Why Did I Have to En Chapter 101:

Ryu Cheol-myeong proceeded to call out Light and Luciel, subjecting them to the sa treatnt he had given Ban Yu-won.

While calling them out, he shot Ban Yu-won a warning glance telling him not to do anything unnecessary, but it was aningless.

After all, from the mont this lecture began, all the Rebellion mbers had been under a spell.

"Excellent attitude."

Unable to make either Light or Luciel move even a milliter from their spots, Ryu Cheol-myeong sent them back with particularly regretful eyes as he scanned Luciel's entire body.

"We need to tear him apart."

After returning from the demonstration, Luciel whispered softly while clinging to Ban Yu-won's back.

He was too afraid to ask what exactly needed to be torn apart.

"He needs to die when he gets older. That damn pervert, if he crosses the line even a little, I'll make sure he faces justice one way or another. Does he think being a Transcendent ans he can get away with sexual harassnt?"

Ryu Cheol-myeong's gaze must have been incredibly blatant for even the dense Light to say such things.

Ban Yu-won responded with a bitter smile.

"There are plenty of nice older n out there, you know? Perverts are just a minority. ...And age and gender don't matter."

Just like Luciel, who was now pressing his entire body against Ban Yu-won's back because he was annoyed by Ryu Cheol-myeong's gaze.

Though Ryu Cheol-myeong noticed Luciel's behavior and glared openly at Ban Yu-won, perhaps because Ban Yu-won's earlier attitude had been too impressive, he couldn't bring himself to say anything and eventually turned away.

That was lucky.

If he had tried to start sothing, they were planning to accuse him of being a sexual harasser.

"Should I... show off like this?"

"Calm down, Luciel. Please."

This was a critical situation where they might end up being accused of sexual harassnt instead!

As Ban Yu-won desperately tried to restore Luciel's sanity, Ryu Cheol-myeong called out to Dokgo Yeon.

"Student Dokgo Yeon, co forward."

Perhaps because he had failed to give Ban Yu-won, Light, and Luciel the hard ti he'd intended, Ryu Cheol-myeong's eyes were gleaming with so kind of determination.

"A simple demonstration might not be enough to make an impact. So I was thinking we could have a brief mock battle... Student Dokgo Yeon, of course, you don't have to accept if you feel burdened. Not everyone who claims to be a martial artist needs to be able to handle Aura."

"Well..."

In response to this cheap provocation targeting her pride, Dokgo Yeon replied with a smirk.

"Since I can already handle Aura, I think I'll pass that opportunity to soone else."

"...What?"

He really didn't know.

Could it be that there hadn't been any prior conversation between Ortima and Ryu Cheol-myeong?

Ban Yu-won reflexively glanced at Ortima, but he was just silently listening to the conversation between Dokgo Yeon and Ryu Cheol-myeong.

"You say... you can handle Aura."

"While one can hide their true level, there's no point in exaggerating it. In the martial arts world, those who overstate their abilities are always the first to die." ????N??BΕ??

Dokgo Yeon calmly replied while naturally revealing her aura.

Though she didn't directly show her sword energy, it was enough for Ryu Cheol-myeong to gauge her level.

What an incredibly dignified expression!

"...I was under the impression that Student Dokgo Yeon's 'martial arts world' was from a lower dinsion."

"That's what they say."

"Very well. Since today's session is ant to motivate students who can't handle Aura, would you co forward and demonstrate your Aura?"

At those words, Dokgo Yeon finally laughed.

"I have no intention of showing off my abilities in front of competitors."

"...!"

Ban Yu-won easily caught Ryu Cheol-myeong's expression that suggested he'd found sothing to use against her.

Just as Ban Yu-won was determined to protect Dokgo Yeon with his words no matter what the man said, subtly moving forward to shield her—

"That's correct. As fellow competitors, one should keep so abilities hidden."

At an unexpected mont, Ortima stepped forward to affirm Dokgo Yeon's words.

Ryu Cheol-myeong wore a bewildered expression.

Well, that's understandable. Ban Yu-won felt the sa way.

Could this bastard be trying to clean up his image?

Does he think washing will make him clean?!

"Student Lucein."

"The Aura you showed us today, Professor, doesn't even reach 1% of your true ability, but she would need to use her full power to create Aura. Isn't it harsh to demand that she reveal all her cards in a setting that isn't even an official graded exam?"

