Chapter 248
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 248
Chapter Title: Lesson 48. Teacher Ban Yu-won - 3
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The live broadcast of the inter-club special tournament caused a massive stir in multiple ways.
Even with editing that maximized Tike's abilities to focus solely on Woo Hye-rin, it couldn't overshadow the shock of the Exodus emergence.
The revelation that dimensional pirates had infiltrated Union Academy—and as students, no less—left many in horror, reigniting calls to abolish the special admission track.
Whether Woo Hye-rin and her ilk had turned to piracy to eliminate imbalances or not, their target had been Ban Yu-won, an outstanding student from the same lower dimension. Their exposure only made scrutiny of special admission students—even those who had solidified their standing like Ban Yu-won—harsher than before.
There had been ideals, but their fruits were disastrous.
What had their activities been for? Whose cause had it served?
To Katro, the sole surviving Exodus member, those questions were now unknowable.
Still, the one who confronted Exodus wasn't an upper-dimensional student but Ban Yu-won from a lower dimension. And his display of power had been so overwhelming that it somewhat buried the infiltration shock.
Through video media, Woo Hye-rin's actions were hard to grasp clearly, while Ban Yu-won binding and controlling all enemies at once was visually striking.
Everyone knew it wasn't solely his power, but it was undeniably a authority beyond mortal limits.
Put simply, without special admissions, someone with Ban Yu-won's strength wouldn't have entered the academy.
No matter how much of a tantrum one threw, they couldn't advocate abolishing special admissions with him right there.
Of course, the club members' performances helped too.
Excluding Rebellion members whose strength was already well-known.
Kshana might have only cared about impressing Ban Yu-won, but her sound-manipulating authority left a strong impression on live viewers.
In the end, the inter-club tournament ended with one step back and two forward. Since internal threats needed weeding out eventually, everyone was satisfied.
"If we reveal Ketra was a dimensional pirate despite not being special admission, wouldn't that work?"
"Mira, you can be so ruthless sometimes..."
"Dead people can't come back. Helping you would make Ketra happy too, right?"
"Don't fabricate people's feelings on your own."
Mira's expression was dead serious, no joke intended. But if exposed, it wouldn't just threaten special admissions—it could drag down all of Union Academy. Ban Yu-won stopped her firmly.
Despite the late chaos, Union Founding Festival concluded safely.
With Ban Yu-won tied to most incidents, his name spread across dimensions.
Even with Rebellion channel's 4 billion subscribers, his fame had been limited to academy students.
But crushing a Ten Great Family heir, annihilating a dimensional pirate fleet, and purifying an abandoned dimension marked him as beyond student level—a force upper dimensions had to watch warily.
Whether this gained enemies or allies was unclear, but Ban Yu-won had no plans to hide his power going forward.
"――So why'd you call me, Master? I need to prep for midterms soon."
―I sensed you had questions for me.
The Chancellor inhabited a lizard doll.
Truly bad taste—the tiny sword stabbed into the lizard's head.
―Aren't you going to ask?
"Eh, lately I'm not sure what you know or don't."
Ban Yu-won sighed, sinking into the sofa opposite the lizard doll.
The lizard jaw dropped in a grin at his provocative words.
―Excellent. You've always been, but especially now.
"Master, do you like me or something?"
―All Transcendents have no choice but to like you.
The lizard bobbed its head meaningfully.
―I expected questions about True Dragons, but I assumed wrong?
"Knew you wouldn't say it outright."
Aisha and Asha—two dragonkin—were around Ban Yu-won alone.
Recalling that ancestor's attitude trying to seize Aisha's body sparked curiosity about True Dragon origins, but...
"Doesn't seem like something I need from you. I'd never get the core details anyway."
―I'm sorry for saddling you with so much without prior explanation.
The Chancellor apologizing?
Ban Yu-won wanted to check if the sun was falling on Union, but no windows.
The lizard calmly continued, ignoring his exaggerated reaction.
―But knowing answers beforehand hinders growth. Will and ideas arise from crises and unknowns. My approach won't change.
Was there a more insincere apology?
Ban Yu-won pouted.
"Got a question."
―Permission granted.
"How many abandoned dimensions are there?"
―Correct the term.
The lizard's eyes narrowed.
―They're called tested dimensions.
"Knew it."
