I got into school for nothing - Chapter 84
I got into school for nothing (84)
Lesson 18. Midterm Exam - 6
Thursday lunchtime.
Ban Yuwon and Ketra had entered a private study room in the Union Academy library.
Union Academy, approaching its exam period, was burning with academic fervor, much like a university in Korea. Ketra, using his authority as a Student Council executive, had successfully secured a private study room!
"How about it, junior? Thrilling, isn't it? Makes you want to join the Student Council, doesn't it? Power truly is the best."
"I suppose so."
Ban Yuwon, despite being dumbfounded, immediately drew several Language Magic words in the air with his hand, activating a spell.
Soundproofing, barrier, blockade.
"Whoa, whoa, this isn't first-year level stuff."
Ketra, who had watched the private study room transform into a fortress in a short time by Ban Yuwon's hand, said in disbelief.
Still, having greeted each other once before, his tone was quite familiar.
"Is that so? I wouldn't know, I've never compared myself to others."
"Well, compared to a barrier magic expert, it might not be as good... but you also use offensive magic, don't you? And yet, such a decisive demeanor, and even the speed of spell formation. No wonder everyone's paying attention."
While honestly acknowledging and praising Ban Yuwon's abilities, there wasn't even a trace of jealousy in Ketra.
Being the vice president of the Student Council meant he was an elite student, even more outstanding than those in the Special Class.
Moreover, since he was taking Professor Zenon's lectures, he must have contracted with a Constellation, received sponsorship, or at the very least, been approached by one.
When one has absolute confidence in their own abilities, there's no reason to be jealous of others.
'The ideal image of a strong individual, huh...'
Lusein Rown-Palomer Aquinas Ortima, on the other hand, was the worst.
People who are truly confident in their abilities don't brag; they prove their worth through action.
But that scoundrel only knew how to use his power to oppress the weak, so there was no comparison.
"Speaking of which, Lusein Rown-Palomer Aquinas Ortima, he's supposed to be back before the exams, right?"
"It's been quite delayed. Looks like his injuries were severe... Come to think of it, you went into the same dungeon, didn't you? What was he really like?"
Again, the Academy Student Council was in opposition to the Special Class.
He could probably speak a little more honestly.
"He wasn't a good person."
"Heard it all, heard it all."
Ketra dramatically shrugged his shoulders, then the next moment leaned his face close to Ban Yuwon.
"I can tell you're favored by Professor Yumina just by that Juventa's Brooch. Still, it would be good to firmly establish connections with students, especially when dealing with those from the Ten Great Families like the Ortima Family."
He winked with his words.
Ban Yuwon said with a stern expression.
"From now on, only wink at women."
"That's odd, it usually works well on guys too."
"Let's get to the point, the main point."
Thinking that being excessively confident might not be so good either, Ban Yuwon cleared his throat.
"About this current situation..."
Before entering the private study room, just a glance at the students in the general reading room revealed people who had drunk the potion.
Thanks to the potion, everyone seemed focused only on studying... but Ban Yuwon couldn't help but feel tense as he saw the ominous glowing Constellation's Stigma within their bodies.
Each and every one of them looked like a bomb waiting to explode at any moment.
"Oh, you found something out?!"
"I don't know who the culprit is, but... how is the potion's detoxification progressing?"
Unless he was a fool, Ketra would deduce from those words that Ban Yuwon had made progress in analyzing the potion.
Ketra, his expression visibly brightening, explained.
"As junior might know, professors usually don't help much with incidents that occur among students. However, they do pay attention to first-year students... and the culprit, knowing this, restricted the sale of the potion to students in their second year or above."
"Meaning, without the professors' help, it's difficult for students alone to analyze the potion and resolve its side effects, right?"
"Exactly."
He had pretty much guessed as much when Ketra came to ask for help from Ban Yuwon, who was merely a freshman.
Of course, Ban Yuwon didn't think all the students in this Academy, gathered from across all dimensions for their exceptional talents, were incompetent.
