I got into school for nothing - Chapter 213
I got into school for nothing (213)
Lesson 42. Image Change - 3
Just then, Ban Yuwon, shocked by the utterly preposterous words, froze.
Dokgo Yeon, who had been quietly listening to Aire's words flow like water beside them, suddenly tilted her head and spoke.
“To be wary of the Dragon-Slaying Sword... are you a Dragonoid? Is that idiot a Dragonoid too?”
Ah, so that's where we're starting.
Come to think of it, Aire had only subtly hinted to Ban Yuwon that she was a Dragonoid; she hadn't officially revealed it yet.
However, Rucell, who also inherited the blood of a Divine Beast, seemed to have already somewhat expected it, as she was nodding her head, while Yumina didn't even bat an eyelash.
“Dragonoid. A human who carries the Dragon Factor. As Light is a being who inherited dragon's blood.”
Yumina, who had switched into teacher mode and was kindly explaining, suddenly realized Aire's presence and fell silent.
Indeed, Aire's friendliness towards As Light, solely because she was a Dragonoid, might have been due to the racial characteristic of having few kin, which naturally leads to stronger bonds.
Dokgo Yeon, too, seemed to share a similar thought with Ban Yuwon, as she was nodding.
“Indeed...”
“Normally, Dragonoids awaken sooner or later, even without guidance. But As Light was different.”
She had answered As Light as if it were perfectly normal, feigning composure, but in truth, she had wondered how someone with such potent Dragon Factor, like As Light, could remain at a level where she couldn't even understand Draconic at her age.
“The Dragon-Slaying Sword could do it. The Dragon-Slaying Sword, which had been attached to As Light since a young age, was suppressing the Dragon Factor she possessed.”
Ban Yuwon found himself nodding as he listened to her words.
So, the Holy Sword, which was only known to amplify As Light's power, was actually a sealing artifact that suppressed both her power and her future potential?
Truth be told, the Holy Sword had always felt suspicious, so Ban Yuwon had his suspicions, but he never imagined its true identity would be the Dragon-Slaying Sword.
“Then, if things continue like this, will As Light die or just become an ordinary human?”
“The power of a dragon bows to nothing. You can never kill a dragon with such things.”
He had heard from Stella that True Dragons were extinct.
However, Ban Yuwon, not confident enough to utter such words in front of Aire, whose eyes were shining brilliantly, decided to quietly listen to her continued explanation.
“It was only barely suppressing her. In fact, ever since she began training with me, As Light rapidly developed as a Dragonoid. Soon, she would have completely overcome the Holy Sword and even been able to unleash her power. But...”
“Something must have gone wrong during the break.”
Ban Yuwon vividly remembered the moment he parted ways with As Light before the break.
Hadn't she returned to her hometown, unable to participate in special activities because a distress signal had arrived?
It was obvious what must have happened there.
“She must have had to wield the sword. Her abilities gained during the first semester likely weren't enough to cope.”
Otherwise, there's no way she would have gone so off-kilter immediately after the semester started.
As Light had consistently strived, even in her struggles, proving firsthand that she could be strong even without the Holy Sword.
She had grown to value her comrades quite a bit... and even gone so far as to make cute, if slightly annoying, appeals to Ban Yuwon as a friend.
So there's no way she would suddenly abandon all that and insist on a Solo Exploration.
“Perhaps... that's how it seems.”
Aire nodded, her face clouded with concern.
She, too, must have already contacted As Light and received an unfavorable response.
Aire shared a fundamental connection with As Light as a Dragonoid, and they had also become close friends through their training.
So, of course, she wouldn't be feeling alright after being suddenly rejected like this.
“Even if As Light herself is relying on the Dragon-Slaying Sword, I cannot accept such a change in her personality. Clearly... that sword has a will of its own.”
“We should have just smashed the sword to bits.”
“Indeed.”
Ban Yuwon agreed with Dokgo Yeon's aggressive statement, but his mind was on something else.
The necklace As Light never took off, or rather, couldn't take off.
The Dragon-Slaying Sword, which an ancestor had left behind, calling it a Holy Sword.
And the necklace passed down along with it.
As Light, born with dragon's blood.
Two souls residing within the necklace.
Ban Yuwon realized.
Neither of the two souls was an ally to As Light.
“Damn it all.”
As Light had once explained the origin of the Holy Sword to him.
