Correcting the Villainess of the Academy

The day after a storm swept through the ward. I was finally able to complete my discharge procedures and return to the Cradle.

I was itching to find Mok Jinwoo immediately, but right now, the capital was under a state of emergency due to events occurring in the neighboring City No. 1. Naturally, an outdoor ban had also been placed on the Cradle for a while.

Still, they said it wouldn’t take long, so I could only wait for the right moment.

“Left!”

“Duck!”

–Bang!

My first class after returning was Tactical Magic. It was a great way to loosen up my stiff body.

Dueling Grounds. Teams of five students formed formations as they fought fiercely. The sound of magical projectiles colliding with barriers and exploding filled the air.

In one corner, a mini-lecture continued for students who had already finished their duels and those waiting for their turn.

“…Now, does anyone remember what I said about this situation earlier?”

At the professor’s question, one student raised his hand and answered.

“Those arrogant wizards who live off their talent die young, ten out of ten.”

A small chuckle echoed through the room.

“Good memory. That’s 10 points for you.”

A middle-aged professor with a serious look and glasses nodded.

“In the eyes of ordinary folks who aren’t related to magic, wizards are often perceived as unbeatable beings, capable of taking on a hundred opponents.”

He walked back and forth in front of the squatting students, continuing his explanation.

“This perception is not uncommon even among the newly awakened young wizards. However, it’s an entirely twisted and distorted view from the outset. Of course, it’s not to say no one ever exceeds those limits. Throughout history, there have always been those who transcend, including principal applicants, and it’s possible that one of you might become one too.”

I felt a sharp gaze glance over from behind those glasses.

“But now you should understand. Having already experienced a few practical classes and commissions, the vast majority of a wizard’s life can end tragically, even against low-grade monsters, third-class demon nobodies, or even mere mutants.”

That phrase sounded vaguely familiar.

Upon reflecting, I realized it echoed what Professor Moon Seon-kyung had scolded me during the Sky Basin practice.

“What you need to learn from this training is straightforward. While dynamically switching between offense and defense, you must work together with others to fill in the gaps… Gu Jaeryong!”

The professor abruptly turned and shouted. A male student who couldn’t withstand the opposing team’s fierce attack broke formation and was bolting away.

“How dare you abandon your comrades on the battlefield! You lose 20 points and will have a meeting! Come to my office right after class!”

“Tsk tsk. That guy never seems to change, no matter how many months go by.”

As I watched the professor chasing after the male student, suddenly, a shadow loomed overhead. A coarse voice perked my ears.

A massive build, well-trained muscles, and a crop of short hair. Seongsan’s Choi Woojin unexpectedly flopped down next to me.

He then showed interest in the drink bottle I was sipping from.

“Vitality Potion? Did you get that as a donation? I haven’t seen it before.”

“…Well, sort of.”

What I was drinking was the vitality potion that Kwon Yuri had left behind.

After checking a few things, I found no traces of tampering. In fact, it felt effective enough to be almost apologetic for having doubted it. Just a small sip brought noticeable energy.

It was too good to throw away and would certainly help with recovery, so I decided to keep it around.

“The design looks familiar… Wait. Is that the no. 9 series from Blein?”

Blein…? That’s the name of the pharmaceutical company owned by Kwon Yuri’s family, right? Come to think of it, she did mention that it was a vitality potion made by her family. I didn’t expect Choi Woojin to recognize it at a glance.

But then, the next moment, Woojin said something that left me feeling lightheaded.

“The color… Hey, this is the top-tier nectar, isn’t it? Where did you get this? You’d need a fortune just to reserve it!”

Cough… Cough!

I involuntarily choked and coughed.

Right now, there are over 30 bottles that look exactly like this stacked up in my dorm room.

Did she really bring me something so precious just as a get-well gift?

“…”

What is that senior thinking? No matter how much it’s from her family, this is quite excessive.

