The faces of the fourth-year students at Sephiron Academy were filled with life after spending their holiday.
They boasted about the gifts they received on Children’s Day, sharing stories of going to idol concerts with their parents.
But the real reason for their excitement was linked to a single announcement.
“This year’s school trip will be to Jeju Island, based on the class vote results.”
Waaaaah!
Ahhh, Jeju is the best!
It was a moment of mixed emotions.
Beating out fierce competitors like Japan, Taiwan, and Singapore for the destination of Jeju Island had a fairly reasonable explanation.
“What do we need to go to a Disney Princess theme park for?”
“There will be plenty of princes there too.”
“Oh no. The main characters there are all princesses anyway.”
“Who cares?”
“Yeah, you’re Princess Fiona.”
“Want to die?!”
The theme park centered around Disney princesses.
The female students, completely smitten, united and cast their votes overwhelmingly.
“Let’s tell our parents about the trip on Monday, and since we won’t wait for latecomers, make sure to arrive at the academy by 8 o’clock. Understand?”
“Yes!”
“Alright, let’s move on to page 86 of the science textbook.”
After class, the children gathered in groups, flourishing discussions about the school trip.
The boys expressed their disappointment, but upon hearing about a new racing experience zone, their expressions brightened instantly.
“Ah, I want to see Na-me. I wanted to go on the trip with Na-me.”
Seo Yu-na lamented, resting her cheek against her desk.
“Na-me is busy though.”
“As a national representative, when would she have time to play?”
“Hey, even people need to rest sometimes. If all she does is train, her body will fall apart.”
“Why not call Na-me and ask her?”
“Should I? What’s Na-me’s number again?”
“Wait, what? You’re seriously calling NoName? I want to listen too!”
“Shh! Be quiet! Hush!”
Drrrrrrrr-
[The customer is not answering…]
Drrrrrrrr-
After a long wait, Na-me finally picked up the phone.
[Hello, what’s up at this hour?]
“Oh! You picked up! Na-me, we’re going on a school trip next week. Do you want to come along?”
[School trip? What qualifications do I have to go? You all just have fun and take lots of pictures to send me.]
“No, I just thought… maybe you could come.”
[You know I’m busy lately with the National Exchange Tournament, right? Let’s get together in the vacation after that.]
“Okay, do your best!”
Click-
It was a typical Na-me phone call, starting and ending just like her.
“See! I told you she’d be busy.”
The kids left nonchalantly, as if it was a given.
Sigh… I want to touch Na-me’s squishy cheeks…
Yu-na slumped down helplessly.
Iha-ru, crossing his arms and watching carefully, mumbled to himself.
“Maybe I could create a reason for Na-me to have to come to Jeju Island…”
*
Come to think of it, we didn’t ask where they were going for the trip.
As fourth graders in elementary school, they were likely to choose one of Japan, Taiwan, or Singapore.
Predictable as always.
I was on my way to register Ignis Respicio with the Korean Magical Copyright Association.
The ‘e’ is a passive skill that increases Asteria’s range, but it doesn’t really mean much, and the ‘w’ can be replaced with the existing ‘Casting: Descent’ from Circle 3.
‘If I were to harness the power of erosion, recreating the ultimate ability wouldn’t be entirely impossible, but… let’s not overthink this.’
When I returned home, I dedicated myself to resting.
“Unni Na-me, where’s dinner?”
“I’m fine.”
“It’s your favorite cordon bleu!”
“Yeah, Na-me, come and have just a spoonful.”
Reluctantly, I sat at the dining table under Professor Cheon’s urging.
Although my health was not particularly bad, I had no appetite, felt weak, and was constantly drowsy.
No matter how realistic the dueling practice was, neither Love nor I had brought out 100% of our strength.
Still, the recovery was slow.
I guessed the aftereffects would be considerable once the National Exchange Tournament concluded.
“Thanks for the meal.”
I finished dinner in a minute and collapsed onto my bed.
Sleep was coming on strong, and if I fell asleep now, I could probably sleep soundly without dreaming.
Ding-
Without fail, my phone interrupted my slumber.
“It’s me, NoName…”
I answered sleepily, not even realizing my tongue was getting tied.
“What did you say?”
Hearing the calm voice on the other end snapped me awake.
The caller was Lee Bo-reum and Lee Ha-ru’s father, the current CEO of Samyeon Link.
[I hear NoName Wizard needs a wand that can be freely modified. Our Samyeon Group wants to support you a bit. It’s from the Lee Tae-gak collection.]
Lee Tae-gak, co-founder of Samyeon Group, founder of the Lee family, and Iha-ru’s great-grandfather.
He’s also someone who zealously collected the treasures of Korea that were scattered worldwide post-Japanese occupation.