She had said that when their home dimension was invaded by aliens, As Light's ancestor had forged a sword from a fallen star, driven them out, and established a holy kingdom.
To “forge from a fallen star” could easily be interpreted as “stolen from somewhere.”
And if they could be easily repelled with that sword, the invaders were likely dragons, or those who inherited dragon's blood.
‘Then the two souls residing in the necklace...’
One would be the ancestor's soul, and the other, likely...
Ban Yuwon frowned and confirmed with Aire.
“Is there anything else you can tell me about the legends concerning the Dragon-Slaying Sword?”
“Only that several other swords of identical appearance exist in the universe, and that it possesses the power to kill even True Dragons who can resurrect even if their physical bodies are completely annihilated.”
“In other words, that sword destroys souls, not physical bodies.”
“You grasp things quickly, as always.”
Aire assented, impressed by his insight.
Ban Yuwon didn't speak the truth.
If his thoughts were correct, that sword didn't destroy souls.
It was a sword that severed, that detached souls.
‘And they must have contained them in a special item, that is, the necklace. ...Could the item forged from a star have been the necklace, not the sword?’
All the information he had gathered thus far came together, perfectly organized.
Now, what remained was to solve the problem.
Should he deal with the sword first, or the necklace?
Even if Ban Yuwon's Authority had grown, he didn't believe he could easily handle the necklace, which had shown such a fierce rejection before the break.
In that case...
‘The Dragon-Slaying Sword. Let's tackle this first.’
Ban Yuwon rose from his seat.
“I'll go meet her and try to sort things out. I think it'll be over quickly... but just in case, Professor, please stall so she doesn't get Solo Exploration permission.”
Though it might sound like self-praise, not a single member of the current Rebellion, including As Light, was lacking.
If Aire could be granted Solo Exploration privileges, then the current As Light could certainly obtain them as well. They really had to resolve this before the team was torn apart.
“Yes, I was going to do that anyway. After all, we can't just let someone affiliated with a team leave as they please. Not only is the Chancellor's permission required, but also the approval of existing team members.”
“Thank you, Professor. I'll take my leave now.”
“Oh, Master...”
No matter how hard As Light tried, she wouldn't be able to change her dorm room, so Ban Yuwon immediately teleported to his room using his student ID.
And indeed, As Light was there.
――!!
Ban Yuwon doubted his own eyes.
It felt as if he had traveled back half a year.
Her features, though unable to completely hide a feminine allure, still undeniably presented her as a man.
The Holy Sword, gripped firmly in one hand even outside of combat, its sharp tip aimed at him as if in caution.
“As Light, what are you doing?”
“My apologies. I was just on the battlefield until yesterday.”
Her attitude and tone were utterly incomprehensible, especially when recalling how she'd been just before they parted ways.
Ban Yuwon narrowed his eyes and glared at As Light.
This was more than just an “image change.”
It was a change that should only be possible if her very soul had been altered.
According to his All-seeing Eye, it didn't seem to be that severe yet... but at this rate, it would truly become beyond his control.
“As Light, a handshake.”
Ban Yuwon extended his hand and said.
Stunned by his sudden words, As Light recoiled a half-step.
“A handshake?”
“Because it's good to see you after a long time.”
“I'm sorry, but... I don't wish to shake your hand so casually.”
As expected, she refused.
Though she acted nonchalant, she knew just how threatening Ban Yuwon was to her now.
She was wary of him.
He had wanted to resolve things simply and quickly... but it seemed the situation was about to get complicated.
“Why are you suddenly acting so awkward?”
“I told you I just came from the battlefield. And Ban Yuwon, you sent me a message, didn't you? That my dimension could be attacked because of you.”
Oh, for crying out loud.
“I have things I must protect. This means I can no longer indulge in your childish games. You've probably already heard about it from Professor Yumina, I presume.”
As Light once again aimed her sword at him.
Honestly, that—that somewhat disheartened him.
“I have no intention of retracting my words. If my Solo Exploration request isn't accepted, I will withdraw from the Academy.”
“And return to your hometown to protect your dimension?”
“Yes.”
“I recall you wanting to climb the Tower more than anyone else.”
“Of course, that feeling hasn't changed. It's just that there's something more important.”
Ban Yuwon smiled bitterly at As Light's unwavering words.
