Correcting the Villainess of the Academy - Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Predator (2)

The sound of students murmuring filled the lecture hall.

For the past few decades, Cradle’s first exam had typically been a written test assessing basic proficiency in each subject.

T h i s w a s c o p ied fr o m k i n gm tl . o r g
Although the topics varied each year, it merely meant changes in the subjects and the mode of description.

Having the first exam as a practical test was unprecedented since the chaotic period when Cradle was first established.

“Hehe, I understand it’s surprising. But if you keep making such a fuss, I won’t be able to explain.”

The amplified voice of the female professor finally calmed the commotion.
T hi s wa s c o p i e d f r o m ki ng m t l .o rg

“As briefly mentioned during the entrance ceremony, Cradle’s curriculum will be significantly revamped starting this year. This change was requested by the Republic’s Supreme Council and accepted by the Cradle Education Committee after extensive internal discussions. The recent unstable political climate was a major factor behind this change.”

The professor continued, glancing around at the students.
T hi s w as c op i e d f r o m k i n g m t l.org

“You all know about the large-scale invasion by demon hordes that breached the barrier several years ago. The northern fortresses burned, and we suffered significant human and economic losses. Recently, similar patterns of movement have been reported by scouts to the Intelligence Bureau.”

“…Hyun? Are you okay?”

“…No, I think I just dozed off for a bit…”

I clenched my teeth. Yena, sensing something was off, glanced at me quizzically. Of course, I knew all too well. I was a direct victim of that event.

“The north isn’t the only region exposed to danger. In the south, several anti-government groups are growing in number. You’ve probably heard of the People’s Liberation Front, or PLF, known for their extreme terrorist activities. Their leaders have all been identified as dark wizards, and they are suspected of having close ties with demons.”

“In the east, the delay in capturing the highly classified monsters observed a few years ago has stalled the construction of pioneer villages and colonies…”

“In the cities, the number of mutants committing crimes in increasingly brutal and perverse ways is rising daily…”

The professor’s voice, carried by the amplifier, didn’t pause for a moment.

“The Supreme Council has judged the current situation to be comparable to the chaos during the dawn of magic. The faculty at Cradle agreed with this assessment. In such a situation, what’s needed is not theoretical perfection but swift adaptation to practical scenarios. The curriculum revision reflects this need.”

The students finally seemed to grasp the context. I looked around.

Some students, like Yena sitting next to me, had worried expressions, but most wore faces full of eagerness.

It made sense; those who chose the magic department had some degree of ambition and desire. Perhaps that’s why they welcomed this situation.

Personally, I also preferred this. Although I was spending extra time on self-study, my theoretical knowledge was still somewhat lacking. A practical test offered a much higher chance of scoring well.

“Everyone seems very spirited! Yes, that’s the mindset a wizard should have!”

The professor laughed heartily, pleased with the students’ attitudes.

“But as I said before, even though the format has changed, the exam itself isn’t that difficult. It’s at a level where you can fully apply the knowledge you’ve gained over the past two weeks. Just keep in mind that future education will follow this direction. Now, shall I explain the exam procedure?”

The professor stepped aside and pressed a button on the device she was holding.

“The exact name of this place is the Celestial Basin. It’s the only site where a meteorite landed during the Great Fall. Now, Cradle manages the entire basin for research and educational purposes under government commission.”

There was a whirring sound, and soon various explanations, photos, and illustrations were projected onto the white cloth on the lecture room podium.

“This area has a high concentration of Vessel particles due to the meteorite strike and the stagnant flow caused by the basin’s terrain, resulting in a high concentration of particles in the atmosphere. Consequently, it boasts a unique and bizarre ecosystem. Although dangerous beasts are abundant, it also offers invaluable research materials. Scholars even describe this basin as a place closer to the extraterrestrial. Once you see it, you’ll understand what they mean.”

A few students flinched at the mention of dangerous beasts. Noticing their reactions, the professor smirked.

“Hehe, no need to be scared yet. For the past few decades, Cradle has perfectly controlled most of the basin. The exam site will be here, in the northern section of the Celestial Basin.”
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The professor pointed to a section on the map with a pointer. A small area separated from others by red boundary lines was visible.

“The northern section only hosts beasts classified as less than grade 3 in terms of danger. Beasts below grade 3 have underdeveloped fields and can be handled with firearms even by ordinary people. If you’ve diligently followed the education over the past two weeks, you should have no trouble dealing with them.”

“The exam is simple. There is a device installed at the center of this northern section. You will need to head towards this device through various routes…”

The professor began explaining the exam topic in detail. It wasn’t hard to understand.
T h i s w a s c o p ie d f r o m k i n g m t l .o r g

Each student would be given an identification bracelet. They would then proceed to the machine installed in the center of the northern section, register their identification, and return to the starting point.

