I got into school for nothing - 67
I got into school for nothing (67)
Lesson 15. Didn't You Learn to Be Careful with Contracts? - 1
The dimensional ship, carrying all the students and faculty of Union Academy, returned to the academy at 3:30 PM on Sunday.
The school-wide special activity, which had departed on Friday morning, had finally come to an end.
In retrospect, it was akin to a baptism for the academy's unsuspecting freshmen.
For the freshmen who had simply believed Union Academy was grand, and that they, having been selected as its students, were exceptional, it had revealed the true power of Union Academy, along with the path they were meant to tread.
Although there had been a clash with a massive dimension pirate group, and in the process, the academy's most promising first-year student had lost an arm and an eye, it was still enough for the freshmen to grasp the faculty's capabilities and Union Academy's prestige.
Among them, the person who could be said to have benefited most from this special activity was Yumina.
"Professor Yumina blocked a dimensional fleet all by herself?"
"It's admirable. But why would someone like her take charge of those good-for-nothings?"
"Good-for-nothings? Ah, Class 11... Uhm. Well."
"It doesn't seem to be quite like that. Haven't you heard? In the dungeon created by Exodus's Constellation..."
Rebellion, which had been expanding its influence within the academy even before, further solidified its image as a formidable force after returning from this special activity.
Considering that Ortima's heir had returned injured from the dungeon while the Rebellion members emerged unscathed, people naturally couldn't help but notice their abilities in comparison.
Though some Class 1 students, who followed Ortima as their leader, spouted nonsense that Class 11 was safe because he had sacrificed himself, no one in this academy trusted his character that much.
Rather, after it became known that he had tried to hit on Dokgo Yeon and been rejected, even his claim of entering the dungeon to rescue the Class 11 students was being doubted!
"I definitely saw it. 'The Princess' was having a meal with those guys."
"She seemed close with him, that... effeminate-looking blond guy."
"Actually, she always had the skill. That girl. The scary-looking one."
"If one's abilities are exceptional, they can compensate even if their home dimension is a bit low-ranked. If they receive proper support from the academy going forward..."
"What can we do about people who are friends with the Princess?"
The fact that Aire, the 'untouchable princess' of Class 1 (Aire seemed to despise being called by this nickname), who was known to have been pulled into the dungeon with Ortima, was seen constantly with Rebellion members after clearing the dungeon accelerated this perception.
She, who was so notoriously picky about people, why would she be associating with Rebellion?
Naturally, it must be because something happened in the dungeon that made her acknowledge them!
Some corners even saw rumors circulating, on par with Ban Yuwon's own deductions, that Light, whose appearance suited the description of a noble young man, and Aire had developed 'that' kind of relationship.
"Hmm?"
"Hmph... This is quite something. Such an immediate reaction." RA\N(0BES
"It's the kind of gaze I often received when I was young. Expectant eyes."
"...Me too."
Thanks to that, the very next day, on Monday of the academy's fourth week.
When Ban Yuwon entered the classroom, the quality of the gazes directed at his group had changed.
As Light had put it, they were now receiving gazes that carried subtle favor and a sense of expectation.
'It feels like their public image has been perfectly reformed.'
Even before they left for the special activity, a positive image had already been forming among the students, excluding those in Class 1—that is, the Special Class—of each grade.
But with the special activity as a catalyst, that perception began to take firm root.
Furthermore, intertwined with the divine power Yumina had displayed, rumors were even spreading that her assignment to first-year Class 11 was because she had discovered extraordinary talent within them, or that she was nurturing the students admitted through special admissions in her own unique way.
As if they were plants or something.
"If only they had simply acknowledged it after watching the videos uploaded to the channel, everyone has gone such a roundabout way."
"This is fast enough. It hasn't even been a month since we enrolled, has it?"
"Are you trying to boast about being capable?"
"What do you mean? It's an achievement we accomplished together..."
Strangely, Dokgo Yeon seemed to be even more particular and prickly towards him after returning from this special activity.
Not only had he not made any particular mistakes during the trip, but even on the last day, when they toured the capital of the Tolmon Empire together, she had seemed friendly, yet he couldn't for the life of him understand why she was acting this way.
"Now that more people recognize us, we cannot afford to be complacent. After school, it's special training."
"No, why?! I mean, I'd be grateful if you did, but..."
