I got into school for nothing - 14
I got into school for nothing (14)
Lesson 4. Rebellion - 2
“Step forward, Ban. You'll be sparring with Irekto.”
The grand announcement momentarily confused him, as he wasn't sure who was being called, but 'Ban' was his surname.
Instead of stepping into the ring that formed in an instant, Ban Yuwon raised his hand and addressed the professor.
“I apologize, Professor. My combat abilities are still insufficient, and I don't believe I'd gain anything from a spar right now....”
“Hm? Three points deducted, for a start.”
Surely they weren't going to pull that dormitory points stunt here too, playing meaningless ranking games once a year just to shame the lowest-ranked dorm, were they?
“Step forward, Ban. That is no excuse.”
He sensed an immense hostility. Could it be that this 'adjunct' professor was also a fan of Professor Yumina?
Ban Yuwon watched Irekto, the student menacingly smashing his two giant fists together, then sighed and spoke once more.
“It's not an excuse, it's the truth. I was chosen for special admissions not for my combat prowess, but for my unique individuality. If you’re curious about my abilities as a special admissions student, wouldn’t it be more appropriate to find a different method than just making me fight crudely?”
“Are you attempting to lecture a professor?”
“Whether professor or student, one should learn what they don't know. And aren't you merely an adjunct professor?”
“...! It appears you're the one lacking understanding. Five points deducted.”
The minus points kept accumulating.
At this rate, he was more likely to end up in a direct battle with the professor than a student.
And naturally, there were flaws in Ban Yuwon's logic.
Union Academy existed, above all else, for the purpose of climbing the Tower.
No matter how much Ban Yuwon's unique abilities were recognized for his admission, he would ultimately have to enter the Tower himself.
Therefore.
“How about we make this week a preparation period, and then spar next week? I believe I’ll be sufficiently prepared after a single trip into the Tower.”
“Now you're ignoring a professor and even presuming to set your own schedule? Minus....”
Ban Yuwon had diligently prepared a compromise.
He hadn't anticipated that the professor would be so utterly unreasonable.
He deliberately let out a loud sigh and shrugged his shoulders.
It was, indeed, meant to look obnoxious.
“Whatever punishment you intend to give, you can assess the results next week. I repeat, I am not yet ready, and therefore, no matter what you say, I will not spar this week.”
“...Fine, that’s just splendid.”
Having ultimately failed to draw Ban Yuwon out, the adjunct professor gnashed his teeth.
He was surely displeased by Ban Yuwon's brazen attitude, especially when refusing a professor's direct orders.
But what was to be done? Ban Yuwon was genuinely unprepared.
If he sparred in this state, all he'd do is get beaten, wouldn't he?
He wasn't some hot-blooded protagonist; he couldn't afford to get carelessly entangled in something without any gain and suffer a loss.
“Next Tuesday, Ban and Irekto will spar. A full public viewing would be preferable, wouldn't it?”
The professor seemed to accept Ban Yuwon's proposal, but then subtly added a condition.
A public viewing format? Could they be broadcasting it internally within the Academy?
He’d heard they could handle machines, so it wouldn't be strange for something like that to exist.
“Since you yourself said you wanted a week to prepare, you will have to demonstrate a commensurate ability. If you fail to do so....”
“Yeah, sure.”
Ban Yuwon nodded, unfazed.
Of course, he was still far from catching up to As Light or Dokgo Yeon, but he had calculated that, at his current rate of growth, a single week would be more than enough to catch up to the students from the higher-rank general admissions.
The problem, however, was that those he was currently facing were not merely general admissions students, but the cream of the crop, selected for the Special Class.
“Irekto, was it? They say we have an official spar next week; let’s shake hands as a commemoration.”
Ban Yuwon, well aware that all the hostility of the Special Class was now directed solely at him, boldly stepped forward and extended his hand to Irekto – that is, the student who harbored ill will towards him due to his overwhelming reverence for Professor Yumina.
As if he belonged to some giant race, he stood well over 2.5 meters tall, his arm joints covered in abnormally hard calluses, and, remarkably, wisps of steam continuously rose from his knuckles.
