Chapter 28
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Lesson 7. It's Definitely Not Because I Like You - 3
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Ban Yu-won returned to his room to find As Light had pulled a chair out just a tiny bit from the table and was stubbornly squeezing his body into that narrow gap, sitting perfectly still.
It reminded him of the cat at a friend's house that always did the exact same thing.
Finding some impossibly narrow space and cramming itself in.
Apparently, it found comfort there or something.
He'd thought he'd never understand cats in his lifetime, but who knew there was a kindred spirit right here.
"……."
As those thoughts crossed his mind, their eyes met.
Ban Yu-won couldn't withstand As Light's unique gaze—some mix of pitiful and pissed off—and spoke first.
"You're pretty flexible. How'd you even squeeze into a gap that small?"
"Ban, are you making fun of me right now? Saying my build isn't manly enough?"
He'd never really thought about it before, but yeah, As Light did have a slender, delicate frame.
But Ban Yu-won figured that was just natural, so he had no intention of teasing him over it...
Hold on. Does this guy still think no one's caught on?
"Never crossed my mind."
"……Sorry. That was just me lashing out. Go ahead and curse me out."
"No interest in that either……."
Ban Yu-won sighed in response, pulling out the chair across from him to sit—then realized he hadn't showered since getting back from the dungeon.
As Light picked up on his hesitation and spoke.
"I haven't showered either, so don't worry about it."
"I'm the one who's worried. You stink."
"I kinda hate you."
If he said he hated him back here, As Light would definitely sulk.
Ban Yu-won despised injustice, but he knew there were some irrationalities in life you just had to accept and move past.
Refuse to acknowledge that, and conversation with 'women' became impossible.
At least, based on his experience.
Alright, braced for impact.
With no escape, Ban Yu-won obediently pulled out the chair and sat.
As Light's clear gaze bored straight into his face, he felt a sigh building up but held it back.
"Spit it out if you have something to say."
"It's just mumbling to myself."
"The kind you want someone to hear, though."
"Do you have to nitpick everything to feel better?"
Ban Yu-won decided to zip his lips.
Acknowledge the irrationality.
Just accept it.
As he waited silently, As Light pouted but finally started talking.
"You might not believe it, but back in my world, I was one of the top prodigies."
"……."
"No lie. My fa... father, mother, siblings, everyone—they were all amazed by my talent, heaping on the praise."
"……."
"That's how I ended up contracting with this holy sword, the national treasure. Everyone had expectations for me. They all believed in me alone……."
Unnamed king of some unnamed kingdom in some dimension, you good with this?
Your daughter's spilling her secrets left and right.
What family passes down a holy sword as heirloom generation after generation?
Just say kingdom! Or a small country!
Now it's got everyone curious about which one it is because you're hiding it!
"But what the hell is this?"
As Light's voice rose a bit, then dropped low again.
"What right does some nobody have to treat me, me, like dead weight……."
"Thinks just dropping 'constellation' makes everyone obey her. Total loner vibe."
"You can say that. You're……."
Oh crap, he was trying to empathize and ended up provoking him again!
"You're chosen, so you can ignore it. But me? I'm just a sidekick for the two who got picked by a constellation. An extra who dies right away!"
"That's not even happening, and that choice was just that constellation bitch's whim. If you let it shake you, that's what shows weakness……."
"Yeah, I'm weak."
Game over.
As Light had plunged into full negative mode, his self-deprecation bottomless!
"Constellations are transcendent beings—way stronger than humans, knowing so much more. I can't understand how you and Dokgo Yeon brushed it off so easily."
As Light mumbled, curling his body even deeper into the gap, utterly dejected.
"But I can't. Sorry, Ban. Venting to you won't change anything."
"What're friends for? Happy to listen anytime……."
"We're... friends?"
Ban Yu-won froze at those words, thinking.
He knew she lacked awareness, but seriously... could he just smack her once?
But looking at As Light's face, it wasn't the vibe of 'You thought we were friends? Go buy some bread, punk.'
