How to Take Revenge as an Academy Scoundrel

Chapter 58. Transformation

“…….”

Lim Sohee’s pale face began to flush a deep crimson.

—

—

Now, the fox was wrapped in a blanket, its bare form hidden from view, yet it was an undeniable truth that it was Kim Do-jin who had draped that very blanket around it.

‘Hwaang… What do I do? You’ve seen all of me, haven’t you…!’

Though Kim Do-jin had not truly seen Lim So-hee’s nakedness, it was not an exaggeration to say it was nearly the same.

For the fox’s ‘transformation’ ability was almost perfect.

Lim So-hee, overwhelmed by a torrent of shame, began to spiral into a frenzy, while Kim Do-jin, scratching his head at her reaction, found himself at a loss for words.

As time passed in this manner.

– Pahhat!

Suddenly, the fox’s transformation ability unraveled.

The mana had been completely exhausted.

“Ah!”

Lim So-hee began to show signs of calming down, and Kim Do-jin, observing her response, cautiously ventured to speak.

“Ahem! But how did you come to know this spirit fox?”

He had no intention of mentioning the incident regarding Lim So-hee’s nakedness first.

Clearing his throat unnecessarily, Kim Do-jin asked, and Lim So-hee awkwardly averted her gaze to respond.

“I found it while taking a hot spring bath alone last night. For some reason, it kept following me, and before I knew it, I brought it to my room, and then it suddenly transformed to look just like me… I was so surprised…”

It seemed to align with what he had roughly anticipated.

“Ah, so that’s why you called. I had something else going on at that time and couldn’t check, but if I had…”

As the conversation threatened to drift back to the matter of having seen Lim So-hee’s nakedness, Kim Do-jin hurriedly shifted the topic.

“But what do you plan to do now? It seems this creature is quite fond of you.”

The spirit fox, having returned to its original form, had already leaped into Lim So-hee’s embrace, and Kim Do-jin watched intently, waiting for her answer.

“Huh?”

Lim So-hee was well aware of the immense value such a spirit held.

In a fortunate twist of fate, no one would refuse to take in a spirit that had chosen them.

Thus, it would be normal for her to respond that she would raise the spirit.

“…”

For some reason, Lim So-hee hesitated, her lips moving as if to speak, before finally saying,

“Maybe you should take care of it?”

At that unexpected reply, Kim Do-jin’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Me?”

“Yeah. You.”

—

“…….”

Im So-hee sensed that Kim Do-jin also desired to possess this spirit fox, which is why she had reluctantly yielded. Yet, it was not as simple as words might suggest.

Kim Do-jin tilted his head, as if to ask if it was truly alright.

“Why?”

“Uh? Ah… I noticed you seem to get along well with it, and I’m not in a position to raise a spirit right now…”

“Is that so? But… considering the value of a spirit, wouldn’t you be able to find a way to manage it?”

“Ah! No, I’m not thinking of going that far…”

“Hmm… really?”

“Yeah. But, is it okay if I come to see it often?”

In truth, Im So-hee’s aim was to increase her connections with Kim Do-jin through this spirit fox.

So, she suddenly looked up at him with a bright expression, and thanks to that, Kim Do-jin felt relieved enough to respond.

“Of course. We could even become co-owners.”

At that, Im So-hee blushed slightly and murmured.

“Co-owners…”

In any case, it was decided that Kim Do-jin would raise the spirit fox.

Im So-hee felt a surge of happiness at the thought that she might see Kim Do-jin more often, but then a sudden concern crossed her mind.

‘Wait a minute… what if it transforms into me again?’

As that thought solidified her expression, Kim Do-jin quickly saw through her unease and spoke.

“But for the time being, shall we say you’ll take care of it? I actually have some matters to attend to.”

“Uh? Ah… then shall we do that?”

“Yeah. Let’s go with that.”

“Okay. But… what should we name it?”

She couldn’t keep calling it “this thing” or “this child.”

As Im So-hee had suggested, they indeed needed to name it first, so Kim Do-jin stroked his chin, lost in thought.

Then, in the midst of it all.

“Hmm?”

Suddenly, he noticed the brown fur on the spirit fox’s chest.

“At a glance, it looks like a butterfly, doesn’t it?”

Though “butterfly” was a rather common name, it didn’t seem to pose a problem.

“What about naming it Butterfly?”

Kim Do-jin revealed the chest of the spirit fox, and Im So-hee nodded in agreement, her eyes wide with wonder.

“Isn’t it? Then… I think ‘Butterfly’ would be a lovely name. It suits her beauty perfectly.”

Thus, the name of the spirit fox was decided.

As Kim Do-jin and Im So-hee continued their various conversations, they felt it was time to draw things to a close.

“We should start getting ready, huh?”

They were not here on a personal journey, but rather as students of ‘Arc,’ participating in a group field trip.

Im So-hee longed for more conversation, but reluctantly rose from her seat.

“Yeah. So, I can leave Butterfly in my room and come back, right? Just make sure to lock the window.”

“Sure. Do that.”

Im So-hee tucked away her disappointment and gently cradled Butterfly in her arms.

With a careful wrap of her coat, she made her way back to her hotel room.

“How could such a thing happen to me…!”

As soon as Im So-hee closed the door behind her, she suddenly lifted Butterfly high, her face alight with joy.

She couldn’t contain her happiness, showering the little creature with kisses, exclaiming, “You’re truly a blessing!”

But just then.

– Whooom…!

