I Couldn’t Afford to Buy Mana, so I Started Streaming

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Chapter: The Morning Training Routine

“Whoosh—”

I was up early again today, taking a shower.

*Ding-*

“Hmm?”

A message from Janjeol came in.

“Yay! Freedom!”

The moment I checked the documents, I spun the showerhead above my head in excitement.

I had just received approval for a long-term overseas business trip (a.k.a. vacation) from the executives.

You might think, why do I, the CEO, need permission?

Well, unlike other foolish dictators, I’m the type who always keeps in mind the possibility of making mistakes.

If I made unilateral decisions in a company without a proper board, it would just end in tragedy.

A well-structured system can prevent individual slip-ups.

And proper regulations ensure that even small misdeeds come with a thrilling sense of excitement.

“From today, I should keep my training volume normal.”

I turned off the shower.

Cold droplets dripped down my shoulders and chest.

Standing in front of the mirror, I lifted my arm, which still had traces from my time in Mexico.

There was a tingling sensation, but oddly enough, alongside the fatigue, there was also a feeling of contentment.

I raised my arm high to check my armpit.

It was the spot where an RPG fragment had left a scar.

I thought of it as a warrior’s medal and had left it there…

But the delicate scar on my body looked more pitiful than cool, like a child who has suffered from domestic abuse.

Seeing it was unsightly, I quickly erased it with erosion.

While I changed into my workout clothes, Ellie came to visit from the next room.

“Ellie, let’s go for a run.”

“Let’s go! Na-me catch-up, Day 1!”

[06:00] – Aerobic Exercise

I spent 30 minutes running on the treadmill without aura, just my bare body.

After that, I jumped into interval training, alternating between high-intensity sprints and walking, pushing my breath to the top of my head.

“Huah! Hah! I can’t do it anymore, Na-me!”

“Ugh, me too. Kihing…”

I almost regurgitated the salmon salad I had for dinner yesterday.

My poor digestive system still hadn’t processed last night’s meal.

My eyes and nose were tingling, and I fanned myself to cool down.

In the morning dining room, Cecilia had already arrived.

“What about the project?”

“I kinda left it hanging.”

“What do you mean?”

“Hehe, looks like you didn’t even check it. There’s no response at all.”

Oatmeal, eggs, avocado, and bananas made up our breakfast.

The Morning Dining at Fort Worth Athlete Village felt noticeably more vibrant than before.

“It seems like there are more people.”

“Since the National Exchange Tournament is coming soon, everyone is probably ramping up their sprints.”

“Or maybe everyone just came to see Na-me?”

At Ellie’s words, I glanced around.

Among those having breakfast, it seemed like at least half made eye contact with me.

I waved a friendly hand towards a group.

“Na-me Punch!”

“Na-me Punch?”

I mimicked their action of stretching out fists.

“Wahaha! So cool!”

I was perplexed as I stuffed a banana into my mouth.

[08:00] – Comprehensive Mental Training

Running before digestion would upset my stomach.

After about ten minutes of meditation to stimulate the Aura Heart, I dove into serious mental training.

The most crucial part of comprehensive mental training is the pre-opening, specifically a 10-second countdown.

To put it in perspective, it’s like setting a start record in bobsleigh or skeleton.

Or taking the first turn in chess or go.

“Last year, I was severely underprepared for this.”

I had given up the first turn in nearly all competitions.

If you ask whether it’s advantageous to strike first or counterattack, obviously, the former would be preferable.

No matter how fast you make a human’s reaction time, it can never surpass that of a cat.

I grasped Softie and raised my aura like it was a real battle.

[Cast: Demon King’s Horn (Continued) – Catapulting Horn]

[Imperial Palace Swordsmanship Technique 1 – Opening Blade]

*Zwaaa-!*

A piercing line cut through the atmosphere.

The metal mannequin-like augmented reality hologram split and vanished smoothly.

“Wow! That’s the opening you used in the finals last year!”

“Waaah, Na-me is showing off in front of us.”

“How many times did I do the Big Cycle?”

“2.85 times. Fast, fast, hehe.”

“Nope. Still slow.”

In 10 seconds I could get in 2.85 cycles; that’s a staggering 3.51 seconds per one Big Cycle.

If considered among all participants in the National Exchange Tournament, I’d be in the middle tier.

