I. Enter Seria – the Mysterious Editor

Ingrid

Modern Earth, 20xx+2

“Ky-Ky-Ky-Kyrie-schwenphai!?”

The exhibisionist standing at the stage was extremely dumbfounded. On the sight she was currently seeing. After getting hit by a flying mic that was thrown to her like a Molotov from an FPS game she staggered and tried to support herself before finally falling down at the center of the stage.

She sat and looked at the ‘beauty’ that approached her after she regained her calmness.

Twin-drills, gothic-lolita outfit, a folded parasol at her left hand that she often used as a walking stick. Kyrie was wearing her multi-purposed in-home and outdoor fashion. Maou Spence-sensei’s group (including me) did not have any qualms regarding her outfit nor her actions. It had been a daily sight to us, more like a routine. Ara could care but she quickly lost interest and gave an uncaring smile after seeing Kyrie throw the mic towards Anemone.

What actually amused us was the wheel of fate turning again and this coincidence that this ‘Exhibitionist Delusional Prodigy’ manga artist and this ‘Wall-breaking genius oddity’ assistant actually knew each other.

“Humu. I see you never even changed after I graduated. Annette Monica. Or should I say, Anemone-sensei?”

---

Backtracking a few days led us to when Fred was called by his new Editor.

“Oh, pleased to meet you too Ms. Seria, I will be on your care.”

“…..”

““Uh, thank you for your patronage.”

“……”

Fred dropped the call.

Fred was still devastated with his loss yet another problem seemed to have arisen and will start to trouble him. This was actually one of the things I anticipated after I decided to help Fred to progress with his manga career: chances of him losing his editor or being replaced with a new one. Though things like these often happens at the industry he was in, I felt like it was my fault for not giving him a heads up of the possibilities. I felt responsible for what he’s currently experiencing.

“Uhm… who’s she Fred? The new editor?” –Ara asked Fred. The call was not on loudspeaker so we didn’t really hear the whole conversation. We just heard faint sounds of a middle-aged woman shouting from the other side.

“Yes, the name’s Seria. She seemed like someone with the age of middle-thirties and have lots of experience. This… might not be too bad…”

Fred was still looking indecisive. We may try to influence his decision, but at the end, he’s still the one to pull the trigger and decide. He was the leader of the Maou Spence-sensei team after all.

Why Old man let go of his role as Fred’s editor must be still a puzzle for the other three but I thought I might’ve known the why already. I remembered the date and it was about ‘that’ time of the year already again. By ‘that’ I meant the ‘Fresh Aspirants’ oneshot competition that Fred entered a year ago.

At this age several mangakas brimming with potential are popping out of nowhere and submitting their entries on this competition. At this industry where one must persevere and be consistent in order to provide continuity on his career, just a single miss and he might get swallowed by the talent of these newcomers and get pushed aside from the spotlight.

At that time I thought the new winner had already been selected, yet to be announced. The editor-in-chief must have assigned this Anemone-sensei towards Old man and were asked to choose only one between the two authors.

“…but yea, nevermind, this is really really bad…” –Fred took back his earlier statement

“Why though?” –I asked him.

“I… Don’t… don’t want to associate with another ‘yankee’.”

“What?!” –All three of us were shocked by his answer.

It was only natural that we would be shocked after Fred’s sudden assessment of his new editor.

We knew Old man. We have been working with him for about a year now. And even though he had such a very little amount of patience and levelheadedness, he still acted as a professional during important decision-making instances. We were quite used to how he had been handling us. A part of us also didn’t want to go separate ways with such a good editor, even more to be assigned to an ex-yankee if we were to believe Fred’s first impression of him.

Well, it was too early to decide those things, so I suggested to stop assuming at first.

“I really think we should meet with her first before we proceed to judge her even when we only heard her through phone.”

“Humu. As expected of Miss Landlady.”

The look on Fred’s eyes changed from when Old man left the studio.

