I got into school for nothing - Chapter 235
I got into school for nothing (235)
Lesson 46. Union Academy Founding Festival - 2
Ban Yuwon had chosen Dokgo Yeon as his partner for the special match against Ulrike Prominence. This special match was simultaneously Ban Yuwon and Ulrike's special match, and Dokgo Yeon and Rusein Ortima's special match.
It was a special match with two "wish rights" at stake—a magical contract the winner could demand from the loser.
On the other hand, the special match between Ban Yuwon and As Light would be an entirely separate match, thus requiring a re-selection of partners.
Dokgo Yeon wanted to personally crush As Light, so she had tried to participate as his partner here as well, but due to Aire's strong will, Aire was ultimately chosen as the partner for that match.
The problem was As Light's partner in that match. Unexpectedly, Ulrike, a noble aristocrat from a higher dimension, had decided to lend her hand to As Light.
However, since there was only one wish right at stake in this match, she would gain nothing by participating.
...No. It seemed like there was nothing to gain, but that wasn't actually the case.
Mira, clutching her teacup as if to shatter it, demanded in a seething voice. Ban Yuwon first took her hand to calm her, then spoke.
"Actually, we could have somewhat expected it. As Light doesn't really have any friends besides us."
Ban Yuwon's words were overtly harsh, but they were true.
As Light's human relationships began and ended with Rebellion.
If As Light became busy meeting other people, it could only be someone related to Rebellion.
And the current As Light, who was thinking of leaving Rebellion... more precisely, the person controlling As Light's body, would find common ground with Ulrike Prominence, who wanted to extract only Ban Yuwon from Rebellion.
"For her, it's a kind of insurance. If she loses the match against me, she won't be able to control me as she wishes. But if she wins the second match by lending a hand to As Light, at the very least, she can pull As Light out of Rebellion."
"I understand her intentions perfectly. I can somewhat grasp it, except for the fact that she doesn't realize the possibility of winning the second match becomes infinitely low if she loses the first."
That's true.
No matter how strong Dokgo Yeon was, Aire was undeniably the top student of the first year, based on the first semester.
To think she could win against such an Aire, paired with herself and As Light, was more than just arrogance.
If she valued As Light so highly, she should have just brought As Light into her team instead of obsessing over Ban Yuwon.
"Ah, perhaps that's exactly what she intends. If she wins that match, she might try to bring As Light into her team, not me?"
"No, Yuwon. That vulgar female doesn't just want you because you're strong. She's fallen for you, lost her mind, can't think straight, and is just lustfully throwing herself at you!"
"Your language! Please, soften it...!"
You're directly suffering the ill effects of getting close to Rucell!
Despite Ban Yuwon's admonition, Mira seemed to have no intention of changing her attitude.
"As Light has also lost his mind. That woman even tried to attack As Light's home planet."
"But in the end, it concluded without significant harm, and most importantly, their immediate goals align. Yesterday's enemy has become today's ally."
"..."
Mira looked at Ban Yuwon, who spoke as if it were someone else's business, and reacted with incomprehension.
"I'll ask you again, Yuwon. Why are you so calm? He's a comrade we've worked hard with for quite a long time."
"That's precisely why I'm calm."
This lovely fairy princess still hadn't managed to fix her tendency to suddenly overreact when dealing with human emotions.
However, Ban Yuwon, who perceived and absorbed all concepts in his surroundings every moment, still had the leeway to calmly analyze As Light even while interacting with him.
"As Light isn't acting of his own free will right now. So there's no need to be shocked or annoyed by his every action."
"Can you separate that?"
"Of course. Because I can see everything clearly."
Relationships between people are governed by trust.
Because one cannot fully discern another's true intentions, humans are bound to be swayed by the imperfect emotion of trust.
But now that he could read, even if only partially, what others were thinking and how they intended to act, Ban Yuwon could no longer use the word "trust."
Thanks to that, he could be certain that As Light was not an enemy, and thus could step forward to save him.
'Of course, it's not always a good thing...'
Rather, if he were an ordinary human, his mind would likely be ravaged, but Rucell's presence was what allowed him to realize it in time and care for it.
There was no need to analyze an unconditional ally.
Rucell... and now even Mira.
For these two alone, he could have "trust."
"Yuwon..."
As he laid out his thoughts, Mira silently took his hand.
Ban Yuwon felt a little embarrassed, as if she understood his heart, but the next moment, she squeezed his hand even tighter and said.
"Tonight, how about we spend the night out?"
"Right, even with excellent linguistic abilities, some things are hard to convey properly..."
"Just kidding. First, we should enjoy the Founding Festival."
Even as she said it was a joke, Mira showed no intention of letting go of his tightly clasped hand.
"Are you sure? You were getting annoyed because of all the guests."
"It's free time from now on. I'll show those who look down on you just how good we look together. Let's go change our clothes."
Indeed, had she come all the way to the annex just to catch her breath for that?
He chuckled and held Mira's hand.
Since he had intended to devote the entire day to Mira anyway, he quietly gave up resisting and decided to follow her will.
* * *
For Ban Yuwon, who had never experienced a university festival, the Union Academy Founding Festival was, frankly, quite disappointing.
Of course, the exhibitions and shops prepared by the students were quite impressive, thanks to the children of affluent families from various dimensions pouring money into them. However, due to his student council duties, he already knew the contents beforehand, so everything felt stale.
The events prepared by the Academy were a great success, attracting most of the guests. But their foundation seemed to be merely a selection of the Academy's research achievements on the Tower of Babel, carefully curated to be acceptable for external exposure. To Ban Yuwon, who was currently at the forefront of Tower research, it all seemed lukewarm.
However, for Mira, who had wanted a fulfilling date with Ban Yuwon, proudly showcasing their relationship to both Academy members and external guests seemed quite satisfying.
