I got into school for nothing - Chapter 332
I got into school for nothing (332)
Lesson 65. Creation - 2
―Death's Pupil says it's a close pass.
“You know, I tried hard to come quickly, even if it doesn't look like it.”
He had never once neglected his efforts to meet Dokgo Yeon.
His reason for seeking out Cheonma to learn martial arts was largely to make it easier for her, reborn as a Constellation, to find him, by drawing a little closer to Dokgo Yeon's origin.
However, Yumina had told him that even if one was chosen as a Constellation, they couldn't immediately become active. New Constellations, in particular, couldn't easily contact humans without fulfilling certain conditions. So, he had focused on his training and waited for the right time.
―Death's Pupil worries, saying your cheeks have sunken.
“Sunken? No, it's just baby fat that's gone. I got more handsome, didn't I?”
So, what was the specific condition that allowed a new Constellation to make contact with a human?
It was finding the Constellation's true name.
The need for a name to contract with a Constellation unable to operate externally was normally an impossible feat, but it didn't matter to Ban Yuwon, who had already reached the very core of the Tower where her name was inscribed.
He had merely expected this day to come eventually, but he was slightly flustered to have met it sooner than he had imagined.
“I want to hear your voice directly, ——. Ah, is that not possible?”
―Death's Pupil grumbles that to directly convey her voice or be called by name, she needs to acquire more Constellation's Stigmata.
“Ah, right, that makes sense.”
Just moments ago, Ban Yuwon had called Stella's name and restored her power, but that was only possible because she was in a unique state.
Especially since she possessed the Authority to suppress Constellation's Stigmata, she must have had a relatively freer disposition compared to other Constellations from the start.
Ironically, it was precisely that aspect that led her to be sealed away...
“How do I acquire Constellation's Stigmata then?”
―Death's Pupil hesitates. She seems to think it might be harmful to you.
“A contract, then.”
Ban Yuwon immediately grasped the core of the matter.
She didn't answer, but that was as good as an affirmation of his words.
“Alright, let's make a contract.”
―Death's Pupil worries that simply accepting her power might put a strain on your body.
“Hmph.”
It seemed that for her, Ban Yuwon still appeared as he did two years ago.
Ban Yuwon let out a snicker, then drew forth the majestic flow of Won-gi coursing through his body and altered it with his hand.
Perhaps upon discovering the black aura shimmering in his grasp, the black mist that had enveloped him recoiled in surprise and contracted.
It was only then that she barely realized Ban Yuwon knew how to wield the power of death.
―Death's Pupil asks, aghast, if the Cheonma had perhaps intervened.
“I went to find Father. Ah, 'Father' — the Cheonma ordered me to call him that...”
―Death's Pupil is so shocked she nearly faints.
It seemed that Dokgo Yeon, too, couldn't help but be astonished at the news that Cheonma had personally told him to call him Father.
However, perhaps feeling a little sulky, she then said:
―Death's Pupil remarks that it must be nice to have two fathers.
“You conspired with Heukseol, didn't you?”
―Death's Pupil narrows her eyes and asks why Heukseol's name is being brought up here.
In that moment, Ban Yuwon perceived that, depending on his answer, the atmosphere with Dokgo Yeon, whom he had reunited with after so long, could immediately turn frosty.
If it came to this, there was no choice but to sacrifice Heukseol.
“Ah, well, I just temporarily took charge of the Myeolryongdan... That's how Heukseol and I got acquainted. I don't really like such things, but she kept making jokes.”
―Death's Pupil eyes Heukseol suspiciously, recalling that she had always seemed quite curious about you.
Good, he had successfully cleared his name for now!
Ban Yuwon sighed in relief and spoke again.
“We can argue about that later. First, let's make the contract.”
―Death's Pupil hesitates, then nods.
―A contract is formed with Death's Pupil.
The black mist that had appeared around them seeped into Ban Yuwon's entire body.
Dokgo Yeon, who had only recently become a Constellation, should have had limited power to transmit to a contractor. However, perhaps thanks to the location, all the power she could send outwards permeated and was absorbed into Ban Yuwon's body.