If what I thought was right, Old man handed us over to someone even better. Someone who would be able to bring out the full extent of Fred’s potential as a mangaka. I also thought what if Old man saw another set of possibilities that would open up if when he accept the offer to be Anemone’s new editor and just handed us over to whoever was available. But what if he acted selfishly and just thought of his career growth too? That would really betray the trust we’ve put onto him. I really hoped that was not the case.

The mood at the studio was getting tense again so I tried to break the silence with a clap.

“Okay okay guys! Let’s wrap this up for today. Don’t let yourselves get clouded by unnecessary thoughts and think about what’s best for the future. Didn’t Old man said, he would be seeing your oneshot next week Fred? He will come back here and bring your new Editor to have your proper introductions. All of you guys need to take a rest. I think it would be best to resume this tomorrow.”

“I.. guess your right Landlady.” –Ara answered first, stood up and gave a yawn. “Let me hang out at your place for a while Fred. I wanted to watch the news.” –She then walked towards the door and entered the room.

“Hey! Are you trying to shove your supposedly electric bill onto mine?!”

And Ara was gone.

“Humu. Fred. I wanted to talk to you about something…”

It was too sudden to hear those words from Kyrie. She suddenly spoke out of the blue and was being serious. It seemed like he wanted to talk to Fred alone so I felt not to pry in much regarding it. I trust Kyrie. She would not suddenly try to steal Fred away from me (not that I was already in a relationship with Fred).

“Okay, I’ll be at your unit Fred to cook us dinner. Take your time talking. But remember the rule Ara.” –I gave her a warning just to be sure.

“Yes yes Miss Landlady, don’t fret over too much.”

With that confirmation, I left the room.

---

A week after that we were gathering at my unit, waiting for Old man and this ‘Seria’ person to arrive. That morning Fred was called by Old man and was notified that he will be giving Seria a drop because he had to go back to the city to meet up with Anemone.

HONK!!

There was a sound of a car’s horn beside the perimeter of the complex’s yard. A black sedan was parked there. At first I thought I was Kyrie’s parent’s car but I noticed that it was quite a different-looking sedan. Kyrie’s had a luxurious feel so you couldn’t miss to compare it to ordinary sedans.

“Humu. I know what you’re thinking Miss Landlady, I apologize in advance my parents are not yet pulling me out of here.”

“What good will it bring Fred if your parents pull you from our team right now? Quit joking like that”

“Sigh… What are you two even arguing about? I’m getting nervous here. I knew old man was not the type to buy himself a car, but what if that car was really Old man’s? Did his salary while being with me not cope up with his necessities that he needed to drop me and get another mangaka? The thought gives me chills.”

And Old man went out of the sedan.

“See? That car’s really his… WHAAAAT!!!!??”

Question number one: Who was inside the car?

That question was immediately answered when Old man went out. He did not even let us discuss more about the honking car that parked at the front of my apartment complex. But why was Fred too shocked? I was even more shocked that Old man just decided to get his own at a very late time. It was very normal for someone who’s required to travel back and forth by his line of work to get one.

“Come on now Fred, an Old man that always commutes here and there does not mean that he won’t ever decide to get himself a car. You can’t do that.”

“Bu-But! He said—he said it’s a pain in the ass!” –puzzled as he was while pointing to Old man.

Question number two: Who was this ‘Seria’ that will be Fred’s new author.

That question was immediately answered too as a woman wen’t out of the other side of the car. The dignified-looking woman stood straight while wearing a camo-green tracksuit. The tracksuit had black lining at her sleeves and pants. She wore a white undershirt that was visible due to the half-opened tracksuit jacket. Her cobalt blue hair was quite similar to Ingrid’s but just different in color. It was ponytailed at the top back part and the wavy hair swayed at her back. She was wearing glasses too.

