I got into school for nothing - Chapter 118
I got into school for nothing (118)
Lesson 24. Where is a freshman like you? - 6
For Ban Yuwon, a concept refers to the fundamental image held by all things (萬象), expressed through language.
In other words, no matter what the concept, it is defined in a language that Ban Yuwon can easily accept.
It's not difficult.
When recognizing something new, replacing it with what is most familiar to oneself and accepting it is no different for other humans.
[Sword Aura (劍氣)]
The point is, if Ban Yuwon were to define his Or, it would be Sword Aura.
And though I can't discern it in detail, I wonder if Dokgo Yeon's case might involve a more specific concept of energy, like [Sword Aura (Death)].
Visually, the former might appear more splendid, but it's merely a vessel that forcefully adorns its exterior, focusing solely on form.
A dazzling vessel with flimsy contents, versus a seemingly simple one packed with substance.
There's no need to even debate which is more robust.
“...It's quite impressive that you managed to realize what true Sword Aura is while facing that fake.”
On Wednesday afternoon, after all classes had ended, they gathered in the Class 11 training room. Following a private re-evaluation of Ban Yuwon's Or, Dokgo Yeon acknowledged that he had 'correctly' grasped the concept of Or.
She had realized that instead of simply analyzing and accepting Lyu Cheolmyeong's Or as it was, Ban Yuwon had used him as 'a stone from another mountain to polish his own jade' (他山之石), learning what was valuable and decisively discarding the erroneous parts.
The black color of his Or was solely because it was an Or forged from Hyungi.
Of course, thanks to being made from Hyungi, it was undoubtedly stronger than any flimsy Or, but that didn't necessarily signify the Or's inherent property.
“This is a Sword Aura whose form has been perfectly captured for future development, an Or created purely from internal energy without enlightenment. It is an art that only you, who can grasp and differentiate the origins of all things, could manifest.”
“No, it's because I've already seen your completed Sword Aura. You led me to it.”
By first observing the correct form, and then comparing it to the erroneous one, he realized 'why that was wrong, and what needed to be done to avoid being wrong.'
His martial achievements could not be discussed without mentioning Dokgo Yeon.
“Mmmph...”
At Ban Yuwon's sincere expression of gratitude, Dokgo Yeon pursed her lips as if she had something to say, then...
“...Hmph, if you're going to call yourself my disciple, you should at least achieve that much.”
Finally, she snorted and turned her head away.
He wanted to tell her there was no point pretending not to be pleased, and that her flushed earlobes looked incredibly cute, but he couldn't bring himself to say it, fearing a beating.
The magic to restore all damage he received back into space was still something he couldn't manifest on his own!
He cleared his throat, a 'hem-hem,' and continued with the main topic.
“Anyway, since that's how it is, there's no need to forget this, right?”
“No, seal it away until your Sword Intent (劍意) is properly established.”
Dokgo Yeon cut him off, without mercy.
“Because if you go around wielding a Sword Aura that is merely form, unable to properly embody intent, and clumsily intoxicated by power, you won't be able to grasp true Sword Intent.”
“Alright, I get it, I get it.”
At Dokgo Yeon's expression, as if the sky would collapse if he went around wielding Sword Aura, Ban Yuwon gave a wry smile and dismissed his Sword Aura.
She was a very strict teacher, but he had never suffered a loss by following her words.
‘Phew, even if it's just a shell, it's still an advanced technique, so it's incredibly draining.’
The reason Sword Aura is the exclusive domain of the strong isn't merely due to the difficulty of its operation, but also because of the immense amount of mana it consumes.
Just manifesting it for that brief moment drained nearly 20% of his Hyungi...
At this rate, it would be difficult to use in actual combat.
Even if he mobilized all the Hyungi in his body, he could only sustain it for about 30 seconds... If he were to truly grasp Sword Intent, would this insane mana consumption efficiency improve?
‘Or perhaps my magical power is just incredibly lacking.’
Ban Yuwon checked the concepts within his body.
The depth of the Hyungi he harbored was 390.
Compared to when he first acquired magical power, it was literally a difference of heaven and earth, but he knew well that compared to powerhouses like Dokgo Yeon or Aire, he was still just a novice.
