A Class Full of Future Villains
Uwaaa, the whole world was full of villains. The main villain group, Axion. Among them, Seo Harin, who embodied Pride. She was a total narcissist. She adored her own beauty and body, with an overwhelming urge to show off her abilities. A perfect, flawless existence—that's what she thought she was.
Maybe that's why Seo Harin had this weird habit she couldn't tell anyone about. 'I think my body shines most beautifully in the moonlight, so I take naked nighttime strolls.' Seo Harin saw herself as utterly flawless. So when that perfection was ever denied, her mental state would shatter dramatically. And the way she recovered? Moonlit naked walks. She'd bask in the sight of her beautiful body under the moonlight, reaching the peak of narcissism to mend her psyche.
She's insane. Sure, her stunning looks and snow-white skin drove readers wild. But knowing she was a classmate? It sent chills of dizzying horror through me.
Such a Seo Harin didn't hesitate to pick fights even with the teacher, as if saying, How dare someone like you teach me? Her delicate features and polite speech hid meanings that were brutally savage.
'Seo Harin went to the same middle school as Chaerin?' Thinking back, it made sense. I'd just never paid attention. 'Axion of Wrath.' That's the fate awaiting Chaerin. Seeing her today, I'd probably understand exactly why she became Axion's Wrath.
'But I have no intention of letting Chaerin turn out that way.' No matter what, I'd stop it. And to do that...
'I can't just leave those kids alone.' Like it or not, as fellow future Axion members, they'd influence each other. But for now, they weren't Axion yet. If I could prevent it, I'd try my best.
"That's not wrong," our homeroom teacher, Park Sungu, spoke up then. Surprisingly, he was agreeing with Seo Harin. The kids started whispering. No one expected the teacher to concede.
"There's a limit to what I can teach at my level. But that's for S-rank students." The class went silent at his follow-up, and Seo Harin's eyebrow twitched. S-rank. She knew exactly who that referred to.
"Seo Harin, you're an A-rank hunter, right?" Park Sungu turned off the blackboard projector casually, as if telling her not to worry. "No issues teaching A-ranks, so relax."
A crack formed on Seo Harin's forehead. She was pissed—a mere B-rank daring to look down on her.
"Ah, I see." Even destined to become Axion's Pride, she was still just 14. Too young to hide her emotions perfectly. Her ego had taken a hit. She'd probably go on a naked moonlit walk tonight. Terrifying.
"Class 1 will do a light fitness test and ability check today. Change into gym clothes and head outside. Boys, wait in the hall first and follow me out."
As Park Sungu stepped out, the boys followed obediently. Maybe because he hadn't backed down from Seo Harin. First round of intimidation: Park Sungu's win.
'Gotta change into gym clothes quick.' I was stuffing my gym pants under my uniform skirt when...
"Yuna."
"Hey, Yuna!"
"Eek!" Voices came from all sides, startling me upright. There was a crowd of girls around me. The teacher had just said to change, but they ignored it to swarm me first.
"You were so cool at the entrance ceremony. I wanna be friends!"
"I'm Kang Eunmi! Yuna, anything you wanna eat today? I got the hookup from seniors for sneaking food in."
"Yuna, you're so pretty. I love cute girls—be my friend!"
Uwaaa. Their onslaught from every direction made my eyes dart wildly. Probably because of my deep ties to Chaerin. From the start, kids building networks targeted me openly. Adults might've been subtle out of propriety, but these kids lacked the skill—they just bulldozed in with "friends?"
And then...
"What? I'm friends with Yuna first!"
"So? Back off, pumpkin."
"Pumpkin? You bitch, you done?"
The girls' voices rose, starting their own intimidation match. I'd seen plenty of girl fights in elementary school. But now in middle school? This was on another level—way more vicious.
"Um, excuse me..." My tiny voice drowned in their brawl. I could've spoken up to Chaerin, but not to strangers. No volume came out.
As I floundered...
"What are you doing? Teacher said change and come out."
A sharp voice cut through. There stood a girl already in gym clothes, red hair flipped back. Hwa Yeonhwa. A-rank awakener and Hwasung Group's youngest lady. The girls approaching me must've known via adult intel. They knew about her too.
"Oh, right. Yeah. Better change quick."
"Thanks for the reminder, Yeonhwa."
They scattered instantly to change. Saved. As I caught my breath, my eyes met Hwa Yeonhwa's. She stared, then approached.
"You too, hurry up and change."
"Y-yeah."
"No formal speech. We're the same age."
