Chapter 305

As people leaned back to take in the empty ghost city, it felt as if they were admiring Michelangelo’s ceiling painting in the Sistine Chapel.

From the eagle’s viewpoint, soaring hundreds of meters in the sky, the landscape of the city resembled a painting, sometimes appearing miniature.

Those who beheld the fantastic scenery were divided into those who laughed and those who did not.

“It’s so beautiful…”

“Where is this place? Rome? Florence?”

“Let’s take a picture and check it out later!”

The ice mirror showing the world behind began to sublime into vapor as time passed.

Cold air gently settled on the children’s cheeks.

They giggled and personally experienced the mysteries of magic.

However, Kim Seokil, the sub-clan leader of Raon, could not share in the laughter of the others.

“How lonely must it have been for seven years…”

Was it because of early menopause?

Tears rolled down the face of the middle-aged man.

“How stifling must that narrow capsule have felt… Surely, you wanted to run wild in such a wide world…”

According to Descartes’ worldview theory, the expansion of the imaginary world fundamentally begins with facing one’s inner solitude.

Perhaps it would have been better not to have known about the existence of others from the start.

The despair of being unable to connect with others despite their existence surely led Name deeper into her own inner self.

“Let alone seven years.”

Creating such a vast world in just seven years is nearly impossible.

Like the patients with Servant Syndrome, her time probably flowed more slowly than others.

It could be said that she felt trapped for an approximate ten or twenty years.

Kim Seokil could not take his eyes off Name with a sad gaze until the ice mirror disappeared.

“Right. Whether Name helps our clan or not, what does it matter? People come before the clan.”

Kim Seokil reflected on how he had viewed people merely as resources from an economic perspective.

Every person is an emotional and self-determined being.

Thus, even if she has no connection with Raon Clan’s future, he felt a natural desire to support her path.

That was the determination of Kim Seokil as a human.

The performance continued.

[In fact, the great sorceress Rosalynn was under a terrible curse cast by a witch. The more she used magic, the younger she became.]

“What? Me?”

“Quickly, NoName!”

“Ugh… Waaaah?”

“Louder!”

“C’mon… Waaaah!”

[After using all her mana, Rosalynn became a one-year-old baby, forgetting all memories of Romeo, and Romeo and Juliet adopted Rosalynn as their daughter to live happily together! Hooray!]

5:45 PM.

Due to the unexpected magical admiration time created by Name, the play was extended by 15 minutes.

Chasing against the pressure of time, the narrator hastily spun a tale that brought about a happy ending for everyone.

“Bravo!”

Kim Seokil clapped with sincerity, and the audience responded with whistles.

The narrator, seemingly quite thirsty, gulped down a 500ml bottle of water.

The Raon Clan members, who had protected the children’s innocence, all came out to give their concluding greetings.

The applause that seemed like it would end continued for quite some time.

“Hmm?”

Familiar energy sensed, Kim Seokil turned around in his seat.

There was someone who had not finished clapping until the very end, and that person was Professor Cheon Kyujin.

“No…! Are you not Name’s father? I didn’t know you were here, and I was too flustered to greet you!”

Kim Seokil’s waist bent at a 90-degree angle.

Professor Cheon waved his hands to help Kim Seokil back up.

“It’s okay. I’m truly grateful to the Raon Clan for listening to Name’s insistence.”

“Is there a seat for your daughter to sit later? I can offer mine if needed.”

“Ah, no need. Name will participate in the next play.”

“Eh? What do you mean…?”

“It’s Hansel and Gretel.”

“Wait, Name is going to perform in the performance by the Chomyeongnamgung people? Why…?”

At that moment, the content Kim Seokil had just firmly resolved began to waver.

“Sure, she could be a child performing… Let’s not necessarily connect it to our clan’s interests.”

He felt a strange discomfort, as if he had been hit hard on the back of the head.

“It seems Name has been craving magic for a while, and I’m very grateful that the clan is willingly covering the costs, so I’ll treat you to a meal later.”

“Oh, a meal…! Yes, yes, that sounds good! If you just call me, I will come! It’s a few tens of millions of won to nurture a sprouting seedling… What could be more rewarding than this? Ha ha!”

“The Raon Clan leader is so generous.”

“Ha ha, I’m still just an acting leader. Thank you for the kind words.”

Engulfed by the desire not to miss the precious opportunity for a private lunch with Professor Cheon, Kim Seokil regained his mental peace.

“Yes, what is this children’s play worth? Such an opportunity doesn’t come around easily!”

And then it happened.

Ding-!

A text message flew directly from the Korean Mana Corporation.

As Kim Seokil checked the content, his face twisted in horror.

[The Korean Mana Corporation has sent a bill to Raon (Special Purpose Magic Support Joint Office – Clan). Please make the payment by the deadline.

– Billing purpose: Wide Area Intermediate Circle (5) -glacies imago- Magic Casting

– Bill amount: 208,439,100 won (Total: 240,993,100 won)

– Payment deadline: 2051/12/31

The billed amount of 32,554,000 won was paid on behalf by ■■ Corporation.

For inquiries regarding the invoice, please contact the billing company. +More]

“Two… 200 million! What kind of fifth circle is this!”

Kim Seokil’s neck bulged as he turned his head back.

“Hahaha.”

Professor Cheon wore a kind smile.

The father-daughter con artists were certainly not just a figment of his imagination.

* * *

Handal and Guraedal were fluttering in black robes, chased by a witch.

That’s just talk, but due to the space constraints of the stage, I felt as if I was spinning around them.