“Well, it seems Heukryeon has its separate purchasing channels. It’s unlikely that Senior Kwon Yuri gave it to you personally…”

“…I’m not sure about that same family stuff.”

I changed the topic, feeling uncomfortable.

“So, I guess your commission went well? Judging from the lack of any wounds.”

“Of course. Unlike others, I’m not a weakling.”

Choi Woojin wore his characteristic sly grin.

“You were definitely dispatched as a barrier guard, right?”

“Yep. I accompanied the scouting rangers across the barrier into the demon realm. It was quite an experience. I even scored the kill of three second-class demons.”

The area beyond the barrier is a place I haven’t been to. From what I heard from the captain and my sister, it was an inhospitable land filled with barbarism and sorcery.

Choi Woojin seemed unfazed as if he had just gone out for groceries.

“How was it?”

“Well… the atmosphere didn’t feel great.”

He replied, now with a somewhat serious look on his face.

“This scouting mission was initiated based on information obtained from the Northern Army’s command. Monsters have been gathering near the barrier. According to the intel, a new unified leader has emerged. Someone referred to as ‘the Proxy.’”

“The Proxy?”

That term didn’t sit well with me.

“I talked with the rangers, and they mentioned there may be another grand invasion soon, just like two years ago.”

“…”

I could feel a weight settling on my mind.

That horrifying nightmare that took everything from me might happen again…

“Why the sudden grim face? Are you seriously getting scared?”

However, Choi Woojin’s teasing voice jolted me back to reality.

“This is disappointing.”

“Nonsense. Who’s scared…”

“Haha, got it. Let’s keep it at that. You know that students of the Cradle are the first enlistment targets, right? In the event of war, we’ll definitely be on the front lines.”

I immediately retorted, and Choi Woojin let out an annoying laugh. Thanks to him, I managed to avoid slipping back into dark thoughts.

“Well, war can wait until later. Nothing’s certain yet. Besides, don’t we have something more important at hand?”

“Something important?”

“Social season is coming up soon. Time to find a partner, suitable for breeding.”

His crude words came unexpectedly from his mouth.

“Breeding… what?”

“Why the surprise? It’s not like you haven’t heard it before.”

Choi Woojin sounded rather nonchalant.

“Bloodline enhancement, preservation of magic. We hear about it from adults whenever we get the chance, right? You should choose carefully. You don’t want to end up with particle hypersensitivity or something due to a wrong pairing.”

Particle hypersensitivity, particle hypersensitivity…

It’s been a while since I heard that term. A faintly familiar, thin girl appeared in my memories uninvited.

“…?”

Feeling a gaze upon me, I turned my head to find that Choi Woojin still wore that irritating smile, as though he had something on his mind.

“What’s it? I clearly said I won’t duel…”

“No, no.”

He waved his hand.

“I wasn’t trying to discuss that. Soon it’ll be the ranking tournament week, right? If you get drawn in, you’ll have to face it, whether you like it or not.”

“…So?”

“Ahem…”

He cleared his throat and hesitated. What on earth was he trying to say?

“You, um…”

And finally, what emerged from Choi Woojin’s mouth was something I never expected.

“Do you have anyone you’re seeing?”

“What?”

“Are you seeing anyone?”

“…No.”

I shook my head instantly. My left hand felt strangely empty.

“Really? By any chance, are you lying…?”

“Why would I lie about something like this?”

“So… you’re saying that’s true… Hmm…”

Choi Woojin muttered with a puzzled expression.

“Then was it really just a rumor…?”

“Rumor? What about?”

“About you and Yeon Minha… No, never mind. Let’s drop that topic.”

Wasting no time, Choi Woojin changed the subject.

“So, why did you ask that?”

“…Hey.”

“Yeah?”

“Would you consider going out with my sister?”

“…?”

My mind went blank. If he meant his sister, then that’s Choi Ireh. A second-year female student with a pair of round glasses and braided hair, known for her intellectual appearance.

