Ch. 73.1 - Chaos (2)

The total number of students in first year Class S was 41.

The total number of students in second year Class S was 23.

Originally, second year Class S had 26 students, but due to the death of two students during last year's practical training and the demotion of one student to Class A, the number became 23.

Although it was still less than half of the number in first year Class S, it was honestly impressive that Class S had more than 20 students in one grade.

There was no fixed number for the total enrollment, and only the students who met certain "special conditions" within Stella were assigned to Class S.

Being special in Stella, where exceptional geniuses gathered, was not easy, so typically, Class S would have around 10 students in one grade at most.

Many students who couldn't become part of Class S, especially the students in Class A, held strong envy towards Class S, but in reality, most of the students in Class S didn't attribute any special meaning to the class.

Among those students who maintained top-level grades and rankings in the second year, Ben was one of them.

"Phew..."

Ben sat on the corner of the training ground, and wiped off the sweat while gulping down the water.

It had become a daily routine to train his physical strength after evening classes, but that time, his condition was not good due to poor exam scores, and even though he ran a little, his breath was heavy.

"Phew! Hey, you brat! Are you tired already?"

"Ugh... This monstrous guy..."

In contrast to him, who seemed to lack energy, Denmark in Class 2-S was full of vigor, and he was already running around the training ground for dozens of laps with full power.

Increasing stamina or strength through mana was something that only existed in legends. As such, he had no idea how he trained to become so powerful with pure physical strength.

Of course, for a magician, as long as they had a sufficient amount of stamina, physical strength was not lacking.

Therefore, the act of pushing the body to its limits, like Denmark, was quite inefficient and foolish.

‘Hmm, come to think of it, there was one peculiar underclassmen who fought with strength.’

Ben still remembered what happened at the Martevis Cemetery.

Among the dark mages, the individuals with the fewest and most terrible reputation were necromancers, who were even capable of bringing about the greatest disasters.

From the second year onwards, one could officially receive missions related to hunting demons, including the eradication of dark mages.

However, the necromancer was by no means a dark mage that could be dealt with at a student's level. It was a catastrophe that was thought to never be encountered.

The memories of facing it were still vivid.

The reason why Ben and Denmark were able to survive at that time was not because they were exceptional, but thanks to the help of a peculiar underclassman.

The boy with an unusually sharp mind, Baek Yu-Seol.

The reason why thoughts of him suddenly came to mind... was because of the rumors he had been hearing recently.

Baek Yu-Seol, a first-year student, confronted Edman Atalek, a third-year student.

Since the discussion was related to alchemical engineering, all irrelevant details were omitted, and only that part remained, which led to rumors spreading.

From a conventional perspective, Baek Yu-Seol was indeed at fault. Challenging someone of higher rank in the magical society goes against the hierarchy.

However, Edman Atalek had a notorious reputation, and while Baek Yu-Seol exhibited extraordinary and unique behavior, some people who knew that he was not the type to disrespect seniors found it surprisingly intriguing.

"Did Baek Yu-Seol really do that?"

The Baek Yu-Seol he knew was a student who fearlessly led everyone with his unique courage and determination on the front lines to save struggling classmates.

He also seemed thoughtful and one step ahead of others... Did such a Baek Yu-Seol really confront seniors like a fool? Knowing well the disadvantages it would bring upon himself?

Doubts kept creeping in.

"Hey, who's that guy?"

"You know that arrogant first-year student, right? That guy. They are just trying to give him some education."

"Oh yeah? Anyway, these days the first-year students are getting out of control."

"Huh?"

Ben, who was resting quietly, turned his head towards the voices coming from the corner. Now he realized that his fellow second-year students had brought a freshman to the corner and were harassing him.

"Here we go again. Pathetic fools."

Nairigalgum.

If someone is bullied by someone above them in the hierarchy, he ends up bullying someone even lower in the hierarchy.

