Chapter 214
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 214
Chapter Title: Lesson 42. Image Change - 4
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“Yu-won!”
“Mira!”
The next morning, their reunion with Mira in the flower garden outside the student cafeteria felt just like a scene from a movie.
The moment she spotted him, Mira leaned forward and came rushing over unsteadily, as if she might topple over at any second.
Ban Yu-won dashed toward her in a panic, catching her in his arms and spinning her around right there on the spot.
With the Union Academy's flower garden—said to house blooms from every dimension in jest—as the backdrop, the cinematic vibe was even stronger.
Ban Yu-won shared a brief kiss with Mira before setting her down and asking,
“Satisfied?”
“Yeah, but one more spin wouldn't have hurt. Tike, did you get the shot?”
―Whirrr
“Our princess is getting into some weird showmanship...”
“Lucelle's already being treated like your main wife on the channel. You've got to make a statement, even on the little things.”
Ban Yu-won could only shake his head at Mira's firm declaration.
Although formal classes didn't start until tomorrow, all the students had already returned to the academy.
The cafeteria was naturally packed for breakfast, but Mira didn't care about the stares—she'd deliberately staged this scene to highlight her connection with Ban Yu-won.
To be blunt, they'd already reunited the night before.
This was purely the princess's whim to direct the moment, roping Ban Yu-won into the act as well.
“There's a student council meeting today, so make sure you attend.”
As if returning the kiss from moments ago, Mira pecked Ban Yu-won's cheek, stepped back half a pace, and spoke. Her eyes sparkled mysteriously purple.
Those captivating pupils seemed like they could draw you in forever if you let your guard down even slightly, carrying an ominous allure.
Ban Yu-won forced his gaze away from them and replied,
“Oh, right—didn't they say my official appointment as planning director starts next semester?”
“That's one thing. Today, the department representatives are joining us too.”
“Department representatives...?”
Ban Yu-won tilted his head at the unfamiliar term, more suited to a university, before suddenly recalling that Union Academy even had majors.
“They call them departments, huh.”
“Yeah. You know how you pick your supervising professor when you advance to second year? You become a student in that professor's department. It's called a department, but it's basically a mentoring system. Still, the student reps for each department are treated like the professor's proxies, so they have a strong voice. That's why they join student council meetings. ...Don't you remember how you got that brooch on your chest?”
“Aha.”
Ban Yu-won examined the flower-shaped gem brooch Yumina had pinned on him herself and let out an admiring sigh.
He recalled hearing that Yumina's Magic Combat Studies was popular among all magic users at the academy.
Back when he'd first enrolled, there'd been plenty of talk about how Yumina had chosen him as her proxy...
Realizing the brooch's true meaning, Ban Yu-won's face paled.
“...Hold on. Does that mean I'm the rep for the Magic Combat department?”
“You're still a first-year. Of course not. Not everyone who gets a brooch becomes a department rep to begin with.”
Mira's own chest bore a brooch from Professor Campanella, gleaming brightly.
“But everyone who's received one has been a department rep without exception. Except you.”
“So the Magic department rep will be at today's meeting too...”
Just imagining that person's reaction upon seeing him made his stomach ache.
But Mira scoffed, dismissing his worry.
“They just weren't skilled enough to be chosen by Professor Yumina—that's got nothing to do with you. Worry about someone else.”
“Someone else?”
“Prominence.”
The hatred blooming deep in Mira's eyes as she uttered the name was vivid even to Ban Yu-won.
“Ulrike Prominence is the rep for the Mysticism department.”
The moment he opened the door to the student council room, someone stood there arms crossed, greeting them head-on.
Red leathery wings and horns, vertical slit pupils like a snake's—hallmarks of her race.
Her hair, now cut a bit shorter during break, burned red down to her waist.
Student Council President Shati was as beautiful as ever, her presence even more commanding.
“Hope you've been well, President.”
“Aaaah, if it isn't our planning director!”
“As if.”
Shati spread her arms wide like an over-the-top American the instant she saw Ban Yu-won, lunging for a hug—only for Mira to block her.
“Kyahahaha! Fine, hug our Mira instead!”
“Back off! Your hair's too hot!”
As he turned his head, thinking their bond had grown even tighter over break, he saw the familiar council members assembled.
The secretary, Graham, a third-year like Mira and Shati, but needlessly solemn and giving off eldest vibes.
The accounting director, Vegan Delawalker, another third-year handsome guy with a smart vibe, but his presence faded next to the others' strong personalities.
And Rika, the external affairs director—a fourth-year, the actual eldest, but her small frame made her look the youngest.
“Everyone doing okay?”
“We should be asking you that. You made it back safe after all that mess. Such a relief.”
“We've owed you since before... Sorry we couldn't help more. It's one thing inside the academy, but taking on a top ten house outside? Tough stuff.”
Ban Yu-won shrugged at Rika and Vegan's sincere words.
“We got through it unscathed, so it's fine. Plus, you're saying the academy will back us against Prominence, right?”
“Of course! Anyone trying to throw their weight around is our student council's public enemy number one!”
Prominence's scheme over break—unleashing an orc wave to literally crush a dimension—was a massive scandal. Even without Ban Yu-won's live stream, word had spread far.
Officially spun as a constellation rampage, no one bought it.
