Chapter 103
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: Lesson 22. Don't Go Making a Club for No Reason - 3
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"I want to join the club too."
In the afternoon, during Magic Combat Studies class.
Aire, who was sitting next to Ban Yu-won, had heard about what happened at the student cafeteria that morning and suddenly blurted it out.
"Didn't you just hear me properly? It's about educating people who fall short in skill."
"That's why I'm applying as a teaching assistant. I handle training magic well too."
Of course, what couldn't she handle?
The problem was on this side.
"We don't have the money to hire you."
"Pay me in food for participation fees. And Professor Yumina..."
"Union's Eccentricities was originally a gourmet club, but hold on—Professor Yumina?"
"Yeah, I just heard everything."
Suddenly, a girl's voice flew in from behind, and Misty poked her head out.
"Huh?"
"......"
"Ahem. You, Ban Yu-won!"
Aire was looking at her with an expression like What kind of bug is named that?, but Ban Yu-won saw through how Misty had mustered tremendous resolve to butt in.
"Is it okay to make a club for such a personal reason?"
"It is. Because Professor Yumina's our backing."
Misty was desperately trying to strike up a conversation with Ban Yu-won first.
Ban Yu-won played along with her pleading eyes.
If Aire took an interest in her because of this, the plan would succeed!
"While someone's wasting precious after-school time playing cello even though they don't want to learn it..."
"You guys have it rough too, huh."
"Misty's the lady of a great noble house from the top-tier dimension 'Melodia,' so she has no choice but to fit in at noble gatherings! Know where Melodia is? It's one of the top ten dimensions, on par with Kettius, birthplace of Lucene Ortima!"
Misty's friend jumped in to kindly explain.
He recalled hearing that there were ten dimensions right below Union in the hierarchy.
And the families (no exaggeration to call them royal or imperial houses) ruling those dimensions were collectively called the Ten Great Houses.
Misty hailed from one of those top dimensions and was of great noble status—not quite a Ten Great House, but certainly prestigious by Union Academy standards.
"You're awfully kind. Thanks for the explanation."
"Uh, uh?! It's nothing...! M-My name's Reshu. From Melodia..."
"Ban Yu-won from Earth. Nice to meet you, Reshu."
"Yeah. Nice to meet you, Ban Yu-won."
At Ban Yu-won's thanks, the venom seemed to drain from her eyes in an instant, and Misty's friend introduced herself.
Who would've thought the day would come when he'd exchange greetings with a girl who'd initially pondered killing him? Ban Yu-won felt a tiny bit moved.
But Misty thought differently, narrowing her eyes and glaring daggers at her friend.
"Reshu?"
"Hah, n-no! I'm not colluding with him, Misty! I just thought he's kinda okay...!"
"Reshu...?"
"So, can I join? The club."
Just as the newly chummy friends were staging a fresh slice of youthful drama, Aire's icy voice shattered the mood.
Looks like today was a bust. Ban Yu-won gave a wry smile in reply.
"You really wanna join?"
"I thought it was limited to 11th class members until now, but if not, I'm in no matter what."
Fair enough. Having already accepted special admission students, there was no grounds to refuse Aire.
There was no reason to say no if she'd actually help, and since she often appeared in Rebellion channel videos anyway, Ban Yu-won readily nodded.
But then.
"Everyone has to join at least one club. What club were you in before?"
"Some weird instrument club. I skipped it anyway, so I'm dropping out completely this time."
"Oh..."
"Ah..."
For some reason, Misty and Reshu let out wistful sighs at Aire's words.
Ban Yu-won got a feeling he knew which weird instrument club Aire had been in.
"...Ban Yu-won, we'll join too."
"Misty?! It's crawling with special admissions freaks!"
"If we say we're chasing the princess, it'll probably be fine."
Ban Yu-won hadn't even said he'd accept them yet, but Misty and Reshu were gravely discussing it anyway.
Ban Yu-won stared at the two before suddenly thinking of something and asking Aire.
"Aire, what's your home dimension?"
"Melodia."
"Yeah, figured as much..."
Aire herself had never said it outright, nor did others gossip about it.
But clearly, Aire was a literal princess born of blood rivaling the Ten Great Houses.
That explained why Misty followed her so fervently.
Wait, so all three right in front of me are from Melodia—and mages?
Just as the martial world, Dokgo Yeon's home, focused on martial arts, maybe Melodia centered on magic.
...All three from Melodia?
All from top-tier dimensions?
"Is the Special Class really just gathering kids from the top ten dimensions?"
"It's supposedly based strictly on skill... or so the Academy claims."
Misty replied with a subtle expression.
Looks like Ban Yu-won's hunch was spot on.
No wonder Kantonego and Ryu Cheol-myeong treated Special Class with such reverence—they were discriminating by home dimension!
Sure, innate magic power and talent varied by dimension, so it wasn't entirely wrong, but that elitist mindset pissed him off.
"These people really stick to their guns. Impressive, truly impressive."