And the Seongsan heir, who is constantly antagonistic towards the Heukryeon faction in Cradle.

That kind of hostility was reflected in the Cradle as well. Yeon Minha also often expressed her antagonism towards Choi Ireh, always on her heels in the Student Council.

Come to think of it, it was strange that Choi Woojin, who casually approached me, was the odd one out.

“No way, she’s been throwing hysterics lately, driving me nuts. Why’s she acting like this when she’s the one not satisfied with anything? I really don’t understand.”

“…Then why are you telling me this?”

“My sister has a bit of a unique taste, you see. She likes slender and flashy looks. But… I think you fit that bill quite well.”

He gestured towards the male student who was being reprimanded by the professor just a moment ago.

“Look at that guy. Despite being a wizard from the twenty-seven strokes of magic, he’s acting like that. Compared to him, you’re… well, at least decent.”

“…I’m the guy who broke her jaw, you know? And Seongsan and Heukryeon are total opposites…”

“Breaking her jaw just shows how strong you are. And in factions, things often change. Seongsan and Paecheon were at odds up until fifty years ago.”

His suggestion felt utterly out of the blue. He seemed serious, so this wasn’t a joke.

“…”

But I shook my head.

“I’ll pass.”

“What? Think about it. Honestly, there’s no better match than my sister.”

“Nope. Not interested.”

“Next! Choi Woojin, step forward!”

“…Tsk. It’s already my turn.”

Choi Woojin clicked his tongue, annoyed that he couldn’t persuade me further as he stood up, brushing off his seat.

“Anyway, think about it some more. At this rate, it might be better to make a proactive decision about being sold to someone rather than being dragged around like Jin Yeseo.”

As his voice faded, a name I had almost forgotten floated back into my mind.

*

I still had questions. Why did she, after going through the trouble of requesting a visit, just leave?

Today, there were no overlapping lectures, so I wouldn’t run into Jin Yeseo.

Though, even if I did, I probably wouldn’t have the guts to ask directly.

There’s only one place where we can have a conversation in this Cradle.

“Ha! Hah!”

Once my work ended, I headed to the old training room in Building A. As expected, familiar shouts and the sound of blade slicing through the air pierced the atmosphere.

But… what’s this? There’s a sweet scent in the air?

“Haah… haah!”

Jin Yeseo was so focused on her training that she didn’t even recognize my entrance.

But that was clear from her expression.

What she was doing was not pure training. Rather, it bordered on some sort of penance to shake off her distractions.

I could tell, having been through similar experiences countless times. Was there something serious on her mind?

This didn’t seem like an easily resolved type of worry. Despite being drenched in sweat and panting heavily, there remained traces of anguish in her eyes.

–Tsk tsk. What a glutton. Despite having enough to worry about in training, she’s wasting time on other thoughts? Listen. I’ll help you clear that mind of yours.

Suddenly, the commandant’s voice echoed in my head.

He’d looked displeased when I was still consumed by grief, doing basic training while sorrow weighed on me.

And under the pretense of sparring, he mercilessly beat me senseless.

…What’s strange is how effective that method turned out to be.

Though I suffered from severe muscle pain for about a day, afterward, I felt better focused.

“…”

I don’t have a knack for words. I’m not fond of listening to other people’s problems either.

But maybe I could help her clear her head, at the very least. After all, we’ve both survived death’s brink together.

I would help her; besides, I needed to loosen up a bit myself.

“Hey.”

“Eek! You scared me!”

After a moment’s contemplation, I deliberately made some noise as I approached. Jin Yeseo trembled and shot me an irritated look.

“Hey! You should let me know when you arrive!”

“I did, didn’t I?”

I picked up an old practice blade lying in the corner of the training room.

“What’s going on… out of nowhere?”

“What do you mean? It’s a duel, like we always do.”

And while aiming at the bewildered Jin Yeseo, I declared.

“Let’s go. I’ll be your opponent.”

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