{TN:- "Nairigalgum" is a Korean term that refers to a phenomenon where individuals who experience oppression or mistreatment from those in higher positions tend to exert their frustrations by mistreating those in lower positions than themselves. The term signifies a cycle of hierarchical abuse or oppression within a social structure.}

It existed within Stella, although not to a great extent.

Due to the clear hierarchy, it was intended to correct the attitude of juniors who dared to confront seniors.

For that reason, it was quite common for second-year seniors to bring first-year students to the second-year facilities and bully them.

Why specifically bring them to the second-year facilities?

It was to deliberately make them more intimidated by attracting the attention of other second-year seniors.

This absurdity of pushing the victim to the psychological extreme was mainly experienced by commoners or lower-ranking nobles, so the freshman student was probably a commoner as well.

It didn't happen often, but it occurred occasionally, so he tried not to pay attention to it.

But upon closer inspection, he recognized the face.

"Baek Yu-Seol...?"

As expected.

He caught the attention of the seniors, and eventually, he ended up here. Our previous connection was what it was, but unfortunately, there was no justification to intervene in this bullying.

Educating juniors was an accepted matter even within Stella.

"Hey, why are you looking at me like that?"

"Are the first-year students worth anything these days? Huh? Your eyes seem quite lively, very lively."

Baek Yu-Seol, with his transparent yet bright eyes, stared silently at the seniors.

‘What is he thinking...?’

Ben was about to ignore the situation.

"Hey, this won't do. Get down right now."

In the end, as Ben watched the scene where Baek Yu-Seol lowered his stance to kneel down...

Ch. 73.2

In the end, as Ben watched the scene where Baek Yu-Seol lowered his stance to kneel down...

‘Hmm…’

Suddenly, numerous thoughts raced through Ben's mind like lightning.

Absurdity.

The hierarchy within the world of magic was important, and there were certain implicit allowances even within Stella. However, there were limits that should not have been crossed.

For example, direct physical punishment inflicted by one student upon another was strictly prohibited. Not only physical blows or kicks but also any act of intentionally causing harm was forbidden.

Nevertheless, such acts of intentional harm were prevalent because the students who were targeted had very weak voices to speak out against it.

But... What about Baek Yu-Seol?

Would his voice be weak as well?

He was a student of the Class S with a record of exterminating a necromancer in his first year. Moreover, he faced dark mages without flinching and had the determination to carry out his plans.

Furthermore, he never yielded to nobles in his speech, treated everyone equally regardless of their status, and even confronted professors with his own will.

Why didn't Baek Yu-Seol fear the seniors at all?

But why, upon hearing the command to kneel down, did he purely attempt to kneel down without resistance?

The answer was simple.

Perhaps, as a result of this momentary humiliation, he was aiming for a greater revenge. It would likely become an act that shook the absurdity of the academy to its core.

Ah...

Ben hurriedly surveyed the group of second-year students surrounding Baek Yu-Seol.

Some were wicked, but some were commoner students who had no choice but to take charge of educating the first-year student under the command of the third-year students.

They were what was known as "permanent Edmon followers."

They were born into the Adolveit Kingdom but had no notable status, so they had no choice but to listen to Edmon's words by force.

The other second-year students could ignore Edmon Atalek's words, but they wouldn’t.

Among them, those who were not Addmin's followers but harassed the Baek Yu-Seol (a concept) would face disciplinary action, undoubtedly.

It must be stopped.

Baek Yu-Seol's idea of shaking Stella's absurd system itself was certainly correct, but the target of sacrifice must be changed.

"Wait!"

Therefore, Ben unintentionally blocked them.

——-

‘I just thought of getting down on one knee.’

‘Honestly, I'm not a noble, and I don't have any power, so it's a real struggle for me to try to break the injustice that everyone else is doing.’

‘If it were modern times, it might be different, but in today's world where there is no news channel, changing injustice with a heartfelt letter isn’t worth a try.’

‘Anyway, if things go according to my plan, this injustice coming to me will end soon, so I thought I would quietly endure it until then.’

"... What are you doing right now?"

Baek Yu-Seol thought he was dreaming.

