Chapter 99
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: Lesson 21. They Say It's a Special Admission Track - 3
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Starting from Tuesday of the seventh week, classes resumed normally the next day.
During the morning comprehensive practical combat session, Aire—who had been bummed out about not getting to spar with Ban Yu-won during the evaluation matches—faced off against him in a magic duel. Lately, Ban Yu-won had been tangled up in so much magic and curse business that when he showed off his dramatically improved skills, even Aire was stunned.
"That thing just now... you can do it without a staff?"
"Yeah, pretty much."
"As expected... You've got the natural talent of a mage."
Aire nodded deeply, clearly impressed.
But Cellon didn't seem satisfied with that.
—Your mana control has improved this much, and it's all thanks to me. What the hell is that girl on about? She doesn't even realize you and I are inseparable now!
'Calm down, Cellon.'
Truth be told, after his conversation with Lucelle last week, Ban Yu-won had wanted to spar with her using only martial arts, no magic. But Aire seemed to prefer a magic duel, so after some discussion, they agreed to alternate between each other's preferred styles from now on.
That said, for some reason, as he wrapped up the duel with Aire, he had this nagging feeling that he'd forgotten something...
"Ban Yu-won! You promised a magic duel with me!"
"Oh right, Misty!"
"It's Aiole!"
Come to think of it, he'd made that promise with Misty Aiole even before Aire—one for a pure magic duel.
And now that he noticed, Aire and the surname Aiole sounded awfully similar. Were the two of them related somehow?
While Ban Yu-won pondered this, Misty hopped up onto the arena and pointed at him, shouting.
"Get up here quick! You did it with the princess, so you're not chickening out on me, right?!"
"What's her deal, acting all buddy-buddy with that low-rank trash all of a sudden?"
"Probably chasing grades? I heard that guy's number one in written exams."
"Aiole... I thought she was cool, but I'm disappointed. Figures she'd stoop like this just 'cause he's a magic user too."
Her bold move sparked an unexpected backlash.
The Class 1 students, already viewing Ban Yu-won and his Class 11 crew as thorns in their side—especially since yesterday's rankings had just been posted—overreacted to Misty's actions and started grumbling loudly.
Aire had been hanging with Ban Yu-won from the start and never mingled with Class 1 anyway, so they left her alone. But Misty was different.
Being in Class 1 herself, a rare mage to boot, and quietly popular among them only poured fuel on the fire.
"Everyone, quiet down! Focus on the duel!"
Associate Professor Entel, who had a favorable view of Class 11 from the outset, frowned as the students got out of hand and tried to rein them in—but it wasn't easy.
In the end, Misty had to step up herself.
"What bullshit is that? I'm not 'buddying up'—I'm here to duel!"
"Why pick that guy of all people?"
"'Cause his magic's top-notch! If you idiots aren't blind, you can tell he's strong. Quit yapping from the sidelines and prove yourselves if you're so tough!"
"Yeah, anyone Misty can't beat should just shut up!"
Weird. Hadn't Misty been the biggest trash-talker about him behind his back?
Anyway, her sharp retort silenced the noise, so they let it slide.
Of course, Misty wielded some seriously powerful innate magic (seemed like earth-affinity ability elevated to spell level), but even on pure magic terms—elemental, linguistic, curses—she couldn't beat Ban Yu-won.
"Aaaargh, what the hell! Your physical stats are nuts too!"
"Yeah, and my magic's not half bad."
"Uwaaaaaah!"
Misty shook with rage, tears welling up, but she didn't contest the results.
If anything, she latched on, begging for more duels, so Ban Yu-won laid down the same terms as with Aire before agreeing.
"Don't you care what your classmates think?"
"Hmph. If you wanna get strong, hang with the strong. Honestly, I can't figure out how a lower-dimension kid leveled up his magic this fast... but dismissing him just 'cause he's from down there? That's for idiots."
Wise words for someone so young.
Looking back, Misty had been biased against lower dimensions, sure—but more the type who wanted him to prove it outright rather than denying facts.
And now that she'd seen he wasn't faking or scamming, her hang-ups were gone.
"Even if it's just to figure out how you got strong, I'll be a pain in your ass from now on. Get ready."
Having glimpsed his true power in the magic duel, she looked refreshed as she said it, then added in a quieter voice.