The vast Pit hummed with the noise of violently rotating gears.
His vision blurred, and he felt the mark of the contract being engraved into his eyes.
Ban Yuwon instinctively knew that he could sever the power of death that had entered him from [Death's Pupil] at any moment and make it entirely his own, but he didn't.
It was a precious link with her.
He couldn't sever it.
“Huu, huu...”
The contract with a Constellation consumed more stamina than he expected, and it felt as though it connected them rawly, to a depth beyond imagination.
Had he been connected to a different Constellation in this way, rather than Dokgo Yeon, Ban Yuwon might have felt a sense of repulsion.
He took out a hand mirror and looked at his face.
Just as Dokgo Yeon had in the past, a white cross pattern was etched within his pupils.
Once the contract was fully concluded and the power of death converged deep within his body, the cross also receded, but it would reappear once he properly began to wield [Death's Pupil]'s Authority.
...Lusein would be envious again.
“Well, the contract is done then.”
―Death's Pupil says she wants to let you hear her voice soon, but she doesn't want to see you push yourself and get hurt.
“It's okay. Because now you're by my side.”
―Death's Pupil grumbles that his ability to flatter seems as strong as ever.
Feeling a surge of reassurance from their connection, Ban Yuwon grinned, then surveyed his surroundings once more.
The Observer of All Things spoke of being an administrator.
This implies that this space is more crucial to the Tower than even the monster progenitor room.
He idly tapped the barrier enclosing the monolith and scanned the letters inscribed within.
Being able to see the true names of several renowned Constellations might perhaps be an incredible privilege.
But even more intriguing was that whenever some of those names glowed, the gears on the wall would move.
After understanding the birth of monsters and the work that supports it, was his next task to comprehend how the Tower's core operated?
It was a logical method of education, but in that moment, a feeling of rebellion resurfaced against the Tower, which operated by using Constellations almost like fuel.
‘Right, from now on, it's back to manual labor.’
While he could textualize, interpret, and absorb anything he could discern with his eyes, the Authority comprising the Tower was too immense for even his own Authority to grasp all at once.
He narrowed his eyes and sat facing the wall covered in gears.
He took in the concepts and Authorities forming the interior of each gear, the magic power flowing along new paths with every movement, and the harmony they created.
Still, this time, it wouldn't take too long.
* * *
The afternoon after locating Dokgo Yeon, who had gained a new name as a Constellation, and forming a contract with her, Ban Yuwon, for the first time in a while, attended a lecture with the Rebellion members.
At least Aire's Magical Combat major overlapped with his, but Rucell and Asha's majors had diverged from Ban Yuwon's starting in their second year, so surprisingly, the days they had classes together each week had become fewer.
However, they had coordinated to secure any common lectures they could take, so they were able to attend the same lecture at least twice a week.
“Oh my, Master's aura seems to have changed a little.”
Rucell, who had rushed over to greet Ban Yuwon as he entered the classroom, tilted her head.
Then she brought her nose to his neck and sniffed, before retreating with a satisfied smile.
“You must have found her.”
“What on earth do I smell like?”
“Just as Master perceives everything as conceptual language, divine beasts also have the ability to perceive information through their sense of smell.”
Hmm, he still couldn't understand it.
As Ban Yuwon sat down with her, Aire and Asha appeared a little later, holding hands, and took the seats in front of them.
It seemed the two had eaten lunch together.
But then, both of them sharply turned their heads in unison to look back at Ban Yuwon, their eyes widening.
“Could it be that she has already begun her activities as a Constellation?”
“Ah, you went to meet Dokgo Yeon? Wow, I thought you weren't coming back to your room last night... I'm disappointed.”
No, did Ban Yuwon really smell of Dokgo Yeon?
He recoiled in alarm, looking himself over, but Rucell, narrowing her eyes at Asha's words, reined her in.
“Light, don't tease Master so much.”
“Ah, no, no. I just... I just wanted to comfort him...”
“Dragons are beings who cannot hide their desires. Leave some for me, too.”
