Why Did I Have to Enroll – Chapter 193

Lesson 38. Ban Yu-won’s Words Become Reality – 3

Ignoring the curious stares of those eager to hear about Ban Yu-won’s school trip, the group flew in heavy silence for several hours until they safely arrived at London’s Heathrow Airport.

“Isn’t it fast?”

“Well, it’s a gift from the U.S. for quick travel.”

So that’s what it meant. Apparently, it’s the latest aircraft incorporating new materials that appeared on Earth after dimensional evolution and the rudimentary mana energy engineering technology.

Hearing this, Lilith widened her eyes in disbelief.

[This is the latest… not a toy?]

“Let’s not interfere with technology and just leave it be. We don’t want Earthlings mastering dimensional travel too quickly.”

Waving to the captain as they disembarked, they soon met the person holding a placard to greet them–a beautiful secretary Lilith had mimicked yesterday.

However, as Ban Yu-won had mentioned to Lilith, he wasn’t particularly attracted to her because of her glasses.

“Welcome to England.”

She spoke nearly perfect Korean, but no one in the group was surprised. Ban Yu-won could understand all languages, Luciel had automatic translation as a Union student, and the rest were so prominent that having a Korean-speaking guide was standard wherever they went.

“Nice to meet you, Oculus Ruber members, and Mr. Ban Yu-won. I’m Eleni Mark, here to assist you in England.”

When she adjusted her glasses and acknowledged Ban Yu-won, Ban Yu-mi glared at her.

“Ban Yu-won is also a guild member.”

“My apologies. His unique presence is quite strong.”

Though she spoke politely, everyone understood her implication. Ban Yu-won was relieved she wouldn’t be following them into the dungeon, preventing his sister from becoming a murderer!

“I gave you top priority, and you’re already giving us a hard time.”

“Should we just get back on the plane and leave?”

“Yu Ji-na will remember this…”

“Isn’t that just a pattern of remembering?”

Of course, Eleni Mark wouldn’t underestimate Oculus Ruber, the world’s number one guild. She likely revealed her true feelings unintentionally rather than deliberately trying to provoke them.

From the perspective of those expecting more from Ban Yu-won, who returned from another dimension, it might seem like he’s tied to Oculus Ruber because of his family.

Ban Yu-won understood their thoughts but had no intention of complying with their wishes. His main stage was the Union, not Earth, so why bother being active here?

While he didn’t mind the attention, having played on a dimensional scale, Earth felt like a hometown visit where the villagers came out to welcome him, despite the media buzz.

‘It’s most convenient to stick with my sister on Earth. I prefer being Ban Yu-won of Oculus Ruber rather than Oculus Ruber and Ban Yu-won.’

Yes. He thought so before learning her secret. His mother probably knew too, that not uploading Ban Yu-mi’s videos to the Rebellion channel was only a temporary measure.

Soon, Earth would inevitably interact with other dimensions, and with a Constellation tracking her unique power…

‘I can’t always stick by her side, nor can I hide her somewhere safe.’

He’d have to reconsider his approach once more information was gathered, but for now, dealing with Ryu Cheol-myeong had brought about another troublesome issue.

But there was nothing he could do now except focus on the dungeon they had to tackle.

“The team you’ll be joining is already waiting at the hotel. You can have a casual dinner and chat with them tonight.”

Eleni Mark explained the upcoming schedule in the limousine heading to the hotel. Originally, the dinner was to be at Buckingham Palace, with a meeting with the British monarch, but Ban Yu-mi, who disliked such events, had declined, so the plan changed.

“By the way, what was the ace party of England again?”

Lee Hyun-ji, who was looking for alcohol in the limousine, pouted when Yu Ji-na took away the champagne bottle.

“You’re an executive and don’t know that? It’s the Phoenix Knights.”

“They’re England’s most prestigious knight order. Their leader, Keira McBride, is ranked third in the world.”

“Gah.”

Eleni proudly added to Kang Mi-yeon’s explanation, but Lee Hyun-ji cringed, unsure if it was because of the Phoenix Knights or Keira McBride.

Ban Yu-won was more concerned about another term.

“What’s a knight order?”

“In some European countries, including England, they call state-affiliated ability users knights. A knight order is a party made up of them, essentially state guild combatants.”

Kang Mi-yeon kindly explained to his puzzled question. Eleni added with a smile,

“They’re actually granted knighthood. They even receive a pension.”

“Don’t we have something like that?”

“If you’re state-affiliated, you get military exemption.”

“I want to escape to the Union quickly.”

Eleni Mark, listening to the siblings’ conversation, resisted the urge to suggest immigrating to England to avoid military concerns, as she received sharp glances from Kang Mi-yeon and Lee Hyun-ji.

Moreover, the Ban family would never let Ban Yu-won enlist, so it was a futile dream.

“We’ve arrived. Oh, the Phoenix Knights members are outside.”

“Oh, they’re all so friendly…”

Ban Yu-won’s words trailed off as he spotted the British ace party outside the window. His pupils shook violently, prompting Ban Yu-mi to tease him.

“That’s Keira McBride. Your type, right?”

“That’s… her?”

“What?!”

Ban Yu-mi, who had maintained her composure, was startled. Fortunately, if his sister had known and lured him, he might have severed ties with her right there.

