I got into school for nothing - 365
I got into school for nothing (365)
Lesson 71. To Return to Normal - 5
Kiira, it was said, couldn't even dare to intervene.
From the moment a colossal moon appeared in the sky, Ban Yuwon's grandfather, Grandfather Ban, detected an anomaly.
Eventually, as that moon grew large enough to be recognized as Union, the Tower of Babel, extending from it, gradually approached Earth, casting a shadow. Caught in its gloom, Grandfather Ban lost control of his body and began to float upward, as if abducted by a UFO.
“Even when Grandfather tried to use his Codeword, or when I tried to burn the mana with my flames, it was no use.”
“...Didn’t you say Dad was kidnapped?”
“But Father burst out, exchanged a few words with Grandfather, and then, in Grandfather’s stead, he leapt into it.”
Perhaps, from the very beginning, there was only one target it desired.
Ban Yuwon likely erected the barrier around Earth a little later than that.
The reason it couldn't be detected from space—perhaps it was because the distance between Union and Earth was ‘closer than outer space.’
It was something he had somewhat foreseen.
Earth's excessively high mana density, the remarkably short time it took to enter the dimensional wall from Union and return to Earth, the fact that the Tower Lord's homeland was Earth...
He was even amazed that it had remained hidden so well until now.
“Father seemed to be speaking in game-like terms... he said, ‘If a father becomes an enemy and receives the ally-turned-enemy buff, there’s no answer’... What does that even mean?”
“Indeed, there’s not a single man in our family who isn’t a sage.”
Ban Yuwon genuinely admired his father's judgment, clapping his hands.
When the Tower of Babel suddenly appeared and Grandfather Ban seemed to be drawn in, Ban Yuwon's father, Ban Juseok, must have immediately realized.
The Tower of Babel, intent on connecting with Earth, and someone targeting its descendant, Grandfather Ban!
If Grandfather Ban were taken like that, he would surely not return unharmed, and even if he did, he would no longer be the father he knew!
Furthermore, as Grandfather Ban wielded the powerful ability of Codeword, there was even a possibility he could be brainwashed and reappear as an absurdly formidable foe.
Even Ban Yuwon could easily envision his trustworthy grandfather being brainwashed by an enemy and reappearing as a ruthless, undeniably cool villain!
Ban Juseok, belonging to the generation raised on boy's manga, instantly imagined this scenario, then quickly calculated the risks in his mind, like clicking abacus beads.
He concluded that whether the attempt to kidnap Grandfather Ban was meant to harm him or brainwash him, far less damage would occur if he stepped in instead—and so, bravely, he threw himself in place of his father!
“So, Yuwon, what’s this ‘ally-turned-enemy buff’ thing?”
Asha, unable to hide her curiosity, questioned him, and Ban Yuwon and the others watched her silently for a moment.
The ‘ally-turned-enemy buff’ refers to the phenomenon where someone who was originally insignificant or lacked power as an ally suddenly reappears with absurd strength and charisma once they turn to the dark side.
It’s a major phenomenon, seen at least once in almost any boy’s manga!
But... come to think of it, this one didn’t really get that buff, did she?
Feeling a little sad, Ban Yuwon gently stroked Asha’s head, then briefly mused on why the Tower had targeted his grandfather and father.
“If you consider why it targeted our family’s bloodline... perhaps it was looking for someone else to replace me, after judging me unequivocally unqualified.”
Ban Yuwon had severed the connection between the Ziggurat and the Tower of Babel, thereby making it clear that he would not inherit the will of the former Tower Lord.
Perhaps the Tower had used that brief moment—after he fought the Melodia family and erected a complete barrier over Earth—to seek a ‘replacement’ for Ban Yuwon.
Thinking that, he began to regret killing the Melodia Family Head so easily earlier.
If that bastard hadn’t suddenly attacked, he could have deployed the barrier immediately, before anything could be done to Earth!
“Even so, this is a bit too much... it’s crossing a serious line.”
