Chapter 115
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 115
Chapter Title: Lesson 24. Is There a Freshman Like You? - 3
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"I've heard about the sub-channel your junior is running. Honestly, it's sailing along at an astonishing pace."
"It's only been four days since we started the channel."
"Hitting visible results in just four days makes it all the more impressive."
At Ketra's words, Ban Yu-won glanced subtly at his mirror.
The sub-channel, Ban Yu-won's Boot Camp (the name had been decided unilaterally by Ban Yu-won, with zero objections allowed), had already surpassed 10 million subscribers.
It might seem slow compared to the 5 million gained on launch day, but the growth was still remarkable. More importantly, not just the intro video but all the videos uploaded to the channel were steadily racking up views at a rapid clip.
...Though most were probably clickbaited by Irena Mira's face.
"But we started this channel hoping for influence at the academy more than on Unitube. We'll have to wait and see. Especially since it means nothing if the seniors don't actually grow from it."
"With your skills, that's entirely possible... Seeing the sub-channel's growth, the student council wants to make a request."
He turned his gaze to Mira, who had slipped out of his arms but was now pulling Lucelle—still clinging to Ban Yu-won's back—away while shaking her head.
"I didn't hear anything about that."
"The president only brought it up with me today."
"I see."
What was this about? Ban Yu-won narrowed his eyes.
For a split second while saying that, it felt like Ketra had glanced at Mira.
Mira seemed oblivious, just nodding along.
"So, what is it? I'm hoping it's not something brazen like asking for a second sub-channel for the student council..."
"..."
"No, seriously?"
Should he flip the student council upside down? If he ran to Yumina and tattled, she'd gladly blow it to kingdom come for him.
Ban Yu-won firmly told Ketra, who was looking a bit sheepish and avoiding his eyes.
"No Tike, no filming. This guy's no good at clone techniques, so one sub-channel's the limit."
—Whirr.
Tike let out a shutter-click sound in agreement with Ban Yu-won.
In truth, he might manage something by borrowing Eve's concept via resonance.
Or he could just craft a new camera artifact.
But Ban Yu-won was keenly aware of how extraordinary—and dangerous—a camera operating in mana-rich environments like dungeons and the tower would be. He had no intention of recklessly creating another Tike.
Ahem. Ketra cleared his throat once and met his eyes squarely.
"Your stance seems firm. The president will be pleased."
"The president?"
"Yeah. Truth be told, a third channel would be ideal, but she figured you'd flat-out refuse."
Who wouldn't see that coming?
Anyone with a shred of conscience would expect exactly that reaction!
Ban Yu-won mentally docked Ketra five points.
"Anyway, she asked me to pass along that if you refuse, you'd meet her at least once."
"Meet the president directly...? What do you think?"
Instead of answering Ketra right away, he turned to Mira, who replied without much hesitation.
"She's not the type to throw tantrums. Go see her."
"Alright...?"
He'd heard she was a third-year, but Mira's words made it feel real.
As Ban Yu-won watched Mira groping Lucelle, who was wriggling in her grasp ("She's so squishy, feels great to touch," Mira was sexually harassing her with comments like that), lost in thought.
"..."
There it was again.
He could feel Ketra's gaze.
At this point, Ban Yu-won started wondering what was going through Ketra's head.
'I thought he still suspected me of making moves on Mira... but this feels less like innocent doubt or concern.'
He narrowed his eyes and locked gazes with Ketra.
Whether Ketra picked up on the meaningful stare or not, he continued nonchalantly.
"No rush. Sometime this week—suggest a time, and we'll make it work."
"Sure. Since we're collaborating with the student council, talking to the president once makes sense."
"Good. With that settled..."
Ahem. Ketra cleared his throat again, stepping closer to Ban Yu-won and lowering his voice slightly.
"Ban Yu-won, junior—mind a quick word alone? Won't take long."
"Ah, yeah... Sure."
Perfect timing, actually. Ban Yu-won checked his watch, then parted from the group to walk with him.
Mira tried to follow as if it were natural, but her presence might keep Ketra from opening up, so he turned her down.
In the end, she settled for a sullen glare and a warning to Ketra.
"Like I said last time, if you lay a hand on Yu-won..."
"No plans for that. Relax, Mira."
Ketra gave Mira a slightly bitter promise, then led Ban Yu-won to a quiet spot by a stairwell and corridor wall, side by side.
