Chapter 275

I thought just one day of struggle would be enough to teach the children.

But, as life often goes, things didn’t flow quite as I had imagined.

During the day, my schedule was packed with practice, leaving me no time to rest my eyes.

At night, the children frequently came to our room to ask all their questions.

I had to at least get Yuna to sleep, so I moved her to Haru’s room for a while, and I ended up spending three consecutive nights without sleep, taking on the role of the unpaid red pen teacher for the kids.

Looking back, I don’t think this was a level of sleepiness that could be endured even with awakening magic.

Sitting in the Middle School Waiting Room, after considering various methods, I discovered a really cozy-looking closet.

‘There’s a blanket here… why…’

I didn’t have the time to ponder the reason.

I climbed up onto the neatly piled blankets, thinking of it as a capsule, and laid down horizontally.

Sleepiness was creeping in…

Creeeak—

Just as I was on the verge of losing consciousness, the closet door swung open, and a bright light assaulted my eyes.

“Whoooa! What are you doing there, Nameya? Playing hide and seek?”

“Close the door. I’m trying to sleep…”

“Oops, sorry for interrupting! Sleep well!”

Anyway, there was still plenty of time until the middle school rehearsal, so if I could just catch about two hours of sleep…

Creeeak—

“Ahhh! There was really someone in there?”

“Ugh, please…”

I almost reacted irritably toward the kid.

The only issue was that many curious children often opened the closet without a second thought since so many people were coming in and out of the Waiting Room.

“Oh, you were sleeping. I’m sorry. I’ll close the door right away.”

“Please lock it while you’re at it.”

“Huh?”

“Lock it securely from the outside.”

What if everyone forgets I’m in here and leaves?

Actually, that would be great.

With how sleepy I felt right now, I could probably spend the whole day just sleeping.

[Cast: Nullify Interference]

I hung a noise-canceling magic circle by my ear and turned the children’s chatter into ASMR.

Only then could I curl up like a shrimp and truly slip into a sweet slumber.

In my dream, I had grown to 170 cm tall and was holding hands with Seol-a, running through the middle of a Korea University campus filled with cherry blossoms.

I cautiously guessed that those chasing us were Korea University students who had received a C- from me and were furious.

* * *

Squeak, squeak—

Name’s two hands, placed neatly on her belly, went up and down repeatedly.

Her long hair spilled out between the door and the blankets.

An air of mystery, reminiscent of a scene from a fairy tale, lingered in the atmosphere.

Perhaps because the door opened suddenly with a clatter.

Startled, Name flinched and made a grimace, blinking her bright eyes a couple of times.

When she turned her head slightly to the right, numerous camera lenses and filming reflectors sparkled back at her.

“…?”

Name squinted one eye.

It was a look that rendered her utterly defenseless.

The staff, struck by her raw cuteness, couldn’t help but whisper to one another in hushed tones of admiration.

The still-sleepy Name spoke in a deep voice.

“What is it?”

Her slightly raspy voice was split at the end.

“We came looking for the student Noname. Are you, by any chance, that person?”

Thanks to her unique appearance and hairstyle, the reporter already knew she was Name.

But due to the nature of broadcasting, they had no choice but to ask obvious questions.

“Yawn… Yeah.”

“What were you doing with your eyes closed? Meditating?”

“I was just tired and resting my eyes… How did you find me here…?”

Name stretched her arms and legs vertically in the cramped closet, then shivered as she stretched.

“Ah, so you were sleeping! We’re currently live on KBS. Would it be alright to ask for a follow-up interview later when you wake up?”

“Interview?”

Name’s face scrunched up.

She thought there would be no particular schedule until the main rehearsal, but this broadcasting company had managed to track her down even in hiding.

She rolled her coldly raised eyes around for a while before finally letting out a resigned sigh.

“I’m a little tired, so is it okay if we just proceed like this?”

The unexpected acceptance stirred unease among the staff.

“An interview like this?”

This meant she would conduct the interview while still lying in the closet.

Name lifted her waist slightly to pull the blanket draped on top of her and covered herself completely.

She popped her head out just slightly, looking around at all the staff.

“I’m comfortable, so don’t worry; you can interview me.”

Her expression was even somewhat brazen, leaving everyone in a daze.

‘Isn’t this a live broadcast on terrestrial TV?’

‘Isn’t that way too much of an Internet broadcast vibe?’

‘Of course, little girl, you wouldn’t be uncomfortable! You’re lying here with blankets after all!’

After the separation of the broadcasting fee, KBS had found itself in a position where it had to consider the opinions of the public.