Ben appeared.

Baek Yu-Seol didn't know much about him, but thanks to his partner "Denmark," he at least recognized his name.

Denmark was one of his favorite characters in the game, after all.

"What, what's going on?"

Since the seniors who were trying to provoke him were from around Class C to Class D, they hesitated slightly when Ben from Class S stood up against them.

"What are you doing right now?"

"Can't you see? I'm educating the underclassmen. Even if you're from Class S, you can't interfere."

"So you're trying to order me around?"

"Well, I'm going to continue educating until you understand. Don't meddle."

"No, that won't work."

"... What did you say?"

Some of the seniors who had their faces turn red approached him.

"Hey, don't interfere and get lost. Do you think being in Class S gives you any authority? This brat dared to stand up against a third-year senior. Do you think this is appropriate for a mage? As seniors of Stella, we have an obligation to educate our underclassmen!"

However, some other seniors silently watched him without getting angry. Their expressions even seemed thankful for his intervention. While some were feeling uneasy.

"Hmm. Come to think of it, those guys are pitiful too."

The seniors who stopped provoking Baek Yu-Seol when the interference occurred remained silent and didn't provoke him further.

They must be the type that inevitably engage in injustice.

If not, even worse injustice would come from above.

However, those who confidently confronted Ben were nothing more than unusable trash. He had seen them in the original game as well. They specifically targeted commoner students from Class S in the first year, harassing them.

Since they couldn’t touch the equivalent students who made it to Class S, they chose to torment the average commoner underclassmen.

Ben was well aware of this fact, so he didn't hide his disgust.

‘But why did he suddenly interfere? We had fought together before, but it doesn’t mean we became close.’

He stared at Baek Yu-Seol intently, and his gaze became increasingly sharp, as if he was deep in thought.

Then he spoke. "Well, how about this then?"

"What?"

"If, as you said, he dared to stand up against third-year seniors, it's not a typical matter. If we were in a magical warrior unit, it could lead directly to a serious matter that requires immediate disciplinary action."

‘What's this? Wasn't he supposed to be on my side? Why is he suddenly talking about my wrongdoing as if it's worse?’

"Yes, that's right."

"So, this is not a problem that can be overlooked as a simple provocation. That's why..."

Ben alternated her gaze between Baek Yu-Seol and the wicked second-year seniors, and slowly parted his lips.

"... How about conducting a 'Special Training for Underclassmen'?"

Upon hearing that, the expressions of the seniors stiffened.

They grinned, showing their teeth.

He also knew what that meant.

No matter how much a junior was at fault, officially, verbal abuse and violence were not permitted.

However, very occasionally, there was an event where seniors could officially administer a sharp 'punishment' to juniors who had committed serious wrongdoings, and that was the Special Training for Underclassmen.

The rules were simple.

The senior who wanted to educate and the junior who had to receive education would engage in a 'duel.'

Generally, duels between seniors and juniors were strictly prohibited, so this policy was implemented to make it legally acceptable.

However, although it seemed simple, in reality, it amounted to seniors unilaterally using magic to beat up the juniors.

The first-year students had just started learning practical magic, while the second-year students had already completed the practical training and combat exercises, and were in a state of being deployed for actual missions.

Therefore, there was no way for the juniors to stand a chance, even if their opponent was a first-year student from Class S.

However, in order to prevent misuse, the approval of the student council president was necessary for the Special Training.

This student council president, in particular, had a very strict personality and did not easily grant permission for such things.

However, regardless of grade level, students from Class S could strongly appeal their opinions to the student council.

This was another powerful privilege held by Class S.

Moreover, it was known that Ben was close to the student council president, so if he spoke up, it would be easier to obtain permission.

"I will obtain permission for the Training, so if you're going to do it, do it properly."

Ben allowed for the 'indirect provocation' that could be carried out at Stella, and the corners of the mouths of the second-year seniors who didn't like Baek Yu-Seol skyrocketed as if reaching the sky.

"Great. It'll be fun.”