Ch.294289 – Wolf Lord

The Wolf Foundation announces award recipients each October with approval from each review institution.

Nominees are kept confidential, and award notifications typically happen the day before. Unlike the Nobel Prize, which contacts winners just 1-2 hours before the official announcement, Wolf Prize notifications come earlier because delayed communications with recipients frequently postponed announcements.

However, while “notification” happens the day before, the “evaluation” process begins much earlier.

After evaluating and listing the achievements of thousands of scholars worldwide to narrow down the final candidates, the Wolf Foundation faced an unexpected variable when it came time for the final vote.

“This has never happened before. Why are we being asked to change a candidate just three days before the announcement?”

An order had come from above to include “NoName” in the final candidate review without going through the previous evaluation stages.

A judge for the mathematics prize shouted, waving the documents they had worked so hard on. While NoName was certainly impressive, seven of her proofs remained unverified. The judge was prepared to resign immediately if pressured to give an award based on unverified proofs.

But the foundation representative confidently replied with folded arms, “They’ve been verified.”

“What?”

“The Twin Prime Conjecture. A report came in from the International Mathematical Union this morning. Review committees from MIT, Oxford, Zurich, and Singapore University simultaneously confirmed the validity of the proof.”

“Oh my God…!”

So an 8-year-old girl had really solved a 200-year-old unsolved problem.

The judge frowned seriously, invoking Jesus’s name. After pondering deeply for a while, she finally spoke.

“The Twin Prime Conjecture’s reputation certainly qualifies her for the award. But the timing is too late. Besides, the Wolf Prize isn’t given once every four years—there are plenty of opportunities next year and the year after… Why not just give her the award next year?”

“Do you really think so?”

The foundation representative shook his head.

He squinted at the mountain of paperwork.

“Our Wolf Prize already loses to the Nobel Prize in magic and science, and to the Fields Medal in mathematics. If word gets out that she solved the proof first, what do you think will happen?”

“What will happen?”

“Everyone will ignore our Wolf Prize and anxiously wait to see when the girl receives the Fields Medal.”

“Ah…”

It was hard to find an achievement as definitive as proving the Twin Prime Conjecture.

“Conversely, if she receives the Wolf Prize first? Our foundation will always be mentioned before the Fields Medal. For at least three years, anyway.”

“…”

“We need to stay one step ahead of the International Mathematical Union. Why else would our judges work such long nights? Wouldn’t it be more rewarding if the whole world recognized our efforts?”

The Wolf Prize is often touted as one of the world’s top three mathematics prizes, but it barely makes the news abroad.

Academic prestige and public interest don’t always correlate—a reality the judge had experienced while working in Israel.

“Fine. I’ll work overtime for two more days to review her qualifications.”

“Good thinking.”

While NoName’s achievements were certainly impressive, political motives were also involved in this decision.

Israel was currently facing an internationally precarious situation.

The neighboring governments of Syria and Iraq were reportedly already under Walpurgis’s control.

Even that wasn’t certain, as government members operated secretly without revealing their identities, following only orders from above.

Based on occasional appearances at holy sites in Saudi Arabia and Israel, where they conducted missionary activities without restriction, Walpurgis’s influence might already have deeply penetrated.

‘Though reluctant, we need to dispel anti-Semitic sentiments in Europe and Asia and seek their help.’

NoName was a Korean girl who enjoyed great popularity in America and Europe.

Whether in reality or virtual reality, if she just attended the Wolf Prize ceremony, it could help resolve various diplomatic issues.

That was until two days later, when the Israeli Embassy to South Korea returned with an unbelievable answer.

“She says she can’t attend due to personal circumstances.”

“What? It’s the prestigious Wolf Prize—what could be more important?”

“She says it’s her friend’s debut broadcast that day…”

“Debut? What is it, an idol?”

The mention of a “debut” immediately made the foundation representative think of the K-POP industry.

Though the diplomat’s explanation was lengthy, he eventually learned it was because of something unfamiliar called a VTuber.

“What? V… V… VTuber? That’s absolutely unacceptable!”

“Then perhaps we should change the recipient to someone else…”

“That’s not possible either! Argh!”

The foundation faced an unexpected emergency.

The man who had dedicated his life to the foundation couldn’t stand by and watch the Wolf Prize’s prestige plummet to rock bottom.

He ultimately made a decision for the sake of his country.

‘If she can’t come to the award ceremony, we’ll go to her.’

After all, it’s all virtual reality—what difference does the background make?

As long as there’s a banner stand with the Wolf Foundation logo, that place becomes the Wolf Prize ceremony.

* * *

[Connecting to Void Space.]

[Welcome, User Name: NoName.]

It’s been quite a while since I last connected to virtual reality.

I haven’t had much reason to use the capsule since parting ways with Emika.

I synchronize my avatar with my physical body to reflect my slightly increased height.

Every centimeter—no, every millimeter—is precious right now.

[NoName has accepted the invitation.]

[Moving to Kariri’s waiting room.]

I jump onto the soft mat on the floor and start complaining.

“I feel like I’m getting scolded almost every day lately. What did I do so wrong?”

Professor Cheon seems to be watching my VTube videos frequently these days. He scolded me as soon as my vlog was uploaded.

He pointed out how I demonstrated to children what happens when a magic circle goes haywire without creating an anti-reflux spell.

