Chapter 45
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Lesson 10. You Are My Master - 5
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A brilliant sunset blazed outside the window like fire.
Until this morning, he'd been deep in exploration, but there stood the towering Babel Tower.
From this spot, he could look down on all the academy's various buildings surrounding it. This was the restaurant on the top floor of the academy's first annex.
Ban Yu-won wondered blankly why he'd been dragged here.
"How is it? Pretty atmospheric, right?"
Professor Yumina, seated across from him, elegantly tilted her wine glass as she spoke to him.
She'd hounded him relentlessly the moment he emerged from the labyrinth, and the instant he'd showered and come out, she'd whisked him straight to this restaurant.
"This is the most famous spot in the academy. Even the scions of renowned higher-dimensional houses have to wait a full month to book a table here."
"Well, they only take one group a day, so of course."
On top of that, Professor Yumina was such a spotlight figure in the academy that even taking maximum precautions, they couldn't avoid drawing a ton of attention.
In fact, Ban Yu-won suspected she enjoyed the exposure—and maybe even encouraged it a bit.
"Anyway, drink up today. You've properly proven your abilities, Ban Yu-won! I was so worried at first...!"
Hearing she'd been anxious, Ban Yu-won couldn't help but flash a wry smile.
Back when he'd first enrolled, he'd been so fragile that a regular-track student could snap him like a twig. How could she not worry?
Yet in under a week, he'd surpassed the regular-track students.
And now, two weeks in? Even judging purely by conceptual depth, he'd overtaken Irecto—and his prowess was proven in spars and explorations.
Given more time, he'd reach the level of the other Rebellion members!
"Thank you for your concern. I'm glad to receive another glass from you, Professor."
"Oh my!"
She's just using me as an excuse to drink, right? he thought, but following his diplomat father's lessons in social graces, he flattered her just enough.
Sure enough, she beamed and topped off his glass generously.
He'd heard wine glasses weren't supposed to be filled that much, but she utterly ignored such common sense—befitting a full professor at Union Academy.
"By the way, Professor, I thought the academy's internal restaurants didn't serve alcohol...?"
"It's from my private collection. They don't sell it inside, but they don't refuse corkage either."
"Ah."
"Heh heh, I cried my eyes out acquiring this... but if not for a day like today, when would I open it?"
Private collection.
Even her favorite fruit wines were top-shelf, so how incredible must this wine she'd hoarded be?
Ban Yu-won cautiously tilted his glass, fearing its value might exceed his wildest imagination. He couldn't spill a drop.
"Ah, delicious. What do you think, Ban Yu-won?"
"...First time with wine, but it's really good."
This wasn't flattery.
Actually, less 'delicious' and more 'fascinating.'
Countless unknown concepts swirled in the glass, stimulating him in turn.
Once visible, his senses of taste and smell sharpened to perceive them acutely.
Ban Yu-won knew zilch about wine, but in this moment, he was the ultimate sommelier.
Tasted and distinguished the myriad concepts contained in the finest wine. Depth of All-Speaking Lips has reached 130. Depth of Soul has reached 464.
Wait, like this?
Now his abilities grew just from sipping wine?
Regular food didn't trigger this, so this wine must be extraordinary.
Then the table shimmered faintly, and plates appeared before them: thinly sliced and grilled baguette, clusters of tiny black pearl-like grains, and a spread with a red clay texture.
"Appetizers are here. Shall we eat and talk?"
"...Sure."
Ban Yu-won eyed the automatically appearing dishes, inevitably thinking of Hoxworth.
Come to think of it, when they'd been shown to the room earlier, Yumina had requested some personal service—must've been this.
"Just the two of us; it'd be a hassle with others coming and going."
As if reading his mind, Professor Yumina winked one eye.
He wryly smiled at his growing immunity to her winks, then picked up a finger-sized piece of bread—slightly exaggerating its tininess.
Spread on, grains atop, one bite.
Consumed food processed with abundant magical power and excellent technique, retaining the vitality and magical power from life. Obtained Life 0.5, Magical Power 0.3.
Depth of All-Speaking Lips has reached 131.
The moment it hit his tongue, his eyes widened.
Not just from the conceptual growth, but the rich umami.
More crucially, he'd detected active concept remnants in this tiny appetizer.
Did this world have cooking skills?!
