I got into school for nothing - Chapter 248
I got into school for nothing (248)
Lesson 48. Instructor Ban Yuwon - 3
The live broadcast of the club-versus-club special competition caused a significant stir, in various ways.
Even with the edited live broadcast, which focused entirely on Woohyeolrin's individual actions, maximizing Tikke's abilities, it couldn't fully obscure the shock caused by the major incident of Exodus's appearance.
The revelation that dimension pirates, and students at that, had infiltrated Union Academy shocked many, once again igniting calls for the abolition of the Special Admissions program.
Though Woohyeolrin and others might have become dimension pirates under the guise of eliminating imbalance, what they actually intended to do was attack Ban Yuwon, an exceptional student from a lower-rank dimension, just like themselves. With their existence exposed, the perception of Special Admission students, whose position Ban Yuwon had painstakingly solidified, became even stricter than before.
They may have had a grand cause, but the fruit of their labor was disastrous.
For what purpose were their actions, and for whose cause did they fight?
To Cartro El Fassis, the sole survivor among them as an Exodus member, these questions were now unanswerable.
It was difficult to fully grasp Woohyeolrin's actions through indirect exposure via video, but Ban Yuwon binding and controlling all enemies at once was an incident that instantly grabbed attention.
Everyone knew it wasn't accomplished purely by Ban Yuwon's power alone, but it was clear nonetheless that it was an Authority surpassing the realm of ordinary mortals.
Simply put, if the Special Admissions program hadn't existed, Ban Yuwon, with such power, would never have entered the Academy.
Even the most stubborn of complainers could no longer argue for the abolition of the Special Admissions program with Ban Yuwon's existence right before their eyes.
Of course, the club members' efforts also contributed to this.
Even setting aside the Rebellion members whose strength was already well-known...
Kshana might have only been thinking of impressing Ban Yuwon, but her Authority over sound succeeded in leaving a strong impression on those watching the live broadcast.
Thus, the club-versus-club special competition ended as a step backward followed by another step forward. However, since internal enemies were a problem that would need to be rooted out eventually, everyone decided to be content with the outcome.
“Wouldn't it be fine if we revealed that Ketra was also a dimension pirate, not just the Special Admission students?”
“Mira, sometimes you're truly heartless...”
“The dead can't be brought back to life. So, I thought that if it helped you, it might also make Ketra happy.”
“Don't arbitrarily fabricate people's feelings.”
Mira's expression was utterly serious, not a hint of jest, but he vehemently dissuaded her, knowing that if that fact were truly revealed, it would become a problem not just for Special Admissions but for the entire Union Academy.
Although a great upheaval occurred at the last minute, the Union Foundation Festival ultimately concluded safely.
As Ban Yuwon was involved in most of the incidents that transpired during the Foundation Festival, his name became a catalyst for spreading across all dimensions.
Even if the Rebellion channel's subscriber count exceeded four billion, his renown had, until now, been limited to his status as an Academy student.
However, his exploits—defeating the heir of a Ten Great Family, annihilating a fleet of dimension pirates, and purifying an abandoned dimension—meant that he had already transcended the realm of a mere student, proving himself a formidable power that even higher-rank dimensions needed to be wary of.
It was still unclear whether this would lead to more enemies or more allies, but... Ban Yuwon had no intention of concealing his power moving forward.
“—So, why did you summon me, Master? I'm getting busy preparing for midterms soon.”
—It seems you have questions for me.
The Chancellor was inhabiting a lizard doll.
Truly in poor taste was the tiny sword stuck in the lizard's head.
—Won't you ask?
“Well, lately, I'm confused about what Master knows and what he doesn't.”
Ban Yuwon sighed, settling onto the sofa opposite the lizard doll.
At his provocative words, the lizard doll opened its jaw and 'laughed'.
—Excellent. You've always been excellent, but especially so now.
“Master, do you, by any chance, like me?”
—All transcendents are bound to favor you.
Uttering words that sounded rather profound, the lizard nodded its head up and down.
—I expected you might have questions related to True Dragons, but was I mistaken?
“I was wondering when you'd finally bring that up.”
There were two dragonoids just around Ban Yuwon: Aire and Asha.
Recalling the attitude of that ancestor who tried to seize Asha's body certainly sparked curiosity about the origins of True Dragons, but...
“I don't think I necessarily need to hear it from Master. I wouldn't get the core information anyway.”
—I apologize for always entrusting you with many tasks without prior explanation.
For the Chancellor to apologize!
Ban Yuwon wanted to check outside to see if the sun was falling on Union, but with no windows visible, he couldn't.
The lizard continued calmly, feigning ignorance of his exaggerated movements.
—However, knowing the answer beforehand does not aid in growth. Will and innovation always arise from crisis and the unknown. Therefore, my stance will not change in the future.
Could there be a more hollow apology?
Ban Yuwon opened his mouth with a sulky expression.
“A question just came to mind.”
—Granted.
“How many 'abandoned dimensions' are there?”
—Let me correct your terminology.
The lizard's eyes narrowed.
—It is more accurate to call them 'experimented dimensions'.
“I knew it.”
As expected, it *was* related to Union after all!
This universe is governed by the keywords of 'integration' and 'division'.
Considering the origin of the Tower of Babel, and judging by the dimension's name, Union, it's clear which side the Academy is fixated on.
“Who created the dimension walls?”
—Certainly not I.
“Of course not...”
—You will find the answer as you ascend the Tower. Exodus must have said the same.
“Does Master know that answer? No...”
—Indeed, I do not know either.
The Chancellor let out a wry chuckle.
—Only you are qualified to know it.
“Don't treat me specially; it's creepy.”
