Chapter 8
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Shouldn't Have Enrolled (8)
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Lesson 2. This is Your Roommate - 4
"It was quite an impression, wasn't it? The principal's speech."
"The principal?!"
By the time they'd recovered from the shock of that massive eyeball suddenly appearing, the entrance ceremony had flown by in a flash. Now, before the eyes of the four students from the Lower Dimension Special Admission track stood Professor Yumina, her striking red hair fluttering with petal-like strands.
Why was she here?
No, more importantly, what had she just said?
"That giant eyeball... I mean, that entity... is it really okay to call it something as friendly as 'principal'?"
"You saw its eye?"
Professor Yumina sounded genuinely surprised by Ban Yu-won's retort.
What was this now? How could anyone have missed that massive thing?
As he thought that and glanced around, As Light, Lucelle, and Dokgo Yeon were all staring straight at Ban Yu-won.
"I couldn't even look up."
"I-It was scary."
"That being had completely concealed its form through special means. And yet... how?"
As Light, Lucelle, and Dokgo Yeon spoke in turn.
Dokgo Yeon's cross-shaped pupils contracted as she fixed him with a terrifying gaze.
"Uh..."
Oh no, he'd gone and noticed something pointless again.
Having gained this chuunibyou-level revelation, Ban Yu-won made up some vague excuse.
"I just had a feeling. Like a massive eye was looking down at us..."
"Is that so? Your senses are... incredibly sharp. I've heard that great artifact creators are born with such delicate perception, and it seems true. You might even have potential for growth in combat."
Professor Yumina nodded repeatedly, convinced by his excuse, and expressed her admiration.
But Dokgo Yeon was still staring at him with keen interest...!
"Anyway, that's the principal. Technically, given the academy's nature, 'chancellor' would be more accurate, but we aim for a friendly vibe here."
"Friendly."
"You probably won't run into him much... unless you achieve something extraordinary at the academy or do something really bad."
With that, the professor turned a mischievous smile on Ban Yu-won and added,
"I have a feeling you'll end up meeting the principal one-on-one someday, Ban Yu-won."
"Isn't that a curse, Professor?"
"Hehe, your achievements as my students become my achievements too. Do your best from now on."
At those words, Ban Yu-won and the other three flinched.
"Hm?"
"Y-Yes?"
"Does that mean you're our supervising professor?"
As Light stepped forward as the representative to ask, and Professor Yumina nodded without hesitation.
"That's right."
"One of the only nine full professors in the entire academy? For us?"
"Yes. Allow me to introduce myself properly. I'm Yumina, and I handle Magical Combat Studies. For the next five years until your graduation, I'll be the supervising professor for your class of four."
"Five years?!"
Fortunately, Ban Yu-won had taken home the academy's basic guidebook on the way back yesterday and studied it thoroughly, so he knew exactly what a 'full professor' meant.
Union Academy, the greatest academy across all dimensions, didn't have ordinary faculty either.
The nine full professors, all graduates of Union Academy themselves, had each passed the principal's rigorous trials. Every one of them wielded absurd power capable of bringing an entire dimension to its knees.
They handled all major academy matters, while associate professors merely assisted them and managed students.
With five grades and about 300 students per grade, that made around 50 classes of 30 students each.
Most classes were handled by associate professors, with the exception of the Special Class in each grade, which gathered only the top performers.
Yet here was Professor Yumina saying she'd personally supervise them—a class of just four from the Lower Dimension Special Admission track. How could they not be shocked!
"Students, don't misunderstand. Normally, Lower Dimension Special Admission students in each grade are managed separately. It's not discrimination or special treatment—it's to protect them from malice from other students. For fair education, it's necessary."
"But that's usually all handled by associate professors..."
"True. The reason I'm taking you on is that this year's special admission qualifiers are exceptionally special."
Professor Yumina admitted it straightforwardly, then fixed her sparkling gaze openly on Ban Yu-won.
"It's almost baffling how we ended up with such a group."
Good thing his companions weren't the jealous type, or Ban Yu-won would've wanted to hide from the blatant attention.
Then, unexpectedly, As Light subtly stepped in front of him, as if shielding him from the professor's gaze.
