Correcting the Villainess of the Academy - Chapter 99

Chapter 99

Exposure (9)

This w a s c o p i e d f ro m ki ng m t l.o r g
It was a massive dome large enough to cover several of the Cradle’s expansive training grounds.

The stone pillars supporting it were each thicker than a bundle of giant trees put together.

Even though we were still some distance away, we were already within the building’s shadow.

Amidst the city’s skyscrapers, its presence was undeniable, making it clear we were approaching the Supreme Council, even if it was the first time seeing such a structure.

The place where mages, those above people, congregate.

Where the most powerful among them carry out their affairs.

The center of all power, yet also a place rife with daily intrigue and conspiracy.

“…Hmm.”

At Myo Sanga’s words, Sa Daeryong nodded heavily.

Before long, the vehicle arrived at the assembly hall, and a vast staircase stretched before us, wide enough for dozens to walk side by side.

Myo Sanga got out first and opened the door. Then I followed, and next were the Heukryeon couple.

Almost simultaneously, a crowd that had been waiting swarmed around us like a cloud.

“Chairman! What is the reason you’ve been protecting Yeon Minha all this time?”

“Does your attendance at today’s hearing signal a return to the Supreme Council after fifteen years?”

“What are your thoughts on Article 25, proposed by Paechun, which effectively targets Heukryeon’s S&C?”

“What is your relationship with Heukryon’s recommended student? Is it true he’s the only male mage in Category 1 to appear in eighteen years?”

With a series of bangs and flashing lights from all directions, it felt as if dozens of flashbangs were exploding right in front of my eyes.

The whirring of camera film rolling was deafening.

Amongst the chaos, dozens of voices shouted questions simultaneously, creating a chaotic uproar.

“Please step aside! All questions will be taken after the hearing!”

T hi s w a s c opi e d f r o m k i n g m t l .o r g
Myo Sanga and the attendants shouted back, pushing the crowd away from the stairs. It was hard to believe she was the same person who stammered earlier.

She really was competent.

I was bewildered by the barrage of camera flashes I was experiencing for the first time, while the Heukryeon couple remained calm and serene as they ascended the stairs.

“Hoho, you seem quite surprised. You’ll get used to it. You’ll experience it often from now on.”

The lady of the house gently patted my shoulder to reassure me.

Honestly, it wasn’t an experience I was eager to have again.

Soon after, Myo Sanga finished dealing with the crowd and escorted me.

“This way, young master. I’ll see you both later.”

“Hmm.”

The couple nodded and headed down a corridor opposite from mine.

Despite the grand exterior, there was a strange absence of people in the hallway.

It was so quiet that I could hear the echo of our footsteps.

There were more crows fluttering in and out of the tall windows than there were people.

T his w a s c op i ed fr o m k in gm t l. o r g
Sensing something approaching, I quickly turned my head, narrowly avoiding a rainbow-feathered crow flying past with a bundle of documents.

“Won’t the couple be joining us?”

“They have their own reserved seats. Both are lifetime members of the Supreme Council. They’ve been away for fifteen years, but they haven’t lost their membership. Unless it’s a dire situation like this one…”
T h i s wa s c o pi e d f r om k i n g m t l . or g

As I ducked to avoid the crow, Myo Sanga explained in a calm voice.

I vaguely recalled reading in the papers that Yeon Jeongmun’s lifetime membership in the Supreme Council had been revoked.
T h i s wa s c op i e d fr o m k ing m t l. or g

“Since Miss Yeon Minha has declined to attend, you are the only one expected to testify today.”

Th i s w a s c op i e d f r o m k i ng m t l . or g
She added, as if to reassure me.

“You needn’t be too nervous. Though it’s called a hearing, it’s more like a platform for testimony. While opposition forces might put up a fight…”

“Why are they being so lenient? I was under the impression that I was implicated in Jeokhwa’s crimes.”

“Well, that’s because you are…ahem, ahem. Actually, it’s best if you hear it directly from the couple later.”

Myo Sanga coughed, abruptly stopping herself.

“All you need to know for now is that even the opposing factions are very hesitant to directly accuse you. Especially now, with rumors of Heukryon returning to the Supreme Council.”

As I conversed with Myo Sanga, we reached a certain door.

It opened outward, lack a handle, and was higher than the combined height of two or three adult men.

Painted in a heavy black, it seemed meant to impose rather than to impress with its finish or decor.

“This is as far as I go. Only those involved can enter the main assembly hall.”

Stopping, she waved to me and offered a final word of encouragement.

“Our nation is a republic, but Heukryon is a family that holds immense power even among them. They stand behind you. Remember this.”

“…Understood. I’ll be going now.”

As I was about to move toward the door, something occurred to me, so I turned back and approached Myo Sanga.

Speaking quietly so only she could hear, I said,

“Don’t worry about that matter. I won’t tell anyone that you were the one who got me the drugs.”

“Huh, huh?!”

Myo Sanga made a strange noise and trembled, seemingly startled by the sudden revelation of a sensitive topic. But hopefully, she wouldn’t be anxious about it anymore.

Having said my piece, I turned back toward the black door.

-Kugung!

As I set my foot on the threshold, the door swung inward automatically. It felt like looking into the maw of a monster beckoning me inside.

After following the dark, winding corridor for a while, a spacious area began to open up ahead.

Finally emerging from the monster’s gullet, I found myself in a bizarre scene unlike anything I’d seen before.

The dark main assembly hall was lit only by scattered Stella lights, just enough to illuminate the path.

The steps, taller than any ordinary building, stretched up endlessly, reaching the faded bronze dome I had seen earlier.

Occupying the seats arranged along each step were hundreds of figures in grotesque masks.