Honestly, if he hadn't been wearing a school uniform, one couldn't fault anyone for mistaking him for a monster.
“Lowlife.”
“Whoa.”
Perhaps displeased by his brazen familiarity, Irekto violently swatted away the hand Ban Yuwon offered.
It stung terribly, but Ban Yuwon wasn't a fool; he couldn't show weakness here.
Instead, he turned to the professor and asked.
“I get minus points just for making a suggestion to a professor, but blatant insults don’t count for any deductions?”
“...Irekto, minus one point.”
“One point? Let’s see, the minus points I’ve received are....”
“Ban Yuwon, do not forget that you were the first to act impudently. An additional three points deducted.”
“Is requesting a handshake considered rude? I'm asking because I'm not entirely familiar with the etiquette of this world.”
“You...! Irekto, three points deducted.”
“Under... stood.”
Both the adjunct professor and Irekto ground their teeth in frustration.
Every other member of the Special Class was glaring at Ban Yuwon with icy cold eyes.
In that instant, Ban Yuwon firmly established himself as a public enemy to the majority.
‘What's the big deal if you deduct points from me? An adjunct professor like you can't kick me out of the Academy anyway,’ he thought.
But Ban Yuwon, who had no intention of getting along with them from the very beginning, paid absolutely no mind to their glares or the deducted points.
He simply clenched his teeth, recalling and re-examining the faint strings of text that had appeared and vanished the moment he made contact with Irekto.
[Life (生) 250, Body (肉體) 300, Mana (魔力) 120]
These were the concepts he could barely discern.
It was, as expected, ridiculous. They weren't called the Special Class for nothing.
‘To grow my abilities to this extent in just one week... that might be difficult.’
Honestly, he was even stronger than Ban Yuwon had anticipated.
However, asking for two weeks in that situation would likely not have been accepted, and since it was a confrontation bound to happen sooner or later, there was no mistake in Ban Yuwon’s strategic setup.
‘Then there’s no other choice but...’
He had never intended to defeat his opponent head-on from the start.
As he himself had told the professor, his abilities were not specialized for combat.
In a single week, he would surely find a way.
“Hiss.”
“Yes, yes.”
Eve, understanding his intentions, let out a comforting hiss, as if to say, 'Don't worry, I've got this.'
As he stroked the familiar, he thought it would be troublesome if it already drew attention, and nervously looked around.
To his surprise, he realized that absolutely no one was paying them any mind.
“Why are they acting like that? Is no one here?”
The reason was simple.
It was because, just as everyone's hostility was focused on Ban Yuwon, Dokgo Yeon had suddenly stepped forward.
Her bizarre, cross-shaped pupils swept across the Special Class, emitting an eerie light.
“Weren’t you curious about the abilities of the special admissions students? Unlike the class president, I am combat-specialized. If it’s a spar, I will gladly accept.”
“Dokgo Yeon...”
Interesting.
Despite Ban Yuwon having made no request, Dokgo Yeon was standing there now to protect the interests of all four of them.
He had already surmised it from her keen interest in talented individuals, but perhaps she had held a position of leadership in her original Murim.
“If you lack confidence, shall I choose someone? You there, Irekto, was it? Surely, you're not so delicate that you pick and choose your opponents. Step forward. ...I’ll crush you.”
“Kuh?!”
There was such a thing as the aura of a powerful individual.
Even Ban Yuwon, who had only just awakened his mana, knew there was a vast difference between himself and Dokgo Yeon; surely Irekto wouldn't fail to read Dokgo Yeon's imposing aura?
Dokgo Yeon had probably singled out Irekto specifically for Ban Yuwon’s sake.
If Ban Yuwon's guess was correct, she... intended to inflict such severe injuries on Irekto that he wouldn't properly recover within a week.
“Dokgo Yeon, I'm sorry, but Irekto is scheduled to spar with me in a week. If you want to spar with him, please do so after that.”
“Hmm...?”
But that wouldn't do.
Because Ban Yuwon had to prove his worth with his own abilities, above all else.
So he dared to interrupt Dokgo Yeon and object, and she turned to him with a hint of surprise in her expression.
“Are you truly certain?”
“Of course.”