"Ah, ahem..."

Unable to hide his expression that seed to say 'Why is this guy spouting such nonsense?', Ryu Cheol-myeong tried to compose himself while searching for a response.

"Indeed, the heir to the Ortima family thinks differently from ordinary people. Such an attitude—maintaining humility despite outstanding abilities and showing respect for other students—deserves praise. I'll give you plus 5 points."

"Thank you for your generosity, Professor."

Though it was unclear which part could be considered 'humble', Ortima responded gracefully to Ryu Cheol-myeong's comnts while glancing at Dokgo Yeon.

And how did Dokgo Yeon react to receiving protection from soone she had clearly designated as an enemy?

As if she hadn't heard Ortima's words, she stared incredulously at Ban Yu-won, who remained frozen in his stance of half-shielding her body, while secretly pinching his back hard.

"...!"

As Ban Yu-won endured the pain, Dokgo Yeon's telepathic ssage flew into his mind.

—Ban Yu-won, what do you think you're doing? Do I look like such a fragile woman that needs your protection?

—No, that's not it. I always think your confident attitude is cool, but right now I thought it would be better if I handled that bastard. But hey, let go, it hurts so much! I'm dying!

—How insolent! Even though I may be the master who taught you martial arts, for you to try to speak on my behalf is a hundred years too early!

—Okay, I'm insolent. Since I'm insolent, please let go!

By the ti Ban Yu-won, finally released from Dokgo Yeon's grip, stepped aside from in front of her with a sigh of relief, Ryu Cheol-myeong's 'demonstration' was already unfolding for the Special Class mbers.

Naturally, it wasn't threatening like what he had done to Ban Yu-won's group, and he was trying to stimulate their souls in what he considered the best way possible.

Ortima seed uninterested in such demonstrations and was stealing glances at Dokgo Yeon, but there was no way she would turn to give him even a single smile.

"What could be going through that bug's head? Is he ntally ill?"

"Yeah, that's probably true, but Dokgo Yeon, when you say it..."

"It's incredibly unpleasant how he tries to deceive

with such a frivolous attitude. Though your earlier behavior wasn't much better."

"I said I'm sorry... Hey, isn't it too much to compare

with that?"

More upset about Ban Yu-won's actions earlier than Ortima's behavior, Dokgo Yeon continued to pick fights with Ban Yu-won while secretly pinching his entire body.

While Light wanted to stop it but was shrinking back for fear of becoming a target himself, Luciel was watching Dokgo Yeon with narrowed eyes.

Then, seizing the mont when Dokgo Yeon finally cald down and stepped back, he whispered in Ban Yu-won's ear.

"Could it be... that you enjoyed it?"

"Luciel, don't say that to Dokgo Yeon. At least not when I'm around."

And so, thanks to Ban Yu-won's thorough preparation and Ortima's unexpected supporting fire, the first Aura Combat class ca to a peaceful end.

And contrary to Cantone and Ryu Cheol-myeong's intentions, the rumor spread throughout the Academy that all four mbers of Class 11 would be taking the Aura Combat lecture along with the six Special Class mbers, which served to further solidify their reputation.

*

With fa cos greater responsibility.

For the Rebellion mbers, their increased responsibility ant becoming representatives of the Lower Dinsion Special Selection students.

"But I never thought seniors would co looking for us."

"You... you're really all we can count on!"

The senior, who admitted to having no major in their fourth year (Ban Yu-won learned for the first ti from this senior that you could end up without a major if your grades weren't good enough), and additionally had neither a romantic partner nor money, and due to retiring during their last exploration would have to start again from Room 1 the next ti they entered the Tower, bowed their head to Ban Yu-won.

"We have nowhere else to turn! The fifth-year seniors are too busy looking after themselves to rely on, you're really our only hope!"

"Would you mind lifting your head first? And stop licking the floor. Is it tasty?"

Thursday morning, student cafeteria.

Led by the fourth-year senior who had nothing, over ten Lower Dinsion Special Selection students were prostrating themselves in front of Ban Yu-won's table.

Anyone watching might think the first-years were disciplining their seniors.

"We'll keep licking until you agree to help!"

"I'm sorry, but that's just going to give you an upset stomach, senior."

