I got into school for nothing - Chapter 326
I got into school for nothing (326)
Lesson 64. Freshmen - 1
Union Academy's entrance ceremony was held two weeks after Ban Yuwon returned to Union.
There was no need for upperclassmen to attend the entrance ceremony, so Ban Yuwon had planned to rest in his dorm, catch up with his mercenary group, and maybe hang out with Heukseol and the others to break the ice between them.
However, with the Chancellor's directive to participate in this year's ceremony, Ban Yuwon found himself dressed in a crisply ironed uniform from early morning, heading to the venue with Yumina.
“A student council president's address at the entrance ceremony... that wasn’t a thing before, noona.”
“Back then, you weren’t the president, were you? The Chancellor never misses an opportunity to show you off.”
Ban Yuwon could only offer a wry smile at Yumina's reply.
No matter what happened to them, the Chancellor's attitude had remained consistently unchanged since the beginning.
Whatever Ban Yuwon attempted, the Chancellor likely saw it as nothing more than childish antics or playful charm.
Indeed, if that was the case, then Ban Yuwon had managed to hide his true intentions remarkably well until now.
“I wanted to bring at least the vice president along.”
“Student Aire seems likely to scare the freshmen quite a bit, so...”
“Noona, do you perhaps dislike Aire?”
The two soon arrived at the venue.
All the freshmen were already seated, arranged in perfect order and silence, as if someone had already taken them in hand once.
And who else could it be but Shati, proudly displaying her unique Annihilation Magic from directly in front of the dais, a fierce smile gracing her lips.
“She’s certainly excited and running wild as soon as she became a full professor.”
“Oh, my.”
“Putting the fear into freshmen is someone else’s job—” Yumina muttered, then scurried towards Shati.
Ban Yuwon ascended to the faculty seating arranged on the dais, greeting each professor individually before taking his own seat.
From the elevated dais, the entire grand hall, filled with seated freshmen, was visible at a glance—and it was slightly amusing to see every single one of them focused on him.
‘Because of the Rebellion channel.’
No, it wasn't just that.
Just recently, the scene of his grand engagement ceremony with the Fairy Princess, meaning Mira, from Fairytale of the A-1 Dimension, had been officially released on UniTube, further spreading Ban Yuwon's already high public image.
Although the specific details were controlled and didn't spread to the general public, it was already known among those in the know that he had a close relationship with Ulrike Prominence, the new head of Prominence, who governed the S-7 Dimension, and had played a decisive role in elevating her to that position.
What's more, it was also widely known that Aire, who was currently serving as the student council's vice president, received the full backing of the S-9 Dimension Melodia, and that she was so devoted to Ban Yuwon it was as if she couldn't live without him.
‘Huh... am I just famous as a cosmic Casanova?’
As Ban Yuwon reflected on how he had become famous, he broke into a cold sweat.
Just then.
The high ceiling of the grand hall opened like the lid of a can, and a colossal eye descended.
—Then, I shall commence Union Academy’s 2,560th Entrance Ceremony.
“That old man’s at it again.”
That used to be scary when he first did it, but now, knowing the Chancellor’s intentions behind such sudden antics, it only made Ban Yuwon scoff.
Of course, if he actually scoffed out loud, he’d be scolded by the professors seated nearby, let alone the Chancellor.
Ban Yuwon tore his gaze from the eye filling the sky and swept his eyes over the freshmen, searching for anyone else who might have sensed something special from the Chancellor’s appearance.
Then, he finally spotted a girl who piqued his interest slightly.
...No, not as a new target for the cosmic Casanova, of course.
“—And now, for the final address, we have Union Academy’s Student Council President, Ban Yuwon, who will deliver a welcoming speech to the freshmen.”
While he was lost in thought, his turn had already arrived.
Ban Yuwon rose calmly, as if he had been prepared from the start, adjusted the ‘two’ gem brooches pinned to his chest, making sure they were neatly secured, then approached the front of the dais, briefly touching his throat to take a simple measure.
“Welcome, freshmen. I am Ban Yuwon, your Student Council President.”
His voice, imbued with the three concepts of Stability, Diffusion, and Attentiveness, spread quietly yet distinctly throughout the entire grand hall.
It was enough to capture everyone’s attention without needing to display menacing magic like Shati.
The freshmen quieted down as if doused by an absolute will that was akin to violence.
Having revealed his stature with a simple greeting, Ban Yuwon smiled, as if to reassure them not to be nervous, and continued.
“I sincerely welcome all of you who have been admitted to Union, the universe’s foremost academy. However, I must say something rather cliché. It is this: no matter your status or abilities upon entering Union, everything truly begins now.”
Ban Yuwon snapped his fingers, and one wall of the grand hall became transparent, revealing the towering symbol of Union Academy beyond it.
“You can see the Tower. It is the Tower you are all meant to climb. Every one of you now stands at its entrance. Whether you are a student chosen through special admissions from an unknown dimension, or a student born in an S-rank dimension who has enjoyed a life of abundance... it’s all the same. I am your proof.”
As even the professors, not just the students, gawked in astonishment at Ban Yuwon's Authority, which temporarily altered the very structure of Union Academy, he continued with a faint smile playing on his lips.
“Though the differences among you may seem vast for now, if you discover your talents and diligently strive, you will eventually turn the tables. So, do not despair just yet, and do not grow arrogant either.”
Yes, special admissions, special admissions...
There were about three special admissions students this year.
