Correcting the Villainess of the Academy - Chapter 71

Chapter 71

The Red Flower Falls (2)

In the vast gardens of Cradle, the sweet fragrance was so intense it could give one a headache. Flowers in various vibrant hues bloomed everywhere, flaunting their beauty.

In one of the best-placed pergolas in the garden, several female students were gathered, enthusiastically chatting. The badges on their jacket lapels indicated they were first-year students.

“So? What happened next?”

“Just hold on a second! I’m getting to that part.”

One of the girls, slightly annoyed by the urging, cleared her throat and continued.

“So, we were suddenly surrounded by a group of Parthians. I thought it was the end. The seniors were far away, and at that moment, I was completely exhausted and couldn’t move…”

As she relived the memory, her face flushed even more.
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“But then, out of nowhere, I heard the sound of metal clashing and the dying cries of monsters! I opened my eyes, and there he was, shielding me, saying, ‘Are you okay? You’re not hurt…?'”

“Kyaa! That’s insane!”

“What do you mean, really…”

Her brief recollection was cut short by the loud squeals from all around.

“So, what happened next?”

“…We decided to meet this weekend… secretly in the capital…”

She finished shyly, her head down, causing an even bigger uproar than before.

All the girls present were from influential and historically significant families. They had formed a separate group and were catching up after being busy with external assignments for a while.

However, their conversations were neither noble nor special. Their interests were no different from those of any other girls their age.
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Even when they tried to switch topics, the discussions always ended up revolving around relationships. The dangerous scenarios of their assignments often led to the development of unexpected feelings rather than successful missions.
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Ignoring school rules seemed to be a common mindset among them, as long as they didn’t get caught.

“I’m so jealous… Ugh, why is it that our group only has pigs or useless guys… Maybe I should switch groups once the probation period ends…”

“Just accept it. You never know, he might be your destined partner.”

“Are you crazy? I’d rather hang myself.”

One girl, who had been silent, spoke up when another girl made a cheeky comment.

“Haewon. Don’t you have any stories?”

“No, I don’t. I barely survived, so how could I think about guys…”

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The girl named Haewon, who shook her head, had the ribbon of the Chungmu Medal pinned to her chest.

She had been badly injured during a Southern terrorist attack while on an external assignment. She still had a thick cast wrapped around one arm. Everyone who heard her story said it was a miracle she survived.

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“Yeah, I guess so. What terrible luck…”

“It’s fine. I’m alive, and that’s what matters. Even now… ugh.”

Haewon shivered as she clutched her shoulder.

“If it weren’t for him, I’d be inside a monster’s stomach right now.”

“Him?”

“You know, the guy with the mask… the odd one…”

“…Ah.”

The boy with the smooth mask had become a familiar sight at Cradle.

Haewon vividly recounted her experiences in the South.

Although this was probably the umpteenth time she had shared her story, the rawness of her account far surpassed any newspaper report.

Her story once again ended with a description of the masked boy wielding a blade.

“Anyway, seeing him again, his skills are one thing, but who can stand alone like that? Makes you wonder if rumors can’t be trusted.”

“Who knows? Maybe his face isn’t ugly; it’s too handsome, so he hides it.”

“Look at her. She’s lost it. But if he really is that handsome, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to be disciplined by him…”
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“Crazy girl… Should I spank you instead?”

“Eek! Where are you…”

“…Tsk.”

In the midst of the ongoing chaos, a sound of someone clicking their tongue made the atmosphere instantly cool down. The girls who had been playing around adjusted their postures awkwardly.

At the end of the pergola sat a girl looking very displeased.
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“…Ha ha, I wonder if our Yeseo has any stories this time…”
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“No.”

The immediate response came from Jin Yeseo, who tied her blonde hair tightly at the back. Her emerald-green eyes sparkled like top-grade gems, and her features were as flawless as a well-sculpted statue.

While her beauty captivated passersby, she had no interest in such things.

In fact, she was quite the opposite.

At the beginning of the semester, those who tried to flirt with her, away from the professors’ eyes, found themselves publicly shamed by her reports to the student council.

She despised men who strutted around arrogantly without any merit.

Considering the higher sensitivity of women’s bodies to resonance, leading to a higher rate of awakening, she found it annoying that men were often overestimated.

The number of outstanding magicians in each generation was overwhelmingly female. Even the principal of Cradle was Hae Wolhwa, and the top two second-year students were also female seniors.

It had been suggested for a long time that she should get engaged, but she had made it clear she wasn’t interested.

She planned to fulfill her hereditary duties adequately when the time came, perhaps bringing in a well-bred stallion.

What stung her more was the fact that the subject of her classmates’ stories was that guy.

By talent and lineage, the top spot among first-years should have been hers. Instead, some wild horse had rolled in and booted her out.

She had planned to redeem herself through external assignments, but the incident in the South only widened the gap between them.

At this rate, she couldn’t face her esteemed senior, let alone her own pride.

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-Clench…

Deep in thought, Jin Yeseo ground her teeth.

She had no intention of letting this new opportunity slip by.

***

After catching up on the academic schedule, testifying about the events in the South at the security bureau, and visiting those who had signed the hospital visit record, the two days flew by, and the day of the ranking match arrived.

Cheering and applause echoed loudly from the arenas, interspersed with the occasional sound of magic explosions.

Today, Cradle was bustling with people. Headhunters, military reinforcement agents, and special talent professors were all around.

I recalled that on days with official ranking matches, Cradle allowed external visitors.

In the distance, I noticed someone looking around. It was Myo Sanga, the team leader from S&C, whom I met before the Southern dispatch to get my gear.

Feeling like she was looking for me, I quickly hid. She had made a fuss over the phone when she saw her name in the hospital visit record.

Thankfully, I didn’t mention using up all the medicine she gave me. If my sisters found out, they might chain me up.

As I headed to the arena for my match and waited in the preparation room, a knock came on the door, and a guide peeked in.

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“Student Yu Jinhyun? It’s time to head to the arena. Are you ready?”

“Yes, I’m ready.”

I nodded and followed her out.

As we entered the corridor, the vibrations and noise from afar grew louder, filling the space.

The usual slight excitement and exhilaration before a fight enveloped me.

Upon stepping into the brightly lit exit at the end of the corridor, I saw the flat, solid arena and the stands filled with students.

I thought there wouldn’t be many spectators for a regular ranking match. It felt like there were several times more people than during my duel with Yeon Minha.

I glanced at the large match-up board on the side of the arena. Perhaps the last match of the day attracted the idle crowd.

Familiar names caught my eye in the middle of the match-up board.

…

Ryu Seunghun vs. Choi Woojin (W)

…

(W) Ha Yena vs. Shin Muyoung

“…”

I thought Muyoung looked defeated when I saw him from a distance earlier.

I scanned the crowd for them and soon found both of them on the opposite side.

-Today’s final ranking match. Contestants, step forward.

The preliminary bell rang, followed by the voice of the supervising professor through the amplifier.

From the opposite side, a girl with tightly tied golden hair slowly walked toward me.

Even from afar, her green eyes sparkled brightly.

The girl with the Western bloodline, Jin Yeseo, approached and stared directly at me.

“I’ve always wanted to fight you. This is perfect. I didn’t expect this chance.”

End of Chapter