I got into school for nothing-Chapter 45
I got into school for nothing (45)
Lesson 10. You Are My Master - 5
Outside the window, a sunset of burning splendor was descending.
He could see the Tower of Babel, which he had been diligently exploring just this morning, standing tall and proud.
This place, from which he could gaze down upon all the other various Union Academy buildings surrounding it, was a restaurant situated on the topmost floor of the Academy's First Annex.
Ban Yuwon found himself idly wondering why he had been dragged to this place.
“How do you like it? It has quite the atmosphere, doesn't it?”
Professor Yumina, seated across from him, spoke as she elegantly tilted a wine glass in her hand.
She was the very person who had frantically fussed over Ban Yuwon the moment he was 'Lost' and emerged from the Tower, eventually dragging him directly to this restaurant the instant he finished showering.
“Well, naturally, since they only accept one party a day.”
As an added detail, Professor Yumina was such a prominent figure within the Union Academy that despite her best efforts to be discreet, she couldn't help but draw the attention of many.
In truth, Ban Yuwon even entertained the thought that Yumina not only enjoyed such exposure but was actively instigating it to a certain degree.
“Anyway, I'm going to drink my fill today. Because Ban Yuwon, you've proven your abilities so thoroughly! I was so anxious at first...!”
Upon hearing that she had been anxious, Ban Yuwon couldn't help but offer a wry smile.
Indeed, when Ban Yuwon first enrolled, he was so frail that he might break if a regular admissions student merely brushed against him; how could she possibly not have worried?
Yet, in less than a week after his enrollment, Ban Yuwon had already achieved feats that far surpassed those of the regular admissions students.
And what about now, two weeks later? Simply in terms of conceptual depth, he had already surpassed Irekto, and his skill had been proven through both sparring and exploration.
Given more time, he would surely grow to the level of the other members belonging to Rebellion!
“Thank you for your concern. I'm also delighted to receive a glass from you once more, Professor.”
“Oh, my!”
Though he privately thought, ‘She's probably just using me as an excuse to drink, isn't she?’ he still applied the social finesse he'd learned from his diplomat father, offering just the right amount of flattery.
As anticipated, she was absolutely delighted and filled his glass to the brim with alcohol.
He had heard that wine glasses weren't meant to be filled to the top, but her utter disregard for such common knowledge was, indeed, perfectly characteristic of a full professor at Union Academy.
“But Professor, you mentioned that alcohol isn't sold in the Academy's internal restaurants, so this is...?”
“It's from my personal collection. They don't sell alcohol within the Academy, but they don't refuse corkage fees, you see.”
“Ah, I see.”
“Hehe, I practically shed tears trying to acquire this... but if I don't uncork it on a day like today, when will I ever?”
A personal collection.
Considering even her everyday fruit wine was such a high-grade product, just how extraordinary must a wine she held in her personal collection be?
Ban Yuwon carefully tilted his glass, a prickle of fear that this wine's value might transcend his wildest imagination.
Not a single drop could be spilled.
“Ah, how delicious. What do you think, Ban Yuwon?”
“...It's my first time trying wine, but it's truly delicious.”
This was no mere polite platitude.
In truth, it was more fascinating than delicious.
This was because the myriad unknown concepts contained within a single glass of wine surfaced one after another, stimulating him.
Once visible, his senses of taste and smell also began to perceive it with acute sensitivity.
Ban Yuwon knew absolutely nothing about wine, yet in this moment, he was the finest sommelier.
[You have tasted and distinguished countless concepts contained within the finest wine. The depth of Man-eon-sun has reached 130. The depth of your soul has reached 464.]
No, just like that?
Now, his abilities were growing just from drinking wine, of all things.
But since this hadn't occurred with any ordinary food, it must mean this particular wine was truly special.
At that moment, the table faintly shimmered, and plates appeared before of them, adorned with thinly sliced, toasted baguette, clusters of small, black, glistening pearl-like grains, and a red, clay-textured spread.
“The appetizers have arrived. Shall we talk while we eat?”
“...Let's.”
Ban Yuwon couldn't help but be reminded of Hogwarts as he gazed at the magically appearing plates of food.
Now that he thought about it, when they were being led to this room earlier, Yumina had seemed to request some sort of personal service. Was this, then, the result?