Thus, Name’s audacious declaration of a lying interview was not a matter that the PDs on-site could decide casually without permission from above.

While several short ads aired for about 30 seconds to buy some time, the caster Kim Jae-sung arrived and made a significant decision.

“It’s actually a perfect opportunity to raise viewership… Let’s go ahead. I’ll take full responsibility.”

* * *

[Streamer Gallery]

[In the No Name Academy Competition Pre-Interview, did a lying broadcast lol][59]

(No Name Gimbap Edition.jpg)

So cute lololol

Even if she throws a tantrum, this No Name girl isn’t even a bit annoying.

[Comments]

– Best company’s ultimate evolution tech is now being exported on terrestrial TV!

– Is that the same No Name who used to be the total loser I knew? The real No Name is legendary.

└ It feels like just yesterday that she didn’t know how to create a waiting room on Twish and always played anime songs over a black screen for her broadcasts… She’s really grown a lot, No Name!

└ Even now, would you believe me…?

└ Ahhhh!

– If you’re 8 years old, lying down is permissible lol

– It was supposed to be a somewhat serious program, but it turned into a variety show in no time lol

– Who needs shows like “Superman is Back”? No Name is the GOAT ambassador for South Korea’s birth rate promotion campaign.

[Thought it was real school bullying, but I was stunned][41]

Who closes the closet door to sleep lolol

Honestly, I felt relieved when I realized it was Name inside.

[Comments]

– So, is No Name participating?

└ Just shut up and watch.

– Look at the audacity of sleeping in the middle school waiting room, not the elementary room lol We could never have imagined that in our time.

└ I swear, Aspen Academy is tougher than the military. Graduates will agree.

└ As a veteran, I acknowledge that.

– No Name has already infiltrated middle school, wow.

└ lololol

– Then, isn’t No Name the 2nd grade representative? There are only 10 minutes left for elementary to participate, what is she doing here lol

└ Since Kim Jae-sung is still conducting interviews with her, I don’t think she’s the representative…

└ ??? If not No Name, then who is?

“Today, I’ve been waiting for the chance to host the proud small genius of South Korea, No Name! Born in June 2043, she is now 8 years old! Her blood type is A, her height is 113 centimeters, her weight is 19 kilograms, and her shoe size is a whopping 180 millimeters! Let me introduce again, the participant from Seviron Academy, No Name!”

Shocking words flowed in succession from the mouth of caster Kim Jae-sung.

– People can still be born in 2043?

– You mean she doesn’t even weigh 20 kilograms?

└ She’s lighter than Bimbong, what is this?

└ One light poke and she’d fly away…

– Shoe size 180?

– Blood type A?

└ This is something you shouldn’t argue about lol

“Hello, No Name participant!”

“Hello, caster Kim Jae-sung. And hello to the viewers of the Academy Competition as well.”

“Oh, yes! Everyone must be happy to see the appearance of participant No Name!”

Name’s voice flowed out a little more composed than before.

The tone, conscious of the broadcast, made everyone naturally smile like proud fathers.

“The camera eye contact of participant No Name seems really natural. You could be an actress!”

No Name’s broadcasting skills were already at a pro level.

Despite five ENG cameras spinning around chaotically, she kept her eye contact with each camera when it pointed at her.

Although she was lying on the closet blankets, her determination to at least not let the broadcast go to waste was evident.

“Participant No Name will face Altear Academy for the first time in the competition. How do you feel right now?”

“Not particularly feeling anything.”

“Oh! So you are feeling nothing! Participant No Name has expressed strong ambition! Showing such a calm demeanor today, Seviron Academy seems to be able to shed some burdens as well. Now, participant No Name, would you like to give a word of encouragement to your senior representatives going to rehearsal today?”

“I helped this much, so if you lose, you’re toast.”

“…!”

-Gasp

-Gasp

-Toast lololol

-Oh no, the youngest’s rebellion lol

-Gasp

-How on earth are we going to handle this lol

-This feels refreshing. Now that’s the internet broadcast vibe.

-lol A teacher who works in the sunny and aims for the dark, that’s No Name.

-Today’s trivia: Name learned character education through League of Legends.

“Oh! So you mean you’d feel like you’d be turned inside out if you lose! It seems the seniors have to work hard to protect such a cute junior.”

-Kim Jae-sung’s super save lolol

-He’s managing to save it

-lololol

-That was close to writing an apology letter

Thanks to his 20 years of broadcasting experience, caster Kim Jae-sung proceeded with the interview.

Name, looking a bit disappointed, licked her lips and focused back on the interview.

