Chapter 54
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Lesson 12. Monster Wave - 4
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The next morning.
Ban Yu-won, who had woken up before As Light, finished washing up and glanced toward the bed where As Light lay sleeping.
As Light, bundled under the covers and breathing softly and steadily in sleep, looked every bit the princess.
If only he'd keep his mouth shut like this, he'd be downright cute.
But when he wields that holy sword, he looks pretty masculine. What a contrast.
Inside the tower, when he'd been swinging the holy sword, he'd given off the vibe of a strikingly handsome boy swordsman. But over the past week of training with a spear instead, that feminine air had gradually returned.
He'd occasionally suffered inexplicable bursts of agony during training, but since he insisted he was fine, there wasn't much Ban Yu-won could pry into.
"What a handful. Total headache."
"Mmm... "
As Light stirred in his sleep, and Ban Yu-won flinched back, wondering if his voice had woken the guy.
But no—the kid just mumbled something like "Father" or "Ancestor" in his sleep before sinking back into deep slumber.
"If you're gonna hide your identity, at least put in some effort..."
Ban Yu-won shook his head in disbelief, straightened the rumpled blanket as As Light tossed, and left the room.
The guide was standing right there in front of him.
"What?!"
"Eek!"
She put on a show of jumping in surprise, as if she hadn't noticed him coming out, but it was so obvious it was an act—even without using his powers, he could tell instantly.
Pretending not to notice was the real challenge, but Ban Yu-won could cover it with his Earth-honed acting skills!
"You okay? You got quite the scare, huh?"
Failed!
"Ah, n-no. Sorry, I should've been more alert. Embarrassing for a soldier like me..."
Thankfully, the guide didn't pick up on his awkward performance and kept up her own act.
Ban Yu-won inwardly applauded as she blushed and played the weak card, despite having the combat prowess to chew through a hundred soldiers at once.
And after getting shot down by Lucelle yesterday, she still hadn't given up on her schemes!
"Oh, come to think of it, I forgot to introduce myself amid all the chaos yesterday. I'm Anari Dedota. Call me Anari."
"...Got it, Anari. Looking forward to the rest of our time together."
As Ban Yu-won extended his hand, Anari lit up and shook it eagerly.
Life around 600, Body at 350, Magical Power at 200, Soul at 80.
Swordsmanship hitting 120, and even the ominous green Poison at depth 50 flickering around her wrist.
So with direct contact, I can read differences up to this level now.
With Ban Yu-won's own Life at 360, she was roughly 1.6 times stronger in raw terms. And yet, he'd gleaned all her key abilities.
To read deeper would require channeling his qi, which raised the risk of detection. Satisfied with this, he let go of her hand.
"So, what's up this early?"
"Just came to say good morning... And to see if you needed anything from me."
She flashed a coy smile and subtly pressed her body closer.
A signal no red-blooded person could miss.
Her unyielding challenger spirit in pursuit of seduction deserved recognition... but no luck today either.
"Step back."
"I-I was just saying good morning... Yes?"
Anari whirled around at the voice from behind, reflexively sputtering excuses.
There stood Dokgo Yeon, draped in a luxurious silk nightgown.
Stunned by her unexpected appearance and intervention, Anari blankly echoed her.
"Uh, so...?"
"I said step back."
"My apologies!"
As Dokgo Yeon spoke with clear irritation and a hint of killing intent, Anari startled and bowed her head before scurrying down the hall.
But Ban Yu-won caught her glancing back with a baffled look, and it left him a bit down.
"Now that woman's probably got me pegged as the playboy stringing her and Lucelle along."
"Who cares about a little misunderstanding when we're all out for blood soon anyway?"
Dokgo Yeon snorted dismissively as always and turned.
"Let's talk for a sec. I want to review today's strategy."
"You planning to go out like that?"
"Who's gonna see me just crossing to the balcony right here?"
A simple chat could've stayed in the room.
Even so, Ban Yu-won couldn't stop her striding ahead and followed along.
