Why Did I Have to Enroll

Friday dawned.

At the breakfast gathering of the Rebellion team members, there was a guest among them today.

It was Ayre, a girl with striking clear sky-blue hair and silver eyes.

"I wanted to fight you."

"If you want to torment me, just say you want to torment me."

Of course, Ayre hadn't suddenly become a warrior race - she was just talking about the comprehensive evaluation matches.

Everyone gathered here was ranked in the single digits among first-year duelists, with Dokgo Yeon at first place and Ayre at second place. Both had firmly proven they possessed power beyond the scope of first-years.

In fact, if unrestricted battles between years were allowed, they'd probably both be playing around with fourth-years, maybe even fifth-years.

"If, if you bully Yu-won, I won't stand idle...! Even if you are an apex predator!"

"All your team members are weird."

"You're one to talk."

For reference, Luciel was ranked fourth.

She had withdrawn with a faint smile before her match with third-ranked Lucein Ortima, and Ban Yu-won had a frightening feeling he knew why she had forfeited.

The reason Lucein Ortima, who had been considered the most promising first-year, remained at third place was... likely because she couldn't overcome Ayre's ice magic while still not fully recovered from her injury.

"Why are you here anyway?"

Light made his characteristically tactless remark.

No, rather, it seemed like he wanted to drive Ayre away from this gathering.

However, Ayre maintained her composure and replied,

"We won't be able to meet over the weekend, so I wanted to see your face before then. Since we're friends."

she answered.

"Friends...! Come to think of it, this guy too."

Light showed a startled expression at Ayre's declaration of friendship (which Ban Yu-won thought was just a temporary measure to get closer to Light).

Ban Yu-won could see right through him.

He was clearly conscious of his own friendship declaration from yesterday (which Ban Yu-won thought was just an excuse to uncover his secrets).

"Why won't we be able to meet over the weekend?"

As the two engaged in their strange staring contest, Dokgo Yeon, who had seemed uninterested in Ayre, suddenly asked while placing a xiaolongbao on her wide soup spoon (tang spoon). ȓåΝΟꞖЕŞ

Today's breakfast menu clearly featured many dishes reminiscent of Earth's Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisine.

From thin-skinned dumplings and chicken porridge to stir-fried morning glory and various pickled vegetables, plus meat stir-fry with a hint of Sichuan flavor that gave it a slight huiguo rou feel - it was all putting Dokgo Yeon in a good mood.

"Because I'm going into the tower. Right after breakfast."

"...So solo exploration isn't restricted during exam periods, I see."

Ah, her good mood just soured a bit.

Though she hadn't seemed particularly attached to solo exploration before, watching others enter the tower while she couldn't seemed to put her in a different mood entirely.

"Yeah. I don't have any remaining exams so I can go in right away. Though I originally did."

"You originally did? Ah."

He had wondered why Ayre was giving Ban Yu-won that look while saying those words, but soon realized why.

The exam that had been scheduled for today was Magical Combat Studies, taught by Yumina.

Since it had been decided to replace it with a thesis, the whole day was now free, meaning Ayre was also free to do as she pleased.

"...What's with that look you two are sharing? It's annoying how you're trying to show off being friends."

"Because we are friends. We just shared something that only friends who take the same class would understand. Jealous, Light?"

"Youuu..."

Ayre responded to Light's sulky words with a chuckle.

Seeing how clearly she found Light adorable, Ban Yu-won couldn't help but laugh too.

Watching this exchange, Dokgo Yeon narrowed her eyes and asked Ban Yu-won,

"Ban Yu-won, what did you say to this idiot yesterday?"

"Light did most of the talking. Somehow our friendship just deepened."

"I see, while it's a bit different from what I expected... it seems you resolved things well."

"Hmm, maybe just first aid level...?"

A bit different? Could she have really been hoping for Ban Yu-won and Light to become romantically involved?

"It would have been better if you'd made things more definite."

