Chapter 101
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: Lesson 22. Clubs Are a Waste to Make - 1
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Ryu Cheol-myeong proceeded to summon As Light and Lucelle next, subjecting them to the exact same treatment he'd given Ban Yu-won.
Even as he called them forward, he shot them a glare that screamed not to pull any nonsense like Ban Yu-won had—but it was all meaningless.
After all, the moment they started this lecture, a spell had been cast on every single member of Rebellion.
"Excellent posture."
In the end, Ryu Cheol-myeong didn't so much as budge them a millimeter from their spots. He sent them back with a particularly lingering, regretful gaze sweeping over Lucelle's entire body.
"I should rip it off him."
Lucelle, back after her demonstration, clung to Ban Yu-won's back and whispered softly.
Ban Yu-won was too scared to ask what exactly needed ripping off.
"Old people need to die when they get old. That damn pervert bastard—if he crosses the line just a little, I'll make sure he faces justice, no matter what it takes. Does he think being transcendent means he can sexually harass people scot-free?"
Ryu Cheol-myeong's stare had been so blatant that even the oblivious As Light was saying things like this.
Ban Yu-won gave a wry smile.
"There are plenty of good guys out there too, you know? Perverts are just a minority. ...And it has nothing to do with age or gender."
Just like Lucelle, who was currently rubbing her entire body against his back out of sheer annoyance at Ryu Cheol-myeong's gaze.
Ryu Cheol-myeong clearly noticed Lucelle's behavior and openly glared at Ban Yu-won, but perhaps because Ban Yu-won's earlier demeanor had left too strong an impression, he couldn't bring himself to say anything and eventually turned away.
Lucky break.
Ban Yu-won had been ready to frame the guy as a sexual harasser if he started any trouble.
"Should we... keep flaunting it like this?"
"Calm down, Lucelle. Please."
One wrong move, and they could end up the ones accused of harassment in this dire situation!
As Ban Yu-won desperately tried to restore Lucelle's sanity, Ryu Cheol-myeong called out Dokgo Yeon.
"Dokgo Yeon, come forward."
Having failed to humiliate Ban Yu-won, As Light, and Lucelle as he'd planned, Ryu Cheol-myeong's eyes now gleamed with some grim determination.
"A simple demonstration might not feel real enough. So how about we do a quick mock battle instead...? Of course, Dokgo Yeon, if it's too much for you, you don't have to. Not every martial artist has to wield aura, after all."
"Well..."
Dokgo Yeon smirked at the cheap provocation aimed at her pride.
"Since I can already wield aura, I think I'll pass that chance on to someone else."
"...What?"
He really didn't know.
Did that mean there might not have been any prior communication between Ortima and Ryu Cheol-myeong?
Ban Yu-won instinctively glanced at Ortima, but he was just silently listening to the exchange between Dokgo Yeon and Ryu Cheol-myeong.
"You can... wield aura."
"You can hide your level of power, but inflating it serves no purpose. In the martial world, those who exaggerate themselves die first."
Dokgo Yeon replied calmly, naturally releasing her presence.
She hadn't manifested sword aura, but that alone was enough for Ryu Cheol-myeong to gauge her level.
What elegant phrasing!
"...I understand Dokgo Yeon's 'martial world' is from a lower dimension."
"That's what they all say."
"Fine. Today's session is meant to inspire students who can't wield aura yet, so could you step forward and demonstrate it properly?"
At that, Dokgo Yeon finally burst out laughing.
"I have no intention of showing off my skills in front of my competitors."
"...!"
Ban Yu-won easily caught the look on Ryu Cheol-myeong's face—like he'd found an opening.
No matter what the bastard said, he'd talk his way through and protect Dokgo Yeon—that was Ban Yu-won's resolve. Just as he subtly stepped forward, pointing at Dokgo Yeon...
"She's right. They're all competitors, so it's natural to hide some of your strength."
In perfect, unexpected timing, Ortima backed her up.
Ryu Cheol-myeong looked utterly baffled.
Well, yeah. Ban Yu-won felt the same.
