Correcting the Villainess of the Academy - Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Parting (1)

“…Really?”

“Yeah. The doctor said it’s truly a miracle. Hyun, can you believe it? A miracle…!”

On the slope behind the village.

Seoyeon, lying next to me, bubbled with rare excitement.

She had been undergoing regular check-ups with her primary care physician, who, despite the confidentiality of the results, naturally shared them with me as well.

Up until last month, Seoyeon’s body was in such a critical condition that not a single organ was undamaged.

If her symptoms worsened even slightly more, she would have been bound to a bed with a respirator, waiting for death.

Th i s wa s c o p i e d f r o m ki n g m t l .o r g
I remember her face being so gloomy when she told me that.

Normally, a magician’s body is stronger than that of an ordinary person in every aspect. However, due to the severity of her condition, Seoyeon was deteriorating helplessly.

Yet, according to yesterday’s examination, there were signs of slight natural recovery in Seoyeon’s body.
Th i s w a s co p i e d fr o m k i n g m tl . o rg

Though her body was still seriously damaged, any recovery was unprecedented among Particle Hypersensitivity patients.

“You should have seen the look on the doctor’s face. You wouldn’t believe how ridiculous it was. And you know… I think it might be because of you.”

After chatting for a while, Seoyeon suddenly turned to look me in the eyes.

Her eyes were filled with joy and conviction.

“What do you mean?”

“Being beside you somehow makes me feel better. My mind clears up, and the pain lessens.”

“Uh…”

“I think it’s because we’re destined to be together. No doubt about it. Love is overcoming the disease…!”

“Seoyeon… that’s nonsensical…”

“It’s true…! Why won’t you believe me…?”

Seoyeon pounded her chest with her fists in dissatisfaction with my response.

Then, she pouted and turned her head away with a swoosh.

“Then don’t believe me. I’ll just think that by myself.”

“Oh, not this again.”

“Hmph.”

“Was just joking. Sorry.”

“Now you say that… too late.”

“Really. I think you might be right.”

“…”

Seoyeon, feigning anger, pondered my apology for a moment.

T hi s was c o pie d f r o m k i n g m t l . o r g
Then, she rolled over to my side and snuggled up to me.

“…I’ll let it slide this one time. Heh…”

“Phew…”

It was ridiculous how quickly she changed her mood.

I often thought that if Seoyeon weren’t a magician, she would have made an excellent actress.

But the idea that being next to me improved her health was utterly absurd.

And the notion that love had cured her was even more so.

Of course, it was incredibly joyous that Seoyeon had regained some health, but I believed it was due to her inherently strong constitution.

Didn’t Seoyeon herself say that magicians were stronger than ordinary people?

Especially Seoyeon, who possessed the qualities of an outstanding magician.

I assumed she was merely making an excuse to spend more time together as usual.

“Hey. I want to take back something I said before.”

Seoyeon suddenly sat up and spoke.

“What? What are you talking about?”

“The thing about dating another girl after I die. The more I think about it, the less I can stand it. I’m definitely not going to die. So, you can’t date anyone else either.”

“I thought you said to find someone prettier and live well?”

“No. No. No. Absolutely not!”

Seoyeon vehemently shook her head at my words, then suddenly glared at me fiercely.

“You must’ve wanted to meet someone else, huh? Got someone in mind?”

“Oh…”

Her chattering was like stirring a hornet’s nest. I gestured towards me with open arms, attempting damage control.

“There’s no way. Come here.”

“Trying to gloss over it again…”

“Quickly.”

“Ugh…”

Pressed by my urging, Seoyeon relented and rushed into my arms. After stroking her hair a couple of times, I spoke again.

“I won’t meet anyone.”

“…”

“I like you the most.”

“…”

“And you’re the prettiest.”

“…I know.”

Seoyeon responded with satisfaction. Then, after a moment of silence, she spoke again.

“…I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“…Yeah…”

We lay close together on the grassy slope, enjoying the pleasant breeze for a while.

***

Miraculously, Seoyeon continued to regain her health steadily.

Half a year later, despite predictions that she wouldn’t see the new year’s sunrise, Seoyeon was still very much alive.

The sickly pallor that once dominated her face had completely vanished, replaced by vibrant vitality.

T his w a s c o p ie d f r o m k in g m t l . or g
Initially, I feared letting hope blossom only to face greater disappointment, but now I couldn’t help but naturally accept the joy.

T h is w a s co p ie d f r om k i n gm tl . o r g
However, not everything was positive. Seoyeon’s absurd belief that love had cured her illness deepened, as did her obsession towards me.

