Chapter 133
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 133
Chapter Title: Lesson 27. Mock Constellation Battle - 3
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A mere mortal student, still bound by the limitations of flesh, wielding the powers of a Constellation—even if only within a confined space.
This was an absurd privilege, and it genuinely accelerated the students' growth.
The difference in future growth rates between those who attended Xenon's lectures and those who didn't was that stark.
Shati, the student council president who had held the top spot in the third-year rankings without contracting a Constellation and thus missing out on those lectures, was truly remarkable.
"But now Mira's about to surpass you—what are we gonna do? Save me, underclassman!"
Lately, Mira—who had contracted a Constellation and shared the solo exploration role—had been hot on Shati's heels. And now that she was attending Xenon's lectures too, the odds of her overtaking Shati had skyrocketed.
So on Wednesday afternoon, when Ban Yu-won visited the student council president with Mira, carrying documents on their club's two-week performance, it was only natural to hear her lamenting complaints.
Mira herself, however, seemed more pleased about sharing even one more class with Ban Yu-won than about attending Xenon's lectures.
"Actually, it's a lecture that's hugely beneficial even without a contracted Constellation. Some of our members are attending without one. It's a bit odd that Shati-senior, the top third-year, can't."
"It's weird that Rebellion members get to take it! The lecture was already limited to once a week because of Professor Xenon's burden, and then they shoehorned in you four—people were shocked, you know?"
When he first started Xenon's lectures, Ban Yu-won had wondered how much they were exaggerating since everyone at the Academy wanted in.
Now, having experienced the Orb's space, it all made sense.
The once-a-week schedule was surely due to the strain of activating that Orb.
"Ugh, while I'm stuck in place, you guys keep shooting up..."
Shati spread out the documents, skimmed them, and started groaning again.
Ban Yu-won joked lightly.
"Why don't you join our club?"
"You serious? Should I?"
"Don't joke around."
"Heh, I'm not joking!"
Shati kept flipping through the pages, clicking her tongue in amazement.
The documents briefly described changes in the special admission seniors and their tower exploration progress over two weeks—but that alone was impressive.
"Wow, I mean... wow..."
After reading to the end and looking up, Shati's vertical pupils were wide with shock.
Her flaming red hair flared out dramatically, like spreading wildfire.
"How do you transform these grubs so much in just two weeks? What are you, a pro trainer? A Monster Master that Evil Ones who raise monsters can only dream of?"
"Can we start by not treating people like monsters?"
Monster Master—what was that? Like a Pokémon Master?
Ban Yu-won might have misunderstood the Evil One race just from the name.
As he imagined a frail Evil One trainer taming weak monsters, evolving them, and conquering the demon world's gyms, Mira cleared her throat.
"Shati, you've confirmed the results, right? The reactions to the videos on the channel are fantastic. Sure, the three witch teaching assistants are popular... but there's plenty of support mixed in for the special admission students growing steadily through hard effort."
"I know, I've seen them. With results like this already, I can't wait to see what happens in half a year."
The theme of hard workers succeeding transcends eras and draws massive interest.
Most beings want to witness with their own eyes that effort brings rewards.
Reality isn't so kind—stubborn effort doesn't always pay off, and natural talents can effortlessly surpass the diligent...
Which made it all the more vital.
For the majority who saw effort as their greatest asset, they needed vicarious satisfaction.
Ban Yu-won knew this well, and the videos were edited with that in mind.
The demon before him, Shati, seemed properly stimulated.
"So let me join too? What if you unlock my potential in one shot? Hehehe."
"Shati, you're already doing great on your own. Don't bully Yu-won."
"Ugh, but at this rate... Should I have contracted a Constellation after all?"
Shati slumped back in her chair, defeated.
Even she, who seemed so carefree, harbored competitive fire toward Mira.
But she soon shot up from her seat, hardening her expression again.
"No, I'll make it on my own. I'm an Evil One, after all—I can't make a losing deal."
"Ah, so you're the type obsessed with contracts."
"Heh, of course! I never lose on a contract. The one with you was a clear win for me."
Evil One—more straightforwardly, demon.
Ban Yu-won had suspected it since first seeing her, and sure enough, the race matched the classic demons from Earth's media.
Inherently wicked, commanding monsters, contracting with humans, skilled in magic, and looking the part.
Shati, a rare variant born among them, living at Union Academy was exceptionally uncommon.
"I got plenty out of it too, so it's fine."
"Exactly! I'm not your typical wicked Evil One—I'm a variant. I always aim for win-win!"
She wasn't just talking about imposing 'restraints' on Kettra.
The recent main channel video had solidified the alliance between the student council and Rebellion.