Was this bastard trying to whitewash himself now?
Did he think doing so would actually make him clean?!
"Lucein student."
"The aura you showed us today doesn't even reach 1% of your true power, Professor. But she has to go all out just to produce aura. Isn't it too harsh to demand she reveal all her cards in a non-official exam setting?"
"Ahem... er..."
Ryu Cheol-myeong's face betrayed his shock at the nonsense—why was this kid spouting this crap?—but he scrambled to compose himself and think of a retort.
"Indeed, the Ortima heir thinks differently from the common lot. Despite his outstanding abilities, he remains humble and respects his fellow students. That's commendable. Plus 5 points."
"Thank you for your generosity, Professor."
Ban Yu-won had no idea where the 'humble' part came in, but Ortima responded gracefully and shot Dokgo Yeon a glance.
And how did Dokgo Yeon, whom he'd clearly marked as an enemy, react to this unsolicited protection?
Ignoring Ortima entirely, she stared at Ban Yu-won—who was half-covering her body as he stepped forward—with utter disbelief, while secretly pinching the flesh on his back hard.
"...!"
As Ban Yu-won endured the pain, Dokgo Yeon's telepathic message hit him.
—Ban Yu-won, what the hell are you doing? Do I look like some fragile woman who needs your protection?
—No, that's not it. Your confidence is always cool, but right now, I think I'd better handle that bastard myself. Hey, let go—it hurts. I'm dying here!
—You're getting cocky! Even if I'm the master who taught you martial arts, it's a hundred years too early for you to speak for me!
—Fine, I'm cocky. So let go already!
Finally freed from Dokgo Yeon, Ban Yu-won sighed in relief and stepped aside just as Ryu Cheol-myeong's 'demonstration' shifted to the Special Class members.
Naturally, it wasn't as threatening as what he'd done to Ban Yu-won's group. He was stimulating their souls in what he considered the optimal way.
Ortima alone seemed uninterested, stealing glances at Dokgo Yeon—but she wasn't about to smile back or anything.
"What the hell is in that worm's head? Is he insane?"
"Yeah, probably, but hearing you say it, Dokgo Yeon..."
"His casual act trying to fool me is unbearably infuriating. Though your stunt earlier wasn't much better."
"I'm sorry, okay...? Hey, even so, comparing me to that guy is too much, isn't it?"
More pissed at Ban Yu-won's earlier actions than Ortima's, Dokgo Yeon kept picking on him while secretly pinching him all over.
As Light wanted to intervene but shrank back, fearing he'd get caught in the crossfire. Meanwhile, Lucelle narrowed her eyes at Dokgo Yeon.
Finally, as Dokgo Yeon calmed down and backed off, Lucelle whispered in Ban Yu-won's ear.
"Maybe... she liked it?"
"Lucelle, don't say that around Dokgo Yeon. At least wait until she's gone."
Thanks to Ban Yu-won's full preparations and Ortima's unexpected support, the first Aura Combat Studies class ended without incident.
And contrary to Kantone and Ryu Cheol-myeong's intentions, word spread throughout the academy that all six Special Class members and the four from Class 11 were taking Aura Combat Studies together—solidifying their reputations even further.
* * *
Fame comes with responsibility.
For the Rebellion members, that added responsibility meant they now represented all Lower Dimension Special Admission students.
"But I didn't expect the upperclassmen to come to us."
"We... we really only have you guys to rely on!"
The fourth-year senior—who admitted to having no major (Ban Yu-won learned from him that poor grades could leave you without one), no girlfriend, no money, and having retired during the last exploration, forcing a restart from Floor 1 next time—bowed deeply to Ban Yu-won.
"We have nowhere left to retreat! The fifth-years are too busy with their own stuff, so you're really all we have!"
"Could you lift your head first? Stop licking the floor. Is it tasty?"
Thursday morning, student cafeteria.
Led by this fourth-year with nothing to his name, over a dozen Lower Dimension Special Admission students were prostrating themselves at the table where Ban Yu-won's group sat.
Anyone passing by might think the freshmen were disciplining their seniors.