If anything, she looked a little touched.
"You see me as a friend... Thanks, so much."
"Yeah, friend. If you're grateful, quit those ridiculous thoughts from now on. You're way stronger than me to begin with."
"You caught up to a third of my lifetime gains in one day—what're you saying……."
As Light grumbled, staring intently at Ban Yu-won.
Seemed like waves churned deep in those profound blue eyes.
"The giant spider too. While I was struggling, you kept growing even in battle and finished it way cleaner than me."
During today's fight, once As Light's sword got caught in the web, his combat power plummeted.
That's when the prodigy swordsman's attitude—brimming with pride and confidence—started shifting like this.
Anyone not an idiot could see how serious As Light's issue was. Maybe that's why the constellation picked her as a sacrifice.
But Ban Yu-won decided not to dwell on it now.
"If you're talking about the web snaring your sword, I avoided that purely thanks to my skills, so don't sweat it."
"Normal people call that talent. You've got it overflowing—diverse, overwhelming talent……."
As Light's face twisted in agony as he said it.
If it was talent, As Light—as the holy sword's contractor—should have more than enough.
Yet for some reason, he gazed at Ban Yu-won with longing for what he lacked.
Was it tied to her cross-dressing too?
"Even if I'd been chosen in that situation."
As Light muttered like to himself.
"Could I have rejected it as decisively as Dokgo Yeon?"
"You……."
"No confidence. No talent. Had to do something. To climb the tower, even a devil's pact……."
Ban Yu-won listened quietly to his words.
"So... thinking I might've sacrificed you two without a second thought—it makes me shudder."
As Light closed his eyes, bowing his head.
He curled up round, reminding Ban Yu-won of Lucelle, and whispered.
"Truth is, that's what pisses me off most, infuriates me... and scares me."
When Ban Yu-won emerged from his shower, As Light—who'd finished first—was already in bed, lying down.
Remembering how his older sister would eat or nap off her blues, Ban Yu-won chuckled softly.
"Made some hot chocolate. Come out if you want some. Nice and warm, super sweet."
On chilly windy days, nothing beat hot chocolate.
Whether the wind outside or in your heart—it worked wonders.
He poured a full mug, infusing it with warmth to mimic a thermos, set it on the table, and smiled at As Light stubbornly pretending not to hear.
Then he headed out.
"Perfect timing. Glad you don't need to go in."
"Gah!"
Dokgo Yeon was in the hallway.
His heart nearly dropped.
"Why are you here? This is the boys' dorm……."
"Not a crime if you don't get caught. Know that?"
Dokgo Yeon smiled seductively, reciting something he'd heard before, then pointed upward.
Not bugs, obviously.
"Rooftop?"
"Checked out that teahouse in the annex, but too crowded for a quiet chat. So……."
"You just barged in here."
"Exactly. Let's go."
Of course, he had no say. They headed to the roof.
Luckily, no one else on the way.
The roof—nicely landscaped with flower beds and benches—was empty too.
Were they all at the library, training rooms, cafes, or cafeteria?
Or after today's mess, shivering in their rooms.
As he pondered, Dokgo Yeon picked a bench, sat, and patted the spot beside her.
Ban Yu-won sat obediently and spoke.
"So... what'd you wanna talk about?"
"Came to check on the dead weight."
"You really……."
Surprising she'd care about As Light's state, but casually calling him dead weight? Straight-up shocking.
Wondering what went on in her head, he eyed her suspiciously—her gaze sharpened venomously.
Those scleraless eyes were scary enough; glaring made it lethal.
"Rude look."
"Just shocked by your word choice?"
"It's the truth. Pathetic thing who only knows brute force—zero talent, zero adaptability."
Ban Yu-won rubbed his forehead.
If As Light heard this, he'd offer her up as sacrifice?
"What's so messed up about As Light? Great swordsmanship, tons of other skills."
"Problem is, it's all the sword's power."
"……."
