Gourmet Gaming

Chapter 1128

When Brelin heard the news that the Beyond the Heavens Empire would build an academy, he began to study and learn various things. And when the academy opened its doors, he proudly entered as a scholarship student.

The Obren bag he was using was something he bought by doing odd jobs like washing the dishes, cleaning, and throwing trash. He worked hard to avoid being ridiculed by the other children.

Brelin was good at a variety of things. He was so good that the word genius was not used in vain to describe him. Because of that, many people noticed him. The other children in his class all followed him because he tended to take care of them as if he were their hyung.

‘I want to become a Pillar that can lead the world.’

Like other kids his age, Brelin had high aspirations and dreams. It was like how kids would say, ‘When I grow up, I will become an emperor!’ or ‘When I grow up, I will become this kind of existence!’ It was the same thing.

Brelin was different from the other children. Despite only being nine years old, he had already started working hard to achieve his dreams. His hands were only a child, but they were already covered with calluses.

‘I’m no longer a kid.’

A nine-year-old was already a grown-up.

“Brelin. What would you like to drink?”

“I’ll have the usual, please.”

“...?”

“It’s cocoa. Ah, please add some milk, too. And don’t stir it.”

“...?”

The Luvien Empire.

The place where young talents from all over the world would gather and compete was filled with a huge crowd, and even its interior was quite huge.

“Woaaah...”

“Director...”

“Huh? Eh?” Rundalk turned to look at Brelin in confusion.

‘Where did that come from?’

A small teddy bear was hanging from Brelin's bag, and he was still savoring his cocoa. When Rundalk looked around, he saw that someone was giving the children dolls as a gift for visiting the Luvien Empire.

‘Isn’t he very quick on his feet...?’

Then, Brelin said, “Please don’t forget our dignity and pride. We came here to represent the Beyond the Heavens Empire.”

One of the class teachers approached them. They said, “Love class?”

“Yeees!” Brelin answered in reflex as he glanced at Rundalk.

“So, the name of our class is Love. Fufu.”

“Hoo... How long do I have to keep up with this childish rhythm? Anyway, just be careful not to get lost,” Brelin said as he grabbed the helm of Rundalk’s clothes and looked around like an excited child.

Rundalk looked at the cute child and followed his guidance.

When the children from different empires and kingdoms gathered together, their chatter made the entire hall quite noisy.

“The Beyond the Heavens Empire’s Emperor is coming to the Luvien Empire?!”

“Woaaaaah!”

“Are they talking about His Majesty Minhyuk?!”

“Why?”

“I heard he would negotiate something with the Great Luvien Empire.”

“Woaaaaah...”

“The Beyond the Heavens Empire is amazing! I can’t believe they’re even negotiating with the Great Luvien Empire!”

Brelin’s heart thumped wildly when he heard those words. He had always been looking at His Majesty from a distance. To him, His Majesty Minhyuk was his idol and the person he wanted to become when he was older.

“You must respect our dear Minhyuk, huh?”

“...You’re talking about that story again? About how you, the director, are the Supreme and that you’re His Majesty Minhyuk’s grandfather? I am no longer a child. So, please watch your words and speak courteously when talking about His Majesty Minhyuk before me.”

A soft smile appeared on Rundalk’s face as he said, “Alright.”

Not long after, Rundalk and the students of Sprout Academy were guided inside the venue.

‘This child will reach great heights.’

Sprout Academy taught a variety of things, including cooking and farming. Of course, swordsmanship and magic were also taught. All of the students learned a bit of everything.

Rundalk was very surprised when he saw Brelin. This was the first time he had seen such thick calluses in the hands of a young boy. The young boy also possessed energy that should have been very difficult for a child to possess. That may be the reason why Brelin became the representative of the Beyond the Heavens Empire.

A huge banner greeted them not long after when they entered the hall where the competition would occur.

Brelin said, “My heart feels full.”

“I see. Your heart...”

[?World Cutie Competition?]

“...feels full, huh?”

Brelin’s expression grew solemn.

Just like that, the World Cutie Competition has begun.

***

‘I’m so happy.’

Rundalk, with a fatherly smile on his face, looked at the cute children in front of him.

‘It would have been nice if Bellamy also came with us.’

Bellamy was going to start attending school next week, but the young girl said that she liked Annie. Not only did she follow her beloved Annie, but she even went to sleep with her.

‘I also want to sleep with Bellamy...’

Rundalk felt sad for no reason. However, he thought that it was still okay. After all, Bellamy seemed to be adapting well to the Beyond the Heavens Empire while following Haze around.

He laughed as he watched the cuties fight.

‘So this is what happiness is.’