"We'll keep licking until you say you'll help!"
"Sorry, but that'll just give you stomach issues."
Ban Yu-won was already swamped analyzing yesterday's clash with Ryu Cheol-myeong and Lucein Ortima's psychopath vibes. Now these other Special Admission kids he'd assumed were out of the picture were swarming him.
He turned to his group for opinions, but Dokgo Yeon and As Light ignored it like it wasn't their problem and kept eating. Lucelle looked down at the group like they were annoying bugs.
"Yu-won, we're gonna miss breakfast at this rate. Here, I'll feed you—chew slowly."
"That sounds good, but what about these seniors...?"
"I'm jealous!"
The fourth-year wailed, head still glued to the floor.
"You're talented, have artifacts, and on top of that, such a pretty, sweet girlfriend! Why don't my fellow Special Admission classmates have anyone that gorgeous?!"
"Aren't those the ones stabbing you in the back right now your classmates?"
One thing was clear: he had no girlfriend for a reason.
Ban Yu-won sighed and chomped down on the spoon Lucelle offered.
By now, Lucelle feeding him and him accepting was utterly natural.
"Munch munch... We're busy enough handling ourselves. Honestly, we can't take responsibility for you seniors too. We're grateful just that you've improved perceptions of Special Admission students."
"We're already done for. We're treated separately from you!"
"Licking the floor like that, I kinda want to be treated separately too."
There had been ample opportunities to grow over four years at the academy, yet this fourth-year bowing before Ban Yu-won had such a weak presence that Ban Yu-won could probably beat him easily.
Refusing to put in any effort himself and shamelessly begging distant underclassmen—it was absurd.
There's a term for this: relying on others' power.
Originally a Buddhist term meaning salvation through Amitabha Buddha or bodhisattva power, it's now used for those who depend entirely on others instead of their own efforts.
Just like these seniors!
"Say whatever, trample us, anything—as long as you help us! Just get us to graduation!"
...Wait, and on closer look, this senior was one of the sacrificial lambs who'd bought potions from Mira last time.
Ban Yu-won recalled the face bawling as Graham dragged him away.
Good thing Ban Yu-won had intervened beforehand—otherwise, he might have mental issues by now. (Though maybe he already did... nah, best not dwell.)
And relying on Mira's potions meant...
"Senior, how are your grades?"
"Ugh?!"
The fourth-year let out a gross groan and writhed on the floor like a maggot.
"H-how did you know?! As expected of a top student—you can spot underperformers at a glance!"
"Yeah, pretty much."
Why did these Special Admission kids pick this guy as their rep?
Ban Yu-won was just starting to tidy up and leave when...
"Good morning, Ban Yu-won. Graham, Student Council Secretary, third-year."
A reliably burly male student appeared, introducing himself as always.
And today, there was an extra.
"Fourth-year, Promotion Department Head Mira. ...All familiar faces."
"Ugh?! Mira...!"
It was Mira, the black-haired beauty who looked like an elf sculpted from elegance and allure fused together.
"......"
"......Hmm."
"This is her."
For some reason, the Rebellion members—who'd ignored the Special Admission seniors—sharply changed their demeanor the moment they registered Mira.
"Mira... Senior, hello."
"Mira."
"...? Mira Senior."
"Mira."
"Ah—yeah, Mira...?"
"?!"
Ban Yu-won, catching Mira's icy glare that promised 'Honey' next time if he messed up again, reluctantly called her by name. Starting with Lucelle, everyone present gasped in shock (somehow including the fourth-year Special Admission senior).
"Mind if I sit next to you?"
Mira ignored the reactions entirely and plopped down right beside Ban Yu-won, pressing close.
"If you're here to arrest these guys, just haul them off now."
"Nah, I already know their goal roughly. Thought I'd propose something mutually beneficial."
"Unnerving from Intr... Mira..."
"Yu-won..."
Lucelle clung warily to one of Ban Yu-won's arms, eyeing Mira.
Mira smiled leisurely at the sight.
"Basically, they want you to manage them. Just put them all in your club."
As expected, a wildly bewildering suggestion.