“...Hmph, I thought you were all cunning and schemes. You’re a little more manly than I gave you credit for.”
Dokgo Yeon, a satisfied smile playing on her lips, looked at the tense Irekto, who likely realized his life had just hung in the balance, and scoffed.
“Barking with all your might, only to bury your head in the ground when a true powerhouse appears. What a pathetic display. Get lost.”
“Who exactly is the one barking here?”
Pushing aside the demoralized Irekto, someone else stepped forward.
He appeared to be wearing a crown on his head, but upon closer inspection, they were horns that soared like a diadem, and his shimmering golden hair cascaded down.
“Surely, Ortima, the ruler of the Ketiuses dimension...!”
From beside him, As Light kindly revealed the opponent’s identity.
“What kind of place is that?”
“Y-you don’t know? Excluding Union, there are ten dimensions considered to have the highest hierarchy. The Ortima are the family that governs one of those, the Ketiuses dimension! And their symbol is those horns that rise like a crown, just like that.”
“So, in other words, he’s the scion of one of the top ten families among all these dimensions?”
“That’s right.”
He's supposedly from a lower-ranked dimension, yet he's strangely well-versed in these matters.
Conversely, perhaps Ban Yuwon was simply too ignorant of dimensional affairs.
“The foolish and the weak always gather in groups. It's quite a sight to see you step forward, growling as if to protect your pitiful crowd.”
“Did you step forward to merely wag your tongue? Or are you staging a protest, asking for your excessively long tongue to be cut off?”
Meanwhile, that Ortima fellow and Dokgo Yeon were already engaged in a fierce battle of auras.
Ban Yuwon was impressed to see Ortima’s aura not yielding to Dokgo Yeon’s, but As Light felt the opposite.
“Dokgo Yeon, what on earth is she? She’s clearly a special admissions student from a lower-ranked dimension, but how can she be on par with Ortima...!”
“Do you finally feel the difference in power?”
“I wish you wouldn’t tease me too.”
He was already delicately handsome, but with his cheeks all puffed up, it was truly unbelievable he was a man.
Not that Ban Yuwon had believed it in the first place.
“Don’t worry too much. You’ve only just reached the starting line. You can surpass anyone from now on.”
“Do you truly... think so?”
“Of course. Though Dokgo Yeon won't stand idly by, either.”
“Can you either comfort me or tease me? Just pick one.”
“Alright. I’ll just do one.”
So, while Ban Yuwon was teasing As Light, the professor's permission finally came, and that Ortima fellow and Dokgo Yeon were set to spar.
Before the spar began, something sparkling floated into the air, which Ban Yuwon identified as closely resembling a drone equipped with a lens.
In fact, it was one of the items he had seen in a store yesterday.
“A full public viewing. In other words, they’ll be recording it with that thing.”
“Video... You mean they’re recording this? And they say it’ll be shared on the Academy’s intranet... I still don’t quite understand what an intranet is.”
“No, here too, the internet... Come to think of it, that's only natural.”
Among the items he bought in the city yesterday was a communication device – essentially a mobile phone – that utilized the mana communication networks established across various regions to allow real-time communication with designated parties.
Here, they called it a 'Telepathy Mirror,' or 'Mirror' for short.
What’s more, it was said to include all sorts of functions, from video viewing to calculations, calendars, and alarms, making it simply a smartphone itself.
Incidentally, yesterday, while drinking with Professor Yumina, he had exchanged unique codes – that is to say, phone numbers – with her.
“Ban, do you know what an intranet is?”
“Simply put, it refers to a communication network established by organizations like companies or schools for the purpose of internal information exchange. Let’s see, the school intranet... found it.”
As Light watched Ban Yuwon pull the 'Mirror' from his pocket and operate it with practiced ease, a peculiar expression crossed his face.
“You said you were from a lower-ranked dimension that didn't even know Union existed, so how are you so proficient...?”
“Because we primarily developed in this direction.”
The Academy's intranet was structured so that one could only access it and register as a member by authenticating with their student ID.
Indeed, merely possessing a student ID, even without a Mirror, allowed access to the intranet itself.
However, in that case, complex services like video streaming wouldn't be available.
