I got into school for nothing - 51
I got into school for nothing (51)
Lesson 12. Monster Wave - 1
As Light had been giggling since morning, as if something tickled him.
“Assemble. *Puh-heh.*”
“As Light, I get that it’s funny, but you should cut it out already.”
“No, it’s just funny to use that word in that situation. *Puh-heh-heh.*”
He had sent the message in a hurry, having no time to think of a better word in the given circumstances.
And he was still harping on it.
Perhaps ‘assemble’ (모으다, to gather) had an extremely funny meaning in As Light’s home dimension.
“Must be nice to be so carefree. Just know that if you even *think* about pulling out that Holy Sword of yours the moment things get a little dangerous, I won’t let you off easy.”
“I know, I know. It’s just, I’ve always been, how should I put it...”
As Light took a spoonful of fried pork bibimbap—which, rather than fried rice, was pork stir-fried and mixed with sauce over rice—and shrugged his shoulders. He then continued,
“I have a ‘constant battlefield’ mentality. So, even if you tell me some great threat is awaiting us, my attitude won’t really change, if you know what I mean.”
‘Constant battlefield’ — meaning, to always maintain a state of tension, as if perpetually on the front lines.
Even Ban Yuwon, who had never even been to the military, found the words absurd.
Especially coming from As Light.
Dokgo Yeon, acting as the party’s representative, scoffed at As Light.
“That’s truly not funny at all.”
“Were you perhaps trying to make a joke that wouldn’t be outdone by ‘assemble’?”
“*Pfft*... Yuwon, ah~.”
“That’s not a joke! And you, Rucell! Did you just mock and ignore me so nonchalantly?”
He wasn’t sure if he should be glad Rucell’s personality had become so much bolder, or if he should worry about her future.
As Ban Yuwon chewed his rice and pondered, As Light asserted with an aggrieved expression,
“The dimension I lived in was originally like that! Our country’s soldiers never let down their guard, ceaselessly patrolling the borders, and my fath—... even His Majesty the King always trained in martial arts, stressing that one must be able to protect oneself in an emergency, even without the protection of the royal knights. I, of course, also... *Ouch!*”
“We don’t need your mental gymnastics, so cut it out.”
Dokgo Yeon flicked a stray grain of rice from the table, hitting As Light squarely on the forehead, and spoke in a cold voice.
“Just move according to what we agreed on yesterday, should a situation arise. Got it?”
“Y-yes...”
After finishing breakfast, the party prepared themselves and assembled in the auditorium.
With all students, from first-years to fifth-years, gathered, it was truly a magnificent sight.
Even accounting for the attrition of higher-grade students due to reasons like withdrawal or death during exploration, the total number still reached approximately a thousand.
Each and every one of them was a prodigy, the finest from across all dimensions, dreaming of the God's Seat.
While the first-year freshmen still exuded an air of immaturity, those from the second year upwards, who had already experienced the Tower of Babel for a full year, all carried themselves with a seasoned air.
“Ban Yuwon.”
“Why?”
Dokgo Yeon, who had called Ban Yuwon’s name, looked around and then spoke in a satisfied voice.
“Starting that channel was truly a good decision.”
“Yes, I think so too.”
Ban Yuwon agreed with her, a wry smile gracing his lips.
In this suffocating place where every student observed and checked one another, surprisingly, there wasn't much hostility directed toward Ban Yuwon's party.
While they were certainly in a position to be wary of among the first-years, those who viewed their videos favorably found their gazes softening, if only a little.
‘Back in my old world, if a complete stranger made 2 billion won a year, people would be jealous. But if their favorite YouTuber made 2 billion won, they’d naturally nod and say, “Well, they certainly deserve it.”’
More than anything, Team Rebellion was currently positioned in opposition to the Special Class, thus garnering the support of the vast majority of regular students who weren't part of it.
In exchange, it felt as though they had completely alienated the Special Class, but given their disparate origins, they were bound to become enemies anyway, so it didn't bother him much.
‘Especially if this special activity turns dangerous...’
“Everyone, have you all gathered?”
At just the right moment, Professor Yumina appeared and approached them.
She was wearing a picnic hat, woven from flowers and stems, atop her own flower petal hair, which created an incredibly vibrant and cheerful atmosphere.
It was the kind of look that, if she were to suddenly declare herself a goddess of flowers, everyone would inexplicably nod, saying, “Somehow, I always knew.”
That goddess of flowers then threw some peculiar words their way.
“Everyone looks lovely and dashing. But since it’s a rare day out for fun, perhaps a little extra adornment would be nice.”
Adornment, my ass, Ban Yuwon thought, when all the students were wearing identical uniforms.