Now, the academy's curriculum was in its fourth week.
The academy's freshmen would gradually adapt to the Tower, 'leveling up' repeatedly to grow.
Wasn't each and every one of them a genius with the potential to represent their dimension?
Even if Ban Yuwon's own growth was rapid, if he let his guard down, he might find himself held back by those exceptional individuals!
'I need to internalize Hyunsingong quickly. Perfectly complete the conversion of my Body concept and cultivate Hyungi. It's time to strengthen the two core concepts: Body and Mana.'
Now that the growth rate from absorbing concepts had become negligible, what was important was to refine the concepts crucial to him and elevate them to suit his own being.
Even now, he was dedicated to Hyunsingong twenty-four hours a day, but its progress was not as satisfactory as he'd hoped.
It was not a martial art that grew easily just by diligently circulating energy while sitting still.
Indeed, he had felt Hyunsingong being stimulated when he moved his body to fight monsters and Irekto in the dungeon last week.
Perhaps that was why Dokgo Yeon had brought up special training.
"What did you learn from the lower-ranked dimension you visited last week? It was what a king must possess to remain a king..."
Listening with one ear and letting it out the other to the lecture, delivered from a truly arrogant perspective, Ban Yuwon began to brace himself mentally for the special training that afternoon.
Of course, whether he braced himself or not, getting beaten to a pulp by Dokgo Yeon would likely be the same.
* * *
For some reason, Dokgo Yeon was currently in a foul mood.
Her discussion of special training was not merely for Ban Yuwon's Hyunsingong, but also as an outlet for her frustration.
That was the conclusion Ban Yuwon reached after being pummeled by her for thirty minutes.
[The depth of your Body (肉體), stimulated by Hyungi, decreases to 260. The concept of your Body is currently undergoing transformation. You perceive that the depth of the transformed, unknown concept has surpassed 150!]
[Due to the cultivation of Hyunsingong, some negative concepts within your body have vanished. A positive surplus of Life (生) is generated. This surplus potential will accelerate the growth of other concepts.]
[The depth of Hyunsingong has become 47, and the depth of Hyungi has become 244.]
"Haa... I don't want to live..."
Ban Yuwon, sprawled against one wall of the Class 11 training room, mumbled as he slowly slid down.
In the midst of that, the incredible growth rate of Hyunsingong and the accelerated conversion of his Body concept—whatever on earth Dokgo Yeon was doing—were all the more annoying.
"Yuwon, do we really have to upload this video? It's... too intense."
Rucell, who was watching the video Tikke had filmed, cautiously asked.
Ban Yuwon, still sprawled out, pondered for a moment before nodding with difficulty.
"We have to show this kind of harsh training; that's how our approval rating will go up."
"Training? This can't even be called proper training. You were just beaten by me."
Dokgo Yeon said coldly, then spread her palm and beckoned to him.
"So get back up. I hit you hard enough for you to still be able to get up."
"Dokgo Yeon... can't you tell me what really happened to you? Whatever it is, let's solve it together, okay?"
"I told you this morning, didn't I? I just want to make you stronger as quickly as possible. For the honor of Rebellion."
"...Coward."
It wasn't Ban Yuwon who had just mumbled that, but Rucell.
Dokgo Yeon's eyebrow twitched, as if she'd caught his words...
—CRASH!
"Aiiiieee!"
The next moment, Rucell was also sprawled against the wall next to Ban Yuwon.
"Beast, you attack with him."
He had clearly seen her strike Rucell with a fist, sending her flying, yet Dokgo Yeon had already returned to her original position.
Was that the realm of Ground Shrinking, which folds the land to travel?
"Rucell, why provoke her like that?"
As Ban Yuwon cast a sympathetic look her way, Rucell forced a smile and replied in a trembling voice.
"Now we're... the same... I'm happy."
"It's scary, so don't copy this..."
"Aren't you two getting up quickly?"
While the pitiful man, seized by a demon of hell, and the saintly maiden who willingly walked into hell to be with him, were burning in the hellfire named Dokgo Yeon, Light desperately tried not to witness their suffering and was furiously swinging his spear.
But hellfire is hellfire precisely because it indiscriminately devours all targets.
Light cried out, trembling.
"Why me?!"