Of course, Rundalk could not take his eyes off of Brelin.

‘I believe the average age of the children participating in the World Cutie Competition is around eight years old, right?’

Although Brelin was nine years old, he was a little small compared to the other children of the same age. So, there seemed to be no difference between him and his opponents.

Not long after, Brelin destroyed the magic armor worn by the other child.

The magic armor protected the children from the impact of the attacks they received. It also created a transparent barrier that protected their faces. With the magic armor on, the attack's impact would only feel as if they were being tickled.

The one who broke the opponent’s magic armor would be considered the winner.

Brelin, who had once again knocked down his opponent, was surprisingly undefeated. Rundalk was incredibly pleased with this fact. It was as if his son had won the fight with how he was reacting.

“Th-that’s a child from my class! He’s a child from my class! Hahahahaha! Brelin! I’m over here!”

“D-director?”

“Director...?”

He waved his hands at Brelin while the defeated child cried loudly in the background. The other children in Brelin’s class hurriedly tried to stop Rundalk.

Brelin sighed and looked at Rundalk. He thought, ‘The director is truly unrestrained. I have to take good care of him from now on.’

Brelin believed Rundalk was not a bad person. Of course, he was just someone who lied a lot. Anyway, Brelin, who acted more like an adult than Rundalk, soothed the crying child on the ground.

“Sob. Our Brelin is truly a gentleman.”

Rundalk, unfamiliar with the strange feeling of delight, could not control himself. Regardless of his reaction, Brelin continued to win and climb the ranks.

Then, the long-awaited finals had started. Many prominent figures from the Luvien Empire had appeared to watch the finals. And sitting among them was the newly risen Star of the Luvien Empire, Duke Vakkaman.

Loud cheers erupted when a boy climbed into the finals stage.

“Our Luvien Empire’s genius!”

“Brent!”

“The current regime’s dukes recognize his talent!”

Brent was a boy who was a whole thirty centimeters taller than Brelin.

‘That’s an eight-year-old boy?’

He looked more like he was fifteen years old.

Rundalk perked his ears and listened to the words of the people around him.

“According to the rumors, the Great Luvien Empire has given that child their full support.”

“Yeah. From what I heard, that boy will become another Star of the empire when he grows up.”

“He’s a boy with 100 wins and no losses!”

Rundalk wondered momentarily why the people cheered so loudly for this child. Considering the child's force and momentum, he then felt it made sense.

Soon, the finals began. It was evident that the undefeated Brent was outstanding.

‘Amazing. What happened in this era? Or is the past just nothing but an old tale now?’

When Rundalk saw Brelin, he thought the child was remarkable. Of course, the undefeated boy fighting against Brelin was also quite a formidable child.

‘He’s on par with Brelin regarding skills and abilities.’

Regardless, there was a difference between the two. The difference was none other than the destructive force that came with one’s weight class. Brent’s mad swings were constantly pushing Brelin back. However, Brelin had used his small stature to his advantage.

‘He already knows how to overcome his shortcomings and use it to his advantage? Ho!’

Brelin was indeed an outstanding boy. Because he was small, he was much faster than his opponent. He could also use his small stature to dig into the gaps of Brent’s wide-motion attacks and constantly attack his opponent’s magic armor.

Bang, bang, bang–!

Exclamations rang from the stands.

Because this was a battle between the representatives of the Beyond the Heavens Empire and the Luvien Empire, it could also be considered a battle of pride. That was also why Duke Vakkaman, who had just come here to kill time, started to show interest.

Boom–

“Aura?!”

A faint light appeared on Brent’s sword, which swung non-stop. It was an incredible sight. After all, the boy was still just eight years old.

Baaaaang–!

Of course, the aura was still fragile. But when that aura struck Brelin’s magic armor, it instantly cracked its surface.

Crack, crack, crack–!

Ultimately, Brelin could not withstand the attack and fell on his back.

Rundalk released a sigh of regret. ‘We los...’

Just when the final attack was about to land, something made Rundalk’s eyes grow wide—a small flame burned from Brelin’s hands.

“Ma-magic swordsman?!”

The tiny fireball struck Brent straight in the chest.

Boom–!

Brent was sent flying back. And his magic armor? It was instantly shattered.

Meanwhile, Rundalk was left stunned. He thought, ‘He’s only at that age and already very skilled in swordsmanship. Not only that, he’s also well-versed in magic?!’

Rundalk immediately corrected his thoughts. This young boy named Brelin would reach a higher stage than he could imagine.

Brelin bowed politely after the end of their fair game. Of course, he was feeling very ecstatic. He thought, ‘I’ve destroyed Brent’s armor.’

