I got into school for nothing - Chapter 27
I got into school for nothing (27)
Lesson 7. It's Not Because I Like You, Absolutely Not - 2
"I'm so glad everyone is safe!"
Yumina, seeing Ban Yuwon and his party emerge from the Tower, let out a genuine sigh of relief, her shoulders slumping.
Besides her, all the faculty members of Union Academy, from professors to adjunct professors, were present, and students could also be seen scattered about.
If there was one commonality, it was that everyone seemed distraught.
"What happened?"
"That, huuuu... Let's move somewhere else first."
When Ban Yuwon asked directly, Yumina let out a grand sigh, then fiddled with the pendant hanging around her neck.
"It's not good news, and we can't speak loudly about it, so I gathered you all here. I also wanted to hear about your first exploration."
"So?"
Dokgo Yeon's voice was irritable.
"Why were there such complications right from our first exploration?"
"It's because of the irregulars."
They already knew that much before even being told.
Yumina, knowing this wasn't the answer they wanted, nodded and continued.
"I mentioned external intruders this morning, didn't I? The existence of an intruder has been confirmed. A student... was killed by them."
"Gasp!"
Rucell, who had been completely deflated ever since leaving the Tower, flinched at the words and instinctively gripped Ban Yuwon's forearm tightly.
Ban Yuwon, who had inwardly prepared himself for this given the chaotic atmosphere, asked for clarification.
"They didn't just die; they weren't able to leave the Tower, correct?"
"That's right. Those who were in the same party as that student testified. And the intruder... was ultimately lost."
It hurt. Rucell had tightened her grip on his arm even more.
Despite that, Ban Yuwon let out a hollow laugh.
"Then what will happen to that intruder now?"
"Well, perhaps they've been recognized as a climber by the Tower."
Yumina's expression as she said that was utterly bitter.
Ban Yuwon discerned that her words were not a hypothesis but the truth.
At that moment, something became clear to him, not through reason, but through intuition.
"Could it be that the Tower deliberately incited it? For the intruder to kill a climber... an existing climber?"
...!
Yumina nodded, a subtle gesture that one might miss without close observation.
Ban Yuwon's teeth gritted.
It was the moment his perception of the Tower completely changed.
"So, it was a qualification test. A test where if you can kill a climber, you're acknowledged, and if you can't, you die instead."
If an intruder couldn't even defeat an existing climber, they wouldn't have the minimum qualifications.
Conversely, if they defeated a climber, they would prove themselves superior to the existing climbers and be granted the opportunity to ascend the Tower.
It was... a test that Ban Yuwon, possessing the mind of an ordinary human, could never comprehend.
"So the reason there are so many intrusion attempts on the day new students enter the Tower is because of this, isn't it? Intruders want to kill relatively easy new students to be recognized as climbers."
Yumina didn't answer his question, but her expression spoke volumes.
"What an impressive place, Union Academy is."
Dokgo Yeon, having understood the situation from their exchange, sneered and perched herself on a nearby desk.
"There are intruders openly breaking into the Tower, which is practically the very reason for the Academy's existence, and yet the Academy can't even stop the Tower from instigating those intruders to kill students... To call it the most prestigious institution across all dimensions is laughable."
"You're misunderstanding something, Dokgo Yeon."
Yumina said with a bitter smile.
"Union Academy has a duty to protect its students, but once they enter the Tower, everything becomes their own responsibility. Moreover, if the Tower chose an intruder over a student, that's precisely something we cannot interfere with. Because that is the Tower's will."
"The Tower's will, huh..."
Dokgo Yeon murmured absently, her gaze falling upon the towering form of the Tower outside the window.
Even though a student had died inside, the Tower remained unmoving, simply standing there in its unchanged form.
Was the intruder, now a climber, still inside the Tower?
Most likely.
"...I still don't like it."
"Wait, Dokgo Yeon—"
Having murmured that one word, Dokgo Yeon placed her hand on her student ID.
Yumina, knowing what that meant, called her name, but by then, Dokgo Yeon was no longer there.
"Hmph, honestly."
"Please understand, Professor. Something unpleasant happened inside the Tower."
Ban Yuwon consoled Yumina, who seemed disheartened.
