I got into school for nothing - Chapter 227
I got into school for nothing (227)
Lesson 45. Founding Festival Preparation - 2
Tuesday afternoon.
After all the lectures had ended, the members gathered at the annex cafe (As Light, of course, wasn't there), and while they were enjoying desserts and coffee, the cafe suddenly erupted in a murmur.
Looking up, a famous first-year student, already well-known, had approached right in front of the Rebellion members' table.
Haah, the person who had glared fiercely at Ban Yuwon, who had inadvertently sighed, turned his gaze to Dokgo Yeon, who was sitting opposite him, and spoke.
"Dokgo Yeon, I challenge you to a special match at the masquerade ball."
His identity, of course, was Lusein Rown-Palomer Aquinas Ortima.
It was a situation they had somewhat anticipated, but they hadn't expected him to approach first.
Ban Yuwon, watching him, suddenly had a question.
"What do you want to demand from Dokgo Yeon?"
"Shut your mouth. You don't have the right to ask me questions."
His prickly attitude was unchanged, but at least he hadn't called Ban Yuwon a 'bug' this time, which was something to be grateful for.
Even after Ban Yuwon had grown so much, did Ortima still not see him as a person?
Well... Now, even in a head-on fight, he probably wouldn't be pushed back much.
‘If you only consider Level (Life), I’d still be far behind, but now that Yugi and Giwon Sword are complete...’
Though Ban Yuwon harbored such thoughts, he had no intention of provoking Ortima right now.
That's because the opportunity to determine who was stronger would soon arrive.
"What do you intend to demand from me?"
At that moment, Dokgo Yeon repeated Ban Yuwon's question, word for word.
Though she seemed like someone who would speak informally to everyone, it was surprisingly rare to hear Dokgo Yeon use informal speech.
Before, she had only used informal speech when dealing with Ortima... Ban Yuwon still didn't know why.
‘Surely... surely there’s no chance, is there?!’
She wouldn’t have developed a slight liking for Ortima and given him her heart, as if saying, “I couldn’t kill you even when I tried, so I’ll acknowledge you,” would she?!
No, that couldn't be.
Even as he found the idea absurd, Ban Yuwon felt a flicker of unease.
After all, he barely even knew what Dokgo Yeon was thinking half the time!
Meanwhile, Ortima, perhaps misunderstanding something, surprisingly had a faint smile play on his lips as he replied to Dokgo Yeon’s words.
"Three times, the right to date you whenever I desire."
"Pfft."
At such an unexpectedly different declaration, Rucell couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Even Ban Yuwon, upon hearing that, had barely managed to suppress his desire to laugh out loud!
And understandably so! Considering Ortima’s usual arrogant demeanor, it wouldn’t have been strange for him to demand something outrageous like “Become my slave” or “Let’s get married,” but who would have expected such a youthful, almost innocent request?
"Pfft."
"......"
Fortunately, Ortima had no time to blame Rucell.
He was too engrossed by Dokgo Yeon, who had also burst into laughter.
Her black eyes and cross-shaped pupils, and a face that might even feel chilling to a first-time beholder, he scanned every inch, utterly captivated. It was truly repulsive.
"That's true love, right there."
"To fall in love with someone who cut off your own arm, what kind of mental structure makes that possible?"
"And on top of that, he tried to kill her companions, yet he has the gall to act nonchalant and ignore it all. That's also quite something."
While Ban Yuwon and Rucell were whispering, Dokgo Yeon stopped laughing and replied with a serious expression.
"As for the special match, I've already decided to do it with Ban Yuwon, so you can just ask Ulrike Prominence to be your partner."
"...What?"
Ortima glared at Ban Yuwon again, but he merely shrugged.
It seemed the news hadn't spread yet, but since the special match list would be announced along with the tournament preliminary schedule, everyone who needed to know would find out before the Founding Festival began.
And when that time came, everyone would be able to gauge Ban Yuwon's skill more objectively.
Or... the true nature of Prominence.
"Hmph."
As if cutting off Ban Yuwon's thoughts, Ortima clicked his tongue pointedly and continued.
"I heard you've angered Prominence, but I never thought you'd be foolish enough to directly challenge one of the Ten Great Families."