Except for when we slept, we hardly left each other’s sight. Seoyeon sincerely regretted not being able to stay together even through the night.

Meanwhile, Seoyeon began to grow at an explosive rate, seemingly trying to make up for the pain she had endured.

She became more mature and beautiful day by day. Though it’s said girls mature faster than boys, I was quite shocked when Seoyeon, who used to fit snugly in my embrace, grew a whole head taller than me.

Conversely, I was on the smaller side among my peers, including Jinho and Ina.

Furthermore, unexplained fatigue and stiffness had taken up residence in my body, and the inability to find a cause for these symptoms at the hospital only added to my frustration.

“The doctor said puberty might just come late for some.”

“But it’s too late.”

“Just wait a little. Besides, what does height matter? You’re lovely as you are.”

“I want to grow taller.”

“It’s fine. I actually like you just the way you are now.”

“What?”

“…Hehe, never mind!”

Seoyeon hugged me tightly, saying she liked me because I was cute.

But deep down, I started feeling a sense of urgency, contrasting with Seoyeon, who was regaining her true self.

Feeling left behind with nothing significant to show for myself, I began trying even harder to fulfill even the smallest of Seoyeon’s wishes.

While Seoyeon’s requests were mostly about emotional needs rather than material things, she once showed envy when she saw Jinho and Ina with matching rings.

She tried not to show it, but it was obvious she felt envious every time she looked at Ina’s finger.

So, I saved up my allowance for a long time to buy a ring for Seoyeon.

I secretly measured her finger while she napped and then headed to a jeweler in the neighboring village.

But with the money I had, I could only afford a very low-grade ring, even after haggling with the owner to fit my budget.

Regretfully, I had the ring nicely packaged and presented it to Seoyeon.

Luckily, Seoyeon was overjoyed with the ring.

“Look at this… it fits perfectly… wow…”

“Sorry. I wanted to give you something better…”

“What are you talking about? I love this ring the most. It’s so beautiful…”

Seoyeon hummed as she gleamed the sunlight off the ring. Watching her, I managed to ease some of my anxiety.

“…I want to wear it all the time. It’s so annoying…”

After admiring the ring for a while, Seoyeon seemed a bit disappointed.

We were on the verge of turning 17, and miraculously, Seoyeon, who should have been long gone, was regaining her health.

And around Seoyeon, mysterious events began to unfold.

From some point on, Seoyeon started exuding a rich, sweet floral scent, similar to the water forget-me-nots growing by the village stream.

Though we didn’t witness it ourselves, there were reports that objects and clothing floated around her while she slept, and a bright golden aura shimmered around her, as seen by maid Joohee.

These symptoms were precursors to blossoming.

Having a unique body scent or colors manifesting on one’s body meant Seoyeon was becoming an incredibly powerful magician.

Word of Seoyeon’s condition reached her home, and the visits from her family’s retainers began to increase.

Their intentions were unclear, but their greedy and arrogant expressions were unmistakable from afar.

These visits made it difficult for Seoyeon to move about freely as before.

“…Sorry. If someone presses, our relationship could be exposed to my family. Then you’d be in danger…”

“It’s okay. I don’t mind.”

Honestly, saying I didn’t care at all would be a lie, but I didn’t have a better response.

Seoyeon tried to brush off her disappointment with a bright tone.

“…But maybe if I put it on a chain as a necklace, it’d be fine. It’d be hidden under my clothes. Then, I could wear it on my finger only when I’m with you. What do you think…? Can we make up with that?”

“Sure. And I’m not mad.”

“Hmm…?”

I denied feeling slighted, but Seoyeon gave me a side-eye with a curious sound.

“…What?”

“…Nothing. But you have to wear it all the time.”

“Uh?”

“Isn’t that obvious? It’s perfect. It’s about time to really imprint that you’re taken. This way, those lowly tramps will finally get the message…mph.”

Suddenly, Seoyeon covered her mouth and glanced at me cautiously.
T h i s w a s co p i ed fro m k i n g m t l. o rg

Though she had become incomparably more harmful than before, Seoyeon still displayed intense discomfort whenever other girls approached me.

And now, I understood that sentiment all too well.

“…Alright?”

“…Yeah.”
T hi s w a s c op i e d f r om k i n gmt l. o rg

I promptly slid the ring onto my left ring finger and presented it forward.

Only then did Seoyeon break into a satisfied grin.

***

As Seoyeon’s beauty grew ever more dazzling, the news from across the country remained grim.