A sudden burst of pure white light began to seep from Butterfly’s form.

– Pahaat!

In an instant, she transformed back into a human shape.

Yet.

“……”

Coincidentally, this new form was different from before.

“Do, Do…!”

This time, the human shape that Butterfly mimicked was none other than Kim Do-jin.

“Kiihing!”

Unaware of her transformation, Butterfly bounded forward like a puppy, licking and nuzzling with playful affection.

“Ugh, ahhh!”

Im So-hee fell backward, stunned, unable to gather her wits for a long moment.

* * *

“Is everyone gathered?”

At Astrid Lindell’s words, the students glanced around, their eyes darting in uncertainty.

With a class of a hundred, it was impossible for anyone to know if all were present.

They could only discern whether their close friends had arrived or not.

And so, one student suddenly raised a hand high and shouted.

“Sohee hasn’t come yet!”

To this, Astrid Lindell checked the time and replied.

“Really? I was just about to start counting heads… Who wants to call her or go fetch her?”

The student who had just raised her hand, Yoo Dahee, responded with a quick, “I will,” and began to move.

But then, at that moment.

“……!?”

Kim Dojin’s eyebrows twitched in surprise.

‘Light?’

A sudden glow burst forth from the direction of Lim Sohee’s hotel room, piercing through the curtains.

If that light was a manifestation of Lim Sohee’s powers, it was not something to be taken lightly.

‘Could it be…?’

Kim Dojin could roughly guess what was happening in Sohee’s room.

And so, he declared.

“I’ll go get her.”

He hastily raised his hand, cutting off Yoo Dahee’s response.

“Huh?”

Astrid Lindell felt a flicker of confusion, as the students close to Lim Sohee were usually Yoo Dahee or other girls.

Yet, knowing she didn’t have a complete grasp of the students’ friendships, she nodded and continued.

“Alright. Then you do that.”

Dojin hurriedly made his way toward the hotel room, anxious that someone else might step in.

“What’s going on?”

The surrounding students watched with suspicious expressions, but this was not a moment to concern himself with their gazes.

Time passed, and finally—

– Knock, knock!

He arrived at Lim Sohee’s hotel room, knocking on the door as he called out.

“Here I am. Im Sohee.”

In response, Im Sohee answered with a voice thick with bewilderment.

“Is it… Dojin?”

“Yeah. I have a rough idea of what’s going on, so just let me in.”

“…….”

After a moment of silence, the door creaked open.

– Click! Squeak!

As soon as the door swung wide, Kim Dojin hurried inside and slammed it shut behind him.

Turning his head, he was met with the very scene he had anticipated.

“…….”

A butterfly, transformed into the likeness of Kim Dojin, sat wrapped in blankets, wearing an innocent expression, while Im Sohee stood in a corner, her hands covering her bright red face.

The glow of embarrassment radiated from her entire being.

“Well, this is something…”

Despite having prepared for this, Kim Dojin scratched his head, feeling the weight of confusion settle in.

“We really need to set a proper date for training, but that’s impossible right now. For now, it’s best to leave it to Secretary Jin.”

He had already contacted Jin Seohyun, anticipating this very moment.

– Ding-dong!

Just then, Jin Seohyun arrived and pressed the doorbell, prompting Kim Dojin to swiftly unlock the door.

“Young Master! Where are you?”

She had rushed over after hearing about the creature with transformation powers.

Jin Seohyun looked around in a flurry, and upon spotting the butterfly still transformed into Kim Dojin, her eyes lit up with excitement.

“Ah!”

Unlike Im Sohee, Jin Seohyun showed no sign of embarrassment at the sight of the naked Kim Dojin.

Of course, he was covered by blankets, but rather than feeling shy, she was positively thrilled.

“Wow, you look just like him!? You mean the Young Master can be copied?”

Kim Dojin shook his head in disbelief before beginning to explain.

How he had discovered this creature and the current state of affairs.

And that he needed her to take good care of it until they returned from the school trip.

“Okay! Don’t worry, Young Master! Just go and have fun!”

Jin Seohyun gave a thumbs-up to reassure him, but who could feel at ease looking at that strangely ecstatic expression?

—

“Um… but if you do something strange to this guy while I’m gone… you know, right?”

“Ahem! What do you mean by strange? What could possibly be strange?”

Kim Do-jin felt a deep worry, but there was no other way.

“Anyway, I’m counting on you. And we need to hurry. We’ll be late at this rate.”

With that, Kim Do-jin and Im So-hee stepped out of the hotel room.

– Thud!

Soon, the door closed, and left alone, Jin Seo-hyun turned to glance at the butterfly transformed into Kim Do-jin.

“……?”

The butterfly, taking on Kim Do-jin’s form, tilted its head with an innocent expression as their eyes met, while Jin Seo-hyun couldn’t help but smirk with a look that seemed oddly sinister.

* * *

Time flowed on, and at last, the day’s field trip came to an end.

As dusk fell, Kim Do-jin returned to the hotel, heading towards Im So-hee’s room.

– Ding!

Upon opening the door, he saw Jin Seo-hyun and the butterfly sitting together on the sofa.

Fortunately, the butterfly had reverted to its original fox form, and Kim Do-jin let out a deep sigh.

“Good job. Nothing happened, right?”

“Yes. Nothing at all happened?”

“…….”

Was it just his imagination, or did it feel like a lot had transpired?

With a bitter smile, Kim Do-jin gathered everyone onto the sofa.