Chapter 35: Awards Night [2]
Inside the venue, the lighting was soft, seats mostly filled. Sue led him to a front-row seat, next to Marcus Kane, author of Legend of the Sword God.
Marcus Kane was in his forties, wearing glasses, slightly portly. Seeing Alex, he paused, then extended a hand. "Marcus Kane. Long time admirer."
"Alex Walker." He shook hands.
"So young," Marcus sighed. " Silver Spoon is drawn so well. My son reads it, says it's better than mine."
"You're too kind."
"Not kind," Marcus said seriously. "I read your work, I feel ashamed. That professionalism, those details, I can't draw them."
Alex smiled, didn't speak.
The ceremony began. Host banter, performances, minor awards. Alex sat quietly, occasionally whispering with Sue.
"Look over there." Sue signaled him to look to the right. "Editor-in-Chief Zhou from Manga Weekly."
Alex looked. A man in his fifties was looking at him. Their eyes met, Zhou nodded, a greeting.
Alex nodded back.
"He's probably regretting it," Sue whispered. "If Manga Weekly signed you back then, the glory would be theirs now."
"There are no ifs," Alex said.
Finally, it was time for Manga of the Year.
The big screen began playing clips from Silver Spoon.
{Hachiken milking a cow for the first time, the milk hitting the pail.
Delivering a calf, slime and blood on his hands.
Facing death, the empty stall.
Treating an animal independently, sweat dripping from his nose.}
The camera cut to Alex's face. He was calm, expressionless.
The host read the citation: "...This work depicts the most ordinary life with the most realistic strokes. It shows us that manga can be not just fantasy, but life itself..."
The spotlight hit him.
"Please welcome the author of Silver Spoon, Alex Walker!"
Thunderous applause. Alex stood up and walked to the stage. His steps were steady, the black suit shining in the spotlight.
Taking the heavy trophy from the presenter, he walked to the microphone and looked at the audience.
Everyone was looking at him. Reporters, peers, readers, fans.
"Thank you," he began, voice clear. "Thanks to the committee, thanks to the editorial department, thanks to everyone who supports Silver Spoon."
Simple opening.
"Many people ask me why I draw agricultural themes." He paused, looking at the audience. "Not because the theme is special, but because—I want to draw those people who truly exist but are rarely seen. Those who work in the soil, those who deal with life, those who find meaning in the ordinary."
The audience was quiet.
" Silver Spoon is just the beginning," he continued. "Manga can be small, small enough to be just a page. It can also be big, big enough to hold a world, a life, a group of people."
"Thank you for seeing this world."
"Thank you."
He bowed slightly and walked off stage with the trophy. Applause erupted again, warmer than before.
Back in his seat, Sue's eyes were red. "Well said."
"Just the truth," Alex said.
The ceremony continued, but he had finished his task. Sue checked her watch. "We can go. Side door."
They quietly got up and left. Passing Zhou's seat, the rival editor suddenly spoke: "Mr. Walker."
Alex stopped.
Zhou looked at him, eyes complex. " Silver Spoon... is drawn very well. Congratulations."
"Thank you." Alex nodded, then left.
Outside the venue, the night wind blew, slightly cool. Sue handed him a jacket. "Put it on, don't catch a cold."
"No need, not cold."
The car was waiting. Before getting in, Alex looked back at the venue. Bright lights, buzzing voices.
"How was it?" Sue asked.
"Okay," Alex sat in the car. "Simpler than I thought."
"Because you did well," Sue looked at him. "Do you know, what you said on stage today will be in all the headlines tomorrow."
"Doesn't matter."
"No, it matters," Sue said seriously. "You showed everyone Alex Walker isn't just a manga artist; he's a person with ideas, attitude, and power."
The car started. City nightscape flashed by outside the window, skyscrapers, neon lights.
Alex looked at the trophy in his hand. Gold, cold, engraved with his name.
"Sue," he said suddenly.
"Yeah?"
"We can start preparing for the new work."
Sue turned her head sharply. "What genre?"
"Completely different genre." Alex looked out the window. "Hot-blooded, dark, profound, massive. A genre that will shock everyone."
"Do you have a concrete idea?"
"Yes." Alex paused. "When Silver Spoon reaches chapter 50, I'll give you the outline."
"Good." Sue's eyes lit up. "I'll wait."
The car drove out of the city, onto the road back to the ranch. The night deepened, stars visible in the distance.
Alex leaned against the window, closing his eyes.
Today's appearance was just the beginning.
He wanted the world to remember not just the name "Alex Walker."
But the worlds he created.
(To be Continued )
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