—Creak.
They pushed through the door at the hall's end onto the balcony.
One perk of their assigned rooms was monopolizing the end of the hall.
Naturally, the balcony there was practically theirs alone.
"Whew, the morning breeze feels just right."
Dokgo Yeon leaned against the railing, smiling into the wind.
Ban Yu-won watched her gown flutter in the breeze and thought she looked pretty striking.
"But it's a bit chilly... Something warm to drink would hit the spot. Sweet would be even better."
Strike that— not striking at all.
Maybe she'd worn that thin gown just to say it?
"Just say you want hot chocolate."
"You got it, so mission accomplished. Thanks."
She let out a satisfied sigh, cradling the steaming mug full of hot chocolate.
As Ban Yu-won sipped his own, Dokgo Yeon—already half-done with hers—said casually,
"What if we killed him now?"
"...You."
No need to ask who.
Ban Yu-won glared at her sharp words.
Dokgo Yeon met his eyes steadily, unflinching.
Of course, Ban Yu-won lost the staring contest.
He turned away, avoiding her gaze.
"Doesn't fit our plan. No."
"Tch. Thought you'd give me the answer I wanted."
She clicked her tongue with a sigh.
Then it hit him—why she'd dragged him all the way out here.
"You hauled just me to the balcony so Light and Lucelle wouldn't hear?"
"The beast's on your side, and Light would freak and object."
Ban Yu-won massaged his throbbing forehead.
"I get wanting to take down Ortima too, but we can't."
"Even though he's gunning for us?"
"Still no. Grabbing leverage is one thing—killing him blows it wide open."
Ban Yu-won bit his lip, recalling the Ortima family's immense power, dictating academy events over mere students.
Lucien Ortima dying here? The fallout would be unimaginable.
"Not here, not now. You know that much."
"I've never let anyone who puts a blade to my throat live."
Dokgo Yeon said it without a tremor.
"Made plenty of enemies along the way, but I'm still here. Same this time."
"..."
Too grim for a girl barely an adult.
Ban Yu-won couldn't fathom the hell she'd endured, so he just stayed silent.
"...But since this isn't just my fight."
She continued.
"I'll trust your judgment this once and stand down."
Just this once.
She said it plainly, draining her mug.
"Not forgetting. Just delaying. When we wipe those arrogant bastards out later, you'll stand by my side."
"You set the mood from the start just to say that."
"Busted."
She held out her mug for more without batting an eye, all innocent-like. Honestly, if he were sure he wouldn't die, he'd smack her.
Refilled, she smiled faintly.
"But it's true. I wanted you to know my patience isn't a given. To share this humiliation, this rage... with you."
"Feels more like you're chaining me down..."
Dokgo Yeon feigned shock—academy fox-lead actress level, unlike Anari.
"Even that got found out."
Can I just smack her once? No, I'd die...
Ban Yu-won gulped his hot chocolate to vent his frustration.
Scalded the roof of his mouth.
After the lavish morning banquet like yesterday, a brief rest, and the academy students gathered in the plaza by class.
As announced, Class 1 and Class 11 were combining, with two out of nine full professors overseeing them—drawing stares from all over.
Kantone, savoring the attention with a smug smile, said to Yumina,
"Professor Yumina, mind if I handle the students' oversight today?"
"As long as Class 11's autonomy is assured, by all means."
Kantone's smile stiffened at Yumina's firm rebuff.
But the piercing glares from Class 1's top prospects stole the focus from their power play.
"Hm? The crown pest aside, when'd you snag that girl, Ban Yu-won?"
"Knew you'd say it, but no."
As Dokgo Yeon asked curiously, sensing Aire's stare, Ban Yu-won replied with a wry smile.
"She's got a crush on Professor Yumina, not me."
"Ah, so our favoritist prof got caught doting on you by the girl."
"Favoritist? Harsh, Miss Dokgo Yeon."
Yumina, back after wrapping up with Kantone, teased back with a mischievous grin.