Aside from her usual looks, she was carrying a hand bag and a hangered suit that she carried with her left hand. It should be what she will be wearing for the upcoming event that night. Besides her absolute composure, you could sense the different air around her, something quite different than what Old man had when we first met him.

“NO!! I DON’T WANT TO ASSOCIATE WITH YOU!” –Fred shouted from afar. He must have still remembered the fear he had from their last call.

“I’m telling you Fred this is for your own career development!” –Old man shouted back at him.

“NO!! YOU COME BACK!!”

“Hey quit shouting. You might disturb other tenants. You might as well gather here at the yard instead.”

“Er… Landlady you might want to realize that we are ‘all other tenants’ you’re talking about.”

“Oh right…”

I saw Miss* Seria murmured something towards Old man and handed him over the hangered dress and the handbag. She then went towards the trunk of the sedan, opened it, and got something I could not let pass.

The thing she was holding was nostalgic. It felt like I haven’t seen one in ages. A few years ago Kyrie have assembled an all-weapon room at the unit above me which she called ‘Arsenal’. It was composed of all-illegal types of smuggled weapons from the sharpest blades to the heaviest guns and artillery. I took a look at Kyrie and saw her showing quite a bit of interest too. Among the weapons she had before all of them were disposed due to her stubborn acts, one of them was a kendo-stick.

“Uhm… Old man? Care to explain what’s about to happen?”

“Can’t you tell?! It’s disciplinary action!” –But Seria was the one who answered him.

“NO NO NO THAT’S NOT ON THE CONTRACT I’VE SIGNED WITH YOUR COMPANY!!”

“ORA!! I HOPE YOU ARE READY FOR A BEATING!” –Seria shouted while holding the kendo-stick being supported at the top of her right shoulder.

“NO!! NEVER!! I WON’T ACCEPT YOU AS MY NEW EDITOR!! I DON’T WANT AN EX-YANKEE-NOW-AN-EDITOR TO GUIDE MY ON MY CHOSEN CAREER PATH!!”

A while ago it was a very normal scene where we were waiting for the two editors to arrive but now it was like a scene from any sitcom movies where the protagonist is being chased by his P.E. teacher while carrying a kendo stick.

Scenarios like these always filled up my apartment complex ever since Ara, Kyrie and Fred arrived.

“Sigh… What are you two even doing?” –I said as old man finally approached our spot inside the yard.

Fred, running in circles immediately ran out of stamina and caught by Seria.

---

“First of all, let me apologize for hitting you with a kendo-stick.”

Seria humbly bowed down formally at the center table.

We were inside my unit. It was the best-looking unit at my apartment complex I could offer to a first-timer. I offered them snacks like biscuit and chips, and Kyrie served us tea. Her ojou-sama air in her looked very natural as she poured the tea at the cups that she provided. I really wondered though why she had cups enough for several people.

The living room area at my unit was really that big when it was only me and Fred using it. I was really shocked that the spot that was usually spacious for us were now became quite a bit cramped for six people. I wondered too if it was because of the arrangement of the sofa set or the orientation of the room itself was designed just for a person or two.

“Uhm.. It’s fine, it’s fine, you don’t need to concern so much. It was a bit of our fault for immediately judging you and be intimidated.” –I answered the middle-aged woman.

“NO IT’S NOT! I WAS ABUSED! I’M GOING TO CHARGE YOU WITH GRAVE ASSAULT!!” –Fred was furiously trying to persuade everyone that he was at the right. Like at the sitcom movies I have watched. I imagned him looking like those with multiple lumps at his head, black-eye and bruises at his face. I giggled a bit, but that’s not really the case. It was just a clean single hit and Fred was immediately pinned at the ground, no further resistance.

“Heh, go on and try!” –she answered with a smug. I really didn’t get why she kept on taunting Fred though.

“Fred that’s enough. Come on now, show respect to your new editor.” –Ara (imouto) tried to stop Fred.

“Yes Fred. I’ve explained the situation to you already didn’t I?” –Old man coaxed too.

