Why Did I Have to Enroll - Chapter 12

Lesson 3. This is Your Pet - 4

Yumina had only asked him to find a city if there was a road near the dungeon, without saying much else. Ban Yu-won realized the reason for this as soon as he came out of the dungeon.

"Could that Chancellor be something like the ruler of the human world?"

"Shhhk, shhshht."

The exit of the dungeon he came out from was in the form of a very small, naturally formed cave at the foot of a mountain. Looking around, there were piles of such caves.

It was easy to guess that each of these was a dungeon, and it was also quite predictable that the formation of these dungeons was extremely artificial.

Considering that Union Academy conducts practical evaluations of new students in dungeons, it was quick to conclude that the person who had taken such measures must be the principal.

'Even if they can't control the creation of dungeons, perhaps they can designate where dungeons will appear.'

If dungeons are gathered in one place like this, it would be easier to eliminate them and manage them in case of emergencies.

And of course, as soon as you leave such a dungeon-concentrated area, there was a road.

After all, if you want to manage easily, it's best to form clusters in places that are easily accessible to people!

"It's even visible right in front of us..."

Tall buildings visible beyond, the faint sounds of civilization.

It would take only 30 minutes to walk there.

Professor Yumina must have known this from the beginning when she spoke, and the temple she mentioned would naturally be in that city.

"Shrrrt."

"Hm? Oh..."

Eve slightly squeezed Ban Yu-won's arm.

When he looked, the creature had its head tilted up towards the sky. Following its gaze upwards...

There was a massive floating island suspended in the air.

It was so high up that it was hard to see clearly, but even so, he could make out the shape of a tower protruding from the center.

"No way, is that our school?"

"Shhiik."

Ever since Eve took on the form of a magic beast, Ban Yu-won had somehow been able to understand its intentions.

Apparently, it had been looking for the Tower of Babel rising from the ground.

As the plains with few mountains continued, if the academy was in this area, the Tower of Babel should naturally have been visible.

But it wasn't, and the moment he raised his head full of questions, he discovered that floating island.

"We've been completely fooled. I didn't notice when I was in Professor Yumina's room..."

The possibility grows that either the view wasn't sufficient or it was being concealed by magic or something similar.

Anyway, it's mind-boggling that everything about his current environment is nothing short of fantasy.

As he walked, his mind preoccupied with the floating island, the city was suddenly within reach.

Ban Yu-won was startled, thinking a lot of time must have passed, but he hadn't considered his improved physical abilities.

"Hold it right there! I don't recognize that face."

A person jumped out from a large building set up in the border area between civilization and nature, blocking Ban Yu-won's path.

Even before the sound of the person's voice reached them, Eve had turned itself invisible. It seemed the creature's senses were more acute than Ban Yu-won's.

"Oh."

"Prove your identity! Are you a monster disguised as a human?"

Ban Yu-won let out an exclamation as he saw the person blocking his way.

He was wearing a peculiar suit made of skin-tight spandex material, with matte metal parts protecting vital areas like the chest and groin.

"No, I'm human. Union..."

"No, you idiot! It's a Union Academy student!"

Just as Ban Yu-won was about to reveal his identity, another person wearing the same outfit burst out of the building and smacked the first person's head hard.

Immediately after, while examining Ban Yu-won's attire, he slightly frowned at the blue-lined decoration on his uniform (which was the symbol indicating a special admission student), but then upon noticing the brooch on his chest, his face turned pale and he quickly saluted.

"Hello! I'm Milton, the captain of the 3rd outpost in charge of the western border of the Academy City Ronica!"

"Hot, I'm Dallon, an outpost guard...!"

Judging from the reaction of that Milton person just now, it seems that even outsiders are well aware of what Union Academy's special admission students are, and even look down on them a bit, but the brooch that Yumina personally attached seems to have completely blown away such prejudices.

He had thought that she wouldn't have given him such a seemingly precious brooch just to buy alcohol, but it looks like Professor Yumina has taken a strong liking to him.

Should he be happy about this, or should he brace himself?

Ban Yu-won held back a sigh that was about to escape and greeted them.

"Uh... Hello? I'm Ban Yu-won, a first-year student at Union."

"How did you come here...? If you're a first-year student, you enrolled today? Did you perhaps get formal permission to go out...?"

"You idiot, how could a new Academy student come out without the Chancellor's approval!"

