Why Did I Have to Enroll - Chapter 13

Lesson 4. Rebellion - 1

Dawn, in the dormitory.

Ban Yu-won and Light were facing each other across the table.

"I'm a bit disappointed, Ban."

Ban Yu-won wondered if this was the rumored captain who was good at expressing disappointment.

In fact, he was still a bit tipsy, so his mind wasn't working properly.

"I can't believe you stayed out all night just like that. If you had at least told me in advance, I wouldn't have worried."

"Sorry. Yesterday was the first time I've ever had alcohol."

"......"

Light's eyes grew noticeably colder.

Well, it was understandable that he would give such a look when told that someone had stayed out all night after drinking, without even a proper reason.

However, if he knew the full circumstances, he probably wouldn't be able to blame only Ban.

"Professor Yumina asked me to drink with her, and I just couldn't refuse."

"What, a professor?! You're not ly... oh, you're not."

Light glanced at the brooch on Ban Yu-won's chest and shook his head in disbelief.

"No one in the academy would believe that you got a proxy position appointed by a full professor after drinking."

"Huh?"

So this was a symbol of a proxy position?

When he received the brooch, and even while drinking with Professor Yumina yesterday, not a word about this had been mentioned!

"Oh, by the way, the alcohol was incredibly delicious. I brought a bottle, so let's drink together later."

"You... Sigh, no, forget it. I've never had alcohol before."

"I just had it for the first time yesterday too, you know?"

"I'm saying I won't drink. Hurry up and wash. You smell like flowers."

The flower scent was real.

Honeymoon, the fruit wine brewed by the priests of the Spring Temple, was a rare alcohol that felt warm and sweet when drinking, and made the whole body smell like flowers afterward.

It wasn't just tasty; Ban Yu-won's internal codes had even grown by 3-4 points.

The most surprising thing was that, perhaps because it was consumed orally, even his All-Speaking Lips, which had been fixed at 100, increased by 2 points.

'It felt like a real elixir, not the pseudo-elixir I made. I guess if there hadn't been such growth, I would have felt a bit let down.'

After delivering the alcohol to Professor Yumina and returning to the dormitory, he had intended to prepare various things, but he ended up spending the entire time drinking with her, so time had completely flown by.

Anyway, it was fortunate that it ended well, but apart from that, he didn't feel like drinking with Professor Yumina again in the future.

"Then I'll go wash up. We still have some time before breakfast, right?"

"The first period is 'Comprehensive Practical Combat', in the gym, so we should hurry a bit after eating. It's a joint class with the special class... the elite class that only has one section in the first year."

The special class, that is, an elite class deliberately composed of only the most outstanding talents in that year.

But to put them together with the four-person team from the lower dimension special admission? What kind of crazy idea was that?

"Hey, don't you feel some malice in that composition?"

Ban Yu-won said with a sour expression as he removed the brooch and put it in his inventory, then threw off his uniform.

Light turned his head away as if he couldn't stand the sight of a man in his underwear and replied.

"I feel the same way. It's probably saying that our enemies aren't just among the students. And if you're going to undress, do it in the shower room."

"Ah, how can I hide without being noticed... I'll wash up and come out."

"Ban."

"Yeah?"

By then, Ban Yu-won had even taken off the shirt he was wearing under his uniform, revealing abs that were incredibly toned compared to the training period, and turned around.

Light turned away in horror, then asked in a slightly hesitant voice.

"You... didn't just drink all day yesterday, did you?"

"How could that be possible? How can a person drink all day long?"

"...I guess not. Sorry, go wash up."

"Okay."

Ban Yu-won waved his hand lazily and entered the shower room.

It seemed that Light had noticed his changes.

Well, at the time of the entrance ceremony, Ban Yu-won's concept of life was only about 15, but now it had hit exactly 50, including the effect of Honeymoon.

Of course, it would still be an insignificant figure compared to Light, but even considering that, he could confidently say that this was a significant change.

