Correcting the Villainess of the Academy - Chapter 40
Chapter 40
Physical Bond (3)
In truth, her hostility isn’t completely unfounded.
T h i s w as c op i e d f r o m ki n g m t l . o r g
Even someone like me, who knows little about these matters, can see that choosing her as a mentor offers her no benefits.
The current recommendation admission system at the Cradle has long been corrupted as a means to seize advantages.
I entered the Cradle through such means, and my place of origin, noted in the registry, is a remote frontier village in the southern borders.
Furthermore, I constantly wear a ridiculous mask, engaging in eccentric behavior. My personality isn’t particularly friendly, so I haven’t built any significant connections.
These are all factors Yeon Minha despises. Even if not for her, my profile is full of reasons for someone to target me.
Yeon Minha was chosen as a mentor in front of everyone by someone she despises. It would be fortunate if she isn’t ridiculed by those who dislike her.
The fact that I clashed with a popular figure at the Cradle doesn’t unite us but rather becomes a reason for her to avoid me.
After the ranking announcement, I noticed a slight change in how others looked at me. But to Yeon Minha, it didn’t seem to matter much.
Last year, Yeon Minha also achieved overwhelmingly superior grades but was narrowly pushed to second place by someone who showed even greater abilities.
With her extraordinary talent, she might harshly judge others as well.
T h i s w a s c o p i e d f r om ki n g m t l . o rg
But that’s her issue. I can’t consider her circumstances in every decision.
In fact, it’s better for me if she openly shows her hostility.
That way, she’s more likely to react as I expect.
“It’s a bit disappointing. Do you think we can get along for a year like this?”
“You think I’ll stay in the same group with you for a year? I had my doubts, but you really are an idiot. You’ll be dismissed as soon as the trial period ends.”
Yeon Minha sneered.
T h i s w a s co p i ed f ro m k in g mt l . o rg
Once chosen as a mentor, she has no right to refuse. However, after a few weeks of the trial period, both parties are allowed to change mentoring groups once.
Since second-year students face severe penalties if they don’t take on mentees, it seemed Yeon Minha planned to kick me out as soon as the minimum period to avoid penalties had passed.
“I believe both parties need to agree to change mentoring groups. Do you think I’ll agree to that?”
T h i s w a s cop i e d f ro m k i n g m tl . o r g
“Maybe you’re too dumb to realize how powerful a mentor’s authority is. With just a flick of my finger, I could make you crawl around like a dog for a month. Will you still talk so casually then? I’m curious. Haha…”
Yeon Minha laughed mockingly. I had to suppress the strong urge to make her crawl like a dog.
I felt the success of my plan was within reach. One mistake could ruin everything.
T h i s w a s c o pied f r o m k i n g m t l . or g
Imagining the day I could finally release this pent-up anger, I clenched my hand so tightly it almost bled.
“It does feel a bit intimidating. It’s a shame. I think I need some means to protect myself.”
“…What?”
For the first time, Yeon Minha’s face showed a hint of confusion.
“Let’s see. How about spreading rumors that we’re quite close and intimate?”
“You… How dare a lowly bastard like you…”
“I’m not sure how many people will believe it, but for those who dislike you, the truth won’t matter. If my understanding of your situation is correct, even a hint of scandal could be damaging. I don’t know if there’s a lower point you can fall to.”
I spoke calmly, as if it were nothing.
“I’m not comfortable with this, either. It feels like you’ve hated me from our first encounter.”
I wasn’t lying. The words I chose to provoke her were ones I found detestable as well.
T h is w a s c o p i e d f rom k i ng mt l. or g
-Creak…!
But it achieved the desired effect. Frost spread from Yeon Minha’s hand, which gripped the table. The soft tablecloth froze, and the glass cup cracked.
Success felt imminent.
“But if you dislike me that much, there’s nothing I can do. So, I have a proposal… Will you listen?”
Yeon Minha looked perplexed for a moment.
“…Such arrogance…”
But it was fleeting. She soon accepted my proposal with a face full of cold rage.
