It was truly a difficult task to define the child named NoName in one word.
First and foremost, the word that comes to mind is undoubtedly “genius.”
Parents who scold their children for not working as hard as Na-me suddenly stored all their nagging after watching her on the Genius Discovery Team.
Because there was no guarantee that even if the parents themselves attended the Academy instead of their child, they would surpass Na-me.
Typically, parents welcomed having a smart child as a friend with open arms, but it just so happened that her unique identity was a problem.
“A victim of the Valpurgis terror.”
Even recently, the entire world was in an uproar after a bomb attack during a live broadcast involving a child.
Although it initially appeared to be a crime committed by a psychopath filled with inferiority complex, the revelation of its connection to Valpurgis led the prosecution to seek the death penalty for him under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Any ordinary child could have couped up in the house for years crying about trauma, but Na-me demonstrated boldness by even filming videos mocking the terrorists.
In either a good or bad way, NoName was not a typical child.
If she continued to grow like this, she could become a landmark in the history of the Republic of Korea.
But it was unclear whether she would even survive until adulthood.
“Hey, what do you think of Na-me?”
“Huh?”
“I’m talking about Na-me. What kind of friend do you think she is?”
So, parents decided to ask their children directly.
The stories covered by the media always tend to be distorted.
“She’s nice, cute, and really strong.”
“Strong?”
“Yeah! She even won an arm-wrestling match against Jun this morning!”
“Really? She’s that strong?”
“Did you know? Na-me is also really good at the Air Game and once played for over 100 years in genius mode, and…”
“Okay, okay, Yohan. Class is about to start, so let’s take our seats now. Mom will be chatting with some other parents for a bit. Make sure to pay attention in class, okay?”
“Sure, I’ll see you at lunchtime.”
Due to spatial reasons, not all parents could attend the class at once.
The parents who stepped out to the hallway during the 4th period greeted each other warmly and shared some updates.
Among them was Hong Jun’s father, mentioned earlier by Yohan.
A former martial artist who is now a broadcaster involved in various entertainment shows.
It was easy to feel his overwhelming presence like an aura indicating which parent the child inherited their genes from.
But that wasn’t all.
From the moment Lee Ha-ru, the CEO of Samyeon Link, made his appearance, to Kim Han-gyeol’s busy parents, who are currently working as partner magic scholars for the Raon Clan, everyone present was a notable figure.
Despite all being prominent individuals, there was one key figure that stood out.
Professor Cheon Kyu-jin of Korea University, who had recognized Na-me’s talent immediately when she was barely surviving in a PC Bang and decided to adopt her.
“Kids these days seem to arm wrestle during break time.”
Yohan’s mother initiated conversation to break the awkward atmosphere.
“Hahaha! I thought no one would stand a chance against our Jun! He’s just big, but Na-me and Yuna could easily take him down. His personality is really timid too.”
“Girls generally handle aura better at this age, right? Jun probably has some innate talent; he won’t be dismissed later on.”
“Jun is really polite and has a bright personality. I’m so envious of how well you’ve raised him!”
“Oh, no! We’ve only got three indifferent sons, so my wife often complains that having a cute daughter like Na-me would make every day more joyful. Don’t you think so, Na-me’s father?”
“Uh, yes…”
Though there were three breaks in between the lessons, each time, Professor Cheon missed the chance to talk to Na-me.
She constantly went to the bathroom with her friends and returned just before class started.
He soon began to wonder if she might be intentionally avoiding him.
“By the way, is Na-me feeling okay? No aftereffects? It’s shocking to see such a terrible thing happen to a young child…”
“I should definitely teach my child to never accept unknown packages in the future.”
The classes continued without anything particularly special until the 4th period.
After lunchtime, Jacqueline Carroll announced that there would be a class in the auditorium for students and parents starting from the 5th period.
The Academy was about to begin the scheduled practical sessions for dueling.
The homeroom teacher explained in detail what activities would take place during the practical sessions and how representatives for the interschool competition would be selected based on each grade.
This was the point when the children’s “talents” would be fully assessed.
Of course, there are some late-bloomers who unveil their talents in situations like this, but parents want their children to lead rather than lag behind.
Before long, the 4th period music class was wrapping up as the children’s recorder sounds began to fade.
“Who is that…?”
At the end of the hallway, a woman was slowly walking towards them, firmly holding the hands of two young men.
