I got into school for nothing - 182
I got into school for nothing (182)
Lesson 36. How are you feeling right now? - 2
“Alright, it seems the crisis has passed, so shall we now restore the ravaged land?”
Yumina, gracefully landing on the ground, drawing everyone’s gaze, smiled sweetly and snapped her fingers.
Immediately, the kilometer-long thorny vines that had pierced the predator’s body scattered seeds throughout its form before crumbling and vanishing.
However, the seeds embedded in the predator’s corpse soon blossomed into tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of flowers, and the sight of the gigantic monster’s body rapidly shrinking as its nutrients were siphoned away was chilling.
“No, this isn’t the time to just stare blankly.”
While absorbing the predator’s nutrients to return them to the earth was a good thing, wouldn’t it be fine for Ban Yuwon to take some of the concepts that weren’t particularly helpful to the planet’s environment?
Yes, specifically, the concept of Excavation.
“Life really is about one big score.”
The profundity he had so painstakingly gathered, even going so far as to seize the Solitude spell, was only about a thousand, yet the concept he had just quietly absorbed next to the dying ancient monster, the predator, was this much!
Ban Yuwon deliberately ignored everyone’s dumbfounded stares and landed Lilyth back on the ground.
Due to the predator bursting through, a massive hole had been gouged out, pulling in the surrounding forest. As the party landed nearby, a small hand drill popped out of the hole.
—Whirrrrrrr
“Yes, you knew it was feeding time, didn’t you?”
Ban Yuwon fed Abyss all the concepts of Excavation, now that it had finally completed its task and returned.
Normally, growth has its limits, but perhaps because its compatibility with the concept was so good, the creature devoured all of the [Excavation] that glowed so brightly it was blinding, its profundity too deep to gauge.
It then completely shed its hand drill form, transforming into a step drill (a cone-shaped drill) that looked like something out of a comic book.
It was a commendable form, perfectly matching Ban Yuwon’s preference for romance over practicality.
In truth, practicality was no issue at all, as Ban Yuwon could supplement it with his authority.
“What is that now?”
“A pet drill.”
“A pet drill...”
Abyss, perhaps because it was born from the Solitude spell, even without Ban Yuwon explicitly granting it life, possessed a will of its own and could move independently. Seeing it freely float in the air, much like most of Ban Yuwon’s familiars, Dokgo Yeon was speechless.
“Scatter!”
Meanwhile, Yumina’s work progressed.
The countless flowers blooming on the predator’s corpse each transformed into dandelion-like clusters of tiny feathered seeds, which then spread in all directions carried by the wind Yumina created.
They merely took the form of flowers, but in reality, it was nothing more than magic efficiently returning the predator’s energy to the world.
“Phew, it’s mostly done now.”
Yumina, returning gracefully after completing the monumental task, smiled sweetly and checked on each Rebellion member, ensuring they were alright.
“All the protective artifacts are broken...”
“But can Professor Yumina really take care of that bug? Dimension pirates are one thing, but that thing was originally from this planet...”
“Think about it. Could a graduating student really resolve a situation where a bug capable of devouring an entire planet runs rampant? E-1 Dimension possesses potential and mana density that cannot be called low-rank. It’s been recognized as a special case, so you don’t need to worry about this assessment’s score.”
A sense of the darkness of power seemed to emanate from behind Yumina as she brightly smiled, claiming that with the video shot by Tikke and an appropriate report, they could easily receive top marks. However, Ban Yuwon decided not to delve deeper.
“So, what happened to Lyu Cheolmyeong?”
Perhaps Yumina had also been checking on their situation, as Ban Yuwon replied with a wry smile upon hearing her refer to Lyu Cheolmyeong by his first name only.
“He’s gone now.”
“Not even a corpse left? It would be good to have something to prove his death.”
“If it’s that...”
Mira offered Yumina the greatsword she had kept with her.
Yumina took it, confirmed it, and then brightened, clearing her throat with a “Hmph” before declaring,
“I have confirmed the illicit interference of former Union Academy Professor Lyu Cheolmyeong. By the authority of Professor Yumina, I attest to your damages and promise appropriate compensation measures from Lyu Cheolmyeong’s seized private assets.”
“So they were already seized.”
“We’d been suspicious for a long time, only monitoring him due to lack of evidence. We were also investigating his ties to the dimension pirate groups, but that trail was abruptly cut off...”
Yumina’s expression momentarily turned cold.
“His accomplice must have anticipated Lyu Cheolmyeong’s end and withdrawn. I can guess who it might be... but unfortunately, there’s no evidence.”
The fact that the trail was cut, even with Yumina and the Union’s enforcement moving as quickly as possible, implied that Lyu Cheolmyeong had been intended as a sacrifice from the beginning.