"...Plus, hanging with you might get me closer to the princess."
"Terrifying yuri pipeline..."
Ban Yu-won shuddered.
Aire idolized Yumina. Misty followed Aire.
"You fought well, even if you lost, Misty!"
"Don't rub in the loss, idiot!"
And the Class 1 girl who always trailed Misty!
He fled the horror of the yuri frontlines back to his friends.
"Yu-won!"
"Huh? Whoa, what's up? Why so frantic, Lucelle?!"
Lucelle clung to him mid-class, not caring who saw, rubbing her scent all over him.
Apparently, back-to-back duels with girls—Aire and now Misty—had really gotten under her skin.
"If I don't overwrite the scent properly...!"
Ban Yu-won felt a twinge of regret seeing how she'd gone full throttle since their Sunday date. He'd unleashed something.
Then it hit him—there was no brake to rein her in. He tilted his head.
"Where's Dokgo Yeon?"
"Over there."
As Light, desperate to pry Lucelle off but fumbling for an excuse, pointed with a raised hand.
Ban Yu-won glanced over, thinking maybe he'd spar too, and let out an enlightened "Ah."
Dokgo Yeon and Lucain Ortima were facing off.
"What're you playing at? If it's a duel challenge, spit it out. Your stare's so gross I can barely stand it."
Ban Yu-won gaped. First time hearing Dokgo Yeon talk down to someone outside their circle.
Ortima stood silent for a long beat, finally speaking just as she turned to leave.
"Why... talk down to me like that?"
"You need me to spell it out?"
"...No, never mind."
What the...? What's going on here?
Why's it got this rom-com vibe?
Ban Yu-won watched Dokgo Yeon's deepening scowl and Ortima's oddly pleased reaction to her roughness, utterly confused.
Anyone would think Ortima had heroically charged into a dungeon to save a damsel-in-distress Dokgo Yeon.
"Dokgo Yeon, you've taken so much from me. I'll get it back—every last bit. You'll spend your life repaying it."
"Funny thing—I've only got one thing you'd want. Take it anytime. Then you can shut up for good."
"I've changed, Dokgo Yeon. I'll take what's mine from you! Anything, all on my own power!"
"Hmph."
Realizing no duel challenge was coming no matter what, Dokgo Yeon left coldly after that.
Ortima didn't chase her—just gazed wistfully at her back... Ban Yu-won was genuinely baffled.
"Why's his whole genre shifted solo? Like a guy who proposed to Dokgo Yeon and got shot down."
"Who knows? Maybe losing an arm shook loose some memories and flipped his worldview."
As Ban Yu-won and As Light traded bewildered quips, Lucelle—still nuzzling his cheek—nailed it.
"That guy's probably forgotten all about sinning against us in the dungeon. Charging ahead solo, drawing his own conclusions... Bet he sees that mess as some pricey life lesson, a bitter failure that made him grow. Self-centered nuisance."
Times like this proved Lucelle wasn't dumb or lacking vocab.
Just a beast true to her instincts.
"Huh, that tracks. Why use us as his free growth fodder? Creeps me out."
"Is that upper-dimension noble style? Must be nice—fail as bad as you want, family's got your back."
"Exactly. Infuriating."
Dokgo Yeon had rejoined them by now.
Her furrowed brow was too cute (though she'd die before admitting it).
Stab!
"Why?!"
"Your face soured the mood. You were thinking weird stuff about me anyway."
"I'm so wronged I could die..."
As Ban Yu-won clutched his stabbed spot and groaned, Dokgo Yeon looked at him.
"Ban Yu-won, got any sweets to soothe me? Make it up for that sour face."
"Ortima's into chubby types or what? Uh, nothing."
She didn't know "chubby" saved his skin.
Bonus: Dokgo Yeon devoured the premium Earth department store fresh chocolate he'd stashed in his inventory (enhanced with preservation and sweetness concepts for indefinite shelf life and extra flavor)—and forgave him completely, mood lifted.
[Lecture Notice: Student Ban Yu-won has been deemed to have completed the 'Basic Martial Techniques' course with a perfect score. Starting this week, during that slot, top scorers will attend the major advanced elective 'Aura Combat Studies.' Taught by Full Professor Ryu Cheolmyeong.]
"...Huh?"
Tuesday after classes.
