As everyone tilted their heads back like they were appreciating Michelangelo’s ceiling painting in the Sistine Chapel, they absorbed the view of the empty ghost city.
From the viewpoint of an eagle soaring hundreds of meters into the sky, the cityscape looked like a beautiful painting, and at times, like a miniature model.
Those who witnessed the fantastical scenery were divided into those who smiled and those who could not.
“It’s so pretty…”
“Where is this? Rome? Florence?”
“Let’s take a photo now and look it up later!”
The icy mirror revealing the world behind began to vaporize into steam over time.
The cold air softly settled on the cheeks of the children.
They laughed kyaa kyaa and experienced the wonder of magic firsthand.
However, Kim Seok-il, the Raon Clan’s deputy leader, could not share in the laughter like others.
“Seven years… how lonely it must have been…”
Was it because he entered menopause early?
Tears streamed down the face of the middle-aged man.
“How suffocating that cramped capsule must have been… She must have wanted to run around in this vast world…”
According to Descartes’ worldview theory, the expansion of the Imaginary World fundamentally begins with confronting inner solitude.
It might have been better if she had never known of others’ existence from the beginning.
The desperate reality of existing alongside others yet being unable to connect with them must have led Na-me deep within herself.
“Not to mention, it’s not even the same seven years.”
Implementing such a vast world in just seven years is nearly impossible.
Like patients with Servant Syndrome, her time must have flowed slower than others.
Subjectively, it could be seen as spending a decade or even twenty years trapped.
Kim Seok-il could not continue speaking until the icy mirror disappeared, staring at Na-me with a sorrowful gaze.
“Right. Whether Na-me helps our clan or not, what does it matter? People come before clans.”
Kim Seok-il began to reflect on his view of people solely as economic resources.
Every person possesses emotions and a sense of autonomy.
Therefore, even if her future is unrelated to the Raon Clan, he felt a natural desire to support her path.
That was the firm resolution of Kim Seok-il, the human.
The drama continued.
[In fact, the great mage Rosalyn was under a terrifying curse from a witch: the more she used magic, the younger she became.]
“What? Me?”
“NoName, quickly!”
“Uh… baby?”
“Louder!”
“Ugh, waaaah!”
[Having used all her mana, Rosalyn transformed into a one-year-old baby, forgetting all her memories with Romeo, who, along with Juliet, adopted Rosalyn, and they all lived happily together! Phew!]
5:45 PM.
Due to the unexpected magic appreciation time created by Na-me, the play was extended by fifteen minutes.
The narrator, pressed by time, hurriedly crafted a story that could bring everyone happiness.
“Bravo!”
Kim Seok-il gave a heartfelt standing ovation as the audience responded with whistles.
The narrator, seemingly parched, gulped down a 500ml water bottle.
The Raon Clan members, who protected the childlike spirits of the children, came forward together to give their closing remarks.
The applause that seemed like it would never end continued for a long while.
“Huh?”
Feeling a familiar energy, Kim Seok-il turned around from his spot.
Someone could not finish clapping until the very end, and that was Professor Cheon Kyu-jin.
“No…! Is that Na-me’s father? I didn’t realize you were here; I was flustered and couldn’t greet you!”
Kim Seok-il bowed at a 90-degree angle.
Professor Cheon waved his hands, lifting the bowing Kim Seok-il back up.
“Oh, it’s alright. I’m truly grateful to the Raon Clan for listening to Na-me’s stubbornness.”
“Is there a seat for your daughter later? If not, I can give up mine.”
“Oh, no need. Na-me will be in the next play.”
“Excuse me? What do you mean…?”
“Hansel and Gretel, of course.”
“Wait, Na-me will be in the Azure Sky Clan’s performance? Why…?”
That was the moment when something Kim Seok-il had just firmly resolved to shield himself from began to shake a little.
“Well, the kid might want to do that… so let’s not complicate it with our clan’s interests.”
He felt a heavy smack on the back of his head, leaving an unsettling feeling.
“Looks like Na-me has been craving magic for a while, and I’m so grateful that the clan is willingly covering the costs, so I’ll treat you to a meal later.”
“Oh, a meal…! Yes, yes! Just name the time, and I’ll come! What could be more worthwhile than nurturing a budding sprout with just a few tens of millions? Haha!”
“Raon Clan leader, you are really generous.”
“Haha, it’s still just as an acting head. Thank you for the kind words.”
Overwhelmed with desire not to miss the opportunity of a private lunch with Professor Cheon Kyu-jin, Kim Seok-il regained his composure.
“Right, why should I worry about a child’s play? Such opportunities don’t come around often!”
At that moment.
Ding!
A text message came straight from the Korea Magic Corporation.
Kim Seok-il’s face twisted ominously as he checked the contents.
[The Korea Magic Corporation has sent an invoice to Raon for the Special Purpose Magic Support Joint Office (Clan) for payment. Please pay by the due date.
• Invoice Purpose: Area Mid-circle (5) -glacies imago- spell casting
• Invoice Amount: 208,439,100 won (Total: 240,993,100 won)
• Payment Due: 2051/12/31
Invoice amount of 32,554,000 won was paid on behalf of xxx Corporation.
For inquiries about the invoice details, please contact the invoicing company. +More]
“2… 200 million! What’s this 5-circle nonsense!”
Kim Seok-il’s temples bulged as he turned his head back.
“Ha ha.”
Professor Cheon had an indulging smile.
The infamous father-daughter scam duo surely felt like demons, a fact that was not merely a figment of his imagination.
*
Han-dal and Gu-rae-dal were flapping their black robes, fleeing from the witch.
