Chapter 67
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Lesson 15. Didn't They Teach You to Be Careful with Contracts? - 1
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The dimensional ship carrying all the students and faculty of Union Academy returned to the academy at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.
The school-wide special activity, which had departed Friday morning, had finally come to an end.
Thinking about it, it was like a baptism for the clueless freshmen.
It showed the freshmen, who only thought Union Academy was amazing and that they themselves were superior for being selected, the academy's true power and the path they needed to follow.
Though there had been a clash with a massive dimensional pirate fleet, and in the process, the top first-year prospect lost an arm and an eye, it was still enough for the freshmen to recognize the faculty's capabilities and Union Academy's prestige.
Among them, the one who benefited the most from this special activity was Yumina.
"Professor Yumina blocked a dimensional fleet all by herself?"
"Don't even get me started. You should have seen it. When Professor Yumina reached out, thorny vines as thick as buildings sprouted into the sky..."
"She's incredible. But why would someone like that take on those rejects?"
"Rejects? Oh, Class 11... Uh... well."
"They didn't seem all that bad. Didn't you hear? In the dungeon created by the constellation of Exodus..."
Rebellion, which had already been gaining ground in the academy, solidified its image as a true powerhouse after returning from the special activity.
While Ortima's successor returned injured from the dungeon, the Rebellion members emerged unscathed, naturally drawing attention to their abilities.
Class 1 students who followed Ortima like a leader spouted nonsense that Class 11 survived only because of his sacrifice, but no one in the academy trusted his character that much.
In fact, after it became known that he'd struck out with Dokgo Yeon, even his claim of entering the dungeon to rescue Class 11 students was under suspicion!
"I saw it clearly. The 'Princess' was eating with those guys."
"She seemed friendly with that one... the blond guy who looks like a parasite."
"He had the skills from the start anyway. That girl. The scary-looking one."
"If you have outstanding ability, a lower-dimensional origin can be overlooked. With proper academy support going forward..."
"What can we do if the Princess is friends with them?"
Aire—the Untouchable Princess of Class 1 (who apparently hated the nickname)—being seen hanging around Rebellion members after clearing the dungeon accelerated these perceptions. She'd been sucked into the dungeon with Ortima.
Why would someone as picky as her hang out with Rebellion?
Obviously, something in the dungeon made her acknowledge them!
Rumors even swirled that Light, with his refined noble looks, and Aire had gotten romantically involved—speculation on par with Ban Yu-won's deductions.
"Hm?"
"Hmmm... This is something. The reaction is immediate."
"It's the kind of gaze I got a lot as a kid. Eyes full of expectation."
"...Me too."
Thanks to that, the very next day—Monday of the fourth week at the academy.
When Ban Yu-won entered the lecture hall, the quality of the stares directed at their group had changed.
As Light had noted, they now carried faint goodwill mixed with expectation.
'This feels like our image has been perfectly rehabilitated.'
Even before leaving for the special activity, they had a positive image among students outside the first-year Special Class—excluding each grade's Class 1.
Now, the special activity had rooted that perception firmly.
Rumors even spread that Yumina, having displayed divine power, was assigned to first-year Class 11 because she spotted special talents in them, or that she was raising the special admission students in her unique way.
As if they were plants or something.
"They could have just watched the videos on the channel and accepted it straightforwardly, but they sure took the long way around."
"This is fast enough. It's only been less than a month since we enrolled, right?"
"Are they bragging about how capable we are?"
"It's an achievement we accomplished together, so what..."
Since returning from the special activity, Dokgo Yeon oddly seemed pickier with him.
He hadn't done anything wrong during it, and she'd been affectionate sightseeing the Tolmon Empire's capital on the last day, so he couldn't figure it out.
"Now that more people recognize us, we can't let our guard down. Special training after class."
"Why?! Not that I'm complaining if you do..."
Now in the fourth week of the academy's curriculum.
The freshmen were gradually adapting to the tower and growing through repeated level-ups.
Each one was a genius representing their dimension's potential.
If Ban Yu-won slacked off just because his growth was fast, these elites might catch up!
'Manifestation Technique. I need to embody the Manifestation Technique quickly. Perfect the shift in the Body concept, then build up Manifestation Energy. Strengthen the two core concepts: Body and Magical Power.'
Even absorbing concepts yielded diminishing returns now. What mattered was refining key concepts suited to him and elevating them.
He was dedicating 24 hours to the Manifestation Technique, but the progress wasn't satisfactory.
It wasn't a technique that grew easily just by sitting and circulating energy diligently.
In the dungeon last week, he'd felt it stimulate while fighting monsters and Irecto.
Maybe that's why Dokgo Yeon suggested special training.
"What did you all learn from last week's lower dimension? Precisely what a king must possess to remain a king..."
Ignoring the arrogant lecture, Ban Yu-won mentally prepared for afternoon special training.
Of course, whether he did or not, he'd get beaten senseless by Dokgo Yeon anyway.
Dokgo Yeon was in a foul mood for some reason.
Her special training proposal wasn't just for Ban Yu-won's Manifestation Technique—it was also for venting her frustration.
That was Ban Yu-won's conclusion after 30 minutes of getting pummeled.
The depth of the Body concept, stimulated by Manifestation Energy, decreases to 260. The Body concept is undergoing change. You perceive that the depth of the transformed unknown concept has surpassed 150!