“Huhu, alright. Since I've heard the gist of it... Big Sis will just go pay Professor Lyu Cheolmyeong a visit for a bit, shall she?”
“Just a moment, Professor Yumina. When you're clearly making a face that looks like you're about to bury someone alive, how can I not stop you?”
Of course, there was no comparing him to the transcendent being (超越者) before him, who was currently exuding magical power amidst a rich floral fragrance.
“But how can I possibly let this go? I'm sick and tired of their arrogant way of thinking! What do they take Union Academy's educational policies for...? What would have happened if I hadn't given you advance knowledge about magic circles, just in case?!”
Having heard everything that transpired this morning, Yumina's rage had pierced through the Yujeongcheon, the highest heaven among the nine in Buddhist cosmology.
Everyone had believed that a full professor directly laying hands on a student would surely never happen, yet he had casually breached that 'surely not,' assaulting Ban Yuwon under the guise of a spar!
Moreover, hearing that such incidents had frequently occurred even before this – how could one not be utterly dumbfounded?
“When he asked for healing magic to be put into the magic circles, I thought he was worried about accidents during student spars, but I never imagined he himself would assault a student and try to destroy the evidence. I disliked him before, but— this is truly the worst! Unforgivable! I won't stand by and do nothing!”
“Calm down, Big Sis.”
When Ban Yuwon used a secret technique, Yumina, who had seemed about to teleport directly to Lyu Cheolmyeong's location, calmed down somewhat.
Of course, this secret technique had the side effect of making those around them stare with stern gazes!
Ignoring the side effects, he continued speaking.
“Rather, before, we might have been able to challenge him, but not anymore. Because I've actually achieved results.”
“But that's just because it's you, Yuwon, isn't it?”
“That's not the important part. Anyway, no victim has appeared until now, and I gained an Or thanks to Professor Lyu Cheolmyeong. At least, that's what it looks like if you only consider the apparent results.”
“That's... true, but I just... don't like it...!”
Ever since her mask was peeled off that one time, Yumina had been revealing her true self to the Rebellion members with relative frequency.
Even the killing intent she emitted was transformed into a floral scent, an eerily fragrant yet somehow chilling aroma.
Ban Yuwon soothed his queasy stomach, unsettled by the floral scent, and continued speaking.
“It's fine. He won't be able to pull stunts like that anymore anyway.”
“Because you awakened your Or?”
“Exactly.”
Even if it were repeated thousands, tens of thousands of times, it would be impossible for anyone else; only Ban Yuwon could awaken his Or through such a brute-force method.
Zero and one are distinctly different.
This was something not Lyu Cheolmyeong himself, but rather the other students taking his class, would react more sensitively to.
“Lyu Cheolmyeong probably won't be able to stand wielding his sword against students from lower-rank dimensions or other 'inferior' students anymore. If, by any chance, a student who was tormented like that were to awaken an Or, it would simply end up benefiting that student.”
“Now that you mention it... that might actually be true.”
Even if Or is the exclusive domain of master swordsmen, Union Academy is a place that gathers the best talents from all dimensions; among upperclassmen, it's actually rarer to find someone who *cannot* wield Or.
While only about 40-50% of second-years can, by the third year, over 80-90% of close-combat weapon specialists wield Or.
In essence, those unable to wield Or could be considered inferior students, and indeed, the students who suffered harassment in Lyu Cheolmyeong's class fell into this category.
...Stonemason sunbae (senior) is said to still be unable to wield Or.
‘However, first-years are different.’
Or is something that the best talents come to master after toiling for over a year in the optimal growth environment of Union Academy and the Tower of Babel.
Yet now, Ban Yuwon, who has just reached that starting point, has mastered Or, causing everyone to be astonished and pay attention to him.
It was so extreme that earlier, during the Or Combat Studies lecture, the Class 1 students who witnessed Ban Yuwon acquire his Or came forward, expressing their desire for special training next, thoroughly flustering Lyu Cheolmyeong.
“Therefore, Lyu Cheolmyeong's wicked deeds are definitively over as of today. Even more so, as this incident will surely spread publicly.”
“Even so, he hit our Yuwon! We can't just let it fizzle out like this...!”
“I don't know since when Ban Yuwon became the professor's possession.”