"In that sense, maybe I'm lucky. A freak like you showed up in my generation and shattered the prejudices properly."
"Misty..."
"......"
Reshu looked pitying at Misty's self-mocking mutter.
But Aire, gazing at her, now showed a spark of interest that hadn't been there before—a success in its own way.
"And that's how we gained three new members. Everyone, give 'em a round of applause!"
"Why are they all girls?!"
"Let's keep it down, Pebble Senior."
"Guh?!"
After school.
In the doorless classroom, the four Rebellion members plus Yumina, Mira, Aire, Misty and Reshu, and fifteen special admission students from second to fourth year gathered—a total of twenty-four.
Precisely: five second-years, six third-years, and four fourth-years including Pebble Senior.
"Come to think of it, our year has four, but the upper years have more special admissions on average?"
"This is after some dropped out or died climbing the tower. That's why not everyone makes it up properly."
"Ah, thanks for the info I didn't wanna hear."
Students really did die here.
Not that he hadn't killed Irecto himself, but hearing it happened casually soured Ban Yu-won's mood.
Honestly, I didn't care who died where I couldn't see... but people connected to me? I'd rather they not die if possible.
As he reflected that he'd made the right call in many ways this time, Mira subtly took his hand as if sensing it.
Seeing that, Lucelle swiftly grabbed his other hand, and Ban Yu-won laughed and shook both off.
Confirmed: these two should never be paired up.
"Alright, let's discuss the schedule going forward."
"Word is you were goblin-level at enrollment, but now you're 8th in comprehensive sparring rankings."
Pebble Senior spoke up.
A bit rude, but spot on, so Ban Yu-won nodded honestly. The senior thrust out both hands and yelled.
"You got that strong so fast thanks to artifacts and elixirs, right?! Gimme some too!"
"Can I hit him?"
—Thwack!
Ban Yu-won absentmindedly asked, then punched the senior's face before getting an answer.
Having unconsciously channeled his Manifestation Technique, it was a perfect clean hit.
The senior collapsed, nose gushing blood.
"Hit me all you want, just gimme artifacts...! Ack!"
"Where do I even start with this guy? Anyone else thinking the same?"
Ban Yu-won asked the others while stepping on the senior.
No one nodded like an idiot.
"Why's this guy the rep, anyway?"
"Because of his unique ability."
Another fourth-year kindly explained.
"Boosts group decision-making and slightly buffs all allies' abilities. Became our fourth-year party leader, and somehow ended up repping all special admissions."
"I see."
Maybe an advanced form of his own Command concept?
Indeed, special admission students each had a strong, unique trait beyond plain magic or martial arts.
Not quite on the level of divine powers, but with infinite potential.
"Definitely... polishable..."
"Guh, urk..."
Ban Yu-won polished Pebble Senior until his mood settled, then let go.
He clapped to draw eyes.
"Before officially joining, we'll make a contract. Standard secrecy and no betrayal, plus obey me as long as I'm a student here."
"W-Wow..."
Misty, participating as TA, looked queasy.
"In return, I'll do my utmost to protect and graduate you all. Obeying me is basically prerequisite for your growth anyway, so no big deal."
A scam contract that'd make shady insurers weep.
Mira gazed dreamily, recalling her recent contract with him.
"Whoa, so this is hard-selling."
"This is that thing where you can't leave till you sign, right? Explains no door."
Murmurs rose, but no one dared challenge Ban Yu-won here.
First, his words grew heavier daily, stripping listeners' will to defy.
Second, gathering here meant special admissions were already dangling off a cliff.
"Agree, and we're bound by fate. I'll guarantee at least the chance you wanted."
"U-Um, any naughty orders...?"
"You're out."
"I'll do it! Even naughty ones!"
"No!"
It didn't take long to 'contract' all fifteen, including Pebble Senior.
His words tied to his authority, and with his growing linguistic power, mere vows etched contract strings into their bodies.
Not as deep as Mira's time-limited one, but equally binding.
"Simpler than I thought..."
"That's why I brought you, expecting it."
"No one else in the world makes contracts this binding so casually."
Mira, who'd been too dazed by pain during hers to grasp it, now realized his authority's potential and looked stunned.
"You'd be the greatest curse mage since ancient times if you specialized in curses."
"Already studying a bit."
Ban Yu-won smiled satisfied after confirming all fifteen were properly contracted.
The special students, seeing his ominous grin, belatedly wondered if they'd been too hasty... but it was too late.
They wouldn't lose out, but Ban Yu-won stood to gain far more.
"Now, starting with Pebble Senior, introductions. Name, year, specialties, abilities—in detail."
"Katro! Katro El Phasis! Not Pebble!"
"Got it, Pebble Senior. We know the year, so specialties and abilities, in detail."
"Uh, y-yes..."
Only now did special admissions rep Katro El Phasis realize Ban Yu-won was neither easy mark nor kindly Santa.
He instinctively knew his remaining two years would be dramatically exhausting and turned woebegone.
Turning Pebble into bedrock would take time yet.