Chapter 43
Chapter 43
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Do You Have a Moment?
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The League of Worlds community always had something buzzing.
Yura and the Advice Lord.
Somehow, he'd gone from being called an Armchair Advisor to the Advice Lord, and every time he gave Yura pointers, it drew a ton of attention.
The community folks figured it'd go on forever.
His advice-giving antics were on another level.
Practically every stream.
The Advice Lord, who tied every chat to advice or spammed Tower Climb suggestions.
Like how you'd worry if the guy jogging a specific route every morning at 9 suddenly vanished—did he move? Is he sick?—the community lost it when Third Life, who never skipped advice for Yura no matter what, disappeared from her streams.
They even started deep-diving into why the Advice Lord had ditched Yura.
Some posts hit the best board, treated like gospel.
Meanwhile, Yura and Third Life were fast asleep, perfectly fine, while the community was in full uproar.
Then, an video rode the algorithm to the top.
[500,000 Won Mission: Tower Climb?!]
[Yura]
It was scheduled for tomorrow afternoon but glitched and posted at dawn.
* * *
Sunlight filtered slowly through the window frame.
I opened my eyes.
Feels like I just blinked, but morning was already here.
No "just five more minutes."
Once my eyes were open, my body followed automatically.
Old habits from my previous life lingered.
Yawn.
I stretched.
What's for breakfast?
Current time: 6 AM.
A bit early, but my stomach was rumbling.
"Maybe some simple fried eggs."
Opened the fridge—barely any ingredients left. Habit of buying only what I'd eat that day kept it empty.
I'd grabbed bread yesterday for one breakfast portion.
But cooking felt like a hassle, and bread first thing seemed heavy.
Bought it in case I slept in and needed something quick. Mistake.
Take it as a snack for the Academy.
Sipped some milk while pondering, then decided: better grab something outside.
Too early for markets anyway. Times don't match, too bothersome. Finished food from a shop it is.
Alley nearby has several eateries, I hear.
Stepped out to crisp air greeting me. Up the alley, a few shops open. Early birds mostly did stews and soups.
Each had different menus, so I pondered where to eat what—then kids passed by.
"Ugh, wanna skip school."
"Real. Would be lit if homeroom ditched today."
"Class prez saying that?"
"You want homeroom?"
"Hell no."
"League of Worlds tonight?"
"Bet."
"You crazies, entrance exams soon."
"Yeah, I gave up already."
Bickering kids heading by.
Kids? Bit big for that.
High schoolers, looked like. Seemed happy. Mouths complaining about the school slog, faces all smiles.
Hmm...
Skipping morning commute, but need walk-home buddies.
Found a spot selling potato soup—unusual for breakfast. Ate there, and Academy time rolled around quick.
Prep done last night; just bag and go.
Third time on this path, already familiar.
Nearer the Academy, more kids heading in.
Slide!
Opened classroom door—eyes met noisy kids inside.
"Oh? You're here?"
"Hey."
Short greetings, then to my seat, hung bag.
Kids nearby started chatting.
"Transfer, you see Popsanping today?"
"Popsanping?"
"Yeah."
"What's that?"
"Huh...? No clue?"
Popsanping.
Heard it's trending with kids, but details? Nah. Something shiny popping toy, that's it.
"Yeah."
I said I didn't know; the group scattered.
Next group asked something else.
"Then this?"
"What?"
"Rio Box."
"Nope. First time hearing it."
"Rio Der? Build Blocks?"
"All new to me?"
"No games?"
"League of Worlds."
They gave weird looks, then peaced out.
Looked 'em up later: Rio Box, Rio Der, Build Blocks—all huge with little kids.
League more famous? Wait, age restrictions.
Kids kept coming, trying conversation topics.
I blanked on most.
Our interests mismatched hard.
But we'd warm up slow.
Walk home together later works too.
That's when I realized.
No kids left near me.
"Huh...?"
No walk-home buddies?
"Everyone, the magic traits we learned today are dangerous—don't practice alone anywhere. Do it under profs' watch. Oh, and swordsmanship sparring tomorrow. Class dismissed."
Fourth period.
Time to pack for home.
Kids clumped in groups; I couldn't slot in.
Failed to snag a walk-home pal.
* * *
To kids, interest is like lit gasoline.
Burns hot, dies fast.
So their curiosity about the new transfer student fading quick was natural.
No shared interests, no common ground.
Kids' sharp instincts picked up an invisible wall between transfer and them.
So no one approached anymore—except Seo-ah, staring holes into him.
"Sung-chan. Walk home with transfer later—thoughts?"
"Transfer? Whatever."
Gotta grill him on the walk home.
Seo-ah had tons of questions left.
Sung-chan cool with it, so she headed over.
"Transf—"
But she wasn't the only one interested.
Seo-ah most among students, sure.
"Student, got a moment?"
Profs buzzed about him too.
Class over, but one prof burst in suddenly—kids hushed.
High-year prof, coming to low-year room on purpose.
He eyed just one kid.
"Got snacks and drinks in my office. Wanna head there and chat?"