Dokgo Yeon spoke coldly, raising her short sword.
A black aura, Or, enveloped her short sword.
Ban Yuwon could feel the vivid death residing within it.
Though she might lag behind Lyu Cheolmyeong in terms of absolute power, he was certain that the quality of her Or itself was overwhelmingly superior.
“I will personally cut him down. Before graduation.”
At Dokgo Yeon's chilling declaration, everyone in Rebellion, including Yumina, was left speechless.
No one dared to interject, even to suggest that 'cutting him down' might be a bit excessive.
“So don't clumsily drain the tension. For now, Professor, you just need to focus on supporting Rebellion and the Union Journey Club.”
“Y-yes, that's right. I'm always ready to support all of you.”
Thanks to Dokgo Yeon's quiet fury, Yumina's tone returned to normal.
Ban Yuwon's thoughts were similar.
The incident had already occurred, and even if they argued, there was absolutely no way to inflict substantial damage upon Lyu Cheolmyeong.
Therefore, for now, they needed to focus on solidifying their foundation.
To establish Rebellion as the undeniable ruling class of the Academy, and to lead the Special Admissions for Lower-Rank Dimensions students, enabling them to provide solid backing.
Once they could garner support from the incoming freshmen next year, their victory would be all but assured.
“As for beating up those sons of bitches... that can wait until then.”
Ban Yuwon was not so magnanimous as to simply endure all the unfairness showered upon him.
The reason he didn't hold people like Cantone, Ortima, or Lyu Cheolmyeong accountable was that he hadn't yet obtained the power to defeat them, nor the authority to confidently punish them.
If he were to needlessly squirm now, it would, as Dokgo Yeon said, merely be 'clumsy thrashing.'
By maintaining a moderate level of tension while letting them believe he wouldn't dare bite back, he would wait.
At the moment he reclaimed everything he was meant to.
“That's when I'll turn everything upside down.”
“I concur. On that note, let's spar.”
“...What? Hey, wait a minute. Huh, wait a minute, Teacher?!”
The fiery Dokgo Yeon, as if deciding to beat up Ban Yuwon instead of Lyu Cheolmyeong, forcefully dragged him onto the ring.
This woman, despite her acknowledgments, ultimately disliked that he had awakened his Or thanks to Lyu Cheolmyeong!
How petty!
“Just a moment, Dokgo Yeon.”
Fortunately, Rucell intervened, stopping the rampaging Dokgo Yeon.
“I also want to master Or as quickly as possible. So, I'd like you to be my direct opponent for a while.”
“Didn't you hear what I told Ban Yuwon? There's no meaning in mastering just an empty shell.”
Dokgo Yeon scoffed at Rucell's childish words, but Rucell countered as if she had expected it.
“I know very well that the martial art you taught me isn't as profound as what you taught Yuwon. And I can actually feel that the manifestation of my Or is not far off.”
“...”
“To be precise, I realized it after watching today's spar... or am I wrong?”
Dokgo Yeon said nothing, her lips sealed.
It seemed Ban Yuwon wasn't the only one who gained enlightenment while watching Lyu Cheolmyeong's demonstration today.
This was partly due to Rucell's exceptional talent, and partly because her affinity with the martial art she'd learned from Dokgo Yeon was high, allowing her to grow rapidly.
But the biggest factor was that, harboring deep feelings for Ban Yuwon, she had watched every single step of his Or awakening during the spar today with vivid clarity.
To lead the growth of two people at once – truly, wasn't he a genuine professor?!
“Hmph, very well. Let's see how long that confidence lasts.”
Ultimately, Dokgo Yeon drew her wooden sword and stood facing Rucell instead of Ban Yuwon.
Rucell leaned forward, extending both hands.
Crack! Blue sparks flew as long, sharp claws grew over both of her hands.
At the sinister aura, which seemed far too formidable for something merely acquired from the 30th floor of the Tower of Babel, Ban Yuwon and Light simultaneously swallowed hard, as if by prior agreement.
“...Have you gotten used to those claws?”
As Dokgo Yeon watched them quietly before speaking, Rucell replied with a gentle smile that didn't quite match her sinister aura.
“Yuwon obtained and enhanced them for me. I plan to use them my entire life.”