She wasn’t wearing luxury clothes or dressed in the trendy styles like other young parents.
The petite woman appeared as if she could hardly walk without support.
Yet, every step she took was filled with a strong desire to move forward.
As the parents’ chatter quieted down and she reached the front of the 2nd Grade A Class,
her figure suddenly overlapped with that of a girl in Class A.
“Hello, I’m a bit scattered right now, so this is my first time visiting such an event.”
The woman bowed her head slightly and offered her greetings.
Her slightly husky voice caught everyone’s attention.
“Uh… hello…?”
Other parents awkwardly responded, but the woman smiled broadly, as if pleased.
“Nice to meet you for the first time. I’m Seo Yu-na’s mother.”
—
[Seo Maru: I have to go see Na-me at open class today!]
When Seo Maru and Seo No-eul announced they were coming to see me, I thought they were just rambling nonsense.
Recently, Yuna’s mother had started practicing walking alongside rehab therapy at the hospital, and although still clumsy, her condition has improved to the point where she can walk alone.
Yuna was still unaware of this fact.
So, her mother attending the parents’ open class was essentially a surprise prepared for Yuna.
“Yuna, can you come here for a second?”
“Huh?”
Yuna’s mother is waiting just outside the hallway.
I gently tidied her red bangs with a comb to make her look a bit prettier.
I didn’t forget to wipe away the white saliva marks around her mouth from blowing the recorder.
“Okay, stop that now!”
“You look pretty, Yuna.”
“Let’s hurry and go eat lunch already.”
Now she doesn’t even respond to my compliments.
“Is Na-me not having lunch today?”
As I stayed seated, Yuna, about to leave the classroom, turned back around.
“You should eat with your parents; if you go off with a friend, won’t they be upset?”
“Oh, right… Na-me’s dad came, huh… Uh… enjoy your meal…”
Yuna pouted her lips.
“Not me, you. Seo Yu-na, I’m talking about you!”
“…?”
I pointed at Yuna, who appeared to be in a major misunderstanding, and she turned 180 degrees to look out the window.
Beside Seo No-eul, who was a head taller than others, was Seo Maru.
And at the wide-open back door stood the person Yuna loved most, waiting for her eagerly.
Yuna’s mother.
“Uh… Mom…? Mom!”
Yuna darted out and hugged her mother.
I slowly got up from my seat and followed her.
“Well, it’s been a while since I’ve heard our Yuna’s voice—it sounds so bright!”
“Ugh… Mom… what… weren’t you at the hospital yesterday, why are you here…?”
“I came to see Yuna. Mom can’t come here?”
“No… Aahhh.”
Yuna burst into tears as she held onto her mother.
Even though Yuna’s mother was small in stature, she could effortlessly embrace her daughter.
In this unexpected mother-daughter reunion, Yuna’s tears couldn’t stop flowing.
After what seemed like an eternity, cradled in her mother’s arms like a baby, Yuna wept heartily.
Realizing how she felt embarrassed about her actions, Yuna quickly turned her head and wiped her tears with her sleeve.
After all, in the classroom, it’s just me and Professor Cheon, so what’s there to be embarrassed about?
“Are you done crying?”
“Waa… No…”
What a denial!
“Your mom looks much better than before. Did she not bring the wheelchair and has she already started rehab therapy?”
“I have to recover quickly so I can take Yuna for a walk. I can’t keep bothering our boys like this forever.”
“Mom, we’re really not a bother at all!”
“Oh, that’s just talk, you little brats. Na-me, if our Maru skips class, will you come and tell me? I’ll give him a good scolding.”
“Ha, sure! I’ll be in touch.”
“Hey, NoName, when did I skip class! You’re the one who—”
Editor Seo Maru flared up in anger, but upon seeing Professor Cheon standing behind me, he instantly shut his mouth.
“So, shall we all go have lunch together?”
If we line up now, we will have to wait a long time, but there’s no other choice since we didn’t bring our own lunch.
Yuna dashed back to my side, grabbing my hand tightly and swinging her arms back and forth excitedly.
She resembled an excited puppy wagging its tail.
All the while, Professor Cheon walked cautiously behind us, maintaining a careful distance.
He truly is a person who is unnecessarily cautious.
Sometimes just watching him can feel stifling.
I took his rough hand with my free left hand and looked up at him.
“Professor Cheon!”
