Chapter 368

In South Korea, public broadcasting does not cover the National Exchange Tournament.

However, we are now in the media’s Warring States period.

People watching the exchange tournament through various media platforms have been busy discussing recent issues.

[NonaName, who has frequently met with medalists and national representatives]

As of today, Italy has been added alongside Sweden, Hungary, Singapore, South Africa, Australia, Canada, and Taiwan.

It’s quite suspicious that even after giving an interview that could readily be criticized as arrogant, everyone is praising him.

To summarize a few social media posts:

– Sweden: This kid (expletive) is the all-time world number one.

– Singapore: I hope Korea participates next year.

– Canada: I regret that if I had met Nema even a little earlier, I could have reached the quarter-finals.

– Taiwan: An indescribable being that cannot be expressed in words. Is she really a master who has broken barriers?

What on earth is NonaName doing behind the scenes at the tournament?

[Comments]

– Anyone would think it’s a tradition to lose at the tournament and meet Nema, haha.

– Given his confidence in the interview, everyone is probably curious about what he’s made of.

– Yeah, I would have gone to meet him too.

– That guy from Taiwan is quite the insane little brat, huh? He comes out with that kind of talk.

– Something… something is happening…

[Excerpt from Federico Mancini’s live broadcast during his return home after being eliminated in the Round of 16]

“Are you not embarrassed about losing to a 13-year-old girl in the Round of 16?

Hey, buddy, no matter how you try to provoke me, I don’t care at all.

If you think about it, I completely lost to a 9-year-old as well.

Huh? You guys don’t know? NonaName is in Japan right now, that Korean friend!

She’s a total celebrity among our participants.

The story… well, I’ll share just a bit of it.

After being called out for a timeout defeat in the Round of 16 and having plenty of energy left, I wanted to release it somewhere.

That’s right, so I went to NonaName.

I requested three consecutive unlimited-time duels, and I lost all three. That’s basically everything.

I don’t care how much handicap you give… naturally, it was a free-for-all.

Yeah, unlimited aura magic and all.

Ah, thinking back, this is quite frustrating, that crazy kid used 18 four-circle spells over the three duels!

And now I have to bear all that from the duel!

A thousand euros? Nah, it’ll probably end up over twenty thousand euros!

Ah, I don’t know, once I land at the airport, I’ll be dead.”

I might have paraphrased a bit, but I tried to keep the meaning as intact as possible.

It really seems like NonaName is dominating the duels against the participants.

[Comments]

– Wow, is this real? I can’t picture NonaName defeating Mancini in a duel at all!

– But she won the Academy Exchange Tournament, so isn’t it possible?

– While that tournament was at an amateur level, the kids in the National Exchange Tournament are all pros.

– Those Europeans’ training camp costs are in the hundreds of millions won.

– Korea, which only focuses on entrance exam magic, wouldn’t even dare to participate in the National Exchange Tournament, haha.

– This is exciting, does the host have any more stories like that?

Currently, the National Exchange Tournament was blowing in a new wind.

And the source of that wind was none other than Korea, which was isolated from the world festival.

[Overseas Magic Gallery]

[Concept Article]

[2052 Japan National Exchange Tournament Magic Usage Frequency Summary (52/07/20)][294]

* If the same magic was used multiple times in one match, it counts as one (if both participants use it, it counts as two).

* This data is gathered based on the information from Round 64 to Round 8 (in progress).

* Similar types of magic were categorized into one category. (ex. Adjusting the Moment of Inertia → Rotational Motion)

Adjusting Friction Coefficient (1) – 52 times

Rotational Motion (2) – 39 times

Polar Coordinate System Assignment (3) – 31 times

Heat Transfer (1) – 25 times

Rapid Cooling (1) – 24 times

Arc Discharge (2) – 22 times

(…)

30. Pseudo-Demon Lord’s Horn (3) – 9 times

[Overall Review]

– The friction coefficient adjustment magic, frequently seen in Round 64, has now become almost unused.

– Many magicians, primarily using heat transfer, rapid cooling, and arc discharge magic, have survived.

– The pseudo-demon lord’s horn magic, which was only used by Japanese participants, has been employed in all Round 8 matches. It’s expected to appear frequently in the fourth match (Katsuhata vs. de Sampaio).

[Comments]

– Summaries are always great.

– Why are you using such decorative magic that has three circles, like the pseudo-demon lord’s horn?

└ There are rumors that enough research has been done into the demon lord’s horn.

└ Locally, we’ve become able to distinguish the vortex causing mana reduction by sight.

└ ???

└ To put it simply, it’s effective when selecting the main mana flow line supplying the magic circle. This leads to the advantages of reducing casting time and increasing mana efficiency.

└ My head is going to explode.

└ Well, as long as it can contribute to victory, magicians are the type to try anything.

– Seeing the rising popularity of the demon lord’s horn makes me realize how remarkable NonaName is for not even participating in the National Exchange Tournament.