What a gentlemanly guy in the weirdest way. It didn't feel bad, but it was a little awkward.
"Professor, won't this level of attention just make the regular admission students watch us even more warily...?"
"I believe you students can overcome that much."
Professor Yumina stated firmly.
Her ruby-red eyes stared piercingly at As Light, who had spoken up.
"I'll block all external pressure. I'll cut off any bullying that doesn't aid your studies or growth at the root. But I can't interfere in internal competition protected by academy rules."
"Kuh."
"One piece of obvious advice: Stick together as a group of four from now on. You're not just special admission classmates—you're also party members who'll climb the tower together for the next five years until graduation."
Party members?
He knew Babel Tower was a dungeon, but hearing it phrased like a game still made him nod instinctively.
"Hmph, climbing the tower with those pathetic fools lost in delusions would be far worse..."
Dokgo Yeon muttered sarcastically in place of As Light, who was drained from facing the professor's pressure head-on.
Her displeased gaze swept over As Light and Lucelle.
He was just grateful that terrifying look hadn't turned on him.
"P-Professor."
Lucelle timidly spoke up, avoiding her gaze.
"E-Everyone's staring at us. C-Can we go somewhere else quick...?"
"You're right."
They were already drawing unkind looks from other freshmen just for being Lower Dimension Special Admission students.
Now, with a full professor chatting them up, everyone was watching with a mix of curiosity and hostility.
Ban Yu-won inwardly sighed. What was the big deal about upper versus lower dimensions anyway?
"Then let's move right away. To our classroom."
With a snap of Professor Yumina's fingers, the surroundings melted like goo, walls springing up to enclose them.
'Not trapped— just teleported to a sealed space?'
Like the professor's office, one wall was a full sheet of glass, revealing academy facilities, forests, lakes, a small spaceship dock, and the towering Babel Tower in the distance.
The notable thing? No door.
Impossible to enter or exit.
"All your lessons and announcements from me will take place in this room. No one can enter by normal means. First, I'll distribute your Student IDs."
The Student IDs were pendants: slender silver chains ending in modest, elegantly unflashy gems.
Peering closely at the intricately carved gem revealed swirling mystical script that made his eyes ache like they might split open.
[Too many complex concepts packed into the script for immediate conversion to kanji. Full recognition and assimilation of this new language system will require considerable time.]
First time his language ability had failed to interpret something.
Still, impressive that it didn't seem outright impossible.
Maybe this would be his gateway into magic?
As Ban Yu-won smiled at the new possibility, As Light once again spoke for the group.
"Is there a specific way to use it?"
"Of course. The Student ID registers upon absorbing your magic power. After that, simply infuse magic power to verify your identity and exercise most permitted privileges within the academy. And above all, anywhere within academy grounds, you can teleport here directly."
An artifact with spatial transfer!
Well, last time they'd teleported by tearing a single sheet of paper, so no real surprise.
"For spatial transfer, infuse magic power while speaking a special keyword. Hmm, let's say 'Professor Yumina is beautiful.' Just decided now."
"......"
"To leave this room, same thing: recite the phrase while infusing magic power, and you'll return to where you were before entering. Neat, right?"
Ban Yu-won could handle that much whimsy from someone so genuinely beautiful, but As Light and Dokgo Yeon struggled to keep straight faces.
Was that guy polite or rude? Impossible to tell.
Fortunately, Professor Yumina ignored the students' reactions and continued.
"Most importantly, you can't enter the tower without your Student ID. Dimensional pirates sometimes invade targeting academy students' IDs, so be extra careful with them."
Lucelle's eyes widened.
"D-Dimensional pirates invade even this top-tier dimension...?"
"More madmen willing to brave death for tower access than you'd think."
Ban Yu-won grew suddenly anxious at that.
He didn't know what dimensional pirates were, but they didn't sound nice.
Wasn't this what pros called foreshadowing?
Even Russian playwright Anton Chekhov had said it:
If in Act 1 you have a suspiciously shady roommate, by Act 3 at latest, it must be revealed that the roommate is actually a woman in disguise!
Unable to suppress his worry, Ban Yu-won cautiously raised his hand.
"What happens if we lose our Student ID?"
"Good question. Regardless of reason, you get an academic warning, pay a fine and donation to the academy, then get a reissue."