Traces presumed to be of demons were continually found near the northern barrier,

Special-grade monsters had appeared in the east but the interception failed, causing irreparable damage to several pioneer villages,
T h i s w as co pi e d f r o m k i n gmt l . o r g

And forces raising rebellion against the country were gaining strength, with dark wizards in league with demons being the likely ringleaders.

Then one day, even the truck merchant, who used to bring us news, stopped coming. We later learned he had been attacked by monsters on his trade route and killed.

Our village could no longer be considered a safe haven.

There were talks among the retainers about moving Seoyeon to a safer place, but since her survival through blossoming wasn’t assured and she vehemently refused, the plan was postponed.

Amidst this unrest, my 16th birthday arrived, and Seoyeon wanted to celebrate with just the two of us first. So, I sought understanding from my mom, Jinho, and Ina.

They naturally gave us precedence, and the three of them decided to prepare a celebration at our home while Seoyeon and I spent time together.

My mom added a teasing comment as I put on my shoes.

“Son~ You are coming home tonight, right? When did you grow up so much…”

“…What kind of mom says that to her son?”

I ignored my mom’s remark and left the house.

Then, secretly meeting Seoyeon on the trail, we headed through a small opening in the village’s wall.

Our destination was a vacant hut belonging to the mountain keeper in the back hill.

Thanks to our frequent visits, the place had become like our own cozy nest.

“…What’s this…”

“…Why?”

“…Why is he following us here?”

Seoyeon, visibly annoyed, pointed towards a corner of the hut.

Following her gaze, I saw Peanut sitting on a cushion, diligently grooming its fur.

-Meow!

Peanut meowed plaintively as if wronged by Seoyeon’s gesture. Seoyeon continued to grumble.

“I locked him in the room, how did he get out…”
T hi s w a s c o p i e d f r o m k i n g m tl . o r g

“…Maybe a window was left open. Let’s just leave Peanut be. He’s not a person, after all…”

“…I don’t know. He doesn’t seem like just an animal to me. Lately, he’s been understanding me too well.”

“That’s possible. Cats are smart animals…”

“It’s not just that. Listen. The other day…”

Seoyeon went on a lengthy rant about Peanut before finally seeming content and starting the celebration preparations.

Since neither the retainers nor maid Joohee were around today, we were able to spend a leisurely time without prying eyes.
Th i s w a s c op ie d f rom k in g m t l .o rg

I barely held back laughter at the sight of the sloppy cake Seoyeon claimed to have made herself, and after singing the birthday song, I blew out the 16 candles.

We chatted about trivial things while eating the cake and food.

Time, especially enjoyable moments, flew by quickly. Soon, the darkened sky began to sparkle with stars.

Before it got too late, we left the hut to head back to the village.

After walking in silence for a while, Seoyeon suddenly spoke.

“Hyun, we’ll be 17 next year.”

“That’s right. Already…”

We were nearing the end of our childhood.

Hearing Seoyeon’s words, memories began to flood back.

A sense of pride swelled in my chest.

Despite our less than ideal first meeting, we had overcome everything to reach this point.

-Hug

“Seoyeon?”

Suddenly enveloped in a warm embrace, the intense, sweet scent of water forget-me-nots surrounded me.

“…Sorry.”

“For what?”

“I know you’ve been going through a lot lately.”

“…”

I pretended not to understand, but Seoyeon seemed to see right through me.

Watching Seoyeon regain her former glow, I wondered if my feelings of being left behind, without achievements or possessions, had somehow been communicated to her.

Embarrassed, I searched desperately for an excuse, but nothing suitable came to mind.

Seoyeon calmly continued her thoughts.

“The retainers mentioned last time that if my condition stays this stable, I might be able to blossom by the time I’m 17. It’s really not far off.”

Seoyeon hesitated for a moment before adding,

“And… you know? In our country, turning 17 means becoming an adult. Once that happens, I’ll have much more freedom in my actions.”

“…And then?”

“If I can just blossom into a magician, if I can just become an adult, then…”

“…Then?”

“Then… that… that time is…!”

-Boom!

Just as Seoyeon gathered the courage to finish her sentence, a sudden shockwave from below the hill shook both the sky and the earth.

Without a word, we both turned our heads in unison to see what had caused the disturbance.

Despite the darkness of night, the scene was unmistakably clear.

Flames furiously engulfed the village walls, and black smoke billowed into the sky.

“What’s happening…”

-Boom!

-Bang!

Before we could grasp the full situation, explosions erupted throughout the village, accompanied by flames.

Echoes of people screaming blended with the sound of firearms, filling the surroundings.

Soon, the acrid smell of smoke, carrying the scent of death, reached us.

TL/N: Is it just me, or this novel give Damn Academy Vibes? Damian and Liza