Ch.275270 – Lying Down Broadcast

I thought teaching kids would only take one day of hard work.

But as life often goes, things didn’t flow as planned.

During the day, my practice schedule was so packed that I couldn’t find a moment to close my eyes.

At night, the kids kept coming to our room with endless questions.

Since I needed to let Yuna sleep at least, I moved her temporarily to Haru’s room, while I spent three consecutive nights as an unpaid tutor for the kids.

Looking back, it seems like no awakening magic could have helped me fight off that level of sleepiness.

Sitting in the middle school waiting room, I searched for solutions and finally discovered a cozy-looking closet.

‘There are blankets here… why though…’

I had no time to wonder about reasons.

I just climbed onto the pile of blankets, thinking of it as a capsule, and laid down horizontally.

Sleep was coming gently…

Creeeeak-

Just as I was about to drift off, the closet door opened and bright light pierced my eyes.

“Whoa, what! NoName, what are you doing in there? Playing hide and seek?”

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

“Oh! Sorry for disturbing you! Sleep well!”

Since there was still plenty of time before the middle school rehearsal, if I could just get two hours of sleep…

Creeeeak-

“Eek! What the! There really was someone in there?”

“Oh please…”

I almost snapped at the kid.

The only problem was that with so many people coming in and out of the waiting room, curious children kept randomly opening the closet.

“You were sleeping. Sorry. I’ll close the door right away.”

“Lock it while you’re at it.”

“Huh?”

“Please lock it securely from the outside.”

Click-

What if everyone forgets I’m here and leaves me behind?

That would be perfect.

With how exhausted I am right now, I could probably spend the entire day just sleeping.

[Cast: Cancellation Interference]

I placed a noise-canceling magic circle on my ears, turning the children’s chatter into ASMR.

Finally, I could curl up like a shrimp and drift into sweet sleep.

In my dream, I had grown to 170cm tall and was holding hands with Seol-ah, running through the center of Korea University campus where cherry blossoms were in full bloom.

I cautiously guess that the people chasing us might have been Korea University students furious about receiving C- grades from me.

* * *

Breathe in, breathe out-

NoName’s hands, neatly placed near her navel, rose and fell repeatedly.

Her long hair peeked out between the door and blankets.

There was a mystical atmosphere reminiscent of a fairy tale scene.

Perhaps due to the door suddenly opening with a clatter.

NoName flinched, frowned, and blinked her bright eyes a couple of times.

Turning her head slightly to the right, she saw numerous camera lenses and reflectors gleaming.

“…?”

NoName squinted one eye.

It was an expression that made others completely defenseless.

The staff members, critically wounded by her raw cuteness, whispered exclamations of admiration.

NoName, still half-asleep, spoke in a deep voice.

“What is it.”

Her voice was husky with slightly split ends.

“We were looking for student No Na-me. Might that be you?”

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

But due to the informative nature of broadcasting, he had to ask the obvious question.

“Hmnyamm… yes.”

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

“I was just tired so I was getting some sleep… how did you find me here and ughh…”

NoName stretched her arms and legs upward in the narrow closet, then shivered as she stretched fully.

“Aha, so you were sleeping! We’re currently broadcasting live on KBS. Would it be okay if we interview you later after you’ve woken up a bit?”

“Interview?”

NoName’s face crumpled.

She thought there wouldn’t be any schedule until the official rehearsal, but this broadcasting station had managed to find her hiding place.

NoName rolled her coldly raised eyes around before finally letting out a resigned sigh.

“I’m a bit tired, so would it be okay if we just proceed like this?”

The unexpected acceptance caused a stir among the staff.

“Interview like this?”

If “like this” meant conducting the interview while lying in the closet.

NoName slightly raised her waist to pull out the top folded blanket and wrapped it around her entire body.

Poking only her head out toward the camera, she looked around at all the staff.

“I’m comfortable, so don’t worry and go ahead with the interview.”

Everyone was dumbfounded by her somewhat brazen expression.

‘Wait, this is a live broadcast on a major network?’

‘Isn’t that too much like streaming culture?’

‘Of course you’re comfortable, kiddo! You’re lying down with a blanket!’

Since the separation of license fees, KBS had become the underdog, always mindful of public opinion.

Therefore, NoName’s radical declaration of a lying-down interview wasn’t something the on-site PDs could decide without approval from higher-ups.