Now, he would win this competition and receive tremendous recognition.

“It was a great match. And the winner is...”

Brelin smiled brightly.

“Brent! Brelin has committed a foul.”

“...?!”

“...?!”

Brelin’s thumping heart immediately cooled down while Rundalk’s face grew ugly.

“What...?”

Rundalk found it to be ridiculous. Brelin remained calm.

“What foul did I commit to forfeit my victory?”

When the referee heard the question, he glanced at Duke Vakkaman. Then, he said, “This is a competition where you use your weapons to fight. You have used magic, and it is considered a form of cheating.”

Rundalk’s face grew red from anger. This was because it was bullshit, nothing but their benefit. At this moment, he realized that there was one thing that would never change even after thousands of years: the abuse of power.

“Waaaaaaah!”

The thunderous cheers of the audience buried Brelin’s unjust defeat. However, the Supreme Rundalk’s anger burned even brighter because of that. He shouted, “From what I heard, the Luvien Empire is the greatest empire of the current era?!”

“Who are you...?” The referee asked.

“I am the director of the Sprout Academy!”

“So, you’re the director.”

The referee’s gaze flitted between Duke Vakkaman and Rundalk. At that moment, the referee thought, ‘Right now, the contest is being held by the Luvien Empire, and you are in the presence of the duke of the said empire. Yet you, a mere director of an academy, dared to speak out like this?’

Yes, the situation was just like that. This made Rundalk’s anger reach the extreme. He clenched his fist and shouted, “I was once the Sup...!”

He wanted to say what he was in the past. If their power and influence determined the victory and defeat of this competition, then he should just pressure them and make them bow with his own power.

“Our Sprout Academy’s Director, Mr. Supreme. That’s enough.” Brelin approached Rundalk and grabbed the hem of his clothes.

“...?”

With his Obren bag hanging on his back, he said, “Right now, His Majesty is negotiating with the Luvien Empire. It wouldn’t be good for us to create a commotion.”

“...?”

That was right. Brelin was aware of his situation. He was merely an orphan. And the Beyond the Heavens Empire should wait to show their fangs against the Luvien Empire. There was also no reason for a child like him to be the cause of the disruption of the transaction between the two empires.

Brelin knew he was just one child among tens of millions of people under Minhyuk’s command. Perhaps the Beyond the Heavens Emperor might not even want his existence.

“Brelin, you...”

Rundalk recalled the look of respect that Brelin sported when he heard about Minhyuk. At this moment, he realized what Brelin wanted to do.

“Minhyuk is not the type of person that you think he is. Minhyuk has always been fighting for the sake of you...”

“I don’t have the energy to listen to any more of your lies today. Please call him His Majesty Minhyuk,” Brelin said, a smile on his face. But Rundalk could feel the boy shake through the fist tightening on the hem of his clothes.

Brelin, with his Obren bag on his back, pursed his lips tightly as he walked toward the exit of the tournament hall. As he continued to walk like that, tears began to fall on his cheeks.

The young boy named Brelin was an orphan. That was why he worked harder than everybody else. This was so he could grow stronger and move further. Alas, at such a young age, he was forced to realize that this world was full of adults who ruled with power.

“Keuhuhuhuhuk!” The crying Brelin suddenly felt someone tall and huge reach out and hug him from behind.

“It’s not good for children to mature this fast, no?”

The one who hugged Brelin was none other than their liar director.

“If you want to cry, then cry. If you want to get angry, then get angry. If you want to shout, then shout.”

It was pretty funny. The liar, who introduced himself as the Supreme and said he was around 4,900 years old, was now a great source of comfort and warmth for Brelin.

Brelin still held himself back. He thought, ‘The Beyond the Heavens’ Emperor would not want the situation to unfold like that...’

At that moment, a very shocking sound rang.

[The God Who Rules Over All Armies is looking at the young boy.]

At the same time, Rundalk said, “The reason why adults are called adults is because they are there to lead you guys to the right path and help you grow. Children would often make mistakes and do things that are beyond common sense. Nonetheless, it’s fine. Because you’re young.”

[The God Who Rules Over All Armies looks at the young boy and nods.]

Rundalk hugged Brelin tightly as they listened to what he had to say.

[He is telling you not to back down.]

[He is telling you not to avoid it.]

[He is telling you to fight back.]

Rundalk turned Brelin in his arms. He looked into the boy’s eyes and smiled softly. Then, he said, “Curse, fight, throw stones at them. It’s fine. We, the adults, will be the ones who will take responsibility for your actions.”

[The God Who Rules Over All Armies promises the young boy.]

[He will put everything on the line just to protect you!]