Free Trial: The Academy Tournament Looms
The free trial Academy Tournament was now just one day away. Students staying at Hotel Aquila pulled back their curtains and peered out the windows. Broadcasting vans pierced the dark night roads one by one, lining up neatly in front of the hotel. Starting tomorrow, this fierce battle royale would be aired nationwide—no, perhaps even worldwide. Whether it was their first time competing or they'd already stamped their faces on the event multiple times, all the students shared the same trembling excitement.
In the sleepless, languid hours, with all the room lights off, some students huddled around a sparkling hologram projector, eyes glued to it.
"Finally, the fifth-ranked participant, NoName. She's in second grade of elementary division but got entered as a middle school candidate. She was supposed to just watch from the stands without competing, but I guess she ended up as a last-minute sub."
"She's so freaking cute no matter how many times I see her!"
"Focus, focus."
"Can't we sub me in early? I just can't bring myself to hit a kid..."
"We just gotta maneuver her into burning all her mana somehow."
Alteer's third-year middle schoolers were the golden generation challenging the dignity of eight straight years of tournament victories. The five members might shift slightly each year, but they'd never tasted defeat since first entering the fray.
"Don't get complacent. That unique magic of NoName's... it doesn't feel right."
"You think so too?"
"They might've foreseen this from the moment they registered an elementary kid as a candidate."
Putting elementary students into middle school candidate slots for experience was a common Alteer Academy tactic. But that only worked when the power gap was so vast you could afford to slack off.
"The teachers aren't coaching us much this year or giving us any help."
"Hey, shh! Quiet! What if there's a recorder here?"
"Should we whisper then? Like this?"
"Yeah, that's better."
The kids, who started bickering the moment they met, refocused on the footage.
Attachment 1: 'Katsuhata Emika' Demon King's Horn Demonstration
In their eyes, the only wildcard was NoName's unique magic.
"I can't figure it out no matter how many times I watch. No clue what spell it is."
"Probably... some support-type magic?"
"Let's go with that for now."
The Academy Tournament followed its own rules, not the International Magical Combat Federation's, prioritizing student safety. Not 1v1 or 5v5, but 2v2 matches operated like a streak battle, allowing one substitution only if both participants retained over 50% aura barrier. Close-range aura users paired with long-range mages showed the highest win rates in 2v2.
"Firepower pump type? Tsk... but it doesn't look like that either."
"Next video then."
Attachment 2: 'World of Arceria' Gameplay Scene
The Demon King's Horn was a spell NoName had been using long ago.
[If you're gonna call me the Demon King for that, then go ahead—call me whatever you want.]
"Whoa, that's so badass..."
The kids, still not fully over their chuunibyou phase, let out admiring gasps.
[Casting: Glakis Asta]
The well-developed woman leaped into the air, summoning a niobium spear the size of a streetlamp, hurling it at Mephistopheles' heart. They only noticed her horns faintly glowing in the process—no insight into the unique magic's effect.
"NoName will probably hide her unique magic until the last second. So our job's simple: Knock out the front-runners fast."
"Drop four quick, and she's got nothing solo?"
"Exactly. Even if it's combat-type, no wooden wand imports means no surprise attacks."
"But what if NoName rushes melee first?"
"That's the real issue..."
Attachment 3: Korea University Dojo Breaker Edition
NoName had legendarily beaten Student Council President Shin Yeon-ho in a casual spar at Alteer Academy. Sure, the rules favored her heavily, and he went easy in spots, but her combat sense was no joke.
"Coordinate transformation's mastered, and those 2nd Circle spells pack a punch. Water, wind, lightning—won't her Aura Heart shatter?"
The round-faced glasses kid, Oh Deok-jae, led from the front, breaking down each scene for the others.
Rubbing her eyes at NoName's clean roundhouse kick deflecting Raon's spear, a girl exclaimed.
"Whoa, her legs are so flexible! Seung-min, can you do that?"
"With practice."
"That'd be fun! Can't wait for tomorrow's matches!"
"Yawn, I'm sleepy—heading to my room."
The kids lost interest fast and cleared out of Deok-jae's room. He adjusted his glasses before the still-flickering hologram.
'Demon King's Horn. Such an intriguing spell. No matter how well you hide it, NoName, I'll find its weakness before the match.'
The night was still young. Grabbing canned coffee and Monster from the fridge, Deok-jae smirked craftily and rewound to the start. Only after the clock's second hand ticked hundreds of times did he collapse onto the carpet, drifting off.
Warm morning sun filtered through the curtains. Deok-jae jolted awake to cooing wood pigeons acting as his alarm. Glancing at the 8 a.m. clock, he snatched his toothbrush in a panic.