She looked up.
"Unpleasant? What was it?"
"A strange voice called the Observer of All Things..."
"A Constellation?!"
Yumina's reaction was truly fervent.
It was enough to startle Ban Yuwon himself.
But Rucell and As Light merely gave bitter smiles, as if they had expected her reaction.
"To make contact with a Constellation on the very first day of entering the Tower is unprecedented in Academy history! Even if the Tower's defenses have loosened due to the rampant Constellations during this irregular situation, still!"
Her reaction was so drastically different from her previous gloomy demeanor that Ban Yuwon wondered if she had been putting on an act until now.
Ban Yuwon shook his head and asked her.
"So, what exactly is a Constellation?"
"...Huh?"
At Ban Yuwon's question, Yumina let out a foolish sound.
She looked from Rucell to As Light, sending a gaze that asked if they didn't know either, but the two simply shook their heads, indicating they already knew.
Slightly relieved, Yumina turned back to Ban Yuwon, looking utterly dumbfounded.
"Good heavens... I'd heard it was a lower-ranked dimension with no mana, but to think even Constellations' access was blocked there! What kind of backwater is this?"
Earth had just been treated as a backwater.
Just because it had no Constellations, or whatever they were!
"So, what *is* a Constellation?"
"Sponsors, or observers."
The answer came from As Light.
With an inexplicably disdainful look, he said.
"They're transcendent beings who observe countless dimensions, make contracts with those they find appealing, and exert influence over those dimensions through their contractors."
"They grant magic or Authority... or artifacts. In return, they demand a lot."
Rucell, adding to the explanation, wore a similar expression.
Ban Yuwon also found himself nodding, recalling what had happened earlier inside the Tower.
Higher beings who arbitrarily observe entities in other dimensions, sponsor abilities, and demand whatever they please in return.
Were they truly not transcendent beings?
"This is real fantasy. They just look around dimensions like they're watching a live stream. And they just hand out abilities so easily, not like they're shooting off star balloons or something...?"
"Ban Yuwon, you truly say the most amusing things."
"It *is* fantasy, come to think of it."
If Ban Yuwon were to give an example from what he knew, perhaps Daddy-Long-Legs would be similar to this?
If everyone had diligently read Daddy-Long-Legs, they would know well that there's no such thing as sponsorship without a price in this world.
Wasn't a bright young maiden, just for receiving some tuition support, forced to mortgage her life to an old man fourteen years her senior?!
"They actually make such unsettling contracts. How can they know what will be demanded?"
"Constellations' demands vary, but there are plenty of people willing to pay the price if they can only borrow their power. That must mean they desperately need power. Especially... in spaces where power is paramount."
Yumina's gaze turned towards the Tower.
"The Tower is the place with the most Constellation contractors. It's also the space that attracts the most attention from Constellations."
"What is the Academy's stance on contracts with Constellations?"
"Outwardly, we advocate for neutrality, but the reality is we encourage students to seize any opportunity if it arises."
Yumina, saying this with a bitter smile, added.
"I told you earlier that you can't enter the Tower without a student ID, right? But then why do intruders appear? What methods do they use to make that possible?"
"Don't tell me..."
"Yes, most of that is also the power of Constellations. If they can make the dream of becoming a climber, which is impossible without belonging to Union Academy, come true, then it's not strange for people to stake their fate on a Constellation, is it?"
But to become a climber, one inevitably has to kill other climbers.
And Constellations, knowing this, naturally support intruders.
Ban Yuwon felt even more disgusted.
Then, Yumina, pushing her sparkling, jewel-like eyes close to Ban Yuwon, asked.
"What was the Observer of All Things' demand?"
"Murder."
"Ah...?"
Professor Yumina's expression froze, her face still held close.
Ban Yuwon gently pushed her back and continued.
"She said she would make a contract with two of the four of us, demanding that whoever wanted the contract first kill another. ...That's what she demanded."
No, in truth, it was slightly different, but that was a bit much to discuss here right now.
In Ban Yuwon's ears, the voice of that Constellation still echoed vividly.