Professor Yumina smirked, pleased at her successful surprise.
"Different from the student cafeteria fare, right?"
"...Looked like Earth's restaurant stuff, so I let my guard down."
"Oh? Your culinary culture must be pretty advanced."
"The contents are way different, though."
He'd half-expected caviar and foie gras pate beforehand, but the taste was worlds apart.
Savoring the luxurious concepts melting in his mouth, Ban Yu-won wondered how much this meal cost—but decided not to ask.
Instead, he brought up the exploration.
"I thought only Eden's fruit gave effects like this from eating."
"Speaking of which, Ban Yu-won... um, mind if I get casual?"
"Feel free, Professor."
"Then I'll call you Yu-won."
Way too casual, instantly?
"Off-duty, call me casually too. How about... Mina sis?"
With a blooming smile, 'Mina sis' rushed in.
Ban Yu-won gave an ambiguous smile to refuse, but Yumina showed no sign of backing off.
He vaguely recalled her mentioning 500 years old—pointing it out now might earn him 500 years of beatings.
"Mi... Mina sis?"
"Perfect."
She drained her freshly topped glass with a satisfied grin, wine sloshing.
Time for the main topic.
"Actually, I was shocked when Dokgo Yeon—who came out before you—told me about the intruder."
"Haha..."
"Encounters with intruders have overwhelmingly higher fatality rates than irregular phenomena. And with a new one just last week, to attempt something so bold this week... His sponsoring constellation must've pulled some strings."
Constellations could intervene in the tower's operations, creating openings.
No doubt their power had factored into this clash.
Ban Yu-won recalled the message the enemy's constellation sent after death and spoke.
"Professor, I mean..."
Time to ask what he'd wondered since meeting the intruder inside the tower.
But as he started, Yumina frowned faintly and reached out to correct him.
"Sis."
"...Si, sis."
"Good boy."
Ban Yu-won desperately tried to forget she was at least 480 years his senior.
Seemingly pleased with 'sis,' she tossed her hair laughing, so he gathered himself and asked again.
"Sis, do you know what that guy's goal was? Definitely not academy-affiliated, but he had climber qualifications."
"Mm, probably. I hoped it'd come later..."
A faint crack appeared in Yumina's ever-smiling facade.
Maybe that's why she'd wanted to bond deeper—with grim news ahead.
"You know those linked to one constellation easily draw others' interest, right?"
"Yes. Professor Xenon lectured on it."
"Yeah, and you're an especially special case. Rejecting a contract shows strong will and huge potential... so lots of constellations are eyeing you extra hard."
"..."
Felt like the key talk hadn't come yet.
Yumina poured herself a drink, seeming to ponder, then sighed and met his eyes.
"In that sense, you're prime prospects. ...Or put differently, right now—as mere prospects—is the easiest time to kill you."
Ban Yu-won shut his slack jaw in disbelief.
Her unwavering gaze confirmed he hadn't misheard.
"Did the attacker reveal anything about himself?"
"Not him, but after he died, his contracting constellation called itself... Exodus."
"As expected."
Yumina's sigh deepened.
"Exodus is a notorious dimensional pirate group—the largest force trying to infiltrate the tower. They get tons of constellation backing. Their relation with Union Academy? Rock bottom."
"Why would those constellations... No, never mind. I get it."
Why back a blatantly 'evil' Exodus?
He almost asked, then realized the answer himself.
Constellations weren't particularly good to begin with.
They contracted humans solely to fulfill their own desires.
Yumina's explanation backed his thinking.
"Exodus's sponsors are radical and violent. No chance they'd contract with you, but you rookies—drawing all the attention this year—got on their nerves. Enough to strain for an early hit. Didn't expect it this soon, though..."
Exodus members were lower-dimensional humans.
Of course, so was Ban Yu-won's group—but they'd been admitted to Union Academy on raw talent, making voluntary Exodus affiliation near zero.
No matter the academy's view, to Exodus, they were solid 'enemies.'
'So he targeted us to kill Union Academy's rising stars... Turning the tower into a proxy war stage between Exodus and the academy.'
Ban Yu-won couldn't easily accept being targeted for such reasons.
Irritation fueled rising fury.
They were weak now (though Exodus and its constellations wouldn't see the loss that way), but someday he'd grow strong enough to crush all who treated him and his comrades like pawns.