At this moment, the clumsy performance somehow shone. If I hadn’t worn a mask, or if Yeon Minha had maintained even a bit of calm, things wouldn’t have gone so smoothly.
As a child, I was often told that my face gave away my lies.
“…You will regret this.”
Yeon Minha left Hwayangkwan immediately after saying that. The spot where she had been sitting was now covered with a frost-covered tablecloth and cracked glass.
But I felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and liberation.
I never thought we could become close from the start.
My prior understanding of her personality and past actions formed a strong bias, and meeting her in person only reinforced it.
She was the epitome of what repulsed me.
Her presence reminded me that appearances aren’t everything. She also painfully reminded me of someone from the past.
But personal likes and dislikes don’t matter now. We’ve boarded the same train, heading in the same direction.
Th is w a s c o pi e d fr o m k i n gm t l . org
What’s needed now is a physical and mechanical partnership focused on the end goal.
***
On the way back from the mentor selection ceremony, I saw a familiar girl with reddish-brown hair leaving Hwayangkwan in a hurry.
I approached her, but Yena responded with formal language, as if she didn’t know me.
“Who are you, and why are you speaking so familiarly to me?”
“…Yena?”
“Hmph.”
Yena turned her head sharply, sending a resentful glare.
I had greeted Muyoung at Hwayangkwan, but Yena had passed by with a cold expression, keeping her distance.
I pondered why she was acting this way, but nothing came to mind. Had I made a mistake? We hadn’t seen each other since the exam three days ago.
There hadn’t been any issues during the exam. We had worked well together. Even after the incident, I had ensured Yena and the others were safe before heading into danger alone…
“Oh, it’s Yu Jinhyun, who left without looking back, isn’t it?”
Ah.
“…I’m sorry. I had a reason…”
“Of course, you’d have a reason. But to leave Yena, who tried so hard to stop you…”
“…”
I understood the source of Yena’s mysterious grudge. Her voice dripped with hurt and seemed slightly moist.
“…I was so worried…”
Her justified hurt left me at a loss for words. I had left without proper explanation due to time constraints.
She didn’t seem genuinely angry, though. Her tone was more like lighthearted scolding, hoping someone would soothe her.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t keep glancing at me, only to sharply turn away when our eyes met.
T h i s w as c o p i e d fr o m k i ng m tl . or g
“…I’m sorry.”
“Hmph. Now you say so…”
“I mean it. I’m truly sorry. How can I make it up to you?”
“…”
I had no choice but to ask honestly. My sincere attitude seemed to melt Yena’s pretense of anger. She began to mumble her request.
“…If you spend a day with me on a holiday, I might forgive you…”
“I’ll do that.”
“Eek…”
Yena shivered slightly, seemingly surprised by my immediate response.
T hi s w a s c opied f r om ki ng m t l .o r g
“Is it okay? People will stare because of my mask…”
T hi s w as c o p i ed fr o m k in g m t l . or g
“…Doesn’t matter. I don’t care about that…”
She spoke in a determined tone.
“Then it’s settled?”
“…Yes. Hehe…”
Yena now seemed to have shed her act completely. Her resentment melted away like spring snow.
“…I’m sorry for getting angry…”
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Yena lowered her head and apologized in a tiny voice.
“…Thanks for approaching me first. Congratulations on getting first place… I’m so glad you’re not hurt…”
Before I could respond, Yena turned and quickly walked away.
“See you tomorrow…?”
Watching her hop away like a rabbit, I contemplated the difference in my approach to Yena and Yeon Minha.
I had always felt that I had a weakness for gentle people.
“…Sigh.”
When Yena was out of sight, I finally exhaled the breath I had been holding.
Even knowing she was pretending to be mad, the fear of abandonment had left me breathless.
I had felt something similar when I left the northeastern base to enroll at the Cradle.
It was a feeling I had experienced two years ago with someone.
End of Chapter
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ChingXRaphael
Damn I’m feel annoy by her that yena
I guess her discount Tsundere just off
And yea she gonna reveal that she is some part of demon shit