For all he knew, Dallon's head might not survive intact after Ban Yu-won leaves.

"Mr. Ban Yu-won, are you returning after clearing a dungeon?"

"Mr... Well, yes. I was told I could explore freely."

"Thank you. We can't express enough gratitude to the Academy personnel who preemptively neutralize the threats of dungeons that can change at any moment."

"Is that why the outpost is here too?"

"That's right."

Milton, whose gaze had noticeably softened upon hearing that he had cleared a dungeon, chuckled and explained.

"Although the Chancellor's power somewhat controls the creation of dungeons, we never know when the overflowing dimensional energy might create an irregular dungeon. That's why we have many outposts on the outskirts of the city to keep watch. It's hard to use machines when dungeons are involved, you see. Haha."

It's hard to use machines when dungeons are involved?

Were there machines in this world to begin with?

Just as Ban Yu-won was about to ask such a stupid question, he quickly held his tongue.

This is a world that treats Earth as a lower dimension.

Even if it's not the machines Ban Yu-won knows, it wouldn't be strange at all for this world to have independently developed its own machines.

"Well, let's not stand here. Shall we go inside? If you need any guidance..."

"Then could you tell me the way to the Temple of Spring?"

Putting his doubts aside for now, Ban Yu-won decided to accept their guidance.

Milton had clearly mentioned Ronica earlier, so he should be able to find the Temple of Spring within it.

Milton, for some reason, glanced once again at the brooch on his chest at the mention of the Temple of Spring, then nodded and said,

"I'll personally escort you there. Dallon, stay alert and guard the post."

"Captain?!"

"Well then, shall we go?"

There was no reason to refuse if someone was offering to treat him well.

Moreover, thinking that someone of the outpost captain's caliber would make a suitable bodyguard, Ban Yu-won readily accepted his offer to accompany him.

Once past the outpost, the road suddenly expanded from there.

Buildings started to appear here and there, and after just 5 more minutes of walking, a city no less impressive than modern Seoul was spread out before them.

Surprisingly, streamlined cars that seemed to be made for moving within the city were running, but they were all floating in the air.

Not only that, but cars were driving on flickering holographic roads created in the sky!

"I want to buy one of those."

"You mean a hovercar, sir?"

Even though I already knew about it, hearing the familiar yet unfamiliar term "hovercar" really gave me an intense sci-fi feeling.

"Haha, you won't be able to ride it on the floating island anyway."

"How about keeping it in my inventory normally and only using it when I come down here?"

"...You've already received an inventory? On your first day of enrollment?"

Oh right, come to think of it, they said that inventories are only given to students who have achieved special accomplishments at the Academy!

Ban Yu-won started to feel slightly uncomfortable with Milton's attitude, as he began to look at him as if he were some kind of golden ticket that had fallen from the sky.

"So... how much would it cost?"

"For an affordable entry-level model, including the safety training fee, it would be around 200,000 Ronia."

Ban Yu-won had just learned about this world's currency concept for the first time.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not from this world. How much would that be in gold? I brought quite a bit, but I don't know the prices here..."

"Gold?!"

Could there be a problem with gold? Perhaps in this higher dimension, gold is treated as a cheap mineral? Or if not, could there be some negative aspects of gold that haven't been discovered on Earth yet...?

As Ban Yu-won's thoughts began to run wild at Milton's exaggerated reaction, Milton trembled slightly and carefully asked,

"When you say you brought quite a bit, approximately how much...?"

"Um, could we go to the bank first?"

Reading something in his tone, Ban Yu-won suggested going to the bank instead of answering, and Milton nodded firmly as if that would be better.

*

To cut to the chase.

In this world, at least within Ronica, gold was worth more than ten times its value on Earth.

While gold is certainly a precious metal on Earth too, in higher dimensions where mana is handled, its value increases even further.

It turns out that gold is the most preferred material for all kinds of magic tools, and it's the most efficient material for high-level magic catalysts, magic circle components, and everything else related to mana and magic power!

"Your account has been set up. Please check your balance."

Taking the opportunity to open a personal account at a Ronica bank (interestingly, the registration was done using his magic power, which was possible because every being's magic power is unique), Ban Yu-won received a small crystal that the bank teller respectfully handed over.

This crystal serves as both an account and a payment card, and apparently, even if it's stolen, it can't be used if the magic structure is different, so it's safe.