"Eek!"
Harsh and brutally realistic!
Terrified, Lucelle huddled even smaller, hiding her pendant in her collar.
Meanwhile, Dokgo Yeon spun her chain around her finger, her black eyes glinting.
"So, there might be guys coming after this."
"Stealing or hiding another student's ID results in immediate suspension."
"I don't take others' things."
As Professor Yumina warned, Dokgo Yeon replied in a displeased tone.
"I just won't hesitate to use force to protect mine."
Her words weren't foreshadowing—they were an outright declaration of intent for bloodshed.
"Fine. Just stay within academy rules."
"Of course."
Dokgo Yeon's smile was downright ominous.
Truly demonic.
Ban Yu-won restrained his gaze from being drawn in and fiddled with his own Student ID.
"Right, what else... Ah, schedules haven't been distributed yet."
Distributed? Analog style?
Before the thought finished, holograms popped up over his Student ID, silencing him.
"Classes run Monday through Thursday, excluding exam weeks and special activity periods. Fridays are mandatory tower explorations, adjustable by party members from that day for up to 2 nights and 3 days. Plan with rest in mind."
"The tower."
Ban Yu-won's eyes sparkled.
True to an academy built for the tower, the emphasis was massive.
The intense looks exchanged among members at the word 'tower' showed his resolve wasn't unique.
"Touch a subject on the schedule, and it'll show classroom location and travel method. Textbooks will be in your dorms. Any questions?"
"Professor, what about entering the tower solo?"
Surprisingly, As Light asked eagerly.
"Not allowed."
Professor Yumina answered with a smile.
"Explorations must be in parties. Solo only with special principal approval in exceptional cases. Satisfied?"
"Ah... Yeah. Sorry, everyone. I just wanted to test my own strength—not that I dislike partying with you."
"Ha."
"Ugh..."
He could've asked that in a one-on-one with the professor later.
Ban Yu-won mentally nicknamed As Light: Zero Sense. The guy might not even know tact exists!
But what could he do?
At first, seeing classmates who seemed far superior to regular admits—not inferior at all—he'd thought things might go smoother than expected.
But now: a terrifyingly strong girl whose thoughts were unknowable,
a seemingly nice but subtly self-centered roommate with zero tact,
and a timid puppy curling up like it was competing with a cockroach.
Plus himself, the clueless diplomat-wannabe dragged in. What a motley crew of disasters!
"Alright, not much left, so focus up."
As if refreshing the chilled mood from As Light, Professor Yumina clapped to draw attention.
"From the moment you got your Student IDs, you can use most academy facilities: cafeteria, library, shop, cafe, training grounds. Especially the training grounds—don't slack on self-training outside class. Regular students might look down on you now, but overwhelm them with results, and they'll have to acknowledge you."
"I like the sound of that."
Dokgo Yeon quipped, slipping her pendant around her neck after spinning it on her finger.
"So, we disband for today?"
"No, I prepared refreshments for a get-to-know-you... Oh my."
At that instant, Professor Yumina's pendant glowed faintly and vibrated.
Her gemstone eyes blinked rapidly, looking quite flustered.
"Maybe I should switch to prophet."
"Professor?"
"Ahem. Sorry, students, get-together next time. You're free to go—tour the facilities if you like."
Declaring adjournment, Yumina turned to Ban Yu-won.
"Ban Yu-won, follow me."
"Pardon? What... Whoa."
He was getting used to space shifting without warning.
In a blink, he was dragged alone into a silent hallway, staring at Yumina as she twinkled her gemstone eyes and said,
"I told you earlier—you'd meet the principal one-on-one someday."
"Yes, you did...?"
"It's happening now."
"What?! Why me?"
"Who knows. Maybe."
Yumina grinned mischievously and gave him a light push.
Caught off guard by her surprising strength, Ban Yu-won slid forward.
His body passed straight through what looked like solid wall midway down the hall, sucked into a secret chamber.
Yumina's voice echoed faintly from afar.
"The principal might have sensed your gaze too."
—Indeed.
A voice rang out.
The same one from the entrance ceremony.
On his first day at the academy, Ban Yu-won found himself in a private audience with the chancellor.