As Ban Yuwon accessed the intranet with his Mirror, not only As Light but even Rucell, who had been quietly listening until now, stealthily leaned her head in.
“There’s a live broadcast channel here. From the class we’re attending....”
“You have sharp eyes, Rucell.”
“Th-thank you.”
No, it was even a live broadcast!
It seemed that professor was thoroughly determined to humiliate the special admissions quartet.
But honestly, in Ban Yuwon's view, it didn't seem like things would go according to the professor's wishes.
“Come at me.”
“I shall yield the first move to the inferior.”
“Inferior? Let’s see how far that insolent attitude of yours takes you. Kneel!”
The spar began.
The moment that Ortima fellow, enraged by Dokgo Yeon’s provocation, shouted for her to kneel, Ban Yuwon clearly witnessed a mysterious power originating from him, pressing down on Dokgo Yeon.
It was not ordinary mana, and naturally, it was not the power of language like what Ban Yuwon wielded.
It was simply the natural order, as obvious as water flowing downhill, that seemed to compel Dokgo Yeon to kneel before Ortima as a matter of course.
[Successfully observed the Distortion of Providence, increasing the depth of Myriad-Reading Eye (萬讀眼) by 1.]
“Distortion of Providence.”
“You... you saw that?!”
“Ah, aaaaaah.”
At his unintentional murmur, As Light gasped in shock, and Rucell, as if feeling it herself, trembled violently.
“Hmph.”
However, even under pressure that would have not only forced Ban Yuwon to his knees but crushed him on the spot, Dokgo Yeon merely and calmly drew up her own aura.
And just like that, the aura suppressing Dokgo Yeon...
“Wha—!”
It died.
There was no other way to describe it.
Within it, Ban Yuwon could faintly perceive a new concept.
Death, the concept of '死' (Sa) when expressed in Chinese characters.
Could there be another concept so simple, yet so chilling?
Ban Yuwon felt a shiver of fear at the mere fragment of power Dokgo Yeon had genuinely revealed.
“Ah, aaaaaaaaaaah....”
“Hiss, hiss.”
Rucell was even worse, already clutching one of Ban Yuwon’s arms so tightly it felt like she might twist it off, and trembling violently.
Eve, worried she might inadvertently harm her master, lightly slapped Rucell’s cheek, but the girl remained lost in her terror.
“Hoo, she’s quite the capable woman.”
“And your ability is as ridiculous as those horns of yours. If this is all you have, I’m rather disappointed.”
“Impossible.”
As Ortima took a step forward, the same pressure as before, but far more concentrated, descended upon Dokgo Yeon.
The result was the same, however.
“It gets stronger the closer you get, doesn’t it? If you thought I would run away....”
Dokgo Yeon’s foot lightly swept the ground.
The next moment, Dokgo Yeon, who had charged directly at Ortima, unleashed a kick as sharp as a razor blade.
Meanwhile, Ortima seemed utterly unprepared, but a golden shield that appeared just before Dokgo Yeon’s foot could pierce his abdomen blocked the attack.
CRUNCH.
With an unpleasant shattering sound, the shield disintegrated into fragments of light and scattered into the air.
Beyond it, Ortima’s form was revealed, blocking Dokgo Yeon by crossing both his arms.
“You finally made me use my own hands.”
“That’s why they say a dull mind leads to a suffering body. Or perhaps, you simply lack perception.”
“Impudence!”
BANG!
From the punch Ortima unleashed, the very same power, with the same pressure and nature that had tried to make Dokgo Yeon kneel earlier, was now unleashed, concentrated at least tenfold.
But Dokgo Yeon lightly evaded it, then pushed his forearm with her open palm.
Simultaneously, her foot shot up and finally struck Ortima’s jaw.
CLANG!
Ban Yuwon doubted his ears.
Was that truly the sound of a human foot connecting with a jaw?
“You wench...!”
“Sure enough, your body movements are utterly clumsy. Surely, someone doesn’t spoon-feed you, do they?”
Which one of them was boasting about their long tongue now?
Dokgo Yeon, while continuously insulting her opponent, fiercely moved her arms and legs, pressing her attack.