Old man explained the situation to Fred right after we gathered inside my unit the current situation. It was just as I expected: Anemone-sensei was the new winner for this year’s ‘Fresh Aspirants’ and Old man’s editor in chief introduced him to her. It was not like he immediately decided. His editor in chief had him weigh take his time making the decision. That’s why he went here last week and talked with Fred about it.

What I wondered was what really made him take the decision? His story was quite not enough to answer the whole question we had. I thought it was due to he was just embarrassed to tell us that he wanted to progress with his career too, If I’m not mistaken.

Deep within my thought I was cut in by the sudden silence. Everyone was looking towards Fred.

His eyes were closed, he was in deep thought like I did. He was about to make a decision.

He then opened his eyes, it was everyone’s awaited moment of truth.

“Stuff like these happens even here, huh?” –as I was close to him I was the one able to hear what he mumbled silently.

He seemed to reminisce something. It must be another set of events that he experienced way back at Mytherion. I, being the only one at the room who knew of his real identity, should be one of the person he was hoping for that would accept his decision no matter what. I will never betray his trust. I didn’t, I don’t and never won’t. That’s how much I’ve been cherishing him for the past year already.

As long as it would take, I will be waiting for him to completely tell me his history from the world he once lived at.

He then opened his eyes and looked at Old man seriously. It was a look of parting. I knew what he was going to answer, but it was not like he won’t be able to meet up with old man anymore. He could always ask him up to drink here at my unit, or even at the nearest bar at the town. He was just a drive away, and not parallel worlds away.

“It’s been a pleasure working with you. I will be respecting your decision. Also Miss Seria, I apologize for the rudeness earlier. I will be looking forward to work with you. Please guide me and lead me towards utilizing my full potential. I won’t lose to anybody, even Anemone-sensei. But I will still charge you with assault for earlier.”

“Hah! As long as you realize your mistakes.”

Ara smiled like someone that had a torn taken out of her heart. She must felt really relieved now. I noticed that she was the one very anxious a while ago. I really hoped that her aneki mode was the one that took over her at that times, but it seemed like she was having a rest. She have been restless for the whole week of working.

Kyrie just looked away and gave her “Humu. Well I knew this would happen anyways” smile. I just wondered what was going on with her mind during those times. A part of me also wondered too what she had talked about with Fred a week ago too.

“Okay!!” –Old man interrupted the joyous celebration of Fred’s acceptance of his new editor.

“I remembered we talked last week that I would be seeing your oneshot draft this week right?”

“Yes, I’ve been aware of that. I… No, we have prepared one.”

“Hmp. Now we’re talking. Also. I will only be a spectator at this one. It was true that it will be my last order for you. But it is also true that it will be the very first time that you will be handled by my colleague here, Seria. This will be her very first task as your new editor. I am only here today because I was curious of the new story you have made, and to oversee this. Besides, I should be transparent now that I’ve been assigned to a new author. All the other work, will be handled by Seria. Fine by you?”

“Yes, fine by me.” –Fred willingly agreed.

“Hmp. referring me just as your colleague. You’re getting cocky, using your current position just the way you like because you just got promoted the same level as me, huh?”

Seria seemed like she was about to reveal something about their past but she decided to cut to the chase.

“Remember, ‘Old man’ here is decades too early to be an editor of an author that’s brimming with potential. That’s what I saw in your oneshot work. I’ve classified you as a raw gem, and I decided to take the role of polishing you into something better this Old man couldn’t. Always remember: all the pampering and spoiling he shown you the past year, you won’t experience with me.”

We just heard a grave premonition of incoming death. We decided to brush that off and pretended we heard nothing and had her continue her introduction.

“The road to becoming a popular mangaka is not as easy as you think it is Fledgeling. Now hand me over that oneshot.”

Without another moment to waste Fred handed over his second draft.

It was the fruit of our past week’s labor.

Seria and Old man gave it a read.

