064 – Native Nymph Dislikes Invasive Species! #3
From the third year of Awakened students-
The Awakened went through about a year of specialized training.
The trainees I met recently in Nonsan were just like that.
They call it the officer academy, right?
Lee Jin-A and Cha Yura said they became acquainted there.
“Lee Jin-A, you might want to watch what you say going forward. Do I still look like the kind of person who carries your bag?”
It was astonishing that an S Rank like Cha Yura had carried Lee Jin-A’s bag.
Lee Jin-A then said.
“It feels like nothing has changed since then. No, maybe you’ve even gotten a bit smaller…?”
With a sly smile, Lee Jin-A opened her slender eyes and scanned Cha Yura from top to bottom.
Soon, Cha Yura, being an S Rank and arguably a princess of Korea, flared up.
“Smaller? What do you mean smaller! I’m still growing, you know? In many ways!”
As far as I know, Cha Yura was in her early twenties.
Since most people’s growth period lasts into their late teenage years, her claim of still growing sounded a bit exaggerated.
However, it wasn’t uncommon for Awakened individuals who realized their mana in their teens to still grow taller or develop well into their twenties.
Indeed.
Cha Yura was still in her growth phase.
With confidence, the growing Cha Yura cocked her chin and said.
“So what? You’re still stuck at C Rank, and I’ve moved up to S Rank. What do you think about that?”
“I just think it’s how it is.”
“Hmph, you’re saying it calmly, but you’re fuming inside, aren’t you? It must be frustrating to see someone who used to carry your bag surpassing you! Serves you right!”
I could empathize with Cha Yura’s words in many ways.
I too had felt pain and sadness when people who had lagged behind me surged forward and overtook me.
But Lee Jin-A remained indifferent.
“That could happen. Anyway, you’ve always been loud from the past to now.”
Lee Jin-A was calm.
It was surprising that a C Rank like Lee Jin-A was more laid-back compared to an S Rank like Cha Yura.
What was going on here?
What difference was there between these two?
Or was it because their breast sizes were different?
I thought there might be some truth to that.
The difference in breast size would imply differences in hormones.
There was a study I felt I had seen somewhere that said women with larger breasts tend to have a more relaxed attitude toward life.
Just then, Seo Ye-rim, who was watching the scene with a slightly surprised expression, interjected.
“It’s surprising that you two know each other. You carried her bag? That sounds like a serious matter. Is that right? These days, it’s such a hot topic.”
Indeed.
These days, how seriously people talked about school violence.
I thought Lee Jin-A was a scary person, but she had bullied Cha Yura.
Soon, Lee Jin-A clarified.
“No, it was a bet. We agreed that the one who performed better in academics would have the other person carry their bag. I just kept winning and made her carry my bag each time.”
I see.
That kind of bet made sense, so I could accept it.
I thought Lee Jin-A had been bullying and extorting Cha Yura.
Was it a more mundane story than I expected?
It was also surprising that Cha Yura had performed worse than Lee Jin-A academically.
“Cha Yura, it seems you haven’t always been the top performer.”
S Rank.
It’s not something anyone can attain.
Cha Yura replied.
“Everyone has their moments of awkwardness. I just took longer to warm up compared to other people. Just like you, Lee Il-do.”
“Me?”
“I think it’s amazing. You’ve achieved impressive results despite being a C Rank with many limitations. With your skills, you might reach B Rank and even aim for A Rank!”
It felt nice to be praised by Cha Yura, one of the now two remaining S Rank Awakened individuals in Korea.
Despite being her junior, the industry valued results over seniority.
If you had money, you were considered the older brother or sister, after all.
“Lee Il-do, you have a peculiar talent. You seem to control animals effortlessly. Can you show us a bit of that now?”
My talent here?
During a meal?
As I felt slightly puzzled, Cha Yura said.
“This is a sponsorship event on this cruise ship. It’s possible that a sponsor who recognizes potential could be interested in you. I’m sure of it!”
A sponsor.
Did that mean someone would start supporting me?
I had heard of such things.
Wealthy individuals or corporations often sponsor promising individuals.
Awakened people who received sponsorships typically wore brands’ logos on their gear for advertising purposes.
Three hundred million.
To me, who might need to come up with that amount of money, it was quite enticing.
# # #
After eating,
I had about ten minutes to showcase my talent on stage in the banquet hall.
It was thanks to Cha Yura’s influence.
“This is an opportunity. A chance to leave a good impression on wealthy individuals.”
I had said that line a lot recently.
As I waited for my turn, I looked at Kkungkkungi and Ahn Ahn.
“You guys, you got this, right?”
– Kkung…!
– Zzi…!
These two were always reliable.
Feeling that way, I waited for my turn.
Many people were already on stage showcasing electronics or demonstrating their talents.
“I’m here to introduce myself as a B Rank Awakened. I have the ability to track the steps of people and animals, so I can help you track down cheating spouses!”
“Our detective agency would like to support you.”
A showcase where many people displayed their talents.
No, perhaps a better word would exist than ‘showcase,’ but I was a bit too nervous to come up with it.
“Now, up next is a C Rank Awakened. Isn’t it rare to see a C Rank on stage? Introducing, from the first year, Lee Haildo!”
