Chapter 289
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 289
Chapter Title: Lesson 56. The Neighbor's House is on Fire Too - 2
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Ban Yu-won's party's ominous tower exploration had already heightened tensions across Union Academy and the higher dimensions, known and unknown alike. But with the massive clash between the Kettius dimension and the dimensional pirates, it all just—boom—exploded.
Or, to be more precise, it forcibly stole the spotlight that had been focused on Ban Yu-won.
From Ban Yu-won's perspective, he could practically kowtow to Ortima in gratitude.
How could he have foreseen that the offhand suggestion he'd made to Dokgo Yeon on a whim would ignite Ortima's twisted affection into full-blown rampage?
"Yu-wonnie... Wonnie... Jagi... my sword sheath...?"
"Phew, hope we've bought ourselves some time."
Ban Yu-won grabbed the glass of liquor in front of Asha, who had just finished gathering intel and was now mulling over what pet name to call him, and took a sip to wet his throat as he muttered.
Shati, the only one maintaining her composure in the room, chimed in.
"We still need to be careful, but this should slow down the other top ten families' movements."
"Hehe, it's been ages since we last saw a proper space war like this."
Meanwhile, Mira was peering at the Union Net page constantly updating before her eyes. Imagining spaceships exploding nonstop and powerhouses who could rival anyone in their group dropping like flies one after another, she wore a grin that said she was about to die laughing.
"For the Ortima family's forces to step up—it's a massive uproar not seen in centuries. They're one of the top ten families renowned for their real muscle. If they're charging out to crush some dimensional pirates, the other families can't help but stay on guard."
She paused for a moment, then turned to Dokgo Yeon, whose face was still flushed red, and let out a giggle.
"I thought you had some secret hold on my man's weakness without me knowing, but you reeled him in with pure skill? If you can drive a top ten family heir into a frenzy, I gotta give you props."
"That's... not it at all...!"
Dokgo Yeon began wondering if she should just pressure Mira with her aura to shut her up.
Sensing the mood, Ban Yu-won cleared his throat, drawing everyone's eyes to him.
"Since we're not formally allying with the Ortima family, we can just let them do their thing. More importantly, there's something we need to confirm first... Mira?"
"Yeah."
As Ban Yu-won turned to her, Mira—who'd been cackling at the Union Net just moments ago—straightened up and met his gaze.
This was exactly why he couldn't hate her aristocratic whims.
She always put Ban Yu-won at the top of her priorities.
"You mentioned it earlier. Is that for real? I mean... even knowing my situation, my abilities, and my status, would the fairy folk really accept me as your... uh, spouse?"
"You call that a question? You already know what kind of race they are."
Seemingly pleased with the word "spouse," Mira reached out, took his hand, and flashed him a playful smile.
"They think they're the best in the universe. I've been a bit humbled since coming to Union Academy, but every fairy born in the homeland, A-1 Fairytale, looks down on even S-rank dimensions."
"Yeah... huh? Ugh!"
Shati shot her best friend a look that screamed, You're the one who's humbled? But Mira stretched her leg under the table and stepped on her instep, forcing her gaze away.
"To them, the fact that you've drawn the ire of top ten families while climbing the tower only proves your worth. Besides, once you decided to throw down with Prominence, the fairies couldn't back out even if they wanted to."
"Same here. They might even bring more forces than what the Demon King gave me. Thanks to you, Diabolo's firmly in the Demon King's grasp now."
Shati rubbed her sore instep where Mira had stepped and spoke up.
If the powerhouses of A-1 and A-4 dimensions joined forces, they might even stand a chance against an S-rank dimension.
And with Lucelle Ortima going rogue on her own right now, things were moving faster than planned—but it was time to act.
"Alright, then let's head to Fairytale next week."
"Yes!"
Mira's beaming smile was as radiant as a rose in full bloom.
...Beautiful enough to make him a little scared of what might happen once they got there.
Ban Yu-won pushed down the rising unease and turned to Aire.
"Melodia after that. But I don't think we can go there on a special activity pass."
Recalling how the Chancellor had been wary of dragons, he doubted they'd get cooperation from him.
Yet despite his repeated warnings, Ban Yu-won simply didn't feel like Melodia would become his enemy.
Call it gut instinct.
Melodia aside, Aire wouldn't turn against him.
And as long as Aire protected him, Melodia wouldn't attack.
Aire wore a smug smile.
"No worries. We don't need the Chancellor's permission—just pop in and out quick."
"Oh."
Had her spatial magic grown that much?
Or maybe it was an artifact from the Melodia family head.
Either way, he'd have to check the Concept's liquidity later. Ban Yu-won nodded and addressed the group again.
"Things might seem rushed, but what we need to do hasn't changed. Attend school, climb the tower, smash anyone who comes at us. That's it. Everyone here can consider themselves one team from now on, right?"
"Does that mean you'll add me to Rebellion too?"
