I got into school for nothing-249
I got into school for nothing (249)
Lesson 48. Professor Ban Yuwon - 4
“Senior, your summoning ability is less arbitrary than I thought?”
—Let me go! Let me go!
**Ban Yuwon** said, suppressing the monster that had burst forth from a crimson, hexagram-shaped magic circle suspended in mid-air with a barrier.
With a bronze, humanoid body, a devil's tail tipped with an arrow, goat horns, bloodshot eyes, and goat legs and hooves, **Ban Yuwon** felt he had seen that monster at least five times today.
“The **Bronze Devil**, so common it’s called the ‘goblin of the Demon Realm’. Since its population is high, naturally, the summoning frequency is also high.”
“It looks weak, but its name sounds quite grand.”
“It’s a joke that only works in the Demon Realm, but it’s sometimes called a Fairy Devil, meaning it’s considered one of the cutest monsters there.”
“It’s a secret from **Mira**, Kahahaha!”
**Shati** laughed cheerfully as always at **Ban Yuwon**’s words, then, glancing at the **Bronze Devil** struggling to break the barrier, added.
“It possesses intelligence and linguistic abilities equivalent to the average sentient race, making it the most frequently summoned monster for various purposes.”
“Taming this is the first hurdle, I see.”
—I won’t listen to your words—! You’re not a demon!
“As expected, it always comes to this, huh.”
At the sight of the **Bronze Devil** outright denying **Shati**’s very origins, as its summoner, she let out a bitter laugh and raised her hand.
It seemed she intended to kill this one too, just like the other thirteen monsters she had summoned so far.
“Wait a moment, Senior. If we just keep killing them like this, it won't lead to any improvement.”
When **Ban Yuwon** urgently stopped her, **Shati** finally seemed to realize something and looked back at him with a blank expression.
Then she chuckled awkwardly.
“Now that you mention it, you're right, Kahahahaha! It's just something I always did instinctively when training alone, Kahat.”
“Have you never considered slowly persuading the ones you summon?”
“That was the first thing I tried, and I tried it the hardest. But it’s no use. No matter how small and weak, a demon is still a demon. They have no intention of quietly listening to what I say.
—Persuade? I have no intention of talking to something that isn’t a demon!
The **Bronze Devil**, which had clearly worn a relieved expression when **Ban Yuwon** stopped **Shati** just now, quickly began to act superior again as soon as the topic changed.
**Ban Yuwon** added soundproofing to the barrier, muting the creature, and then faced **Shati**.
“I thought you were training to increase your proficiency in summoning magic itself.”
“Partly? But yes, I called the Planning Department Head today... or rather, junior **Yuwon**, because I wanted to somehow improve my summoning magic.”
**Shati** cast a complex gaze at the **Bronze Devil** inside the barrier.
“It seems to be a characteristic of the **Iblis** race. This playful attitude, even when I need to be serious, just doesn't improve. I didn't intend to just thoughtlessly summon them again today.”
“You saw the club-versus-club live broadcast, right?”
“It was awesome, and I wanted to join the **Union Tour Club** too, but **Mira** stopped me.”
“I know her reactions are cute when you tease her, but you should still go easy. ...So? If you want my help, at least explain the mechanism of your ability. And how it differs from other **Iblis**’s unique abilities.”
Of course, the first thing he should have asked today was ‘why she suddenly felt the urge to improve her unique ability at this very moment’...
In truth, that much could be gleaned just by observing **Shati**’s usual attitude towards **Mira**.
After she learned that **Mira** had been targeted simultaneously by two groups, the **Crimson Spear** and **Exodus**, her desire to protect **Mira** must have grown stronger.
He had thought it before, but **Shati**’s feelings for **Mira** didn’t seem to be mere friendship.
Even if it was just to be considerate of her feelings, he had no intention of voicing it aloud.
“Alright, then I should first explain about the **Iblis** and **Iblis** variants.”
“I’m ready to listen.”
According to **Shati**, the **Iblis** are fundamentally a unique race that does not harmonize with other races.
While ‘unique race’ sounds nice, it’s actually the most polite term for a race that is too distinct to be recognized as a species, yet too intelligent to be treated as monsters, and possessing rules to govern their collective.
“We vaguely call it the Demon Realm, but it actually refers to several worlds spanning B-rank and C-rank dimensions, where the **Iblis**’s unique **Blood Magic** flows. Residents of higher-rank dimensions try not to acknowledge it, but there is actually one A-rank dimension dominated by **Blood Magic**, and **Iblis** legends say that **Blood Magic** is hidden even in S-rank dimensions. If one summons a demon from an S-rank dimension, that person will instantly become the ruler of the **Iblis**.”