“What are you talking about?”

“Is it related to what you mentioned before we left?”

“Red hair… green eyes!”

Ban Yu-won sat Luciel back down as she jumped up. He hoped the limousine wouldn’t stop, but it was a futile wish.

Ban Yu-won hoped she wouldn’t recognize him as he got out of the car with Luciel.

“Oh, hello! I’m Keira McBride. We’ve met before, right?”

She approached with her hand extended, having targeted Ban Yu-won from the start!

“We don’t know English, so let’s speak Korean, okay?”

“Oh, hello to you all! Though I’m most pleased to see this one…”

Lee Hyun-ji pushed her away and spoke curtly, but Keira, either not knowing Korean or unwilling to speak it, just waved her hand and turned her attention back to Ban Yu-won.

Her long red hair flowed to her waist, and her emerald-like green eyes sparkled. And the fiery heat rising within her body.

Fire?

–She’s a Constellation’s contractor. The one you talked about yesterday, the Follower of Ten Thousand Flames!

[There was no mention of the top ranker in England being a Constellation’s contractor…!]

Celon, who had been quietly observing, pointed out sharply, and Lilith defended herself indignantly.

Sure, there must be many fire-wielding ability users on Earth, and it would have been impossible to suspect and investigate them all as contractors of the Follower of Ten Thousand Flames.

“What, you figured it out already? You’re quick.”

“I’ve always had good eyes.”

Ban Yu-won shrugged, and she smiled broadly, amused.

“I knew that two years ago.”

“Two years ago…”

The woman before him, Keira McBride, was England’s top ranker and a Constellation’s contractor. They had met by chance when he visited England on a school trip, but now he couldn’t be sure if it was really by chance.

Was she even an Earthling? She seemed too strong for that.

While he couldn’t read her Life precisely, he was sure she was stronger than Ban Yu-mi.

“Can we meet tonight? Just the two of us.”

Keira McBride whispered in his ear, chuckling. In an alien language that only Ban Yu-won and Luciel could understand.

“Sure.”

With no way of knowing what she knew, he couldn’t risk looking at Ban Yu-mi. Ban Yu-won forced a relaxed smile and nodded.

Of course, the Oculus Ruber members, unaware of the situation, could only assume he had succumbed to the red-haired beauty’s charms!

“What are you doing to our Yu-won?”

“Are English women always this forward?”

“Oh, Yu-ming-ming died standing?”

“…This is what it means to fall into one’s own trap.”

Meanwhile, the Phoenix Knights party members, who had come to greet them, were innocently impressed.

“Wow, our leader is seducing a minor.”

“She never had scandals because of her preferences!”

“While looks can be fixed with surgery, age is unchangeable…!”

Ban Yu-won worried about the possibility of the entire party being a group of contractors, but fortunately, they were as publicly known.

He secretly checked with Eve while watching the red-haired beauty smiling at him, oblivious to others’ comments.

‘Can you keep an eye on her without being noticed?’

“Ssssh.”

Eve shook her head firmly. Ban Yu-won realized that if he couldn’t deceive Keira McBride with his Ghost Shadow Art, Eve wouldn’t stand a chance either.

In a direct confrontation, Eve’s illusions might work, but that was only viable in a short-term battle.

“Hey, Ban Yu-won.”

The revived Ban Yu-mi called him, frowning with concern.

“What did she say to seduce you?”

“She didn’t seduce me, don’t worry.”

“She did seduce you, though.”

Keira interjected into the siblings’ conversation. Hearing this, Lee Hyun-ji shouted loudly.

“This bitch knows Korean!”

“It’s amazing you insult her knowing that.”

Kang Mi-yeon sighed. She hoped this comedy would end soon, but…

Unfortunately, the real story hadn’t even begun.

*

As Eleni had mentioned, that evening, Oculus Ruber and Phoenix Knights members gathered for a casual dinner. Unlike the all-female Oculus Ruber, Phoenix Knights had male members, but they didn’t make any moves, perhaps warned in advance.

Even Keira McBride, who had flirted with Ban Yu-won at first, behaved herself, leading everyone to think she had just been overly enthusiastic in greeting him…

“Did you come secretly?”

“Yes, though one person knows.”

That night, no one but Ban Yu-won and Luciel, who shared a room with him, knew about their secret meeting.

“So–how much have you figured out?”

Keira McBride asked with sparkling eyes, full of interest. Ban Yu-won responded without hiding his wariness.

“That you’re contracted with a Constellation, and that Constellation is the Follower of Ten Thousand Flames…”

He couldn’t reveal that the Follower of Ten Thousand Flames was pursuing a specific unique power. He hoped she hadn’t noticed Ban Yu-mi’s power yet.

So instead, he chose to say something that might unsettle her.

“–And that you might not be an Earthling.”

“That’s right! I’m from dimension S-7.”

His attempt at a decisive blow was met with her confident response. As Ban Yu-won clicked his tongue, contemplating his next words, she pulled something from her pocket that blew his mind.

“And I’m also an early member of Rebel Force…!”

“What?!”

[Rebel Force — No.3]

The platinum card she held bore those words.

…The viewer from Earth wasn’t his grandfather or sister, but her?!