Chapter 44: The Moment of Showdown
The last weekend of July, the industry's eyes focused on the new issues of two magazines.
NextGen Manga Monthly would publish Fullmetal Alchemist Chapter 8, with the formal debut of Riza Hawkeye.
Manga Weekly would launch Stardust Mage Chapter 3, with new character Cecilia Silvermoon debuting in a highly impactful way.
At the editorial weekly meeting, Lee looked serious. "This issue is a head-on confrontation. Stardust's new character is clearly aiming at Ross, but their approach is more direct, more 'servicing readers.' We need to be mentally prepared—their approval rating might spike."
Sue nodded. "But we are confident in the content quality. Alex polished the character of Hawkeye for a long time. She represents the other side of military loyalty, contrasting with Ross, and will have subtle chemical reactions with Edward."
"Reader feedback estimate?"
"Polarized." Kevin Zhang pushed his glasses. "Those who like it will love it, thinking this is high-level character building. Those who don't might feel it's 'too restrained' or 'not gratifying enough.' But we analyzed our core readership—they pursue depth and reality, which is exactly our advantage."
Lee pondered. "Then let the work speak. Reprint 20% more this issue; we want to suppress them in sales."
Ranch, morning.
Alex sat at his desk, making final adjustments to Chapter 8. He had deliberated Hawkeye's debut many times—she couldn't steal the show too much, nor be too plain. In limited space, he had to establish a female soldier image that was calm, professional, loyal to the extreme, yet revealed gentleness in certain details.
More importantly, the first meeting between Hawkeye and Edward had to lay the groundwork for future interactions. That mutual recognition based on professional ability, that subtle eye contact within the system framework, that vague trust and probing.
He modified a line of dialogue, adjusted a panel angle, then saved the file.
Sarah called from outside: "Al, breakfast!"
"Coming."
At the table, John looked at him. "Seen you staying up late recently."
"Rushing a manuscript," Alex said simply.
"Don't get too tired." Sarah served him food. "Lots of people read your comic now. The town is saying you're a big manga artist."
Alex paused. "Just a guy who draws comics."
"That's still impressive." John said more than usual. "Henderson said your comic sells best in the bookstore. Lots of out-of-towners come specifically to buy it."
Alex nodded, saying nothing. He knew the work was popular, but he cared more about the work itself—the characters, the stories, the things he wanted to express.
Saturday morning, magazines hit the shelves.
Outside the Oak Creek Bookstore, students rushed in as soon as Mr. Henderson opened the door.
"Boss! Two NextGen, one Manga Weekly!"
"Me too! Both!"
"FMA Chapter 8! Waited all week!"
Students crowded the counter; Henderson sweated as he worked. He noticed many were buying both—rare in the past.
"Comparing them, huh," he thought.
10:00 AM. First feedback on the forum.
Discussion on FMA Chapter 8 quickly built threads:
"Riza Hawkeye debuts! Colonel Mustang's adjutant!"
"This character has such a unique vibe! Calm, professional, sharp eyes!"
"Her first meeting with Edward was killer! That eye contact, nothing said, but everything said!"
"Hawkeye commenting on Edward's automail professionally! That's what a soldier should look like!"
"But when she mentioned the Philosopher's Stone, her tone changed subtly... foreshadowing!"
Even more exciting for readers was Ross's brief scene. Handing over Edward's file to Hawkeye, they had a dialogue:
{"Lieutenant Hawkeye, this is the Fullmetal Alchemist's complete file."
"I've read it. Second Lieutenant Ross, what is your evaluation of him?"
"Professional ability excellent, but too idealistic. Needs someone watching him, don't let him go down the wrong path."
"That will be my job then."}
Short sentences, huge info.
"Ross calls Hawkeye 'Lieutenant'! Hawkeye outranks her!"
"They clearly know and understand each other!"
"'Needs someone watching'—is Ross entrusting him to her?"
"Hawkeye says 'That will be my job'—so she's taking over monitoring Edward?"
"This relationship web is getting complex!"
Meanwhile, feedback on Stardust Mage Chapter 3 also exploded.
Cecilia Silvermoon's debut was indeed impactful—sneaking into the protagonist's room at night, silver hair gleaming in the moonlight, calmly announcing "From today on, I will monitor you 24 hours a day," then lying directly on his bed.
