Why Did I Have to Enroll

Why Did I Have to Enroll - Chapter 186

Lesson 37. It’s Vacation, Let Me Rest - 1

[Honor has reached a depth of 350. Charm has reached a depth of 235.]

Ban Yu-won, at the age of twenty, achieved the feat of being the main feature on the 9 PM news. Although he had grown two difficult concepts, he didn’t feel particularly good about it.

―Ban Yu-won, presumed to be Earth’s first awakened, returned to Earth today at around 1 PM Korean time, causing a stir.

―Ban Yu-won, who led the New Earth Project from planning to execution, is the grandson of former diplomat Ban Ji-won, who made significant contributions to dimensional evolution. It’s said that the project was possible because of Ban Yu-won.

―According to interviews, the New Earth Project began when Ban Yu-won was summoned to the highest dimension… Union, earlier this year. Reporter Kim Chul-dong?

―That’s right. Surprisingly, just a few months later… Ban Yu-won’s sister, Olympic gold medalist and current world-ranking number one guild master of Oculus Ruber, Ban Yu-mi, obtained early access to Union Net, prompting Ban Ji-won to fully execute the plan. At this point, the family legacy seems truly remarkable.

―Both siblings are truly proud Koreans. If Korea could monopolize resources or information from the highest dimension, the economic value would be enormous.

Ban Yu-won knew the Korean media always exaggerated, but the news reports were no longer newsworthy.

Why are they arbitrarily converting the value of the Rebellion channel into Korean won?

“It’s not Korea monopolizing it; it’s me… Ah, what the heck!”

“Oops.”

As Ban Yu-won sat on the sofa, watching the news and muttering in disbelief, Ban Yu-mi suddenly appeared and threw herself onto his lap.

“Ban Yu-mi, move your ugly paperweight.”

“Hey, we have a press conference tomorrow.”

“What?”

“Oh wow, look at those firm thighs.”

Ban Yu-mi, after delivering the shocking news, started feeling his legs up and down, finding a comfortable spot to rest her head. Her movements were so natural that Ban Yu-won didn’t even think to push her away.

“Hey.”

“This house has talking pillows.”

“How did you live without a pillow while I was gone?”

“Shh, stop. No more words, my baby pillow.”

Ban Yu-won considered poking his sister’s eyes but held back, knowing he might actually hurt her now. Instead, he decided to question her about what she just said.

“What’s this about a press conference?”

“Tomorrow at 2 PM at our house. It’s better to deal with it early rather than being bothered later. I’ve been through this a lot.”

He nodded at his sister’s explanation. It would be a lie to say he wasn’t burdened by the unexpected situation, but he knew, as he discussed with his mother earlier, that it was something he couldn’t just ignore. Ban Yu-mi probably arranged the press conference for that reason.

Though she loved to tease him, she never did anything that would disadvantage him or harm his future.

“And while you’re on Earth, stay with our guild. That’s probably best.”

“You’ll take the opportunity to work me to the bone, won’t you?”

“You know me well. Where else would you find such a pretty and kind sister? It’s time to repay the favor. Ah, I wish I had a sister like me!”

“You mean an older sister, idiot.”

Ban Yu-won spoke gruffly, reaching out to mess up her hair.

“Ah! You’re killing me, Ban Yu-won!”

“It’s because I’m a vibrating pillow. If you don’t like it, get a new one.”

He moved her head aside and got up from the sofa, throwing a word of gratitude over his shoulder.

“Thanks for looking out for me, sis.”

“Ugh… Where’s my pillow going!”

“I’m off to hang out with my girlfriend.”

“What?”

As she sat up, ready to retort, Ban Yu-mi spotted Luciel emerging from the kitchen after finishing the dishes and widened her eyes. The timing was impeccable. Or perhaps…

“Yu-won! Were you waiting for me?”

“We haven’t had a proper conversation all day. From now on, Ban Yu-won is your pillow.”

“Pillow? I’m not sure, but shall we head to the bed?♡”

“Sorry, the pillow thing was a joke. Let’s just ‘talk’.”

“Hehe, I was joking too. The night is still young.”

The two, sharing sweet banter, headed to the rooftop. Left alone, Ban Yu-mi stared blankly at their retreating figures until her phone vibrated multiple times.

[HyunG: How does the vixen look in person?]

[HyunG: She’s not prettier than me, right??]