“That sounds romantic.”
“It's not that romantic, Kahat. There were past attempts to treat the Demon Realm as a forsaken dimension and build barricades around it. Many also claim that the monsters of the Demon Realm are particularly dangerous. In fact, I think that's right. ...The **Iblis** are the worst.”
It seemed the conversation was about to become somewhat serious.
**Ban Yuwon** briefly wondered whether to kill the **Bronze Devil** still trapped in the soundproof barrier, but **Shati** continued speaking without paying it any mind.
“Now, to the main point. You might have guessed it—I can’t wield **Blood Magic**.”
“Is that why you’re called a variant?”
“Actually, I consider that a fortunate thing in itself. **Blood Magic** drives its wielders mad, you see. The **Iblis** are treated as lunatics entirely because of **Blood Magic**. Even that damned Fairy Devil is like that.”
Indeed, after hearing all this, he finally understood everything.
She was born an **Iblis**, so she possessed the race’s unique ability, summoning magic, but to command the monsters summoned by it, she needed **Blood Magic** as a medium. And because **Shati** lacked it, she couldn’t control them.
Previously, **Ban Yuwon** had felt a sense of incongruity while watching her use summoning magic: the incantation was perfect, but the magical power to activate it was insufficient.
At the time, he had naively thought that simply adjusting her magical power for summoning would somehow solve the problem. But if it was a difference stemming from a race's unique magic, then even he couldn't do anything about it.
“What improvement plan did Senior have in mind?”
“Acquiring **Blood Magic**.”
“Ah. That is easy, I suppose.”
“Kahahahaha! Normally it wouldn’t be easy, though!”
To put it bluntly, it was something **Ban Yuwon** could resolve anytime.
As for **Blood Magic**, though in small amounts, it could be obtained every time a monster from the Demon Realm was summoned. Collecting it little by little and bestowing it upon **Shati**—given her race, it would probably be possible.
Of course, that process would require a rather deep physical contact with **Shati**, which would surely incur the wrath of **Mira** and others...
**Ban Yuwon** looked at **Shati**, who was still calmly smiling despite hearing that acquiring **Blood Magic** was easy, and said.
“But you don’t want that, do you?”
“That’s right. I don’t particularly like my ancestral race. ...I had some friction with the parents who bore me.”
Then there was no choice but to fix her innate **Authority**.
In fact, **Ban Yuwon** had thought of a solution while listening to her story.
If he could somehow utilize **Concept Conversion**, which had proven effective twice in a row recently, couldn’t he put the monsters in a state where they were ‘furious but their bodies moved on their own’?
**Shati** probably knew that he had spectacularly overturned his contract with **Woohyeolrin**, thoroughly humiliating him, which was likely why she was coming to him for advice...
‘If I keep using it like this, it’ll quickly disappear. As long as there's no guarantee I'll master **Changeling**, it's not good to use **Concept Conversion** like a special move every time I'm stuck.’
**Ban Yuwon**, who had been thinking for a moment, soon smiled ambiguously and said.
“Honestly, I’m not confident. First, I want to start by analyzing the **Authority**. And I want to know how to fix an **Authority**.”
**Shati**, as if she had been waiting for those words, extended her left hand to him.
On the back of her hand, the hexagram-shaped magic circle that had appeared when she summoned the **Bronze Devil** earlier was now faintly glowing.
“Right now, this indicates that while I’m using summoning magic, the condition of the summoned creatures isn’t good at all.”
“When was it at its best?”
“When I summoned an ancient demon, famous for never obeying its summoner, and imprisoned it in the Demon King’s castle.”
At that, **Ban Yuwon** glanced at **Shati**.
**Shati** merely chuckled, 'Kahat,' offering no further explanation, but **Ban Yuwon**, who had become entangled with many noble figures since entering **Union Academy**, could roughly guess **Shati**’s original status without needing more details.
Honestly, adding one more princess to the list wouldn’t surprise him now.
“Anyway, let’s give it a try. Ultimately, it would be best to fix the summoning incantation for Demon Realm monsters so that you can summon monsters that can be controlled with ordinary magic.”
“Kahat, if that happens, I’ll carry Junior on my back up the **Tower**.”
“Let’s not make a choice that will only make us both unhappy.”
There was no way he could easily analyze another person’s **Authority**.
