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I got into school for nothing - 85

I got into school for nothing (85)

Lesson 18. Midterm Exam - 7

The Chancellor's words regarding Mira's Potion struck at the core of the issue.

Not an antidote, but a release.

The potion wasn't truly poisonous; it merely acted as a catalyst, connecting the user to a specific Constellation.

As a result, the user would fall into a trance-like state. Due to the minute Constellation's Stigma flowing back from the Constellation (likely one with powers affecting the mind), they would become insensitive to external stimuli, their vision would narrow, and they would lose rational judgment.

The heightened learning effect was merely a byproduct, and even that was abysmal compared to Ban Yuwon's Study Talisman.

If it ended there, one might even laugh, but the real problem began now.

The moment a user consumed the potion, they effectively entered into a provisional contract with a Constellation.

It was unclear exactly what they had to pay in exchange for the faint Constellation's Stigma absorbed into their bodies, but it was a fraudulent contract, leaving them no choice but to surrender even their souls if demanded.

If this wasn't a curse, then what was?

So, how does one nullify—or rather, release—this potion's effect?

First, the connection to the Constellation needed to be severed.

Naturally, this was difficult.

If a formal contract had been established with a Constellation, interference by others would generally be impossible.

However, since it was a provisional contract made via the potion, it could be severed.

As it wasn't a legitimate contract to begin with, and the method of contracting was crude, it was possible to initiate a process of contract dissolution through a similar method: "the act of drinking something."

Creating the same conditions as when the curse was cast – this, he had learned from Cellon, was the first step to release.

Of course, drinking ordinary water wouldn't sever the connection; it required a magical potion imbued with Ban Yuwon's special Language Magic: "Release" (解止) and "Severance" (斷切).

Second, the traces of the Constellation remaining within their bodies had to be erased.

In terms of difficulty, this was even harder than the first step.

However, Ban Yuwon, confirming through Tikke, observed that the Constellation's Stigma within their bodies hadn't fully integrated and was merely floating.

Upon reflection, it was only natural.

If the Stigma were perfectly absorbed and wielded within the body, that would make them a Constellation's contractor and sponsor.

It was then that Ban Yuwon had an idea.

"Could I absorb that with my Authority?"

From there, deep contemplation, thought experiments, and discussions with Cellon followed.

In conclusion, Ban Yuwon decided to employ the strategy of "fighting poison with poison."

He would use the power of a Constellation to suppress the power of a Constellation!

Soulflame (魂炎).

It was here that this terrifying ability—to divide his soul and imbue it into objects—made its debut.

As it was a part of his soul, even when divided, it could naturally exert his Authority—the Babylonia Code.

Meaning, it could absorb and plunder concepts, preserve and synthesize them.

While complete internal concepts might be a different matter, a Constellation's Stigma unnaturally mixed within the body could certainly be absorbed!

—Thanks to this conclusion, reached by both him and Cellon, he imbued the potion with Soulflame.

"I also learned from Cellon that I needed to control the activation sequence of the Language Magic when the target drank the potion..."

Although he had already experimented, Ban Yuwon couldn't hide his inner anxiety, clenching his fists tightly, uncertain if he could succeed now that the environment and various conditions had changed.

"It's done."

Ketra, who had by now emptied the contents of the flask he'd received from Ban Yuwon, spoke with a relieved expression and turned to face him.

Ban Yuwon questioned him with an incredulous look.

"It's done?"

"Yeah. The fairy race specializes in things like this. And I'm particularly skilled among them. Reality alteration, specifically 'swapping'. It's like an innate Authority of the race, beyond mere magic."

"Oh..."

Thinking, *He's even more dangerous than I imagined*, Ban Yuwon took a step back, but Ketra quickly strode forward, narrowing the distance between them again, and said,

"Of course—"

"...this isn't easy to use against powerful individuals. Even a junior like you would notice if I overtly tried to manipulate something, wouldn't you? It's only because the targets were others that you didn't realize."

"Is that so?"

Ban Yuwon recalled how Dokgo Yeon had been caught off guard by Ketra at the beginning of the semester and offered a wry smile.

The thought struck him: if the Authority of reality alteration combined with the speed of unseen movement, one could truly be taken out without a trace.

Ketra elaborated to Ban Yuwon, who was thinking, *To prevent this, I'll need to strengthen my Authority even further.*

"But all the targets we're working on today aren't in their right minds. That's why we weren't caught."

"Ah, right."

Those who consumed Mira's Potion became dull to external stimuli and tended to focus solely on one task.

This was probably a measure to prevent them from blabbing about the potion, but thanks to it, Ketra was able to pull it off perfectly.

"That's right... All targets have finished consuming the antidote. How does it feel?"

"Hmm."

Ban Yuwon focused his Hyungi in his eyes and scanned the dining hall.

He quickly spotted the students who were the targets.

First, the immediate manifestation of Release and Severance.

He saw the faint flow of energy being injected into them from outside instantly cut off.

Naturally, the "concentration maintenance" buff—or rather, curse—also lifted, and the sight of them all suddenly opening their eyes wide and looking around was quite comical.

Next... without even needing to observe their appearance, the "Soulflame" that had crept into their bodies was gathering information in real-time and transmitting it to him.

"—How do you feel?"

"It's a bit strange... I'll need to get used to this to properly wield my Authority."

"—Constellation [Breath of Life] suspects your ability has exceeded the scope of the Authority it bestowed."

"Yeah, it already did~."

Ban Yuwon mentally muttered the sarcasm that would never reach the Constellation and gently closed his eyes.

The depth of the soul Ban Yuwon had divided and imbued into the potion with the power of Soulflame was approximately 50.

Since the number of students who had consumed Mira's Potion and entered a provisional contract with a Constellation was slightly less than 50, it could be assumed that one unit of Ban Yuwon's soul had entered each of their bodies.