“Master isn't a snack for any of you.”
When the three of them gathered, deep discussions about Ban Yuwon quickly emerged.
Ban Yuwon, the person in question, dared not interfere, pretending ignorance, and merely cast a barrier to ensure their conversation didn't spread outside.
―Death's Pupil clicks her tongue, calling it a spectacle.
“I agree.”
―Death's Pupil points out that his complacent attitude is the biggest problem.
Even as a Constellation, her ability to sharply jab at his weak points was still alive and well.
Ban Yuwon, seeing the professor enter the classroom, gently reined in his companions at that point.
“Anyway, I have something to discuss related to that, so let's meet at the cafe after class.”
“Heh, I wanted to go on a date with Yuwon...”
“Didn't you just utter the word 'comfort' barely a minute ago, Light?”
However, they couldn't head straight to the cafe after class.
Because Yumina, appearing with tears streaming down her face, abruptly embraced Ban Yuwon.
“Yuwon, thank you so much——!”
“Ah.”
Right, he had sent Stella to her yesterday and completely forgotten about it.
He had hoped she would calm down on her own after a night, but it seemed that was a vain hope.
And of all places, it was in the main hall of Union Academy, with many people watching...
Ban Yuwon closed his eyes tightly, contemplating the scandal posts about him and Yumina that would surely dominate the intranet today.
While they had been somewhat frequent in their interactions outside, they had thoroughly avoided public eyes within Union, so this was the moment all those efforts turned to naught.
“Truly, if it wasn't for you, I... how could I... I can't believe it, Yuwon...!”
“I can't believe it either.”
“Me neither.”
“Professor...”
“....I've heard that old maids don't care about what others think.”
As Ban Yuwon sighed, his companions each added a comment.
Only then did Yumina, realizing that at least a hundred students were staring at them, exclaim "Oh dear" and pull away from Ban Yuwon, but it was already too late.
“Ah, no, it's just that I... I'm incredibly grateful to Yuwon for something, and I just couldn't control my emotions...”
“Of course you are, Professor.”
Rucell, with a benevolent smile, clasped her hand.
“First, let's go somewhere private to finish talking. About the penalty, too.”
“Pe-penalty.”
Yumina tried to free her hand from Rucell's grasp, but she couldn't possibly shake off the grip, which was as tight as a crab's claw.
Perhaps the one who had grown the most over two years, besides Ban Yuwon, was none other than Rucell—.
Ban Yuwon, to rescue the teary-faced Yumina, and also including all his companions in the range, unfurled his Giwon Sword and spatial-teleported them to their usual cafe.
“Everyone, please understand. Mina unnie, are you ready to meet her in person then?”
“In, in person? Ah— yes, I'm ready... ready.”
“Alright. Then I'll formally introduce her to all of you. She's someone who has dedicated herself to me all this time.”
Ban Yuwon opened the cafe door.
Among the two women seated at a large table, one fidgeted nervously before abruptly standing up.
A beautiful girl with twin tails of dark, inky hair, like the night sky.
Seeing the sparkling Milky Way within her eyes, the companions nodded, murmuring "Ah."
“This one is formidable as well. As expected of Master.”
“Hoo, it's tough, so tough. Not only has Dokgo Yeon returned, but now there's a new one...”
“No, it actually gives me more strength. I'm filled with the will not to be robbed.”
“....Somehow, the reaction is a bit different from what I expected.”
What kind of life had he been living up until now, anyway?
Rather than asking about Stella's identity, Ban Yuwon felt deep remorse seeing his teammates immediately accept her as a rival.
―Death's Pupil whispers that she'll need a detailed explanation.
“No, really, no... Not yet...”
Ban Yuwon shook his head repeatedly, muttering.
Beside him, Yumina was staring at him with an aghast expression.
Thinking that it should have been a day full of joyful and empowering news, yet unsure how it had come to this, Ban Yuwon sighed once more.
To top it off, the scandal between Ban Yuwon and Yumina began to spread widely and be reproduced not only on the intranet but across the Union Net, though it would still be some time before he learned of this fact....
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