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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Enrollment Was a Mistake (8)
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Lesson 2. This is Your Roommate - 4
"An impressive speech, wasn't it? From the principal."
"The principal?!"
They had been so flustered by the sudden appearance of that massive eyeball that the entrance ceremony had flown by in a flash. Before they knew it, Professor Yumina—her striking red hair adorned with fluttering petal-like locks—stood before the quartet from the Lower Dimension Special Admission track.
Why was she here?
No, more importantly, what had she just said?
"You mean that colossal eyeball... er, that entity is someone we can casually call 'principal'?"
"You've seen his eye?"
Professor Yumina sounded genuinely startled by Ban Yu-won's question, firing one right back at him.
What was this now? How could anyone have missed that giant eyeball?
As he thought that and glanced around, Light, Luchel, and Dokgo Yeon were all staring at him intently.
"I couldn't even bring myself to look up."
"I-It was scary."
"That being had concealed its form through special means. Yet... how?"
Light, Luchel, and Dokgo Yeon spoke in turn.
Dokgo Yeon's cross-shaped pupils contracted as she fixed him with a terrifying gaze.
"Uh..."
Oh no, he'd gone and noticed something irrelevant again.
Having gained this chuunibyou-like epiphany, Ban Yu-won made up an excuse on the spot.
"I just had a feeling. Like a massive eye was peering down at us..."
"I see. Your senses are... remarkably sharp. I've heard that great artifact craftsmen are born with such keen perception. Indeed. You might even have potential for growth in combat."
Professor Yumina nodded repeatedly, seemingly convinced by his excuse, and expressed her admiration.
But Dokgo Yeon was still eyeing him with keen interest...!
"Anyway, he is indeed the principal. Technically, given the academy's nature, 'chancellor' would be more accurate, but we aim for a friendly vibe here."
"Friendly."
"You probably won't cross paths with him much in the future... unless you achieve something extraordinary at the academy or commit some grave misdeed."
She added with a mischievous smile directed at Ban Yu-won.
"I have a feeling you'll end up in a private meeting with the principal someday, Ban Yu-won."
"Isn't that a curse, Professor?"
"Hehe, a student's achievements reflect on their supervising professor as well. Do your best from here on out."
At those words, Ban Yu-won and the other three flinched.
"Hm?"
"Y-Yes?"
"Does that mean you're our supervising professor?"
Light stepped forward as their representative, and Professor Yumina nodded without hesitation.
"That's right."
"One of the mere nine full professors in the entire academy? For us?"
"Exactly. Allow me to introduce myself properly. I'm Yumina, in charge of Magic Combat Studies. I'll be your supervising professor for the next five years until graduation, overseeing your class of four."
"Five years?!"
Fortunately, Ban Yu-won had taken home the academy's basic guidebook on the way back and studied it thoroughly, so he knew exactly what a 'full professor' entailed.
The Union Academy, hailed as the greatest across all dimensions, boasted faculty that were anything but ordinary.
The nine full professors, all graduates of Union Academy themselves, had each passed the principal's rigorous trials. Every one of them wielded power capable of subjugating an entire dimension.
They oversaw all major academy matters, while assistant professors merely assisted them and managed students.
With five grades and about 300 students per grade, that made around 50 classes of 30 students each.
Most classes were handled by assistant professors, with the exception of the Special Class in each grade, which gathered only the elite.
Yet here was Professor Yumina saying she would personally supervise them—a class of just four from the Lower Dimension Special Admission. How could they not be shocked!
"Students, are you under some misconception? Normally, Lower Dimension Special Admission students in each grade receive separate management. It's not discrimination or special treatment—it's to protect them from malice by other students. For fair education, it has to be that way."
"But that's usually assistant professors who..."
"True. The reason I'm taking you on is that this year's special admits are exceptionally special."
Professor Yumina admitted it readily, then fixed her sparkling gaze openly on Ban Yu-won.
"It's almost baffling how we ended up with such a lineup."
Good thing his companions weren't the jealous type, or Ban Yu-won himself would have wanted to hide from the blatant attention.
Then, an unexpected movement occurred.