I carefully examined the faults of the three.

The siblings committed trespassing and vandalism, while the witch responded with confinement and special coercion. The siblings then committed attempted murder by setting the witch ablaze with a fire magic.

If a trial were to occur, the last act could be a significant issue, as determining whether it was self-defense would be the main point of contention.

Of course, one could not expect a fair trial in the world of this play.

“O beautiful duck with red horns! Please take us across the river!”

“The terrifying man-eating witch is chasing us! I’m really out of energy now!”

Handal… no, the final version of Hansel and Gretel transformed into a turbulent escape story, and even I found it exhausting to watch.

The narration sister seemed to have given up on commentary and had already put down the microphone. The Chomyeongnamgung clan members laughed at their juniors’ antics.

Still, it was quite popular.

The acrobatic scenes drew enthusiastic cheers from young elementary school friends.

I somewhat resolved my mind.

Wearing the hood of my yellow duck pajamas and dragging uncomfortable duck shoes, I walked toward them.

Quack, quack, quack, quack-!

The strange sound from the duck feet immediately captured the crowd’s attention.

Then, I lay flat on the ground.

“Step on me.”

I had to help them cross the river, but I didn’t want to let them go so easily.

I thought of the young nobles who had tried to hunt me down in the past.

Anyway, since I had exhausted all my mana with the earlier magic, this was the best I could do.

Well, if they’re confident, they can try to show some martial arts.

* * *

[NoName: I received an award.]

[Adele: Busy.]

[NoName: Just look at this.]

[Adele: ?]

[NoName: (sent a photo.)]

[NoName: It’s the trophy for the popular role award. Isn’t it cute?]

“Yawn… ugh…”

As sleep occasionally attacked me, I held onto my phone and slouched.

The group award for the Magic Dream Contest went to the Raon Clan for showcasing precious scenery.

But my uncle from the Hangyeo family didn’t seem too pleased about it.

People should appreciate the little things, but it seems that when they become adults, they lose that childlike heart.

The popular role award went through strict voting from the audience, and in the finals, it was ‘Rosalynn vs. Duck’.

I still don’t know why the duck was so popular.

Rosalynn received 345 votes, and the duck received 155 votes, with Rosalynn securing the final victory.

So the golden trophy received was the Neverland mascot “QuackBang.”

“Oh. Do children simply like ducks? Thinking about it, the Neverland mascot is also a duck.”

After the contest ended, I met with the audience, shaking hands while promoting the Demon Lord’s horn.

Still, I decided I had done my part as the major shareholder and began to head home.

Professor Cheon had already fallen asleep a long time ago.

The autonomous driving mode diligently turned the steering wheel by itself.

Feeling extremely bored, I kept trying to text Adella, but she had no intention of replying.

“Hmm?”

[Group Chat: “Lonely Name Room” #NoName #Lonely #Meme #LonelyNoName #ChatX]

[1487/1500 members | Established on 2051. 7. 23.]

A massive chat room appearing in the real-time search.

I entered it as if entranced.

What’s this? Why are there 1500 people in one room?

The elementary division of Seviron Academy has less than 500 members, so 1500 is three times that size.

[NoName has entered.]

[Notice: 1. No chatting (Text components allowed)

2. Please post 2 Name memes instead of greeting upon entry.

3. Only NoName (Unspecified) photos, GIFs, and videos allowed (bundling recommended).

4. Name is love.

You may be kicked out without warning for breaking the rules.]

The cute writing style of the notice welcomed me.

I considered writing a text but hesitated, feeling unsure.

Looking at the participant list, there were hundreds of users using my name.

“What’s this?”

Suddenly, a notification chimes.

(NoName Neverland Duck Costume.jpg)

(Thumbs-up Name.jpg)

(Nosebleed Name.jpg)

(Name Rated Highly.jpg)

At first, I was surprised, but after 5 minutes, I began to grasp the purpose and culture of the room.

“They asked for two memes upon entry? I don’t have any of those.”

I didn’t care much about portrait rights, but that didn’t mean I saved all those photos.

I briefly closed the curtain separating the front and back seats and turned on the lights.

[Camera]

Selfie.

I don’t think I have taken a photo of myself this life, and as for my past lives, perhaps only when applying for school.

I heard the 45-degree angle works well, so I stretched my arm to give it a go, but it didn’t turn out like that.

Perhaps due to the lighting, my pale skin and slightly haggard appearance combined to create an unflattering image to show others.

Still, rather than doing this embarrassing act three more times, I decided to just hit the send button.

(Photo1.jpg)

(Photo2.jpg)

“Hmm…”

The second photo was specially taken with the popular role award trophy.

With deepfakes and such technologies having advanced so much, I needed at least one means to prove my identity.

“What? No response?”

Just as I thought that and tossed my phone, a fierce vibrating sound echoed, shaking the seat.

[Unread messages: 135]

Surprised, I quickly checked my phone and entered the group chat again.

(HuhName.jpg)

(WhyIsThatName.jpg)

(Name(оﾟдﾟо)Name.jpg)

(Angry Name.jpg)

(Who are you, Name.jpg)

(Hello Name.jpg)

(Haha Name.jpg)

(Meme PickUp Name.jpg)

(Thank You Name.jpg)

(Elsa Name.jpg)

(Let It Go Name.jpg)

“Oh wow…”

I truly felt that the world is vast and filled with fascinating people.

[NoName: Hello.]

It wasn’t bad to receive such fervent reactions from 1500 people from just one photograph, so I shared one-way chatter with them until I reached home.

Fortunately, I was not kicked out.