Thinking back to last year, when it exceeded 4 seconds, it was a remarkable improvement, but being uncompetitive still meant little.

*Jump!*

I hung from the pull-up bar like a bat.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m doing a handstand. The aura keeps getting blocked at my head. Cecilia, can you pass me that dumbbell over there?”

Gravity and aura don’t actually have much to do with each other.

But I thought I might try to utilize the idea that objects fall if you stay still.

“Here.”

“Thanks. Whoa, this is 8 kg, isn’t it?!”

Gripping the dumbbells in each hand, I felt two-thirds of my weight added instantly.

“What’s this? Is it too heavy for you, Na-me? Should I get you a pink dumbbell instead?”

“No thanks. You guys should go and practice too.”

I closed my eyes and circulated my aura.

The warm sun shining through all things seeped into every corner of my body, dispelling the fatigue in my muscles.

*Swish—*

“Why?”

I asked, directing my question toward the presence I sensed while my eyes were closed.

“There’s such a nice floral scent. Being near you makes me feel good, too.”

“Don’t get too close…”

*Sniff sniff.* “Why? It’s so nice, hehe!”

“It’s hard to focus on training.”

“Ah, sorry! But isn’t your bellybutton cold?”

“Bellybutton?”

I opened my eyes wide with a bad premonition.

My white running gear had bunched together with my fluffy sweater.

My exposed belly button and pale skin were on full display.

“Ahhh! What the heck!”

“Didn’t you know until now?”

“Ugh, the dumbbells are so heavy, just a moment…!”

*Thud—!*

I fell off the pull-up bar.

Landing on the cushy mat, I covered my belly with both hands.

The air conditioner was making my skin feel super cold.

[09:00] – Comprehensive Sparring Technique Training

“Ellie, come on out.”

“Phew. I’m ready. I’m gonna smash your head and make a skull for a rice bowl.”

“What? I said let’s do situational sparring, not fight each other.”

“Uaaah! I’m sorry! I didn’t hear that. Huah!”

Ellie squirmed in embarrassment.

Well, it’s not like sane people would show up at the National Exchange Tournament.

Just a few days since we met, and Ellie’s mask was slowly slipping off.

Ironically, Monica Ricci from Italy, who is entirely straightforward, seemed the most normal.

Ellie raised her tactical spear.

Starting the sparring would probably be better for her mental stability.

“I’m going for Mid-Upper Mid. Prepare as much as you can. Countering would be even better.”

“Come on, American!”

Ellie took her stance and waved her hands.

“…Phew! Wait a minute, I’m too amused to continue!”

I crouched on the floor, shaking my head and chuckling.

Cecilia watching from the sidelines was rolling on the floor.

“Hey, stop messing around…! I didn’t do anything!”

“I can’t help it if it’s funny.”

Once I burst out laughing, it didn’t settle down easily.

[10:30] – Swordsmanship and Striking Training

After taking a break, we all gathered back in the training arena.

Ellie had brought two training coaches with her.

It was a schedule similar to the comprehensive sparring technique training we had just done.

However, earlier, we had set up situations to practice our blades, counter-attack points, defenses, and responses.

“This time, we’re going to do real striking training. Ellie, you also have a schedule that the original coaches planned, right? Practicing magic along with combinations is good, and meat training is also good.”

“Question! Is evasive training included?”

“Of course, it’s for practical use.”

Thus, I partnered with Cecilia, while Ellie paired with her coach for individual practice.

“Are you going to use two swords? Isn’t that inefficient?”

“Hehe, no, I’m only going to use it in emergencies. It probably won’t happen, but if it does, it’d be cool, right?”

“That’s such a romantic killer. Okay, let’s do it! Bring it on!”

I swung Softie mercilessly.

Rather than applying the Imperial Palace Swordsmanship, it was more of an impulsive movement.

Finding the instinctive blade trajectory, I stepped in.

“More, more! It’s still lacking, NoName! More!”

“Ghrraahhh!”

In that dry mouth moment, I squeezed out the last of my aura.

*Thud—*

“Ugh, I feel like I’m gonna die.”

I sprawled out on the floor.

We had just barely finished our morning schedule.

“Hehe. This is fun.”

* * *

At lunchtime, a moment to catch my breath.

Even though Ellie finished her shower, she continued to stay at the hotel.