Crunch. Ban Yuwon's teeth ground together.
Why drag his family into it, when it should just be a showdown with him?
Honestly—until now, he hadn't worried about Grandfather Ban or Ban Juseok in the slightest.
He had firmly believed that since he was the only one who had fully awakened the Tower Lord's Authority, anything that happened would only affect him.
Now he understood how naive that thought had been.
“It crossed a very severe line...”
The Chancellor’s face flickered in his mind, but he soon shook his head.
The Chancellor he knew had always remained strictly an administrator and bystander of the Tower.
Furthermore, he was bound by the restriction of not being able to leave Union, so even if the Tower had directly kidnapped his father, there would have been no room for the Chancellor’s will to intervene.
In that case, was his father now inside the Tower of Babel?
“Well, I guess I have to go save him.”
He had to enter the Tower anyway.
However, there were quite a few things he needed to do beforehand, so until they were completed, he couldn't save his father even if he wanted to.
What a headache.
How could Father, without even knowing what it was, jump in so fearlessly?
If it had been Grandfather, who wielded Codeword at a level high enough to surprise even high-ranking dimensional ability users, he wouldn't have had to worry about him dying, at least...
“Young master, I’m truly sorry... I should have protected him somehow.”
“How could you defeat the Tower? If you could, you’d be the Tower Lord yourself.”
Sooting Kiira, who couldn't lift her head, Ban Yuwon sighed softly.
Lifting his gaze from his heavy heart, he saw the excessively large moon still floating in the sky: Union.
Should he consider this fortunate? Seeing it spark against the barrier spread over Earth, it seemed that even worse things might have happened had he not fully deployed the barrier.
“Then what about Grandpa? How’s our Grandpa?”
“Fortunately, he’s fine, but he seems to be quite shaken emotionally...”
“Of course. Ha...”
Ban Yuwon led his companions directly into the house.
Seeing Grandfather Ban packing several bags as if he were about to leave the house immediately, he smiled and said,
“Grandpa, no.”
“Yuwon, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t stop me.”
He replied calmly, as if he knew Ban Yuwon would try to stop him.
“My son took my place. If this is the reward for a lifetime spent chasing the Tower of Babel, then I—I could never forgive myself.”
“I don’t know what meaning there is in saying such things now, but if you hadn’t found the Ziggurat, something far worse would have happened. Our Grandpa did something incredibly great, I tell you! Have you ever seen me lie?”
“But I couldn’t protect my son, could I?”
Grandfather Ban, having finally finished preparing to move, concluded calmly.
“I feel as if I can enter there now. I truly understand that our family is the master of the Tower. I feel the thread connecting me to it.”
“Whew—Alright. Listen carefully, Grandpa.”
Ban Yuwon explained how dangerous it would be to enter the Tower without any preparation.
That it could lead to the destruction of other worlds, not just himself.
Grandfather Ban, too, closed his eyes tightly upon hearing the absurd truth.
“Good heavens... this is truly disheartening and perplexing.”
“I’ve severed the connection with Earth, but unless we resolve the fundamental cause, we can’t stop the Tower. Understand, Grandpa? So, if you truly want to save Dad—move with me.”
“Master!”
“Huh, with Grandfather?”
At Ban Yuwon’s suggestion, Rucell, as well as the others, widened their eyes in surprise.
Of course, those from other dimensions, the so-called high-ranking ability users, never looked older than middle-aged, no matter how old they were. But Grandfather Ban, standing before them now—though certainly handsome, proving he was Ban Yuwon's grandfather—still had the undeniable appearance of an old man.
“Don’t misunderstand, my grandpa’s gotten incredibly young, even looking like this.”
“Move together... Would there be anything I could do?”
“Of course, plenty.”
Before Ban Yuwon’s appearance, why could the Ortima Family contend as the strongest among the Ten Great Families?
It was precisely because a versatile yet powerful Authority like Codeword was rare.