—The very fact that you frequently have private audiences with me already makes you special.
The Chancellor, having silenced him with a simple remark, hesitated briefly before continuing.
—From next year, no more spies will enter the Academy.
It sounded like words meant to appease him, but Ban Yuwon had already deciphered their true meaning.
“Because their purpose has been served.”
—Precisely.
There were two people here more ruthless than even Mira.
—Will you leave Cartro El Fassis as he is?
“I'll make use of him. You'll also leave the Prominence Family as they are, won't you?”
—Because they must be used.
Realizing that their conversation had reached a stalemate, the Chancellor sighed.
—Very well, let's end this unproductive discussion.
Then, he suddenly thrust his head towards Ban Yuwon.
The toy sword stuck in its tip swayed precariously.
—This is your reward for this endeavor. Do not wield it carelessly.
“A reward? It's not an ordinary toy sword, but its size is too small...”
Ban Yuwon reached out with two fingers, pulled out the toy sword, and the moment he fully unsheathed the nearly 10-centimeter blade, he was speechless, staring fixedly at it.
[Death]
He had never seen such a pure crystallization of death before.
Just holding it like this felt dangerous.
A rare artifact that he didn't dare to properly wield yet.
He hastily stored it in his inventory, let out a sigh of relief, and looked up to find that the lizard doll had vanished without a trace, replaced by a phoenix doll resting on the table.
—I pray you never have need to use it.
“That's not something the giver of the gift should say.”
He retorted, dumbfounded, and turned to leave, but the Chancellor's voice drifted into his ear.
In truth, Ban Yuwon had grown accustomed to the Chancellor always adding one more remark whenever he tried to leave.
—Be vigilant. Not all enemies approach with audible footsteps.
“How nice it would be if you just specified who it was.”
Waving his hand dismissively, he exited the Chancellor's office and teleported to his dorm room.
The room was completely devoid of any presence, as if it had been empty for hours.
—Me: Where are you?
—Asha: Study hall, save me.
—Rucell: Don't worry, Master, we're studying diligently together!
—Asha: Save me.
Not seeing Asha, he tilted his head and sent a message, realizing she seemed to be trapped in the library's study hall, held captive by Rucell.
It sounded nice to call it a beautiful friendship among girls, diligently monitoring each other for academic improvement, but he suspected Rucell, envious of Asha being alone with Ban Yuwon in the dorm room, was simply holding her captive.
He studied alone for a while, and then his Mirror vibrated repeatedly.
—Yeon: Let's spar to loosen up.
—Yeon: I've been caught.
—Rucell: Rest assured, I've captured Dokgo Yeon, who was disturbing Master's studies!
The fierce competition unfolding beneath the surface... no, the 'harmony' of Rebellion's female members sent shivers down his spine.
He pondered how he had ended up in such a situation, eventually realizing it was his own doing.
His date with Dokgo Yeon could be said to be part of an effort to keep Ortima in check and protect the team, and his deepening relationship with Asha was the result of his utmost efforts for her mental liberation and growth—but wouldn't it be a lie to say that, at the core of these actions, there was no desire for a deeper relationship with both of them?
He toyed with his Mirror, murmuring with a wry smile.
“I've completely grown accustomed to pan-universal values, too...”
“Shwirrrk.”
“I know, Eve.”
Ban Yuwon stroked her, then poured Darjeeling tea into his cup, and said,
“But do you know this saying? What happens twice is bound to happen again—”
Just then, his Mirror vibrated again.
Eve's eyes widened, and her tail thumped against the desk with a 'thwack, thwack,' as if to say, 'As expected of Master!'
Ban Yuwon, who hadn't meant it in quite that way, vaguely brushed it off with a smile and checked his Mirror.
—President: Are you free right now?
Shatie?
He earnestly tried to recall if anything had happened with her from the Student Council during the Foundation Festival, but nothing came to mind.
The only thing he could remember concerning the Student Council was that Rika and Begun, who had gone on a date yesterday, still hadn't returned today, leading everyone to plan a celebration party for the birth of a new couple.
He tilted his head and replied.
—Me: I'm studying, but haven't you been ambushed by Rucell?
—President: Mira did get caught earlier.
He couldn't help but applaud Rucell's bold strategy of gathering everyone together to prevent anyone from cutting in line.
—President: I know juniors these days are sensitive about their romantic endeavors, but rest assured, I don't feel that way yet.
—Me: Did you really have to add 'yet'?
—President: If I said there was absolutely no possibility, Mira would get angry, asking if her boyfriend had no charm.
—Me: My apologies. You're going through a lot.
Everyone's affections are so heavy.
He sighed and drank his tea, then his Mirror vibrated again.
—President: Actually, I wanted to ask you right at the start of the second semester, but both the Student Council and you personally have been so busy, haven't you? It seems things have settled down a bit now, so... could you do me a favor?
—Me: Alright, I'll owe you a lot in the future too, Senior.
—President: When agreeing to someone's request, make sure to confirm the details before you answer. This is my advice as an Evil One.
—Me: So, what is it?
—President: I was hoping you could help me manage my unique ability.
Summoning, the unique ability characteristic of the Evil One race, allowing them to call forth creatures from the Demon Realm.
He could understand why she brought this up at this particular time, simply by recalling how the members of the Union Tour Club had showcased their unique abilities during the club-versus-club special competition.
—Me: Understood. I'll help you.
Anyway, he could perfectly prepare for the written exams just by skimming through the textbooks once.
And he had been interested in Shatie's unique ability for a while now.
Even more so now that fundamental questions about monsters had arisen.
Perhaps the Chancellor's intentions were also at play here, Ban Yuwon mused idly, touching his student ID as he headed towards her.
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