—or so he thought. But Yumina, without preamble, plucked four flowers from her own hat and tucked one into each of the party members’ ears.
Dokgo Yeon recoiled in disgust and tried to evade it, but no matter how exceptional she was, she couldn't outmaneuver Yumina.
Ultimately, all members of Class 11 ended up with flowers adorning their hair, lined up in a row.
Ban Yuwon felt like crying a little.
“...”
“...This, really, this *thing*.”
“Wow.”
“Professor...?”
“These beautiful flowers will protect you wherever you go!”
Dokgo Yeon, who had been on the verge of ripping the flower out immediately, paused at her words.
She realized that this flower was one of Yumina’s protective measures.
She gritted her teeth and asked,
“Other than this damned, pretty flower... is there nothing else?”
“I can change its form a little. A headband or a hair tie, which would you prefer?”
“If there was such an option, I would have chosen it earlier... A hair tie, then.”
As the flower transformed into a hair tie adorned with colorful floral decorations, Dokgo Yeon bit her lip tightly and gathered her long, pure white hair, tying it back.
As her pure white, smooth neck was revealed in the process, Ban Yuwon inadvertently found his gaze drawn to it.
Because Dokgo Yeon normally paid little mind to her own appearance, these rare moments when she revealed a hint of vulnerability felt all the more alluring.
“Ban Yuwon? Is there some problem?”
“Uh, no.”
“...Professor, please change mine as well. To a lace-trimmed headband.”
“That’s a lovely idea!”
Seeing Ban Yuwon’s gaze linger on Dokgo Yeon, Rucell, feeling a surge of competitiveness, made a different request to Yumina.
Rucell, her hair now adorned with a flamboyant, lace-trimmed headband, looked absolutely perfect, especially given her naturally vibrant pink hair.
“Oh...”
Seeing that, Ban Yuwon recalled his previous shopping trip with Rucell.
He finally understood why the clothing store clerks had recommended the overly frilly and vintage-esque Lolita fashion to her.
It wasn't merely because corsets could emphasize her figure.
From the outset, Rucell was an exceptionally rare being, someone who could actually pull off the flamboyant outfits and accessories typically seen only in cartoons.
“You look pretty.”
“*Heut...!*”
At his thoughtless exclamation, Rucell clenched her fists, beaming with joy.
Then, with a smug expression, as if she had won some unspoken competition, she looked at Dokgo Yeon, who merely stared back with a look that clearly asked, “Why is this beast acting this way?”
“Ban, should we also take some special measures?”
Meanwhile, As Light, perhaps sensing a crisis when his two companions transformed their flowers into rather fetching hair ornaments, asked Ban Yuwon.
Ban Yuwon replied,
“How about holding a flower in your mouth? In my world, successful men walk around like that.”
“That seems like it would be too uncomfortable...”
Damn, he failed!
Ban Yuwon, who had cravenly attempted to ensure only his own survival by subtly trying to doom As Light, now had no choice but to opt for mutual destruction.
“Then, we’ll just have to wear them. A man should be confident in any situation, after all.”
“Th-that’s right. Because we’re men!”
“Both of you, come over here. I’ll change them into earrings for you.”
As the two of them, now sporting flower-shaped jewel earrings, drew all eyes in the vicinity, Professor Zenon stepped onto the platform.
“Has everyone gathered? Good. The special activity will now commence. Class 1-1, please board the dimensional ship in order.”
Dimensional ship?
At the very moment Ban Yuwon pondered this, ‘space opened’ abruptly before the leading student of Class 1-1—that is, Lusein Rown-Palomer Aquinas Ortima—and a translucent, elliptical ring materialized.
What was visible within that ring was clearly a place utterly different from their current surroundings.
It was likely the interior of the vessel called a dimensional ship.
“Professor? As far as I know, there’s a spaceship dock inside the floating island, isn’t there?”
“Smaller spaceships are primarily used by higher-grade students for small-scale special activities, such as space exploration. For large-scale special activities, however, dimensional ships are deployed. Both the Principal and Professor Zenon hold control authority over them.”
Yumina calmly responded to Ban Yuwon’s question, who was startled by something beyond his wildest imagination.
But could something whose true form couldn't even be verified truly be called a ship?
Even Lusein Ortima, seeing him hesitate as if this were his first dimensional ship, proved that this school was indeed peculiar.
“Lord Lusein?”
“Ahem, let’s go.”
As a male student from Class 1 called his name, Lusein Ortima finally cleared his throat and stepped into the unknown space beyond the ring.
Lusein, thought Ban Yuwon. It was the first time he'd learned the bastard's name.
