Chapter 278
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 278
Chapter Title: Lesson 54. Things You Shouldn't Touch – 3
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Shati's newly acquired Black Magic Corps was to disguise itself as a dimensional mercenary group and head to the A-1 dimension.
With the contract she'd inherited from the Demon King, she could control them perfectly. Even if they lost control to the savage nature of their blood magic power and rampaged, they'd only hurt themselves, never others.
"Wait, don't Evil Ones normally put collars on their subordinates' necks by default? They don't rebel?"
On the way back, inside the spaceship.
Ban Yu-won stared incredulously at Shati, who was happily rolling the black shield-shaped miniature—the mark of her control over the Black Magic Corps—in her palm.
But Shati just shrugged.
"Planning Director, think about it the other way around. Would you trust and use guys who might go berserk with blood magic power and commit mutiny at any moment? The Evil Ones developed contract magic precisely to enforce strict hierarchies like this and minimize damage."
"That's... well..."
He got it. A race born with savage instincts had developed contract magic to keep their society from collapsing.
But thinking about how the Demon King had today casually discarded his subordinates—collared by that very contract magic—due to his innate savagery left him speechless.
"The Demon King said he could suppress his blood magic power thanks to someone called the Heavenly Demon."
"It won't last forever."
Dokgo Yeon, now fully composed again, caught Shati's sidelong glances and responded firmly.
"It's beyond what martial arts alone can handle."
"Ugh..."
She'd raged when the Demon King coveted martial arts from her home dimension and bared his fangs, but it seemed Shati had secretly cared about the possibility since he was family, after all.
In fact, after fighting Mu-myeong, he'd shown a fairly human side... It was natural to think maybe.
But Dokgo Yeon shook her head coldly.
"Martial arts that grant blood energy posthumously require abandoning humanity and undergoing a horrific process that twists body and mind, so they're called demonic arts. To discard them and restore the body to normal, you'd have to extract all the energy and realign the twisted body and soul. Survival is uncertain, and even if you live, you'd be a cripple. That's for those who acquire blood energy later in life—what about a race born with it innately?"
"But the Demon King."
"To overcome it would require enlightenment and a realm beyond mere martial arts training. If he breaks the limits of his energy on his own and elevates both body and mind to the ascending realm, it might be possible. The Leader inscribed the key to that ascending realm into the Demon King's body. Of course, if the Demon King is content with his current state and doesn't pursue it, even this minor suppression will fade quickly."
Ban Yu-won listened in admiration.
Even with his All-Reading Eyes that peered into concepts, he couldn't read beyond the restraints imposed on the Demon King. Yet Dokgo Yeon had discerned more.
Perhaps from years together, she knew Mu-myeong's methods well. This incident made it clear anew.
Concepts couldn't be taken at face value.
"Is that like the 'think you can keep up?' trope from comics?"
"Similar vibe... Why'd you turn away and then look back to say that?"
Unlike the trip there, the return was peaceful.
Their spaceship landed quietly at Union Academy's rear spaceship station during an unnoticed early dawn hour. Yumina, waiting as if it were natural, greeted them—Ban Yu-won—with a beaming smile.
"Professor Yumina—mmph."
"You did so well! Your face looks half-dead. Was the demonic realm's air bad for humans?"
"Isn't it because Professor buried Yu-won's face halfway in her chest?"
As As Light spoke seriously to Yumina, who was hugging Yu-won in front of everyone and refusing to let go, Dokgo Yeon suddenly cut in.
"Professor, was it you who told others about our special activity?"
"Yes! I couldn't just do nothing about you going to a dangerous place like the A-4 dimension. Luckily, Mr. Mu-myeong helped out willingly last time and this time too..."
"Last time too."
Muttering that, Dokgo Yeon pulled Ban Yu-won—nearly suffocating in Yumina's bosom—free.
She'd heard the gist on the return spaceship about his meeting with Mu-myeong, so she understood why Mu-myeong—the Divine Cult Leader—followed Rebellion and knew about him.
But that was separate from her embarrassment and anger at what it led to.
"Professor, you knew he was my father."
"I didn't at first. I just thought it was cool that such a strong person became a Rebellion fan!"
Yumina faced Dokgo Yeon's sharp glare unflinchingly—a truly brave sight.
From her perspective, she'd done her best to protect her precious students, and Mu-myeong's appearance had let them wrap up safely in Diabolo.
Still... where was she supposed to vent this anger!
"You could have told us."
"It was your special activity, whatever his motives. Ideally, it resolves without my measures being exposed, right? Plus, if you'd known about Mr. Mu-myeong from the start, would you have pushed the activity so aggressively?"
