Chapter 236
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 236
Chapter Title: Lesson 46. Union Founding Festival - 3
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The Masquerade Ball was originally more famous for its special matches than the tournament itself.
The stakes in those special matches were never light, and the competitors entered with desperate resolve.
They were on a whole different level from those who joined the tournament just to snag some simple prizes from the academy.
"So, senior, what's the runner-up prize?"
"A mid-grade artifact and VIP membership to a top Ronica hotel."
Rica, the head of external affairs who had just finished the award ceremony, replied indifferently to Ban Yu-won's question.
That very afternoon, Rica and Beegan's pair had taken second place in the tournament final.
The winners were a fourth-year couple from the Special Class, but even they weren't the strongest in the Special Class.
The student council had known Rica and Beegan were entering, so the club Noblesse—made up of Special Class students—had sent out a pair matched to their level.
"If Graham and the president had teamed up, they could've beaten them."
"I have a wife waiting for me back home. I can't partner with another woman while leaving her behind."
"Can you believe this stiff? Beegan and I went in as a couple? No way—we were the only ones willing to go, so we had no choice! We gritted our teeth through the frustration and did it!"
"Hm. A performance befitting the head of external affairs."
"But it's only runner-up...!"
If there hadn't been the restriction of mixed-gender couples, Mira and Shati would've teamed up. But they couldn't break the core rules of the event.
The Masquerade Ball tournament was just a fun event for students anyway—no need to get so competitive. The student council and Noblesse had started a pointless pride contest.
Ban Yu-won watched Rica stomp her feet in frustration at losing to Noblesse, a wry smile on his face. He stepped back from her and quietly asked Beegan, who stood beside him.
"So, you gonna use it?"
"Use what?"
"The hotel membership."
"Pretend you didn't say that."
Beegan shook his head in mock horror, but their bond had deepened enough for Ban Yu-won to read between the lines.
"Still, you two earned it together. It'd be a waste to let it go. The membership comes with buffet access, bar privileges, and all sorts of perks. Why not go have some fun?"
"...Just go to a hotel for fun? The two of us? Doesn't that feel a bit couple-y?"
Beegan had danced up a storm with Rica at the Masquerade Ball, yet now he denied the couple rumors. Ban Yu-won had plenty to say, but now was the time to play nice.
"Don't overthink it. Go celebrate your runner-up win. No tower explorations this week anyway—you've got time."
"Mm, but next week is midterms prep."
"Exactly why you should go this week."
"True... Alright, deal."
Beegan nodded, convinced, and approached Rica, who was still grumbling to Graham. She startled at his words, but nodded with a faintly flushed expression—she'd been hoping for it deep down.
Graham, sharp as ever in these matters, subtly stepped away to give them space. He caught Ban Yu-won's eye and winked.
"Heh, easy."
"Ah, I was already tired from you and Mira, and now you've added another couple to the student council."
Ban Yu-won snorted back at Shati, who whispered from behind Graham.
"They were bound to get together soon anyway. I just gave them a little nudge."
"Isn't the hesitation, the misunderstandings, the tears all part of the fun?"
"Sounds like something the president would say."
She really lived up to her demon reputation with lines like that sometimes.
Ban Yu-won chuckled and glanced behind her, feeling a pang of emptiness.
"Where's Mira?"
"She said she doesn't wanna see you getting chummy with other girls."
"Jealousy Queen."
The tournament awards had ended, and the venue was being cleared. From start to finish, it had all been a prelude to the special matches about to begin.
"So, where's that girl who's been hogging Mira's jealousy lately?"
"She's holed up in the training room to focus. She'll come before her match."
"And your second partner?"
"Second? Oh."
Almost everyone from the student council had gathered to cheer on Rica and Beegan. Only one was absent.
Aire, who would partner with Ban Yu-won in his second special match today.
"The tower."
"...The tower?"
"To show off her power just enough without revealing her identity, she needs a big adjustment. The tower's best for going wild without hurting anyone outside."
"Does anyone still not know who she is?"
"It's like a magical girl thing. Everyone knows but pretends not to."
Soon, the arena was cleared. Somehow, even more spectators packed the stands than for the tournament final.
Not just academy students—visitors to Union Academy crowded in like they'd all been waiting for this.
Without spatial expansion magic, they never would've fit.
"We now commence the Masquerade Ball special matches, where students stake their honor. First match: Ban Yu-won & Dokgo Yeon pair versus Lucain Lounfalmer Equinas Ortima & Ulrike Prominence pair."
"What a filthy long name."
Ban Yu-won messaged Dokgo Yeon and stood.
Next moment, Dokgo Yeon appeared beside him, her pure white mask covering from above her nose to her forehead.
"What, you learned spatial teleport via student ID too?"
"I just walked fast."
"My bad."
He couldn't ignore her urging gaze any longer. He hurriedly donned his own mask—same style as hers, but pitch black.
"Couple look. Opposite colors, though."
"That's what makes it cool."
"Yeah, Mira was right to skip this."
"Hmph."
Dokgo Yeon ignored Shati's loaded remark with a snort and leaped into the arena.
"I know your abilities, but be careful, Yu-won junior. The Ten Great Families aren't great for nothing."