Swish.
It was my turn.
I stood up from my chair and moved to the stage, feeling the many eyes on me.
Thump, thump.
My heart pounded as if it would burst.
Calmly, I opened my mouth.
“Hello, I am Lee Haildo.”
What should I say next?
Nothing came to mind.
“Let’s get straight to the point. My magical power is said to be friendly toward animals and creatures according to the words of the Nymphs. To demonstrate—”
Power manifestation.
I spread my mana in a radius of about twenty meters.
Immediately, something remarkable happened.
– Kkung…!
– Zzi…!
Kkungkkungi and Ahn Ahn noticeably perked up.
Kkungkkungi could move faster, and Ahn Ahn even flew in the air with her wings.
“How fascinating.”
“What adorable animals.”
The reaction was better than expected!
I was feeling empowered by the positive response, perhaps I had a knack for performing on stage.
“I can also do this. This spider you see here is a ghost spider named Bang Bang. Let me ask Bang Bang to dance.”
Swish.
I moved my arms back and forth.
Then, Bang Bang raised and lowered its arms, dancing along.
“How cute!”
“How fun!”
People were bursting into laughter.
Soon, someone raised a hand.
It was an older woman.
She had a very matronly appearance.
“I would like to sponsor that Squirrel Beast, Kkungkkungi. What a lovely Squirrel! How old is it? Does it like peanuts and almonds?”
Kkungkkungi is getting sponsored?
Soon, people began showing interest in Ahn Ahn and Bang Bang as well.
“What do they eat?”
“Can it sing songs?”
“How did you train it?”
The popularity of my animal friends was soaring.
There were so many questions that the order of the presentations was getting delayed!
# # #
“You did better than I expected.”
Seo Ye-rim said as she opened her slender eyes while watching me come down from the stage.
I could finally catch my breath.
“It was more nerve-wracking than I thought.”
Kkungkkungi, Ahn Ahn, and Bang Bang received plenty of sponsorship.
There would be no need to worry about food, snacks, or supplies for them in the future.
However, there was no support for me.
Seo Ye-rim commented on that.
“The people sitting here have all gone through tremendous effort to get to where they are. They’ve caught the fortunes that have come their way, and their discernment is highly accurate.”
That was true.
In reality, it was the likes of Kkungkkungi, Ahn Ahn, and Bang Bang who were impressive.
It made sense that my animal friends would receive sponsorship.
It seems I had messed up my promotional strategy.
I should have created a stage where I could better showcase my own talents.
Soon, Lee Jin-A spoke.
“But you did well, especially considering you went up spontaneously. I honestly don’t think I would have spoken a word in your place. The truly wealthy live in a different world from ordinary folks.”
Thinking about it, that was indeed the case.
I should give myself a passing mark for not messing up.
Just then, Illinois trembled slightly.
“Our Nymphs also have to receive sponsorship! We need to gather a lot of patrons and establish a ‘Nymph Relief Foundation’!”
Saying that, Illinois took out a sketchbook.
It was filled with various drawings, all seemingly created by a five-year-old child.
“If anyone sees this gorgeous art by Illinois, surely the sponsors will line up! I may even become richer than the ear-tall fairies!”
So, you dream of becoming richer than the elves.
That’s quite an ambitious dream.
After all, the elves had become wealthy enough to own this luxurious cruise ship.
How on earth did they make money?
“Surely, the ear-tall fairies must have amassed their fortunes through illegal means! Illinois can see that!”
“Hey, quiet down!”
Seo Ye-rim clamped a hand over Illinois’s mouth.
Probably because there were many elves around.
Of course, the elves didn’t pay any attention to the tales of the Nymphs.
Nymphs playing with mini-cars.
The elves who actually owned ships and hosted parties with their patrons.
The playing field was too different. It was almost impossible to stand on the same playing field.
Just then,
“Are you Lee Il-do? I watched your performance. You have very cute animals with you. I particularly found Ratatoskr the cutest.”
Clip, clop.
Someone approached me.
People tensed at her arrival.
“My goodness. It’s Freya.”
“She’s come out of the room.”
Who is she?
An elf the same height as mine, with languid eyes.
She wore a sleek black party dress that suited her very well.
She looked to be in her early thirties.
But guessing an elf’s age by their appearance is a foolish thing to do.
The elf named Freya spoke.
“Would you sell me that cute Ratatoskr? I’ll give you five hundred million.”
Five hundred million!?
I thought I must have misheard!
Is the currency unit different for elves and Koreans…!?
Is she trying to pay me in Zimbabwean dollars!?
At that moment, Inoi got angry.
“Kkungkkungi is not Ratatoskr; he’s a Squirrel Beast! And I will never sell Kkungkkungi! Our Native Nymphs do not sell our family for money!”
“That’s right! Our indigenous Nymphs will never sell our family for money!”
“Oh ho ho, what an adorable little fairy from a distant land. Is 500 million not enough? How about 5 billion instead?”
5 billion!?
I was taken aback once more.
Illinois replied with a very serious face.
“I think we need to think a bit longer…! It’s operation time for everyone…!”
No.
We don’t sell family for money…!