“Really sorry, underclassman. I hate that I couldn't rush over and help while you were suffering...”
Graham, the first council member Ban Yu-won had met, apologized with genuine dejection.
“My wife's delivery was imminent... I couldn't leave her side. Forgive me.”
“No, you'd have to be there for her. So, how'd the birth go?”
“Healthy baby boy. Thanks for asking.”
Chatting with Graham always reminded Ban Yu-won of Robert Frost's The Road Not Taken, stirring odd feelings.
But he couldn't voice that.
Not with two women around him who might just act on such thoughts...
“Alright, planning director. Take a seat here. Meeting's about to start.”
A large round table had appeared in the center of the room before he knew it.
Ban Yu-won's spot was between Mira and Shati—deliberately so.
To provoke Ulrike Prominence, they'd sandwiched him between the women.
Shati suggested skinship for maximum effect, but Mira shut it down.
She pulled Ban Yu-won toward her, wrapping him protectively in both arms while glaring at Shati.
“Can't chase off the wolf just to let in the tiger.”
“Our Mira's so cute when she's jealous.”
“President, PR director. The department reps are due—cut it out.”
As the executives settled, the door opened.
Eight professors handled departments, excluding Vice-Chancellor Xenon among the full professors—so eight reps.
But with Mira (Artifact Creation) and Shati (Monster Ecology) already there, only six entered.
“Mira, is it okay for department reps to double as council members?”
He whispered as students filed in. She replied with a faint smile.
“No issue. Reps just represent their departments—they're not opposed to the council. Better if council execs fill rep spots, since Special Class hogs them otherwise. Problem is, it's not easy.”
Her explanation made perfect sense.
Come to think of it, Graham inviting him initially might've had that angle.
He wasn't eligible as a first-year yet, but next year—with Yumina's brooch—he'd likely oust the current rep for Magic Combat.
In the end, I have no say in choosing a department. This sly big sis tricked me good.
He could return the brooch and pick another if he wanted, but who would?
Imagining Mina—no, Yumina's reaction in that case, Ban Yu-won shuddered. Then his eyes met one student's as he looked up.
“Ah...”
“...”
Vivid crimson hair evoking his sister.
Ruby-carved eyes gleaming brilliantly red.
Exquisite features, as if a master artisan had poured their soul into them—elegant yet resolute.
Yes, like humanizing a devouring inferno.
Anyone could tell she was Prominence's heir, master of eternal flames, without being told.
Yet amid it all, Ban Yu-won felt intense dissonance.
She didn't feel like a stranger.
Could pass for sisters?
Even her upturned eyes upon seeing him with Mira... everything mirrored his sister.
His sister after awakening and transforming into the eternal flame.
Amazed at bloodline power's terror, he tore his gaze away.
Even on Earth, three seconds of eye contact with sis was the unspoken rule.
Siblings don't stare like that.
“...!”
“It's working, planning director! Nice one!”
“?!”
Shati's sudden whisper in his ear made him jolt.
He'd sensed her approach via Origin Sword, but a woman's sudden closeness triggered reflexes.
“I didn't do anything?”
“Huh? That bug-eyed look wasn't acting?”
It was just his Earth-honed sis-aversion kicking in automatically...
Before he could explain, a hand shot from the other side, shoving Shati away.
Mira, naturally.
“Shati, you really wanna go?”
“Can't even whisper? Jealous much!”
Just as he'd feared, council infighting was underway smoothly.
Blaming himself for letting Shati arrange the seats, he looked up—and caught Ulrike Prominence glaring murderously at him, or rather his female bookends.
Much as he hated to admit it, Shati's plan was hitting perfectly!
“All execs and reps are seated, so let's begin, President.”
Vegan adjusted his monocle, calling Shati calmly.
Mira and Shati, growling moments ago, instantly composed themselves and sat properly.
“Ahem. We now commence the first student council meeting of the semester. Main agenda: the Union Founding Festival in six weeks...”
“I have a proposal.”
The instant Shati called the meeting to order, a hand shot up—Ulrike Prominence, quick as lightning.
Everyone who knew of her house's—her—break antics wondered what gall she had to interrupt right away.
“Sorry to interrupt. But shouldn't that be the first order of business?”
Ulrike's refined, smooth tone had a disarming magic that eased even those who knew her true nature.
As Ban Yu-won wryly thought top ten houses were indeed different, her eyes met his. She smiled sweetly, as if this were their first eye contact, and continued.
“Second semester's here, and council's about to get busy—but we're missing a vice president. Shouldn't we fill that first?”
“Who's fault is it we don't have a VP...!”
The former VP, Ketra, belonged to the dimension pirate group Crimson Spear.
And the force puppeteering Crimson Spear? Prominence house, Ulrike's family.
She wasn't directly tied to his death, and his pirate ties were a council secret... but Shati couldn't forgive her casually bringing up his absence.
Yet.
“So, before diving into festival prep, I propose we officially elect a new vice president.”
With a snick, Ulrike unfolded her fan, covering her mouth.
Ban Yu-won wondered if this world mandated fans for lady characters—silly thought.
Which led to his dumbfounded reaction to her next words.
“And for that position, I'd like to nominate student Ban Yu-won, who's right here with us.”
“...Huh?”