“So, we’ll be together throughout this special activity, Professor Yumina.”
“Professor Cantone.”
As the students of Class 1 courageously rushed into the dimensional ship, following Lusein Ortima, Their supervising professor, Alex de Cantone, struck up a conversation with Yumina.
He, who taught the Tower Studies course—a compulsory subject for all students, with many associate professors under him also delivering lectures—was a full professor at the academy and renowned among the faculty as one of those ardently pursuing Yumina.
“I wondered what meaning there was in the Special Admissions for Lower-Rank Dimensions, but unexpectedly, it seems to have fostered our bond, hasn’t it? An interesting turn of events, wouldn’t you say?”
“I don’t believe there’s any particular bond between Professor Cantone and myself.”
Yumina replied coldly, not even bothering to conjure up a forced smile.
Given that she was generally courteous to everyone, such a reaction was astonishing.
Was it because she had endured so many idiotic advances from him up until now?
Ban Yuwon had a strong premonition that it wasn't *just* for that reason.
The answer came quickly. From Professor Cantone.
“Oh dear, surely you’re not still dwelling on what happened at the last meeting? Professor Yumina, I, Alex, am not the type to cling unattractively to past events. So I can guarantee that nothing like what you’re worried about will happen at all...”
Why did he glance at Ban Yuwon at precisely that moment?
Ban Yuwon’s wariness towards this man intensified.
Yumina’s expression, on the other hand, grew even colder.
“Professor Cantone. You just said you aren’t the type to cling unattractively to past events, did you not?”
“Of course.”
“Then I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t cling to our conversation either. I trust you understand what I mean.”
*Murmur... murmur...*
At such an unmistakable declaration of rejection—one that even someone who’d never experienced romance in their life could grasp—the surrounding students began to whisper amongst themselves.
And Ban Yuwon was recording this entire exchange on video.
“Hah...! It seems I’ve been rude while Professor Yumina is in a foul mood. We shall speak later.”
Gritting his teeth and pointedly ignoring the reality that Yumina disliked him, Cantone shot Ban Yuwon one last glare before flinging himself into the dimensional ship.
Yumina scoffed, then turned her head to the party.
“Everyone, it looks like all of Class 1 has boarded, so shall we proceed as well?”
“Is it alright to make an enemy of a full professor?”
It was then that Ban Yuwon asked, genuinely concerned.
Yumina brought her lips to his ear and whispered,
“Professor Cantone is an enemy anyway. Remember that, and be wary.”
“Understood. ...*Sigh*.”
But Ban Yuwon sighed, not so much at the content of Yumina’s words, but at her overly familiar behavior towards him.
Sure enough, not only his classmates but also the majority of students filling the auditorium had their gazes fixed on him.
Suddenly, he found himself poised to become the protagonist of a colossal scandal surrounding Yumina.
* * *
The dimensional ship was a space that made one doubt if it truly was a ship at all.
It was a place where stark, inorganic corridors and rooms stretched endlessly, without a single window to peer outside, and quite naturally, no door leading out.
In other words, if Zenon didn’t open an exit, they were as good as trapped.
“Is this really a ship?”
“It is, indeed.”
Despite Ban Yuwon’s questioning gaze, Yumina merely smiled brightly and replied.
He couldn't even tell if the ship was moving, so Ban Yuwon could only trust that it would reach its destination safely and wait.
Since Class 11 was accompanying Class 1, they were in the same room within the dimensional ship. Ban Yuwon, however, was explicitly feeling the gazes of two individuals among them.
One was Lusein Ortima.
Though he hid his figure, obscured by his followers, that wouldn’t deceive Ban Yuwon, the master of the Ten Thousand Poison Eyes.
His gaze shifted back and forth between Ban Yuwon and Dokgo Yeon. Dokgo Yeon, perhaps noticing this as well, wore a displeased expression.
“I had somewhat anticipated it, but it seems I was right. To think he’s such a brat who can’t even properly conceal his killing intent...”
“No, it doesn’t seem to be *just* killing intent.”
As Dokgo Yeon moved to Ban Yuwon’s side, as if to avoid Lusein Ortima’s gaze, his stare intensified even further.
At this point, Ban Yuwon was convinced that Lusein Ortima harbored at least a romantic interest, or perhaps an emotion bordering on obsession, towards Dokgo Yeon.
It seemed the guy truly was a pervert.
“I feel nauseated because of that worm. Do you have anything?”
“Do you think I have some kind of four-dimensional pocket on me?”
He did, however, have something akin to an inventory, so Ban Yuwon pulled out the thermos he had prepared and poured hot chocolate into a mug.
Since it was clear others would ask for some anyway, he had prepared extra for them too.