└ That’s really impressive, isn’t it?

└ Once again, it’s you…

Eventually, a huge story came out in the last match of the quarter-finals.

The last representative of Japan, Katsuhata Emika.

The representative of Brazil, Cecilia de Sampaio.

Both were seen entering the stadium wearing the demon lord’s horn.

When the demon lord’s horn was first used in the National Exchange Tournament, the public interpreted it as a shot-out to NonaName.

After all, Japan seemed to benefit the most from the demon lord’s horn and Adele.

Japan had a successful year, placing one additional participant in the Round of 32 and another in the Round of 16, excluding Emika.

But now, it’s different.

In the quarter-finals, five participants can use the demon lord’s horn.

It’s a spell that absolutely must be mastered to secure victory.

The demon lord’s horn, which received the highest accolades from experts, has entered a new phase.

[This spell made both you and me achieve a casting record… “Should we apply doping tests to magic too?”]

*

[NoName]

[Just Chatting – Live Commentary of the National Exchange Tournament Round 8 Match 4 (Location: Ban So Wol’s Home)]

[Broadcast time – 0:20:49]

[Viewer count – 38,927]

I was trying to buy broadcasting rights for just one match in the National Exchange Tournament, but they were selling it for over 300 million won based on 50,000 viewers, so I had to give up.

Therefore, I planned to only do commentary without showing the match screen…

“Why are there so many people today?”

I finished setting up dried fish with butter and snacks and chocolates on the table and sat in front of the camera.

“Hello. It’s been a while since I last broadcasted. Has it been about a month?”

A month was enough time to introduce some awkwardness into my actions.

As I waved my hand with a shy smile, chats started pouring in scolding me from everywhere.

– I hate NonaName, but I still like NonaName, haha.

– It truly was a hellish timeㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

– No broadcast after my birthday, isn’t that too much, host?

– After the drought, rain has finally come. I wouldn’t mind if it rained heavily.

“Today is the last match of the quarter-finals. With the semifinals on Saturday and the finals on Sunday, we’ll find out the world’s strongest champion, aren’t you all excited?”

Although there’s the condition of being under 16, the strongest is still the strongest, isn’t it?

In the middle of this, Ban So Wol brought a cola from the kitchen and poured it into a cup.

“Oh, if you’re here, you’ll appear on the broadcast.”

“I don’t mind.”

– Wow, it’s really Ban So Wol, legendary ㄷㄷ.

– Still the same in three years.

– Isn’t Ban So Wol joining the commentary?

– The combo of NonaName and Ban So Wol would be really fun.

“If I wanted to commentate with Unnie, I would have to connect to a virtual reality setup, and that complicates the device compatibility, so I decided to do this alone. People asked me to wave my hand since they came.”

Ban So Wol shyly waved and dashed out.

Whether it was a bluff about not caring if her face showed was questionable, but anyway.

[‘Arabian Nyanight’ donated 10,000 won!]

“The whole world is the demon lord’s horn… How do you feel about the demon lord’s horn becoming the key pick in the National Exchange Tournament?”

“Oh, that? Honestly, I don’t think the demon lord’s horn had a direct impact on victories or defeats. I didn’t watch every match in detail.”

– The articles mention the absurd controversy about magical doping too?

– Magic is magic, and doping is doping, right? What’s magical doping, haha.

– Among the sixth circles, there is a real magic doping called ‘Accident Acceleration.’

– Even if you attempted drug doping, it likely has no effect, so probably no one would do it.

[Video Share – ‘High Performance AI of Beautiful Girls’ donated 50,000 for sharing!]

[“What’s the most manly sport, you ask? Let me state this honestly, no that’s not even a bold statement. Football, combat sports, ice hockey… there are various answers in there, but still, the definitive number one is honestly dueling, right? Just imagine if the law disappears in this world. Then these magicians will rule the roost! While others are just cheering on the grass, these guys are unleashing attacks that could potentially kill each other? Isn’t this the epitome of masculinity?”]

Viewers brought in funny quotes from other streamers.

It was a statement that could easily demean other athletes, so I kept silent.

– NonaName looks like she’s smiling?

– She really likes him, haha.

– Can’t keep her expression in check, haha.

– To be honest, dueling pales in comparison.

I covered my mouth with my hand and suppressed my laughter before speaking.

“Well, I still think dueling is pretty masculine. A real man would toss aside all mana barriers and fight.”

– Then you’d be dead without a doubt!

– Huh? Did people die?

– That day, Nema’s world collapsed…

– As expected, you’re truly the original king of masculinity.

– You don’t really think that, right?

– That’s scary, that’s scary ㄷㄷ.

I thought my joking comment wouldn’t be taken seriously, but there are quite a few who genuinely received it that way.

With plenty of time before the match started, I had a chance to chat with the viewers.

The most frequently asked question was why I hadn’t broadcasted for so long.