At the very least, he couldn't believe that was the true intention of the As Light he knew.
“Can't you manage without the Holy Sword?”
“There was no need to deny that I am the rightful owner of the Holy Sword. I was just a little late in realizing it.”
The Holy Sword—no, the Dragon-Slaying Sword—aimed directly at Ban Yuwon, exuded a destructive aura, pressing down on him.
“You all only pretended to help me while hindering my growth. Don't you see? You might have gotten considerably stronger over the break, but you still can't compare to me.”
“Indeed, I'm honestly surprised. In that sense, As Light...”
Ban Yuwon attempted a surprise grab for the Dragon-Slaying Sword, but his attempt missed futilely.
Even without employing his Giwon Sword style, her reflexes, which surpassed the movements of Ban Yuwon, the wielder of the All-seeing Eye, were truly remarkable.
“What was that for?”
“I was just messing around, don't overreact. We're friends, aren't we?”
“Friends? ...Perhaps I might have said something like that once, but it's different now. Now, I am...”
“Don't interrupt me and listen. As Light, you.”
Have you ever heard of a Masquerade Ball?
At his sudden, out-of-the-blue remark, As Light's eyes widened.
It was a look similar to her pre-break self, and it made him smile a little.
* * *
“A Masquerade Ball?”
After Ban Yuwon left, only the four women remained.
As Yumina brought up the Masquerade Ball for their discussion about the Prominence Family, which had unexpectedly been pushed aside due to As Light's issue, Dokgo Yeon questioned her with a strange expression.
“What on earth is that?”
“Ah, depending on the dimension, that culture might not exist. It's a party where people wear masks so their identities aren't revealed, pair up, and dance on a stage.”
“Here at Union Academy, whose goal is to climb the Tower? Do they hold such a foolish event?”
“Hehe, actually, it's not quite like that...”
As Yumina's explanation continued, Dokgo Yeon's expression became a sight to behold.
Finally, having learned the entire truth about the Masquerade Ball—which turned out to have nothing to do with masks or dancing—Dokgo Yeon narrowed her eyes and spoke.
“Who created that event?”
“The Chancellor, of course.”
“That Chancellor, he must have lost his mind in exchange for immense power.”
“You shouldn't be so blunt, Dokgo Yeon.”
“Didn't both of you become rather sharp-tongued over the break?”
While grumbling in exasperation at Dokgo Yeon, who made no attempt to hide her disgust, and Rucell, who pretended to rein her in but was clearly on the exact same side, Yumina finally remembered that Aire had not yet left.
“Oh my, Student Aire! My apologies, it must be boring to listen to all this.”
“It's fine, Professor. I'm also part of Rebellion.”
“Don't act like you naturally joined Rebellion.”
At Aire's calm reply, without a change in her expression, Dokgo Yeon interjected instead of the absent Ban Yuwon.
Aire didn't react to that remark, instead making another bombshell declaration.
“I want to be Ban Yuwon's partner.”
“What?!”
Startled, Rucell shot up, terrified by Aire's words, which were even more direct and sudden than Dokgo Yeon's.
“It's my role as his slave to protect Master's side!”
“What nonsense... Silencing the Prominence Family is an important task. Of course, I, being the strongest, should participate.”
As even Dokgo Yeon showed eagerness, vying with Rucell, Aire quietly spoke.
“The special matches he'll have to face probably won't be just one.”
“What did you say?”
“If a special match is about competing for what each person desires.”
As Light, who desires Solo Exploration privileges, will surely apply for a special match against Ban Yuwon.
At Aire's explanation, Dokgo Yeon and Rucell unconsciously nodded in agreement.
“Tripping up the team was that idiot's specialty...!”
“That's right, As Light could totally do that...!”
“Isn't that why you two have been speaking so carelessly from earlier?!”
Yumina felt her mind go blank, watching the women who showed no mercy even towards a fellow teammate.
Ignoring their respected professor's disheveled state, Aire spoke.
“In that case, I absolutely want to face her there. Therefore, I wish to be Ban Yuwon's partner.”
“Phew... Aire, relax. The partner for a special match can be switched.”
“Then what about matches where partners cannot be switched?”
“Those would be tournaments.”
“A Masquerade Ball Tournament...”
The Union Founding Festival, which included the Masquerade Ball, was scheduled for mid-October.
There was still a month and a half left until then.
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