Chapter 135
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 135
Chapter Title: Lesson 28. Flower Viewing of Ruin - 2
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Come to think of it, he realized he hadn't heard about Lucelle's home dimension yet, so he asked. Without much hesitation, she told him its dimension grade.
"It's E-1. In our dimension, ours is probably the only planet that has developed a mana civilization."
"1st dimension?! For real?"
"Yes."
Lucelle spoke calmly, but Light reacted with unexpected excitement.
Why? Even if it was ranked first among E-grades, wasn't it still far below D-grade?
As Ban Yu-won tilted his head, Light explained enthusiastically.
"No, Ban. The 1st dimension is special. It's the benchmark dimension for that grade. Even with the same mana density, the level of development differs, and it gets recognized as the representative due to unique aspects of its civilization. Something like E-1 tends to produce talents superior to those from most D-grade dimensions."
"That makes sense, seeing as Lucelle from that dimension is here."
At Ban Yu-won's words, Yumina chimed in with additional explanation.
"There aren't strict criteria for special admissions, but what's certain is that you're the first from 'off-grade,' Ban Yu-won."
"That just shows how amazing Yu-won is. Union Academy's special track must have been made for him."
Lucelle nodded firmly.
He appreciated the praise, but hearing "off-grade" repeatedly didn't sit well with Ban Yu-won. Empathizing with Dokgo Yeon's feelings, he changed the subject.
"What grade was Gellas, the one we went to before?"
"D-39. It was the only planet with a mana civilization in that dimension, so it came to be called Dimension Gellas. For the same reason, F-138 dimension is called Urha."
"Huh, so cases like Light's dimension, where multiple planets have mana civilizations, are rare?"
"Very rare. Planets developing civilizations at all, let alone mana ones, are scarce."
That was true.
Back when Ban Yu-won lived on Earth, it was certain no civilizations existed in the solar system besides Earth, and even expanding to the galaxy, it was just presumed they 'probably exist' without concrete evidence.
He'd once thought it was due to lacking observation tech, but after Yumina's explanation, he wondered if dimensional walls were the barrier.
"Wait, then isn't Light's dimension special too...? Multiple mana civilizations, not just one or two."
"Even so, it's a lower dimension. A pathetically weak one constantly invaded by aliens until you're sick of it. ...And yet it can't even get along with other planets. If that's special, I don't want it."
Light sneered.
It was an expression Ban Yu-won hadn't seen much since they became friends.
Irritated for no reason, Ban Yu-won pinched Light's nose.
"What're you doin(What're you doing)!"
"Just cheering you up."
"Then why pinch my nose!"
Light swatted Ban Yu-won's hand away and clutched his reddened nose in protest.
Feeling much better, Ban Yu-won gave a thumbs-up.
"Seemed like the quickest mood-lifter."
"Worst!"
"I think skinship with warmth works best to soothe someone."
"So why this kind of skinship...!"
But despite his nagging tone, Light did seem a bit cheered up.
Good thing he's easy to handle, Ban Yu-won thought with relief, deciding to deploy his ultimate weapon.
A thermos packed full of hot chocolate.
"Here, drink this and cool off."
"...Hmph."
As expected, Light silently extended his hand for a cup poured from it.
"This 50-room one has the concept of [Blood Bead] flowing in Eden, so the taste is upgraded."
Seeing him pour for Light, the two women quickly intervened.
"Don't just explain—hand it over."
"Blood Bead? Is that alcohol?"
"No rush, I'll give it to you. Talk's about done, so let's sip and relax."
Ban Yu-won chuckled and poured hot chocolate for them in turn.
At times like this, patiently waiting her turn without urging felt especially endearing about Lucelle.
Of course, saying it would ruffle the other three's feathers, so he never would.
On Friday morning, special activities day, the academy buzzed with activity.
Dozens of small spaceships waited at the academy's docks, some already departing.
"After yesterday's lesson on space and dimensions, I have more questions. What's the difference between spaceships and dimension ships?"
"Confused by the names? Both navigate by breaching dimensional walls. The difference is spaceships look like ordinary airships externally, while dimension ships hide in dimensional rifts, invisible."
Indeed.
Spaceships mount dimensional travel tech—'dimensional jump'—onto normal craft.
Dimension ships are designed from the start with it, enabling seamless boarding to flight.
Ban Yu-won, who'd pictured Neil Armstrong on the moon at 'spaceship,' quietly shelved the image.
"Aren't we eating first?"
"Dimensional jumps via spaceship take time. We'll eat aboard."
"Then, Ban Yu-won, make the spirit medicine jam into candies."
"Already did yesterday."
From the most recent and potent 50-room fruit: candies of life.
Just scooping jam, shaping into rounds, and hardening with syrup—but Ban Yu-won knew Dokgo Yeon preferred biting candies over straight jam.
"Here."
As he distributed prettily wrapped candies, Yumina clapped.
"Our turn. Shall we?"
Gazes flew from all directions toward the Rebelion members following Yumina.