Only after Ban Yu-won cast multilingual magic barriers around them did Ketra finally speak, looking relieved.
"As you probably expect... it's about Mira."
"Figured. Like I said last time, I didn't do anything special to her. Just lifted the curse, same as for you, senior."
"Right... Yeah, I believe you now. Thanks again for that—and for helping me, and her."
Ban Yu-won had braced for another dagger to the throat like last time, but Ketra wasn't that stubborn.
Reading his odd expression, Ketra gave a wry smile.
"I'm not a total idiot. Unless you're mind-controlling people, there's no way I'd misunderstand after seeing how casually Mira treats you."
Ban Yu-won finally relaxed and replied.
"So, what did you want to say? Wanna hit up Ronica and pick up some girls together?"
Not that he'd expected a remark like that.
It was just to convey: If you're cool with it, I've got no issue with you.
Meeting Ban Yu-won's frank gaze, Ketra hesitated a moment before slumping his shoulders.
"Truth is, I was curious about exactly how you two got so close."
"That's private."
(For the record, even Ban Yu-won didn't know why it had escalated this far.)
Lesson learned for future contracts: No vague wording, ever.
He didn't dislike Mira—in fact, far from it—but as someone who hadn't fully shed his Earthling sensibilities, the earlier scene of both girls piling on him had him breaking a cold sweat.
Still, knowing Mira's mind was a bit twisted and that what she wanted wasn't simple romance, he accepted her.
He'd steeled himself long ago. All the way, no less.
"...Looks like I've been more dependent on Mira than I realized."
"..."
Ugh, knew something like that was coming.
Teen drama alarms blared in Ban Yu-won's head.
Teen drama alarms went off when self-absorbed types approached with "I'm swamped with training, tower climbs, and spec-ups, but drop everything to hear my bittersweet woes!"
Most were utterly pointless, raised blood pressure just listening, and sometimes demanded burdensome teamwork.
Best policy: Run at the first alarm.
But he couldn't flee now!
"Hearing Mira say she hated me... made me reflect a lot. Especially on why she snapped like that. A few reasons came to mind, but since it already happened, dwelling on it feels pointless."
"Hmm... And?"
"I'm reflecting on the cause and trying to do better going forward. This situation's tough as is. I need her."
"Need her how?"
Ban Yu-won asked point-blank.
Not expecting that, Ketra's eyes widened slightly.
"Well... Hard to put precisely. 'Family' hits closest, but... after a few days apart, I'm thinking it might be more than that."
Realizing that early, huh? Ban Yu-won snorted inwardly.
He remembered Ketra bragging about one-night stands and hookups. What the hell is this guy on about now?
Seeing his face, Ketra looked disappointed.
"Yeah, that expression tells me I can't ask for your help."
"Help? You were gonna ask me to patch things up with Mira? Senior, your head's way too peaceful."
It wasn't dismissing Ban Yu-won—it was ignoring Mira's feelings.
Ban Yu-won genuinely wondered what went on in this senior's mind. He'd seemed friendly at first.
"Think of it as desperation. ...Anyway, that's all. Sorry for wasting your time."
Ketra turned to leave.
Ban Yu-won tossed out a quick question.
"So, what do you want to do from here?"
"Reconcile with Mira. Ideally, get back to how things were."
"And what does Mira think?"
"She might hate it now, but we've known each other deeply for two years. Ending everything like this isn't good."
"...I see. So you decide for her."
No more questions needed.
Ketra's character finally snapped into focus.
All prior impressions converged on one conclusion.
"Don't get in the way. Even if Mira's serious, I don't love how suddenly close you two got. Sudden deep bonds crash and burn."
"But one-night stands are fine?"
"That's just fun. You know this is different. Mature, deep man-woman bonds need time, knowing each other slowly."
"Sure... Like two years slow?"
"Think we're done. I'm out."
Ketra bolted like a fugitive.
Watching his back, Ban Yu-won realized he'd completely misjudged him.
Ideal powerhouse my ass. He just lives in his own world.
Truly confident people don't waste time envying or belittling the talented—they self-improve.
Ban Yu-won had rated him highly for that vibe. Wrong.
He simply never noticed others.
No jealousy if you don't see them.
Only when they block your view and annoy you do they register—as enemies.
That was Ban Yu-won's position now.