"Ah, I didn't take out my clothes. Light, sorry, but could you get them out for me?"

"You, don't you dare come out from there! I'll get them for you!"

As Light.

He's definitely suspicious.

So when does Act 3 start?

*

At breakfast time, Ban Yu-won and Light headed to the student cafeteria building near the dormitory, where they easily joined up with Luciel and Dokgo Yeon.

Ignoring the blatant stares directed at them, they picked up their breakfast menu items, sat down at the same table, and told the others about yesterday's drinking session with Professor Yumina.

"A proxy position..."

"Yes, it's pretty."

These were the reactions that came from Dokgo Yeon and Luciel respectively.

Luciel's gaze was, of course, directed at the brooch pinned to Ban Yu-won's chest.

Pointing at it, Light said,

"Since Professor Yumina is currently in charge of us four, you could say that Ban, who obtained that proxy position, is like our class president."

"Hmm, if there were to be a representative for us four, I believe it should be me."

Today's breakfast was Western-style, and seemingly not liking the thick soup resembling potage, Dokgo Yeon slightly pushed aside the soup bowl while staring intently at Ban Yu-won.

"Because I'm the strongest. You agree, don't you?"

"What?"

Before Ban Yu-won could respond, Light reacted to those words.

He raised his eyebrows and pointed at Dokgo Yeon with the fork he was holding.

"That sounds a bit off, Dokgo Yeon. I didn't want to say this because we're supposed to be getting along as teammates, but... no, that's exactly why I think we need to clear this up. Your attitude of looking down on everyone else as if you're the best is not good for our future tower climb. I can't agree with you saying you're the strongest either."

"That's funny, I remember you being the first one to make dismissive comments about us yesterday. Didn't you say you wanted to enter the tower alone?"

"Kuk?! You...!"

Ban Yu-won couldn't help but laugh.

He was about to suggest they come up with a strategy before their first-period Special Class, but these guys were already showing signs of internal conflict.

"Shaaak."

"Oh?"

"Wow."

At that moment, Eve, on behalf of Ban Yu-won, dissolved her invisibility and revealed her presence, calming the heated atmosphere between the two.

The effect was surprisingly great.

Upon seeing Eve, Dokgo Yeon's cross-shaped pupils dilated widely as she suppressed her killing intent, then extended her hand towards Eve, who had wrapped herself around one of Ban Yu-won's arms and raised her head.

"Is that the artifact from yesterday?"

"It's changed quite a bit, hasn't it?"

"No way, since yesterday... No, no. It really did change in just a day. How on earth..."

"Shaaaa."

Eve raised her head proudly.

Realizing that Eve could understand her words, Dokgo Yeon's eyes widened, and as if losing the will to be angry, she let out a sigh.

"How cute. ...Alright, you've impressed me, so I'll listen to what you have to say for now."

It was strange logic, but Eve's move had worked anyway.

Ban Yu-won sighed, thinking that while he didn't really want to be class president or anything like that, he was certain that if they had to choose a representative from among the four of them, it should be him...

He began his persuasion.

"Actually, the class president doesn't need to be the strongest. No, I should say they shouldn't be the strongest."

"Why is that?"

"Well, if the strongest person becomes the class president, they'll make all the decisions on their own. But a class president shouldn't do that."

Dokgo Yeon rotated her cross-shaped pupils, signaling him to continue.

I really wish she wouldn't do that, it's seriously scary.

"I think there's one thing you're misunderstanding. A class president isn't a ruler. They don't lead everyone according to their own will, but rather they need the skill to synthesize the opinions of all members and choose the fairest and best method for everyone. In other words, the class president should be someone who can be as objective and neutral as possible."

"That sounds incredibly boring."

"That's what a class president is. There's not much to gain, and it's just a headache. But that's why it's important. An individual who sacrifices for the group, that's what a class president is..."

"But isn't that just your idea of what a class president should be?"

Tch, I've been found out.

Of course, it's true that most class presidents chosen in South Korea's elementary, middle, and high school education system don't deviate from what Ban Yu-won described.

