Why Did I Have to Enroll

The Mysterious Body Technique is a foundational technique that simultaneously trains both body and internal energy.

The black flames that endlessly circulate through the body rise up fiercely as if to devour their master, eventually transforming ordinary flesh and magic power into something beyond this dimension.

However, the results differ for each person, because the Mysterious Body Technique changes and grows according to the practitioner's will, imagery, and actions.

As a result, while one person's body might transform into a scabbard and their magic power into a sword, another's body might become a graveyard and their power might transform into death itself.

Ban Yu-won also felt his body and magic power changing as he practiced the Mysterious Body Technique.

However, he was someone who dealt with concepts themselves, wielding the power of the origin of all things.

His body and magic power didn't lean toward any single property, but rather continuously drew closer to the origin, becoming increasingly stained by endless darkness.

[The depth of your Body, stimulated by the Mysterious Qi, has decreased to 196. The conceptual transformation of the body is in progress. We detect that the transformed unknown concept has surpassed a depth of 250!]

[Due to practicing the Mysterious Body Technique, some negative concepts within your body have been eliminated. A positive surplus of Life has been generated. This surplus potential will accelerate the growth of other concepts.]

[The depth of Mysterious Body Technique has reached 100, Mysterious Qi depth has reached 285. Life depth has reached 445.]

[As the depth of Mysterious Body Technique has increased, faster practice is now possible.]

"...Phew."

After finishing his practice and opening his eyes, Ban Yu-won thought about the Mysterious Body Technique for a moment.

Perhaps these black flames were simply so profoundly deep that their true nature couldn't be seen.

Though Dokgo Yeon who taught him the Mysterious Body Technique would probably scoff at this, perhaps other martial arts that developed from the Mysterious Body Technique were merely branches that split off from its deep, profound essence.

If that were the case, then the true way to 'perfect' the Mysterious Body Technique would be....

'No, this too is just a difference in interpretation. I'll proceed down the path I believe is right, and show the results to Dokgo Yeon.'

When that time came, he might also be able to ask why they had taught him such an extraordinary martial art as the Mysterious Body Technique....

His time of solitude was permitted only until then.

"Sissit!"

"Huh?"

―Bang!

Just as his student ID card started vibrating, Eve suddenly emerged from thin air and wrapped herself around his arm.

Belatedly, Lilith also appeared with a honking sound.

The little ones who had been patrolling external dungeons day and night had returned for their interim settlement.

"Good work. Was it tough?"

"Sissit, sississit."

"Yeah, there's no one but you."

"Bung, buuung."

"And Lilith too, of course. Yes, yes."

Ban Yu-won stored the concepts they had collected in the code core.

Besides what Eve and Lilith carried around for concept collection, Ban Yu-won had several other cores, and currently he was gathering certain concepts separately in one of them.

And with what was collected this time added....

Core 3,000[Life 2,057, Magic 502, Sword 316, Swordsmanship 54]

It had reached such a terrifying figure.

"The squad leader... the squad leader is very proud of you."

"Shississit."

―Bang!

Of course, these figures were exaggerated.

They had just forcibly stacked low-purity concepts using weak monsters like goblins as a baseline.

In other words, the concept figures gathered in this code core represented 'quantity' rather than 'quality'.

Even if one were to enhance using low-purity concepts, the limit would probably be around Life 150.

But that much would be enough.

"Let's work just a bit harder. I think it'll be sufficient if we gather for just a few more days."

"Shiiit."

"You've worked hard, so rest. Now then... Tike?"

―Whirr

Ban Yu-won's dedicated camera operator, Tike, appeared at his call.

He had asked them to spend all day filming around the academy, and these days, thanks to both Rebellion and Tike becoming famous, students would even wave cheerfully when they spotted them.

They probably thought they might get featured on the Rebellion channel if they were lucky.

That's how much of a trend the Rebellion channel had become at the academy.

However, having them roam the academy today wasn't for content for the Rebellion channel....

"...I can definitely see there's a problem."

It was because he wanted to see the actual state of the potions circulating within the academy with his own eyes.

The current number of enrolled students at this vast Union Academy was around 1,000.

Among them, the number of students who were clearly behaving strangely... or had 'strange concepts' mixed in their bodies was at least ten, just from what Tike had confirmed.

Assuming they couldn't check the dormitories or library reading rooms, the scale of victims would surely be even larger.

His head was already hurting thinking about what methods they would need to use to detoxify all these people.

"Tch, I'll think about that tomorrow when I meet with senior. You worked hard too, Tike. I'll upgrade you later."

After comforting his subordinates, and since Light would also be returning from training (or rather, getting one-sidedly beaten by Dokgo Yeon), he was about to get up thinking of making hot chocolate to drink together when.