As if shielding him from Professor Yumina's gaze, Light subtly stepped in front.
What a gentlemanly guy in the weirdest ways. It didn't feel bad, but it was a bit awkward.
"Professor, won't this level of attention just make the regular admits wary of us?"
"I believe you students can handle that much."
Professor Yumina stated firmly.
Her ruby eyes stared piercingly at Light, who had spoken up.
"I'll block all external pressure. Needless bullying that hinders studies and growth will be nipped in the bud. But I can't interfere in internal competition protected by academy rules."
"Kuh."
"One piece of obvious advice: stick together as a group of four from now on. You're not just special admits from the same track—you're also party members who'll climb the tower together for the next five years until graduation."
Party members?
He knew Babel Tower was a dungeon, but hearing it phrased like a game made him nod instinctively.
"Hmph, climbing the tower with those deluded fools would be far worse anyway..."
With Light utterly drained from facing Professor Yumina's pressure head-on, Dokgo Yeon muttered snidely in his stead.
Her displeased gaze swept over Light and Luchel.
He was grateful it hadn't turned on him too.
"P-Professor."
Luchel spoke timidly, avoiding her eyes.
"E-Everyone's staring at us. C-Can we go somewhere else quick...?"
"You're right."
They were already drawing unfavorable looks from other freshmen just for being Lower Dimension Special Admission.
Now, with a full professor chatting them up, curious and hostile stares were locked on them in equal measure.
Ban Yu-won inwardly sighed. What was the big deal between higher and lower dimensions anyway?
"Then let's head out right away. To our classroom."
As Professor Yumina snapped her fingers, the surroundings melted like wax, walls rising to enclose them.
'Not enclosed—teleported to a sealed space?'
Like her office, one wall was a full pane of glass, beyond which sprawled academy facilities, forests, lakes, a small spaceship dock, and the towering Babel Tower in the distance.
The notable feature: no door.
No way in or out.
"All your lessons and announcements from me will take place here. It's inaccessible by normal means. First, I'll distribute your Student IDs."
The Student ID was a pendant: a slender silver chain ending in a modest gem that gleamed subtly, exuding refined elegance.
Delicately engraved within the gem swirled mysterious runes. Focusing on them made his eyes ache like they might split open.
[The gem condenses an overwhelming array of complex concepts, preventing immediate conversion to hanja. Full recognition and assimilation of this new language system will require considerable time.]
For the first time, his language ability had failed to interpret something.
Yet astonishingly, it didn't seem impossible.
Maybe this could be his gateway into magic?
As Ban Yu-won smiled at the new possibility, Light once again spoke for the group.
"Is there a specific way to use it?"
"Of course. Channel your magic power into the Student ID to register. Afterward, inject magic power for identity verification, granting access to most academy privileges. And above all, anywhere within academy grounds, you can teleport here directly."
An artifact with spatial teleportation!
Well, last time tearing a single paper had enabled teleportation, so no need to be surprised.
"For spatial movement, infuse magic power while speaking a special keyword. Hmm, let's say 'Professor Yumina is beautiful.' Just decided now."
"..."
"To leave, same process with the keyword—it returns you to your location before entering. Neat, right?"
Ban Yu-won could handle that much whimsy from someone so stunning, but Light and Dokgo Yeon struggled to keep straight faces.
Was that guy polite or rude? Impossible to tell.
Thankfully, Professor Yumina ignored the students' reactions and continued.
"Most importantly, no Student ID means no tower entry. Dimensional pirates sometimes infiltrate targeting them, so guard yours carefully."
Luchel's eyes widened.
"D-Dimensional pirates invade even this top-tier dimension...?"
"More madmen willing to brave death for tower access than you'd think."
Ban Yu-won grew abruptly uneasy at her words.
He didn't know what dimensional pirates were, but they sounded bad news.
Wasn't this what pros called foreshadowing?
Even Russian playwright Anton Chekhov had said it:
If in Act 1 a roommate acts suspiciously, by Act 3 at latest, reveal they're a woman in disguise!
Unable to suppress his worry, Ban Yu-won cautiously raised his hand.