As if analyzing yesterday's confrontation with Ryu Cheol-myeong and Lucein Ortima's psychopathic behavior wasn't keeping them busy enough, now they had to deal with these Special Selection students they thought they'd have nothing to do with showing up en masse.

Ban Yu-won tried to look around at their companions for opinions, but Dokgo Yeon and Light were completely ignoring the situation and eating their als as if it wasn't their problem, while Luciel was looking down at the group of Special Selection students with an expression like he was watching annoying insects.

"Yu-won, we're going to miss alti at this rate. Here, let

feed you, make sure to chew thoroughly."

"That's nice and all, but what should we do about these seniors..."

"I'm so jealous!"

The fourth-year senior cried out with their head still planted on the floor.

"You've got talent, artifacts, and on top of that, a beautiful and kind girlfriend! Why weren't there any pretty girls like that among my peers when I'm in the Special Selection too!"

"Aren't those people stabbing you in the back right now your peers?"

Now I can see why this person doesn't have a partner.

Ban Yu-won sighed and eagerly took the spoon Luciel offered.

By now, both Luciel feeding Ban Yu-won and Ban Yu-won being fed had beco completely natural.

"Mmm... We're busy enough taking care of ourselves. Honestly, we can't take responsibility for seniors too. You should be grateful we've already helped improve the perception of Special Selection students."

"We're already done for! We're being treated completely differently from you!"

"Looking at you licking the floor right now, I kind of want to be treated differently too."

During their four years at the Academy, they must have had countless opportunities to develop, but the fourth-year student now bowing before Ban Yu-won seed so weak that Ban Yu-won felt they could easily defeat them.

It was frustrating to see them shalessly begging their juniors without any intention of making an effort themselves until the end.

There's a term for this: Tariki Hongan (他力本願).

Originally a Buddhist term aning to receive salvation through the power of Amitabha, or Bodhisattva, it's also used to describe those who don't try to solve problems with their own power and only think about relying on others.

Just like these seniors!

"We don't care what you say, you can step all over us! Just help us! Just help us graduate!"

...Co to think of it, this senior was one of the victims who bought a potion from Mira before.

They rembered seeing their tear-stained face as they were dragged away by Graham.

If Ban Yu-won hadn't caught it beforehand, they might have had ntal problems by now. (Though they quietly set aside the thought that they might already have problems.)

And the fact that they relied on Mira's potion ans...

"Senior, how are your grades?"

"Ugh?!"

The fourth-year senior writhed on the floor like a grub, making a disgusting groan.

"H-how did you know?! Is it true that top students can tell who's bad at studying just by looking at them?!"

"Yes, that's exactly right."

I wonder why these Special Selection students chose this senior as their representative.

Just as Ban Yu-won was about to start clearing their place...

"Good morning, Ban Yu-won. Graham, Student Council Secretary, third year."

A truly reliable-looking male student appeared and introduced himself as always.

And today, there was a special addition:

"I'm Mira, fourth-year PR Director. ...All familiar faces here."

"Ugh?! Mira...!"

It was the presence of Mira, a black-haired beauty who seed like she had been molded by combining the words elegance and allure into fairy form.

"..."

"...Hmm."

"This person."

And for so reason, the Rebellion mbers, who had been ignoring the Special Selection seniors, changed their expressions the mont they recognized Mira's presence.

"Mira... Senior, hello."

"Mira."

"...? Senior Mira."

"Mira."

"Ah- yeah, Mira..."

"?!"

When Ban Yu-won, receiving Mira's cold stare that implied she would make them call her 'honey' next ti if they got it wrong again, had no choice but to call her by na, everyone present (including, oddly enough, the fourth-year Special Selection senior) was shocked.

"I'll sit next to you."

However, Mira paid no attention to others' reactions and sat down right next to Ban Yu-won.

"If you're here to take these people away, you might as well just arrest them now."

"No, I roughly know what they're after. I ca to suggest sothing that might be mutually beneficial."

"I'm worried from the intro..."

"Yu-won..."

Luciel clung to Ban Yu-won's arm, wary of Mira.

Mira gave a relaxed smile at Luciel's behavior and said,

"The point is that they want you to manage them. Just put all of them in your club."

She made an incredibly surprising proposal.