Correcting the Villainess of the Academy - Chapter 43

Chapter 43

Physical Bond (6)

Lee Hyun stood up after getting Yeon Minha to admit defeat. He then deactivated the prediction spell and looked around.

The curtain of fire had now descended to just above halfway, meaning that soon, all the students present would be able to see them.

“Hic… sob…”

Lee Hyun glanced down again. Yeon Minha was still sitting on the ground, quietly sobbing. She clutched her abdomen with both hands, curling up like a pill bug.

Although he hadn’t touched her face, her once neat and tidy hair was now tangled and dirty, likely from rolling around on the floor of the arena.

“…”

The goal was achieved. After all, he was in a position to help Yeon Minha advance.
Th i s was c op i ed f r o m ki n g m t l . o r g

The purpose of this duel was to break her spirit, not to humiliate her publicly.

However, if everyone learned she had been miserably defeated by a freshman, it would only add to her ridicule rather than bolster her standing.

-Thud!

“Hic… hic…!”

Lee Hyun approached Yeon Minha and sat down in front of her. She hiccuped and trembled at his proximity.

Ignoring her, he pulled out a small package wrapped in flame-resistant paper. When he shook it, a faded white pill and a small comb dropped into his palm.

“Open your mouth.”

“Hic… what…”

“Open your mouth.”

“Hic… why, why…”

Lee Hyun picked up the pill and offered it to her, but Yeon Minha, terrified, kept shaking her head.

“…Sigh.”

“Hic…”

Frustrated, Lee Hyun let out a deep sigh.

“Hic… sob!”

He grabbed her chin and forcibly opened her mouth, then tossed the pill inside. The water-soluble drug quickly dissolved and was absorbed through her mucous membranes. Yeon Minha felt the pain that had been tormenting her body begin to subside.

“Hic… what is this…”

“It’s Katanil, an instant painkiller used in the military.”

“Why… why are you giving this to me…”

Lee Hyun did not answer her last question. He stood up and moved behind her.

This time, he took the comb and began to untangle her messy hair.

“Hic… hic…”

Yeon Minha couldn’t understand. There was no consistency in his actions.

The person who had beaten her to the brink of death was now giving her painkillers and gently combing her hair. It was absurd how skillful he was, like someone who had done this countless times.

The masked student was clearly a lunatic. She resented the principal who had allowed such a madman to enroll.

But all she could do now was sit there, trembling.

She didn’t even fully grasp that she was allowing a stranger to touch her for the first time in her life.

“…Sigh.”

Yeon Minha’s hair was now as neat and tidy as it had been at the start of the duel. Lee Hyun, having endured the unpleasant sensation that had been climbing up his fingers, finally let out a sigh and withdrew his hand.

“Stand up.”

“Hic… what…”

“Stand up. Or do I need to make you?”

“Hic… hic…”

Fear jolted through her, and Yeon Minha quickly stumbled to her feet.

T h i s w as c o p i e d f r o m k i n g m t l . or g
Lee Hyun examined her appearance. Her hair was neat, and there were no visible injuries.

The marks on her neck from being choked were concealed by her long hair. She had minimal makeup on, so there were no smudges from tears.

Her uniform was a bit crumpled, but no one would think she had been rolling on the ground moments ago.

Feeling a sense of satisfaction, Lee Hyun nodded to himself.

“Congratulations. You are the official winner of today’s duel.”

“What…?”

“But remember, your declaration of defeat still stands. Don’t ever forget that.”

“What does that mean…”

Lee Hyun didn’t reply and instead brought his left hand to his right shoulder. Yeon Minha, sensing something ominous, felt a surge of anxiety.

-Crack!

“Hic…”

With a sound of his joint dislocating, Lee Hyun’s right arm dangled limply. The sight made Yeon Minha shiver like a leaf.

“You crazy bastard… truly insane…”

***

The students were holding their breath, waiting for the curtain of fire to clear.

As the upper part of the curtain began to disappear, whispers and murmurs spread among them.

“Hey…”

Sera turned to speak but felt awkward when she saw Yena staring straight ahead, not even blinking.

“I see them…!”

The excited buzz drew Sera’s attention back to the arena.

Lee Hyun emerged with burns all over his body.

His particle-resistant suit was in tatters, scattered around the arena. His right arm hung uselessly, and his blade lay on the ground.

The students then looked at his opponent. Yeon Minha’s hair was still neatly in place, impressing those who saw her.

However, she was breathing heavily. Although she had no visible injuries, her uniform was slightly crumpled in places.

This was the first time she looked visibly exhausted after a duel.

