They Want Me on TV?
Was it the threat that worked, or Lee Haryeong's relentless propaganda blitz? Either way, the Pro Mages Association had bowed its head.
I yawned while scrolling through the endless stream of internet news headlines.
"Oh my, how cute."
"...Calling this lady cute is most unseemly."
Monica, sitting beside me, grinned sweetly.
"So, you've finally crushed that pesky Mages Association you hated. And the ether business rights are sorted too."
Monica lifted a stack of documents with an evil chuckle.
"Heh heh heh. Does that mean our little one's coup is right around the corner?"
"Coup? Politics makes my teeth chatter."
"A 7-year-old talking big, heh heh."
Monica adjusted her glasses and handed me a sheet of paper.
"Final tower blueprints and current foundation construction progress. Mulggeum's pushing the schedule like a madwoman."
"Oh, she does seem capable."
I skimmed the report and nodded.
"At this rate, we could open the real tower by early next year..."
That left just expanding Byeolbada and Secret Transmission Dynamics. Half my workload had vanished. I sank back into the sofa, feeling it.
Then Monica handed me another binder.
"What's this?"
"You'll see when you open it."
I flipped open the sky-blue binder and saw the bold text inside.
(Haesung Foods Co. – Candysoft Ad Proposal)
Sugar Powder Donut Franchise Ad Proposal
PN Sugar – Refined Allulose Ad Proposal
[...]
"Huh?"
The familiar contents made my mind go blank for a moment.
"Th-this is...?"
"The ad proposals you turned down last time."
"But why again...?"
Monica beamed and pulled out one sheet.
Korean Magic Tower Alliance Membership Application
"Ah."
"You've built a tower and joined the alliance. You're a member now, right?"
Monica pointed at the calendar.
"And there's only a week left this year."
I bolted upright on the sofa.
"Agh! That's unfair! My tower isn't even built yet—they should cut me some slack!"
Monica shrugged.
"You said to push it as fast as possible. No money, so sell ether."
"......"
Yeah, I remembered saying that.
"Starting this week, all ether from your foundation—minus what's used at Bundang Training Ground—goes on the Korean ether market."
"Ah... it's already that far...?"
"Of course, the tower won't trade directly; it'll be B2B through Korea Ether Corp."
"Whoa..."
"You'll soon reap the direct profits from ether rights. Can't just ditch the obligations."
Did the National Assembly approve that so fast?
Truly a 'hurry-hurry' nation...
"Anyway, you have to pick one of those ads."
I bit my lip at Monica's words. All of them were bakeries, cakes, donuts.
"Heh heh, this time you have to wear that red ribbon. Last time you wore some weird coat."
"?"
I shot her a look, and Monica suddenly looked away seriously.
"......"
I furrowed my brow at her words.
"You didn't blow this up just to dress me in something weird, did you, Monica? I'd be disappointed."
Monica whistled and vanished. I clenched my fist watching her go.
"I won't wear such clothes!"
"Agh! Fine, since you caught me— just wear the skirt nicely, kiddo!"
"A skirt?! The thought alone gives me chills!"
"You know Isara and Jiyeon did photoshoots too! They looked so girly and cute!"
"I'm not doing it!"
Monica huffed and fetched two copies of Monthly Mage from her study. Special issues on Isara and Hong Jiyeon from this year.
Monthly Mage – Isara Special
Monthly Mage – Hong Jiyeon Special
"I'm not telling you to do a swimsuit like Jiyeon, kiddo! Or a cute uniform like Sera! At least leave one pretty, cute photo behind!"
"No way!"
Monica shook her head at my refusal.
"Hmph! If the client insists on a dress or skirt, no choice~ You'll bow to capitalism anyway!"
"Who says! I haven't picked yet!"
"Me! Kiddo!"
"I'd rather die than wear it!"
As I pouted, Taehyun appeared with a ladle.
"Y-you're not gonna hit me with that, are you?!"
"Taehyun-ssi! I didn't think you'd...!"
Taehyun furrowed his brow at my words.
"Dinner's sea bream rice casserole. Both of you, wash up quick."
"Yep."
"Got it."
Monica and I grumbled off to wash our hands. * * *
A few days later, I arrived at the Sugar Powder Donut ad shoot, sighing deeply.