While buying time by airing several 30-second commercials, announcer Kim Jae-sung arrived and made a bold decision.

“This could actually be a golden opportunity to boost ratings… Let’s proceed. I’ll take full responsibility.”

* * *

[Streamer Gallery]

[NoName straight-up does a lying-down broadcast during Academy Competition pre-interview LMAO][59]

(NoName kimbap roll edition.jpg)

She’s so damn cute lol

Even when she’s being stubborn, NoName isn’t annoying at all.

[Comments]

-Major corporation exporting ultimate tech to mainstream TV lol

-Is this the same awkward NoName I knew? NoName is truly legendary.

└ It feels like just yesterday when she couldn’t figure out how to set up a waiting room on Twissy and just played anime songs over a black screen for her opening… NoName has grown so much!

└ Would you believe me if I said she still does that…?

└ AAAAARGH!

-At 8 years old, lying down is acceptable lol

-It was supposed to be a serious program but turned into entertainment in an instant lol

-We don’t need any baby shows. Republic of Korea birth rate promotion campaign ambassador GOAT NoName.

[I thought it was actual school bullying but was surprised][41]

Who locks themselves in a closet to sleep lol

Honestly felt relieved when I found out it was NoName inside.

[Comments]

-So is NoName competing?

└ Just shut up and watch.

-Look at the audacity of sleeping in the middle school waiting room instead of elementary lol. We couldn’t even imagine that in our day

└ No exaggeration, Aspen Academy is seriously tougher than military service. Graduates will understand.

└ As a military veteran, I confirm.

-NoName already conquered the middle school division too lol

└ LMAO

-So NoName isn’t the 2nd grade representative? Elementary division starts in 10 minutes, what’s she doing here lol

└ Seeing her continue the interview with announcer Kim Jae-sung, she doesn’t seem to be a grade representative…?

└ ??? If not NoName, then who?

“We’ve been waiting for this day to host Korea’s proud little genius, No Na-me! Born in June 2043, she’s 8 years old! Blood type A, height 113 centimeters, weight 19 kilograms! And her shoe size is a whopping 180 millimeters! Let me introduce her once more – Cephiron Academy participant No Na-me!”

Shocking words kept coming out of announcer Kim Jae-sung’s mouth.

-People were born in 2043 too?

-Her weight doesn’t even exceed 20 kilos?

└ Lighter than an empty bottle lol

└ One hit and she’d fly away…

-Her shoe size is 180?

-Her blood type is A?

└ Come on, we can’t nitpick this one lol

“Hello, participant No Na-me!”

“Yes, hello announcer Kim Jae-sung. Nice to meet all the Academy Competition viewers as well.”

“Oh yes! Everyone must be delighted by participant No Na-me’s appearance!”

NoName’s voice sounded more composed than before.

Her tone showed awareness of the broadcast, making everyone involuntarily smile like proud fathers.

“No Na-me seems very natural with camera eye contact. You could be an actress!”

NoName’s broadcasting experience was already at a professional level.

Despite five ENG cameras frantically moving around, she rolled her eyes to make eye contact with whichever camera was filming her.

Though lying on blankets in a closet, she showed consideration by not being completely casual during the broadcast.

“Participant No Na-me, this is your first competition against Altair Academy. How do you feel right now?”

“I don’t have any particular thoughts.”

“Oh! No particular thoughts! Participant No Na-me has shared her bold ambition. Seeing you so relaxed today, it seems Cephiron Academy can also shake off some pressure. Could you share some words of encouragement for the senior grade representatives who will be in today’s rehearsal?”

“After all my help, if they lose, they’re dead.”

“…!”

-Gasp

-Gasp

-Dead?! LMAO

-The youngest’s rebellion lol

-Gasp

-How will they recover from this lol

-This is refreshing – that’s streaming energy right there

-LMAO NoName works in the light but aspires to the darkness

-Today’s life lesson: NoName learned personality education from League

-Kim Jae-sung with the super save lol

-He saved it

-LMAO

-Almost had to write an incident report

“Ah! So you mean you’d feel sick to your stomach if they lose! It seems the seniors need to work hard to protect their adorable junior’s stomach!”

Fortunately, announcer Kim Jae-sung continued the interview with his 20 years of broadcasting experience.

