Iron Blooded Villain’s Academy Class

Episode 42

Catherine was out of her mind.

It was the first time a guest had entered the house, a man at that. Even more so, that guest was Kang Tae-min.

At least, the reason why she was able to stop acting like a slut was thanks to the child Kang Tae-min carried on her back.

“Please lay it down here for now!”

Isn’t Kang Tae-min asking for help? She gave up her own bed at once.

At first glance, there seemed to be no major problem. Although he was unconscious, he had no visible trauma and seemed to be asleep.

“Sorry for not contacting you. The situation was urgent.”

Taemin Kang apologized again. Catherine asked, trying to hide her trembling voice.

“What the hell is going on? Help, and that’s my help… ”

He asked for help from himself and no one else. That fact alone filled me with joy and worry.

“This student is the student I visited today… ”

Kang Tae-min brought up a story he had prepared in advance.

“Your uncle asked for a favor?”

“Yes. You asked that you have to go to the dungeon late at night and are worried about Hwarin. It certainly wasn’t that good today.”

“But when I went to find him, he had collapsed… ”

Catherine shook her head. But if that’s the case, isn’t it right to go to the hospital right away?

There must have been a reason why Kang Tae-min came. Her gaze reached Yuhwarin who was lying down.

“ah… ”

Faint marks were left on the child’s neck. It was a part that was not visible when Kang Tae-min was carrying him.

“no way?”

“… I hope so.”

Kang Tae-min’s dark expression surprised her and covered her mouth. He couldn’t have imagined that it was a trace made by Kang Tae-min on purpose.

“Even if it’s a little late, four months would be better. I was going to take him to the hospital, but… I just couldn’t.”

“Why, oh… The timing is odd.”

Catherine could infer the reason.

She paid attention to Kang Tae-min during the time she could see him, and remembered exactly what he said during the faculty meeting.

Yuhwarin is the 15th member of the special class.

‘If this fact becomes known to the association… ‘

Although it is only an academy’s midterm, there was a reason for submitting the list of students participating in the selection to the association.

It was because the association checks the mental health of students participating in this competition.

The Youth Hunter Championship was a national competition, and that’s why so many people flocked to it.

The size of the event is significant when you include not only students who are participants, but also their families, scouts and association officials from various guilds, and reporters.

‘There will be a disruption in my participation in the competition.’

Since it is such a large event, it is inevitable to exclude participants who are mentally unstable to prevent accidents.

If Yoo Hwa-rin couldn’t go out, as Cha Dong-hyeok said, they would have to hire someone from another class, and it was clear that the picture Kang Tae-min had drawn would be distorted.

“There will be problems in the future of Yoo Hwa-rin.”

Kang Tae-min added as if he had read his thoughts. Katherine lowered her head with an apologetic expression.

“Ah, yes… ”

If Yoo Hwa-rin’s suicide attempt was recorded, there would be restrictions on her activities until she completed psychiatric treatment.

Even if you can attend the academy, you will not be able to do outside activities such as strategy practice or volunteering.

‘I made a mistake… ‘

I was ashamed.

Unknowingly, he thought of Yuhwarin as a tool to participate in the competition. However, it was clear that Kang Tae-min thought that she was also a responsible student.

“So I need help. With Catherine’s ability, please help Hwarin fix her memory.”

“With my ability… ?”

At Kang Tae-min’s request for a while, Catherine rolled her eyes with a serious expression.

She had revealed her abilities to Kang Tae-min. But this was not the intention.

‘I thought you were the same as me, so I told you… ‘

Changing people’s memories was not an easy decision. Because of this, she never used her abilities even after awakening.

Kang Tae-min was in a similar situation before he changed, and she felt a sense of kinship with him that even though he had the ability, he was no different from an incompetent person.

“I know it’s difficult.”

Catherine’s gaze turned to Kang Tae-min. Unlike her, his expression was confident.

“That is why I asked for it. I thought Catherine would understand, anyone who has suffered from the past.”

her eyes twitched. It was a word that struck a chord. If you could change your memories, wouldn’t you?

However, the answer did not come immediately. Changing one’s own memories and changing others’ memories felt different.

Kang Tae-min did not put more pressure on him.

‘If I refuse, I have no choice but to use the next best option.’

He didn’t do it just to rely on Catherine.

The reason Yuhwarin becomes a wild horse is her obsession with her parents. In order to solve this problem, he had to either get Yoo Hwa-rin to admit the death of her parents or prevent her from obsessing over it at all.