Buzz, his student ID card vibrated again.

"What's this... don't tell me?"

When he checked, spatial transfer coordinates had appeared above his student ID.

Yumina wouldn't call him in such a cumbersome way, so it seemed the principal was looking for him.

"Sissit?"

"Hmm... no. I can't exactly ignore the summons either. I should go. I was thinking I wanted to have a chat sometime anyway. I'll be back, so rest up."

After gently patting Eve's head as she watched him with worried eyes, he prepared Light's share of hot chocolate on the table and activated his student ID.

In an instant, the surrounding scenery melted away and the space changed.

It was, as expected, the principal's office that he had visited twice before.

―It's been a while, Ban Yu-won.

Year 1, Semester 1, Week 5 - his third meeting with the principal began.

Today's principal took the form of a doll that looked like a witch straight out of a fairy tale.

Wearing a large pointed hat and wrapped in a pitch-black cloak, the cute witch doll's eyes glowed bright green.

Though he honestly thought it was in poor taste, Ban Yu-won still greeted them politely.

"Have you been well, Master?"

―Mm, you remember well today too.

The witch doll solemnly nodded and swung the broom in their hand.

Though it was all well and good, that broom looked exactly like the one they had when they were in maid doll form.

"Why did you call for me?"

―How did the talk with the student council go?

Why do people in high positions always try to talk while cutting out all context?

Without the ability to read the hidden messages in language, proper communication with this one would be impossible.

"I'm going to talk with Senior Ketra tomorrow. But however it concludes, I don't plan to take the lead."

―Have you found out about the potion?

"To some extent."

Ban Yu-won wasn't particularly versed in potions, and he couldn't grasp everything just by examining the concepts within the potion.

However, there were several concerning points.

First was that he couldn't find any concepts related to concentration, understanding, or memorization within the potion.

Second was that, albeit very faintly, the concept of 'stigma' was contained within it.

...Third, that he could confirm its presence within the bodies of those who had drunk the potion.

"The constellations are involved in this incident. Those who drank this potion are being influenced by the constellations, knowingly or not. Perhaps even the increased learning effects...."

―Correct. It seems you've gained a deeper understanding of the constellations' true nature through this investigation. As the Tower coexists with the constellations, analyzing and learning from them is the right thing to do.

The witch doll sat astride the broom and, surprisingly, floated up into the air above Ban Yu-won's head.

But the moment the witch doll settled above his head.

"Kuk―?!"

Ban Yu-won felt a burning sensation as if his entire body was being pierced by light, and he staggered where he stood.

"Mas...ter... what are you..."

―This is both investigation and prevention. But there was no need for that. If you continue like this, you won't suffer any misfortune when dealing with constellations.

He got a passing grade, but this person is still unbearable...!

Whether aware of his inner thoughts or not, after completing the 'investigation,' the principal jumped down from his head and this time perched on his shoulder.

Though its outer appearance was that of a cute witch doll, inside dwelled a monster whose true nature was unknown.

He wished it would get off as soon as possible, but the principal seemed quite comfortable on his shoulder.

―Let's discuss the core issue.

"Yes?"

―We won't be able to find evidence that everyone can accept.

When the witch doll released the broom, it began floating freely through the air.

―She is a fairy with exceptional talent, and fairies are naturally skilled at altering reality. She can create alibis that even full professors would have trouble detecting. You must have heard of changelings.

Changeling.

The story of fairies taking away human children (beautiful children) while their parents aren't aware and leaving fairy children (ugly children) in their place.

Even on Earth, fairies were beings that represented fantasy.

When told that such beings were skilled at altering reality, one could only nod and accept it.

―Her plan is truly solid, and the time is ripe. If it weren't for you, things would have proceeded as they were... many students would have been in danger. One student would have been expelled.

"You were planning to let things happen even though you were going to expel them anyway?"

―Of course. The students purchased and consumed the potion entirely of their own will. They foolishly signed a cursed contract targeting their own necks. The contract was established at that moment, and no one else can pay the price in their stead.

As he listened to the principal's cruel explanation, Ban Yu-won recalled the mechanism of his own talismans.

Though it's not a curse― his talismans also require the user's magic power to be injected, meaning they can only be activated with a clear will to use them.

The potion that Mira made also only takes effect through such a contract... wait, curse?

―It's not strange that you haven't discovered it since it hasn't manifested yet. Don't be overconfident in your abilities.

"That may be true, but..."

―Now for the conclusion.

The broom floating in the air suddenly showed regular movements.

Ban Yu-won recognized it as a type of magic language.