"Want me to list it? Controlling that guy's movements in class? Sword's power. Yanking light wings in the tower? Sword. Heightened senses and combat sense? Sword. You saw it—in the tower, once the web trapped his sword, his moves slowed drastically."
Of course. His eyes saw the concepts; confirmed the holy sword's influence.
But Dokgo Yeon—without All-Reading Eyes—caught it all.
This observation power... really not a teacher?
But she wasn't done.
"He's a mess now, and if he loses grit and spirit too? Done for. No point teaming up."
"Hey, worry or insult—just pick one."
"Fine, insults only. Sword-wasting trash, clinging to form without grasping intent's edge... natural dunce……."
"My bad, stop."
Dokgo Yeon smirked.
"But you defending him like that means you soothed him well. With words... or body?"
"Don't be ridiculous."
Ban Yu-won recoiled; she burst out laughing again.
But seeing him pull out a thermos and pour into a cup, she couldn't just laugh.
"What's that?"
"Pull your hand back first. Hot chocolate."
Smelling the sweet cocoa, she'd already snatched the cup.
Refuse to share, and it'd be a bloodbath. He poured her a full one obediently.
"Ooooh……."
One sip, and crosses spun in her pupils.
No need for words; she was deeply impressed.
"Impressive. So this is how you soothed him……!"
"Hope so. ...You okay?"
"Worried about me now?"
She shot him a disdainful glare, then sipped hot chocolate—face calming instantly.
Finally, a deep sigh.
"Figured it out with your power?"
Basically admitting she wasn't.
"Nah. Your face says it."
"Weak enough a near-stranger reads me."
Did they all conspire? Why treat classmates like outsiders?
Should've gone to S University. Promised that girl too.
...Just classmates, though.
As he brooded on the past, Dokgo Yeon sipped and sighed lightly.
"My fault, so don't mope. ...Hot chocolate? Another?"
Patting himself for making plenty, he refilled her cup. She took it, beaming.
Then casually spilled her guts.
"Just annoyed. That I thought like that scum, the All-Seeing Observer."
"What nonsense now."
He scowled at the unexpected words.
Dokgo Yeon turned away, expressionless, firm.
"Fundamentally same. I was thinking of ditching them if useless too."
"How's that like that psycho bitch……!"
"Why it annoyed me more. If I'd been more radical, obsessed with taking only the competent, lost myself to the tower's mana……."
Wouldn't kill them outright, but letting them die indirectly?
That's why the Observer's words ignited her fury—she confessed.
"I see."
"Yes."
"You're an idiot too."
"……Urk!"
Dokgo Yeon whipped around, palm thrusting.
Ban Yu-won saw death approach his nose—then fizzle out under her transcendent mana control.
Heart dropped.
But he didn't flinch outwardly. She smirked, knowing, and continued.
"Meaning you think they have talent?"
"......Obviously. Artifact or not, no talent means no entry here. Your standards are off. That bitch has no eye."
"My standards off."
"Your 'talent' is mostly mental, spiritual stuff. Right?"
Dokgo Yeon didn't answer.
She nitpicked As Light's sword reliance, but Ban Yu-won saw innate sword talent.
Just over-dependent on the holy sword's power.
Clear from faint language concepts read off him.
Lucelle too.
Insane physicals, combat skills, potential—but couldn't control her Heart Path active concept.
Demerit overshadowed it, but her raw talent shone brilliantly.
Dokgo Yeon's dismissal weighed their mentality over talent.
"......Fine, I'll trust you."
She nodded, stepping back.
"Train them—results will show eventually. I'll teach them seriously from now. You help."
"Gladly. Got ideas for Lucelle anyway."
"If they overcome their heart demons and grow as you say, you win."
But, Dokgo Yeon fixed her cross-eyes on him.
"Unsatisfied results? You take responsibility."
"......Huh?"
"Price for swaying me to waste time on those idiots. Think hard now."
"Wait, hey."
Dokgo Yeon vanished without reply.
Alone, Ban Yu-won realized his loose tongue had leashed him to her—slapped his mouth hard, but words wouldn't retreat.
The day their secret pact began.