Correcting the Villainess of the Academy

“Wow, you’re really amazing! And I heard that you’re almost an expert at magic as well…”

“Oh, come on. It’s not that much. I just mimic a bit by self-studying. If I just remember the principle of the double vowel overlap that demons use…”

“Just self-studying that difficult stuff is incredible…! Oh my gosh…!”

The conversation in the salon centered around Yeon. The blonde-haired, green-eyed female student was unusually excitable, practically screaming and nodding her head vigorously every time Yeon said something.

“Oh dear, you’re making me blush by praising me so much. And don’t you think you’re being a bit too formal? Just call me sister…”

“Then… Seoyeon unni…?”

The blonde female student looked like she was about to faint. The male student with a muscular build and short hair sitting next to her scrunched his face at the scene.

In that moment, it felt like my thoughts aligned with his.

“Senpai… what if…!”

“Senpai… I have a question too…!”

“Huh? Of course, it’s fine. And I’m not your senpai; I’m your sister…”

Though numerous voices clashed in a loud uproar, Yeon steadily led the conversation with a calm smile.

In this room, aside from the students from famous families, there were several unfamiliar students, but I could easily guess their identities.

They might not be from prestigious families, but they were likely those who performed excellently in the entrance exam, receiving high ranks and entering the cradle, all considered to have exceptional talents.

On the day of the orientation yesterday, Minha had left before Yeon’s response had even finished.

And remembering Minha’s expression, which seemed lacking in leisure and overly anxious, alongside the sight of only those who looked like sycophants surrounding her, not to mention the Heukryeon family having suffered significant blows to their finances due to a terrorist attack from an extremist group, it wouldn’t be surprising if her situation wasn’t too pleasant.

Furthermore, according to the journal entry I saw yesterday, it didn’t seem likely that Minha had the mental energy to carefully manage the events around her now. There might also be difficulties in smoothly engaging in social activities that require a lot of mental strength.

Moreover, her personality was likely deteriorating more and more.

Of course, I couldn’t know all those situations, but it seemed entirely reasonable to view this current moment as an unobstructed opportunity for Yeon to expand her influence.

Thus, it made sense for her to contact the freshmen this quickly. Besides, unlike her, Yeon had gained considerable popularity among the students.

Even now, it seemed she was adeptly captivating the audience, proving that she hadn’t earned last year’s victory for nothing.

The shy figure from back when I was young, who couldn’t even initiate a proper conversation with others, now had none of that left.

Students who didn’t seem to have good backgrounds couldn’t fully participate in the conversation, but Yeon treated them kindly, quickly opening their hearts.

The cozy salon was filled with a friendly and amicable atmosphere.

Except for one person—me.

*

Every time I heard Yeon’s voice laughing and chatting with the female students, I struggled hard to calm my wildly beating heart.

It was a mistake to be lured by the vague “senpai” title. It was a mistake to have that complacency that thought I could slip away when the atmosphere was appropriate.

I should have just bolted the moment the first tone reached my ears.

However, my foolish body had no intention of obeying its master.

I quietly sat and just prayed for this time to pass quickly.

But cruelly… it seemed that the divine had no intention of granting my prayer.

“Um, our junior… you definitely said Yoo Jin-hyun, right…?”

Suddenly, that longing voice pierced my ears.

But that mouth was calling a name that did not exist in this world—a phantom of sorts.

With an intense pain that felt like my insides would burst, I had no choice but to tightly shut my eyes.

“Junior…?”

The question mixed with confusion returned again.

And all eyes were entirely focused on me.

Only after I had barely settled my trembling heart could I finally respond.

“…Yes, that’s correct.”

“…?”

As I struggled to speak, I found myself making eye contact with Yeon.

The moment she heard my voice, Yeon suddenly raised the tip of her right eyebrow slightly and tilted her head to the left.

It was a very brief moment, but I could clearly see it.

“…”

At that bizarre action, my heart sank.

That just now was one of Yeon’s unique expressions when she was in doubt about something.