—Only the hot streams of overflowing life force shall be my praise and offering. You children of incredible potential, if you sever your comrade's neck and offer it to me, I shall make you my closest children. My love shall not leave your side until you reach the summit of this Tower and seize what you desire!
As if he would ever trust and follow a madwoman who suddenly demanded they kill their friends for power.
Fortunately, before anyone could react, Dokgo Yeon furiously raised her aura and 'expelled' it.
It wasn't an easy entity to deal with, as she was clearly exhausted immediately afterward, but thanks to that, they were able to escape that space safely and exit the Tower.
"Th-this..."
The price seemed to be more outrageous than she had imagined.
Professor Yumina sighed, pressing her hand to her forehead, then murmured, looking at Dokgo Yeon's empty spot.
"So she heard what I said and..."
"Having experienced some unknown entity treating our deaths like a fun game or a test, she must have been fed up. Frankly, so am I."
He realized that whether it was the Tower or a Constellation, they were all equally trying to manipulate humans as they pleased.
Perhaps there might be a Constellation somewhere that was very benevolent towards humans and willing to give unconditionally.
Today's experience alone was enough.
Ban Yuwon would never trust an entity that interfered with him so arbitrarily.
"Professor, then we can't enter the Tower this week, can we?"
"Hm? Yes, I think it will be difficult. I'm sorry. But we're going to monitor the Tower over the weekend and try to find the intruder..."
"You don't need to apologize to us, Professor."
For Ban Yuwon, who had a duel against Irekto coming up this Tuesday, this was problematic.
In that case, he would have no choice but to focus his explorations on higher-difficulty external dungeons...
"I was thinking of simply summarizing what happened in the Tower in a report and submitting it, would that be alright?"
"Hmm. I'd rather hear it directly... Oh, do you happen to have time this evening? We could talk over dinner."
...
...
At Yumina's words, as she clapped her hands as if a good idea had struck her, Ban Yuwon remained silent, but As Light and Rucell stared intently at her.
Yumina, feeling preemptively guilty, blushed slightly and said,
"I'm sorry if any of you also wanted to eat with me. But since the class representative has already gone through so much, I felt I needed to personally take care of him... Let's all eat together next time!"
"No, that's not it... Never mind."
...
At Yumina's somewhat off-kilter reply, As Light started to say something, then stopped and shook his head.
At least it didn't seem like Yumina was interested in Ban Yuwon romantically, so he decided that was fine.
Rucell, on the other hand, continued to gaze suspiciously at Professor Yumina, then glanced at Ban Yuwon, let out a light sigh, and placed her hand on the student ID hanging on her chest.
The next moment, she vanished.
"Well then, Ban Yuwon, As Light. You've both truly suffered a lot. We'll be careful to ensure nothing like this happens again starting next week, so I hope you don't think too badly of the Academy."
"I understand your position, Professor. Thank you for your concern, anyway."
"Haha... Well, I'll go and rest now. Have a good weekend."
As Light, looking somewhat dispirited, left the room first.
Ban Yuwon also bowed his head and was about to leave the room when.
"Ban Yuwon, just one thing before you go."
Yumina's voice stopped him.
It was a scene that somehow felt like déjà vu.
"I have something to ask."
"Can't it wait until dinner?"
"No, I want to get this depressing talk over with now."
At Yumina's bitter voice, Ban Yuwon realized that his shallow trick had not worked on her at all.
As Ban Yuwon, giving up all hope, slumped his shoulders and turned around, Yumina looked straight at him and asked.
"Then I'll ask you directly. Didn't the Observer of All Things... actually designate a sacrifice?"
"...That's right."
Hesitating for a moment, Ban Yuwon eventually closed his eyes tightly and conceded to her question.
If you want to be a contractor, 'first' kill?
No, that madwoman wasn't so kind.
* * *
—The two of you can surely reach the summit of the Tower. Absolutely. Yes... if you get rid of those useless burdens.
With those words, the Observer of All Things 'bound' two members of the party in place.
—Now, my beloved children. Kill those two. Then I promise you, you shall seize the most brilliant potential among all climbers.
Then she demanded.
Of Dokgo Yeon and Ban Yuwon.
—Kill, and seize. I shall show you that this is all there is to the world.
She had demanded they kill Rucell and As Light to gain power.
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