…

…

They finished reading the draft.

That draft was the product of our exerted efforts. We’ve been working on it for the past week and at that moment we felt like it was being subjected to a trial by fire. From Fred, doing his best as the lead of our team, up to his assistants Ara and Kyrie, up to me who provided most moral support (I was not too reliable regarding drawing manga but at least I could do other stuff to lessen the load of work to them). We were quite confident to the fruits of our labor.

It was about time we see Seria’s skills as an editor. She was about to give her verdict.

“Hmmm. Let’s see. The story is quite interesting. As expected of Maou Spence-sensei.”

Fred let had a breath of relief. But:

“However, I really think Old man here has something to say. You already told them you won’t interfere, so let’s have your comment act as something from the reader’s perspective.”

She pointed out Old man. It was true that he was the very one that requested us to do a oneshot before handing the team over to Seria. Though his assessment won’t give that much bearing towards our team’s work anymore, I was still quite curious about what he had to say. I thought it was the same for the other three too. It was quite not that long yet since we last worked with him. Perhaps Seria was right. We should look to what he’s to say as something from the reader’s perspective.

“Hmm… Well I’ll be troubled. But Old Seria here had a point. I’ll give you one last free service and say my thoughts as a reader’s perspective…”

Everybody went silent. Everybody on our team got too accustomed to the Old man that was doing his job as an editor. That was quite new to us. We really wanted to see Old man giving comments and suggestions just as a normal ‘reader’.

“I’d say…”

“……”

Old man crossed his arms in an X position

“It’s a no so it’s rejected”

WHACK!!

Seria rolled the oneshot draft and smashed Old man’s head towards it. We saw him nearly passed out and had his eyeballs rolled out. Besides from being too shocked, we’re also having mixed feelings about what happened. We knew not even Fred could try to match up with though he were not even a match towards him in terms of physical strength. But being shown the sorry state of Old man after getting hit by seria which we never once seen the whole year we’ve been working with him, all we could do was to wonder how strong Seria was.

“Quit acting childish and give out an honest comment.” –Seria said being too irritated.

“Come on now, don’t burden me anymore with such heavy tasks, I’ve already pulled out from your team didn’t I?”

WHACK!!

“What?!!” –Old man was already getting his ass whopped, which was quite a super-rare sight to us.

“Fine fine. Just leave the Old man be. He’s just too tired of you guys already.”

“Hey don’t make me look like the bad guy here!”

“Of course you are! You suddenly left last week leaving them hanging on a thread and ordering them to create a oneshot then suddenly you told them you were handing them over to another editor then now you’re acting like this doesn’t concern you? You telling me none of these were way irresponsible? Huh???”

Seria’s attitude and way of speaking suddenly changed. It was like she turned from a dignified and composed lady to an unrefined kid who tries to talk sense to someone using force. If I were to compare it to someone it would be a yankee, perhaps.

“Sheesh… fine, fine. I’m going to say this, you most certainly have improved. This most certainly is a work that could serialize, but definitely not as good as your award-winning oneshot.”

The fact that Old man said it that way proved he was serious this time. Being a fan one could not avoid to compare the works being done by their favorite author. There are few people who were avid supporters who liked every single work that the author release, but there were times comparison won’t be avoided, especially to those who considered as their greatest works.

Seria did not even need to voice out her opinion. She must have been thinking the same as Old man did.

Fred must’ve known that it would come to this. Despite the awards and the reputation he built up for himself, being a mangaka also have its ups and downs, just the same as it did when he was still the Maou back at Mytherion.

Not serializing something at the moment will eventually use up all the savings he had. Also, Fred just started at this industry so he really did not have any choice but to build up a steady reader base first. There should be only one best decision to make.

Fred was left with silence. He had two great editors assisting him at the moment.

“Well, there you have it my cute little fledgling. You decide: you serialize this one or you could produce better?”

All that was left for Fred was to make the decision.