"Phew, what a relief."

Ban Yu-won felt dizzy watching Dokgo Yeon, who was still pushing the Ban Yu-won casanova theory, and Luciel, who was sincerely relieved that wasn't the case.

But wait, come to think of it, he had something to tell his companions too.

"So, guys."

"What's with the 'so'?"

"Actually, I got solo exploration rights too after resolving a small incident."

[The World!]

Time stopped.

Without exaggeration, everyone except Ayre froze in place.

As for Ayre, well, she was expressionless to begin with, so it didn't show.

"So I was thinking of going into the tower alone today..."

"What's that about!"

And time moves again...

Light pounded the table, expressing his displeasure.

"Why did you hide something so important until now, and from your friend!"

"That's why I'm telling you now in this gathering of friends."

"So this is what you were hiding until the end yesterday!"

No, what he really hid was mainly about the unexpectedly deep and dark relationship between Mira and Ban Yu-won.

"You're going into the tower? What about exploring with us?"

Dokgo Yeon, whose mood had soured again at falling behind even Ban Yu-won, asked a reasonable question.

"They say it's treated separately. While our team is currently in Room 23, I can start again from Room 1. Of course, when I go in with you next week, it'll be back to Room 23."

"That's a convenient system."

"Um, could I go with you?"

Having expected Luciel to react this way from the start, Ban Yu-won gently patted her back to console her.

"I don't think that's possible. Sorry, Luciel. But I'll be back before our date on Sunday. 1 PM at Ronica Central Plaza, right?"

"You didn't forget...♡"

"..."

While Luciel's affection level - the easiest to raise in the world - was inevitably shooting up again, Ayre, who had seemed frozen in time alone all this while, opened her mouth with a serious expression.

"People with solo exploration rights can climb the tower together. If I retire right now..."

"No, I said I'm going alone. By myself."

That was information he was hearing for the first time.

Something about her words bothered him, and after pondering for a moment, Ban Yu-won realized that Mira also had solo exploration rights. He hurriedly sent her a message saying 'Don't deliberately retire.'

His Mirror started ringing frantically right after, but he ignored it.

It probably wouldn't be anything worthwhile anyway.

"Then what about the video, Yu-won?"

"That's a secret for now. Since I'm challenging it alone, I want to try various experiments."

Ban Yu-won replied to Luciel's question with a smirk.

While Ayre seemed concerned about what Ban Yu-won meant by experiments, he had no intention of revealing his secret weapon yet, so he just gave her a slight smile.

*

[Mira - I wanted to start over with you from Room 1. You said you'd take everything from me, but was that a lie? Are you saying I'm not helpful for exploration? You're really a cruel man. The way you get someone's hopes up and then turn away pretending not to know - you're just like Ketra.]

"Ah... this woman is really annoying."

It seems Mira had really been planning to retire and climb the tower together with Ban Yu-won.

Originally, the Babel Tower only allowed teams to be formed between students of the same year, but solo exploration was an exception to this rule, so it was fortunate that Ban Yu-won had hurriedly advised her not to retire.

After all, the reason Mira was currently receiving high praise at the Academy was because her solo exploration records weren't falling behind those of Ketra's 'team', and Ketra was the Student Council Vice President!

[Ban Yu-won - I have many things I want to try separately while doing solo exploration. And to develop your abilities right now, it would be much better for you to explore alone than to start over from Room 1 with a burden like me. Weren't you the one who said you'd be helpful to me? Are you planning to ruin your own career? And don't use Senior Ketra's name like it's a curse word.]

[Mira - You're right. I'm sorry, I didn't fully understand exactly how you needed me. I'll focus on self-improvement for now. And I take back what I said about you being like Ketra.]

As Ban Yu-won was about to put away his Mirror, satisfied with her response, it vibrated again.

[Mira - Still, I wanted to see the rain shower.]

[Ban Yu-won - Not a shower, but a downpour.]