NoName licked her lips regretfully and refocused on the interview.

“We’ve just received news that the elementary 2nd grade rehearsal match participants have entered the arena. From Cephiron Academy, participant ‘Yoon Si-hoo’ is representing, can you see the screen well?”

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

“Yes. He’s my friend.”

“I’ve just received information that Yoon Si-hoo is actually No Na-me’s partner.”

“How did you…?”

This time, NoName’s eyes widened in surprise at KBS’s information gathering abilities.

The announcer wore a satisfied smile, having successfully surprised NoName.

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

-No! Our NoName can’t be given to anyone!

-But why isn’t NoName the representative… I wanted to see NoName compete…

-Even at that young age, he has that young master vibe.

└ That’s typical for elementary kids. Almost all students are from wealthy families.

-NoName fidgeting under the blanket is so cute!

-Oh my goodness… she’s so adorable… she’s not just the nation’s little sister but the nation’s daughter…

“But you know what? I just realized this is the middle school waiting room. Right?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“Could you share a word about the fact that participant No Na-me is competing as part of the middle school division rather than elementary?”

The camera zooms in on NoName’s face.

As if the camera might show her pores if it got any closer, NoName pulled the blanket up just below her eyes to hide her face.

“I’m still just a candidate, but I hope I get a chance to compete even as a substitute. I think I could easily beat the middle school seniors though.”

* * *

“What? Easily beat us?”

Students from Altair Academy watching the broadcast in the waiting room were flabbergasted.

It was supposed to be their interview turn, but NoName’s sudden interview had already stolen over 20 minutes of their time.

They could only think she was getting arrogant because of her recently famous disciplinary videos overseas.

After all, she was just facing ordinary people who couldn’t use magic well.

Even the legendary war mage Ham Cho-rong was helplessly defeated by students over 5 years old.

That’s how much ‘age’ was equivalent to ‘weight class’ in the mage society until one’s prime at thirty.

[How does participant No Na-me feel about dueling?]

Announcer Kim Jae-sung asked a simple question.

[It seems fun.]

The Altair Academy students frowned.

Dueling involves a painful process.

This was something both Cephiron and Altair students agreed on.

You must have at least a foothold in every field of study on Earth, and master the theories of rune language and circuit formulas that are full of exceptions.

If you’re not intellectually gifted, you must compensate with physical effort.

Some train their bodies with blood-draining effort worthy of national training centers, while others journey to remote places like deserts or Antarctica to establish their own aura.

That’s why NoName’s provocations could only be seen as arrogant statements that offended the aspiring mages.

At least until her next words.

[I think dueling is a kind of physical Go game.]

[Physical Go?]

[Yes. Have you ever played Go, announcer?]

[I’ve played it a lot as a game.]

[I heard somewhere that Go players can see through their opponent’s personality more than the opponent themselves when playing. Whether they’re aggressive, cautious, direct, or indirect. Then you become curious about the life they’ve lived. Why did that person have to develop such a personality?]

NoName took a deep breath as her breathing quickened, then continued.

[Some had to be aggressive to protect their loved ones, while others had to be cautious due to past betrayals. Isn’t it interesting to learn about people? I think dueling is the same. But dueling uses not just the mind but also the body, so it makes you even more curious.]

NoName threw the blanket to the floor and sat precariously on top of the closet.

While her short legs swinging back and forth looked cute,

Her attitude toward the camera was quite serious.

[You might not feel this as much as I do, but magic is truly a miracle itself. That’s why I’m very curious about people who create miracles. Among those who handle fire magic, some might have learned it because they liked playing with fire as children, while others might have decided to learn after suffering great harm from fire. The same goes for auras.]

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

[In Go, you place stones, but in dueling, you bet your life. Some might laugh or think it’s exaggerated, but at least for me, it has that level of meaning. The reason we keep fighting, getting slapped and kicked, is ultimately because we want someone to validate the path we’ve walked. While there are no correct answers in life, we humans always want to find answers.]

[Wow…]

[So, as someone honored to be selected as a candidate for this Academy Competition, I’d like to slap each of the Altair Academy seniors once. I’m very confident in the path I’ve walked.]

This was NoName’s subtle and elaborate provocation.

[If you think I’m wrong, come prove it by slapping me. I’ll offer you one cheek.]