“Ellie, aren’t you going to the dining room? Are you planning to eat in your room?”

“Umm… I’ll order room service. I feel like my condition is off today.”

“Don’t overdo it.”

As soon as the meal arrived, Ellie’s expression darkened.

“Pork, beef, chicken, turkey, salmon… and a little salad and brown rice? I suddenly feel like a grizzly bear.”

“This turkey breast is really delicious. It’s the best I’ve ever had, I swear it’s Texas.”

“I’ll just eat a little bit. I still feel nauseous.”

“Okay.”

While eating lunch, I checked the fan cafe and community for the first time in a while.

[NoName vs. 100 Armed Polar Bears – Who Wins? Is this even fair?]
[Voting Results]
∙NoName (96.6%)
∙100 Armed Polar Bears (3.4%)

[Comments]
– Seriously? Hahaha
– What’s with the armed polar bears? Hahaha
└ Just the sound of it is ridiculous, LOL
└ It would be scary for sure, haha
-(Author) Damn, this is rough
– I hope it goes up as NoName content later.
└ How would that even happen? Hahaha
└ Why not? Na-me would definitely win.
└ Wait, but there’s no armed polar bears, dude.

“What’s this?”

I’ve always known that the community pairs me against others, but I’m troubled by how odd the opponent was, like ‘a horde of lions that can use Arcane Bloom.’

As expected, everything seems to have causes and effects.

[NoName RPG Video – I heard the manipulation and deepfake rumors are circulating? OMG]
Bill Gates fans are concluding it’s neither manipulation nor deep fake.
The only flaw is that my face is hidden behind a magic circle.

It’s hard to believe there’s another kid besides Na-me who could pull this off, LOL.

(Cecilia battle Moment – Magic Circle.jpg)
(Mexico cartel scene – Magic Circle.jpg)
It’s speculated that the magic circle itself is from the defense spell “Original” used against Cecilia in last year’s National Exchange Tournament.

That means the theory that NoName activated a 6-circle unique magic defense spell before getting an ‘overload’ in his right arm could be spot on! OMG!

[Comments]
– What?
– You mean to tell me that you used a self-developed defense spell during the National Exchange Tournament, and the original was used to defeat the Mexican cartel?
└ Oh sh—hahaha
└ Light Na-me, Dark Na-me
-???: Anti-tank rocket… it’s been split…

The video was poorly shot from a distance, thus the picture quality wasn’t great.

The authenticity remains to be confirmed, leading to an ongoing debate among netizens.

“Ugh. I need to evolve before this uproar becomes bigger.”

If this continues, it’ll drag the nation into it.

I grabbed a turkey leg with my right hand and took a selfie.

*Snap—*

If I show off my perfectly fine arm, at least it could steer public opinion to believe there’s something weird about the video.

[NoName Fan Cafe]
[I’m having lunch after finishing my morning training.]
(Turkey Photo.jpg)
Bigger than my head lol

I’ll train hard and show a good side to my fans!
(By the way, I didn’t get hit by that RPG, I countered the magic behind me.)

I pressed the button and sent the post.

“Well, it’s kinda the truth, right?”

* * *

About the time I finished lunch, a video call came in from Saetbyeol.

It was a refreshing moment amidst the tough training.

[Na-me Unni! What’s that turkey? It looks super delicious because it’s so big!]
“Oh, but contrary to how it looks, it wasn’t that great. It was too thick and the leg meat was kind of dry. Oh, hello, Dad!”

[Is the Athlete Village facility good? Is there anywhere uncomfortable?]
“Yes, I’m making friends here and keeping busy training. I’m having fun.”

[Great. I’ll take care of you tomorrow on your interview at Luri Academy. Oh, does Nureongi want to say hi to Na-me Unni too?]
[Woof woof!]

Seeing Nureongi after a long time, he looked really beautiful.

My heart was so filled with joy, his tongue was constantly licking the screen while his tail transformed into a helicopter rotor.

I opened my arms wide in delight and said.

“Nureongi! When we come to America, let’s go for a stroll together! I’m getting tired of just running on the treadmill—”

[Hee-hee!]

“Eh?”

Nureongi didn’t even look back before running away.

“I guess it’s tough for him to walk with his unni, haha…”

Saetbyeol’s confirmatory remark hurt the most.