Once a river has flowed, it never returns.
For over a decade, no matter how innovative the genius producers at the broadcasting station got with their programs, it was in vain trying to win back the hearts of viewers who had migrated to internet broadcasting.
Thus, to grow the market itself, the broadcasting stations signed reverse transmission rights contracts with Twish.
Their strategy to absorb internet broadcasters’ viewers proved effective.
So around this time in October, a new broadcast category emerged on Twish.
As live broadcasts with hashtags like ‘#KBS, #Live, #Competition’ began to spring up, an influx of streamers with impressive education backgrounds made their entrance.
[HyejiAtNight’s Broadcasting Station]
[Kids, don’t give up! Fight back!]
[Sephiron Academy (Gangnam) vs Altair Academy (Gangbuk)]
[Number of Viewers: 1895]
A well-known female League of Legends challenger and former tournament champion, Yu-shia, aka ‘HyejiAtNight.’
This was the first time she could benefit from her academic achievements since starting internet broadcasting.
– Wait, wasn’t she from Mirinae Academy?
– A high school grad from Koomraude suddenly looks different!
– How is Hyeji from Mirinae Academy? LOL
– How come the academy’s name is Mirinae? LOL
└ Don’t underestimate our King Sejong!
“Wasn’t Na-me in 2nd grade of elementary school this year? That’s her first match, right?”
– Yep, that’s right.
– She’s 8, so she’s definitely 2nd grade.
– But did you hear she’s competing in Middle School?
“What do you mean by Middle School?”
Yu-shia quickly searched the info on dual monitors.
And there it was, her name boldly displayed on the middle school competition list.
“What is this…”
– LOL
– Skipping elementary school straight to middle school? How does that even make sense?
– Teacher, she’s the only one using a cheat!
– Is it really that great? I’ve never watched the competition, so I’m not sure.
“Those who participate in the competition are all monsters, no exceptions. Especially in middle school, every one of them looks like they were born to fight! Ugh, we are going to be totally outmatched…”
As Yu-shia trembled, recalling past memories, a heated discussion about how well Na-me could perform erupted among the viewers, when an overall announcement from Twish echoed.
[Popular Streamers of the Academy Competition: NoName]
“NoName…? Why is she broadcasting at this hour?”
Yu-shia had never seen a competitor doubling as a broadcaster like this before.
[NoName]
[KBS Seoul Regional Academy Competition – Broadcasting the Academy Competition with My Father.]
[Broadcasting Time – 0:06:39]
[Number of Viewers – 28302]
The viewer count was staggeringly 10 times higher.
I’m curious, so let me check it out for a sec.
And that’s when Shia tasted the depths of despair.
– Legendary viewer count!
– The main host isn’t even here yet; they’re about to hit 30,000.
– What’s this loud Japanese song? My ears are so dizzy!
– Are these folks just waking up? LOL
– Is Na-me’s Father appearing soon?
– I heard he was a war wizard back in the day!
Routine-obsessed Na-me played two random songs by Kariri in the usual dim background.
Completely oblivious to the audience’s complaints of migraines from the newly influxed viewers, she finally began streaming after the songs ended.
The first frame greeted everyone with Na-me’s puffy, soft cheeks.
[Oh, I’m not used to outdoor filming, so I’m not sure how to set the camera. Professor, do you know how to use this mini-drone?]
– ???
– Na-me, go for it!
– It’s finally starting!
– Waaaah, her cheeks! LOL
– NoName is in the arena?!
[Oh, one camera to show the whole training arena and one to show my face. Yes, thank you!]
The camera pulled away from her face.
As the noises of the viewers’ conversations and the echo of the commentator’s mic faded, Na-me nodded and opened her mouth.
[Hello everyone, viewers! I’m NoName, no, Na-me, and today I’ll be your biased commentator for the Sephiron Academy vs Altair Academy match. I appreciate all your support!]
*
Thanks to Principal Gu On-yu’s network, our 2nd grade elementary students and their families managed to snag the front three rows right in the middle of the training arena.
However, my friends headed off to the waiting room to prepare for the first match, leaving the seats next to me empty.
“I’m not really good at broadcasting, are you okay with this, Na-me?”
I confidently nodded at Professor Chun’s question.
“Yes, just speak comfortably like you’re giving a lecture to the college students.”
“Ha, how could that be the same?”
“You’ll get used to it once you start.”
Seeing the professor feeling awkward, I attached a tiny microphone to his collar.
[‘Ray0405’ donated 10,000 won!]
– Huh? Is the person next to you going to be your father-in-law in the future?
“Father-in-law…?”
“Oh, that means I can explain everything to you…”
In the moment I turned my attention for a second, donations started flooding in and Professor Chun narrowed his eyes.
I quickly waved my hands denying that wasn’t the implication.
– You can ban the guest now!
– Totally crossed the line! LOL
– Please give me your daughter in 10 years!
└ Even in 10 years, she’ll be underage! LOL
└ I’m feeling dizzy! LOL
– Honestly, it’s probably more realistic to just have a son and marry him off now.
└ Then we’ll have to call you not father-in-law but in-law!
– Manager! Manager!!!
– (Manager 1): Banned for 24 hours!
“Geez…”
I gave up on clarifying things and slightly adjusted the camera angle to include Professor Chun on the screen.
Just then, I remembered something I needed to address before broadcasting and whispered to him.
[During the broadcast, I will just call you father.]
‘…?’
[Calling you professor would look strange.]
Was he not particularly keen on the idea?
But seeing him smile so brightly, he didn’t seem to dislike it too much.
“There might be some viewers who are familiar with him from previous broadcasts; he is my father.”
“Nice to meet you, viewers. Thank you always for taking care of our clumsy Na-me.”
– That middle-aged man looks so cool, Dad!