―It's impossible to prevent the situation before it occurs due to insufficient evidence, and after it occurs, it falls under my authority. Ban Yu-won, what do you plan to do?

"I considered from the start that we might not be able to press the culprit. We have no choice but to focus on resolving the potion's side effects."

―Wrong.

The principal said in a cold voice.

―It's not a side effect but a curse, so curse removal (解呪) is the correct term. Can you do it?

"Yes, that I can do for certain."

―Good. With that, you should be able to achieve everything you want.

"...?"

The principal smiled with satisfaction.

Even with his abilities, Ban Yu-won couldn't quite read the hidden meaning behind the principal's words.

He could only tell that they were showing genuine happiness without hiding it.

―I've heard everything I wanted to hear. Ban Yu-won, after you resolve this matter, I'll give you solo exploration rights. The right to climb the tower separately from your party.

"By separately, you mean..."

―It won't affect party exploration.

"I see, thank you."

Oh, so multiple runs were possible.

Ban Yu-won had been planning to decline solo exploration rights since he felt a certain stability climbing the tower with his current members, but if he could have the opportunity to climb the tower separately from exploring with his members, he didn't think that would be a bad thing.

...Though finding the time to climb would be an issue.

"Then I'll be going now. Ah, if you have any suggestions for what kind of videos you'd like to see in future Rebellion activities..."

―Go.

Ban Yu-won was coldly bounced out of the room again.

How strange, that person is definitely a fan of the Rebellion channel.

@@@

"Huh?"

Late at night, when Light returned to the room after finishing his match with Dokgo Yeon, he found a mug placed on the table.

"Hot chocolate? It's really warm..."

He had just washed his body with cold water, so something warm was exactly what he was craving.

Light instinctively brought the cup to his lips.

"Whew, whew... hot. Delicious..."

He belatedly wondered if Ban Yu-won had prepared it for himself to drink, but seeing how Eve, who remained nearby, showed no particular reaction to his behavior, it seemed it had indeed been prepared for him.

His hand gripping the mug tightened.

'That guy, even though he's usually mischievous, he strangely pays attention to things like this...'

He must have seduced women by the dozens in his original world.

But what's especially scary is that even knowing this, Light doesn't find him hateful or off-putting.

Though he always thought he shouldn't let his guard down, Light would be startled whenever he caught himself becoming increasingly dependent on him and acting spoiled.

'But where did Ban really go?'

Since his familiars were here, it probably wasn't anything serious.

It worked out well since he didn't want to show his face to him right now...

"Eve, when is your master coming back?"

"Shiii?"

Light couldn't help but smile at Eve making a question mark with her body in response to his question, then cleared his throat with a "ahem" as he went into the room and sat on the bed.

Still holding the mug that was half full.

'He's busy.'

Yesterday too, they ate dinner separately.

Somehow Luciel found out and cornered him in the morning, asking what happened with Yumina while looking half ready to cry... but probably nothing like what Luciel was worried about had happened.

'He's taken on some kind of case. I can tell just by his expression.'

And since he was away like this today too, he must really have something urgent to deal with.

Something he either doesn't want to tell the members about, or something meaningless to tell them about.

We clearly enrolled at the same time, and at that point my abilities were superior to his... how did it end up like this?

No wonder he feels inferior to him.

But right now he felt more frustrated and anxious than that.

He didn't like the one-sided dynamic of always being the one receiving help from him.

'Even in this exploration, he ended up receiving support from two constellations...'

At this rate, he might fall completely behind someday.

Maybe he would tell Light not to worry and stay together... but Light himself probably wouldn't be able to bear such a situation.

...If only he could receive support from constellations too, at least then he wouldn't be a burden.

Just as he was thinking this, he felt the necklace around his neck vibrate and emit light.

"Kuuugh―!"

A severe headache struck his mind at the same time.

Light gritted his teeth, suppressing the scream that threatened to escape.

"I know, I know...! I won't contact the constellations, so please stop...!"

Light, groaning and muttering to himself, downed the contents of the mug in one go while making a tearful face.

Though it was a bit hot, strangely he felt the headache disappear instantly.

The necklace's vibration also subsided.

It felt as if the necklace feared Ban Yu-won, which made him laugh a little despite the situation.

'Ban...'

Now he was receiving help even when he wasn't around.

Looking down at the empty mug, Light's eyes gleamed.

'...Alright. Let's study.'

The talisman, upgraded after going through side effects, could now pause its effects intermittently with a temporary stop function.

He gathered the assignments he needed to complete and sat at his desk, infusing mana into the talisman.

When Ban Yu-won returned, he found Light asleep using a pile of assignments as a pillow, so he had to move him to the bed directly and cover him with a blanket.

Because no talisman could overcome fatigue.

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