Correcting the Villainess of the Academy - Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Physical Bond (5)

Even the cheers of the audience were drowned out by the roaring flames. The intense heat stung Lee Hyun’s back.

It was known that Yeon Minha frequently used the curtain of fire. She had used it to block the judges’ view and ruthlessly toy with her opponents.

Dozens of students had challenged her to a duel out of sheer humiliation. But by the time the curtain of fire lifted, they were all defeated and lying on the ground in a miserable state.

Some had been severely injured and carried out in critical condition. The defeated students claimed that Yeon Minha violated numerous duel regulations to trample them.

But she had always covered her tracks well and had powerful connections, so she had never been seriously punished for breaking school rules.

However, Yeon Minha didn’t know.

She had just dug her own grave.

“It’s been a while since someone challenged me to a duel. You must have some skill, right? I guess you must have some basics to be a recommendation student. Maybe you got lucky and took first place in the chaos.”

Yeon Minha sneered at Lee Hyun.

“Besides, in a match between a Discharger and a Circulator, the Circulator usually has a 70% win rate.”

-Whoosh!

“So you got confident and challenged me… You’ll regret it soon.”

With a single gesture, five blazing flames appeared behind Yeon Minha. Her spellcasting speed was terrifying, even surpassing that of a Vessel particle arranger.

Lee Hyun recalled the report he had read. Based on her demonstrated magical properties, it was inferred that she controlled at least 40 types of spirits.

Considering that most spirit users manage only a handful of spirits, her talent was indeed extraordinary.

Among them, Yeon Minha particularly favored spirits that could mediate fire attribute release-type magic. It matched her arrogant demeanor well and was effective in intimidating her opponents.

Fear of fire is a primal instinct embedded in the essence of life.

“But you didn’t know that as you go higher up, the win rate of Dischargers increases exponentially, did you?”

Lee Hyun raised his prediction plan to the third route. He intended to gauge her skill level. Today, he didn’t plan to use his power at all.

Thi s was co p i e d f r o m k ing m t l . or g
“Is the Circulator mage planning to attack first, or are you scheming something?”

Yeon Minha smirked as she watched Lee Hyun stand motionless.

“Do whatever you like.”

With a gesture, the five flames flew toward Lee Hyun from all directions. They moved in a way that blocked his escape routes.

Her skill and precision were impressive, far beyond a typical student’s capabilities. Lee Hyun immediately moved, following the angles of the curtain surrounding the arena.

But the paths were so sharp that he couldn’t evade all the flames. One blazing flame grazed his shoulder, bringing a stinging pain and the smell of burning flesh.

He drew his blade and charged at Yeon Minha. According to the rules, he only needed to press the blade to her pale neck to win.

But Yeon Minha wouldn’t let him get close.

-Boom!

A swirling current of air formed in front of her, creating a powerful wind that blew Lee Hyun away just as he approached.

One side of the fiery curtain wavered, momentarily revealing them to the audience. Most spectators reacted as expected, with disappointment on the faces of those who had hoped otherwise.

T h i s was c o p i e d f r o m k ing m t l. o r g
It was clear that Lee Hyun was struggling against Yeon Minha’s fierce assault.

“You indeed have some skill. You’re the first to deflect my initial attack. But… it looks like you’re in pain?”

Th i s was cop ied f r o m k i n g mt l.o rg
Yeon Minha’s nasty personality shone through. Lee Hyun didn’t respond and charged at her again.

This time, however, dozens of large, sharp icicles formed in the air and flew at him.

As he tried to dodge, metal rods rose from the ground to grab his ankles.
T h i s w a s c o p i e d f rom k i n g m tl. o r g

Yeon Minha’s smooth skin remained unscathed.

Lee Hyun found her abilities troublesome. A spirit user could utilize any magic as long as the spirit’s attribute matched. Yeon Minha maximized this advantage, mixing various attributes to counter him.

“Your movements are too straightforward. That might work against monsters, but in combat, it’s the worst choice. Didn’t your sponsor teach you that?”

But that was all there was to it. Yeon Minha was already acting as if the duel was decided.

Lee Hyun didn’t respond, estimating the time roughly. The fiery curtain seemed to have about half its duration left.

Yeon Minha had always finished her duels within that time. Today would be no different, though not by her choice.

With the preliminary setup nearly complete, Lee Hyun decided it was time to end the duel. He raised his prediction plan to the sixth route.

-Whoosh

Yeon Minha seemed to have the same idea. The curtain of fire closed in, leaving him no room to dodge. Behind her, 25 flames, twice as many as before, appeared in the air.

“I was only going to cut off your limbs, but I’ve changed my mind. A few burn scars might suit you. Make you look a bit more rugged.”

“…I don’t like scars.”
T h i s w a s c op i e d f r om k in g m tl . o r g

Lee Hyun responded with a calm voice, the first time he had spoken to her during the duel.

“Really? That’s too bad.”

The 25 flames flew at him like a barrage. With the space tightly closed in, there was nowhere to dodge.

But he had no intention of dodging. Lee Hyun lowered his stance and charged straight into the barrage of flames.