But isn't this an academy composed of ability users?

In a society where power is important, power is the law.

While there could be representatives who make fair and objective choices considering everyone's position as Ban Yu-won said,

There could just as well be representatives who lead their members with overwhelming power and charisma.

Moreover, you couldn't say that was necessarily wrong either.

There's a saying that all roads lead to Rome for a reason.

'But if we're choosing a representative from among us four, a lone wolf won't work.'

It's not a matter of scale.

In fact, charismatic leaders tend to lead small groups better than large ones.

The problem was the personalities of these four people right now.

Just look at Light; his pride is so strong that he's still in conflict with Dokgo Yeon, isn't he?

Even if Dokgo Yeon could suppress Light with force right now, Light isn't the type to yield easily, and problems will inevitably surface soon.

Luciel's case is even more problematic. Although we've only known each other for two days, it's glaringly obvious how little she asserts herself.

Ignore her because she doesn't assert herself? That would completely disregard the academy's fundamental theme of student growth.

This type of person especially needs a leader who can patiently wait for her to demonstrate her abilities and listen to what she has to say.

Especially for Ban Yu-won, who could see through her dazzling potential, this was something he could state with certainty.

"I'm a more mild-mannered type, so it should be fine, but still, to bring out the individuality of all four of us, I think it's better for me to be the class president than you."

"Mild-mannered? You?"

For some reason, Dokgo Yeon snorted at that part.

But perhaps she was convinced by those words, as she soon nodded her head.

"I understand. It seems the professor has the authority to appoint the class president anyway. And to be honest, you're the only one among us that I genuinely want to follow."

"Huh?"

For a moment, it sent chills down his spine.

But before he could inquire about the meaning of her words, she continued.

"Just don't misunderstand one thing: I've acknowledged you as the class president, but I have no intention of following your orders."

"Well, I don't particularly plan to give orders. However, for the growth of all four of us, I'd like us to have some level of communication and cooperation. What do you think about that?"

"..."

Dokgo Yeon silently looked over Light and Luciel, then snorted as if displeased.

However.

"Those who stand at the top must be able to see far... Even if some parts are not to my liking, to get what I want, I must be able to embrace everyone. Alright. Let's do that."

Somehow, he managed to end the verbal battle with Dokgo Yeon in a win-win situation.

There was still the minor issue of Light remaining angry at Dokgo Yeon's words, but Dokgo Yeon did seem stronger than Light, and... well, these pride issues would have to be resolved over time.

As expected, the biggest bomb is this guy Light.

He couldn't help but sigh.

"Um... excuse me."

Just as Ban Yu-won was pondering how to defuse this bomb, Luciel, who had been quiet all this time, spoke up timidly.

"The snake... Can I touch it too? It's so cute..."

"Of course!"

Let me correct myself.

It's a minefield.

*

And so, somehow, the issue of acknowledging Ban Yu-won as the representative of the four was resolved.

Light wasn't particularly pleased with Dokgo Yeon's assertion that the strongest person should be the representative, but he didn't have any specific complaints about Yumina choosing Ban Yu-won as the representative from the start.

Dokgo Yeon openly expressed that she personally liked Ban Yu-won (he clearly realized that her feelings were akin to those of a corporate executive headhunting for talented individuals) and explicitly stated her position to step back out of consideration for him.

Luciel, saying that Eve was so cute, smiled shyly for the first time since meeting Ban Yu-won and expressed her joy.

She was surprisingly cute, but I really don't know about this one.

"For our first class, I was thinking we could have a light sparring session. What do you all think?"

"Professor, I'm curious about the skills of these tag-alongs... I mean, the special admission students!"

"I'd like to face off against them as well!"

And so, from the very first class, hardships befell Ban Yu-won, who had become the representative of the four.

"That weakling dared to receive Professor Yumina's brooch, who's known as the Goddess of Flowers? I absolutely cannot accept this. I must personally verify his skills!"

A truly tremendous hardship.