Why Did I Have to Enroll

―I have seen objects born from your fingertips gain life and grow. The breath you shared sprouted and became a magnificent tree, making you a dandelion that spreads life.

―What an amazing invention! To think you could share your own power into objects and make them move. I can't wait to see what happens when that scales up to dozens or hundreds!

It was clear that those speaking were Constellations.

What surprised Ban Yu-won was that this was the first time he had heard two Constellation voices simultaneously.

"What's wrong, Ban?"

"Ban Yu-won?"

And that... watching his companions wonder why he had stopped moving, Ban Yu-won realized they couldn't hear the Constellations' voices.

"A Constellation spoke to me."

"A Constellation? That's hardly surprising anymore."

Light made a disgusted face, since for a freshman, they had been entangled with an unreasonable number of Constellations, and all of those encounters had been unfortunate.

Ban Yu-won had similar thoughts and considered immediately pulling out all the traps to move to Room 10, but the moment he made that decision, both Constellations became urgent.

―You must know your name has become famous among the Constellations? Many of them have ill intentions. Especially those who sponsor rogues like Exodus! But I! I can protect you from them! Just make a contract with me!

―I believe I can strengthen your abilities further. Let's make a contract, young one.

His ears were impossibly noisy.

Moreover, since Ban Yu-won had previously vowed never to make a contract with a Constellation, the moment the two Constellations mentioned contracts, he unhesitatingly pulled out the string―

―Wait! Just wait a moment!

―Ha, isn't it because of you, you broken clock, that this child is acting this way!

The momentary 'influence' released by the two Constellations working together prevented the shift to Room 10.

Ban Yu-won's eyebrow twitched.

Of course, they couldn't directly influence Ban Yu-won any more than this, but it wasn't a pleasant feeling.

This could mean that what these Constellations wanted from Ban Yu-won was that significant...

"Whatever you say, I won't make a contract."

Having witnessed people die after being manipulated by Constellations they contracted with, Ban Yu-won's resolve would never waver.

From a very young age, Ban Yu-won possessed transcendent ability in conveying his intentions through language.

When he decided to lie, no one could detect it, and the same was true in reverse.

―Your mind is made up. You know that a contract with a Constellation is the only way to maximize human potential, right?

―We can even create potential where there is none. That's how humans can reach the realm of transcendence... How unfortunate.

Then.

The two Constellations spoke in unison.

―I won't ask for anything in return. Let's just create a connection. I'm making this offer because your ability seems to match so well with mine.

―I'll sponsor you, child. I want to place my bet on you, a pure human with the amazing talent of cultivating life.

Sponsorship.

Ban Yu-won recalled what he had learned about Constellation sponsorship in Professor Xenon's lecture this Tuesday.

If a contract was like gambling where you receive great power in exchange for being swayed by a Constellation's will, and in the worst case, could cost you your life.

Sponsorship provides less power than a contract, but the price humans must pay also seems lesser or nonexistent.

―Don't feel pressured. I won't set any conditions. I just want to see how far you can grow with my sponsorship.

―You have the potential to reach the top of this Tower. If you allow a connection with me, I'd like to witness that together.

But if the Constellations truly receive nothing in return, why would they offer sponsorship to humans?

Xenon had kindly explained why unconditional sponsorship exists.

'Since our Academy encourages contracts with Constellations, some students might think discussing sponsorship is a luxury. Therefore, this discussion is relevant to those who have rejected a Constellation's contract at least once, or who are being contacted by multiple Constellations simultaneously.'

After focusing the classroom's attention on the Rebellion members with those words, Xenon began his explanation with a composed face.

'You all know that Constellation activity is particularly active in the Tower. That's because Constellations, like us humans, want to reach the top of the Tower.'

'That's why many Constellations compete for occupancy rate - the authority to act more freely within the Tower. Whether it's contacting climbers, infiltrating someone into the Tower, making climbers encounter each other... or strengthening Tower monsters, changing room contents - all of these require occupancy rate.'

Yumina had also mentioned the existence of occupancy rate before.

That thanks to Ban Yu-won's group killing Exodus's intruder, the activities of Constellations sponsoring Exodus would be curtailed.

That meant the Constellation's occupancy rate in the Tower had decreased due to the death of their contractor.

'And this is where sponsorship becomes important - when a human possessing a Constellation's power climbs high in the Tower, that alone increases that Constellation's occupancy rate in the Tower.'

'Of course, making a contract would gain more occupancy rate, but if someone absolutely refuses a contract, they have no choice but to offer sponsorship instead. This is the first reason why Constellations offer unconditional sponsorship to promising climbers. In fact, it's not really unconditional.'

However, Xenon explained with a faint smile that even this was merely a superficial reason.

Ban Yu-won remembered that at that moment, the orb in the center of the classroom had definitely emitted light.