“Because it would be bothersome if others kept coming and going while it's just the two of us.”
As if she had read Ban Yuwon's thoughts, Professor Yumina spoke, one eye twinkling merrily.
He let out a wry smile at how accustomed he'd become to her winks, then picked up a piece of bread that was, perhaps with slight exaggeration, no bigger than his finger.
He spread the paste, placed the pearl-like grains on top, and took a bite.
[You have consumed food processed with rich mana and exceptional skill, imbued with the vitality and mana it possessed in life. You have gained Life (生) 0.5, Mana (魔力) 0.3.]
[The depth of Man-eon-sun has reached 131.]
The moment he tasted it, his eyes widened.
He was less surprised by the growth of his conceptual understanding than by the sheer richness of the umami flavor.
More significantly, he had detected the lingering traces of an active concept within this seemingly insignificant appetizer.
Did this world possess something like a "Cooking Skill," then?!
Professor Yumina spoke with a mischievous smile, as if delighted by her successful surprise.
“It's quite different from what they serve in the student cafeteria, isn't it?”
“...I let my guard down because it looked similar to the dishes I'd seen in restaurants on Earth.”
“Oh my, it seems your culinary culture is quite developed.”
“Though the ingredients would be very different, I'm sure.”
Before eating it, he had secretly envisioned caviar and foie gras pâté, but the taste was utterly different.
As he savored the luxurious concepts swirling in his mouth, Ban Yuwon grew curious about the cost of this single meal, but ultimately decided not to ask.
Instead, he brought up the topic of exploration.
“I thought getting such effects from food was something only the Fruit of Eden could achieve.”
“Come to think of it, Ban Yuwon, this time... Hmm, may I speak to you a little more informally?”
“Please, feel free to do so, Professor.”
“Then I'll call you Yuwon.”
It got rather informal in an instant, didn't it?
“In private, I'd like you to address me informally too. Hmm... how about Sister Mina?”
Sister Mina, who swept in with a smile like blooming flowers.
Ban Yuwon conveyed his refusal with an ambiguous smile, but Yumina showed no sign of retracting her words.
He distinctly recalled hearing her say she'd lived for five hundred years; if he were to point that out now, he'd probably be hit non-stop for the next five centuries, wouldn't he?
“Si... Sister Mina?”
“Good.”
Yumina, smiling contentedly, cleanly emptied the glass she had filled to the brim with wine.
Now it was time to get to the main topic.
“Actually, I was quite surprised to hear about the intruder from Dokgo Yeon, who emerged before you all.”
“Hahaha...”
“Encounters with intruders carry an overwhelmingly higher mortality rate than most irregular phenomena. Moreover, a new intruder appeared just last week, and to think they'd commit such a brazen act this week... The Constellation sponsoring them must have exerted considerable power.”
Constellations possess the power to intervene in the Tower's operations and create openings.
There was no doubt that a Constellation's power had intervened in this recent clash.
Ban Yuwon opened his mouth, recalling the message the Constellation had sent them after their enemy's demise.
“Professor, that is to say...”
It was time to ask what he had been curious about since the moment he encountered the intruder inside the Tower.
However, just as he was about to begin, Yumina frowned slightly and reached out to correct him.
“Sister.”
“...Si, Sister.”
“That's right.”
Ban Yuwon had to make a tremendous effort to forget that the person before him was at least 480 years his senior.
To Yumina, who was smiling, her flower-petal hair fluttering continuously as if pleased by the term "Sister," Ban Yuwon composed himself and asked again.
“Sister, do you know what that person's purpose was? It's clear they weren't affiliated with the Academy, but they seemed to possess the qualifications of a climber.”
“Hmm, most likely. I had hoped that time would come later, but...”
A slight crack appeared in Yumina's perpetually smiling face.
Perhaps she wished to deepen her rapport with Ban Yuwon precisely because she was about to broach a somber topic.
“You already know that those who've once been connected to a Constellation easily attract the attention of other Constellations, right?” R)aN0$BES
“Yes. I heard it in Professor Zenon's lecture as well.”
“Yes, you two are a very special case among them. Refusing a contract with a Constellation signifies strong convictions and immense potential... so many Constellations will be particularly coveting you.”
“...”
He had a feeling that the truly important part of the story had yet to be revealed.