Dokgo Yeon took the mug, sipped the hot chocolate, and a subtle smile graced her lips.
“*Hoo*... My mind feels somewhat calmer. It was like this back then too, wasn’t it?”
“This, the one you poured and left behind back then... *Huh?*”
Dokgo Yeon and As Light murmured similar words, then suddenly their gazes met mid-air.
The two exchanged glances, laden with subtle meaning.
Rucell, sensing the strange atmosphere, stared at Ban Yuwon with the expression of a betrayed lover, and,
“Why...?”
uttered a single, poignant word.
Ban Yuwon, flustered by her sorrowful expression, immediately made excuses.
“Ah, this doesn’t really have any big meaning... Huh, why do I feel like I’m being accused of infidelity?”
“*Hoo*, this is really delicious.”
Perhaps noticing Ban Yuwon’s discomfort, Yumina, after drinking her hot chocolate, put down her cup and smiled brightly, saying,
“Though it feels like it could use a little alcohol. Shall we talk about the schedule for this special activity now?”
“Ah, yes, Professor.”
“The content of this special activity is broadly divided into three parts. First, all-school activities, where all students move together. Second, class activities, where Class 1 and Class 11 move together. And third, group activities, where only Class 11 students move separately. The first day will focus on all-school activities, but on the second day, class and group activities are scheduled, and on the final day, there will be all-school activities once more.”
“It’s a schedule that reminds me of a middle school training camp.”
At Ban Yuwon’s reflexive reply, As Light’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.
“Training camp? Do you train in your dimension too? For someone who trains, you were awfully weak when we first met.”
“Not *that* kind of training.”
“Ah, what I just said was only true at the time we met, of course. Now, I truly believe you’re an excellent swordsman.”
“Be quiet, As Light.”
Ban Yuwon thought deeply.
The all-school activities didn't sound dangerous at all, and as for the class activities, since Lusein Ortima himself would be present, he likely wouldn’t cause trouble, if only to avoid suspicion.
This meant that what they truly needed to prepare for was the group activity where only their party would be moving.
‘Seriously, someone’s staring an awful lot.’
Ban Yuwon, deep in thought, suddenly sighed.
It wasn’t Lusein Ortima.
He was referring to the gaze of Aire, who sat alone at a large round table, in the exact opposite direction from Lusein Ortima, who was surrounded by numerous followers and occupied an entire table.
Unlike Lusein Ortima, who alternated his gaze between Dokgo Yeon and him, Aire was alternating her gaze between Yumina and him.
If Yumina so much as made a light physical touch on Ban Yuwon, Aire’s eyes would widen even further, to the point where he wondered if Cantone had perhaps disguised himself as Aire.
“Professor, you’re quite popular, regardless of gender.”
“Why, of course! I am but a pathetic, solitary flower that everyone simply cannot help but love. The most charming part is that I cannot be plucked by anyone’s hand.”
Oh, so that’s how she wants to play it.
As Ban Yuwon merely laughed in disbelief, Yumina suddenly rose from her seat.
“We’ve arrived.”
“Huh?”
Had they even departed?
―Everyone, prepare to disembark. Disembark in reverse order, starting with the 5th-year Special Admissions group.
But as if to confirm her words, Zenon’s voice resonated through the ship’s intercom.
Ban Yuwon paused upon hearing that, because those belonging to the 5th-year Special Admissions for Lower-Rank Dimensions were referred to as a ‘group’ rather than ‘Class 11.’
That alone instantly reminded him of how this academy originally treated students from lower-ranked dimensions.
“...Scary.”
“It’s alright. You are the strongest class, after all.”
Yumina said in a clear voice, utterly devoid of doubt, as she firmly clasped both of Ban Yuwon’s hands.
Dokgo Yeon, seeing that, scoffed without a moment’s hesitation.
“She says ‘everyone,’ yet she’s only looking at Ban Yuwon when she speaks. Truly, I cannot fathom it.”
“*Grrrk*... I knew I smelled something, as expected.”
Even Rucell glared at Yumina, sending a gaze utterly inappropriate for a professor.
As Yumina simply smiled gently without bothering to refute them, As Light, standing beside her, spoke in exasperation.
“You lot, you were just lecturing me earlier, but shouldn’t *you* be the ones getting a grip on your ‘constant battlefield’ mentality first?”
Ban Yuwon fully agreed with As Light.
It would have been even better if it hadn’t been As Light who said it.
“Ban, you just cursed me in your head, didn’t you?”
“As Light, you’re only truly perceptive when it’s least useful.”
“You... admitted it?!”
The first special activity, utterly unsettling in countless ways, was about to begin.
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