Her words were spot-on, making Dokgo Yeon even angrier.
Biting her lip in fury, she smacked away Yumina's hand as she tried to reclaim Ban Yu-won now that questions were done.
Yumina's jewel-like eyes widened round.
"What?!"
"He needs to talk to me. Sorry, can't hand him over."
"Huh? But you've all been together the whole time, and it's been ages for me..."
Ages meaning less than a day by the calendar, but Yumina's Yu-won deficiency was getting visibly serious. Dokgo Yeon grabbed his hand firmly anyway and led him off.
"Yu-won, come. You owe me a proper explanation."
"Sure."
She'd been shy about holding hands just moments ago, but now it was natural? Ban Yu-won followed obediently, thinking that.
As the two vanished, everyone had to admit Dokgo Yeon was today's winner.
"I need to write the special activity report with Yu-won..."
"Wow, that shameless professor didn't stand a chance. Should've learned that instead of martial arts."
"Ah, I was enjoying the spectacle so much—wait, she stole Yu-won, that snake!"
"It's fine, Mira sis. Dokgo Yeon's too timid to make real progress."
Yumina fumed at losing Yu-won right before her eyes. As Light mocked her gleefully, Mira fretted over what Dokgo Yeon and Yu-won might do, while Lucelle looked smug and satisfied, claiming it was all as expected...
Shati and Aire watched these women—whose culture and customs seemed billions of light-years apart—with distant expressions. Then Shati turned to Aire.
"Vice President, even seeing this mess, you wanna jump in?"
"Jump in?"
Aire tilted her head genuinely puzzled by the question.
"I don't interfere in events. They happen centered on me."
"So you'll play innocent. Flaunting that gift from the Planning Director, though."
"No one should interfere between him and me, nor will I. What I need from him, I get directly. ...Though this time he stepped up first."
Aire smiled faintly, touching the ice crystal adorning her hairpin's center.
Shati shook her head, thinking Aire would've suited being the Heavenly Demon's daughter better.
'I realized during this activity that the junior's a decent guy—but still, this is too much. Unless Mira comes as a bonus.'
At that point, she hadn't realized she was already viewing a future with Ban Yu-won positively.
The special activity they'd steeled themselves for ended shorter than expected—its perils aside—letting Rebellion members enjoy a leisurely weekend in the academy, emptied as other students did their activities.
—It should've been that way, but Dokgo Yeon, mortified at introducing her father to friends, tried to erase their memories brutally, forcing them into the training hall all Saturday.
Unlike trying to crush As Light or Lucelle outright, she stuck to dignified sword-focused training with Ban Yu-won, making everyone realize she no longer hid her fondness for him.
"Phew, haaa—look at that, Lucelle."
As Light, sprawled friendly-like beside Lucelle watching Dokgo Yeon and Ban Yu-won spar, caught her breath, sat up, undid her ponytail, wiped sweat with a towel, and grumbled.
"Coming out to her parents did it? She's so blatant now. Someone might think they're dancing, not sparring."
"And you lately, Light?"
"Huh, me?"
Arrow turned on her, As Light panicked and mumbled incoherently.
"What? I'm doing fine lately. You?"
"I'm fine too, but this isn't basic foreign language chat. How are things with Yu-won? You share a room."
Lucelle's envious addition was sincere.
Envy enough to kill for it, if possible.
"Oh, right—that issue. Got called to the Chancellor this morning."
"...Gender thing?"
"Yeah."
She'd figured hiding it forever was impossible.
As Light had mentioned being female during that broadcast with Aire and Melodya house head on Rebellion channel.
So, Yu-won's cross-dressing order wasted, their rooms separated?
"You look pleased?"
"No way. So what happened?"
"We share till graduation, but no kids during term."
"Ah... I see."
Not the answer Lucelle hoped for.
She'd cooperate fully in building a big family around Yu-won—even lead it—but hated anyone overtaking her closest spot.
Psychologically second, but physically, matching As Light's constant roommate status was impossible. Against Yu-won's wishes, separating their rooms this chance would've been good!
"And... he said something weird."
"Weird?"
As Light, oblivious to Lucelle's thoughts, frowned and continued.
"Atavism regression to ancestors is a blessed feat, but please don't follow their path. It'd block Yu-won's way..."
"How would the Chancellor know Yu-won's thoughts...?"
"I asked the same. He said it's meant to turn out that way."
They blinked at each other.
Coincidentally thinking not of Ban Yu-won, but Aire.
Light's ancestor True Dragon shared their mindset—not with Light, but probably Aire.
Was the Chancellor antagonizing Aire, then...?