Chapter 81
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: Lesson 18. Midterms - 3
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The first time I met him was on the first day attending Professor Xenon's lecture.
I'd been shocked when Dokgo Yeon, the strongest member of Rebellion, had been briefly overtaken.
I'd figured he was skilled since he was taking Xenon's lecture, which was famous even in the Academy for being attended only by the top elites... but I never imagined he'd be the Student Council Vice President.
'That's why I wanted to consult with the members a bit before talking to you.'
Watching Xenon deliver his lecture from the podium in his usual calm tone, I glanced sideways. Lucelle, seated with Dokgo Yeon between us, was staring at him with utterly unwavering eyes.
That was because the talisman's effect was active, making her 'focus' on Ban Yu-won.
'I was the fool. I should have set the priority for focus.'
This wouldn't normally happen.
Right now, As Light, sitting on the opposite side, was glaring piercingly at Xenon.
The problem was that Lucelle's mindset toward Ban Yu-won far exceeded his expectations.
Her gaze wasn't just hot—it was scorching.
Monstrous concepts like 'affection' and 'desire' were swirling wildly in the depths of her heart.
If Dokgo Yeon hadn't been between them, he couldn't even guarantee what might have happened by now.
In any case, neither Lucelle nor As Light was in any state for a proper conversation.
"Can we really climb the Tower with these idiots in tow...?"
"That's what I worry about every day, so don't you start emphasizing it too."
Dokgo Yeon, the only one among the talisman recipients who hadn't activated hers immediately, was sitting there perfectly fine.
Truth be told, she was the only Rebellion member worth consulting with, so it didn't really matter what happened to Lucelle and As Light.
"So, Dokgo Yeon, what do you think?"
"Isn't there a chance what you spotted yesterday wasn't that big a deal to begin with?"
"I was thinking about why there was movement near the spaceship landing area. Probably a student returning to the Academy via spaceship."
"That would be the normal assumption. See, no big issue."
"At first, it looked like a hazy blob, but now I think it might have been some kind of perception-blocking magic."
Of course, his All-Reading Eyes could pierce through everything, but it was hard to discern everything that passed by in an instant.
He needed at least to clearly recognize and focus on the target.
"Sneaking back into the Academy at night, avoiding prying eyes. Sounds like a shy one."
"Actually, I caught a glimpse for a split second."
At the time, he'd dismissed it as an optical illusion, but when he bumped into that 4th-year Kettra who claimed to be the Vice President earlier, he became convinced it was real.
"Their ears looked pointy."
"I see."
Dokgo Yeon nodded with a look of complete understanding.
"A massive cheating scandal involving the Student Council, rapid evidence destruction... Hmm, that guy could probably behead Ban Yu-won before I could even intervene. Farewell, Ban Yu-won."
"Can't we think a little more positively...?"
"They might drag you into the Student Council as an accomplice since you hold evidence of cheating."
"That's what it was like before too."
While they exchanged such ominous words, the lecture ended!
As Light was silently fixated on Xenon's retreating figure leaving the classroom, Ban Yu-won lightly tapped his head to calm him down. Just as Lucelle leaped over Dokgo Yeon to cling to him the moment class ended, Kettra approached them with surprisingly light steps.
"Thanks for waiting, Ban Yu-won, underclassman. Let's grab a drink at a cafe and talk."
"Grrr...!"
Sensing Kettra reaching out to Ban Yu-won, Lucelle bared her teeth and blocked his path.
Ban Yu-won signaled Dokgo Yeon with his eyes, and she swiftly knocked Lucelle out.
Kettra clapped at their fluid, natural movements.
"You guys play pretty aggressively."
"We're just really close. Shall we go, Senior?"
"Ban Yu-won, are you sure you'll be okay alone?"
Supporting the unconscious Lucelle with one arm and the still-dazed As Light with the other—what could he even say? It only made them worry more about his side.
Ban Yu-won chuckled and replied.
"I'll be fine. Probably."
"Of course. Didn't Graham tell you? The Student Council thinks very highly of you, Ban Yu-won, underclassman. So relax—I'll send you back to your precious underclassmen properly."
"..."
Kettra flashed a sparkling smile, spouting something cringeworthy, and winked at Dokgo Yeon.
Dokgo Yeon made a genuinely disgusted face but said nothing, turning away with the two burdens in tow.
"...Did she hate that?"
"Just curious, but who actually likes that?"
"Most girls do..."
To not instantly realize Dokgo Yeon wasn't one of 'most girls'—this guy was nothing special.
"Shall we talk at the cafe then? Oh, an outside cafe, of course."
"Outside."
Outside the Academy naturally meant the city beyond it—Ronica.
Well, Student Council members would naturally have permission for external activities.
Ban Yu-won nodded in understanding, and Kettra grabbed his hand, touching his own Student ID.
The next moment, they stood at the outskirts of the outer city, Ronica.
"Ta-da, welcome to Ronica... Oh, you're already familiar. I was shocked to hear this year's freshmen got solo exploration and external activity permissions so quickly."
"I don't have solo exploration permission."
"Right, that Ice Princess, huh? The 'real monster' even her classmates can't approach. If not for Special Class, she'd be pegged as next Student Council President. Such a shame. Ah, this way."
As expected of someone experienced in Ronica activities, he confidently slipped through alleys, guiding Ban Yu-won to a backstreet cafe he'd never seen before.
It was tucked in a corner, but the intricately patterned wooden sign gave a warm vibe—a pretty decent atmosphere.
Ding-a-ling. The door opened with a cheerful bell.
"It's like the Student Council's hideout. No other Academy students will spot us here. Hey, sis!"
