deeply visible under her eyes. The fingers holding the glass were trembling severely.
Overall, she appeared somewhat uneasy and agitated. Was last year’s incident that stressful for her? Come to think of it, things didn’t look good for her at Cradle either, and I heard that the mines owned by her family had recently suffered a major blow from terrorist attacks, so it made sense.
I had seen enough, so I was about to end my observation. Suddenly, Yeon Minha turned her head and our eyes met. It was quite a distance away, but her vivid gaze accurately pierced through me.
However, Yeon Minha only scowled as if she had seen something unpleasant. Then she turned her gaze away in another direction.
I thought it might be because my appearance stood out even from a distance due to the mask. Somehow, it doesn’t feel very good from the start. It feels like a considerably bad impression has been made.
But the feeling is mutual. Seeing her in person rather than in photos and text, her arrogance and venomous attitude felt even more unpleasantly palpable.
And those two things are what I hate the most in the world.
“Huh…? I think it’s about to start…!”
T h i s w a s c o p i ed f r o m kin g m t l . o r g
Suddenly, darkness descended around us, and Yena muttered. Tall curtains with lace automatically closed, blocking the windows, and only the soft lighting emitted by the chandeliers illuminated Hwayangkwan.
“We will soon begin Cradle’s 73rd entrance ceremony. Students, please rise from your seats.”
Soon, a voice echoing through the amplifier filled the interior, and the entrance ceremony began. Explanations of Cradle’s history and founding purpose, boring speeches by invited distinguished figures, and introductions of the professors who would be in charge of each subject for the next year continued for a while.
“Next, we will proceed with the oath of the new students. Jin Yeseo, the representative of Cradle’s 73rd class, please come forward.”
At the host’s designation, a female student standing in the front row of the new students walked up to the podium.
It was the one who had been conversing within the group Yena had mentioned earlier. Her hair was dyed a golden color, and her eyes sparkled like green malachite. Her exotic and innocent appearance was quite impressive.
“…She’s the successor of the Baekgwang Jin family, one of the Five Clans. You saw her earlier, right…? She really looks like a fairy. They say she has the blood of a Westerner mixed in from her ancestors…”
Yena, standing next to me, whispered in a quiet voice.
The female student standing in front of the podium raised her right hand, opening it towards her chest. Then she began to read the oath placed in front of her clearly and precisely.
“Oath. I pledge to use magic solely for the prosperity and continuity of the 10th Republic of Korea, and for the protection and interests of its citizens. I will always stand firmly with justice and defend order against chaos and darkness. I will govern magic with balance and wisdom, respecting the flow of particles and striving to achieve harmony with nature. I will fulfill my calling without ever betraying honesty and trust, the source and compass of magic. Furthermore, I solemnly swear before my heart and the Fountain that all these words are the undeniable truth without a hint of shame.”
As Jin Yeseo finished the oath, applause poured out from various places. There were also new students whose eyes sparkled as if they were moved by the content of the oath. Even Yena right next to me was the same.
However, perhaps because of the stories I had heard, it didn’t resonate with me that much. No matter how good the words are, they only have value if they are kept.
Perhaps even the new students whose eyes had sparkled just now would have dull and lifeless eyes like rotten fish after just one year…
While having such thoughts, the shadow of a quite familiar person appeared next. A graceful and elegant-looking woman who appeared to be in her early 30s at a glance appeared on the podium.
“Oh my gosh, it’s the principal…! This is my first time seeing her in person… Her grace is just…”
Yena murmured as if entranced while looking at the principal. It wasn’t hard to find people showing similar reactions around us.
Hae Wolhwa is more popular than I thought. But why did the sisters and Sa Jaehyuk spit at the principal so much?
T h i s w a s c o pi e d f r om k i n gm t l. or g
A brief commotion arose, but it quickly subsided as the principal slightly raised her hand. Hae Wolhwa looked around at the students with a faint smile and soon opened her mouth to begin her speech.
“Greetings, new students.”
A clear and beautiful voice echoed throughout Hwayangkwan through the amplifier.
“First of all, I sincerely congratulate you on becoming part of Cradle’s family. Cradle is the best place that can assist you in all aspects as you begin your journey as magicians. Let me make it clear. You won’t have any regrets. Well, our Cradle is much better than those sewers like Masada City Academy or Yukhwa, isn’t it?”
Laughter erupted here and there from the audience at the joke Hae Wolhwa threw. Seeing that reaction, the principal lightly nodded her head and continued her speech.
“During your three years here, you will hone yourselves and gradually grow into proper magicians. In that process, you will mingle with those around you. Sometimes you may cooperate with each other, and sometimes friction and conflicts may arise. Either way, it’s a natural phenomenon. And our Cradle is a place that can accept you as you are.”
Having finished speaking, Hae Wolhwa briefly looked around at the students.
“However, if we only repeat unproductive divisions instead of healthy competition, all that lies ahead of us is a dark future. Rather than being blinded by short-sighted interests, we must learn to understand and embrace each other.
T his w as c op i ed f r o m k i n g m t l . or g
Moreover, please keep in mind that the most important thing here is ability, not origin or background, which are secondary. If you are truly wise magicians, I believe you will definitely understand and practice the words I just said. Then, once again, I sincerely congratulate you on your admission.”
As the speech ended, thunderous applause and cheers erupted. Yena also clapped her hands excitedly with a flushed face.
“Wow… She’s really cool…”
The principal waved to the students for a moment and soon walked down the stairs. The speech ended considerably quickly compared to what I expected. It seems true that she really dislikes bothersome tasks.
As she descended from the podium, Hae Wolhwa, who was looking around, met eyes with me. Then, after giving me a slight smile, she headed towards the faculty seating area.
Since I stand out, there are a lot of people making eye contact with me today…
“…Now, we will conclude the entrance ceremony with the response from the 2nd year representative.”
The host’s voice echoed through the amplifier once again. I suddenly turned my gaze to where Yeon Minha was.
As expected, Yeon Minha’s beautiful face was filled with raw anger. It was to the point where I could almost hear the sound of her gnashing her teeth. Even from a distance, I could feel her anger unfiltered.
According to what I heard from Yena earlier, the 2nd year student giving the response was the one who ranked 1st in last year’s overall rankings.
Then it must be the young lady of the Baek family who had been maintaining a constant rivalry with Yeon Minha. She was pushed to 2nd place, so it’s understandable that she’s so furious…
“Then, the 2nd year representative. Baek Seoyeon, please come to the front of the podium.”
It was the moment a certain name was uttered from the host’s mouth.
Suddenly, as if a severe chill was seeping in, I felt a shiver throughout my body.
An unknown sense of unease began to engulf me, following the pounding of my heart.
-Clack, clack…
Only the sound of someone’s shoes moving towards the podium quietly echoed.
T his w a s c op i e d f r o m ki n g m t l. o rg
Before long, the back of a female student with long black hair appeared through the crowd.
The female student standing in front of the podium soon turned her body to face us.
“…”
T h is w a s c opi ed f r om k ing mt l. o r g
Suddenly, a violent shock that took my breath away struck me.
My mind went blank, unable to think of anything.
She was once my everything, but now a painful dream that haunts me every night.
The person who ripped out my heart and left a gaping hole in its place.
Without a moment’s gap, I could immediately identify the source of the unease and chill that had just engulfed me.
“Greetings, new students. I am Baek Seoyeon, standing here as the representative of the 2nd years.”
End of Chapter
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koinko
time to get ur “man” stolen u fucking bitch ass girl