Moreover, just looking at the ability he had directly demonstrated against Ban Yuwon earlier, one could be certain that his Codeword had developed to a level that dared to surpass Ortima’s.
Indeed, wasn’t it obvious? Grandfather Ban was the one who inherited the family’s bloodline most strongly after Ban Yuwon...
If he had even half, no, a third of Ban Yuwon’s potential, it was only natural for him to grow stronger.
“Can you immediately recognize the barrier I’ve cast over Earth?”
“That’s not so difficult.”
“Can you cast it exactly as it is?”
“Exactly as it is would be a bit difficult. I’d need to observe it a few times to get a feel for it.”
“See?”
When Ban Yuwon winked, looking back at his companions, they accepted it with a resigned air.
“For now, we need to resolve the situation as quickly as possible...”
“I apologize, but I’ll borrow your strength, Grandfather.”
“If even my old body can be of help, then I would gladly...”
As he uttered the word ‘old body,’ Grandfather Ban saw Yumina’s face grow progressively paler, her head bowing. He blinked, then looked at Ban Yuwon.
“My grandson.”
“Yeah.”
“Surely, all these girls here aren’t my granddaughters-in-law?”
“Hmm... all but one?”
At that, even Grandfather Ban was speechless, and Kiira, who had been unable to compose herself just moments ago due to guilt, straightened her expression and looked up.
“Young Master, isn’t that a bit too much, even so? I made a truly grave mistake today, but I can repay it throughout my entire life...!”
“I told you it wasn’t your fault. And besides, the one who knows they should be excluded is the one who’s excluded.”
“Ha, it’s a double-edged sword, so I really didn’t want to bring this up. But if it comes to this, our Young Master was hitting on me in England... *Mmmph!*”
Ban Yuwon frantically covered Kiira’s mouth, then flashed a grin at his grandfather, who was staring blankly.
Grandfather Ban shook his head from side to side and said,
“I had my moments in my youth, but... there’s no comparing to our Yuwon now.”
“You’re still young and handsome, Grandfather.”
Flattery, delivered at a truly exquisite moment.
At Rucell’s words, spoken with pure, shining eyes that held no hint of falsehood, Grandfather Ban finally burst into laughter.
The others diligently took notes, using her as an example for future conduct.
“Anyway, let’s start moving right now. Our goal is Union, or more precisely, the isolation of the Tower of Babel.”
Having clearly understood the Tower of Babel’s purpose and mechanisms through this expedition, Ban Yuwon declared resolutely.
“We’ll get help from the Alliance of the Ten Great Families. We need to ensure Union can no longer ‘integrate’ any other dimensions. If we all work together, we can do it.”
“I’ll cooperate as much as needed.”
Even Rucell, who had always stood by Ban Yuwon, being his pillar of support.
“It’s what Stella and I have always hoped for. I’m happy to be able to help.”
“As for me, if I can just resolve that Constellation system somehow, that will be enough.”
Even Yumina and Stella, who had aimed to overthrow the Tower before Ban Yuwon, but had ultimately been thwarted by countless obstacles.
“Hmm, if we make good use of Changeling, I think we can solve things quite cleanly?”
Even Mira, now his de facto fiancée.
“I’ll do it, even for Dokgo Yeon, who isn’t here...!”
—When I reappear in this world, Light, you’d truly better be prepared.
Not only Asha, who had admirably awakened, overcoming her ancestor's curse, but also Death's Pupil—Dokgo Yeon—who, though her form had changed slightly, was still lending her strength to Ban Yuwon's side.
“Young Master, no... right? You’re giving me a chance too, aren’t you...?”
And of course, even Kiira, who was tied to him by an unusual fate.
It was the moment they truly plunged into the task of normalizing the dimensions, which had been cracked and distorted by the desires of the former Tower Lord and the True Dragons who opposed him.
Approximately three weeks later, on a weekend after the midterm exams had concluded and Tower exploration resumed.
The Rebellion channel did not upload any Tower exploration videos.
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