There were multiple routes, and the easier ones took a longer, more circuitous path. The shorter routes, however, passed through areas densely populated by beasts, requiring them to fight their way through.

It was up to each individual, but the order of registration determined the higher scores. Additionally, working together and defeating more beasts would grant extra points. After all the exams, the scores would be tallied, and the final rankings announced.

“Related materials will be distributed to everyone, so make sure to study them thoroughly before the exam. I’ll also explain some important regulations. Practical tests are part of the official curriculum. Using non-standard equipment like personal particle suits or particle arrays is strictly prohibited. The use of stimulants, accelerants, or sensitivity enhancers is also absolutely forbidden. Remember that no student has ever been able to bypass Cradle’s doping tests. Contact with corporations or sponsorship contracts is only allowed after the rankings are announced, so don’t confuse the timing…”

After explaining a few more rules, the professor concluded her briefing.

“Alright, that’s it for the explanation. The most important first exam is just around the corner. Everyone, prepare well and aim for excellent results!”

***

“Only a week left… I’m so nervous… What should I do…?”

Yena mumbled anxiously as we left the lecture room. From what I had observed, Yena’s skills were far from bad. Her theoretical knowledge was much better than mine, and she had good relationships with her peers, allowing her to pick up a lot of information.

However, having grown up without ever seeing a beast, she tended to tremble excessively during combat practice, which was her only flaw.

“You’ll do fine. If you’re really worried, we can stay in the same group. We might get extra points for cooperation…”

“Huh? Then… No, um…”

Yena, who seemed excited at first, suddenly swallowed her words and shook her head resolutely.

“No, I can’t keep relying on others. I already feel bad for all the help during training…”

“…Are you sure? Your hands were always shaking during the beast combat lessons…”

“I’m actually a bit scared, hehe… But I’ll do my best on my own first…! If we meet during the test, we can team up then…”

If that’s her will, I had nothing more to say. Yena seemed surprisingly determined. Perhaps she was adapting better than I was.

We were on our way to the next class on the floor below when Yena suddenly bumped into someone who appeared from the hallway corner.

“Ugh…”

“Ouch… Are you okay…?”

The collision must have been quite intense, as the other person sat on the floor clutching their chest in pain. It was a female student, and judging by her badge, she seemed to be a second-year. A sweet floral scent, perhaps from perfume, filled the air.

As Yena apologized, unsure of what to do, the female student looked up and glared at her.

“…Where are you looking…?”

“Eek…”

It didn’t seem like Yena was at fault. It was a sudden incident that couldn’t be blamed on anyone.

Strangely enough, the girl’s fierce appearance seemed familiar.
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Her long, neatly combed hair, thin and slender face.

Large, clear eyes and pale lips.

A beautifully angled nose and flawless skin.

A captivating and aloof appearance that drew immediate attention, but with arrogance and insolence seeping through her cold eyes.

T h i s w a s c op i e d fr o m k i ng mtl . or g
I quickly realized who she was.
Th i s w a s co p i e d f r o m k i ng m t l. or g

There was only one person in Cradle with such a vicious and condescending demeanor.

“Tsk, this place has really gone downhill if they let just anyone in…”

Yeon Minha muttered as she dusted herself off. Yena shrank back like a frightened rabbit.

“Hic.”

“Aren’t you being too harsh? The collision was partly your fault too, Senior.”

I wasn’t particularly standing up for Yena. The condescending tone just made me boil inside.
T h i s w a s c o p ie d f r om k i n g m t l . or g

“And who are you… Ah, it’s you.”

Minha stopped mid-sentence, seeming to understand something.

We had briefly made eye contact during the entrance ceremony, and she must have heard the rumors about my peculiar background. That’s probably what she meant by “you.”

“Anyway, you pathetic losers stick together… Get lost.”

I thought there might be a confrontation, but Minha merely spat out her insult and staggered away down the hallway.

It was an unexpected outcome, but she didn’t seem to be showing any mercy. Maybe even that was too much for her now.

Minha looked significantly worse than when I had seen her a few days ago at the entrance ceremony.

“…Are you okay?”
T h i s w a s c o p ied f ro m k i ng m t l . o r g

“Thanks, hehe… But that was really close… I almost cried… Senior Yeon Minha is really scary…”

Yena stood up slowly, smiling weakly. Seeing her look so defeated was a bit vexing.

Though I wasn’t the one directly involved, Minha’s attitude had something that turned my stomach.

I had hoped to avoid contact until after the first exam, but chance encounters were inevitable at the same school. I had already experienced worse last week.

But this encounter confirmed one thing for sure.

I really despise arrogant and conceited women.

End of Chapter