Well, that’s just what they said; the restrictions of the stage made it feel like they were spinning around in place.
I meticulously examined the misdeeds of the three.
The siblings were guilty of trespass and destruction of property, and the witch retaliated with wrongful confinement and special threats, while the siblings attempted murder by burning the witch with a magical technique.
If a trial were to happen, the crucial issue would surely be whether the final act could be viewed as self-defense.
Of course, in this theatrical world, expecting a fair trial was far-fetched.
“Pretty little duck with red horns! Hurry, take us across that river!”
“A terrifying man-eating witch is chasing us! I’m really out of stamina!”
Han-dal… no, the play, which had turned into an escape story of Hansel and Gretel, was tough to watch even for me.
The narrator lady seemed to have given up on commentary, having already put down the microphone, as the Azure Sky Clan members laughed and enjoyed their younger companions’ antics.
Still, it was quite popular.
The acrobatic scenes attracted roaring cheers from the young elementary friends.
Resolved, I donned a yellow duck pajama hoodie and dragged my cumbersome duck feet before them.
Quack quack quack quack-!
The absurd sounds emitted from my duck feet grabbed the attention of the crowd in an instant.
And then I sprawled flat on the floor.
“Step on me, please.”
I had to help them cross the river, but I didn’t want to just let them go.
I recalled those little nobles from back then who tried to hunt me down.
Anyway, since my mana was just drained from earlier’s magic, this was the best I could do.
If they were confident, they could show off some lightness techniques.
*
[NoName: I got an award.]
[Adella: Busy.]
[NoName: Just look at this.]
[Adella: ?]
[NoName: (sent a photo.)]
[NoName: It’s the Best Popular Role trophy. Cute, right?]
Yawn…
Chasing away my occasional drowsiness with a yawn, I clutched my phone.
The group prize for the Magic Dream Contest went to the Raon Clan for showing a precious spectacle.
But it seemed that Han-gyeol’s uncle wasn’t particularly pleased.
I thought people should learn to appreciate small things, but it seems grown-ups lose their childlike spirit.
The Best Popular Role award was decided through the audience’s stern voting, and the finals faced off ‘Rosalyn vs Duck.’
I had no idea why the duck was so popular.
Rosalyn received 345 votes, while the duck got 155, and the final victory went to Rosalyn.
Thus, the golden trophy received was the Neverland mascot ‘Quackpang.’
“Oh. Simply because children like ducks? Thinking about it, the Neverland mascot is also a duck.”
After the contest ended, I promoted the Demon King’s Horn while shaking hands with the audience one by one.
I considered that I had done my duty as a major shareholder and slowly moved toward home.
Professor Cheon had already passed out long ago.
The self-driving mode was earnestly turning the steering wheel on its own.
Feeling bored, I kept messaging Adella, but she had no intention of replying at all.
“Hmm?”
[Group chat: 「Lonely Na-me Room」 #NoName #Lonely #Meme #LonelyNoNameRoom #No chit-chat]
[1487/1500 members | Established on 2051. 7. 23.]
I was mystified by the enormous scale of the chat room appearing in real-time search results.
Why were there 1500 people in one room when the Sephiron Academy Elementary Division barely had 500?
[NoName has entered.]
[Notice: 1. No text (Text con allowed)
2. When entering, please post 2 Na-me memes instead of greetings.
3. Only NoName (NoName) photos, gifs, and videos allowed (bundling recommended).
4. Na-me is love.
Breaking these rules may lead to sudden expulsion.]
The cute wording welcome me.
I thought about writing a text but halted my fingers, feeling uneasy about the rules.
Looking over the participant list, I found hundreds of users using my name.
“What the?”
Suddenly, a ding notification rang.
(NoName Neverland Duck Costume.jpg)
(Thumbs-up Na-me.jpg)
(Na-me Nosebleed Na-me.jpg)
(Na-me Highly Rated.jpg)
At first, I was flustered, but as five minutes passed, I understood the purpose and culture of the room.
“They want two memes when you enter? I don’t have any.”
While I generally didn’t care much about portrait rights, I hadn’t saved any of those photos for myself.
I pulled the curtain separating the front and back seats and turned on the light.
[Camera]
A selfie.
I probably hadn’t taken a picture of myself except for when applying for school, not even in my past lives.
I heard a 45-degree angle looked good, so I stretched out my arm to take a shot, but it wasn’t necessarily true.
Due to the lighting, my pale skin combined with my slightly haggard expression didn’t seem appealing to everyone.
Still, I was too lazy to take this embarrassment six more times, so I hastily hit the send button.
(Picture1.jpg)
(Picture2.jpg)
“Hmm…”
The second picture was specially taken with the Best Popular Role trophy.
With deepfake technology being so developed, I figured I needed at least one means to prove I was me.
“What? No reaction at all?”
As I thought that and tossed my phone, a vigorous vibration rang, shaking the seat.
[Unread messages: 135]
I was startled and turned my phone back on to check the group chat.
(Oh my Na-me.jpg)
(Why are you like this Na-me.jpg)
(Na-me(оﾟдﾟо) Na-me.jpg)
(Angry Na-me.jpg)
(Who are you, Na-me.jpg)
(Hello Na-me.jpg)
(Muhahah Na-me.jpg)
(Meme Holy Grail Na-me.jpg)
(Thank you Na-me.jpg)
(Elsa Na-me.jpg)
(Let it go Na-me.jpg)
“Oh wow…”
I really felt how vast the world is and how many amazing people there are.
[NoName: Hello.]
Yet, it didn’t feel bad to receive such fervent reactions from 1500 people because of my photo, and I chatted away with them until I arrived home.
Fortunately, I wasn’t expelled.