Warning signs had been there.
Being overly chummy with strangers assumes "They can't hate me."
The student council requests—for aid or the sub-channel—were all one-sided. Never asked about his side.
Assumed he'd naturally comply, help out.
Consistent from first meeting till now, Ban Yu-won finally saw.
'His stance, feelings always paramount. That's why he missed Mira's for so long—now wants her back without considering hers. Or mine, sandwiched in between.'
Doesn't care what others think of his actions.
Or twists them to suit himself.
Everyone has that trait, but Ketra's was extreme.
His conclusions become everyone's.
Mira mirrored it perfectly.
'Fairy race trait? No wonder they're rare. Species survival must've been a bitch.'
Ban Yu-won snorted and turned away.
Not a bad person.
Just exhausting if entangled wrong.
Fine if kept to mutual utility, but too late.
If it were anyone else, he'd think "Tried to kill me mentally, now wants peace first—what's the issue?" and watch.
But Mira wasn't "anyone," and Ban Yu-won's arm bent inward only.
She'd handle it, but better preempt headaches for her—and him.
Two ways to deal with self-centered annoyances:
First: Leverage state power. Unfortunately, Union was farthest from judicial norms.
So, option two.
Connect with someone who can control them.
...Namely, their superior.
Gorgeous crimson bat-like wings sprouting from her back.
Thick, coiling red horns jutting from above her temples.
Flame-flecked red hair grown long enough to brush the floor, smoldering faintly.
Black sclera like Dokgo Yeon, but snake eyes with red pupils—not crosses.
"So..."
—Heterogeneous yet strikingly beautiful, as Ketra said, the Union Academy student council president eyed Ban Yu-won and Mira.
"You two came hand-in-hand to report a nuisance stalker."
Her bright, bubbly voice clashed oddly with her appearance.
Ban Yu-won swallowed the urge to yell this wasn't the time for stalker talk and replied.
"That's right. ...You're the president, correct?"
"Yep! Surprised? Everyone is at first. 'Why's a monster-leading dimension invader at Union?'"
Yeah, that was the question.
She looked like a demon straight out of a painting!
"Not a scaleless, tailless mutant Draconian—pure Evil One. A variant among them, hated by all monsters unlike the monster lords—but hey, wanna see a demo?"
Ban Yu-won frantically stopped the president as she proudly began drawing a summon circle mid-air, boasting she couldn't control but could summon monsters.
"No need. If you were dangerous, you wouldn't be president. Academy's full of worse than monsters, and I don't care to nitpick who's what."
"Kyahahaha! True that. Thought Mira had no eye for guys, but nope!"
"Hmph. I learn from my mistakes."
The president teased Mira mischievously, but she fired back coolly with a laugh.
Shocked by the retort, she gaped.
"Mira, you've changed. Love? Or the constellation?"
"Save that for when we're alone. Focus on him now."
"Whoa..."
The president mouthed in stunned silence.
Ban Yu-won pressed on.
"Straight to it: Like I said, block Ketra before he causes trouble. How will you handle it?"
"Honestly, I don't like him much either? Props him up, gets work done. But preemptively blocking sans incident..."
"Shati."
"Eek."
Shati, apparently. Or a nickname.
At Mira's call, the president shut up.
"Don't care what happens to Ketra now, but anyone interfering with our time? Hate it. Control him."
"If you put it that way..."
Shati made a grand resolved face.
"For now, Mira—you're on external dispatch. Drop council duties, stick to your projects and your boyfriend."
"But—"
"Dumping your work on the VP. And a solid warning: Think of the council's honor."
Ban Yu-won wondered if saddling the VP was too harsh, but then—
"In return."
Shati smirked.
"One small favor. Need a pretext for dispatching you, right?"
"Not making a sub-channel."
"Never dreamed of it. Just—one student council video per week on the main channel. You and Mira."
Mira's eyes sparkled at that.
Novel, sure—but perfect for the promo chief.
"Great cover for dispatch."
"Date while working."
Bundling multiple tasks at once.
Mira's old style.
No burden there, so Ban Yu-won nodded readily.
"Deal."
"Deal! No worries about the VP—I'll blast anyone approaching Mira!"
The negotiation closed.
Handle potential annoyances early—Ban Yu-won's motto.
Thus, he successfully removed the senior who'd kindly warned him of future hassle: Ketra.