The model waiting room had clothes the opposite of what I'd imagined.
"Ugh."
I said I wanted to keep the 'Demon Lord' image.
But they gave me a black skirt and cute blouse. On top: devil horn headband and wings, like they cared about my input.
"......"
Definitely Monica's doing, but I decided to accept it. She was investing her life teaching me magic, after all. I could compromise this much.
"Sigh, no helping it. Guess I'll just do it."
I sighed, accepting reality. That fearsome Mage Hunter in a skirt...
As I moped, the girl beside me giggled.
A white-haired girl with sparkling eyes stared at me. Isara, who'd given up dyeing after the foundation league.
"Heh, white hair suits you like an oppa."
"Thanks."
Isara beamed, unbothered by my sarcasm, and picked up a donut.
"Want one? These are really good."
"They're good, that's why they can afford models like you and me."
Isara pouted, lips dusted with sugar powder.
"You're no fun outside magic? Just like Seong Jiho."
"Hmph. Don't compare me to a half-baked pro dropout."
Isara's eyes went wide. She froze, donut midway to her mouth.
"What's so shocking? That idiot fell out of foundation league. Total phony smartass..."
Clatter—something dropped behind us.
Uneasy, I turned. A gray-haired boy filled my view.
"Ah."
He looked hurt, then bolted.
"Jiho came to cheer us on."
"Why tell me now!"
"You didn't ask...?"
"Aaaargh!"
I clutched my head. He was sensitive enough already—that probably stung deep.
"You should've warned me!"
"I just saw him too~"
I bit my lip at nonchalant Isara. Either way, I was the one who spoke carelessly.
"Gotta apologize later..."
As I dejectedly grabbed the clothes for the changing room, Isara spoke.
"Sorry?"
"Huh?"
"You feel bad for Jiho~?"
"Yeah...?"
She grinned mischievously and whispered in my ear.
"There's a way to make it up to him~" * * *
Seong Jiho slumped at the studio entrance, depressed. The clear blue sky mocked his gloomy mood with its carefree brightness.
"Sigh... A whole year behind..."
Strictly speaking, Yu Eunha was right. He'd strutted as one of the Four Heavenly Kings, yet flunked foundation league alone—a fool.
No point yelling injustice to others.
She didn't say anything wrong.
He'd just come to cheer them on. Next shoot with Isara, and he wanted to get closer to Eunha.
Pathetic to sulk over overheard words.
Jiho blankly recalled Eunha's final moments.
That magic was insane.
First time he'd craved water magic. Leagues beyond Kang Euntae's lame version. He wanted to see it again.
As he turned to head back in—
"Um, sorry about earlier..."
Yu Eunha's meek voice came.
"?"
He turned. There she stood at the entrance.
But.
"Pfft—!"
Short skirt, white blouse, horn headband, devil wings. Less Demon Lord, more little imp.
Her face is beet red.
Blushing furiously, she said,
"I was just bummed earlier, that's all... I didn't mean it."
Her stammering made him chuckle oddly.
"It's fine. It's true I flunked alone."
Jiho grimaced, recalling it.
"Actually, thinking it over at home... I lost 'cause I judged like an idiot..."
He made a bitter face.
Why dive in on unproven data from Eunha?
To aim for first, that was the only way...
Rushed for top spot, tasted elimination.
"I-Isara said... there's a way to soothe hurt feelings."
"Huh?"
"...She said I could help you."
Jiho tilted his head at her words. Glancing back, he saw giggling Isara.
"Oh? Sera said that?"
"Didn't she...?"
Her wilted look sparked an idea. He and Isara hosted a kids' TV show.
"...You called me a dumb half-pro staining the Heavenly Kings. But there's a way I'd forgive that anytime."
"Agh! You made up the last part!"
"Help me with one thing? Not hard."
Eunha narrowed her eyes, then nodded.
"Well, if kids are asking, can't be big. Need money? Or magic lessons?"
Jiho shook his head.
"Help with my job."
"Job?" * * *
I stared blankly at the set.
Ding Dong Dang Mage Classroom
"Kiddo, what's up with you? Agreeing to TV?"
"......"
"You know makeup's mandatory here?"
I clutched my throbbing head at Monica's words.
Did they set me up?
The realization hit—I'd been played.