Ban Yu-won, locked in a fierce sword duel with just his blade against Dokgo Yeon, called time when his Student ID vibrated. The ridiculous notice floating above it left him with an indescribable expression.
He looked up to see Dokgo Yeon staring at hers with a similarly odd look.
"Yours too? Aura Combat Studies?"
"Yeah. Ryu Cheolmyeong... That giant who spewed house-sized crimson sword aura, right?"
"Yep."
From what Ban Yu-won heard, Aura Combat Studies was the melee counterpart to Magic Combat Studies—exclusive to close-range ability users. First-years without a major couldn't dream of Professor Ryu Cheolmyeong's lectures.
So why was it suddenly offered to top scorers like him and Dokgo Yeon, who hadn't even picked majors?
"Smells fishy."
"...Sniff sniff."
Dokgo Yeon tugged his sleeve and sniffed.
Ban Yu-won chuckled and shook his head.
"Not you, dummy. This situation."
Dokgo Yeon got serious.
"What'd I do? I didn't touch it."
"You totally... Nah, you didn't."
He needed a word for "cute one second, scary the next"—Dokgo Yeon exclusive.
"Ban, you too?"
"Oh, you guys as well?"
"Yu-won, if it's replacing Basic Martial Techniques..."
"Yeah. Tomorrow, period 2."
As Light and Lucelle, dueling nearby, had gotten the same message.
Made sense— if eighth-ranked overall Ban Yu-won got it, everyone above (minus mages) should too.
Still... something felt off to him.
The academy never mentioned perks for top grades before. Now suddenly top scorers get advanced majors?
"Yu-won!"
The Class 11 training room door burst open.
Yumina had come herself.
Her petal hair in a neat ponytail looked crisp, but her face was twisted in worry.
"Don't take it—turn it down! Professor Kantone's up to something. Ryu Cheolmyeong hates lower dimensions bad. Who knows what he'll pull!"
So urgent she'd ditched her usual poise for casual speech, spilling it all.
The rest gawked, but Ban Yu-won stayed cool.
"Professor, it's an official class. He can't harm us directly."
"He'll torment you sneakily! Full power in spars to crush your spirits like a petty adult, mock your skills, shove his teachings down your throats! That's his style—super slimy!"
True. This place was full of powerful folks short on maturity.
Still, he couldn't give her the answer she wanted.
"Professor, we aced midterms and built a great image. Can't bail now."
"But..."
"That's the image game. Kantone and Ryu probably timed this provocation knowing we'd think twice."
They might even hope Class 11 chickened out—top scorers too scared for advanced classes? Endless trash-talk fodder.
Accept, and they'd have new ways to hassle. Slimy as hell.
"Not saying we'll just take it, though. Right, Dokgo Yeon?"
"I'll grant his decades of built-up inner power and warped sword intent... but enough to look down on us? Eh. Time's all he's really got to brag about."
"Kuh."
Her words somehow damaged Yumina too.
She was 500, young for a full prof, and top-tier strong—no need to sweat it.
"Still worried. Reputation schmeputation—if we can dodge, we should."
"Sis."
Ban Yu-won's killer move froze Yumina on the spot.
Collateral: the other three too.
Ignoring them, he met Yumina's eyes seriously.
"Guys looking down on us for some bullshit lower-dimension reason? I'm sick of dealing. This time, I'll shut 'em up for good. ...Trust me."
"If you say trust... I have no choice but to."
Overwhelmed by his aura, Yumina stammered and nodded.
Ban Yu-won smirked, tapping the flower brooch on his chest.
"Worst case, I'll use this. So back me up then."
"Yeah, got it. I'll... head out?"
She'd rushed in worried, only for him to counter her. Drained, Yumina backed away weakly.
"Hold up."
As Light blocked her.
"No way, Professor... You only make him call you 'sis' when you're alone? And that chummy tone just now."
"Eek?!"
Yumina flinched blatantly—instead of playing it off.
"Knew it... that scent..."
"Indeed. Explains feeding Ban Yu-won so well. 'Sis,' huh. Intriguing..."
Lucelle's ominous pauses built dread; Dokgo Yeon grinned like she'd hit gold.
Yumina pleaded at Ban Yu-won with her eyes, but he stayed silent—not wanting to dangle with her.
Witch trial commenced.
Guilty.