“Well, since it’s almost time for the semifinals, I can tell you a bit now.”

– Huh?

– What is it, what is it?

– Oh, making us curious again!

– Is this a bombshell statement?

– Fact is, there should be one or two bombshells from Japan, haha.

– Nema is a troublemaker… No one can stop Nema.

Since it could expose Katsuhata’s weaknesses if the word gets out that she received my help, I kept it to myself.

Instead, I didn’t hold back my advice to those who came without knowing the situation like Cecilia.

“I mentioned before that I went to a training camp run by the Katsuhata camp. I learned swordsmanship there and was busy studying aura with Emika for the entire month of June.”

– So the rumors that you helped her manifest her powers were true.

– At a Japanese camp, do they easily allow others in like that?

– This is insane… No amount of money could let someone join personal training.

“That’s correct, but what we worked on together was significant. Manifestation isn’t something that someone just teaches you.”

[‘Machinist’ donated 5,000 won!]

– Please share stories about meeting the national representatives!

“I don’t really have much to share with you. We just had a brief duel and exchanged a few words.”

– We’re curious about that short duel, teacher?

– NonaName’s shocking statement, ‘A brief time is enough to defeat a national representative!’

– Did you really beat them in a fight?

“As you know, I’m a bit younger, aren’t I? So there are many who hesitated to attack. I guess that can be seen as a handicap.”

[‘Checkmate’ donated 10,000 won!]

– Translation: I wiped the floor with them.

– Nema knows what’s up, haha.

– Oh, that’s hilarious, haha.

– I’m so excited for next year, what do I do?ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

– Information: Korea’s last victory was 11 years ago.

– This is my first time watching the National Exchange Tournament this year, and I didn’t expect it to be this fun.

– Once you get into it, you can’t pull out.

What’s the point of saying more?

“Let’s stop and watch the match. Oh wow, both are wearing the demon lord’s horn.”

No matter who emerges victorious, they will definitely be wearing the demon lord’s horn.

All four of the finalists in the National Exchange Tournament will use the demon lord’s horn.

Somehow, it felt like humans had lost to demons, but in any case, it’s humans who handle these.

We just needed to enjoy watching it.

“Cecilia de Sampaio, is that her name? I met her the day before yesterday.”

– The world’s greatest genius… used to be.

– She’s simply exceptionally talented as well.

– Representing Brazil at 13 years old, and reaching the quarter-finals? ㄷㄷ.

– A genius is different from the start.

“On the surface, she seems quite scatterbrained, but I’d say she’s surprisingly meticulous. She really catches onto her opponent’s habits and can cast appropriate magic with exceptional skill. She’s focused heavily on long-range combat, with a magic-to-aura ratio of roughly 9 to 1, but just with that alone, she has reached the quarter-finals, so there’s no doubt about her skills.”

The main caster introduced Cecilia.

Although she has only been seriously involved in dueling for two years, she ranked in the top 8 in the world.

Interestingly, she wore an aviation jumper reminiscent of a Formula One racing suit for her participation.

Logos of global corporations were splattered all over her belly, back, and arms.

In sharp contrast, Katsuhata Emika was a completely different picture.

She wore a pure white uniform without any patterns.

Instead of Cecilia’s long, free-flowing hair, Emika maintained a neat ponytail.

In contrast to Adele, she has an extremely low rate of magic use.

“Magic versus aura. Western versus Eastern. A super dark horse facing a comeback challenger. I think it’s going to be a fun match with many enjoyable aspects.”

I briefly shared my impressions with the viewers and watched the two girls entering the training hall.

I wondered how much pressure they felt from a tournament that millions were watching.

Perhaps at that moment, they might feel like the only two in the world.

‘They have to treat this match as if they could die, or they won’t win.’

My small wish for an entertaining match was about to be realized.

*

“What decision Emika will make… ideally, she should push Cecilia against a wall, as battles in open spaces usually lead to a draw.”

As soon as I said this, Emika fiercely pressed against Cecilia.

She alternated her attacks from the left and right, forcing Cecilia to retreat.

“Then Cecilia shouldn’t back herself against the wall. She can’t think of counterattacks, she needs to escape the unfavorable terrain. If she can break the balance using turbulence magic and friction coefficient adjustments, it shouldn’t be too difficult—”

Before I even finished my sentence, Cecilia double-cast two types of magic.

In an instant, Emika was pushed back, propping herself against the ground with her sword, and taking advantage of that moment, Cecilia quickly slipped to the side.

[‘3대1000이하단속반’ donated 10,000 won!]

– What is this person! Managing both by herself!

– The black magician NonaName controlling national representatives ㄷㄷ.

– It’s amazing how things happen just as you said! Haha.

– Are you a future predictor?

– This person is using hacks! Or is it a cheat?

– Haha, what a different perspective from ours.

– It seems like they’re both only making the best judgments.