Forum heat soared:
"Cecilia's debut... I call it a good move!"
"Silver-haired military beauty night raid! Who can resist!"
"Formulaic, but really gratifying..."
"Compared to FMA's restraint, Stardust is shoving fan service in your face."
Industry attention focused on data feedback.
12:00 PM. Flash data from both magazines released.
Fullmetal Alchemist Chapter 8 approval rating 69.8%, up 0.9 points from Chapter 7, returning to the 70% mark.
Stardust Mage Chapter 3 approval rating surged to 58.7%, up 8.7 points, a new high for the series.
Data-wise, Stardust seemed to have stronger momentum. But industry insiders knew—different baselines. It was hard for FMA to gain every point at the nearly 70% high level, while Stardust was surging from a 50% base.
However, ordinary readers didn't look at this. Comparison threads appeared on the forum:
"Rational Discussion: Stardust approval skyrockets, FMA grows slowly. Does this mean readers prefer direct style?"
"+1, Cecilia's night raid was cool, Hawkeye is professional but too restrained."
"But can Stardust compare to FMA's character depth?"
"Can you eat depth? Manga is for gratification!"
"If you want gratification go read adult manga! Why read serious manga!"
Controversy rose again.
2:00 PM. Sue received Lee's call.
"Saw the data?" Lee's voice was calm.
"Saw it. Stardust charged hard, but we held our base and rose slightly."
"Industry opinion?"
"Some say we are 'too aloof' and 'don't service readers enough.' But more professional reviews affirm our character building, considering Hawkeye one of the best female soldier images in years."
"Alex's reaction?"
"He's calm." Sue paused. "He said works have different target readers. Stardust services those seeking instant gratification; FMA services those seeking depth and reality. The market is big enough for different types."
Lee laughed. "He's open-minded. But we can't let our guard down. Zhou's move is tacky but effective. He'll definitely make more moves."
"So we..."
"Proceed as planned." Lee said. "When is Chapter 9 out?"
"Next weekend. It's the arc where Edward and Alphonse investigate the Fifth Laboratory, major plot development."
"Good. Speak with plot. When the story is brilliant enough, superficial fan service won't matter."
In the Manga Weekly Editor-in-Chief's office, the atmosphere was much warmer.
Zhou looked at the 58.7% approval data, finally smiling. "See? This is what readers want! Direct! Active! Fan service!"
The responsible editor said cautiously, "But there is some industry criticism that we are too pandering..."
"Pandering?" Zhou sneered. "Sales are the hard truth. Reprint 30% this issue, push it all out. Also, have Starfire prepare Chapter 4—Cecilia and the protagonist need more intimate interaction, but bury a twist foreshadowing."
"Twist?"
"Yes." Zhou's eyes flashed with calculation. "Cecilia approaching the protagonist might have ulterior motives. But don't reveal it immediately, keep it looming. This maintains gratification and adds depth—we need 'depth' too."
"Understood."
"Also," Zhou added, "keep spreading word in the industry that FMA's characters are 'too uptight' and 'out of touch.' Reinforce this impression—we service readers; they are narcissistic."
"Isn't that too..."
"Too what?" Zhou interrupted. "Commercial competition is like this. While the momentum is good, we need to widen the gap. Once readers get used to our style, it'll be hard for them to switch back."
Ranch, evening.
Alex browsed the forum discussions. He saw the comparisons, the controversies, the debates about "depth" vs "gratification."
He wasn't surprised. In his past life, this debate always existed. Some always thought profound works should be niche, and popular works must be shallow. But the truth is, truly great works can be both profound and popular.
Fullmetal Alchemist was such a work. It explored humanity, war, ethics, but the story was exciting enough, characters vivid enough, emotions sincere enough. It didn't rely on fan service to please readers, yet countless readers were moved, thoughtful, and remembering.
This was the realm he pursued.
Phone buzzed. Sue texted: "Saw the discussions? Don't mind those voices. True connoisseurs understand FMA's value."
Alex replied: "I don't mind. I'm thinking about how to draw Chapter 9 better."
Putting down the phone, Alex opened his computer and pulled up the storyboard draft for Chapter 9.
(To be Continued)
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