Especially the fact that she had claimed him first, leaving rivals like Rucell and Dokgo Yeon behind, seemed to fill her with immense pride. In conclusion, although they ended up staying out all night, it became a satisfying date for both of them.
"I asked my sister, and she said university festivals aren't really much either. At most, the invited singer's live performance gets attention."
"Indeed, I don't think Big Brother would like festivals much."
The next day, of course, was a date with Rucell.
The date course naturally ended up being similar to the one he had taken with Mira yesterday, but Rucell readily understood and agreed.
If he had done the same thing on Earth before the cataclysm, there would have been no scoop quite like it. However, Union, which embraced cultures from all dimensions, was indeed on a different level. One could often spot people like Ban Yuwon, who had multiple lovers or fiancées in the Academy, strolling around arm-in-arm with different partners than the day before.
"The conditions are so different that I can't even imagine it... but Master still seems to have some lingering attachment to Earth's universities."
"Cut me some slack. Students in our country endure arduous exam preparations solely with the thought of getting into a good university and enjoying a wonderful campus life..."
On dates with Mira, they talked a lot about what had happened between them and what they wanted to do.
But when dating Rucell, the conversation often revolved around things that had happened to Ban Yuwon in the past, and things Rucell wanted to do for Ban Yuwon.
Even now, stories about the university life Ban Yuwon had dreamed of before abruptly enrolling in Union Academy were steadily flowing out, naturally prompted by Rucell.
"Aside from that, university festivals are famous for things like student pubs, but that's... you know?"
"Because alcohol cannot be sold within Union Academy..."
The only alcohol Ban Yuwon had ever consumed within the Academy was what he had been given by Yumina.
Yumina... Ban Yuwon naturally recalled her, or more precisely, his argument with Cellon, who had demanded he "treat her well." He shook his head and refocused his attention on the beauty before him.
"Master."
"Hmm?"
"Were you perhaps thinking of Dokgo Yeon?"
See? If he thought about other women, he'd get caught immediately like this.
"My apologies. Not Yeon, but Professor Yumina. She seems to be struggling in many ways these days."
"As Master may know, for a woman to show her vulnerable side to a man is something she wouldn't do unless she had a considerable interest in him."
"...You think so too, then?"
From the moment Rucell first clung to Ban Yuwon, she had recommended that he form connections with many women, and even went so far as to try and create such an atmosphere herself.
Perhaps that was a characteristic of beast-kin, who form groups as families.
"It's been obvious for a long time that Professor Yumina sees Master as a man. It's a female's instinct to desire a capable male. It doesn't change no matter how old they are."
"I understand what you mean, but if possible, let's say 'male' and 'female.'"
Ban Yuwon sighed and pointed out her manner of speech.
Wasn't it because Rucell insisted on such blunt language that it had even spread to Mira!
It was fortunate, at least, that he had cast a barrier to prevent bystanders from overhearing their conversation.
Ah, and he also wished she would stop casually dissing Yumina's age.
Of course, Rucell continued speaking, completely ignoring his admonition.
"It must be because Master is so multi-talented. I understand why she can't help but rely on him."
"What would be best, Rucell? As you said, she is indeed expecting things from me, but there's no need for it to develop into a romantic relationship..."
"Let's make her after Dokgo Yeon. So... the fourth."
"I hate myself for understanding what 'the fourth' refers to."
He wanted to consult on how best to respond to Yumina in a gentlemanly way, but within Rucell's mind, accepting Yumina as Ban Yuwon's wife seemed to already be a confirmed matter.
"As I've told you before, Master intends to confront the Ten Great Families in the future. In that case, we cannot afford to lose a talent like Professor Yumina. The only concern is if she sides with the Academy."
"Setting aside the 'fourth one' talk... I think that will probably be fine."
Recalling the reaction she had shown when discussing the Chancellor on the night they dined together, Ban Yuwon slowly shook his head.
"Professor Yumina is probably on our side. She understands the true nature of the Academy better than anyone... and perhaps that's why she decided to sponsor me."
"We're still only first-years, yet the burden is heavy."
"Indeed."
"That's precisely why it's even better to accept her. Above all, a firm alliance is a marriage alliance!"
"Shouldn't we perhaps start abandoning that Warring States period mentality..."
Even while discussing Ban Yuwon's rather weighty future family plans, the two somehow managed to happily conclude their Founding Festival date.
Of course, these two days of dates were all uploaded to the Rebellion channel, garnering an enormous response, and also successfully drew immense scolding from his older sister, Ban Yumi.
The next day was the day the two special matches would be held.
"The special matches will be held at five in the afternoon. Shall we spar until then?"
"Yeon, listen. Training is good, but wouldn't it be nice to enjoy the Founding Festival together? You've been training alone in your room for two whole days."
To Dokgo Yeon, who was making roughly the expected remarks and trying to drag him off to bury him in the training room, Ban Yuwon mustered his courage and suggested a date, but her reaction was frigid.
"I can't go around having fun with an important match ahead. Stay focused."
Regardless of whether others enjoyed the Founding Festival or not, she was the type of person who could always focus solely on the goal before her and pursue it.
That made her seem all the more admirable, but...
No, perhaps her attitude had become even stricter because he had been going around on dates with other women for the past two days, yesterday and the day before.
Ban Yuwon, who had been lost in all sorts of thoughts, suddenly snapped back to attention and realized that Dokgo Yeon was, by now, hesitating as if to say something.
"Yeon?"
"Ahem... so, after the match."
Ah, after the match.
"If you achieve good results... for about a day, I'll accompany you. ...Yu, won."
"Yeon!"
Ban Yuwon unconsciously clenched his fist and then was hit by her.
It didn't hurt at all.
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