Now he thought that perhaps it had been a measure to block Constellation approaches.

'A Constellation's power clings to a human's soul and affects even their physical body. Soul power is originally difficult for humans to develop, but Constellations achieve this and receive human praise for it.'

'But whether it's a contract or sponsorship― while the scale may differ, once a Constellation's power attaches to a human's soul, it continuously erodes that soul.'

'Any human who receives a Constellation's power, knowingly or not, gradually begins to resemble the Constellation... Even if they only received sponsorship without any conditions, they may naturally come to follow the Constellation's will someday. The members of Exodus, whose minds are unsound due to their souls being eroded from receiving countless Constellations' sponsorships, are a prime example of this.'

'Of course, this only happens when one's original soul is weak, so there's no need to be afraid just yet. If you focus on honing your own abilities without relying too heavily on a Constellation's power, both sponsorship and contracts with Constellations can become useful tools.'

Xenon said this while looking directly at the person with the deepest soul in the classroom.

Ban Yu-won.

Ban Yu-won clearly understood what he was trying to convey.

―I don't have much time left to hold them back. Quickly, nod your head! I, the 'Breath of Life', wish to sponsor you. You will become stronger, and those who receive your shared breath will spread far and wide like dandelions!

―Don't believe that one. Constellations who describe themselves with grandiose modifiers like life and death are usually frauds! On the other hand, how about me, the 'Clock of the Toy Army'? See how cleanly and clearly I express my character. Quick, nod your head to accept my sponsorship! All your creations will become more perfect! Hurry!

By the time Ban Yu-won emerged from his contemplation, both Constellations were practically burning with impatience.

Since using occupancy rate to block the Tower's movements wasn't something they could do indefinitely, if Ban Yu-won didn't give them an answer within that time, they would only end up at a loss.

'Is there anything else I need to be careful about? Probably not. In that case...'

"Alright."

When Ban Yu-won finally nodded, the two Constellations were delighted while his companions wore expressions of disbelief.

―Choose me! That foolish fraud is misunderstanding the essence of your ability! Your power to make machines move in the Tower is a perfect match for my authority to strengthen all creations!

―There's no need to be distracted by trivial skills, child. I shall share a portion of my life force, so that from now on, your subjects may breathe more freely and look toward possibilities beyond.

"It's too hard to choose, so I'd like both of you to sponsor me."

But the Constellations probably never dreamed Ban Yu-won would say such a thing.

Sure enough, both Constellations became dejected, lamenting and criticizing him.

―B-both? Are you stupid? I can't believe I'm seeing this madman who wants to receive sponsorship from two Constellations at once. You think I'd make such a losing deal?

―Such great power has fallen into such base hands. How regrettable...

"Fine then, negotiation failed."

Since he never had any attachment or obsession with Constellations to begin with, Ban Yu-won responded dismissively.

Adding the extracted Depth 50 trap to what Eve and Lilith had collected, they stored a total Depth of 200 in the Code Core.

―....

―....

"What are you doing? Aren't you leaving?"

The Constellations' presence immediately vanished.

A shift to Room 10 occurred right away, allowing them to move to a safe zone where no one could intrude.

"Huh, no rewards."

"Because we came up too easily. There weren't even any elites..."

"Maybe it's because this is an area we've already passed through once."

"...More importantly, Ban Yu-won."

As everyone was making comments while looking around the surprisingly empty rest area― Eden, Dokgo Yeon turned to Ban Yu-won with gleaming eyes.

"What were you thinking? You clearly heard in the lecture that even Constellation sponsorship is dangerous."

"That's right, Ban!"

Light, who had been looking around disappointedly, suddenly turned serious and jumped on her words as if agreeing wholeheartedly.

"And you even wanted sponsorship from two Constellations. Getting benefits from multiple Constellations at once is absurdly dangerous."

"Constellations are... dangerous..."

Even Luciel reacting this way made a bitter smile hang on Ban Yu-won's lips.

"Sorry for worrying you. I just wanted to properly analyze the Constellations' abilities."

"I understand that your ability is remarkable. But please remember that a Constellation's power isn't something to be taken lightly."

"Right, especially two at once!"

"I got it, I got it."

But Dokgo Yeon easily saw through that Ban Yu-won was still considering receiving Constellation sponsorship.

While it was a choice she herself would never make, knowing the special nature of Ban Yu-won's ability, she decided not to say anything more.

'I'm curious what would happen if he really could freely handle even a Constellation's power... And even if he can't overcome it in the end and gets devoured by them, that would just be his limit.'

Yet even while thinking this, Dokgo Yeon couldn't quite picture Ban Yu-won being overcome by Constellations.

Wondering if this might be blind faith, Dokgo Yeon ended up laughing it off.

――And the chance to confirm her faith came sooner than expected.

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