…Could she possibly recognize me? No, absolutely not. My voice has deepened, and my height and physique can’t even be compared to before. With a mask on, my face is entirely unrecognizable.

I desperately calmed my thoughts.

Maybe it was just a misunderstanding, and fortunately, Yeon soon continued her conversation naturally as if nothing had happened.

“…Hmm, what a lovely name…! Why don’t our junior join the conversation too…? It’s not something I say lightly, but such an occasion is really rare, right? It would be great to become friends with everyone…”

“…Well, I don’t really have anything to say.”

“Uh…? But still…”

“Honestly, I’m not even sure why I’m here.”

The suddenly blunt words caused the warm atmosphere in the salon to cool rapidly.

In that moment, perhaps influenced by Yeon, I could feel the chilly glares directed at me from all around.

The most intense hostility seemed to come from the direction of the blonde female student who had been so excitable earlier.

“…Puh.”

In the quiet salon, the sound of someone snickering echoed.

“It’s true, you know. I’m also curious why such a strange guy is here. Senpai, if it’s alright, could you tell us the reason?”

The one with the mocking voice was some male student sitting on the sofa across from me. He was surely from the Hwangseong National family… Ryong, was it? His nagging tone certainly matched his appearance.

I had a strong urge to test whether a good thrashing would change that tone.

But that impulse vanished without a trace the moment Yeon unexpectedly spoke.

“Oh my! Did you not know? Junior Yoo Jin-hyun entered with a recommendation from the Heukryeon family. You know, it’s been rumored that it’s been 18 years since a recommendation was made…”

Yeon covered her mouth slightly with her hand as she spoke. That cleverness ignited reactions from all over.

“What? That person is him? That’s ridiculous…!”

“I heard the rumors, but I never imagined…”

“What kind of weirdo wears such a mask and got a recommendation…”

“So that’s why he went to the personal dormitory in the annex yesterday… No wonder… I thought he took a wrong turn…”

I did enter the cradle through a recommended admission, but I had already heard from the principal that this fact wouldn’t be publicly announced.

Aside from certain benefits like being exempt from the entrance exam, I would receive the same education as other students, and if I naturally made friends, it would likely become known around me.

But I never thought of the possibility that my background would be leaked from elsewhere.

How did Yeon know in advance that I was a recommended student from the Heukryeon family?

Perhaps since it was said that the cradle also had people from the Baek family overseeing it, the story could have leaked from there.

But why would she invite me to a friendly gathering knowing who I was? Why would she make a point to naturally reveal my background to others?

As far as I know, the Baek family doesn’t have a good relationship with the Heukryeon family, as much as they don’t with the Yeon family. I even heard that the current head of the Baek family considers their leader a mortal enemy.

In that situation, how could Yeon not know him…?

“…You shouldn’t judge people by their appearance too much. Since he’s an outstanding junior, it’s only natural he received a recommendation, right?”

Yeon scolded the students in a quiet voice, and the displeasure quickly faded away. It looked rather benevolent.

Our situation, talking like strangers, also felt quite absurd.

“I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable, junior. I just called you over to get along, really, I have no other intention. We’re all part of the same cradle, after all…”

After calming down the others, Yeon spoke to me again. Her tone was filled with a hint of embarrassment.

However, I no longer wanted to continue this farce.

You, the noble heiress of the prestigious Paecheon Baek family, who treated everyone equally regardless of their background.

You had left me two years ago, and seeing you smiling brightly at others as if nothing happened made it impossible for me to speak.

Perhaps she had changed her mind during that time, I thought for just a brief moment.

But I quickly realized it was a futile misconception.

That slight squinting of her eyes when she conversed warmly with others was a characteristic of Yeon when she said things she truly didn’t mean.

As I faced each of those little actions, my sanity was gradually pushed to its limits.

The effort to maintain my composure had long turned into a pointless endeavor.

Asking me to engage in ordinary conversation with Yeon, as if we were seeing each other for the first time… was far too cruel for me.

So my mouth, without my own control, blurted out words.

“…What kind of fool would believe that.”

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