"Kettra, you're here! Welcome, guest!"
The woman brewing coffee alone inside responded to Kettra's wink with a bright smile—clearly, it worked on other women.
They sat in a corner booth and received their orders.
Kettra got a vanilla latte; Ban Yu-won, the college student's best friend, Americano (though called something else here).
"So, what was the story? About you and the Ice Princess dating?"
"Aren't we just starting the talk? And she likes someone else."
"Oh, so if we recruit her to the Student Council, the Princess follows?"
Kettra pondered seriously until Ban Yu-won's sour glare made him finally get to the point.
"This morning."
"This morning?"
"Yeah."
I'd expected last night's story.
What was all that serious talk with Dokgo Yeon earlier...? Ban Yu-won wore a deflated expression as Kettra spoke with a much more serious face.
"We checked the item you submitted to Professor Campanella too."
"Huh."
He'd thought only Professor Campanella would see it, not that it'd be shared with Student Council execs.
As Ban Yu-won looked flustered, Kettra seemed awkward.
"Not trying to grill you over it. How to put it... Professor showed it to us because it has a similar effect to something we've been tracking hard."
"Tracking?"
Ban Yu-won sensed the conversation veering suspiciously.
"Yeah. Where to start... Right. You might not know yet, underclassman, but our Academy's regular exams are intense in many ways?"
Thanks to Yumina kindly compiling past years' tests for all subjects, Ban Yu-won knew how bad they were—but unsure if legal, he kept quiet.
"Student backlash against exams is huge, naturally. They came to climb the Tower and become gods—why waste time on tests? Chancellor's consistent response: expulsion."
"Complain and get expelled, huh..."
"Those students seeking ways to score without losing much study time... Cheating became inevitable."
"I've heard roughly about that."
"Makes it easier then."
Kettra ranted about all the cheating incidents over recent years at the Academy, how cunningly they'd evolved, and the Student Council's struggles catching them.
"And this year, it's gotten way worse... Seems like something dangerous is circulating among students..."
"Stop!"
Ban Yu-won desperately halted his senior's words.
He couldn't tolerate that remark, risky in multiple ways.
"Please use a milder expression."
"Potions with severe side effects are circulating..."
"Okay. Whew... Huh?"
Ban Yu-won sighed in relief at the verbal magic, then tilted his head.
"But my talisman has no connection to those potions."
"I think so too, but some are worried. Because the potions grant bizarre focus, comprehension, and memory boosts."
"Similar effects mean same origin?"
"Yeah."
Ban Yu-won nodded in understanding.
But he couldn't show them talisman creation, nor would they demand it.
Kettra gave a wry smile at his frown.
"No need to worry, underclassman. Just hoping for a little help. Like inferring potion ingredients or tracing the source..."
"So you were suspecting me after all...?"
"Poison and medicine are two sides of the same coin, right? Some ingredients might overlap..."
Ban Yu-won realized this man didn't understand his talisman's mechanism at all.
Of course, no intention to explain—he just silently sipped his coffee.
Ding-a-ling. The cafe door opened then.
"Kettra—heard the talk?"
"Ah, Mira."
The girl entering was a stunning blonde so beautiful even Ban Yu-won, whose tastes had risen with his class members, was impressed.
With dazzling white skin, golden hair, and peridot eyes shining like emeralds, she seemed what As Light might have become if he hadn't messed with that holy sword nonsense—pure and beautiful!
"Mira, Student Council PR Director."
At Kettra's introduction, the girl placed a hand near her chest and bowed her head slightly.
"Third-year, Artifact Creation major, Mira. Our kind have no surnames. Same for Kettra."
"Hello."
Ban Yu-won bowed politely to his senior.
"Saw the scroll you made. Impressive."
"Thank you. No link to those potions, though."
"I know."
She nodded naturally, as if she'd expected his response.
"What?"
Kettra gaped and retorted.
"You're the one who said to approach Ban Yu-won underclassman since effects are similar, Mira."
"Just an excuse. We snag talent before others do."
"Mira, you really..."
Kettra was the senior, but Mira seemed to hold more sway.
Ban Yu-won sipped his coffee as they talked.
For reference, in high school he'd ignored black coffee, but now he drank it black just to feel like a college student during those moments.
It was insanely bitter.
Downing the cup quickly, Ban Yu-won grimaced.
"Ugh, so bitter. Can I head out then?"
"No, ideally join the Student Council. And provide those scrolls to us."
"Not easy to make."
Ban Yu-won refused Mira's request without hesitation and stood. Kettra grabbed him regretfully.
"The join request is sincere. We need talent like you."
"I'll think about it."
"Then exchange Mirror Codes first. Contact us if you learn anything about this case."
"Gladly."
Ban Yu-won exchanged Mirror Codes with Kettra—and Mira too.
Mira sat in his spot, planning to spend time alone with Kettra.
They suited each other perfectly, as expected?
Picturing their relationship in his mind, Ban Yu-won left the cafe.
No, before that.
He turned back to Kettra.
"Senior, so what are the potion side effects? As long as it doesn't lead to exam cheating..."
"It doesn't wear off."
Mystery?
"The potion-induced focus state doesn't end. At this rate, mass expulsions on exam day."
"That's what dependence does."
"Say potion, potion!"
Ban Yu-won left the cafe utterly drained.
As he navigated the unfamiliar alley back to a familiar main street, Cellon asked.
―But why the smile?
"Told you, not a mistake."
―What? Oh.
Cellon realized late.
Mira, who matched Kettra so well.
Her ears were pointed like a fairy's from a storybook too.