“What…!”

For the first time, Yeon Minha’s face showed a hint of panic.

-Boom!

The impact of his collision with the magic created a massive explosion. His particle-resistant suit was now in tatters, unable to function properly.

His body, emerging from the explosion, was in a terrible state. The smell of burning flesh and the sound of sizzling filled the air.

The sharp pain pierced his skin, but he didn’t care. He even felt a small sense of accomplishment.

It meant the foundation of his plan was being laid perfectly.

“You…!”

Yeon Minha, momentarily shocked by his reckless act, quickly regained her composure.

She tried to block his approach by creating a metallic wall. She prepared to blow him away with a gust of wind. Dozens of ice spears began forming in mid-air for the final strike.

But just as the metal wall emerged from the ground,
T h i s w as co p ie d fr om k in gm t l. org

Just as the vortex was about to form,

Just as the ice spears began to sprout,

Lee Hyun was already in front of Yeon Minha.

“What…!”

Before she could react, Lee Hyun clenched his fist, gathering particles within to increase its power.

He then struck her abdomen with full force.

T h i s w as c o p i e d fr o m ki n g m t l . o r g
“Argh…!”

A sharp, excruciating pain flooded her abdomen. The impact sent her sprawling several meters across the ground.

It was the first time she had ever felt such intense, vivid pain, but she tried to rise and respond.

However, Yeon Minha found herself being lifted by her neck, gasping for breath.

“Gah…Cough…!”

Lee Hyun gripped her slender neck with one hand, cutting off her air supply to prevent rational thought.

His other hand instinctively moved to strike her face and jaw but stopped, remembering his goal, and he lowered his hand with superhuman restraint.

It was better not to leave visible marks if possible.
Thi s wa s c o pi ed f ro m k i ng mt l .o r g

Instead, he targeted parts of her body that were hidden by clothing.

-Thud! Thud! Thud!

Inside the blazing curtain, only the dull sounds of impact and a faint whimper could be heard.

-Thud! Crack!

“Ugh…Cough…!”

Lee Hyun continued to strike Yeon Minha, focusing on joints and nerves to maximize her pain.

He knew precisely where to hit to inflict severe pain without killing his opponent.

He once made a battle-hardened demon soldier bite his tongue and die. A captured member of the People’s Liberation Front spilled all their secrets in less than ten minutes under his hand.

He had learned these methods during various real-life battles in the northeast, unbeknownst to his commander and sisters.

“You… bastard… how dare you…!”

Lee Hyun felt success was near. Despite her curses, fear filled Yeon Minha’s fierce eyes.

She must have lived cautiously before her awakening. An incomplete awakening posed great risks proportional to the talent.

After awakening, no one dared touch her. Her overwhelming talent overshadowed her limited experience.

As he suspected, she had never been the prey.

At least, she had never been beaten to a pulp like this before.

-Thud! Thud!

“Cough…Gasp…!”

The situation couldn’t be called a duel anymore. Lee Hyun lifted her and threw her to the ground. He stomped on her intestines with his foot, breaking a few ribs.

Yet, her face and limbs remained smooth.

-Thud! Crack!

“W-wait…Cough…”

Her curses turned to tearful pleas.

It seemed like the right time, but he felt it wasn’t enough. Lee Hyun continued to strike.

-Thud! Thud!

“…Please wait…Sob…”

-Thud! Crack!

“It hurts…Sob…”

***

Lee Hyun noticed the top of the fiery curtain starting to lift.

It meant it was time to wrap things up.

After a brief sigh, Lee Hyun walked towards Yeon Minha. She lay on the ground, sobbing, terror in her eyes.

“Sob…Sob… Agh!”

-Crack!

Her attempt to create distance by pushing herself back was thwarted when Lee Hyun stomped on her thigh.

“Get up, Senior. Shouldn’t you maintain your dignity in front of your junior?”

“Sob…Please stop…”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t understand what you’re saying when you’re trembling like that. Speak clearly and loudly.”

“Please… Just stop…”

“Shall I? I’m a bit tired myself. So, do you concede?”

“Sob…I… Agh…!”

Her failure to answer prompted Lee Hyun to punch her in the stomach again. It seemed she needed a bit more encouragement.

“Do you concede?”

“Sob…I concede! I concede! Please… Please stop…Sob…”

That was enough.
This w a s c o p i e d fr om k i n gm t l . or g

Lee Hyun sighed in relief and turned off the recording device in his pocket. He needed to be prepared in case she changed her story later. After all, the official victory would be hers.

“Sob…It hurts…Sob…”

Yeon Minha sat there, sobbing pathetically. Her hair was disheveled, her head hung low, and tears dripped onto the ground.

Lee Hyun sat down in front of her. She shivered at his approach.

He grabbed her chin and lifted her face to meet his gaze.

Now, she was nothing but a small, weak prey. Her will was completely broken.

Speaking so softly that no one else could hear, Lee Hyun whispered to her.

T h i s wa s co p i ed fr o m k i n g m t l . o rg
“Clear out your room.”

End of Chapter