Normally, with a depth of 1, one could do nothing.

However, the potion they had swallowed, along with fragments of his soul, was imbued with powerful Language Magic originating from Hyungi.

Seizing the opportunity when the connection to the Constellation was severed, the Constellation's Stigma could not resist the onslaught of the Soulflame and was absorbed.

And due to the heat generated by the potion, all the students who drank it began to sweat... At that moment, the Soulflame, exiting through their pores along with the sweat, all returned and was absorbed by Ban Yuwon.

While entering the human body was difficult, exiting was easy!

...Nevertheless, even knowing it was separate from the sweat, he couldn't help but feel a little squeamish.

[50 Soul recovered. Soulflame depth is 20. Constellation's Stigma depth is 9.7.]

"Oh."

Though the Constellation's Stigma absorbed by each individual was small, when gathered together, it amounted to a considerable quantity.

Wouldn't the efficiency greatly amplify the moment its depth reached 10?

"—Good work."

"Thanks for your help, too."

Anyway, that was it.

No traces of the Constellations remained in the students, and the contracts were perfectly terminated.

The release was complete.

Next to Ban Yuwon, who raised his head with satisfaction, Ketra also wore a look of relief.

"Seeing their expressions, it seems everything has been resolved successfully."

"But Senior, there's one last thing to do, isn't there?"

"Of course. And look, here he comes."

Who knew when he'd been contacted, but a massive man... Graham, was entering the student dining hall.

With the situation resolved, they could now freely enlist the help of outsiders—or rather, other Student Council members.

"We are from the Student Council. We've received reports regarding the illegal distribution of drugs on campus. All students named from this moment on are requested to report to the Student Council for investigation."

His commanding, heavy baritone voice, unrivaled in the Academy for its sheer intimidation, shook the spacious dining hall.

It was truly strange how merely swapping the order of "potion" and "drugs" created a million-fold difference in the ominous feeling they evoked.

"Grail, Autos, Masinan, Dubec Il Tachi..."

"Wh-what?! Illegal drugs? I don't know anything about that!"

"It's not illegal! I didn't cheat on the exam, I just drank a little potion to help me study..."

"W-wait, where is this? What day is it? I can't quite remember..."

In response, the potion users reacted like criminals, clearly flustered.

Ban Yuwon watched them, dumbfounded, and muttered,

"I'm starting to think it might have been better to just gather them all at the Student Council from the start and make them drink the antidote."

"They wouldn't have come willingly then. They were all out of their minds because of that potion."

"Well..."

Ban Yuwon nodded, acknowledging Ketra's point that if they had attempted forced enforcement before the antidote, the situation truly might have escalated.

He was simply feeling a bit wronged, seeing how easily those students revealed their thoughts, panicked, and submissively complied at Graham's single word, making him wonder what all his previous agonizing had been for.

"Don't you think the severe side effects of the potion actually made the enforcement easier? Look, they're all stammering and unable to adapt to reality."

"Then I guess it's thanks to me."

Most of the students who had taken the potion were reacting as if they didn't know why they were there.

This meant the trance state caused by the potion was dangerous... and other students, realizing it could have led to other crimes, began whispering among themselves.

Coincidentally, the incident was unfolding in the student dining hall, where most students gathered.

With the potion incident announced here and everyone now wary, there would surely be no more worries about its distribution within the Academy.

"Ah, Graham's coming this way."

"Then I'll just disappear..."

But Ban Yuwon's wish was not granted.

Because Graham had locked onto him from the very beginning and approached.

"I am Graham, Student Council Secretary. Pleased to meet you, Ban Yuwon."

"...Hello, Senior. I remember you."

Graham, who had lined up the potion users like dried pollack on a string, stood before Ban Yuwon.

He offered a wry smile and a bow to Graham, who for some reason always stated his title and name whenever he spoke to him, as Graham placed a hand on his shoulder with a solemn expression.

"I heard you provided advice for resolving this situation."

Ban Yuwon didn't reply immediately, instead shooting a glare at Ketra.

He made a startled face and,

"...while I was asking for help with the cleanup, I couldn't keep everything hidden. Of course, I didn't tell the other executives. Mira doesn't know, and neither does our President."

he excused.

Ban Yuwon sighed and nodded for now.

Graham was a trustworthy person, and there was no way he'd accurately figure out what Ban Yuwon had done today.

"It's fine. But please keep this matter a secret, Senior."

"Of course. I greatly appreciate your cooperation. I look forward to the day we can work together as executives."

"Uh, about that..."

Ban Yuwon quickly distanced himself. He wondered if their thoughts might change once they realized Mira was behind this incident, and that Ban Yuwon had, in essence, stabbed Mira in the back.

"Vice President, we need to investigate these individuals... Would you join us?"

"Yes, let's go together. Ban Yuwon junior, I'll see you later."

"Understood."

Ban Yuwon, intensely impressed by Graham, who was as imposing as a professor, using polite language to Ketra, who looked like a blonde, tanned delinquent, watched the two of them leave.

And that afternoon, a message from Ketra arrived on Ban Yuwon's Mirror (while Rucell and Light were focused on studying, as their exams were more pressing), as he was, as always, being thrashed to dust by Dokgo Yeon while practicing Hyunsingong.

It was an invitation to meet once over the weekend, as a thank you for his help with the recent matter.

"What's wrong, Ban Yuwon? Surely not another beast going into heat..."

"No, a man."

"A man?!"

Ban Yuwon's honest thought was that if they felt grateful, they shouldn't take up any more of his time, but his calculation that there was no harm in establishing connections with the Student Council, even if he wasn't officially affiliated—.

—and the lingering questions he had about the fairy race's unique abilities, led him to accept the offer.