Chapter 380

The definition of Person Combat Simulation (PCS) is broad.

Virtual reality games like “Woroana Resonance” can also be referred to as PCS in a general sense.

Cecilia had also received assistance from the PCS developed by NASA, so its use wasn’t outright banned.

However, the situation becomes serious when information gathering about specific individuals is conducted illegally.

“Yes… Yes, I understand. Master, please be careful as well.”

Emika, who had received contact from Katsuhata School, ended the call with a serious expression.

“How much personal information has been leaked?”

“Everything from physical data to aura output, the techniques I predominantly use, decision-making, casting speed, reaction time, agility, and aura recovery… they claim the match rate is 96%, so it seems like almost everything.”

“What about the time frame?”

“From the competitions I’ve participated in over the past year to this year’s national exchange event’s round of 16.”

“So someone brought measuring equipment into the stadium, right? You can’t just figure out things like aura output from video alone.”

“That seems likely…”

Mages are invaluable national defense assets.

Even if the information was extracted for the purpose of winning a competition, there are plenty of opportunities for misuse.

Before the joy of winning the national exchange event could fully be enjoyed, a disconcerting news arrived.

With a heavy heart, Emika rested her chin on her hand and stared absent-mindedly out the window.

There is no proper solution for personal data leaks.

Even if all individuals involved are tracked down and punished, somewhere in the world, her information will still remain.

Before getting off the plane, I subtly grasped her hand and laced our fingers together.

“…?”

“Emika, you’re improving day by day. That’s why you were able to win the finals. If you become much stronger than you are now, the leaked information will become completely useless.”

I raised our joined hands to create a fighting spirit pose together.

Emika chuckled and affectionately patted my head.

“Haha, thanks for cheering me up, Nameya. I feel better now.”

When else would a younger person get to use their age like this?

It’s a privilege only children have to heal wounds with somewhat cliché words.

We arrived at Gimpo Business Aviation Center at 9:30 PM.

Separated from the building used by ordinary travelers, a sense of stillness filled the air.

Security checks, immigration procedures, quarantine, and customs clearance were all completed in just 10 minutes.

After saying goodbye to those from Katsuhata School who came with us, we flagged down a taxi without a driver and traveled for another hour.

As a morning person, Emika fell asleep first, likely due to fatigue.

It felt a bit disappointing to watch alone.

I leaned my head on her shoulder and took a picture.

[Group Chat: “Lonely Name Room” #Noname #Lonely #Pics #LonelyNonameRoom #SmallTalkX]

[1500/1500 Members | Established on July 23, 2051.]

(CoolCool.jpg)

* * *

According to the joint investigation conducted by the World Mage Association and the National Exchange Event Organizing Committee, personal data leaks had happened on a much larger scale, affecting 43 out of 64 individuals.

The hard-won victory at the world competition felt diminished as the country’s status was plunging into decline.

What must Emika feel watching Japan collapse in real-time from across the sea?

“Yum! Shaved ice is delicious!”

“How is it? Super sweet and tasty, right? Should I pour some more condensed milk on top?”

“Saetbyeol, you’re so kind. Thank you!”

I had no particular thoughts.

To be fair, Emika is only fifteen years old.

She smiled brightly while eating desserts that her family’s elders usually prohibited.

‘She seems to enjoy this even more than when she won.’

It appeared that since she wasn’t the only one who had her information leaked, the psychological burden was much lighter.

“Ah…! No, I really have to stop eating now. If I eat more, I’ll gain weight.”

“Do you really gain weight from that? You look thin to me!”

“I naturally gain weight easily. Saetbyeol, do you exercise? You have a really nice body shape.”

“Me? Well, I guess jogging?”

“Hey, Saetbyeol, you haven’t been jogging lately because you said it’s too hot.”

As I casually interrupted, Saetbyeol frowned.

“I hate that feeling of my clothes getting damp with sweat.”

“You could go to a cool gym to work out.”

“The thing I hate the most in the world is the treadmill. I can’t believe everyone forces themselves to do that boring thing.”

“You’re pretty enough as you are. You have a nice chest and a really slim waist.”

“Hehehe.”

“Ha, you flatter me.”

I still can’t understand this universal culture of girls lifting each other up, even after living as a woman for 34 years.

I took a bite of my apple and stared silently at my phone.

Ding—

“Uhp! Wow!”

A message from the High Mage Qualification Evaluation Business Team.

I quickly bit into my apple and opened the file that had been sent.

“Appointment

Noname

Appointed as a General High Mage

July 31, 2052

President Lee Jo-Won”

“Finally.”

I had been worried that they would find any trivial excuse to reject me, but fortunately, that didn’t happen.

“Wow! You really passed? That makes you a high mage?”

“Well, there’s nothing to celebrate. This was the expected outcome.”

I composed my expression and downplayed it.

In the first half of 2052, 27 others besides me received the title of high mage.

They were from a diverse age range, from graduate students in their late twenties to professors in their fifties.

I nodded while looking at the A-level unique magic developed by others.