"What if we lose our Student ID?"
"Good question. Regardless of reason, you get an academic warning, pay a fine and donation fee for reissuance."
"Eek!"
Harsh and brutally realistic!
Terrified, Luchel huddled even smaller, hiding her necklace.
Meanwhile, Dokgo Yeon spun her chain on her finger, black eyes glinting.
"So, some might target it."
"Stealing or hiding another's Student ID means immediate suspension."
"I don't take others' things."
As Professor Yumina warned, Dokgo Yeon retorted as if offended.
"I just won't hesitate to use force to protect mine."
Her words were no mere foreshadowing—a declaration of impending bloodshed.
"Fine, just stay within academy rules."
"Of course."
Dokgo Yeon's smile was downright ominous.
Truly demonic.
Ban Yu-won restrained his gaze from being drawn in and fiddled with his own Student ID.
"Right, what else... Ah, schedules haven't been distributed yet."
Distributed? Analog style?
No sooner had he thought it than holograms popped up over his Student ID, silencing him.
"Classes run Monday through Thursday, excluding exam weeks and special activities. Fridays mandate tower exploration, adjustable by party members for up to three days starting that day. Plan with rest in mind."
"Tower."
Ban Yu-won's eyes sparkled.
True to an academy built around the tower, its emphasis was immense.
The exchanged glances among members at 'tower' were intense, showing his resolve wasn't unique.
"Touch a subject on the schedule for lecture hall location and directions. Textbooks will be in your dorms. Questions?"
"Professor, what about solo tower entries?"
Surprisingly, Light asked as if he'd been waiting.
"Not allowed."
Professor Yumina smiled as she answered instantly.
"Exploration must be in parties. Solo only with principal's permission in truly exceptional cases. Satisfied?"
"Ah... Yes. Sorry, everyone. I just wanted to test my own strength—not that I dislike partying with you."
"Ha."
"Ugh..."
He could've asked that in a one-on-one with the professor later.
Ban Yu-won mentally dubbed Light: Zero Sense. The guy might not even know tact existed!
But what could he do?
At first, seeing peers who seemed not just equal but superior to regular admits, he'd thought things might go smoother than expected...
But now: a terrifyingly strong girl whose thoughts were a mystery,
a seemingly nice but subtly self-centered roommate with zero tact,
and a timid pup shrinking like it was competing with a praying mantis to curl up tightest.
Plus himself, the clueless diplomat-wannabe dragged in. Total variety-hour disaster!
"Alright, not much left, so focus up."
As if to dispel the chill from Light's blunder, Professor Yumina clapped to refocus them.
"From the moment you got your Student IDs, most academy facilities are open: cafeteria, library, shop, cafe, training grounds. Prioritize training grounds. Even without classes, don't slack on self-training. Regular admits may look down now, but overwhelming results will force their respect."
"I like the sound of that."
Dokgo Yeon quipped, slipping her pendant on.
"So, dismissal now?"
"No, I prepared refreshments for a get-together... Oh my."
Just then, Professor Yumina's pendant glowed faintly and vibrated.
Her gem eyes blinked rapidly, looking quite flustered.
"Maybe I should switch to prophet."
"Professor?"
"Ahem. Sorry, students, get-together next time. You're free to go—tour facilities if you like."
Declaring adjournment, she turned to Ban Yu-won.
"Ban Yu-won, follow me."
"Pardon? What's..."
He was getting used to space warping without warning.
In an instant, he was dragged alone into a silent hallway, staring at Yumina as she spoke with twinkling eyes.
"I mentioned earlier you'd meet the principal privately someday?"
"Yes, you did..."
"It's happening now."
"What?! Why me?"
"Who knows. Perhaps."
Yumina grinned mischievously, extending a hand to nudge him lightly.
Her unexpected strength sent him sliding forward uncontrollably.
His body passed through what looked like solid hallway wall into a secret chamber.
Yumina's voice echoed faintly from afar.
"The principal might have sensed your gaze too."
—Indeed.
A voice spoke.
The same one from the entrance ceremony.
On his first day at the academy, Ban Yu-won faced a private audience with the chancellor.