“As expected… how could a freshman beat her…”

“Still, it’s impressive. He’s the first one to remain standing after the curtain of fire lifted.”
Th i s was c o pi e d f r o m ki n gm t l .o rg

“And he managed to land some hits? No wonder he topped the Celestial Basin practical.”

The students continued their chatter, eyes glued to the arena. Though the curtain had lifted, the duel time hadn’t expired yet.

But then, the masked student raised his left hand and held it high above his head.

“I forfeit. My right arm is severely injured, so I cannot continue the duel.”

As soon as he declared this, the bell signaling the end of the duel rang out.

Yena’s face instantly crumpled into a frown as she watched.

***

“Hyun!”

I heard a voice calling me from the direction of the audience. It sounded slightly wet with emotion.

Yena quickly ran up to me, her innocent eyes filled with tears.

“Yena. Are you crying?”

“Hic… what is this… You said it was just a light duel…! You said it was for practice…!”

Yena frowned as she examined my wounds, clearly upset. She then turned with a huff, glaring at Yeon Minha. Her attempt to look fierce was somehow endearing…

“Don’t do that. It really was practice. This is how I improve.”

“But this is too much… Oh, we should go to the infirmary…”

“I really am fine. It doesn’t hurt much.”

Leaving Yena behind, I walked back to the arena.

“Wait a moment. I need to say goodbye to the senior.”

“Wait…!”

I saw Yeon Minha already standing in the center of the arena.

Th i s w a s c o p ie d f r om k i n g m tl . o r g
“Thank you for the lesson, Senior. It seems I still have much to learn.”

“…”

“I suggest you head to the infirmary immediately. While Katanil is an instant painkiller, its effect doesn’t last long. In about ten minutes, the pain will return.”

“…”

“And although I tried to avoid any critical injuries, you should get a thorough checkup just in case.”

Yeon Minha’s body trembled slightly, likely recalling the intense pain she had felt earlier.

T h is w a s co p i e d f r o m k i n gm t l. o r g
“I look forward to working with you, Senior.”

Her previously arrogant eyes were now filled with fear.

I had to ignore the overwhelming sense of satisfaction I felt.

T h i s w a s c op i ed f r om k i n g m t l . o r g
Was this really who I had become?

T h i s w a s c opi e d f r o m k i n g mtl . o r g
***

Right after the duel, I headed to the infirmary as well. Though I had managed to reattach my right arm, a simple treatment was necessary for the minor burns.

“Tsk tsk, such boldness for a freshman, huh? Of all people to duel…”

The young woman in a white coat scolded me as she applied antiseptic to my wounds.

Since the suit had protected me, the injuries weren’t severe. Perhaps because of the sense of accomplishment from the successful first step, I hardly felt any pain.

After receiving some instructions about avoiding water for a few days, I left the infirmary. I had another place to visit, so I calmed Yena and headed off alone.

I went to a tall building at the western edge of the Cradle’s main building. Walking down the corridor on the fourth floor, I saw a plaque on the door at the end that read ‘Principal’s Office.’

-Knock knock

-Come in.

A familiar female voice invited me in. Opening the door, I saw a refined and elegant woman at her desk.

“What brings you… Oh my.”

Hae Wolhwa recognized me and looked surprised. With her round glasses, it was hard to believe she was older than the commander.

“The famous freshman has graced the principal’s office.”

“Please don’t tease me. I have something to discuss. Do you have a moment?”

“Of course. I was just about to take a break. Come, have a seat.”

The principal, delighted, led me to the sofa in the reception area. As before, she skillfully brewed tea using telekinesis and served it with refreshments.

Taking a sip, the principal smiled elegantly and spoke.

“So, what brings you here?”

“It’s about the favor you mentioned before. You said you’d grant any request you could.”

“Yes, I did say that.”

Mentioning the promise she had made during the practical, she nodded in agreement.
T h i s w a s co p ied f r om k i ngmt l . o rg

T h i s w a s c o pi e d fr o m k i n g m t l. org
“I was wondering when you’d bring it up. So, what do you want to ask for, Yu Jinhyun?”

Her eyes sparkled with curiosity, clearly eager to hear my request.

“I’d like to move dormitories. Is that possible?”

“Of course, it’s possible… but do you really need to use a favor for that? Normally, personal reasons aren’t enough to change dorms, but I could make an exception for you…”

T h is wa s c o p i e d f ro m kin gm tl . o r g
The principal tilted her head, puzzled.

“I have a specific dorm in mind, and it seems difficult to arrange through normal means.”

“Hmm? Which dorm are you thinking of?”

“The second-year dorm. Yeon Minha’s dorm.”

“Pfft…!”

End of Chapter