Training in the Manifestation Technique has partially eradicated negative concepts within your body. Positive excess in Life is generated. The excess potential will promote growth in other concepts.
The depth of Manifestation Technique becomes 47, and the depth of Manifestation Energy becomes 244.
"Haa... I don't wanna live anymore..."
Ban Yu-won, sprawled against one wall of Class 11's training room like a starfish, muttered as he slowly slid down.
Even amid this, Dokgo Yeon's methods were astonishingly accelerating his Manifestation Technique growth and Body concept shift, which only frustrated him more.
"Yu-won, do we really have to upload this video? It's... too intense."
Lucelle cautiously asked while checking the footage Tike had recorded.
Ban Yu-won lay there pondering for a moment before nodding laboriously.
"We need to show this harsh training to boost goodwill even more."
"Training? This isn't even proper training. You just got beaten up by her."
Dokgo Yeon said coldly, opening her palm and beckoning him.
"So get up. I hit you so you could."
"Dokgo Yeon... Can't you just tell me what's wrong? Whatever it is, let's solve it together. Yeah?"
"I told you this morning. I just want to make you stronger as fast as possible. For Rebellion's honor."
"...Coward."
That mutter came not from Ban Yu-won, but Lucelle.
Dokgo Yeon's eyebrow twitched at catching it...
—Boom!
"Kyaaang!"
The next instant, Lucelle was starfished beside Ban Yu-won.
"Beast, you join in too."
Ban Yu-won clearly saw her reach Lucelle's position in an instant, punch her flying, then return to her spot.
Was that the realm of Shrinking Earth Step?
"Lucelle, why provoke her."
As Ban Yu-won gave her a pitying look, Lucelle forced a smile, replying in a trembling voice.
"Now we're... the same... Happy for us..."
"Don't follow her example because it's scary..."
"You two, get up already?"
While the pitiful man caught by the hellish demon and the saintess who willingly walked into hell with him burned in the flames named Dokgo Yeon,
Light desperately swung his spear, avoiding watching their ordeal.
"Light, get ready too."
But hellfire consumes indiscriminately.
Light shuddered and shouted.
"Why me?!"
"I heard you resisted the holy sword's temptation in the dungeon. Honestly, I didn't expect much... but now I think you're worth teaching seriously. As a reward, I'll teach you superior spear arts."
"Reward? Is that really a reward?"
"Hehe, up to you."
In that moment Dokgo Yeon showed an opening talking to Light.
Ban Yu-won rose silently like a ghost, charging at her with the Executioner's Longsword, determined to at least slice her collar.
'Hup!'
Using Shadow Step—a concept he'd never used against her before!
The accelerated Shadow Step x4 made his feet vanish momentarily, smooth and swift. Dokgo Yeon reacted a beat late to his drastically changed movement.
Her reflexive hand blade would be weaker too. Flowing it away with Flow's subtlety, he thrust at her seemingly open chest—!
"Ho."
"Kghack!"
He got beaten.
Dokgo Yeon swatted his strikes like flies, then kicked him back to the wall.
"Not a bad attempt. But crude. Trying to fool my eyes with that footwork?"
"Urghhh..."
"Imitating shadows with footwork is decent, but your energy harmony sucks. While training Manifestation Technique, create your own Lightfoot Technique suited to you."
He had no idea what she meant.
Meanwhile, Lucelle slipped Dokgo Yeon's notice during Ban Yu-won's attack, dropping from the ceiling with feral savagery.
She slashed with extended claws, got hit, and rolled beside Ban Yu-won.
"Kyaaang..."
"But even unsuitable techniques can be useful sometimes... Fine. Learn that too. Always picking up scraps."
Dokgo Yeon ignored Lucelle's ambush, muttering before finalizing Ban Yu-won's extra lessons.
"Don't worry, Ban Yu-won. You're doing great. Succeed in infusing every movement with Manifestation Technique, and you're halfway there. You've already reached that half."
"Thanks... I guess."
"So I can push you harder."
"Oh."
Hearing that, Ban Yu-won gained conviction in a past thought.
Dokgo Yeon had real teacher potential.
A bit violent, but undeniably skilled—forcing you to learn!
"Huh...?"
Then it happened.
Lucelle, sneaking skinship with Ban Yu-won while rolling on the floor, suddenly widened her eyes in realization.
"Yu-won, where's Eve?"
Only then did the others notice.
Eve, always coiled around his arm, was nowhere to be seen.
Come to think of it, she hadn't been around since morning.
"Dungeon."
Ban Yu-won answered curtly.
Lucelle tilted her head.
"Pardon?"
"Dungeon."
He repeated, adding,
"After eating Ortima's iron ball, she can freely wield my authority even at range. That's not all, but the key point is she can now collect language concepts without me."
The iron ball Dokgo Yeon stole from Ortima—Astraia's first-magnitude star 'Spica'—held various concepts, but the core was Resonance.
As Eve had explained after devouring it, it suited his retainer more than the master: it let her assimilate with her soul-linked master Ban Yu-won, resonating to wield his will, magic, and authority more intimately and naturally.
Assimilation, in a way. Simply put, Eve became an autonomous clone of Ban Yu-won.
"So since this morning, Eve's been running dungeons outside the academy with Liliss, collecting concepts indiscriminately."
"What...?"
Ban Yu-won added that their closer link let him check their location and actions anytime he wanted.
That's right...
Ban Yu-won was running multis!