Unlike my smooth, polished mask, theirs were irregular, with bumpy and distorted features.

The eyes carved into them bulged as if they might pop out, the noses were either thick and hooked or long and jutting, and the thick lips twisted to the side as if diseased, rarely attached in the correct position.
T h i s w as c o pi e d f rom k i n g m tl .or g

They looked less like masks and more like ancient ceremonial masks.

Though the dark hall was filled with low, heavy murmurs, the moment I appeared, their conversations abruptly ceased.

“…”

I glanced around, questioning if this was truly a place for humans. Fortunately, I soon spotted someone waving at me, putting my mind at ease.

Though she wore a mask resembling an ugly woman, her attire and gestures made it clear she was the Heukryean lady who had accompanied me.

I headed toward the small platform at the end of the corridor.

Deng-! Deng-! Deng-!

A solemn bell sounded three times in succession.

Someone wearing an old man’s mask ascended the center podium and brought a voice amplifier to his lips.

A heavily modified male voice echoed throughout the room.

“The hearing on the Jeokhwa incident will begin shortly. Members, please take your seats and remain quiet.”

***

Though no one could deny the crimes committed by Yeon Jeongmun, the issue at hand was whether Yeon Minha had conspired in the plan, as well as my alleged involvement.

Despite the hearing’s official title, it felt more like a heated debate.

“…!”

“…!”

The masked figures pointed fingers and shouted in altered voices, creating a noisy commotion.

The man who initially asked for order with his gavel gave up and stood with his arms crossed, watching the chaos unfold. Surprisingly, few questions were directed at me.

Then someone the Heukryeon couple had called as a witness appeared, whom I recognized easily.

“Oh! It’s him! The masked brother!”

It was the little girl I had saved from the demons on the second night at Jeokhwa’s estate.

She spent her allotted time passionately praising my bravery until she was forcibly removed from the witness stand.

Her appearance quickly shifted the atmosphere.

Even without understanding the legal jargon, common sense dictated that a co-conspirator wouldn’t risk their life battling demons to rescue victims.

This naturally led to discussions about Yeon Minha’s innocence.

The main argument was that if she were an accomplice, she wouldn’t have brought an outsider like me to the estate before the plan’s completion.

I testified as thoroughly as possible about the situation. Noticing the estate’s oddities, investigating with Yeon Minha, confronting Yeon Jeongmun together, and the arrival of Paechun and Sungshan’s suppression forces.

“Then why did you fight the suppression forces? That doesn’t add up!”

“It was a natural exercise of self-defense in an unfamiliar situation! Were we supposed to meekly surrender? Knowing the tension between Jeokhwa and Paechun, what else was there to do?”

“If the daughter indeed tried to stop her father, collective punishment can’t apply. Is she not the last remaining bloodline of Jeokhwa? We cannot let a reputable family vanish like this…”

T h i s w a s c opi e d f r o m ki n g m t l . o r g
Amidst the noisy exchanges, someone slammed their walnut-colored desk with a distorted mask.

“Regardless, the acts committed by Yeon Jeongmun are not ordinary crimes! That child and Yeon Minha must undergo thorough investigation!”

This person had consistently opposed us, raising strong objections.

“That child isn’t even a direct descendant, just a recommended student! The Five Families’ oath doesn’t apply to him. He should be detained immediately…!”

“What nonsense is that? Not a direct descendant!”

But even his final outburst was silenced by a thunderous retort.

Despite the altered voice through his mask, I recognized Sa Daeryong’s father immediately.

As he shouted, the lady of the house placed her hand on her mask and lowered her head.

T h i s w a s c o p i e d f ro m k i n g mt l.o rg
The fluidity of the actions made it seem like a rehearsed play.

Her behavior was reminiscent of a shy girl, as if her cheeks beneath the mask were flushed red…

Yet the words that followed were entirely unexpected and unprecedented.

“Hyun is our second son!”

***

“Over here, dear…!”

After the tedious hours-long hearing concluded.

Retracing my steps along the corridor, a familiar voice called from afar, waving at me.

There stood the Heukryeon couple, each holding an ugly mask in their hands.

“Hoho, wasn’t it tough? Let’s go, then.”

The lady gestured to me with her elegant smile.

Seeing my gaze caught on the mask in her hand, she offered an explanation.

“These are the costumes required for council members. The masks symbolize equality, and the clothing represents our tradition. Though, who would believe such a story…”

I followed them out of the assembly building.

Everything was subject to interpretation, and the opposition could easily entangle us if they wished.

But any such attempts were consistently thwarted by Sa Daeryong’s intimidating presence.

Despite the ridiculous mask on his face, no one dared voice dissent when he spoke.
T h i s wa s c op ied f ro m k i n g m t l .org

Though the hearing’s results would be announced in three days, the atmosphere suggested a likely positive outcome.

Yet my mind remained tangled, primarily due to the Heukryon master’s earlier statement.

Second son…?

“Um… about what you said earlier…”

“Let’s head home first. I’ll explain everything in due time…”

As if reading my thoughts, the lady began to answer gently.

But suddenly, a voice rang out from behind us on the main corridor.

“Seniors. Leaving so soon after your long absence?”

A sharply dressed middle-aged man approached us, his footsteps echoing.

His deep, reassuring voice, kind appearance, and youthful charm hinted at past popularity—he bore a striking resemblance to someone I couldn’t place.

Yet his voice made the Heukryon couple grimace, betraying any semblance of pleasantries.

And he wasn’t alone.

I soon noticed someone trailing him like a shadow.

When I realized who it was, my heart sank.

Her hair shimmered like a starry night, her eyes glowed with golden particles, radiating beauty unmatched by any…

But she had become my nightmare.

For some reason, she continued to glance nervously in my direction.

End of Chapter