[Ban Yu-won's Account Balance: 7,530,000 Ronia]

Ban Yu-won had handed over one 1-kilogram gold bar to the bank.

After deducting various fees including account opening, the clean amount he received was 7,530,000 Ronia.

From what he had confirmed so far, 1 Ronia was roughly equivalent to 100 won, which meant he had earned 750 million won by selling one gold bar.

And he still had 99 more identical ones in his inventory.

The price is ten times higher because the dimension is different, so this is why everyone does this thing called trade!

"That's right."

"Thank you for using our Central Bank. Have a nice day."

Grandpa's saying that gold works anywhere in the world wasn't wrong at all, Ban Yu-won nodded as he left the bank.

"Well then, shall we go? I'll escort you to the premium hovercar showroom!"

"No, I'm sorry for taking up so much of your time. Don't you have work to do...?"

"It's fine. But if you could perhaps buy me a simple snack, I'd be grateful to partake."

Whether it's a lower dimension or a higher dimension, soldiers are always hungry, huh.

Having gained this good insight, and since Ban Yu-won was also interested in the snacks of this world, he followed Milton's guidance and strolled through the city's shopping district.

Except for the hovercars racing through the sky, people passing by who looked more like monsters than the humans he knew, and holograms popping up here and there to solicit customers instead of people, it was just an ordinary city.

"Hmm, even the taste of the street vendor's chicken skewer is similar."

There was the minor difference that the street vendor was floating in the sky, drifting around in search of customers.

"It's not chicken, but meat from the legs of a monster called Meruda. Ah, there it is!"

Did I just eat monster leg meat?

As Ban Yu-won dropped the skewer in shock, Milton, who seemed even more excited than him for some reason, dragged him towards a massive building.

On the first, second, and third floors, they were selling all kinds of magic tools powered by magic energy, which reminded Ban Yu-won of the Yongsan Electronics Market.

Seeing Ban Yu-won looking around here and there, Milton smiled and said,

"Haha, lots of fun things have been released. I've heard that on the floating island where the Academy is located, and inside buildings protected by the Chancellor's barrier, machines work properly. So it should be fine to buy a few."

And finally, he realized that devices powered by magic energy are generally called 'machines' in this world!

'I-I see. Well, machines refer to all devices that operate using power. I'm used to electronic devices, but the basic power in this world is mana. Magic-powered machines, of course that's how it is.'

It was truly an astonishing realization.

Following Milton's recommendation, he selected a few 'machines' that interested him and paid for them, which cost a whopping 300,000 Ronia.

"It's expensive."

"Hahaha, well, this is a high-end store..."

The fourth floor was finally the hovercar showroom, but when told that the fifth floor displayed cutting-edge off-road hoverbikes, Ban Yu-won's steps were drawn there as if entranced.

"I suppose the sense of speed would be better with a bike, right?"

"Ah, but it'll probably be more difficult to ride. Besides, with off-road bikes, it sounds nice to ride wildly outside the city, but if you accidentally enter a dungeon area, it's as good as abandoned..."

"Our Riford's cutting-edge off-road bikes are designed to withstand dungeon mana waves for extended periods unless you directly enter a dungeon!"

Perhaps the news that Ban Yu-won had cheerfully paid 300,000 Ronia for magic tools in the store below had spread?

A staff member from the hovercar showroom approached them, noticed the brooch on Ban Yu-won's chest, and continued the explanation with a bright smile.

"Moreover, it's designed with a replaceable core, so if it takes excessive damage, you can exchange it right away. We're currently running a campaign. If you purchase during this period, we'll exchange the mana core at production cost up to twice within 3 years!"

"No, no matter how you look at it, you're still saying we should expect damage!"

"No, no, it's just insurance for unforeseen circumstances. In fact, the new model released this month, 'Onyx', is already scheduled to be supplied to the Dimensional Border Guard with ten units. It's clear evidence that our Riford's development capabilities are ahead of the military's! How about it, sir? Would you like to take a look?"

Although he didn't know what the Dimensional Border Guard did, seeing Milton, who had been so enthusiastic until now, suddenly fall silent, it seemed quite credible.

Ban Yu-won followed the staff member upstairs, and captivated by the sleek, streamlined body and the sharply protruding front fender of 'Onyx', which had no flaws to his eyes, he ended up making the purchase as if enchanted.

