From Villainess to Virtue: The Academy’s Redemption Story

The moment I heard Seoyeon's words, it felt as if a massive rock had dropped in my chest.

We were still too young, not even halfway through our lives yet. It seemed utterly nonsensical to talk about death as if it were just another part of life.

"Particle… hypersensitivity?"

"Particle Hypersensitivity Syndrome. Shortened to Particle Hypersensitivity."

Yet, Seoyeon herself explained it quite calmly.

"Do you know what magicians use as a material when casting magic?"

"…No clue. Isn't it just conjured out of thin air?"

"The Earth's atmosphere contains a substance known as Vessel particles. Invisible to the eye, but they are certainly present everywhere around us. Even here, right now."

Seoyeon gestured through the air with her hand, explaining that magic is essentially the transformation of these Vessel particles into different substances.

She went on to say that those capable of wielding this power are magicians, who possess a special bodily organ known as the 'Well'.

"Being born a magician doesn't mean you can use magic right away. A newborn magician's body absorbs atmospheric particles through the Well. In doing so, the body's structure gradually adapts for magic use. Once this transformation is complete, one truly blossoms into a magician."

However, Seoyeon's Well was problematic. Normally, as a magician's body grows, the Well's capacity to absorb particles increases gradually. Seoyeon's Well, however, was absorbing particles at a rate far exceeding its limit.

"To internalize the particles, it has to go through a process called internalization via the Well. But in my case, it doesn't work. There are too many particles entering the Well, and they can't all be internalized."

"…And what happens then?"

"The particles that aren't internalized roam around the body, wreaking havoc. As far as I know, it causes a decrease in immunity, heart function abnormalities, vision impairment, fainting, anemia, insomnia, and the sensation of being pricked by thousands of needles from within…"

"…Stop."

I couldn't bear to listen to any more dreadful details.

"But could there still be a chance? You seem completely fine…"

"In fact, I've already been experiencing symptoms in small increments. It's been manageable, only causing sleepless nights so far… but it's expected to worsen significantly once I hit puberty."

"…"

"The average age for a magician to blossom is 17, but there has never been a case of someone with Particle Hypersensitivity surviving that long. And that's if they're lucky; most die well before then."

"Is there no treatment?"

"…It's incurable."

For the first time, Seoyeon showed a trace of bitterness on her face.

She revealed that the reason she came to our village was also due to Particle Hypersensitivity. It was one of the safer areas where the atmospheric particle concentration was low, which could potentially slow the progression of her disease.

She might have been able to avoid the infighting among siblings due to being deemed terminally ill, but being out of favor with the head of the household essentially meant she was exiled here.

Even after Seoyeon finished explaining, I was left in darkness, unable to do anything.

I finally understood why there was always a shadow cast over her beautiful features and why Seoyeon occasionally missed school.

I could also fully grasp the origin of her spiteful and arrogant personality.

Considering she grew up in an environment where siblings fought each other from a young age and also had an incurable disease, it was natural for her to have developed such a personality.

Yet, even with these revelations, I felt no relief.

Seeing that I remained silent, Seoyeon cautiously opened her mouth again.

"…I'm sorry for keeping this a secret. But I wanted to tell you before it was too late."

"…Aren't you scared?"

"Of course I'm scared. And… I don't want to die."

Seoyeon wore a lonely expression.

"When I first came to this village, I had given up on everything. But now, my thoughts have changed. Before my life ends, I want to leave as many traces of my existence as possible."

"Traces?"

"Yeah. Like… this portrait you drew for me."

Trying to lighten the mood, Seoyeon looked at her portrait I had drawn and spoke with a brighter tone.

"I'm sorry for burdening you. But you were the only one I could confide in. And… I thought you were the one who would remember me the most."

Recalling the past, Seoyeon shyly lowered her head.

"Hyun, can you help me leave no regrets?"

…

At this point, abandoning Seoyeon was out of the question.

My response was predetermined from the start.

I simply nodded silently.

Seeing my mute agreement, Seoyeon beamed with a wide smile, though unshed tears glistened in her eyes.

***

I harbored hope that maybe, just maybe, things could get better.

However, Seoyeon's prediction did not come true, and the symptoms of her illness became more and more severe.

They missed more and more days of school.

On the days Seoyeon was absent from school, I would go straight to the mansion after class, believing my presence somewhat soothed her.

I began drawing Seoyeon once a week, and soon enough, the wide walls were filled with portraits I had made.

Seoyeon's room had become a space all too familiar to me.

"Hyun… are you there?"

"Yeah."

"I'm cold… hold my hand…"

"…Here."

"Hehe… it's warm…"

Each time the pain intensified, Seoyeon habitually called my name.Holding her hand, she would flash a weak smile.

Her skin felt as cold and eerie as ice.

Watching Seoyeon deteriorate was tough, even for a youngster like me. Realizing there was little I could do beyond offering my hand or companionship added to the pain.