None of them seemed as exceptional as Kshana, who currently held the top rank in the fifth year, but you never knew how their abilities might develop.
Would those kids all join the Union Journey Club?
He continued speaking, hoping they would.
“Union Academy’s brilliant instructors and professors will generously impart their knowledge for your future. Study hard and challenge yourselves. But if you ever find yourself unsure of your true talents, or if you seek a way to cultivate them, come find me anytime. I will gladly advise you.”
Having finished his speech, Ban Yuwon took a short breath and invoked his Codeword.
“[May you all have a blessed and happy day today.] ...Once again, congratulations on your admission.”
As Ban Yuwon finished his greeting and turned, thunderous applause erupted.
It seemed his final Codeword had been quite effective, as many of the professors were also beaming with smiles.
“He’s the darling of talent.”
“No, the darling of the universe. It’s understandable why the Chancellor favors him.”
“Oh, my Yuwon, how could he be so magnificent... Ahh.”
“...Vice Chancellor? Vice Chancellor! Snap out of it!”
The entrance ceremony concluded.
Having finished administering first aid to Yumina, Ban Yuwon was pondering whether to return to the dorm and lounge with Asha, or to call out Heukseol, who would have settled in Ronica by now.
“You there!”
A female student’s voice stopped him.
He had a feeling something like this might happen, he thought, letting out a soft sigh as he turned around.
There stood an Ortima.
That is to say, a female student with features remarkably similar to Lusein Ortima’s—appearing incredibly arrogant, yet possessing a dignified beauty—stood there.
Her coppery hair, elegantly rippling over her chest, was truly aristocratic.
“Call me Student Council President. Or ‘senior.’”
“Me? You? That’s an absurdly dreadful suggestion.”
Recalling his first encounter with Ulrike Prominence, Ban Yuwon shrugged.
Then he said.
“[Maintain proper etiquette between seniors and juniors.]”
“Ugh, ugh?!”
An absolute will, forcibly imposed upon her.
It was similar to the Ortima family's unique Authority, which exerted dominance over all things, but Ban Yuwon's Codeword, honed over years, possessed the power to effortlessly suppress even the Ortima’s Authority, so long as it was composed of logically sound sentences.
The nameless freshman from the Ortima family briefly attempted to destroy his Codeword with her own Authority but soon failed, tears welling in her eyes.
“I-I’m sorry... Senior...!”
For a scion of the Ortima family, who wielded a similar type of Authority, it must have been utterly humiliating.
He had just told them in his congratulatory speech not to be too arrogant, but she had completely forgotten that and rushed to pick a fight...
Ban Yuwon felt not a shred of pity for her as he spoke.
“Alright, I’ll forgive you. So, what did you want to say?”
“Ugh, ugh. You really...”
“‘You’?”
“Senior!”
She yelled, then ground her teeth and spoke.
“Senior... because of you, my family is in shambles. Do you know what state the family heir is in now... what has become of my cousin’s standing?”
“Why are you coming to me to complain about that?”
“Is that something you even *say*?! My brother Lusein ended up doing something foolish because he fought over a woman with you, Senior!”
“I’m warning you.”
Ban Yuwon smiled lightly.
He thought he was smiling, but from her perspective, it must have been different, as she let out a squeak, her legs trembling.
“It would be best if you don’t speak so carelessly about her in the future. Understand?”
“Ah, ahh, I understa—...”
“And it wasn’t ‘fighting over.’ That idiot just relentlessly clung to someone who clearly detested him. I even have witnesses, you know? If that bastard dares to refute it, ask him if he’s even held Dokgo Yeon’s hand. Got it?”
“Ah, no. I won’t ask...”
“Good, I’m relieved you have that much sense. So, nothing more to say?”
Against Ban Yuwon, who asked with a bright smile, she nodded frantically.
Feeling thoroughly refreshed after firing off his retorts, Ban Yuwon withdrew the pressure he had been exerting on her and turned to leave, but then, a thought struck him, and he looked back at her.
He saw her, slumped on the floor, flustered and invoking a Codeword of Dominance: ‘Dry quickly!’
“...What are you doing?”
“A-nothing! It’s nothing at all!”
She frantically shook her head, terrified, as if hoping he wouldn't come closer, which meant... her demeanor was drastically different from when he had first seen her just three minutes ago.
Well, even these kids from prestigious families are all the same once you peel back the layers—Ban Yuwon gave a bitter laugh and snapped his fingers.
He cast a barrier around her to make her invisible, so no one would see her until she had recovered from whatever embarrassing act she had committed.
“Ah... th-thank you.”
To her, who spoke in an exhausted voice and bowed her head deeply, Ban Yuwon asked.
“I didn’t catch your name. Can you tell me?”
“What are you going to do if you know my name... Ah, no.”
She let out a squeak and shook her head, as if she now saw Ban Yuwon as nothing short of a gangster, then replied docilely.
“Luisha, Luisha Hale-Palomer Aquinas Ortima.”
“Alright, I’m Ban Yuwon, though I suppose you know that already. Let’s try to get along without antagonism from now on.”
“...Yes. As the heir of Ortima and the representative for the first-year Special Class, I look forward to your guidance as well.”
Hearing her reply, which she delivered through gritted teeth, Ban Yuwon couldn’t help but laugh once more.
Ah, so that bastard was actually kicked out of his heir position...
In that case, it might be worth making contact with him.
Even though she couldn’t possibly guess what Ban Yuwon was thinking, Luisha felt a shiver run down her spine and her body tremble at the sight of his smile.
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