However, his constantly evolving All-Seeing Eyes, which were becoming more formidable each day, allowed him to extract specific patterns from the flow of magic within **Shati**’s body and the movements at the moment her **Authority** manifested, and by fitting them together with the shape of the magic circle on the back of her hand, he was gradually able to understand its structure.
“I’ll try to figure something out before the exam period ends.”
“Meeting for appointments for two whole weeks, it feels like a date, Kahahahaha!”
“But I’m going to report it to **Mira**.”
“No, don’t do that.”
**Shati** suddenly grabbed **Ban Yuwon**’s arm, her expression serious.
The smile she hadn’t lost even while talking about her origins vanished, replaced by a serious expression **Ban Yuwon** had never seen before.
“I don't really want **Mira** to find out... I mean... it's embarrassing, isn't it?”
“Senior, you really live a difficult life.”
“I don't think that's something a junior should say, Kahahahahaha!”
They decided to keep the **Bronze Devil** as a memento.
If merely breathing while trapped in a barrier in a corner of the student council president’s office for two weeks could be called life, it would still be better than death, at least.
* * *
During the mid-term exam preparation week, all external activities, including **Solo Exploration**, were prohibited, and club activities also had to be restrained.
**Ban Yuwon**, as **Yumina**’s representative, could move around a bit more freely, but since all the other **Rebellion** members were confined to the library reading room... under **Rucell**’s supervision, he didn’t even feel like playing alone.
Excluding the time spent analyzing **Shati**’s **Authority**, private lessons with **Cellon**, and writing a thesis with **Aire**, the otherwise uninteresting and meaningless time quickly flew by—.
The mid-term exams also reached their final day.
“—Ah.”
“Why the surprised look?”
“Frustrating.”
**Aire**, feeling the blade **Ban Yuwon** held in his hand touch her neck, pouted and deactivated her magic.
“You know this, but that wasn’t my full power.”
“I know. Your full power is—”
“A secret.”
“I keep telling you, there’s no point in keeping it a secret...”
“But the most frustrating thing is.”
“The most frustrating thing?”
“That you weren’t at full power either.”
“That means we’ve grown close enough to understand each other like that.”
“.......”
—Overall Sparring Ranking: 2nd Place
**Ban Yuwon**, who had concluded his sparring with **Aire** by mutual agreement, could finally complete a transcript for practical exams with only **Dokgo Yeon** ranking above him.
Of course, his strength wasn’t solely personal combat power; if he mobilized everything at his disposal, he wondered if he might even be able to defeat **Dokgo Yeon**.
Academy evaluations weren’t important enough to fight to the bitter end, so he decided to be content with this.
However, **Dokgo Yeon** stated that close-quarters sword techniques could never be ignored for proper mastery of **Giwon Sword**, and declared that she would double their sparring time after the mid-terms. But when **Asha** said she wanted to join, **Dokgo Yeon**'s expression immediately turned chilling.
After that, a fierce personal spar began between the two, so it was impossible to tell what would happen next....
And that very day, at a perfect timing, he awakened a new **Authority**.
[You have learned **Starlight Magic**. It is one of the highest-tier magics, capable of dismantling all impurities and creating pure energy. Its compatibility with **Won-gi** is exceptional, amplifying its power. The depth of **Starlight Magic** has reached 100.]
[You have gained a great enlightenment, increasing the depth of Life, **Wonshin**, **Won-gi**, and Soul by 20 each.]
[The depth of **Yugi** has reached 350, and the depth of **Giwon Sword** has reached 1,230.]
“I did it—!”
The moment a complete **Starlight** appeared in **Ban Yuwon**’s hand.
The moment a brilliant star embedded itself within his body.
**Cellon** exclaimed, filled with joy.
“I thought you’d never manage it, chasing after other women your whole life! How fortunate that your talent is exceptional!”
“Either insult me or praise me, just pick one.”
“You good-for-nothing scoundrel! Stop seducing so many women!”
Why did she betray him like that, right after being given an opportunity to praise him?
**Cellon** shook her pigtails back and forth, nagging at **Ban Yuwon**.
“Go now, go to that girl!”
“First, I need to practice it myself and make it grow. And I have many other things to do.”
“Focusing solely on her isn’t even enough!”
**Ban Yuwon** finally sighed and nodded.
Not only did he owe **Cellon**, but it was the same for **Yumina**; thus, he couldn’t strongly reject the suggestion to help her.
But if a student suddenly approached her offering to teach **Starlight Magic**, **Yumina** would probably be flustered too.
**Ban Yuwon** sighed, but contacted **Yumina** anyway.
A reply came back in just one second, making him flinch slightly.
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