The Chancellor's words about Mira's potion hit the nail on the head.
Not detoxification, but nullification.
The potion wasn't particularly toxic - it rely acted as a catalyst connecting those who consud it to specific constellations.
As a result, consurs would fall into a trance-like state, and due to the minimal traces of constellation power flowing back (likely from constellations with abilities affecting the mind), they would beco insensitive to external stimuli, develop tunnel vision, and lose rational judgnt.
The enhanced learning effect was rely a byproduct, and even that was pathetic compared to Ban Yu-won's talismans.
If that were all, we might be able to laugh it off, but the real problem starts now.
Those who drink the potion essentially enter into a preliminary contract with a constellation.
We don't know exactly what they must pay in exchange for the minimal traces of constellation power absorbed into their bodies, but they've fallen victim to a fraudulent contract where they might have to give up even their souls if demanded.
If this isn't a curse, what is?
So, how do we nullify - or break - this potion?
First, we need to sever the connection with the constellation.
Naturally, this is difficult.
Once soone has ford an official contract with a constellation, it's impossible for others to interfere.
However, because this was only a preliminary contract through the potion, it could be broken.
Since it wasn't a legitimate contract to begin with and the contract thod was crude, we could enter the contract termination process through the sa thod - naly, the act of drinking sothing.
Celon taught
that creating the sa conditions as when the curse was cast is the first step in breaking it.
Of course, drinking ordinary water wouldn't break the connection - it had to be a magical potion imbued with Ban Yu-won's special language magic "Release" and "Severance."
Second, we need to erase the constellation's traces remaining in their bodies.
In terms of difficulty, this is even harder than the first step.
However, through Tike, Ban Yu-won confird that the Star Traces in their bodies were floating around without being fully integrated.
When you think about it, this makes sense.
If soone could perfectly absorb and control Star Traces, they'd already be a constellation's contractor and sponsor.
That's when Ban Yu-won had a thought.
'Couldn't I absorb it with my authority?'
This led to deep contemplation, thought experints, and discussions with Celon.
In conclusion, Ban Yu-won decided to use the thod of fighting poison with poison.
Using constellation power to suppress constellation power!
Soul Fla.
This terrifying ability to divide one's soul and imbue it into objects would make its first appearance here.
Being his soul, it could naturally exercise authority - the Babylonia Code - even when divided.
aning it could absorb, steal, preserve, and synthesize concepts.
While a fully integrated internal concept might be impossible, absorbing Star Traces awkwardly mixed in the body should be entirely possible!
Thanks to both Celon and him reaching this sa conclusion, they decided to imbue Soul Fla into the potion.
'I also learned from Celon that we needed to control the sequence of language magic activation when the target drinks the potion...'
Though they had already experinted, Ban Yu-won couldn't hide his inner anxiety, clenching his fist tightly, unsure if they would succeed now that various conditions had changed. ????????B????
"It's done."
Ketra, who had just emptied the flask received from Ban Yu-won, turned to him with a relieved expression.
Ban Yu-won questioned with an incredulous look.
"It's done?"
"Yes. This is what fairy-folk excel at. I'm particularly skilled among them. Reality manipulation, specifically substitution. It's like a racial ability that transcends magic."
"Oh..."
"Of course-"
Thinking this person is even more dangerous than expected, Ban Yu-won stepped backward, but Ketra quickly closed the distance again and said,
"This isn't easy to use on powerful ability users either. Even my junior would notice if I tried sothing obvious, right? They only didn't notice this ti because the targets were others."
"Is that so?"
Ban Yu-won awkwardly smiled, recalling how Dokgo Yeon had been caught by Ketra at the start of the sester.
He thought about how the combination of reality manipulation ability and invisible movent speed could make soone fall victim without even knowing what hit them.
To counter this, he would need to strengthen his own abilities significantly - as Ban Yu-won was thinking this, Ketra continued explaining.
"But today, all our targets were in an abnormal ntal state. That's why they didn't notice."
"Ah, right."
Those who consud Mira's potion beco dull to external stimuli and fixate on a single task.
It was probably a asure taken to prevent them from talking about the potion, but it made them perfect targets for Ketra.
"So... All targets have consud the antidote. How does it look?"
"Hmm."
Ban Yu-won focused his mystic eyes and looked around the cafeteria.
He could quickly spot the target students.
First, the imdiate manifestation of Release and Severance.
He could see the minimal flow of energy being injected from the otherworld being cut off instantly.
Naturally, as the concentration maintenance buff - or curse - was lifted, they all opened their eyes wide and looked around, which was quite amusing.
Next... without even needing to observe the targets directly, the 'Soul Fla' that had crawled into their bodies was collecting and transmitting information to him in real-ti.
―How does it feel?
'A bit strange... I'll need to get used to this to handle the authority well.'
―Constellation [Breath of Life] suspects your ability may have exceeded the scope of authority it granted.
Yeah, it exceeded that long ago~.
Ban Yu-won closed his eyes tightly while inwardly muttering this sarcasm that would never reach the constellation.
The soul depth that Ban Yu-won had divided and imbued into the potion using Soul Fla was about 50.
Since there were slightly fewer than 50 students who had consud Mira's potion and entered into preliminary contracts with constellations, you could say that 1 unit of Ban Yu-won's soul entered each of their bodies.