“If they are artifacts that grow stronger without end, then that would be good. In that case, adjusting the form of your Or to match the weapon is also a method. Those who acquired divine artifacts (神器) in Murim did the same.”
At Dokgo Yeon's words, Rucell's ears seemed to perk up.
“How?”
“I will now engrave that method upon your body.”
“Kyaaang?!”
At that moment, Dokgo Yeon vanished from where she stood, reappearing before Rucell's eyes and kicking her.
The instant she kicked, a black mist, unmistakably Or, swirled around her foot!
“Kuh... Hwaaah!”
“Too slow!”
“Kyaaaaang!”
Rucell, clad in blue lightning, moved at speeds almost impossible to perceive, yet Dokgo Yeon caught her like a ghost, swinging her sword or delivering kicks with pinpoint accuracy.
Rucell, having acquired the Thunder Beast (雷獸), saw her power grow by nearly 50% in an instant, with the might of her Heart Furnace and Wildness greatly amplified, yet even such a Rucell was handled effortlessly by Dokgo Yeon.
—Wham! Thwack!
“Keng, Kyaaang!”
“Keep synchronizing with the energy. In that moment of absolute desperation, when you are so broken that you can no longer distinguish between the weapon's energy and your own! That simple yet ferocious qi (氣), befitting a beast, will be perfected!”
“Graaaaaah!”
Black and blue Ors continuously clashed and sparked, dazzling Ban Yuwon's eyes.
Indeed, as she took hits from Dokgo Yeon, Rucell seemed to be rapidly adapting to her weapon, but it looked awfully painful from a human perspective.
Light, who was watching beside Ban Yuwon, quietly asked him.
“How is what Dokgo Yeon is doing now any different from what Lyu Cheolmyeong did earlier?”
“Light, you idiot, Lyu Cheolmyeong hates us, and Dokgo Yeon likes us.”
“...Ban, do you realize you just made a dangerous statement in a double sense? No, it's triple, considering you made me angry too!”
“Ban Yuwon! You're next, so be ready!”
“Ah, I'm screwed.”
“Dokgo Yeon, student, that's a bit too aggressive— Hieek?!”
Indeed, Dokgo Yeon was definitely in a bad mood right now. And Light, for that matter.
As Ban Yuwon nodded, certain of his impending doom, Yumina worried whether a murder might occur in the class she was responsible for.
* * *
The next day, Thursday after school, during Union Journey Club activity time—or rather, the Special Admissions rehabilitation hour.
Ban Yuwon was relentlessly pestered by club members who had yet to awaken their Or, asking how he managed to create it. Rucell, who had obtained a growth-type artifact at the end of last week's exploration video, was likewise being grilled by those envious of her luck.
Since it was also widely known that Dokgo Yeon was teaching Ban Yuwon swordsmanship, she, too, had become quite popular.
“Hoo...”
Light, who had temporarily been left in the cold, rather felt his heart lighten, and he quietly slipped out of the training room.
Lately, he had been doing a lot of thinking about himself, about Ban Yuwon, and about his future relationship with the Rebellion members.
Especially now, with Ban Yuwon and Rucell's growth so remarkable—.
That's why, even when chatting with the group, he would unconsciously slip away like this, seeking an opportunity to be alone.
“Light.”
“Hm?”
Even though he knew it wasn't Ban Yuwon because it was a woman's voice, Light felt like an idiot for harboring a tiny bit of hope, just in case.
The one who called out to him was Aire.
She had been increasing her interactions with the Rebellion members since the previous special activity, but she was notably warm towards Ban Yuwon and Light in particular.
“Why?”
“Keep me company for a moment.”
Aire said that, then seemed to ponder something deeply.
“In the language of humans, ‘right now, you’re’ a man, so...”
“What are you talking about? I'm always a man!”
Aire's face brightened, as if she had recalled the word she wanted.
“Yes, a date. Date me.”
“...Whatever it is, I'm pretty sure it's not that, even if it kills me.”
Light replied with an incredulous expression, yet, not being in the mood to swing swords amidst that crowd, he meekly agreed to Aire's suggestion.
Naturally, their secret departure from the training room was witnessed by others, further lending credibility to the rumors of a romance between them, which then spread.
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