"Uh-huh."
As I fumbled with my shirt again, she stood guard. Probably to fend off more interruptions. What a kind girl.
"You spoke up fine at the ceremony. Why so timid now?"
"...I wasn't timid."
"Anyone could see you were. I told you—if you act weak, they'll eat you alive. It'll only get worse."
True. I'd have to handle this myself. 'I was even a leader among girls in elementary.' Effort time. You can do it, Ha Yuna.
"So..." Hwa Yeonhwa trailed off mid-sentence. My shirt had ridden up while undressing, and her eyes shook.
"...Your size."
"Huh?"
"N-no, nothing."
She cut off, hand drifting to her chest. A complicated expression crossed her face. Meanwhile, I finished changing my top and turned. She followed silently since, eyes like I'd abandoned a kid by the riverside. Why look at me like that when she was younger?
Outside, boys filed in as we girls came out. Girls took forever; boys were lightning-fast. Back in my guy days, same. But not all boys were quick. One lagged: a boy with long bangs hiding perpetually sleepy, yawning eyes. Detached from the world. Axion's Sloth, Namgung Yuon.
Pride: Seo Harin. Envy: Hwa Yeonhwa. Sloth: Namgung Yuon. Three Axion members in one class.
'Is our class plotting national overthrow?' With Chaerin, it'd be plausible.
Park Sungu spoke as I thought. "Line up by number and follow."
Numbers by name order. Ha Yuna: 32. Hwa Yeonhwa: 33 behind me. Destined to stick together?
"Ha Yuna, right?"
"Yeah, Hwa Yeonhwa?"
"What's with you and Yoo Chaerin?"
Straight to the point. Others circled; she didn't do subtle.
"Chaerin's been my bestie since kindergarten."
Refreshing, honestly. Girls' roundabout chats still felt alien. Guys were easier.
"Since kindergarten? Before awakening?"
"Yeah, both pre-awakening."
"Got it."
She seemed to grasp our bond now.
"Yeonhwa, you got guy friends too?"
"...Kang Yongchan?"
She scoffed. "Friends? Nah. He clings 'cause I'm Hwasung's heiress."
She knew his game. Exhaled like sick of it.
"Jealous of you two. Childhood bonds mean real trust."
"No one like that for you?"
"Dunno where 'friend' ends." A bitter smile—not kid-like.
"Then friend me."
"Huh?"
"Be friends with me."
Simple fix. Wants friends? Make some.
"Mom said middle school friends last forever."
From experience. Middle/high friends felt different from college ones. Most fade, but keepers are special.
Her blank stare said she hadn't considered it. Then wariness. Hwasung heiress life: all caution, deals. Later, she'd turn coldly calculating. But deep down, she craved uncalculated living. Corporate youngest: fighting for her slice. A-rank guild hunter label. Crushing duties, scrutiny, expectations. Fail? Scathing backlash. Non-awakeners envied, hated her elite status. Anti-fan cafes, protest groups, nonstop harassment—crimes galore. Hunters as public: bully away.
That envy exploded: S-rank awakening, rampage, slaughtering non-awakeners at presser, joining Axion as Envy.
Now, she was here. Lips parted, closed repeatedly. Pondering my intent? Probably bombarded even now. Her breakdown: years building.
Did my offer trouble her? "If you don't want, forget it."
She blinked wide. "...Sorry." Twirled her side hair awkwardly. My honesty drew hers.
"Grew up in Hwasung—instinct to guard first."
Maybe cornered inside too. Tired of corporate scraps.
"It's fine. Getting used to it thanks to someone." She knew: Chaerin.
"But constant guarding means no bonds."
Eyes wide, then self-mocking nod. "...Nailed it."
She was worn too. My circle: all messed up.
"So." Couldn't leave her struggling. Adult duty.
"Think on friending me. We're kids still."
Teens: mess up, grow. That's life.
She stared, then trembling lips: "...Can't fully drop the calculating side."
Her tsundere edge: stress from self-loathing calculations.
"Fine." Deep heart.
"That's you, Yeonhwa."
Own the facets. No need all good. Rough world needs edges to survive.
I smiled bright; she lifted head past hesitation.
"Yeah, let's try friends."
Hand out. Who handshakes friends? Corporate habit from adults.
"Friend acquired!"
Shook lightly; she smiled real. First non-bitter one lit her up.
First middle school friend made. Axion's Envy nagged, but bestie-ing Wrath already? Whatever. Introduce to Chaerin later. My friends—get along.