He showed me the comments below the video, saying it wasn’t just his opinion.

-Isn’t it too dangerous to leave children alone like this? Shouldn’t their teacher supervise them properly?

-Name, please take better care of yourself lol

-Magic is scary damn. This is why I don’t learn magic.

-It’s creepy to see her treating her body so carelessly at times… I hope the child gets psychological counseling…

Kariri, who was listening to my complaints, pinched my cheeks and said:

“You should be grateful to have family who worries about you! Why are you so fearless!”

Family who worries.

I still don’t really feel like I have a family.

And I keep thinking about my old family, which makes me feel unsettled.

I stretch my arms and legs to loosen up.

Kariri returns to her seat to help with the broadcast settings for the soon-to-debut members.

Her mouse moves frantically across four monitors.

“At times like this, Kariri really looks like a professional.”

“You just realized? I’ve been in broadcasting for years!”

“Part 1 is individual introductions for about an hour each, and from Part 2, the four of us will do a talk show, then play World of Arsheria 4-player queue together, right?”

“Yes. But Part 1 might run a tiiiny bit late—is that okay?”

“I’m completely free today. Cleared my schedule.”

“Okay! Thank you for today, NoName-sama!”

“By the way, how are Adella and Niel unnie? Do you think they’ll do well?”

It seems they’ve already done gaming collaborations with her without revealing their avatars before their debut.

“They’re a bit awkward, but they’ll improve. Nobody’s good from the start.”

Despite saying this, Kariri slightly bit her thumbnail.

Among us, Kariri seemed to be the most nervous.

I tried to calm my mind by watching the ‘Coup d’État’ music video from Safari Dream’s first generation debut.

“What do you think, Name? Isn’t the song great? Niel unnie wrote and composed it all! The more I see Niel unnie, the more I realize there’s nothing she can’t do!”

“They weren’t just playing around for three months.”

“Of course not! They’ve been super busy confirming avatars with Adella and Judex, getting vocal training, filming music videos, practicing games.”

She proudly introduces Niel’s achievements.

[17:57]

Three minutes before broadcast.

I monitored the screens on behalf of Kariri, who was so nervous her eyes were practically rolling back.

[Safari Dream – Adella]

Adella, who’s already practically an idol in virtual reality, was calmly picking her cat ears.

Gone were her old shabby clothes, replaced by a fluffy jumper with fur and tight white pants that suited her well.

Turning my head to another monitor, I saw Daniel struggling in a corner wearing black scaly clothes, which looked concerning.

[Safari Dream – Judex]

“…! Kariri, I mean Yoonsul unnie, wake up. Is that okay?”

“Mmm…? Whaat? Eek, what’s that!”

[Extra Large Ice 2m×2m×2m], placed in the room as decoration.

Niel’s long tongue was stuck to the ice and wouldn’t come off.

“This is bad!”

[17:59]

Kariri quickly turned on the microphone to communicate with her broadcast.

“Judex, what are you doing?! Why did you put your tongue there!”

[Mmph! Mmmmph! Mmmmmph!]

“Open your item window and put it in your inventory!”

Daniel frantically pressed buttons at Kariri’s urgent voice.

This only made the settings window block her view, making the situation worse.

[Mmmmmph!]

“She’s asking how to do it!”

“Oh crap… decorations can’t be controlled from the central system…! What do we do… what do we do!”

While Kariri also panicked, the second hand completed a full circle.

[Safari Dream – Adella]

[ON AIR]

[Safari Dream – Judex]

[ON AIR]

“Let’s turn off the camera first.”

“Y-yes, right, the camera!”

It’s disappointing to have an NG from the first broadcast, but we need to handle the accident.

Pop-!

One screen went completely dark, and the comment section next to it was flooded with question marks.

“Name, keep watch here. I’ll go fix this and be right back. Oh, that silly unnie…!”

* * *

‘This is surprisingly nerve-wracking…’

Adella kept fidgeting with the fur on her jumper while looking at the clock.

It would be a lie to say she wasn’t nervous about her debut moment.

Even now, her hands were itching to scratch the wallpaper.

The more she understood modern life, the more she realized how much money was needed to obtain a physical body.

[You have to pay back 300 billion won later?]

[300 billion, 500 billion, no problem at all! Once this Adella appears, I’ll be raking in money!]

[You’re certainly good with words.]

At the time, she casually accepted Name’s joking remarks, but in terms of amount, even a hero who defeated a demon lord couldn’t receive that much wealth.

She worried that Name might be pushing herself too hard out of responsibility to bring her out of virtual reality.

So Adella decided to do her best with what she could, believing that many drops make an ocean.

This VTuber broadcast would be the beginning.

She might not be as versatile as Daniel, but she was confident that her energy level was second to none.

‘Today I’m going to give it my all!’

And the promised Wednesday, 6 PM sharp arrived.

[Adella Ch.]

[Just Chatting – Your kingdom is doomed! Adella rules here now!]

[Broadcast Time – 0:00:01]

[Viewers – 3929]

She perked up her gray ears and swished her well-groomed long tail.

She alternately gazed at the screen and chat window with mischievous eyes, and just as she was about to open her moist, reddish lips…

[Safari Dream – Adella]

[OFF AIR]

“Eeeeh? What? My broadcast turned off!”

All that greeted Adella was a black screen and a chat filled with question marks.