[HyunG: Tell me the YouTube videos were all lighting, makeup, and editing!]

In the group chat with the four executives of Oculus Ruber, her colleague Lee Hyun-ji was spewing curses about Luciel. Reading through it, Ban Yu-mi replied honestly, not even considering lying.

[Me: She’s freaking gorgeous. Even prettier in person. Her skin is pale and smooth, limbs are slender, waist is slim, but her chest is huge, and her eyes are like stars.]

[Me: And she’s kind too. She did the cooking and dishes today.]

She almost added, “I want to kill her, but I can’t,” but deleted it in fear someone might see. Instead, someone else was there to vent on her behalf.

[HyunG: Those types are secretly nasty, club-hopping, and change guys every other day, according to YouTube.]

[Gangmyeon: Have you ever been to a club to say that?]

[HyunG: You haven’t either!!!!!!!]

[Gangmyeon: That’s why I don’t talk nonsense.]

[Yugumddak: Hyun-ji unnie, were you serious about aiming for Yu-won…? Even on the unedited news footage, you couldn’t compete. You’d lose 15 to 0.]

[HyunG: You brat]

[Me: I’m losing confidence here.]

[Gangmyeon: Yu-mi, are you okay? Want to grab a drink?]

Lying helplessly on the sofa, watching the chat updates, Ban Yu-mi suddenly recalled how Ban Yu-won had gotten up even before Luciel emerged from the kitchen. It wasn’t a coincidence. He had reacted faster and more accurately than even Ban Yu-mi, who prided herself on her senses.

[Me: You know, I lay on Ban Yu-won’s lap.]

[HyunG: Is this a fantasy story?]

[Me: Shut up, Lee Hyun-ji. I thought he couldn’t avoid it, but what if he didn’t want to?]

[Yugumddak: Unnie… I have time, should I come over? I want to see your face.]

[Me: I’m serious! It’s not nonsense! He sensed someone approaching from afar and reacted, but he didn’t avoid me!]

[Gangmyeon: Ah]

[Gangmyeon: I see]

[Gangmyeon: That’s a green light]

[HyunG: Gangmyeon, you thought it was annoying, didn’t you?]

Not getting the reaction she hoped for, Ban Yu-mi pouted and tapped the screen, then sighed and changed the subject.

[Me: Mi-yeon, come to our house by 2 PM tomorrow.]

[Gangmyeon: What’s up?]

[Me: We’re having a press conference, so it’s good to have the vice guild master present.]

[Gangmyeon: Press conference… Oh. Is it about Yu-won?]

[Me: Yep, from tomorrow, Ban Yu-won is our guild member.]

[HyunG: Nice!!!!!!!! Yu-mi, I love you!!!!]

[Me: I’m not doing this for you, you crazy girl.]

[Yugumddak: Unnie, but our guild bans men.]

[Me: I’m the law in our guild.]

[Yugumddak: Unnie, you’re so cool♡]

[HyunG: She’s weird too, seriously]

[Gangmyeon: Finally, I get to see the little brother Yu-mi cherishes so much.]

[Me: …Kang Mi-yeon, no?]

[Gangmyeon: I’ll come in the morning. Will you serve lunch?]

[Me: Kang Mi-yeon?]

Ban Yu-won, having climbed to the rooftop with Luciel, sat beside her on the wooden bench his father had made. It creaked.

“I told Dad to throw this junk out and get a good one, but he never listens.”

“Phew, I can finally call you Master now. Eit.”

Luciel, with a satisfied expression, rested her head on his lap just like Ban Yu-mi had earlier. Ban Yu-won chuckled and gently stroked her side hair.

“Were you watching?”

“Of course. I was so envious. Thinking about how your sister had your lap to herself for 18 years was unbearable.”

“Luciel.”

“Yes, Master.”

Ban Yu-won asked, caressing the soft, dog-like ears that perked up on her head (the sensation was almost addictive).

“Is there a reason you choose subordination?”

Luciel’s body tensed for a moment. Her ears twitched under his hand.

As Ban Yu-won patiently waited for her answer, Luciel cautiously asked in a quiet voice.

“Are you angry… Do you dislike having a slave?”

“No, I’m not angry. Even if you’re a slave, there’s no reason for me to dislike you.”

