From Villainess to Virtue: The Academy’s Redemption Story

The first thing that caught my eye was an unfamiliar ceiling.

I reflexively tried to look around, but soon realized I couldn't move even a finger.

As consciousness returned, so did a pain that felt like my nerves were being scraped raw.

Thankfully, rolling my eyes around was not an issue. When I saw the IV needle stuck in my arm and the drip line extending from it, I guessed I was in a hospital.

"What's that noise… Oh my!"

A nurse came in response to my sound. Startled, the nurse rushed out and then returned with someone else.

The person the nurse brought was the doctor who had once diagnosed me as completely unresponsive.

"Good heavens… I thought you looked familiar… It was you…"

After receiving painkillers from the doctor, I was somewhat able to gather my wits.

The doctor briefly updated me on the situation.

I was in a hospital in the city above our village, and it had been a whole week since I had woken up.

The demons that attacked the village were remnants of a group that had crossed over the wall recently.

Although the main force was crushed by the military, due to their large number, some of the group had escaped the encirclement.

That's why our village, among a few others on the outskirts, had suffered from their raid.

But what I was curious about wasn't the reason for the demon's attack.

"Hmm, well…"

I kept pressing the hesitant doctor for answers. He seemed reluctant to respond.

Eventually, I learned that all the other villagers had perished.

"…I'm sorry. My condolences."

There was no need to ask further.

It was evident that Mom, Jinho, and Ina were also included in that statement.

'Son~ Will you come home today? When did you grow up so much…'

'…What kind of mom says that to her son?'

But the fact that this brief exchange was the last conversation I had with my mother… was unbelievable.

Unfortunately, I couldn't even properly identify their bodies.

The scene had been too horrific, making the recovery effort difficult.

Even the bodies that were somewhat intact had long been cremated due to the possibility of ghouls.

"Ah… Ugh…"

"The graves have been set up next to the area where you lived. Once you recover, you can visit…"

The doctor consoled me by placing his hand on my shoulder.

"Still, the fact that you woke up is a miracle in itself…"

According to the doctor, my bones and organs were a complete mess.

I had suffered severe internal injuries from repeated strong impacts, and broken bones had punctured my organs, causing excessive bleeding.

Additionally, I had been poisoned by the claws of a demon. When I first arrived at the hospital, I was in a state that could hardly be called alive.

Although I had regained consciousness, I would need at least two months of hospitalization to fully recover from the bone fractures and the poison's effects.

Yet, reality was cold and brutal.

As an orphan, I had no means to afford the exorbitant hospital bills.

"…I don't have the means to pay such medical bills. I'm sorry, but…"

I honestly explained my situation to the doctor.

But he just shook his head.

Then, he told me not to worry about the hospital bills and to focus on my treatment before leaving the room.

Being unable to move even a finger, I was forced to simply lie down, repeating the same daily routine for a while.

However, unlike my body, my perfectly intact mind became a poison to me.

I was immersed in grief over the loss of my beloved family and friends, spending every day in agony.

Yet, one question continually surfaced amidst it all.

Seoyeon's existence had vanished as if it had never been there.

The nurses knew nothing, and the doctor only repeated that I was officially the only survivor from the village.

And after several weeks in the hospital,

When I had grown accustomed to the swamp of sorrow, frustration, pain, and powerlessness, Seoyeon suddenly visited my hospital room in the middle of the night.

***

In the hospital room lit by the soft dawn light,

I had just woken up from the pain that still tormented me.

"…Hello."

"Seo…yeon?

Without context or sound, Seoyeon was standing beside my bed.

Thinking it was a dream, I shook my head several times, but the scene before my eyes was undeniably real.

"…You seem to be having a hard time."

"…It's nothing. You…?"

"…As you can see, I'm fine."

Seoyeon's hair shimmered under the moonlight.

Her figure, partially hidden in shadows, only highlighted her natural beauty.

I was relieved she appeared unharmed and tried to reassure her with a bit of bravado, as always.

However, I soon realized that something was off about Seoyeon.

Her tone was emotionless, and her gaze was dark.

The lips that should have been teasing me remained tightly shut.

Her expression was devoid of laughter or tears, just still.

The usual affectionate whispers of love were nowhere to be found.

I had a mountain of questions I wanted to ask Seoyeon.

What had happened after I lost consciousness?

How had she been all this time?