Whether due to the council's influence or not, over half the week had passed without hassle.
Best of all for Ban Yu-won: completing Ryu Cheolmyeong's lecture early as a pass.
It likely involved his aura awakening, the ensuing attention revealing forced enrollment issues, Dokgo Yeon's abilities, protests from the council and Yumina—various factors converging.
The result was unprecedented at the Academy, boosting Rebellion's prestige.
Rebellion members now had Wednesday second period free all semester, and next semester they'd take practical combat from another close-combat professor instead of Ryu.
"Oh, by the way—that was pretty sudden."
Shati closed the report with a satisfied look, then grew serious.
"This rule change came from us and like-minded professors protesting to prevent full professors from arbitrarily altering schedules or enrollees ever again... But we had no right to halt ongoing lectures?"
"Makes sense."
"Yet Ryu Cheolmyeong backed off like a different person. A full professor who prized face so much, risking humiliation academy-wide over 'nothing left to teach' for a pass... Isn't that weird?"
It was weird.
Easy to see as a surrender declaration.
"On that, I think this: the Academy's given up messing with us."
No one there missed the weight in Ban Yu-won's words.
"You don't mean..."
"They got burned in the Tower too. We hit them hard this time, so exploration should be smooth for a while. Leaves just one option..."
Ban Yu-won didn't expect Kantone or Ryu to accept defeat quietly.
High-achievers with strong pride, scorning his group's origins—they wouldn't forget the humiliation.
Next time, they'd act 'directly' without Tower or Academy cover, evading the Chancellor's eyes—targeting special activities.
"Too clean a retreat is suspicious. Like kneeling to leap."
"Possibly exaggerating to seem uninvolved with Yu-won... Yeah, likely."
"So that's it—"
Shati chewed her pinky, groaning.
Demonic as ever—nails stained pitch-black.
"Yumina-professor's with special activities this break, so safe there. Vacation's riskiest?"
"But we'll both be on special activities then."
"Ugh, Mira—let's form a temp team. At least we do them together."
"Good idea. Finish fast as possible."
"Week 9 now, summer break activities week 17... Eight weeks left. Plenty time to prep."
A quick exchange, and plans advanced swiftly.
He got teaming up for activities, but crashing his team's early?
"These aren't ready yet? Improved a lot, but."
"Yeah. Can't fully trust 'em. Just us."
Mira nodded as Shati tapped the club docs.
Shati sighed deeply.
"Just us... Fine. If we do it, end it clean. So... underclassman?"
Shati batted her lashes coquettishly.
"How about officially joining the student council now? Basics are like before—filming with Mira occasionally, managing special admits. Just a fancy hat. Whaddya say?"
"Student council, huh."
"Yup. Announce formally next semester, report just to Chancellor for now..."
Not out of nowhere.
Graham had approached him for recruitment from the start. Given their joint projects, he was half in already.
Ban Yu-won hadn't agreed easily to keep leverage for Rebellion but planned long-term entry.
No reason to snub Special Class perks.
But Shati pitching now? Another motive—like vacation activities.
"As an officer, we're tighter linked. Private channels, council spaceship even? Chancellor watches council closely, knows students like fleas."
"No announcement yet."
"After solidifying position more. Folks half-think you're one already."
Ban Yu-won chuckled at her teasing, glanced at Mira.
Her firm nod sealed it.
"—Screw it, let's do it. Looking forward to working with you, President."
"Hehehe! Same here, Planning Director!"
Shati grabbed his offered hand, shaking vigorously, beaming.
Title assigned instantly.
He'd thought Mira's mention a joke, but pre-decided.
"Oh, privately, still Shati-senior. Or Shati-noona's fine."
"Shati—?"
"Kidding, demon joke! Heh!"
Shati laughed frantically at Mira's dropping tone.
Ban Yu-won figured she teased him to provoke Mira's reactions.
Academy idol popularity, indeed.
"Alright, council officer done—now train me officially!"
"That wasn't a joke?!"
"Not joking? Mira's growth exploded after linking with you. You've got the secret sauce...!"
"Mira, handle her."
"On it."
"Sudden grapples, Mira?!"
Mira nodded without hesitation at his request.
Beauties entwining—even in cobra twist—was heartwarming.
"Right, speaking of—let's do that."
"That?"
Shati, enduring the twist painfully, turned with a straight face.
She clearly adored Mira fiercely.
True idol.
"The monster summon I asked before. Do it."
"Oh, right right. You're quirky, underclassman."
"You're really doing it..."
Special monsters only Evil Ones could summon, yielding rare concepts.
Shati's flawed ability to call monsters even she couldn't control.
To Ban Yu-won, a treasure trove.