‘I should make the memory locked.’

Miss Backdoor’s escort, Mr. Rock’s abilities. It’s not just material that he can lock up.

The next best thing he prepared was to lock down Yoo Hwa-rin’s memories of ‘parents’ through Kang Tae-min’s transaction.

Mr. Rock is also the same subject, Yoo Hwa-rin’s memories of his parents will be locked, and since he is an unknown person, there is no disadvantage to him.

‘But this is out of my control, so I want to avoid it…’ ‘

The problem was that due to his ability, the initiative was given to Mr. Rock, that is, to Miss Backdoor.

Rather than that, Catherine’s ability was cleaner.

“… like.”

The scales in Katherine’s mind tipped to one side. It was thanks to the feeling of indebtedness to Kang Tae-min, his trust in him and his good intentions weighing heavily on the scale.

“But it’s impossible to read all of a person’s memories.”

It was impossible to go through someone’s entire life. It felt similar to checking a video with a duration of several decades.

How can you check such a vast amount one by one?

“So you have to prepare in advance what needs to be changed and use your abilities.”

“There is a story about that.”

Kang Tae-min explained Yoo Yu-rin’s circumstances as he had heard from Yoo Ji-wan. Catherine listened carefully to the story and constructed an image.

“Actually, my parents are dead. So, it should be changed to something that Hwarin confirmed the death of her parents.”

“I know. Then we will begin.”

Katherine sighed and moved towards Yuhwarin’s head. When she manifested her ability, a blue thread stretched out from her fingertips and penetrated Yuhwarin’s head.

Katherine’s eyes were then covered with brilliance.

‘This?’

I could see the flames and spirits engulfed in all directions. However, even for a moment, a giant iron man trampled the flames.

A very unreal sight.

‘Is it like a vision I saw before I lost my mind?’

Catherine paid no heed to the memory. Human memory did not always reflect reality.

It was because not only reality, but also thoughts, images, and imaginations were intertwined.

Catherine recalled the prepared images and matched the memories. Scenes floating among countless memories.

‘My parents are dead.’

Catherine overlaid her image over the scenes.

After a while, Catherine withdrew her abilities and returned to reality with a tired expression.

“Are you okay?”

“… Yes, it is over.”

Catherine staggered as she said that. Taemin Kang supported her.

“ah… ”

“thank you. Miss Catherine.”

His satisfied face, those words of gratitude washed away her fatigue. Catherine’s face immediately turned red.

“Oh, no. I’m glad you found it helpful.”

She hurriedly straightened her posture and replied. My heart was beating wildly.

Kang Tae-min lifted the fallen Yoo Ha-rin back on his back with a smile.

“I am really sorry for being late.”

“Ah, right… Are you going?”

“I have to take Hwarin home.”

I wanted to hold onto it more, but he was right.

‘Well, your uncle is back, but you’d be surprised if he wasn’t there… ‘

There was no reason to stop it. Catherine saw him off, hiding her disappointment.

“Ah, Miss Catherine.”

“Yes?”

“As you know, this is a secret only we know.”

“Ah yes. Sure!”

Katherine quickly nodded, and Taemin Kang smiled.

“thank you. Then see you next time.”

“Yes, be careful.”

Taemin Kang and Yuhwarin left the house. But Catherine was still standing on the porch.

‘secret… ‘

A secret that only the two of you know, that no one else knows.

It was a very nice tone.

‘I was helpful too.’

I have a connection with Kang Tae-min. That fact made her happy.

‘Student Hwarin, you should check your status, right? just in case.’

Half worried, half selfish.

Catherine decided to pay attention to Yuhwarin.

* * *

“Ugh… ”

Yuyurin let out a light moan and opened her eyes. A slight headache and dizziness followed.

‘Was it too much… ‘

The memory of the previous day was unclear. But it was familiar. It was an uncommon phenomenon when the spirit was entrusted with the ritual.

‘it… What was it?’

She staggered to her feet. Even in such an obscure memory, the image of cold steel clearly remained in my mind.

‘Seeing that you’ve returned home, there seems to be no problem.’

Yuhwarin immediately erased her thoughts. First of all, I had to do something. It was clear that if he didn’t prepare breakfast, he would hear from Yoo Ji-wan again.

She came down the stairs helplessly and headed for the kitchen.

“yes… ?”