Same stares felt entering the tower weekly Fridays—but they knew the stares grew hotter daily.
"Rebelion."
"Hey, Rebelion over there. Yumina Professor attached solo again."
"Dokgo Yeon..."
"Ban Yu-won and pink-hair stuck together again."
"Tch."
Now, Rebelion truly represented Union Academy freshmen, surpassing Special Class.
No longer called 'special track' or 'lower dimension'—just 'Rebelion,' showing their recognition.
Skill and attention aside, their tower ranking lagged but surged top-tier this week, clearing 20 rooms fast.
Still behind Ortima's team or solo Ire, but fast compared to others; weekly chain room videos stunned even peers, not just UnTube subs.
"Where they headed?"
"Idiot, first special activity's all F-grade."
"Going home. Never come back."
"If they can't return, we'll scatter to dust."
"Guys we couldn't squeak against head-on."
"Weirdly, that Light guy's looking cute lately..."
"...You too?"
Essentially, Rebelion had escaped freshman competition.
Even lowest-ranked Ban Yu-won at 8th overall—due to bad matchups, and still growing fast.
Plus, managing special track seniors via sub-channel added 'group leader' image.
"Ban Yu-won joined student council, right?"
"Not official yet."
"I'd recruit him. Grows fast, versatile skills."
"Totally owns special track. Saw seniors saluting him."
No major results yet, but professors valued performance, students appearances differently.
Despised special track or not, they were seniors to freshmen.
Controlling them made Ban Yu-won stand out.
"Why they on spaceship but whispering back there."
"Top-rank hopeless students sometimes curry favor with peers for future teammates or aid."
"On purpose...?!"
Never imagined such depth.
As shocked Ban Yu-won, Lucelle sidled up.
"Intranet girls talking about Yu-won spiked. ...That's why I'm arm-in-arm now—to ward off weird bugs."
"Thanks, Lucelle."
Her blatant self-serving excuse obvious, Ban Yu-won just smiled back warmly.
Recently, Mira whined not to push her away.
But Ban Yu-won tried maintaining proper distance with Mira and Lucelle.
Not total rejection—accepting to a controlled degree.
Since I hold relationship reins... must self-regulate excess.
Ban Yu-won liked Lucelle and Mira plenty.
Why Mira leaned on him? Believing he fully affirmed her.
Same for him.
Someone affirming without change demands—especially pretty—hard to dislike.
But lingering modern Korean sensibilities and avoiding one-sided hurt made him cautious.
Did they know his efforts?
Minor issue: as a guy, frequent touches lately tested self-control.
Now too.
No, dwelling makes it worse. Ponder alone later.
Turning to Lucelle post-thought, she stared right back.
How to voice this? Ban Yu-won awkward-smiled; she softly smiled too.
"I'm fine anytime, so don't make me wait too long...?"
"?!"
Did she read his mind?
Flustered, he wanted to ask her meaning—but boarding time hit, passing without question.
Inside the spaceship, first sight: gravity control concepts filling space.
Not seen in dimension ships, so Ban Yu-won observed fascinated.
One day, he'd leap dimensions solo—who knew.
For that, diligently recognize and collect needed concepts.
"Ban Yu-won, this way."
Yumina led him to the cockpit.
"Soon, mostly four of you on special missions. Unless issues, this ship's ours—note registry now. Issuing temp captain auth, student ID here."
Ban Yu-won trailed, registering team, learning ops, emergency protocols.
Obviously automated; their tasks minimal.
Input destination, takeoff/land, deploy shields at most.
"Careful—one wrong letter, wrong place."
"Memory for letters solid, no worries."
But post-reply, slight unease hit.
Why this ominous chat?
"Ah, doubted me? But I'm solid here. Moreover."
Yumina slyly smiled, inputting coordinates.
Ship computed, deriving F-138—Urha.
"Even wrong coords, result shows instantly—always check destination on takeoff. Got it?"
"Yes, Captain."
His playful title made Yumina giggle delightedly.
Then boldly hit takeoff.
Instantly, they were in space.
"...Yumina Professor, you said excluding dimensional breach, same as normal airship?"
Black cosmos outside vast window.
Union planet below, mana-filled, star-like glow—Ban Yu-won gaped.
Other members calmly composed irked him slightly.
Yumina too.
"Yes. Same, right?"
"Aha, totally same."
Union indeed.
Blasting through unknown atmosphere to space at airship average speeds.
Gauged Union level from hover bike 'latest models'—foolish delusion. That's outside; inside's different.
Ban Yu-won thought of kin Lilith, still ground/air-bound—long road ahead.
Of course, memorized all fixed and real-time fluid concepts aboard.
"Now entering dimensional wall soon. 'Breaching' means riding it to F-138."
"Wall that's also a passage."
"Dimension ships skip that."
He knew.
Adapting to Union's casual prowess, Ban Yu-won tongue-clicked, watching Union planet recede.
Maybe 'cause Earth always photos.
Felt oddly Earth-like.