Indeed, Ban Yuwon himself had wondered what Lyu Cheolmyeong was relying on to confront them so openly.
“Surprisingly, the more life experience someone has, and the stronger they are, the more often they do such foolish things.”
As if reading his mind, Yumina spoke with a bitter smile.
Shati flinched, having never before heard Yumina speak so informally to Ban Yuwon, but Yumina’s gaze was solely focused on him.
“When they’re weak, they desperately rack their brains to survive. But once they surpass a certain level and become strong, their sense of danger dulls. The more others exalt them, the more they overestimate themselves and underestimate risks.”
Those who survive several dangerous experiences fall prey to one delusion:
The delusion that they are the protagonist of the world, and that no matter what happens, they will somehow manage to resolve it.
As such experiences repeat, they gradually become more reckless, their unchecked confidence swells, and eventually, they make foolish choices that lead directly to their demise.
“Lyu Cheolmyeong was probably like that too. In fact, he succeeded in spiriting away students from lower-rank dimensions this way several times in the past...”
Yumina made an inexpressible face, uttering a few words that sounded like curses in a voice so small even Ban Yuwon found it hard to catch.
Seeing that, Ban Yuwon repeated a question he had already asked her several times.
“Why didn’t the Chancellor stop him sooner?”
“Indeed, why is that...?”
Ban Yuwon, who had expected her to deny his words in some way, froze at Yumina’s unexpected reply.
“Why did my teacher leave such a person unchecked... I want to ask, but I can’t.”
“Teacher?”
“...Alright, shall we head back now?”
“Before that.”
Just as Yumina tried to change the subject, avoiding Ban Yuwon’s gaze, someone stepped forward decisively and grabbed her arm.
It was Slothy.
“Talk to me.”
“Huh?”
Slothy’s eyes were shining intensely.
Yumina blinked in bewilderment as Slothy once again closed the distance between them and...
bowed her head deeply.
“Master.”
““Master?!””
* * *
With the help of Yumina, a master of plant magic, the hole carved into the jade planet Jeda was filled with lush greenery again in just a few hours.
Naturally, all the newly restored territory was incorporated into the Wolf Fang Tribe’s domain, and the Wolf Fang Tribe, having safely overcome all crises, immediately solidified its position as the planet’s ruler, widening the power gap with other tribes by more than double.
Originally, Ban Yuwon and his party had planned to stay on Jeda for a few more days to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, but to cut a long story short, there was no need.
Without taking long at all, on the very afternoon the Constellation’s avatar fell, envoys from each tribe appeared, waving white flags. Before nightfall, the leaders of all the powerful tribes on the planet gathered in the Wolf Fang Tribe’s territory.
The very act of a chieftain entering the Wolf Fang Tribe’s domain on their own was tantamount to declaring that they were entrusting their lives to the Wolf Fang Tribe.
“Our Rabbitfoot Tribe... pledges loyalty to the Wolf Fang Tribe.”
“The Monkeyspaw Tribe likewise acknowledges defeat and pledges loyalty to the Wolf Fang Tribe.”
Perhaps it was because the Constellation’s avatar had fallen and its influence had weakened? The leaders of the other tribes, appearing utterly drained of energy, willingly knelt before Kanid.
This was an act of submission akin to choosing a master, possessing a far greater binding power than an ordinary magical contract. Once the ritual was performed, the hierarchy could never be defied.
Kanid, in turn, readily accepted their surrender, as it brought these potentially dangerous elements under his control without the need for bloodshed.
“I am the chieftain of the Ghosthorn Tribe. Is it truly your tribe that defeated the avatar of the Ruler of the Forest?”
The Ghosthorn Chieftain was the strongest man among the assembled chieftains, both in terms of power and personal ability. The combination of horns sprouting prominently from his forehead and a mane of hair, reminiscent of a Korean Dokkaebi mixed with a lion, was impressive—honestly, in terms of sheer power, he didn't seem to lag behind Kanid.
‘He probably possesses the origin of a Divine Beast no less than Kanid... What kind of planet is this, anyway? Including Kanid and Lucia, there are three descendants of Divine Beasts alone, right? And then that predator thing pops out. We can’t truly relax here.’
At this point, one might wonder why he wasn’t chosen as the Constellation’s avatar... Perhaps he cleverly withdrew, having already recognized it as a sacrificial stone (捨石).
Kanid met his keen gaze and replied with a confident smile.
“Indeed, my son-in-law here, Ban Yuwon, dealt with it himself.”
“...”
The gaze of everyone present turned to Ban Yuwon.
