Why Did I Have to Enroll

Thursday lunchtime.

Ban Yu-won and Ketra were in a private study room at the Academy library.

With exams approaching, Union Academy was burning with academic fervor much like a university in South Korea, and Ketra had successfully secured a private study room by wielding his authority as a student council officer!

"How is it, junior? Thrilling, right? Makes you want to join the student council? Power really is the best."

"I suppose so."

Though Ban Yu-won was dumbfounded, he immediately drew several magical languages in the air to activate a spell.

Sound barrier, barrier field, isolation.

He had completely cut off all physical and magical interactions with the outside.

"Hey hey, this isn't first-year level at all."

Ketra spoke incredulously as he watched the private study room become fortified in a matter of seconds by Ban Yu-won's hands.

His tone was quite friendly, probably because they had exchanged greetings before.

"Is that so? I wouldn't know since I've never compared myself with others."

"Well, you might not match barrier magic specialists... but I hear you can use attack magic too? And with such solid imaging and quick formula construction speed. This is definitely noteworthy."

Even while sincerely acknowledging and praising Ban Yu-won's abilities, there wasn't even a trace of jealousy from Ketra.

Being the vice president of the student council meant he was an elite even more outstanding than the students in special classes.

Moreover, since he was attending Xenon's lectures, he must have either contracted with a constellation, received sponsorship, or at least been approached by a constellation.

When you have absolute confidence in your own abilities, there's no reason to be jealous of others.

'So this is what an ideal strong person looks like...'

In contrast, Lucien Ortima was the worst.

Those who are truly confident in their abilities prove their worth through actions, not words.

But that guy was trash who only knew how to use his abilities to oppress the weak, so there was no comparison.

"Come to think of it, Lucien Ortima is returning before the exams, right?"

"It's been quite delayed. His injuries must have been serious... Speaking of which, you were in the same dungeon, weren't you? What was he really like?" ℟άΝȯ𐌱Еś

Once again, the student council is in opposition to the special class.

It should be fine to speak somewhat honestly.

"He wasn't exactly a nice guy."

"That tells me everything I need to know."

Ketra exaggeratedly shrugged his shoulders before leaning in close to Ban Yu-won's face.

"I can tell you're Professor Yumina's favorite just by that flower brooch. But you should still secure your connections among the students, you know? Especially when dealing with people from the Ten Great Families like Ortima."

He winked with those words.

Ban Yu-won said seriously.

"Save the winks for women from now on."

"That's strange, they usually work well on guys too."

"Let's talk about the main point."

Ban Yu-won cleared his throat, thinking that too much confidence might not be a good thing either.

"About this situation."

Before entering the private study room, he could identify those who had taken the potion just by scanning the students in the general study area.

Thanks to the potion, everyone seemed focused on studying... but Ban Yu-won couldn't help but feel tense seeing the ominous constellation traces glowing within their bodies.

Each person looked like a bomb that could go off at any moment.

"Oh, did you figure something out?!"

"I don't know who's behind it... but how's the antidote coming along?"

If they weren't stupid, they could guess from those words that Ban Yu-won had made progress in analyzing the potion.

Ketra's expression brightened as he explained.

"As you probably know, professors generally don't help with issues between students. Though they do pay attention to first-years... the culprit knew this too, so they limited potion sales to second-years and above."

"So you're saying that without the professors' help right now, it's difficult for students alone to analyze the potion and resolve its side effects?"

"That's right."

He had roughly guessed as much when they came asking for help from Ban Yu-won, a mere freshman.

Of course, Ban Yu-won didn't think that all the students at this academy, which gathered the most talented from all dimensions, were incompetent.

But having the ability to solve a problem and actually stepping up to solve it are different matters.

After all, if they just stood by and watched, wouldn't dozens of competitors naturally drop out?

As the principal said, falling prey to competitors due to showing weakness is entirely one's own responsibility.

"Ah― I think I know what you're thinking. You're right. Our academy students are mostly individualistic. Until now, we've handled situations like this with just the student council's power."

"Now I clearly understand why a student council is needed in an academy controlled by an absolute ruler like the principal."

Free competition sounds nice, but if everyone is left to do as they please, the academy could collapse.

The student council was like the final conscience keeping the academy from such a fate.

"Well, yeah... Originally Mira was in charge of these things. But Mira's been busy with other stuff lately... That's why I recommended you instead."

"What's she busy with?"

"Hm? Could it be..."

When Ban Yu-won showed interest, Ketra poked him with a mischievous smile.

It was really annoying.

"You've fallen for Mira? Well, she is incredibly beautiful. But it won't be easy. She has high standards."

"No, I haven't fallen for her. I was thinking about you two..."

"Huh?"

Ketra burst out laughing as he caught Ban Yu-won's meaning.

"No way, that's impossible. We're just a bit close since we're both rare species from different dimensions. I believe in free love. Being tied down to one person is kind of, you know?"

"Does she think the same way?"

"I told you she has high standards. I'm probably not even on her radar."

Ban Yu-won didn't press further.

At least Ketra seemed to sincerely believe that.

"Student council officers, including Mira, are always busy. Ah, but it's all good experience. Actually, all the officers are performing well in the Tower too. You know how second-years get grade points for reaching Tower levels, right? Most of us are at the top."

Ketra was busy promoting the council, worried that Ban Yu-won might develop antipathy towards it.

Perhaps this person was more focused on drawing Ban Yu-won into the student council than resolving the current situation.