Of course, normally nothing can be done with a depth of 1.
However, the potion they swallowed along with his soul fragnts contained powerful language magic derived from mystic eyes.
When the connection to the constellation was blocked, the soul fla rushed in, and the Star Traces were absorbed without resistance.
And due to the heating effect of the potion, all the students who drank it began to sweat... and the Soul Fla that escaped through their sweat pores along with the sweat was all absorbed back into Ban Yu-won.
While it's difficult to enter a human body, getting out is easy!
...Though he knew it was separate from sweat, he couldn't help feeling a bit uncomfortable about it.
[Recovered 50 Soul. Soul Fla depth has beco 20. Star Trace depth has beco 9.7.]
"Oh."
Though the Star Traces absorbed from each individual were small, when gathered together they amounted to quite a lot.
This too might see a great amplification in efficiency once the depth reaches 10.
―Good work.
'Thanks for your help too.'
Anyway, this is finished now.
No traces of constellations remained in the students, and the contracts were perfectly terminated.
The resolution was complete.
As Ban Yu-won raised his head with satisfaction, Ketra beside him also wore an expression of relief.
"Looking at their faces, it seems everything worked out well."
"But senior, there's one last thing we need to do."
"Of course. And here he cos now."
At so point they must have contacted him, because a large man... Graham was entering the student cafeteria.
Now that the situation was resolved, they could freely borrow the help of outsiders- no, other student council mbers.
"This is the General Student Council. We've received reports about illegal drug distribution on campus. Students whose nas are called must report to the student council for investigation."
His heavy baritone voice, the most intimidating in the academy, shook the large student cafeteria.
It's quite interesting how just switching the order of 'potion' and 'drug' makes the uneasiness felt a million tis different.
"Grail, Otos, Masinan, Dubek Il Tachis..."
"W-what?! Illegal drugs? I don't know anything about that!"
"It's not illegal! We just drank a potion that helps with studying, we didn't even cheat during the exam..."
"But... where is this? What day is it? I can't rember clearly..."
The potion users showed clear signs of panic and responded like criminals.
Ban Yu-won watched this and muttered in disbelief.
"I'm starting to think we could have just gathered them in the student council room and made them drink the antidote from the start."
"They wouldn't have co along quietly then. They were all out of their minds because of that potion."
"Well, that's true..."
Ban Yu-won nodded in agreent with Ketra's words about how if they had tried forced implentation before the antidote, things might have gotten even bigger.
He was just feeling a bit frustrated, watching how easily these students revealed their true feelings and followed along obediently at just one word from Graham, wondering what all his previous worrying had been for.
"Don't you think the potion's side effects made enforcent easier? Look how they're all confused and disoriented."
"Then that's thanks to ."
Most of the students who had consud the potion were showing reactions indicating they didn't know why they were here now.
This showed just how dangerous the trance state from the potion had been... and other students who realized this could have led to other cris were also whispering among themselves.
As fate would have it, this scene was unfolding in the student cafeteria where most students gathered.
Now that the potion incident had been announced here and everyone had beco aware of its dangers, there would be no more worry about potions being distributed within the academy.
"Ah, Graham is coming this way."
"Then I'll just disappear..."
But Ban Yu-won's wish didn't co true.
This was because Graham had been locked onto him from the start.
"Student Council Secretary Graham. Nice to et you, Ban Yu-won."
"...Hello, senior. I rember you."
Graham, who had lined up the potion users like dried fish, stood before Ban Yu-won.
As Ban Yu-won bowed his head with a bitter smile at Graham who for so reason always stated his position and na when speaking to him, Graham put a hand on his shoulder with a solemn expression.
"I heard you gave advice on resolving this situation."
Ban Yu-won didn't answer imdiately and instead glared at Ketra.
He made a slightly guilty expression and explained,
"While asking for help with the cleanup, I couldn't hide everything. Of course, I didn't tell the other officers. Mira doesn't know, and neither does our president."
Ban Yu-won sighed and nodded for now.
Graham was a trustworthy person anyway, and there was no way he could figure out exactly what Ban Yu-won had done today.
"It's fine. But please keep this secret, senior."
"Of course. Thank you greatly for your cooperation. I look forward to working together as officers."
"Ah, about that..."
Ban Yu-won retreated for now. These people might think differently if they knew Mira was behind this incident, and that Ban Yu-won had stabbed Mira in the back.
"Vice President, we need to investigate them... would you join ?"
"Sure, let's go. See you later, Junior Ban Yu-won."
"Yes."
Ban Yu-won was quite struck by how Graham, who had an atmosphere no less imposing than a professor's, used formal speech with Ketra, who looked like a blonde tanned delinquent, as he watched the two leave.
And that afternoon, while Ban Yu-won was training in manifestation techniques and getting thoroughly beaten by Dokgo Yeon as usual (Lucell and Light were focusing on exam studies as that was more urgent), a ssage arrived from Ketra.
It was suggesting they et over the weekend as thanks for this incident.
"What's the matter, Ban Yu-won? Don't tell
a beast is in heat again..."
"No, it's a man."
"A man?!"
While Ban Yu-won's honest thought was that if they were grateful, they should stop taking up his ti, he accepted the proposal based on the calculation that having connections wouldn't hurt even if he didn't join the student council―.
And because he still had questions about the fairy race's innate abilities.
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