Author Note : Lately, I've been going through some serious financial difficulties related to my college expenses. It has been quite stressful for me, and because of this, my chapter updates may become irregular for some time. I truly apologize to everyone who has been patiently waiting and supporting my work.
Writing and sharing these chapters with you all means a lot to me, and I deeply appreciate every reader who spends their time on my stories.
If you would like to read more chapters and support my work during this difficult period, you can visit my Patreon:
patreon.com/otaku_Reader
Any support or donation there would genuinely help me continue writing and managing my college expenses.
Thank you all for your understanding, patience, and kindness. It truly means more to me than you know.
Chapter 37: The New Work Attacks [1]
In late October, Alex started drawing Chapter 43.
In this chapter, the Cheese Research Club participated in an inter-school competition. Their new recipe had to compete against teams from other schools.
Akira was nervous. "This is the result of two years of research. We can't fail."
Hachiken comforted her. "We won't fail. The formula is perfect, the process is standard."
"But accidents happen in competitions..." Akira bit her lip.
Hachiken looked at her and suddenly asked, "Senpai, do you believe in science?"
Akira paused.
"If you believe in science, believe in your formula," Hachiken said. "I study veterinary science, and I know one thing—even the most perfect plan can have accidents. But precisely because accidents are possible, we prepare for everything. We've done that. That's enough."
This was what he learned at the vet station—do your best, accept the result.
Akira looked at him and slowly smiled. "Hachiken-kun, you've grown."
The panel froze on their eye contact. Sunlight streamed through the lab window, illuminating them.
Warm. BBeautiful
Alex finished this panel and saved the file.
Outside, autumn leaves fell. In the ranch, John was preparing winter fodder, Sarah was airing quilts.
Peaceful. Real.
Just like the Silver Spoon he drew.
Not exaggerated, not melodramatic, just calmly recording the growth of a group of teenagers and the face of an industry.
But this calmness touched countless people.
Phone buzzed. Sue texted: "Saw the draft for Ch 43. Great. Especially the dialogue between Hachiken and Senpai, very flavorful."
Alex replied: "Yeah."
"Also," Sue added, "about the new work. The Chief asked again. He says the timing is great. Silver Spoon is at its peak; striking while the iron is hot with a new work maximizes influence."
Alex looked at the message, thinking for a few minutes.
Then he replied: "Wait until Silver Spoon reaches chapter 50. Chapter 50 is a node, the end of Hachiken's second year. Starting a new work then is perfect."
"Okay. I'll wait."
_________
The last Monday of December, quarterly meeting of the NextGen Manga Monthly editorial department.
The atmosphere in the conference room was heavy. Editor-in-Chief Lee slammed the latest sales data onto the table, the sharp smack of paper echoing in the silence.
"Latest data: Silver Spoon accounts for 68.7% of the magazine's total readership support." Lee scanned the editors seated around the table, his gaze sharp as a knife. "What does this mean? It means two-thirds of our lifeline is tied to a single series!"
He stood up, tapping his finger on the table. "If Alex Walker's creative state falters, if he suddenly wants to end it, if any accident happens between us and him—the entire magazine could collapse!"
Deputy Editor-in-Chief David Wang spoke up cautiously. "Chief, Alex's creative state is currently very stable, and Silver Spoon is only in the second year..."
"Stable?" Lee interrupted him. "Who can guarantee creativity? We must consider the next step now! If Silver Spoon ends, what do we have to catch this wave of readers? What do we have to maintain the magazine's sales?"
He looked at Sue Vance's empty seat, frowning deeply. "Where is Sue? She should be reporting on Alex's progress and future plans today!"
Just as he finished speaking, the door to the conference room was pushed open violently.
Sue walked in quickly, hugging a thick manila folder at least ten centimeters thick. Her cheeks were flushed, breathing rapid, as if she had just run up the stairs.
"Sorry Chief, I'm late." Sue sat down at her seat, slamming the folder onto the table with a heavy thud. The entire room fell silent.
"What is this?" Lee frowned at the astonishingly thick stack.
Sue didn't answer directly. She took a deep breath and scanned everyone in the roomChief Lee, Deputy Chief David Wang, Fantasy Adventure Section Head Kevin Zhang, Shonen Manga Section Head Chen Ming, Shojo Manga Section Head Linda Lin, and the heads of distribution, marketing, and copyright.
"Before reporting on Alex's progress," Sue stood up, her voice clear and strong, "I want everyone to see something first."
She opened the folder and pulled out a thick stack of A3 manuscript paper. The paper was heavy, the ink lines crisp; even from a few meters away, the intricate detail was visible.
"This is Alex Walker's new work, Fullmetal Alchemist. Complete storyboards for the first three chapters, totaling ninety-two pages." Sue handed the manuscript to Lee with both hands. "Chief, please take a look."
The moment Lee took the manuscript, everyone's eyes focused on him.
Cover Page:Fullmetal Alchemist. The title was written in sharp, blade-like handwriting. Below were the silhouettes of two boys—one profile with an automail arm, and beside him, an empty suit of armor. The atmosphere was gloomy and heavy, a stark contrast to the warm, bright ranch style of Silver Spoon.
Lee's frown deepened. He turned to the first page.
{A town in the rain, dark clouds hanging low. Two young boys stood before an old house. The paneling was clean and restrained, but a sense of oppression washed over the viewer.}
He continued flipping.
{The transmutation circle in the attic, the forbidden incantations, the blinding light, countless black hands reaching out from the circle, and then—screams.
The scene of the failed Human Transmutation unfolded on page three.
There were no gory close-ups, no exaggerated expressions, but the visual language was precise as a scalpel: Edward losing his left leg, Alphonse losing his entire body. Edward sacrificing his right arm to fix his brother's soul to the armor.}
Every panel was as calm as a documentary, but that cruelty and despair poured over the viewer's heart like ice water.
Lee's hand stopped mid-turn.
The conference room was silent, save for the rustle of paper. All editors held their breath, watching the changes in the Chief's expression.
Lee's face shifted from initial seriousness to gravity, from gravity to shock, and finally froze in an indescribable awe. When he reached a certain page, his pupils constricted violently—it was the scene where Edward, fitted with automail, tried to stand for the first time. The mixture of pain, unwillingness, anger, and determination on the boy's face was portrayed vividly.
"This paneling..." Lee muttered to himself. "This composition..."
(To be Continued)
Author Note : Lately, I've been going through some serious financial difficulties related to my college expenses. It has been quite stressful for me, and because of this, my chapter updates may become irregular for some time. I truly apologize to everyone who has been patiently waiting and supporting my work.
Writing and sharing these chapters with you all means a lot to me, and I deeply appreciate every reader who spends their time on my stories.
If you would like to read more chapters and support my work during this difficult period, you can visit my Patreon:
patreon.com/otaku_Reader
Any support or donation there would genuinely help me continue writing and managing my college expenses.
Thank you all for your understanding, patience, and kindness. It truly means more to me than you know.