"I treat everyone equally. All a misunderstanding. For you, Miss Dokgo Yeon, who feels shortchanged on my affection, here's an extra pretty flower ornament..."
"My apologies."
Dokgo Yeon apologized seriously, face straight.
Ban Yu-won hoped Aire's jealousy might split to Dokgo Yeon, but her eyes stayed locked on him.
No way she'll team with Ortima to rampage after me too.
Sighing, he glanced back.
The guides were there, ready to escort them to the site.
Class 1, being special class, had one guide per student—totaling 70 with Class 1, 11, two professors, and guides.
They'd heard students would fight monsters directly today, so why bring guides? Baffling.
"We'll ensure your day is smooth, Master Ban Yu-won."
Anari Dedota caught his look and greeted brightly, as if forgetting this morning.
Lucelle looked cold; Dokgo Yeon gave a hollow laugh.
Meanwhile, the male guide for Lucelle and Dokgo Yeon glared openly, blaming Ban Yu-won for their lack of attention.
What else to call this total mess?
"Alright, everyone, we're heading out. First real combat with Class 1—show your brave selves!"
Yumina spoke energetically, ignoring the undercurrents.
But Ban Yu-won caught the faint irritation in her voice.
Maybe Kantone had provoked her by nitpicking students' abilities?
—Initiating spatial transfer for first-year Class 1 and 11. May your special activity prove rewarding.
The spatial magic activated, whisking them to the class activity site... the battlefield.
Ban Yu-won had been tense touring massive clashes yesterday, but this looked like an ordinary town at first glance.
If not for the shouts and explosions echoing everywhere.
"Sir! Salute!"
The battlefield commander rushed over, snapping salutes to the professors.
Word of their arrival spread instantly.
"Union Academy reinforcements have arrived!"
"Defensive formation! Union Academy's here!"
"We're saved...!"
Small-scale or not, this was life-or-death combat.
Ban Yu-won found it ironic that these picnic-vibe students would relieve those soldiers.
"So..."
Kantone exuded authority to impress the commander.
"What's the situation? Main enemy forces?"
"Major purges hit all key fronts yesterday, scattering remnants. Holding with a thousand troops, but barely maintaining status quo. Main foes are shadow stoats, skilled in urban warfare..."
The battalion leader explained eagerly to Kantone's cool tone.
Kantone waved him off mid-sentence.
"Shadow stoats? Not worth hearing. From now, students hold and fight at my assigned points. Show these plebs the climbers' might!"
With that arrogant decree, she dispatched students like chess pieces to various spots.
Undermining the class activity's purpose.
"Dokgo Yeon, rooftop of that orange-sign building. As Light, Lucelle, Ban Yu-won—guard the adjacent ones each."
"..."
Class 11 got points far from the action.
This convinced Ban Yu-won: Kantone knew their strength exactly.
Precisely because she did, she sidelined them with crap roles.
Yumina called her out incredulously.
"Professor Kantone? This seems off from Union Academy's special activity goals, no?"
"Goal's experiencing battlefields and assessing individual potential. Just optimizing their talents for victory."
Kantone smirked.
"Right place, right time, as they say. Special care so your favorites avoid danger—shouldn't you thank me?"
"Hah."
Yumina snorted once and turned to her group, serene as if no exchange happened.
True disdain.
"Okay, everyone."
"You'll face setups like this climbing the tower. Quests might require guarding the weak, so keep that in mind."
Guard what in the tower?
Before Ban Yu-won could retort, Yumina clapped.
"Head to your points and engage! I'll watch nearby, so no worries... Mr. Ban Yu-won."
She demanded softly, grinding her teeth, just for him.
"Blast something huge up front. Like I taught yesterday."
"Got your drift."
Why him specifically? His three melee party members lacked reliable ranged options.
But he had a big, beautiful one.
Ban Yu-won grinned, pulling a long red staff from his Inventory.
"I'll make a volcano erupt."