Exodus... I won't forget.
They'd messed with the wrong people.
The price for failing to recognize the tower's true heir wouldn't be light.
"Anyway! You handled it amazingly."
As Ban Yu-won ground his teeth in resolve.
Lightening the mood? Yumina clapped and spoke loudly.
"You cleanly took out an Exodus intruder. Their activity will shrink for a bit, and the constellation that interfered in the tower will weaken. You did so well—really, truly!"
"What about the footage? Got it all crystal clear."
"Upload it. They're tied to constellations anyway, so they know you exist. Better to publicly humiliate them."
From upload, Rebellion might be hailed as young heroes against Exodus?
Even skeptics calling it fake would have to concede.
That Rebellion was extraordinary—beyond lower dimensions or even first-years.
Of course, couldn't show Ban Yu-won's powers outright, so some editing needed.
"Gonna be exhausting ahead."
"As your supervising professor, I should ensure you grow undisturbed..."
Ban Yu-won chuckled at her troubled look.
"Means we'll tangle with them more often, right?"
"Not that often. ...I hope. At least Exodus's constellations won't touch you for a while."
She eyed his expression, choosing words, then pouted and gave up.
"They'll strike when confident they can finish you."
"Thanks for the advice, sis. Gotta train harder."
Knowing the danger wouldn't stop him from entering the tower.
If anything, it demanded climbing harder to grow stronger.
"Getting tangled with constellations is nothing but bad. Met them twice, and I'm sick of it."
"Some constellations are great to their contractors!"
Yumina desperately defended amid his icy tone.
Meanwhile, the course progressed: clear soup with fish arrived.
"Still, I probably won't contract with any going forward."
"Uh, yeah. Makes sense—with your talent, you don't need their help..."
Spoon in hand, he thought it differed slightly from Earth's courses, but felt eyes on him. Looking up, Yumina rested her chin on her hand, staring intently.
"Not eating?"
"Hmm, thinking. Seems you don't need my sponsorship anymore. Wondering what else I can do..."
Realizing he didn't need constellations?
He glanced at the gemstone flower brooch gleaming on his chest, shrugged, and replied.
"Tower inside and outside are separate issues. Plus, me rampaging like this? Thanks to full professor Yumina's endorsement. Same even after our channel blows up."
"Right... so you'll keep needing my help?"
"Naturally."
Hence calling her sis, flattering, pouring drinks.
Satisfied with his firm answer? She smiled with her eyes and refilled his glass.
"Good. Rely on sis from now on. And when you make it big, repay me—don't forget."
"Obviously. You have a favor to ask, right?"
Ban Yu-won knew she wouldn't dote without reason.
Talent-wise, Dokgo Yeon was right there—no need to look far.
So why treat him like her son, grandson... or little brother?
Obviously, she wanted something from him.
"I'd love to say no formalities between us, but..."
Yumina blushed, seemingly shy.
In that instant, beyond racial bounds, she struck him as purely beautiful.
"Truth is, yes. Didn't want to bring it up yet."
"Tell me later. When my abilities grow enough to grant sis's request."
Main dish arrived.
Ban Yu-won sliced a hefty chunk of steak—from some mystery beast—bit in, swallowed.
Ate a steak made from the body of a top predator current abilities cannot even touch, cooked with technique that maximizes its characteristics. Absorbing Life 2, Body 4, Magical Power 3, Resistance 1, Acceleration 1.
Did Yumina know how massively helpful this single bite was?
To his clueless first ally and sponsor in this academy—this 480-year-older sis—Ban Yu-won declared sincerely.
"Whatever the request, I'll handle it then."
"...Thanks."
Reading the weight in his words, Yumina smiled brightly.
A smile so beautiful, it explained her growing followers in the academy.
"On that note, I've got some advice."
"Hm?"
But smiles aside, business was business.
Her good mood now—perfect chance! With her favor clearly up at least 5 points, Ban Yu-won asked his pubescent first-love-consult-like question.
"Got questions about the artifact from Eden on the 10th floor. 'Magic language' too."
"First I'm hearing you got an artifact?!"
Per her explanation, natural artifacts from the tower in a year barely topped ten total.
Naturally, Rebellion was the first party this semester to snag one!
...Well, they'd actually gotten more than one, but for Yumina's mental health, he'd hold off mentioning that now.