“We’ve just been informed that the second-grade participants of the elementary rehearsal have gone up to the Training Hall. So, from Seviron Academy, ‘Shin Si Hoo’ has come forward as a representative. Can you see the screen well?”

Another staff member hung a television on the C-stand, showing the current KBS1 channel.

“Yes. He’s my friend.”

“Moreover, I’ve just received a report that Shin Si Hoo is No Name’s partner.”

“How did you…?”

This time, Name’s eyes widened in surprise at KBS’ information-gathering ability.

The announcer wore a triumphant smile for having surprised Name.

“Yes, anyway, he’s the most reliable friend in our year.”

-Not allowedㅠㅠㅠㅠ We can’t give Name to anyoneㅠㅠㅠㅠ

-But why isn’t No Name participating as a representative… I wanted to see Name too…

-That style is like a noble even though she’s young.

└ That’s the characteristics of elementary kids. Most students are from rich families.

-Name squirming under the blanket is too cuteㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

-Oh, lol… so cute… she’s like the nation’s little sister, or maybe the nation’s daughter…

“However, I just found out, but this is the middle school waiting room, right?”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

“Could you share your thoughts on the fact that participant No Name isn’t in elementary school but is from the middle school?”

The camera zoomed in on Name’s face.

Getting so close it could almost show her pores, Name pulled the blanket up to just under her eyes, hiding her face.

“It’s still a candidate position, but I hope to have a chance to compete, even if it’s through a replacement. I think I could easily defeat the middle school seniors.”

* * *

“What? Easily win?”

The students from Altear Academy watching the broadcast live in the waiting room were dumbfounded as they kept an eye on the show.

It was surely their turn for an interview, but amid Name’s sudden coverage, they had already lost more than 20 minutes.

This could only be interpreted as being overly thrilled due to the viral education videos that became famous overseas.

However, it was just a matter of facing off against the ordinary folks who couldn’t even use magic well.

Even the legendary battle mage Hamcho-ron was said to have been thoroughly defeated by students over five years old.

In the magic world, age is akin to weight class until the age of thirty.

[What does participant No Name think about the duel?]

Announcer Kim Jae-sung posed a simple question.

[It seems like it would be fun.]

The students from Altear Academy frowned.

Engaging in a duel requires a painful process.

This was something both Seviron and Altear students agreed upon.

To indulge in any academic discipline on earth, one must take at least one step into it, and mastering the theories rampant with exceptions of runes and circuit techniques is a must.

If your head isn’t sharp, you must at least endure physically.

Some might create their bodies through blood-draining efforts, capable of entering professional training camps like Jincheon, while others might head to remote areas like deserts or Antarctica to cultivate their own auras.

Thus, Name’s provocations could only be seen as arrogant remarks that irked aspiring mages.

Until her next words followed.

[I think of the duel as a form of physical Go.]

[Physical Go?]

[Yes. Announcer, have you ever played Go?]

[I’ve played it a lot as a game.]

[I heard somewhere that Go players can read their opponents’ character through the game. Whether one is aggressive or cautious, direct or indirect. And then, you begin to wonder about the lives they’ve led. Why did that person end up with that personality?]

Gasping a bit, Name took a big breath and continued speaking again.

[Some might have had to act aggressively to protect those they love, while others might have become overly cautious due to betrayal in the past. What do you think? Isn’t there fun in getting to know people this way? I believe it’s similar with dueling. But in dueling, since you use your body as well, it becomes even more engrossing.]

Name threw the blanket on the floor and perched precariously on top of the closet.

Her short legs swung back and forth in a cute manner, but her demeanor as she looked at the camera was exceptionally serious.

[You may find it hard to relate, but magic is truly a miracle itself. So, I’m very curious about the ones who perform miracles. Among those who wield the same elemental magic, some might have learned it because they loved playing with fire as a child, and some might have resolved to learn it due to past tragedies caused by flames. The same goes for auras.]

[So you’re saying that dueling is like Go…?]

[In Go, you place stones; in a duel, you place your life on the line. It might sound ridiculous or overly exaggerated to some, but at least to me, it holds that much significance. The reason we continue to fight, getting slapped and kicked, might be that we want to have our journeys validated by someone else. While life doesn’t have any answers, we humans always seek answers.]

[Wow…]

[So, as I have been chosen as a candidate for this glorious Academy Competition, I want to slap the faces of the seniors from Altear Academy at least once. I am very confident in the path I have walked.]

This was Name’s delicate and sophisticated provocation.

[If you think I am wrong, hurry up and slap my face to prove it. I will willingly offer one side.]