"Ha, those 'Ten Great Families' always pick a fight first, then complain, 'Why are you sassing me?'"
"Complain? You, you dare speak such words in front of..."
The moment Ortima was enraged by Ban Yuwon's crude words, the surrounding mana, accepting his will, instantly converged, dense with murderous intent and a terrifying weight, pressing down on Ban Yuwon.
It was Ortima's unique ability to 'Domination' mana, attacking at near-instantaneous speed.
Of course, as long as it was within the range of Giwon Sword's influence, it was possible to evade the pressure, neutralize it, or even counterattack Ortima, but there was no need to reveal such clever cards against an opponent he would fight later anyway.
Ban Yuwon activated Yugi, manifesting the concept of 'Vajra' within his body, and easily withstood the pressure, then scoffed at Ortima.
"So, you want me to just die underfoot without resisting? If you're so great and mighty, why did you even bother coming to Union Academy and struggling to compete with us? Oh, by the way, how many rooms did you explore last week? We cleared 160 rooms. If clearing the Tower is too hard, why don't you watch our videos and learn something, huh?"
"A bug..."
"So, this 'bug' cleared 160 rooms, and you?"
If it had been the beginning of the first semester, perhaps, but Ban Yuwon was no longer one to be pushed back by Ortima's intimidating aura.
There was no longer any need for him to patiently endure being called a 'bug' every single time.
Ortima, seeing Ban Yuwon casually resisting his 'Divine Word of Domination', brushed off his lapel with a displeased expression.
"How vulgar."
It seemed he couldn't think of a retort.
He deliberately ignored Ban Yuwon and spoke to Dokgo Yeon.
"Dokgo Yeon, a place fitting for you is not beside such a filthy and insignificant man."
"I decide where I'll be."
"That... of course."
Ortima, who never acknowledged anyone else's words, was meekly nodding at Dokgo Yeon's statement!
"Right now, you simply don't know. Your abilities, your rightful qualifications, your rights. Things you can't see yet because your vision is narrow. I will retrieve them all for you. Just wait."
"......"
Dokgo Yeon didn't respond to his words, but Ortima, with a look of firm resolve, nodded and turned away.
It seemed he had come all the way to the annex cafe with the intention of saying those very words to Dokgo Yeon from the start.
Thinking, ‘Why doesn’t he just confess his love?’, Ban Yuwon subtly glanced at Dokgo Yeon’s expression.
"Why are you looking at me with such a strange expression, Ban Yuwon?"
"Oh, nothing, I was just curious what you think of Ortima."
As Dokgo Yeon glared at him, Ban Yuwon inadvertently blurted out his true thoughts.
At his words, Rucell suddenly stood up and exclaimed.
"Master, surely you're not jealous, are you? Please do that for me too! Look, there are so many people commenting on the channel saying they're my fans—"
"Yes, yes."
"Ehehe."
Rucell's ultimate goal was physical contact.
Dokgo Yeon, watching Ban Yuwon pull her into his embrace to quiet her, suddenly let out a short sigh.
"That man probably knows the secret of my dimension."
Then she uttered words that were hundreds of millions of light-years away from what Ban Yuwon had been thinking, leaving him flustered.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"What do I mean? Weren't you two thinking the same thing? That 'bug' knows the source of my power and ultimately wants to steal it. Otherwise, there's no way he'd utter such nonsensical words about dating me."
What on earth was she thinking?
No, what delusion was she under? He couldn’t understand.
"......"
"......"
Leaving Ban Yuwon and Rucell, who were staring at each other, pondering where things had gone wrong, Dokgo Yeon continued, speaking a little faster than usual.
"It's impossible for someone to be attracted to me as a woman, to begin with. That man couldn't quite hide his true intentions either. I could read the desire in his eyes, a desire for the source of my power."
"Dokgo Yeon... I don't think that desire is *that* desire..."
"How foolish. It's not something one can gain just by being taught. Among those from outside dimensions, perhaps only you, Ban Yuwon, would be capable of it."
"...Wait a minute, stop."
The issue wasn't martial arts or anything like that right now.
This was practically a desperate denial of reality, though Dokgo Yeon herself probably didn't see it that way.
He had occasionally heard Dokgo Yeon speak in a similar vein, but he never imagined she genuinely believed it to this extent.