Violent impact sounds continuously echoed.
Dokgo Yeon, freely extending her limbs to strike her opponent, stood in stark contrast to Ortima, who, despite unleashing weighty and powerful blows one after another, couldn't land a single hit.
‘That guy was probably used to suppressing his opponent’s movements with that Distortion of Providence or whatever it’s called, and then striking them, but it didn’t work on Dokgo Yeon, which is why he’s in this state now,’ Ban Yuwon mused.
Indeed, as Dokgo Yeon had implied, that Ortima fellow possessed transcendent physical abilities, but it was clear even to Ban Yuwon that he lacked experience in physically moving his body, and he was unilaterally being pummeled by Dokgo Yeon, steadily forced to retreat.
However, despite Dokgo Yeon unilaterally landing her attacks, a metallic sound, indistinguishable from a human body or an iron wall, rang out each time, which bothered him.
“...Kuh, I will no longer tolerate your impertinence. I will kill you, as you wish!”
“Death is not a concept a mere whelp like you should utter so easily.”
CRAAASH!
A terrible aura exploded from Ortima’s body, and Dokgo Yeon was forced to retreat.
Yet both Dokgo Yeon, who had retreated, and Ortima, who had taken a severe beating, appeared perfectly fine, just as Ban Yuwon had expected.
Ortima and Dokgo Yeon exchanged glances, then began to exude an even more chilling aura.
At that moment.
“Alright, that’s enough.”
“...!”
Professor Yumina, who had suddenly appeared between the two sparring individuals, declared.
Both Oltima and Dokgo Yeon, seemingly unwilling to concede, further amplified their energies. However, the moment Professor Yumina smiled faintly and lightly released her power, both were "disarmed."
“Gah?!”
“Haa, haaah.”
A flower fragrance spread in all directions.
It quelled their simmering fighting spirit and calmed their turbulent hearts.
With all their energy forcibly quelled and settled, they couldn't fight even if they wanted to.
Within that, Ban Yuwon simultaneously perceived the concepts of "Flower" and "Harmony," letting out an inadvertent laugh.
Even Yumina, the wielder of the ability, likely wouldn't understand why Ban Yuwon had laughed.
“Our Academy doesn't particularly appreciate students fighting for their lives amongst themselves. Please, only risk your lives in the Tower. You both understand, don't you?”
“.......”
“You're strong.”
Oltima glared at Yumina silently before returning to his place. Dokgo Yeon, however, seemed newly impressed, fixing Yumina with a contemplative gaze before nodding and rejoining her companions.
“Eek.”
“Phew.”
As Dokgo Yeon returned, Rucell, thoroughly intimidated, flinched and clung even closer to Ban Yuwon.
Dokgo Yeon, looking displeased with Rucell yet again, glared at her, then turned her gaze to Ban Yuwon and smiled.
“How was it?”
“It was quite helpful.”
“Oh.”
Dokgo Yeon, opening her eyes wide as if genuinely surprised by Ban Yuwon's seemingly sincere reply, slowly formed a deeper smile.
Only then did Ban Yuwon realize he had answered incorrectly.
He should have said he couldn't discern a thing.
I'm increasingly attracting this psycho's attention!
“Adjunct Professor Farrell, you're due for disciplinary action. Using the very first class for a sparring match, and then permitting it without knowing when to intervene, merely standing by as a bystander—these are all grave errors. Be prepared for the consequences.”
“Ah, yes, Professor!”
“Well then, I'll take my leave. ......Oh.”
Meanwhile, Yumina, who had just turned away after severely chastising Adjunct Professor Farrell, whose name was only now revealed, spotted Ban Yuwon. She glided over to him and straightened his crumpled collar.
“The class president should have dignity, you know. Well then, have a good day.”
He's my appointed class president, so if anyone tries to pick a fight with him for no reason and gets caught, they'll die.
Having elegantly expressed roughly that meaning, as her words implied, Yumina vanished from the spot without any prior warning, just as she had appeared.
However, Ban Yuwon, recognizing Farrell and the members of the Special Class glaring at him with murderous intent, could only let out another sigh, realizing that Yumina's intentions had spectacularly backfired.
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