Strangely, however, there was a savory smell coming from the kitchen. Yuhwarin checked the kitchen with a puzzled face.

“who… ?”

Naturally, there was no way Yu Ji-wan would prepare the dish. It was the first man I had ever seen in the kitchen.

“Oh, you woke up.”

The man, Kang Tae-min, reacted as if he had just discovered Yuhwa-rin and put the yellow fried rice in a bowl.

Then sprinkle a little soy sauce on top. One of the easiest dishes is soy sauce egg fried rice.

“I came to visit your home yesterday, don’t you remember?”

“Home visit… ?”

“yes. He must have been out of his mind because of mana exhaustion.”

Uhwarin’s vigilance soon softened. Based on what he knew about mana exhaustion, it must have been true.

“… What about your uncle?”

“Ah, that… It would be better to eat and talk first.”

Kang Tae-min said with a slightly uncomfortable expression. Yuhwarin looked at him blankly and sat down.

The meal was over quickly.

It was because eating quickly became a habit since dining with Yoo Ji-wan was uncomfortable.

“Did it taste good?”

“Yes.”

“I’m glad.”

Taemin Kang said that and paused for a while. Then he said with a serious expression.

“Hwarin-ah, Uncle… He passed away.”

“… Yes?”

“I also heard late yesterday.”

I didn’t come out of the dungeon for a long time, so I went to the association to check. No body remained.

The association speculated that the kobold in the dungeon had taken it.

“… okay.”

“It’s fine?”

Yuuri nodded calmly.

“Everyone dies. My parents too… Because he did.”

“Well… ”

“Besides, actually, my uncle wasn’t a very nice person.”

Yuhwarin was not at all saddened by his death.

She kept quiet about being exploited, fearing that she would be disadvantaged, but talked about Yoo Ji-wan’s usual behavior.

“… So what are you going to do next?”

“I don’t know.”

Yuhwarin said with a blank face. After losing her purpose, all she had left was emptiness.

“Originally, I wanted to become a hunter who could repay my parents. There is nothing left now.”

“Isn’t there anyone you can show it to?”

“Yes… What does that mean?”

“Is that really what your parents wanted?”

Yuyurin did not answer. Instead, he stared at Kang Tae-min.

“Hwarin, were your parents good people?”

“… Yes.”

“Good parents support their children, not demand them.”

“Yes?”

“Have your parents ever wanted you in return?”

Yuyurin kept her mouth shut. And slowly shook his head.

Her parents gave up what they had built up abroad for her. Going back to Korea was for her sake.

However, he never asked Yoo Hwa-rin to do anything. Wasn’t it her wish to go back to Korea?

“I don’t do anything because there is no one to show it to. That is a bad idea.”

As Taemin Kang said that, he looked back at himself. The reason he got rid of the villains wasn’t to show his parents.

Because I couldn’t stand it otherwise. It was revenge for my parents, but it was also for myself.

“then… What should I do?”

“I don’t know about that.”

Yoo Hwa-rin frowned. However, Kang Tae-min’s words did not end there.

“Do you need to decide right now what to do?”

“… Yes?”

“A musician once said, We have achieved our purpose by birth. The rest is just a bonus game.”

“Bonus game… ?”

“yes. Your parents must have been happy enough just for you to be born.”

Uhwarin’s eyes trembled.

“No one decides what they will do when they are born. It’s what you get to know as you live. One thing is for sure, the more you know, the wider your options.”

Kang Tae-min concluded his remarks by clearing away the empty dishes.

“That’s why the academy exists.”

Watching Taemin Kang turn around, Yuhwarin ruminated on the past.

– Hwarin-ah, not all school life is like that.

-I want my daughter to make good memories.

The story my parents told me when they decided to return home. It wasn’t simply for the future as an Awakener.

– You will have many good friends.

– They must be special children like our Hwarin.

Her parents didn’t want her school days to be left with sadness and suffering.

All she wanted was the happiness of the two of them.

Tears flowed along the corners of Yu Hwa-rin’s eyes. Kang Tae-min couldn’t see it because he was cleaning the dishes.

“Teacher.”

She too wiped away tears.

“now… Aren’t you late?”

“It’s not too late.”

At that question, Kang Tae-min turned around with a faint smile.

“If you don’t think you’re late.”

* * *

the next morning.

“Sir, who is he?”

Min So-yul looked at Yu-Wa-Rin, who was clinging to Kang Tae-Min with a shocked face.