"3.5 million Ronia... No, with the campaign discount, it comes to 3.2 million Ronia. My goodness, paid in full! Thank you!"

Converted to Korean won, it was 320 million won. The biggest splurge of Ban Yu-won's life.

But why did they look at the brooch on his chest while mentioning the campaign discount price?

Ban Yu-won decided to ask Professor Yumina about the brooch when he returned to school.

"If it flies in the sky, there's no need for mud to splash, so why is there a fender?"

"You misunderstand, sir. This sharp part isn't a front fender, but a reinforced part. It's designed to break through obstacles or, conversely, to block attacks by injecting magic power."

"Why on earth does a hoverbike need a function to attack enemies?"

Milton was still grumbling, even though it was Ban Yu-won who bought the bike.

The staff member's professionalism in accommodating him to the end was truly remarkable.

"As I mentioned earlier, it's a premium product designed to prepare for combat situations. Why do you think the Dimensional Border Guard members are interested? Look, there's a number engraved here! Only 50 units were produced, and this is the 7th one."

"I think we can check the device explanation in the manual later."

Sensing that the Q&A session might go on endlessly if left alone, Ban Yu-won interrupted and asked the staff member.

"Is it possible to receive driving lessons?"

"I was about to mention that. Our company can handle the license issuance for you. You can take the test right away or receive training."

"Then I'll take the test tomorrow."

"Understood!"

Among the relics brought from Earth, there was something that could be useful here.

Moreover, if things go well, he might be able to operate this bike in ways even its developers couldn't imagine.

'It was a good decision to stop by the city after all.'

After finishing his pleasant shopping, Ban Yu-won could finally head towards his original destination, the Temple of Spring.

However, the special treatment he received in other parts of the city was nothing compared to this place.

The moment Ban Yu-won stepped inside the temple, which consisted of a magnificent building like a cathedral surrounded by white stone shrines, the priests who spotted him reacted as if struck by lightning!

"Someone wearing Lady Yumina's brooch has arrived!"

"What? Escort them to the inner temple!"

"Don't just stand there, come this way!"

"Come, come, please have a seat!"

The priests paid no attention to his school uniform at all.

They brought this and that, telling him to drink and eat, asking if the seat was comfortable, making such a fuss that it took a full 5 minutes for him to introduce himself and get to the main point.

"I'm Ban Yu-won, a student from the Academy. I came here today at Professor Yumina's request. Actually, she wants to purchase two bottles of fruit wine, Honeymoon, produced at this temple..."

"We've already prepared them."

"Pardon?"

"There's only one reason why she would send someone to the temple."

This was the moment when Yumina's image in Ban Yu-won's mind changed definitively.

"We'll give you a bottle as a gift too, Mr. Ban Yu-won. Please do enjoy it."

"What? No, I'm still under..."

Ban Yu-won, about to say he was underage, suddenly realized that he was now twenty years old.

Isn't that old enough to drink?

"Doesn't the Academy require you to be at least 17 years old to enroll? In the Union, you're considered an adult if you're over 17."

"Well, I am eighteen..."

"Then there's no problem at all."

Moreover, with the priest saying this, Ban Yu-won, who secretly thought it was a good opportunity, decided to make his alcohol debut with Honeymoon.

"Thank you for visiting us today. Please give our regards to Lady Yumina as well."

"Yes, I will."

Of course, he could roughly understand why they were so devoted to Yumina, and to him wearing Yumina's brooch, just by looking at their appearance.

Blue or pale skin, hair made of leaves. Occasionally, flower buds on the crown of their heads.

These people were probably of the same race as Yumina.

Come to think of it, he should have noticed when they said it was a temple serving the God of Spring.

"Well then, I'll be..."

Unable to bear the priests' enthusiasm, which seemed like they would feed him dinner and put him to bed if he stayed still, Ban Yu-won stood up as soon as he received the wine.

Sure enough, saying they couldn't let him leave like this, the priests filled his arms with boxes of snacks made directly at the temple.

"You'll be back soon, won't you? If you tell us which snacks you liked, we'll prepare more for you next time."

"No..."

What on earth is Yumina to you people?

Those words rose to his throat, but sensing that getting involved unnecessarily might lead to more trouble, Ban Yu-won swallowed them back.

Wait, what?

Did they say he'd be back soon?