Was this what the dragon obsession warning was about?
Ban Yu-won sighed inwardly, exchanged glances with the other Rebellion members, got their tacit approval, and replied.
"Yeah, you can't join explorations, but honorary Rebellion member."
"Wait, does that make us Rebellion too? Is Team Fairdevil a sub-team of Rebellion now?"
"Huh? Uh—."
Shati pounced like she'd get punished if she missed the chance to tease.
Honorary member didn't change anything practically, so nodding would've been fine, but somehow...
The moment he nodded, his instincts screamed it'd get annoyingly complicated. Ban Yu-won tried to brush it off vaguely, but before he could, Mira clapped with a bright grin.
"Love it! We've been hanging out together, but it always felt like we were getting sidelined. Now under the Rebellion name, it feels like we're already family with Yu-won. ...Way better than some monster name like Fairdevil."
"What's wrong with Fairdevil! Oh, no, you're right, Mira. I like Rebellion too."
"Tch, Yu-won's favor just dropped again... ."
"Hehe, family. Sounds good. As expected of big sis Mira."
"Right, Lucelle?"
Too late now.
Everyone in the room had become Rebellion members.
Sighing in resignation, Ban Yu-won finally turned to Yumina.
"Mina-noona."
"Family... uh, yeah?!"
Apparently, Lucelle wasn't the only one touched by Mira's talk of family.
Ban Yu-won let out yet another sigh at the sight of Yumina staring at him with flushed cheeks, then spoke in utter seriousness, as if expelling all jokes with that breath.
"Especially now, keep a close eye on things inside the Academy. With all the attention on me and the dimensional pirates caught up in this war, someone's bound to make a move."
"Y-Yeah, got it...! Just trust your noona!"
The group whispered from behind as Yumina clenched her fists in front of her chest and replied in her lispy voice.
"She's not even trying to hide it anymore."
"She can even drop the formal speech. I thought her tongue would blister without it."
"Look at her acting all cutesy. She's at least five centuries old... ."
"What do you expect from someone who shows up hugging Yu-won?"
After that, since they were already at the restaurant, the group held a brief team-building gathering.
Everyone there harbored some degree of fondness for Ban Yu-won, big or small, which was intimidating for the future—but at least united around him, they'd be a more reliable force than any other group.
"—Yeah, Darling it is!"
"Rejected."
"Whyy?!"
"Ha...?"
Alex de Cantone couldn't contain his disbelief.
It was a Sunday afternoon when Academy students flooded the outer city the most. He'd just confirmed that a photo of Yumina embracing Ban Yu-won in the plaza street, drawing everyone's eyes, had taken over the intranet.
"This... this absurd... nonsense... ."
He'd believed Yumina was wise and talented, discerning despite her naive, innocent side.
Half-blinded by Ban Yu-won's talent, trying to nurture him—fine.
Given her current position following the Chancellor, it was unavoidable.
But for it to develop into a romantic relationship with that punk?
"No, it can't be. She knows her position. She wouldn't throw away her full professor status for illicit relations with a student."
He muttered loudly, as if convincing himself.
But seeing her pull Ban Yu-won's head into her chest like that, his insides boiled over uncontrollably.
At the very least, it was clear she harbored significant romantic feelings for him.
To think she'd fawn over a man just because he climbed the tower a bit faster!
"How... how could she do something so foolish. Me cast aside, for that lowly scum?"
Since the second semester began, he'd deliberately kept a low profile.
Lying low, biding his time.
He'd realized Ban Yu-won wasn't some pest he could swat easily, so he planned to seize a solid opportunity and crush him.
Victory was assured anyway.
He had influence, the constellations' backing.
The only hindrance was the Chancellor's watchfulness—that damn eye. The moment it strayed even slightly, he'd pluck that punk's head like ripe fruit.
That's why he'd been "letting it slide"—and now this fool dared eye his woman?
Yumina was one of his biggest reasons for conquering the tower.
The most priceless trophy, obtainable only by tower mastery.
And that scum was...
"Grrrrraaah—!"
He couldn't suppress the rage boiling inside.
If Ban Yu-won knew, he'd scoff that both Ortima and Cantone were losing it over women.
But what could be done? It was the most primal, powerful drive that moved people.
Right, no need to wait any longer.
Tsking at the photo—god knows who took it—amid the space war engulfing dimensions with dimensional pirates clashing against Ortima's fleet, Cantone made up his mind.
If not for Ortima, Exodus could've been a long-term pawn.
Now, before it got any later, he had to demand their final role.
He knew haste makes waste.
But imagining Ban Yu-won glued to Yumina while he sat idle—he couldn't stay calm.
It's fine. The plan's been polished plenty. This isn't rushing. Just seizing the optimal timing.
Ignoring his desires as best he could, repeating justifications to himself, he initiated the comms.
To Exodus's main fleet commander... who was currently locked in battle with Ortima, mind undoubtedly elsewhere.