Since the day they redefined their relationship after the battle with the Descendant, Ban Yu-won hadn’t had the chance to ask why Luciel acted that way due to the chaos that followed. He wondered if it was a beastman instinct or impulse, but knowing Luciel wasn’t that simple, he wanted to confirm her feelings someday.

And today, before getting caught up in Earth’s affairs again, he decided to find out.

“Before I explain, there’s something I’d like to confirm.”

“What is it?”

“Master, you can see my emotions, right?”

Since the first thing he did to solve Luciel’s Heart Furnace was to collect emotions, she must have known. Ban Yu-won nodded.

“Yeah. Sorry, it’s a bit embarrassing to say it out loud.”

“I love you, Master.”

“Did you hear what I just said?”

“But I’m not embarrassed at all.”

Holding his hand tightly, Luciel continued.

“Since I learned about your ability, I’ve always thought… There’s no point in hiding anything from you. With just one look, you skip the subjective judgment process and know the objective result. So, for you, the word ‘trust’ has no meaning…”

Ban Yu-won paused, surprised. Luciel had hit the nail on the head regarding his thoughts since awakening his power.

Trusting someone involves combining a few objective judgment grounds with subjective desires to infer an unknown cause and effect. For undeniable facts, there’s no need to use the word trust. Whether it’s a person, object, or phenomenon—if you fully understand it, it’s simply objective recognition without room for subjectivity.

“If everyone reveals everything in front of you, and you’re always forced to get the right answer, whether you want to or not, then you can’t trust anyone. You abandon subjectivity and rely only on objectivity.”

If you know what someone is thinking, you can perfectly establish a relationship with them. With his newly awakened martial arts and enhanced power, Ban Yu-won could detect and repel anyone who changed their mind, even if they were a perfect ally just five seconds ago.

Reading everything means having the ability to perfectly divide the world into allies and enemies. There’s no room for trust, only a perfect division that no one can complain about.

“You were acting, right? You know Dokgo Yeon’s feelings, Mira’s intentions, Aneri’s passion, Slothia’s petty tricks, your sister’s emotions, and even that your mother is hiding something.”

“…Yeah.”

He was impressed. Luciel’s intuition had improved remarkably since awakening her Wildness Core. It was almost confusing who had the power.

No, perhaps it was because Luciel was his subordinate.

“I don’t like it.”

Luciel pouted and continued.

“I know your power is amazing, but… thinking you’d judge me without emotion, relying only on that, is terrifying.”

“No, Luciel. I—”

“I know, but I still don’t like it.”

Luciel boldly cut off Ban Yu-won’s rebuttal and continued.

“Just the possibility is unpleasant. Don’t underestimate a girl in love.”

“Am I supposed to apologize now?”

“That’s why I chose subordination again.”

Huh?

How does that follow?

Ban Yu-won blinked, not understanding immediately, as Luciel tightened her grip on his hand and spoke firmly.

“Subordination means everything of mine belongs to you. Body, mind, soul. I can’t betray you. I’ll be with you forever.”

“Yeah… That’s true.”

“So, you can always trust me without relying on your power. Without ‘seeing’… you can trust and depend on me just by knowing we’re connected.”

“…”

“That’s why. That’s all.”

When Luciel finished her rapid-fire explanation, silence fell. Though it had been a long journey, Ban Yu-won finally understood what she wanted to say.

Understanding, he thought she was foolish.

“You’re a fool, aren’t you?”

“I thought about it a lot…”

“You’re worrying too much.”

“Ouch, ouch.”

Ban Yu-won made a fist with the hand that had been stroking Luciel’s head and pressed it against her forehead in circles. He knew Luciel, much higher level than him, wouldn’t actually be hurt, and she knew it too. Yet, she grimaced as if in pain, and he wore a mischievous expression as if he were really punishing her.

Without relying on his power or confirming the leash she forced into his hand, this was enough.

“I’m not a machine, Luciel. My power isn’t perfect, and even if I had perfect information, being able to judge it as is would make me a god or something similar. What we’re doing right now is already absurd.”

“But…”

“Still, Luciel.”

His hand gently stroked Luciel’s forehead.

“Just like we confirm our affection through this kind of intimacy.”

He leaned down and kissed the forehead of his beloved slave.

“I know how much you care about me, so let’s consider it settled.”

“Then…”

Luciel cautiously leaned against him and spoke.

“Let’s go to bed now♡”

“The ending is so disappointing…”