Yumina poured alcohol into her own glass, appearing to ponder something deeply, then finally let out a sigh and raised her head to meet his gaze.
“In that sense, you two are truly amazing prospects. ...Or, to put it another way, now, while you're still merely prospects, is the easiest time to kill you.”
Ban Yuwon, utterly dumbfounded, closed his mouth.
Yumina's unwavering eyes told him that he had not, in fact, misheard a thing.
“Did the attacker reveal anything about themselves?”
“Not by himself, but after he died, his contracted Constellation identified itself as Exodus...”
“As expected.”
Yumina's sigh deepened.
“Exodus is a notoriously infamous dimension pirate group, and among the forces attempting to infiltrate the Tower, they are the largest in scale. They also receive sponsorship from numerous Constellations. Their relationship with Union Academy is, needless to say, absolutely abysmal.”
“Why would those Constellations...? No, never mind. I think I already understand.”
Why would they support Exodus, who were undeniably 'evil'?
Ban Yuwon was about to ask, but quickly realized the answer himself.
Constellations, to begin with, weren't particularly benevolent.
They merely formed contracts with humans to satiate their own desires.
Yumina's explanation only served to support his thoughts.
“The Constellations sponsoring Exodus are quite radical and violent, you see. You, the rookies who have garnered the most attention this year, with no likelihood of contracting with them, were an eyesore. Enough so that they'd go out of their way to eliminate you early on. Though I never expected them to act with such speed...”
The members of Exodus were humans from lower-ranked dimensions.
While Ban Yuwon's party also hailed from lower-ranked dimensions, they were chosen as Union Academy students purely based on their innate abilities, which made the likelihood of them willingly joining Exodus converge to zero.
Regardless of their evaluation within the Academy, from Exodus's perspective, they were unequivocally 'enemies'.
‘And that bastard intended to kill us to weaken Union Academy's projected combat power... It's as if Exodus and the Academy are waging a proxy war, with the Tower as their battleground.’
Ban Yuwon found himself unable to simply accept that they had been targeted for such a reason alone.
Annoyance surged, accompanied by a growing fury.
For now, he was weak and could only endure (though Exodus and the Constellation, having been dealt a humiliating defeat, likely wouldn't see it that way), but someday, he would grow strong enough to trample every single one of those bastards who treated him and his comrades as mere pawns.
‘Exodus, I will never forget.’
They had poked the wrong beast.
The price for failing to recognize the Tower's true successor would certainly be immense.
“Anyway, that's why! You all did exceptionally well this time.”
Just as Ban Yuwon was gritting his teeth and making his solemn vow.
Perhaps intending to lighten the mood, Yumina clapped her hands and spoke in a loud voice.
“Because you thoroughly eliminated Exodus's intruder. For now, their activities will shrink, and the Constellation that expended power interfering with the Tower will also be weakened. Truly, truly, you did splendidly!”
“So what should we do with the video? We definitely captured everything on camera.”
“Upload it. Since it's already an affair tied to a Constellation, Exodus couldn't possibly be unaware of your existence. In that case, publicly shaming them is far more effective.”
Perhaps, from the moment the video is uploaded, Rebellion will be regarded as young heroes standing against Exodus?
Even students who had harbored suspicions of manipulation would finally be compelled to acknowledge it.
That Rebellion was truly special, composed of individuals who should no longer be considered within the scope of first-years, let alone students from lower-ranked dimensions.
Of course, they couldn't fully expose Ban Yuwon's Authority, so a bit of editing would be necessary.
“Things are going to get incredibly tiresome from now on.”
“As your supervising professor, I ought to help you grow without being disturbed by anyone, but...”
Seeing Yumina make such a troubled expression, Ban Yuwon couldn't help but let out a snort of laughter.
“So, all that's left is for us to get entangled with those bastards more often, isn't it?”
“It won't be that often. ...I want to believe that, at least. At the very least, Exodus's Constellations won't bother you for a while.”
Having said that, Yumina seemed to observe his expression for a moment, as if choosing her words carefully, then finally pouted and gave up on the effort.
“And they'll launch a surprise attack when they're absolutely confident they can finish you off.”
“Thanks for the good advice, Sister. I guess I'll have to train even harder.”
Just because he now knew the dangers, it didn't mean he could avoid entering the Tower.