Mentioning the iconic three pieces from the Lee Tae-gak collection would include the ‘Honil Gangri Historic Map’, the ‘Golden Crown Gold Trim’, and the last being the ‘Cheonghwa Sword’.
The Cheonghwa Sword series, particularly, was thought to be a collection of garbage created by Heungseon Daewongun to widely convey the refusal of diplomatic relations by acquiring high-purity jade.
‘Although it’s called garbage, that jade alone doesn’t back down compared to anything in the world.’
It would entice even countries with little material desire.
I cleared my throat and asked politely.
“Is there something you want from me?”
Did that sound too much like I was questioning a kidnapper?
Must be a habit from my previous life.
His answer was straightforward.
[Still, being a treasured item of our family means we should attach some return conditions… As for the wand breaking or getting smashed during the tournament, I won’t mind at all. What do you think?]
“Is that it? I’m fine with it.”
[Alright, I’ll send someone soon to finalize the sponsor contract. By the way, since NoName Wizard must be busy, how about just shooting a 10-second motion poster? What do you say, Wizard?]
The chairman of Samyeon Link steadily added conditions, becoming increasingly crafty.
But it seemed like he wanted to accommodate me as much as possible.
In terms of conditions, it still felt overly favorable to me.
[Considering you’ll likely be exhausted of mana, going to Jeju Island for a vacation sounds perfect. I’ll send your plane ticket right away.]
“Jeju Island? Suddenly?”
Why is he so eager to send me to Jeju?
I stroked my chin, pondering.
[The Cheonghwa Sword I’m giving is made from a type of jade called Oldamite from Hallasan. I envision NoName Wizard demonstrating sword techniques or magic at the peak of Hallasan. I think it’s an incredible idea, don’t you?]
“Well, it sounds good. But it feels like a bit of an over-investment.”
To think that so many staff members would be dragged all the way to the peak of Hallasan for a 10-second shoot—it’s definitely an over-investment.
Is this how the wealthy think differently from us common folks?
In the end, the deal was sealed.
The Samyeon Group will transfer a B-type Cheonghwa Sword, and the details will be handled by a workshop in Switzerland.
Next week, I’ll be performing magic swordsmanship demonstrations with the Cheonghwa Sword in Jeju Island.
Nice and tidy.
The Cheonghwa Sword is small enough that it won’t require much modification to fit my height.
Ding-
Barely had the phone call ended when the airplane ticket flew to me.
The flight is on Monday, May 12th, at 11 AM.
I always found merchants annoying in my previous life, but I liked how efficiently this person handled things.
I hope there are no hidden motives behind this.
And I wouldn’t find out about those hidden motives until a week later.
*
“Na-me?”
“Seo Yu-na? Your school trip is today?!”
I unexpectedly bumped into Seo Yu-na while washing my hands in the ladies’ room at Gimpo International Airport.
Waaaaah! Na-me! How did you get to the airport? Don’t tell me you secretly followed us! Wow, I’m genuinely touched…!
Yu-na pulled me into a tight hug.
The scent of perfume she borrowed from her mom overwhelmed me.
Cough cough!
I pushed her away a little.
“No, I’m going to Jeju for work.”
Wow, Jeju!
“Yeah. Where is Sephiron going for the school trip this year?”
“We’re also going to Jeju!”
“Huh? Why?”
Just to be sure, I compared airplane tickets with Yu-na’s.
The boarding time and flight number matched perfectly.
Is this just a coincidence?
Only then did the face of the Samyeon Link CEO flash through my mind.
“Oh, it’s Na-me!”
“Hey, long time no see, NoName!”
“Seo Yu-na, is this your talent? You’re like a Na-me tracking dog.”
As we exited the restroom, the fourth-grader kids recognized me and rushed over.
I also spotted Jacqueline Carroll waving at me from afar.
She followed as the fourth-grade homeroom teacher this year.
“Hi, kids! Going to Jeju for your school trip, huh?”
“Yes! What about you?”
I unfolded my plane ticket to show them.
“I’m going too. Are we on the same flight?”
Waaaaah!
The kids erupted into joyful chaos.
Among that crowd, only one person was quietly observing the situation.
A girl with a tidy bob cut, just like the previous years.
I wondered if she was still the class president this year.
Approaching Iha-ru, she spoke first.
“You’re really perceptive, NoName.”
So that’s why you begged your dad, huh?
It’s just a school trip, and you’re casually handing over the Cheonghwa Sword. I simply can’t understand your family.
“Is it bothersome to fly with us?”
Iha-ru asked cautiously.
I shook my head left and right.
“Thanks. For making this opportunity happen.”
Only then did the girl who had been quietly observing finally break into a bright smile.