Ban Yu-won smiled slightly.

At this point, only Mira knew about the 'experiment' he was planning to do.

The reason was simple.

She had been present at the scene where the experimental equipment was being created.

"Alright, if I do this with the student ID..."

Friday morning, at the entrance of the Babel Tower where no other students' shadows could be seen due to it still being exam period.

In front of the Babel Tower, where normally even approaching wouldn't be permitted, Ban Yu-won manipulated his student ID to reveal a blank space, and the barrier naturally opened.

"Shh."

"Yes, let's go."

- Whirring

Eve, who had returned to her designated position as right arm after completing two weeks of long business trips, made a pleasant sound.

Tike, who had changed dramatically compared to when they last entered the tower, followed behind.

Of course, if Ban Yu-won's experiment went as planned, these guys wouldn't get their turn in this exploration...

- Boom

The moment Ban Yu-won set foot inside the tower, the entire structure shook and a shift occurred.

Somehow it seemed to be causing quite a commotion compared to when he entered with his companions.

He drew the Executioner's Greatsword with a bitter smile.

When the vibrations stopped and the rising dust settled, allowing visibility...

"Huh...?"

What entered Ban Yu-won's sight was an empty wilderness.

If he had to point out its characteristics, it was incredibly- vast.

"...Really, starting from Room 1?"

"Shhshh."

Honestly, he had anticipated this possibility to some extent.

When Ban Yu-won, who knew more about the Babel Tower than anyone else in the Academy, entered alone...

He had hoped that perhaps the tower would show him a unique landscape permitted only to him.

"But the scale is too large no matter how you look at it. Right, Eve... whoa."

"Shh?!"

Looking at the student ID together with Eve, Ban Yu-won was speechless with shock.

On the screen of the student ID, which should have shown the number 1.

Numbers 1 through 9 were appearing and dispersing irregularly, scattered about.

"What in the world is this."

To think even the concept of rooms would crumble so meaninglessly.

No, perhaps this space was already different from the Babel Tower that the Principal had defined?

Could it be that all the humans who had entered the Babel Tower until now didn't know the true tower?

"Ah- this isn't helping."

Ban Yu-won decided to forget about the existence of the student ID.

For now, he merely sharpened his mind, focusing on the sword in his grip, ready to respond to whatever might appear.

What he had received from Dokgo Yeon included not only methods of moving inner force and controlling his body, but also the proper attitude toward the sword.

'No matter how much inner force you have or what supreme techniques you've learned, in the end, a swordsman must embrace their own unique sword. While it's all well and good to cut, pierce, flow , and counter as I've taught you, the weapon that performs these actions is the sword. When you understand this meaning, only then can it be said that your martial way has been established.'

Even Ban Yu-won, who had mastered all languages, couldn't immediately grasp Dokgo Yeon's words about the fundamentals of martial arts.

Still, thanks to her consistent education and sparring with swords, he was now starting to get a sense of how to handle a sword.

Recently, he had been wondering whether to sublimate this into pure swordsmanship, or mix it with something else to create a more comprehensive martial art, but...

Seeing Light struggling with the spear, he realized that handling many weapons wasn't an easy task, and decided to focus solely on the sword, his first weapon.

The fact that Dokgo Yeon was most proficient with the sword also influenced this decision.

- Woong

"What's this, could the sword be reading and responding to my will?"

Could this be the sword cry that appears in martial arts novels?

Of course not.

Because what was shaking wasn't Ban Yu-won's sword but the ground.

"The ground? Don't tell me the goal of this room is to endure an earthquake... no, that's not it."

Kuwoong.

Kuwuwoong.

In the increasingly growing rumble of the earth.

Ban Yu-won saw a part of the ground rising up.

If he were to compare it to something he'd seen in manga back when he was on Earth...

"That day, humanity remembered..."

A golem over 50 meters tall.

A giant born from the earth was looking down at Ban Yu-won.

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