On the contrary, precisely because of that, he had to ascend the Tower even more diligently and cultivate his abilities.
“Only bad things truly happen when you get involved with Constellations. I've only met them twice so far, but I'm utterly fed up with it.”
“Among Constellations, there really are good ones who truly look out for their contractors!”
At Ban Yuwon's cold tone, Yumina desperately tried to defend them.
Meanwhile, the next course began to arrive, a clear soup accompanied by fish.
“Still, I don't think I'll be making any contracts with Constellations in the future.”
“Uh, uh-huh. Right, well, if it's you, even without a Constellation's help...”
As he picked up his spoon, thinking that this course meal felt somewhat different from those he'd eaten on Earth, he felt a gaze and looked up, meeting the eyes of Yumina, who was sitting with her chin propped on the table, staring intently at him.
“Aren't you eating?”
“Well, I'm pondering. It seems you've already reached a point where you don't require my sponsorship. I'm wondering what more I should do for you...”
Did his words about not needing a Constellation truly make her think that deeply?
He glanced at the jeweled flower brooch, which was radiating a brilliant light from his chest, then shrugged and replied.
“The inside and outside of the Tower are different matters. Moreover, the fact that I can move around as I please now is thanks to the assurance that Professor Yumina trusts and sponsors me. That will remain true even after our channel achieves immense success.”
“Right... So you'll continue to need my help in the future, then?”
“Of course.”
That's precisely why he called her "Sister," flattered her, and poured her drinks, wasn't it?
Perhaps satisfied with Ban Yuwon's unshakable and resolute answer, she smiled with her eyes and poured more alcohol into his glass.
“Good, trust only your Sister from now on. And when you succeed, don't forget to repay me.”
“Naturally. You have something you want to ask of me, don't you?”
Ban Yuwon also knew perfectly well that Yumina wouldn't be kind to him without expecting anything in return.
If one were to consider only outstanding innate talent, there was Dokgo Yeon, without even needing to look far.
Yet, why was Yumina trying to care for Ban Yuwon as if he were her son, her grandson... no, as if he were her younger brother?
Naturally, wasn't it because she had something she desired from him?
“I want to say, 'Between us, don't be so formal,' but...”
Yumina's cheeks flushed, as if she felt a sudden shyness.
In that moment, he found her purely beautiful, transcending the limits of her race.
“Actually, there is something. I just didn't want to talk about it so early.”
“Then tell me later. When my abilities have grown. When I can grant your request, Sister.”
The main course was served.
Ban Yuwon cut a generous piece of steak, made from the grilled meat of an unknown creature, bit into it, and swallowed it whole.
[You have consumed a steak made from the body of a high-tier predator, which you could not possibly approach with your current abilities, cooked with techniques that maximize its characteristics. You absorb Life (生) 2, Body (肉體) 4, Mana (魔力) 3, Resistance (抵抗) 1, Acceleration (加速) 1.]
Did Yumina herself truly comprehend the immense benefit this single bite of steak had just granted Ban Yuwon?
To his 480-year-older "Sister," who had become his first confidante and patron in this Academy he had arrived at, knowing absolutely nothing, Ban Yuwon declared with utmost sincerity.
“At that time, I'll grant any request.”
“...Thank you.”
Yumina, having read the profound weight in Ban Yuwon's words, smiled brightly.
It was a smile so beautiful that it was easy to understand why a legion of followers would naturally gather around her within the Academy.
“In that sense, I have something I'd like to consult you about.”
“Hmm?”
But a smile was a smile, and business was business.
Now that she was in a good mood, it was the perfect chance!
Ban Yuwon cautiously spoke to his older "Sister," whose favorability towards him had clearly just risen by at least 5 points, much like a middle schooler seeking advice on a budding first romance.
“I have a lot I want to ask about the artifact I obtained from the 10th floor Eden. And also about 'Language Magic'.”
“This is the first I'm hearing about you acquiring an artifact?!”
According to Yumina's explanation, all the natural artifacts students obtained from the Tower in an entire year combined wouldn't amount to more than ten.
Naturally, Rebellion had become the very first party to acquire an artifact from the Tower since the start of this year's semester!
...In truth, it wasn't just one artifact they had acquired from the Tower this time, but for Yumina's mental well-being, he decided against mentioning that fact for now.
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