Union was definitely involved!
This universe revolved around integration and division.
Considering Babel Tower's origins and Union's name, the academy's bias was clear.
"Who made the dimensional walls?"
―Not me, at least.
"Yeah, figured..."
―Climb the tower for answers. Exodus said as much.
"You know them, Master? No..."
―Yes, I don't.
The Chancellor chuckled.
―Only you qualify to know.
"Don't special-treat me, it's creepy."
―Frequent private audiences like this already make you special.
Silencing him neatly, the Chancellor hesitated before continuing.
―From next year, no more spies entering the academy.
It sounded reassuring, but Ban Yu-won read the intent.
"Their use is done."
―Precisely.
Two people here as ruthless as Mira.
―Leave Katro El Pasis be?
"Gonna use him. You're keeping Prominence too."
―Because useful.
Sensing parallel talk, the Chancellor sighed.
―Fine, enough useless chatter.
Suddenly thrusting its head at Ban Yu-won.
The toy sword dangled.
―Your reward for this. Don't swing recklessly.
"Reward? Not a normal toy sword, but too small..."
Pulling the toy sword with two fingers—nearly 10cm blade fully extracted—Ban Yu-won stared speechless.
[Death (死)]
No purer death crystal had he seen.
Dangerous even to hold.
A legendary artifact he couldn't yet wield.
He hastily stored it in inventory, sighing relief. Lifting his head, the lizard doll was gone; a phoenix doll perched on the table.
―May you never need it.
"Not words from the gifter."
Turning away exasperated, the Chancellor's voice whispered.
Ban Yu-won was used to extra words whenever leaving.
―Stay vigilant. Not all enemies announce their approach.
"Just name them outright."
Waving dismissively, he left the Chancellor's office and teleported to the dorm.
The room felt empty for hours.
―Me: Where are you?
―Aisha: Reading room, save me.
―Lucelle: Studying hard together, don't worry, Master.
―Aisha: Save me.
Tilting his head at absent Aisha, she seemed trapped in the library reading room by Lucelle.
Beautiful friendship of girls monitoring each other for grades? More like Lucelle jealous of Aisha alone with him.
Studying alone, his mirror buzzed repeatedly.
―Yeon: Spar to loosen up?
―Yeon: Caught.
―Lucelle: I've got Dokgo Yeon who's bothering Master's study, rest easy!
The fierce undercurrents... no, Rebellion women's harmony chilled him.
Pondering how he ended up here, he realized self-inflicted.
Dokgo Yeon date checked Ortima and protected the team; deepening with Aisha aided her mental liberation and growth—but denying deeper desires would be a lie.
Fiddling the mirror, he muttered with a wry smile.
"I've fully adapted to cosmic values..."
"Shrrk."
"I know, Eve."
Petting it, he poured Darjeeling into his cup.
"But know this proverb? What happens twice will happen thrice――."
The mirror buzzed again.
Eve's eyes widened, tail thumping the desk: As expected of Master.
Not intended that way, Ban Yu-won smiled vaguely, checking.
―President: Free now?
Shati?
Recalling student council at festival: nothing.
Only Rika and vegan out on date yesterday, not back—so planned couple celebration.
Tilting head, he replied.
―Me: Studying, but no Lucelle ambush?
―President: Mira got nabbed earlier.
Lucelle's bold strategy herding to prevent cutting earned silent applause.
―President: Juniors sensitive to my love life lately, but no interest yet, relax.
―Me: Had to add 'yet'?
―President: If I say zero chance, Mira rages I'm not attractive enough for her boyfriend.
―Me: Sorry. Tough job.
Heavy affections everywhere.
Sipping tea with a sigh, mirror buzzed.
―President: Meant to ask at semester start, but council and you were busy. Seems stable now... one favor?
―Me: Sure, owe you ahead anyway.
―President: Always confirm details before agreeing to favors. Advice as Evil One.
―Me: So, what?
―President: Help with my unique ability.
Evil One race's summoning of demon world creatures.
Timing? Club tournament flaunting unique abilities by Union Eccentrics.
―Me: Got it. I'll help.
Written exams? Skim textbook once, perfect.
Always intrigued by Shati's ability—especially now with monster doubts.
Maybe Chancellor's intent? Ban Yu-won toyed with his student ID, heading to her.