Correcting the Villainess of the Academy - Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Physical Bond (2)

Chaos returned to Hwayangkwan Hall. Even those familiar with the relationships among the students had expected Yu Jinhyun to choose someone else.

Selecting Yeon Minha as his mentor was practically a direct declaration of war to someone present in the hall.

The sound of teeth grinding came from beside Seunghun. Jin Yeseo was glaring at the masked male student on the podium, her eyes filled with fury.

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“How dare that bastard ignore my sister?”
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Then she quickly altered her attitude, seemingly deep in thought.

“…No, actually, it’s good. One less competitor means it’s almost certain I’ll be with Seoyeon unnie…”

“Crazy girl.”

Woojin bluntly commented, observing Yeseo’s near-manic behavior.

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“You never know with him…”

Seunghun chuckled bitterly, watching Yu Jinhyun descend from the podium. On the opposite side, Baek Seoyeon and Yeon Minha’s reactions were starkly contrasted.

Baek Seoyeon had a slightly lonely smile, looking somewhat regretful that the top-ranked freshman chose someone else.

On the other hand, Yeon Minha’s face was scrunched with displeasure, as if she had been insulted.

For them, this ceremony was essentially a formality. Students from prestigious families typically connected with upperclassmen of the same lineage before the mentorship selection ceremony.

However, Yeon Minha’s expression made it clear that Yu Jinhyun’s choice was unilateral and without prior discussion.

“What’s he thinking…”

Seunghun mumbled. Despite being noted as a freshman recommended by Heukryeon Sashi, Yu Jinhyun was largely regarded as an eccentric who didn’t live up to his name.

Rumors abounded, claiming he wore a mask because he was hideously ugly or that he had a sinister personality and blackmailed an innocent girl to follow him around.

The best way to overturn such evaluations would be to leverage his top ranking to build connections, perform well in various exams and tasks, and gradually earn recognition.

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But he chose Yeon Minha.
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Seunghun had heard stories about her even before enrollment.

Unlike the rumors surrounding Yu Jinhyun, most of what he heard about her was true.

Her arrogant personality, disdain for students from humble or remote backgrounds, and ruthless treatment of even students from prestigious families who crossed her.

Despite not seeing herself that way, many students agreed with Yeon Minha’s actions.

This agreement was why she hadn’t completely lost her standing yet.

However, even those who agreed with her actions tended to avoid her personally. The fact that not a single high-ranking freshman other than Yu Jinhyun chose her as a mentor speaks volumes.

Recently, there were even absurd rumors that Yeon Minha was so ostracized she sometimes stared into space or appeared terrified.

It was clear that such a person would not get along with someone as eccentric as Yu Jinhyun.
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Moreover, he wasn’t a direct descendant of Heukryeon Sashi. His actions suggested he was someone picked up from some rural backwater, now enrolled in the Cradle.

His personality and background were everything Yeon Minha despised, if not outright hated.

The only commonality they shared was their opposition to Baek Seoyeon, but that wasn’t enough to connect them.

Instead of reversing evaluations, it seemed more likely things would go poorly.

“Seunghun, who are you going to choose?”

“I’ll choose Senior Yuseong. His family has a lot of ties with our Dain Heavy Industries. And Yeowool insists I can’t have a female mentor…”

Seunghun responded to Woojin’s sudden question.

“And you? Weren’t you considering Yeon Minha?”

“I was, but the situation changed. Now…”

“If you choose Seoyeon unnie, I’ll kill you.”

Yeseo suddenly butted into their conversation.

“Shut up. I’m choosing my sister, so mind your business.”

Woojin dismissed her with a single sentence.

“Your sister? Why suddenly?”

“She insisted Yeon Minha was a no-go. There’s a project our family is collaborating on with the Paechun Baeks, and she went berserk saying I should take responsibility if it goes wrong… She seemed like a madwoman.”

Woojin scratched the back of his head.

“No matter how you look at it, that side seemed more interesting…”
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“…I guess there’s no choice. But you’re really weak against your sister…”

“Too bad. I was planning to beat you to a pulp if we faced each other in the joint training. Choi Woojin, you’re lucky.”

“This girl keeps…”

“Knock it off…!”

Seunghun stepped in to stop the two. By now, round tables with various refreshments were set up everywhere.

Those who had already chosen their mentors chatted with their seniors, while the others mingled, looking for suitable partners for the next year.

Seunghun suddenly noticed Yu Jinhyun approaching the table where Yeon Minha was seated.

***

Securing a spot in the top 10% in the entrance exam was just the starting point. It merely provided the conditions to begin.

The success of my plans would depend on how well they played out. It would be a lie to say I wasn’t worried about failure, but all I could do was push forward.

People exchanged light and friendly greetings everywhere. The atmosphere was jovial.

Amidst this, I slowly approached my target.

I soon saw a female student sitting alone at a relatively quiet table.

Even her discontented expression appeared beautiful and alluring.

The increasingly strong floral scent hinted at her talents.

But the closer I got, the more the thorns of that flower became evident.

Her arrogant, noble mindset and her habit of looking down on others were clear in her demeanor.

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Her slightly disheveled hair seemed to symbolize her instability. Despite her delicate makeup, her face was filled with emotional instability and deep fatigue.

Her blurry, red pupils momentarily stared at something unseen in the air. Then, she forced herself to look forward again, and the effort was palpable.

I made eye contact with Yeon Minha. Her previously empty gaze filled with loathing as she looked at me.

“…”

The urge to return that gaze surged within me. For a moment, I resented the mask I couldn’t take off.

The round table was spacious, but only Yeon Minha and I were nearby. The hundreds of sidelong glances from around felt scorching.

I heard that the massive guy also wanted to choose Yeon Minha.

But now he seemed to be getting an earful from a girl who looked like him, grabbing his ear.

This worked out better for me. Minimizing potential interference would help the smooth execution of my plan.

This was my third encounter with Yeon Minha. We exchanged glances at the entrance ceremony, and I stepped in for the frightened Yena on the stairs.

None of these were pleasant memories, but I greeted her as politely as possible.

T h i s w a s co p ie d f r o m k i n g m tl. o r g
I also recalled the words of my harshest sister, Chaewon, to steel my resolve.

The most effective provocations start with a well-wrapped courtesy.
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“Good day, Senior. My name is Yu Jinhyun. I’m honored to have the chance to choose you as my mentor…”

“You. What’s your game?”

Yeon Minha’s rude question abruptly cut off my polite greeting.

“…I’m not sure I understand.”

“Don’t play dumb. Why did you choose me as your mentor?”

“Of course, I wanted to learn from a distinguished senior like you…”

“Ha. Such a lowly brat dares to speak so freely…”

I swallowed hard. Her every gesture and word had a peculiar power to provoke others.

The urge to silence her with a punch was overwhelming, but I barely restrained myself, satisfied that the expected response had surfaced.

“…I apologize. I thought it was only natural to choose you. I heard our sponsors’ families have a good relationship.”

“You dare to spout such nonsense? A mere recommendation student thinks they can match me? A fool who’s been causing trouble since the semester began…”

Yeon Minha’s voice was filled with hatred.

Though I heard her family and the House of the Heukryeon Sashi weren’t on bad terms, it seemed this was only true for the direct lineage.

Was she implying that a sponsored student wasn’t on her level? Though irrational, she appeared thoroughly principled in her way.

“And… Do you have any idea how much of a laughingstock I’ve become because of you?”

Yeon Minha glared at me, grinding her teeth as if looking at a sworn enemy.

End of Chapter