Strictly speaking, it wasn't Ban Yuwon’s strength alone; Rucell, who had awakened her Wildness Furnace, and Cellon, the master of Starlight Magic, were also involved. Furthermore, the decisive blow was delivered by Abyss, who could be called the embodiment of the concept of Excavation. However, considering that the people and items just listed were all, in essence, Ban Yuwon’s, he decided not to deny it.
Perhaps sensing something about Ban Yuwon, the Ghosthorn Chieftain eventually nodded and knelt before him.
“He truly possesses an extraordinary soul. If this man is the future of the Wolf Fang Tribe, then I have no reason to hesitate in my submission. I shall remain with the Wolf Fang Tribe forevermore.”
“Huh. I’m the future?”
“At least our child is.”
Rucell whispered “quite loudly” into his ear, linking her arm through his.
At that moment, everyone in the meeting place—the members of the Wolf Fang Tribe, as well as the chieftains of the other tribes who had just pledged allegiance—all let out a collective cheer.
No, I mean, it’s as if Rucell is pregnant right now...!
“...No, right?”
“Heh heh, but we still have to graduate.”
“Thank goodness...”
But was it truly a relief?
In five years, his future would be practically set...
Ban Yuwon, sensing his unavoidable fate, suddenly tilted his head.
Wait, I am the master, right?
Not the slave, right?
“Hmm, as proof of my loyalty, I would also like to offer my daughter as a concubine for Sir Ban Yuwon...”
Don't add any more here.
Stop it, please.
* * *
The banquet, held to commemorate the grand tribal unity, continued through the night.
Everyone drank, ate, and chatted boisterously.
Mira couldn’t blend into the atmosphere, nor did she wish to.
In fact, it felt strange that Shati, a true outsider, was in the midst of that chaos, excitedly chatting and gulping down drinks.
Still, she wanted to be alone right now, so it worked out well.
She found a secluded tree and perched on a branch.
“Hoo...”
Sipping fruit wine little by little, accompanied by the distant chatter of people from the plaza far below.
Mira recalled the contents of Ketra’s report, which she had confirmed with Ban Yuwon after today’s battle.
He had been affiliated with Crimson Spear even before enrollment, leading a project to empower a specific dimension by sacrificing the fairy race.
And the core of that project was Mira herself, the princess of the fairy race.
‘No, that’s not quite right. The moment I enrolled, I became the core of the project.’
As fellow members of the fairy race and students, the more contact points they created, the higher the success rate of Changeling.
That’s why Ketra had initially approached Mira.
For a plan to abduct a key figure using Changeling.
Ultimately, their relationship had been a complete fabrication from beginning to end.
——However.
He eventually revealed the existence of the project to Mira and chose to sacrifice himself and die in her place.
Lyu Cheolmyeong’s plan, which had drawn in Exodus, must have been a good opportunity for him.
Because it would have been easy to bait both Crimson Spear and Exodus simultaneously and orchestrate their actions.
The outcome was as he intended.
Perhaps it wasn't purely out of feelings for Mira.
It must have been Ketra’s will as a fairy to die.
“Even if it was a lie, if he held onto it until his death and couldn’t discard it, was it still the truth...?”
Mira thought about Ketra.
Now she could admit it.
The reason she wanted to ignore Ketra wasn't out of loyalty to Ban Yuwon.
‘I just wanted to pretend that my failed past never happened. I just wanted to experience a splendid and perfect first love with Yuwon again.’
After all, the end of her first love was the worst, no matter how beautifully she tried to package it.
Even if Ketra had planned to abduct Mira, wasn't she trying to curse him at a time when she didn't know that fact?
It was a mess, ugly, and dirty.
But Ban Yuwon had said he would accept all of it.
It was thanks to him that Mira was able to truly repent of her wrongdoings and apologize.
She was able to bow her head to Ketra before he cowardly escaped through death, ending his atonement alone.
She was able to express her gratitude to him.
“...Yuwon.”
Ignoring something indiscriminately doesn't make it disappear.
She realized that the shackles clinging to her ankles, weighing down her steps throughout the time she pretended not to know about her past or guilt and calmly went about her daily life, had finally been released the moment she honestly acknowledged everything.
Perhaps Ban Yuwon knew that and pushed her at that critical moment.
Mira was free, and her self was complete and mature.
She could love Ban Yuwon more boldly.
“Yuwon...”
No, she really couldn't bear it.
She wanted to be in Ban Yuwon’s arms right now.
Tonight.
She truly wanted to give him her all.
—Shall I help you?
“I don’t intend to let you ruin this love too.”
—You might not believe it, but I’ve always supported you.
“Shut up, gravedigger.”
Mira snorted and stood up.
She touched her luscious black hair, smiling alluringly.
“Now I can even drag a man into bed.”
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