But having the ability to solve a situation and actually stepping forward to solve it are different matters.
After all, if they just stood by and did nothing, wouldn't dozens of competitors naturally fall out of the running?
As the Chancellor himself had said, exposing weaknesses and being taken advantage of by competitors was, to some extent, one's own responsibility.
"Ah—I think I know what junior is thinking right now. You're right. Our Academy students are generally individualistic. Up until now, these situations have always been handled by the Student Council's efforts alone."
"I've really understood now why the Student Council is necessary in an Academy controlled by an absolute being like the Chancellor."
Free competition, a nice phrase, but if everyone is allowed to run wild as they please, there's a possibility the Academy could collapse.
The Student Council was like the last bastion of conscience, supporting the Academy to prevent that from happening.
"Well, that's right... Originally, Mira was in charge of these matters. But Mira's been busy with something else lately... So I recommended you instead."
"What's she busy with?"
"Huh? You, by any chance..."
Seeing Ban Yuwon's interest, Ketra poked him playfully with a mischievous smile.
It was genuinely annoying.
"You've fallen for Mira, haven't you? She is incredibly pretty, after all. But it won't be easy. She's a woman with high ideals."
"No, I haven't. More than that, you two..."
"Hm?"
Ketra, guessing Ban Yuwon's meaning, burst out laughing.
"No, no way. We're just a bit close because we're of the same rare race from different dimensions. I believe in free love, you see. Being tied down to one person is a bit, well, you know?"
"Does she think the same way?"
"I told you, she has high ideals. I probably won't even be on her radar."
Ban Yuwon didn't press further.
At least Ketra seemed to genuinely believe that.
"Student Council executives, including Mira, are always busy. Oh, of course, it's all good experience. In fact, all the executives are achieving good results in the Tower. You know that when you go into your second year, bonus points are given based on the Tower floor reached, right? Most of us are at the top tier for that."
Ketra diligently promoted the Student Council, perhaps fearing Ban Yuwon might harbor resentment.
Perhaps this person was more focused on drawing Ban Yuwon into the Student Council than on resolving the current situation.
"So... Ban Yuwon, junior. Did you find a detoxification method?"
"Yes. But I'd like to keep it a bit hidden."
"Hmm?"
Ketra frowned slightly.
"Is that why you mentioned Mira? Perhaps you were worried since it's a similar type of situation."
"Honestly, yes. This 'detoxification medicine' recipe uses my Babylonia Code, so I want to keep it as secret as possible."
Naturally, that was a lie.
Even Professor Campanella of the Artifact Production Department, or even the Chancellor himself, would find it difficult to fully understand the structure of Ban Yuwon's creations.
He simply didn't want Mira, or the Constellation behind her, to know that *he* was devising a countermeasure.
Getting tangled up with those Constellation bastards any more than this was something he'd rather die than do.
"So, I'd like to resolve this matter only between me, senior, and those who consumed the potion."
"Uhm, uhm, I'm grateful enough that you're offering to help without any personal gain."
The brown-haired dark elf nodded, making "eum-eum" sounds, but a faint wry smile played on his lips.
"Being close with Mira, it's a bit... well. No, I'm not blaming junior. I just regret that I couldn't earn your trust."
"Perhaps things will change once we get closer. But please bear with me this time."
"Oh! I'll remember that!"
Ketra clapped Ban Yuwon on the back and grinned.
If he could trick him this easily, the price was cheap.
Ban Yuwon grinned back.
"Then let's talk seriously. First, how do we identify all the people who took that potion, and how do we get them to take the antidote..."
"Alright, alright. That's my specialty. If it comes to it, you know—"
* * *
On Thursday afternoon, there was a magic lecture led by Yumina.
As Ban Yuwon found a suitable seat, Aire, who knows when she arrived, sat next to him.
Even if Aire's relationship with the Team Rebellion members wasn't bad, it was rare to see just the two of them together, so a faint stir arose among the first-year students attending the same lecture.