"So... Junior Ban Yu-won. Have you figured out the antidote?"

"Yes. But I'd like to keep it under wraps."

"Hmm?"

Ketra slightly frowned.

"Is that why you brought up Mira? Were you concerned since you're in similar fields?"

"Honestly, yes. This 'antidote' recipe uses my vision, so I'd like to keep it hidden if possible."

Of course, that was a lie.

Even Professor Campanella from the Artifact Creation Department, or even the principal, would find it difficult to understand the structure of Ban Yu-won's creation.

He simply didn't want Mira, or the constellation behind her, to discover that 'he' was working on countermeasures.

He absolutely refused to get tangled up with those constellation guys any further.

"So I'd like to resolve this matter just between us - you, me, and the people who took the potion."

"Hmmmm, I'm grateful you're offering to help without anything in return, but..."

The brown-hAyred dark elf nodded while wearing a slight bitter smile.

"Being close to Mira makes this a bit awkward. No, I'm not blaming you, junior. Just disappointed we couldn't earn your trust."

"Maybe things will be different as we get closer. But please let this one slide."

"Oh! I'll remember those words!"

Ketra patted Ban Yu-won's back with a grin.

If he could deceive him this easily, the price was cheap.

Ban Yu-won smiled back.

"Then let's talk specifics. First, how to identify everyone who took the potion, and how to get them to take the antidote..."

"Good, good. That's our specialty. You know what―"

*

On Thursday afternoon, there was a magic lecture taught by Yumina.

When Ban Yu-won found a suitable seat, Ayre had somehow already sat down next to him.

Since Ayre and the Rebellion members weren't usually seen together like this despite their decent relationship, a slight commotion arose among the first-year students attending the lecture.

"Why the sudden change?"

"We're friends, just strengthening our friendship."

"Strengthening friendship with me... Ah, I see."

Ban Yu-won nodded naturally, remembering a classmate from high school who had pretended to be friendly with him to get closer to a girl he was friends with.

Though her intentions were obvious and amusing, it was well known that Ayre's popularity among first-years rivaled that of Lucein Ortima.

If he could become close to her, he could definitely use Light as leverage...!

"Ban Yu-won."

"Yeah?"

Ban Yu-won prepared to answer her questions while mentally reviewing everything he knew about Light.

"You're doing study sessions."

"Study sessions."

"Only with Class 11."

"Ah, did you see the video on the channel?"

He nodded with satisfaction, immediately understanding what Ayre wanted to say.

Indeed, she was quite clever.

A solid 9 out of 10.

Ban Yu-won responded while mentally grading her like some kind of relationship counselor.

"I can include you too. We'll need to change the location though."

"Hmm...? That's not bad, but."

"Hm?"

"Research magic with me."

Ban Yu-won blinked.

Me, not Light?

Ayre continued speaking, completely ignoring his slight embarrassment at his misread assumption.

"I learned a lot about my weaknesses during our magic duel. But I can also help you in some areas. So let's research together."

"Hmm...?"

―What's this tiny girl saying? As if she could help!

Celon, who particularly despised Ayre and referred to her as 'girl' with contempt, likely due to having her spell interrupted before, raised her voice in agitation.

Fortunately, her voice didn't reach Ayre.

Ban Yu-won let out a quiet sigh of relief as he realized Ayre had purely proposed this for improving magical abilities.

"If we submit a joint research paper, it can replace the midterm and final exams for this course."

"Let's do that."

After quickly calculating in his head, Ban Yu-won nodded readily.

Naturally, Celon was disgusted.

―Hey! You only need to learn magic from me!

'What do you mean only from you? I learned the basics from Sister Mina.'

―Wow, seriously. You couldn't have made those talismans and the recent medicine without me, wow, wow.

'That was definitely helpful... but wasn't it just hints?'

―Waaaaaah!

When he first awakened her, she wasn't this annoying personality-wise - where did things go wrong?

While Ban Yu-won was seriously pondering this, Ayre spoke.

"Then let's start after school today."

"We need to think about that. I have study sessions with others and personal training... Want to join those too?"

"Sure. Friendship."

"...I understand you less and less."

"Hm?"

As they were finishing their agreement, Yumina entered the classroom.

Ayre immediately reported about their joint research, naturally increasing the attention on them.

"Should we ask to join too, Misty?"

"I'd rather bite my tongue and die. Why is the princess with that guy...!"

"What if the princess really transfers to Class 11!"

And maybe you should try having a direct conversation with us sometime, Misty.

That name is really starting to bother me.

*

Friday morning dawned.

Although it was normally a day for entering the tower or performing special activities, the schedule had been canceled due to the exam period, allowing students to study independently or work on assignments at their discretion.

It was also the day Ban Yu-won and Ketra had decided to take serious action.

They had to finish today, as the situation could spiral out of control once the actual exams began next week.

"Are you sure everyone has been identified?"

"Definitely. I got Graham's help. That guy is surprisingly meticulous and observant, unlike his appearance."

"I'm curious about that story, but let's hear it later... Shall we begin?"

"Alright."

Ban Yu-won handed Ketra a flask containing a transparent liquid that flickered like flames.

"Let's finish this quickly."

Snap―!

The black-skinned fairy grinned and snapped their fingers.

"Changeling."

Time to turn all these poor fools back into pretty children.

Their current location was the student cafeteria, where all students came to eat.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!