– The vibe is intense; he looks like he could take down tigers.
– He seemed harmless on TV, but in real life, he’s kind of scary.
– That’s why Na-me has to be polite.
└ Did NoName ever show manners…?
└ It’s kind of ambiguous… LOL
– A family where teenage rebellion is impossible!
[‘NoNameIsGF’ donated 1,000,000 won!]
– Thank you for raising the cutest Na-me in the world! Please treat her to a good meal after the competition!
“Oh NoName… Thank you for the generous donation; this means a viewer just donated a million won for our dinner!”
“What? A million won? Does that person have money to burn at home?”
Professor Chun’s jaw dropped.
Well, the world is big, and there are many rich people out there.
While Professor Chun adapted to the online broadcasting ecosystem, I scanned through the rapidly flowing chat.
“There are still a few minutes until we start, so if you have any questions for my father, please ask away!”
[‘HellsMonster’ donated 50,000 won!]
– Does Na-me have any picky eating habits?
Our room manager initiated the first question.
I slightly glanced at Professor Chun.
“I don’t really have any picky eating habits, do I, father?”
As soon as I said that, Professor Chun stiffened up like he was buffering.
A gentle nudge to his side, and he finally reacted.
“I don’t touch vegetables like bell peppers or paprika. I hardly eat dishes like sweet and sour pork or seafood pancake either. And I don’t eat oysters or clams much either, right?”
“Seafood is a bit of an issue for me.”
Because of a traumatic incident with a demon beast that looked like similar seafood, I don’t avoid it completely but am a bit hesitant.
The questions kept coming in after that.
[‘Na-meWithoutWorldIsHell’ donated 30,000 won!]
– Does she throw tantrums at home? Has she ever acted cute?
“I doubt it. She’s probably just the same as what you see.”
[‘Honoka’ donated 1,000 won!]
– What do you think of Na-me becoming popular lately?
“I’m always worried Na-me might cause a big incident.”
[‘MondayNoName’ donated 5,000 won!]
– How would you feel if Na-me had a boyfriend?
“…?”
“Uh-oh?”
Suddenly a chill ran down my spine, giving me goosebumps.
Professor Chun’s change in emotion started affecting the surrounding mana.
– Wow, that’s super scary! LOL
– LOL Na-me is destined to be single forever!
– A moment of silence for her future boyfriend!
– Living solo isn’t that bad, Na-me!
The questions were too skewed toward me, so I momentarily quelled the rising enthusiasm.
“I’ve decided to co-commentate with my father today, so I think I should at least introduce his background now.”
Other personal broadcasting sessions usually feature former academy professors, large academy instructors, or current teaching assistants.
As just a regular student of Sephiron Academy, I dusted off Professor Chun, who had marvelous credentials.
I activated a pre-prepared hologram to show Professor Chun’s credentials listed on his personal website.
Currently, he serves as a full-time professor at Korea University’s Materials Science Department, as well as the Dean of the School of Magic and Sorcery, the Director of the Institute of Theoretical Synthesis, and a board member of various corporations.
And that’s not all; he’s participated in numerous large projects in the United States and designed national defense synthesis systems, and in his youth, he even fought in wars in the Middle East.
The viewers were awestruck by his superhuman credentials.
Honestly, even from my perspective, he seems to have 48 hours in a day.
But what truly resonates is this side.
Turning slightly, I made eye contact with Professor Chun, silently seeking permission.
Once he nodded slightly, I played a V-tube video that any Korean viewer would immediately recognize.
[(2013) 4th National Magic Tournament High School Semi-finals: Ham Cho-rong vs Cheon Byeong-ho]
“Everyone knows Ham Cho-rong, right? The only one to last a full 30-minute match against my father!”
I proudly introduced Professor Chun, almost as if boasting about him.
A strong premonition hit me; it felt like we were about to break the broadcast’s record for peak viewership.
*
It was just after Na-me stepped aside for a moment to give her friends one last pep talk.
Professor Chun smiled softly, recalling what just happened.
He might not have meant it genuinely… but it makes me happy.
How can that one word, ‘father,’ make his heart skip a beat like that?
To calm himself, he loosened his tie, then quickly adjusted it back to its proper place.
I could see Na-me in the distance, hugging her friends one by one.
Yuna, Ji-hye, Ha-ru, Han-gyeol, and Si-hoo. She mentioned them so often; even Professor Chun could now remember their names.
As ten students entered the training arena, Na-me bounced up the arena steps.
Once the host’s introduction finished, the judges were placed at each corner.
“It looks like my daughter is going first.”
A gruff voice sounded right behind Professor Chun.
A stout, bearded man spoke, and it was Ma Beom-il, the detective.
“Did Ji-hye just make that expression? Hah, do you think our daughter will do well? What do you think, Na-me’s father?”
Looking back towards the training arena, I saw Ma Ji-hye and Lee Ha-ru standing firmly in the center, glaring intently at their opponents.
“They say children grow taller day by day. She will definitely accomplish something much greater than you imagine, Mr. Ji-hye.”
“I wanted to avoid them ending up in fights if possible… Ji-hye may be gentle at heart, but she sure knows how to get things done. Just like her father.”
“I’ve heard someone say that a parent’s role isn’t to lead the child but just to ensure they don’t fall down, and I suppose we should trust and wait. She will surely make it.”
“Professor Chun, I’m here! Please start the broadcast; the duel is about to begin!”
Seeing Na-me frantically checking the camera, Professor Chun broke into a wide smile.
“…?”
Na-me tilted her head in confusion.
Professor Chun waved dismissively, signaling it was nothing, and placed a comfy cushion on her chair.
“Let’s see just how well our juniors will do.”
“They won’t disappoint us. They’ve been honing their skills for a long time.”
“Hm? Honing?”