"Why the sudden change?"
"Because we're friends, to deepen our bond."
"Deepening your bond with me wouldn't... Ah, I see."
Ban Yuwon recalled the face of a classmate who had pretended to be friendly with him in high school just to get close to a girl he was friends with, and naturally nodded.
It was amusing how transparent her intentions were, but as he'd said repeatedly, Aire was a figure with an almost equal presence to Lusein Rown-Palomer Aquinas Ortima among the first-years.
If one could get close to her, As Light could be easily sold out...!
"Ban Yuwon."
"Hm?"
Ban Yuwon mentally reviewed all the information he knew about As Light, preparing to answer her question.
"You were doing a study group."
"A study group."
"Only with the kids from Class 11."
"Ah, did you see the video uploaded to the channel?"
He instantly understood what Aire wanted to say and nodded with satisfaction.
Indeed, she had quite the strategy.
9 out of 10 points.
Ban Yuwon mentally scored her as if he were a dating coach and replied.
"I can certainly include you. We'd have to change the location, though."
"Hm...? That's not bad, but."
"Hm?"
"Research magic with me."
Ban Yuwon blinked.
Not As Light, but *me*?
Aire continued speaking, completely oblivious to his slight embarrassment from her unexpected request.
"Through our magic duel, I learned a lot about my weaknesses. But there are also areas where I can help you. So let's conduct joint research."
"Mmm-hmm...?"
—What is this snot-nosed brat saying? Help *him*? Nonsense!
Though it might have been partly because her spell was interrupted last time, Cellon, who uniquely referred to Aire as "brat" and disdained her, predictably became agitated at Aire's remark and raised her voice.
Fortunately, however, her voice didn't reach Aire.
Ban Yuwon realized that Aire had genuinely proposed to him for the sole purpose of improving her magical skill, and he let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"If we submit a joint thesis, it can replace the midterm and final exams for this course."
"Let's do it."
Ban Yuwon, having quickly finished his calculations, nodded readily.
Naturally, Cellon was disgusted.
—Hey! You only need to learn magic from me!
'Learn only from you? What nonsense, I learned the basics from Sister Yumina.'
—Wow, seriously. You wouldn't have been able to make those Study Talismans and this antidote without me, wow, wow.
'I'm certainly grateful for that, but... weren't they just hints?'
—WAAAH!
When he first woke her up, she wasn't this bothersome. What had gone wrong, and from where?
To Ban Yuwon, who was earnestly pondering, Aire said,
"Then let's start after class today."
"We'll have to discuss that. I have study groups with the others, and personal training... Do you want to join that too?"
"Good. Deepen our bond."
"...Somehow, you're becoming more and more incomprehensible."
"Hm?"
As they finalized their agreement, Yumina entered the classroom.
Aire immediately reported on their joint research, naturally increasing the attention on them.
"Should we ask to join them, Misty?"
"I'd rather bite my tongue and die. Why does the princess go with that guy...!"
"What if the princess really does go over to Class 11!"
And perhaps you should finally have a direct conversation with us, Misty.
Your name is quite bothersome.
* * *
Friday morning dawned.
Although it was originally a day for entering the Tower or performing special activities, the schedule was canceled due to the exam period, allowing students to study or complete assignments at their discretion.
It was also the day Ban Yuwon and Ketra decided to move into action.
The situation would become uncontrollably large if they waited until next week when the actual exams began, so they had to finish it today.
"Are all targets identified?"
"Absolutely. I got help from Graham. Despite his appearance, that guy is incredibly meticulous and has keen eyes."
"I'm curious about that story, so I'll hear it later... Shall we begin?"
"Alright."
As Ban Yuwon handed Ketra a flask containing a transparent liquid that shimmered like fire.
"Let's finish this quickly."
Snap—!
The black-skinned fairy grinned and snapped his fingers.
"Changeling."
It was time to transform all the pitiable fools back into lovely children.
Where they were now was the student cafeteria, where all students ate.
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