"Got it. Thanks for the concern."
I'll crush 'em and be back.
Ban Yu-won followed Dokgo Yeon into the arena with a short declaration.
The crowd heated up at their provocative entrance. As expected, the higher-dimensional VIPs fumed.
Ban Yu-won debated drawing his sword for a pose, but flinched at Dokgo Yeon's piercing glare that read his mind. He stood straight.
A bit later, Lucain Ortima and Ulrike Prominence rose from the waiting area and strode in.
Unlike the matching masks of Ban Yu-won's pair, they wore ornate masks emblazoned with their family crests—utterly ignoring the point of masks. So very Ten Great Families.
"Ooooh... Who'd have thought we'd see heirs of two Ten Great Families team up."
"Both families got properly humbled by some lower-dimensional brat. No need to keep up pretenses now. Good thing the heirs swallowed a bit of pride."
"Losing this would be hilarious."
"Their family standings might even flip... Fun, this is so fun."
The arena buzzed instantly at the heirs of Ortima and Prominence.
After the first semester and break incidents involving Ban Yu-won and Rebellion spread across dimensions, views of them weren't positive.
Sure, each had their goals in this match, but beyond that—for family image and their positions as heirs—this was a fight they couldn't back down from.
"Ha..."
Lucain Ortima, in an ornate mask unfit for intense movement and a flashy robe, glared at Ban Yu-won and clicked his tongue.
"You ignorant fool actually made it this far."
"Anyone'd think we fought off fierce rivals, punk."
"Rivals? Who could rival me? I only came to punish a fool forgetting his place and to open her eyes."
Ban Yu-won still hadn't figured why tournaments and special matches were separate, but Ortima was proving it now.
Nobles of the Ten Great Families found competing to prove superiority distasteful!
The Noblesse pair in the tournament wouldn't have entered without the goal of beating the student council.
For them, entering the tournament was like a punishment game.
"I'll handle you."
"Yeah, yeah."
Ban Yu-won, fed up with Ortima's arrogance, gave up replying and gripped his sword. Ortima turned to Ulrike with what he surely thought was his coolest pose and vowed.
"Prominence senior, as I said—hold her off briefly."
"Hehe, no issue... But it won't matter if I take down that wench, right?"
"...Of course."
Ban Yu-won smirked at Ulrike's confident declaration and whispered to Dokgo Yeon.
"Yeon, we already won!"
"Focus now—no celebrating early."
"Disgusting mutt. Step away from her."
The Ortima pair stacked flags so perfectly no one could've scripted it better.
Dokgo Yeon clenched her fists at Ortima's sticky gaze. She glanced at Ban Yu-won, signaling she'd handle him, but surprisingly, he shook his head.
"Gotta show I'm a fitting partner for you."
"Really? ...Heh, fine—I'll let you this once."
No mask could hide the pleased smile on her lips.
Witnessing their flirting up close, Ortima and Ulrike—each harboring feelings for one—went berserk, eyes bloodshot.
"Fine provocation."
"Ha... So annoying—lowly bitches keep multiplying..."
"That's enough pre-match banter. Both pairs, retreat to your lines."
A associate professor oversaw the tournament, but surprisingly, the vice-chancellor Xenon was refereeing this special match.
Probably because special match competitors were generally stronger... Wait, then why have the tournament at all?
The fired-up fighters snapped to attention at Xenon's cold, heavy voice and took positions. He spoke again.
"Special match begins on signal."
A 3 floated in the air.
It became 2.
Then 1.
0—and vanished like a ghost.
The next instant—
"Burn to ash without a trace!"
Ulrike Prominence, thoroughly riled, fired first.
Ban Yu-won moved to block with his Authority, but dozens of iron orbs burst through the flames. He clicked his tongue and retreated.
He had to trust Dokgo Yeon against Ulrike!
Now, to face Ortima—the heir channeling all his magic into a rampaging Authority.
"Kneel!"
The orbs sealed every direction.
Dokgo Yeon had brought one earlier, so he knew the mechanism, but the terrifying magic in each was daunting.
Parrying each was foolish, so...
"Severance!"
He swung the Executioner's Longsword, slicing the Authority threads linking Ortima to the orbs.
Amazingly, the orbs assaulting from all sides veered off-course and clattered to the ground.
"New trick."
"Special service. Grateful?"
"But... if that's all, you can't beat me!"
—Woooong.
Lucain Ortima's Authority wouldn't be stopped so easily.
As the orbs regained power and surged again, Ban Yu-won prepared his trump card...
—Thud.
"...Ka... hak."
The boiling crimson flames filling the arena vanished in an instant.
Ban Yu-won and Ortima, gauging each other, whipped around wide-eyed to Ulrike.
There lay Ulrike unconscious, with Dokgo Yeon standing on her head.
"Yeon..."
"Ah. Take your time, dear."
Dokgo Yeon hadn't even drawn her dagger. She peeled off Ulrike's mask, crumpled it, and smiled.
"I'll watch your show from here."
"..."
"..."
Maybe Dokgo Yeon could've taken both alone.
The thought flashed through Ban Yu-won's mind, but seeing her expectant gaze, he clamped his mouth shut and turned to Ortima.