“Emika, look at this. This person implemented a mass solar flare chain amplification reaction magically. It’s said to be a deadly light magic; isn’t it fascinating?”

“Hmm, I can’t even imagine that.”

“Right? I want to try it someday. There are really so many amazing things.”

“So now we’re going to create a clan?”

I shook my head in response to Adella’s question.

“No, I’ve already created a clan. I just didn’t have the authority. Look here.”

Three heads were gathered around the table.

“Just a moment while I install the authentication certificate.”

I verified my identity, input account information, and created a password.

“Oh, I need to authenticate with my main bank as well? Give me a sec.”

I had to log in to the bank app to complete the tedious authentication work.

“I also need to confirm my guardian’s name. What was Professor Cheon’s resident registration number again?”

“Aaaah, how long do I have to wait?!”

“Almost done.”

After much effort to access the application, I was welcomed by a clunky and rigid design that seemed like it belonged to a decade or two ago.

[Korean Mage Association – CLAN]

“What is this Gothic font? Is this North Korea or what?”

“Nameya, could this be a scam application? It looks too suspicious.”

“Let’s give it some slack since it’s used by older people. If you go into the National R&D Integrated Announcement, see? Various research project contracts show up, from which we can secure projects one by one.”

Since verbal explanations can be hard to grasp, I showed one as an example.

“Research on automatic control magic for flood damage prevention, including channel maintenance and drainage facilities. We need mages to ask for optimization designs so that it can operate stably even if there are no people nearby.”

“Oh wow. Seeing it like this, magic looks quite useful. But do you think there will be anything I can help with in the clan? I don’t know as many types of magic as Name, and I’m not good at science.”

“To what degree?”

“Physically, I’m just at the level of a first-year university student.”

“Well… isn’t that still enough?”

Suddenly, Saetbyeol shot us a baffled look.

Her elongated eyes quickly turned to tears.

“I just can’t talk to these monsters! Hey Emika, how can you say you can’t do something when you’re already at college level? What kind of older sister recognizes that honestly?”

I got off the chair to comfort Saetbyeol and hugged her from behind.

The rich scent of shampoo filled my nostrils.

“Still, ever since I learned that the taxes I’ve paid through ManaSero are being used in such a good place, I’ve felt a little less resistance. Although I still think it’s expensive.”

“Older sister, are you kidding? If you’re going to comfort me, then please do it properly! Ugh, move away.”

“Is this enough?”

“No, I said to move away, really don’t.”

While playing with a cat, Emika stroked her chin and asked.

“I have a question.”

“What is it?”

“Isn’t the term ‘older sister’ used in Korea for someone older? Why does Saetbyeol call Name that?”

“Ugh.”

“Ah.”

Both of us found ourselves at a loss for words.

I had been too relieved assuming Emika was a foreigner.

“Ah, you see! Name made a bet during our ‘yaja time’ and lost, so haha! That’s why I keep calling her older sister. Right, older sister?”

*Nods*

After hearing the explanation about ‘yaja time,’ Emika’s eyes sparkled.

“Oh, that sounds fun. I have to try that when I get back to Japan.”

“I think it’s better not to, Emika.”

“Why?”

“Just don’t.”

If I were to say what useless things I’ve learned in Korea, it would put me in a tough position.

“I’ll handle research projects like this until the clan grows anyway. Emika will have other roles to take on.”

I moved from the government project sector to the corporate project sector.

Most were related to open-world topics.

“Adella—”

“Shh!”

“Oh, Saetbyeol, do you remember Balum Benouns? The scholar in the study?”

“Of course! I…! I can’t discuss this here.”

“Balum Benouns?”

“Yeah, he’s a mid-boss name in Woroana. I got curious and looked it up, and they used combat data from a Chinese sect mage. For boss monsters in virtual reality games, they usually need a mage’s combat data. Sometimes they even have to develop unique magic and transfer the copyrights altogether. They charge a hefty fee for that.”

Alphonse’s unique magic, Astyile’s Ring, was one such case.

I recalled that it was a piece created by outsourcing to a famous British clan.

Large clans may directly outsource work, but smaller clans need to create initial work and win bids.

“Since it’s in virtual reality and works differently from other businesses, it’s also the part with the highest direct profit, making it perfect for growing a clan.”

In modern society, money is the strongest motivator.

Once there are one or two success stories, people will gather quickly.

As long as there are people, whether to build a home or dig a well, something will be done.

“However, that doesn’t mean using the Katsuhata style…”

“Who said to use that? I’ll teach you something new. The sword techniques I taught you during the training camp.”

“Really? That’s awesome!”

Emika is happy to learn new sword techniques, and I’m happy to roll this into the clan’s business.

“Then let’s start looking from tonight, to see if there are styles that fit well with ours. Adella, you too.”

“Huh? Me? Will I get paid properly for this?”

“Salary? Salary?”

I made the numbers 2, 1, 0, 0 with my fingers.

‘Did you forget about 200 billion won?’

Adella pouted her lips and dramatically slumped over the glass table.

“Ugh…”

“I’ll throw in an extra tuna can on the dinner table every night.”