He knew she didn't think highly of romantic relationships between men and women, but this wasn't just ‘not thinking highly’...
‘Sure, I was intimidated at first. It was definitely like that initially, but now...’
Just as Ban Yuwon was pondering whether to say something, his lips parting slightly.
Rucell, with an expression like someone determined to press a nuclear missile button, grabbed his sleeve and spoke.
"Master, let's just do it, shall we?"
"It's super embarrassing... but, I guess there's no other way."
He wasn't sure how things had come to this, but he didn't like the idea of Dokgo Yeon continuing to think this way.
And there was no guarantee that another guy like Ortima wouldn't show up in the future either.
"Dokgo Yeon, let's go on a date."
"What?!"
In the end, Ban Yuwon had no choice but to step forward like this.
Of course, he had meticulously recorded the sound of Dokgo Yeon's voice cracking from surprise just now.
If he played it for her later, she would surely be delighted and try to kill Ban Yuwon.
"Y-you're even making fun of me now?"
"Can't you go on a date with me? Hmm?"
"Oh my, Master is such a flirt, really."
Ban Yuwon, asking with a serious expression, and Rucell, sighing as if there was nothing to be done.
Dokgo Yeon considered drawing her sword at once and punishing these ill-mannered youngsters who were teasing her.
But...
A date...
"......"
"Hmm? Just one time."
Ban Yuwon put his hands together, putting on a clumsy display of aegyo (cuteness).
But he knew.
The fact that his aegyo actually worked quite well on many people.
"...I don't know what your ulterior motive is, but I'll humor you."
In the end, Dokgo Yeon nodded.
She didn't seem to notice that her cheeks had faintly flushed.
Ban Yuwon grinned.
"Alright, it's too late today, so how about tomorrow afternoon? Tomorrow, we only have morning lectures, so we can both free up our time from lunch onward, right?"
"If it's something trivial, I won't forgive you."
"How could a date with you be trivial? It's a precious opportunity, valuable enough for even that Ortima guy to offer it as a prize for a special match."
At Ban Yuwon's words, Dokgo Yeon frowned.
"I mean, that's because that 'bug' had other intentions— Hmph, this is absurd. I'm worried it will be a waste of time."
"I'll try my best to come up with a good plan. There's quite a bit to enjoy in Ronica, you know."
"......"
As an ill-concealed anticipation leaked into Ban Yuwon's voice, Rucell, for no particular reason, glared at him with a pout.
"Aren't you playing favorites too much, Master?"
"Favorites? What are you talking about?"
"Sigh, never mind. You have to go on a date with me next time too."
Rucell said that and then turned her gaze to Dokgo Yeon.
"Alright, Dokgo Yeon, you're coming with me to prepare for the date."
"What did you say? Does that require preparation? The date is tomorrow..."
As Dokgo Yeon replied, flustered, Rucell shook her head vigorously and exclaimed.
"Tomorrow will be too late! Surely you weren't planning on just wearing those drab, black clothes for your date with Master, without a single thought about it?"
"Dr-drab, black."
Rucell's crude remarks about her precious, irreplaceable garments left Dokgo Yeon speechless.
However, Rucell, with a rare firmness, and perhaps a hint of personal agenda, pulled her strongly.
"Alright then, we'll be going now! Master, look forward to it!"
"Be-beast! Why so strong...? Beast!"
Due to Rucell having grown too strong during the break, Dokgo Yeon couldn't resist her with pure strength and was being dragged away.
That these two would end up in such a scene, he certainly hadn't expected back in the first semester—
Ban Yuwon, unable to hide the smile that naturally blossomed at the heartwarming sight, muttered quietly.
"Since you came all this way, it would've been nice if you sat with us, right?"
However, no one answered his words.
Instead, a student who had been sitting quietly in a corner just as quietly got up and left.
But the moment Ban Yuwon asked Dokgo Yeon on a date, he had definitely seen that student react with agitation.
Wasn't this what they called killing two birds with one stone?
Just as he smirked and stood up, his mirror vibrated.
[Ulrike Prominence — I heard about what happened today. I’d like to meet with you once, on the condition that you accept the special match. Surely you wouldn’t say no to me, would you?]
Cancel 'killing two birds with one stone'.
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