Why hadn't she come to see me sooner…?

But Seoyeon's cold demeanor froze all my words.

"…Seoyeon, can you tell me… what happened after I passed out…?"

I forced out the question with great effort.

"…Right after you fainted, the soldiers arrived. They wiped out all the demons, and you were brought straight to this hospital."

Seoyeon answered with a flat voice.

"…I see. I'm sorry. I almost dragged you into…death with me…"

"Yes. It's because of you. Because you acted recklessly despite my warnings. If the soldiers had arrived just 30 seconds later, I would have been ashes by now. What were you thinking?"

"…"

Seoyeon's harsh criticism felt like needles piercing my heart.

I hadn't intended to make excuses.

But neither had I expected such a scathing rebuke.

That unfamiliar attitude from Seoyeon made me recall the past, which now seemed almost unrecognizable.

"…I have something to say. I'm in a hurry, so I'll make it quick and leave."

Seoyeon continued in a calm voice.

"I came here today to put an end to the past."

"The past?"

"Yes, the past."

A vague sense of unease began to wrap around me.

My heart pounded wildly, and a cold shiver ran through my body.

"I've blossomed into a magician. It was supposed to happen next year, but I guess it got accelerated due to various events."

"That's…great…"

"And now I've been readmitted into my family. Thanks to the head of the family's explicit approval, I won't have to fear for my life as before."

"…"

"Right. I've thought about it a lot after returning to the capital. And I realized this is my original life, the glory I should have always enjoyed. The days spent on the frontier were just like a nightmare."

"A nightmare…?"

"Yes, a nightmare. An unpleasant and disgusting memory that I wish could be erased from my life. To think I lived with such things for years. The disgust is overwhelming."

"What do you mean…"

"So, I decided to erase that nightmare. You know, for a family like ours, it's no big deal."

"…"

"I was never in that village to begin with. I'm the daughter who received nothing but love from the head of the family and was pampered to the point that I never left the capital."

"What are you saying…"

"Everyone who knew my whereabouts is dead, and even if you talk, no one will believe you. Of course, why would anyone believe the bluffs of a country bumpkin like you?"

Seoyeon's following words continuously clouded my mind.

I just wanted to cover my ears and block out her words.

I finally understood the meaning behind the doctor's statement that I was the only 'official' survivor.

"People show me the utmost respect. But you're in a position where even they expect you to bow your head. Do you see? This is the difference between us. Our relationship was nonsensical from the start."

"Seoyeon… why are you saying this…"

"…"

Even with my tearful plea, her gaze remained cold and dry.

"So, what were we…?"

"Obviously, we were nothing to each other, and we will remain nothing."

Unable to bear it, I blurted out my protest, but Seoyeon affirmed her words too blandly and simply.

Her voice was still as placid as the bottom of a lake.

"Seoyeon… this is strange… did something happen…? Right, maybe you were threatened by your father…"

"Hah…"

My strained question dissipated hopelessly with Seoyeon's sigh of annoyance.

"An event? Sure, something did happen. Everything returned to how it was supposed to be."

"…"

"I'll admit it. There was a time when I was naive and young. When I had to please others for survival. But not anymore. I… have realized the truth."

"Seoyeon…"

"I prefer men I can rely on. But you're not one. Instead of protecting me, you nearly dragged me into a pit of death."

"What are you talking about…"

"Still don't understand? You're neither strong nor dependable. You had a decent face, but even that's now useless. You… don't deserve to be by my side."

"…"

After a barrage of sentences from Seoyeon, I could only bow my head in silence.

"I'm sorry to have brought this up at such a time. But it couldn't be helped. I wished you would realize reality like I have."

"…"

"…I must go now. I'm a busy person. So…"

After finishing her words, Seoyeon turned around and walked towards the door.

In that series of unembellished actions, there was no trace of lingering attachment.

"…Then, just one last question, please…"

"…What is it?"

I mustered all my strength to hold onto Seoyeon with my voice.

Turning her head, Seoyeon's face betrayed a slight annoyance.

"Was our time in the village… our past memories… truly of no value to you…? Really…"

"Of course. They were nothing but waste occupying space."

"…"

"Well then."

As if it were of no importance, Seoyeon replied curtly and left the hospital room.

Only the faint scent of water forget-me-nots lingered in the quiet room.

And I had to accept it.

My childhood had ended in the worst way possible.