Fortunately, the disease didn't torment Seoyeon all day long.

The symptoms of Particle Hypersensitivity peaked on full moon nights, waning as the moon did, in a cyclical pattern.

Pain relief during the less severe daytime was possible with analgesics, allowing for somewhat normal activities.

Yet, as Seoyeon became increasingly unable to accompany me always, her insecurities manifested in other ways.

"Who's that girl?"

"Which girl?"

"Why are you pretending not to know? You were chatting with her at the school gate."

"Oh, that's Dain. Don't you remember? She always sat at the front of the class."

"You seemed to enjoy talking to her? You were laughing and chatting for quite a while. And then you both went somewhere together. Did you do something embarrassing that couldn't be done in public?"

"…Seoyeon, what are you talking about…"

"Why are you avoiding the question? If you like her, just go to her. Just leave me and go!!"

As time went by, we gradually forgot the bitterness caused by past jokes and actions.

I had nearly shaken off those memories and had become reasonably friendly not just with Hajin and Ina but with other kids as well.

However, Seoyeon didn't take kindly to my changes. Especially if I spoke even a word to another girl, she would sulk for a long time, and soothing her each time took a considerable toll on me.

"It wasn't like that. She said there was some heavy stuff in the storage room, so I just helped move it. Other friends were there too."

"Are you an idiot? It was obvious she was trying to make a move. How can you be so blind… sniff… sob…"

"…Seoyeon, are you crying…?"

"I really liked you. I liked you so much that I hit you. That's why I forgave you… sob… and you're just cheating on me… sob…"

"…Seoyeon, what are you talking about…"

"I can understand if your feelings changed because I'm dying… sniff… But at least not with another girl in front of me… sob… I'll be dead soon anyway, just wait until then… hic… sob…"

Seoyeon's sudden outburst left me dumbfounded.

It took twice the usual effort to finally soothe her.

And I also got to hear the full story of something I had been blissfully unaware of.

On that day, years ago, when I had severely beaten Seoyeon.

My mother, who had come to the school, tended to Seoyeon's wounds and told her that boys often express their interest in girls they like in such a manner. She convinced Seoyeon that I had acted violently because I liked her too much.

Seoyeon, for some reason, completely fell for my mother's words and came to believe that my actions were motivated by affection.

That's why she had said she was specially forgiving me that day.

And she even claimed to have stopped the maid, who had threatened to kill me, and the captain of the guard, who wanted to imprison me.

But since I had shown no reaction, Seoyeon thought my feelings had drifted away because she had revealed her illness.

"…sob… I was understanding towards you… but you… you…!!"

My mind went blank, struggling to process everything.

Even if it was akin to exile, learning why I had escaped punishment after beating a noble lady like Seoyeon without consequence was enlightening.

But at that time, I disliked Seoyeon if anything, without a trace of the sentiment she imagined.

What confounded me the most was my mother's absurd notion that boys show affection by hitting girls they like, and Seoyeon's unwavering belief in it.

If my mother's words were true, every husband in the world would be in prison.

"…Seoyeon, listen…"

After much contemplation, I honestly told Seoyeon about the scheme my mother had concocted.

I couldn't lie about something like this.

Hearing my story, Seoyeon's expression darkened rapidly.

Her eyes almost lost all light.

Looking at me with a sorrowful voice, Seoyeon timidly asked,

"…So you… don't like me? Was it all just… my misunderstanding?"

Tears welled up in Seoyeon's eyes.

Her voice trembled, barely audible.

I pondered what to tell her.

It wasn't that I disliked Seoyeon.

In fact, perhaps the opposite was true.

I reflected on our memories together.

And considered the efforts Seoyeon had made.

Whether it was her personality or appearance, she was brimming with signs of those efforts.

Seoyeon, who had thoroughly delved into nearly every aspect of my being, had become the embodiment of my desires.

Even without reminding me of her tragic fate as a terminally ill individual, I couldn't dislike someone who made such efforts.

I, who once loudly protested being constrained, had naturally come to accept Seoyeon's clinginess.

I had long been a prisoner to Seoyeon.

"…That's impossible."

My reply caused Seoyeon's eyes to tremble violently as if struck by an earthquake.

"How could I hold the hand of someone I don't like every day?"

"…Then?"

"…I like you."

Hearing my awkward declaration, Seoyeon bowed her head.

"…Even though I'll die soon. Do you still like me?"

"…I don't care. If I like you, I just like you…"

– Hug –

Before I could finish, Seoyeon rushed towards me, burying her face in my embrace.

"…Idiot… you should've said it sooner… sob…"

"…Sorry."

"Idiot. Really an idiot. No sense at all… dummy… sob…"

For a while, I had to comfort Seoyeon, her shoulders shaking with sobs. Afterwards, ignoring the fierce glare of the maid, I escorted a tearful Seoyeon home.

I couldn't sleep at all that night.