"I heard you overcame the Holy Sword's temptation in the dungeon. Frankly, I hadn't expected much from you... but I've decided it's worth teaching you seriously. As a reward, I'll teach you a more outstanding spear technique."
"Reward? Is that really a reward?"
"Hehe, that's up to you to decide."
It was at that very moment, as Dokgo Yeon created an opening while conversing with Light.
Ban Yuwon, having quietly risen like a ghost, lunged at her, prepared to at least slice off her collar with the Executioner's Longsword.
'Hup!'
Employing Submerged Shadow Steps (潛影步), a concept he had never once used before her!
The shadow steps, manifested with an acceleration of 4, were so fast and fluid that they momentarily rendered his feet invisible, and with his movements drastically different from before, Dokgo Yeon could only react a step late.
The force in her reflexively extended knife-hand would be reduced, and if he could naturally flow through the mysteries of the Flow (流), then thrust his sword straight towards Dokgo Yeon's seemingly open chest—!
"Ho."
"Keuhak!"
He got beaten.
Dokgo Yeon repeatedly swung her hand as if swatting a fly, negating Ban Yuwon's sword strike, then kicked him, sending him flying back to the wall.
"It was a decent attempt. But it's crude. Were you trying to deceive my eyes with merely that level of footwork?"
"Kueeeeh..."
"The footwork mimicking shadows is quite good, but the harmony of your energy is utterly lacking. Cultivate Hyunsingong and create your own Body Lightness Technique (步身輕) that suits you anew."
He couldn't understand what on earth she was talking about.
In the meantime, taking advantage of Ban Yuwon's attack, Rucell, who had been clinging to the ceiling beyond Dokgo Yeon's perception, suddenly revealed her Wildness and dropped down.
She attacked Dokgo Yeon with her long claws, only to be struck, rebound, and roll next to Ban Yuwon.
"Kaeang..."
"However, because it's a martial art that doesn't suit you, there are times when it can be even more useful... Very well. Fine. You can learn that too. You've certainly picked up a lot of miscellaneous tricks."
Dokgo Yeon, meanwhile, didn't even pay attention to Rucell's attack, and after muttering something, confirmed Ban Yuwon's remedial lessons.
"Don't worry, Ban Yuwon. You're doing very well. Just successfully embedding Hyunsingong into all your movements would mean you're halfway there, and you've already reached that halfway point."
"How... grateful I am for that..."
"So, I can push you a little harder now."
"Oh."
Hearing those words, Ban Yuwon found confirmation for a thought he'd had sometime before.
Dokgo Yeon definitely had the qualities of a teacher.
A teacher who, though somewhat violent, was undeniably skilled, compelling others to seek her instruction!
"Huh...?"
It was then.
Since they were already rolling on the floor together, Rucell, who had been subtly trying to initiate skinship with Ban Yuwon, suddenly opened her eyes wide, as if realizing something.
"Yuwon, where's Eve?"
Only then did the rest of the group realize.
Eve, who was always tightly coiled around one of his arms, was nowhere to be seen.
Now that he thought about it, she hadn't been visible since morning.
"Dungeon."
Ban Yuwon replied curtly.
Rucell tilted her head and asked back.
"Huh?"
"Dungeon."
Ban Yuwon repeated the same word, then added.
"Ever since it devoured Ortima's orb, it became able to freely wield my Authority from a distance. That's not its only effect, but that's the core of it. Without me, it can now collect language concepts."
The orb Dokgo Yeon had seized from Ortima... More precisely, the concepts that emerged from 'Spica,' the brightest star of Astraea, were quite numerous, but among them, the core concept was Resonance (共鳴).
As Eve herself had devoured it and then explained to Ban Yuwon, that concept, which was actually more suited to his familiar than to its master, allowed it to synchronize and resonate with Ban Yuwon, its master, to whom it was connected by soul, enabling it to more closely and naturally receive and wield his will, mana, and Authority.
In a way, it could be described as Assimilation (同化), but simply put, Eve had become Ban Yuwon's autonomous clone.
"So, since this morning, Eve has been taking Lilyth and going through dungeons outside the academy, collecting concepts indiscriminately."
"What...?"
Ban Yuwon added that due to their closer connection, he could still tell what they were doing and where they were, simply by wanting to know.
That's right...
Ban Yuwon was, in other words, multitasking!
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