'Why didn't anyone wake me!'
No time for his messy hair. He threw on his neatly ironed uniform and slipped out of the hotel.
The path from the hotel to the main arena teemed with participants' families and friends. Broadcasters with massive shoulder cams sought interviews everywhere. Picnic-like family groups dotted the crowd.
"Mommy, mommy! If I go there, can I get one on my head too?!"
"Okay, but hold mommy's hand—don't wanna get lost in this crowd, right?"
"Yeah!"
A five-year-old whined, dragging his mom to the bustling clearing. Following their gaze, Deok-jae spotted a rickety wooden booth in the center and froze in shock.
'What the hell is this?!'
8 Hours Free Duration!
(made by BioAkashic)
Everyone emerging from the booth sported black horns on their heads. Dozens of them.
"First 100 only! Almost gone!"
The booth operator? None other than NoName herself.
"Oh? You there, big bro—wanna try? Don't be shy, come here—I'll put it on for you."
"Wait, this isn't the unique magic for the tournament?!"
Deok-jae's all-nighter analysis turned to dust in that instant.
* * *
In marketing, there's the free trial concept. A non-price sales promo letting folks use new products gratis for a period. It boosts brand image and spreads word-of-mouth fast. And among the academy students' families were plenty of Korea's so-called 'higher-ups' propping up society.
"My kid's at Alteer Academy—can I get one too?"
A friendly-suited uncle asked, ignoring the side-eyes.
"What year is your child in?"
"Sixth grade elementary."
Pikachu sis and Iron Fist bro's opponent, huh.
"Promise to cheer for Seferon Academy in the elementary second-grade and middle third-year matches, and I'll hook you up."
"Haha, sure thing! Uncle promises!"
"Great—grab the stone tablet and my card next door, then come back."
I nudged the guy beside me with my elbow, and he sprang into action.
"Hello! Baek Ho-chan, CEO of BioAkashic Inc. Here's my card."
"Ah, yes! You're the CEO? You look way younger than I thought!"
"I get that a lot—baby face, haha."
"So, what's the Demon King's Horn do exactly?"
"Of course! This version visualizes mana flows as info overlays."
"Like VR glasses?"
"Nope! Feels like it's jammed right into your head—way more intuitive."
"Gotta try it to get it."
"Right away!"
Already short-staffed, Baek Ho-chan dragged five slave-like employees along. Even in the cool weather, they pitifully hauled heavy mana stones. I offered help, but the response was always the same.
"Nah, we're good! NoName, big match today—save your strength. Your thought's enough—thanks!"
Thus, I sat center-booth as mascot.
"Sis, look—the wind's swirling up there! So pretty!"
For the kid two-three years younger, I fitted a pinky-sized dainty horn. She was seeing mana 'turbulence' now. Common when steady flows hit academy barriers like massive walls. Aura Heart newbies, especially kids, barely sense mana. These horns would amp up the thrill for today's bouts.
"Hello, NoName. Remember me?"
Catching a breather from endless handshakes, a press-badge guy approached. Journalists aren't my fave.
"...? Who're you?"
"Jang Seong-moon from QBS. Met you at that VR press conference—avatar's the same."
"Ah...! Yeah, I remember, Mr. Jang."
Unlike smear-piece hacks, he wrote real friendly articles, so I eased up.
"Not using Demon King's Horn in the tournament today?"
"Nah, gotta. Joined to promo it."
"Huh? Safe to hand these out willy-nilly?"
"Mr. Jang, know how long till a baby's eyes open after birth?"
"Uh... no clue."
"Pupil reflex by day two, brightness/contrast by two weeks. Still can't spot distant objects till four months."
"News to me."
"Horns are the same. Eight hours maxes at basic mana sight."
Analyze if you want. Took my past life years to crack its structure—normies won't get it from a glance.
"Actually here for your interview, participant NoName. Thoughts on this tournament?"
"I'm watching in 4D."
"Pardon?"
Jang looked baffled. Damn, never blindly trust net culture again.
"...Kidding, forget it. On the tournament... hmm."
I cleared my throat fake-like, pondering.
Could say repaying Principal Gu On-yu with victory. Boost BioAkashic via promo. Endless reasons. But I spoke my raw feelings to the camera.
"Here to check the seniors' skill levels personally, from elementary up. Go easy and your nose breaks—get ready, everyone."
Piuuuu— As I finished, massive magic fireworks boomed overhead. Hourglass left, eagle right. Academy symbols splashed color across the sky.
'Don't get hurt, NoName!'
A familiar, fond woman's voice buried in the blasts—I smirked. Why worry about me?
This year's Academy Tournament? I'm officiating.
I tilted my head to the high autumn sky, murmuring words you'd never hear.