How to Live as a Martial Arts Writer in a Fantasy World

43 – 43. Leila(2)

43.

“Princeston has invited you?”

“…Yes.”

“Are you playing around with me now, Allen?”

As he looked at Felicia’s puffed-up face, Allen broke out into a cold sweat.

“Aren’t we not in a relationship in the first place, Your Highness?”

“You’re calling me ‘Your Highness’ again, Allen?”

No matter how much he practiced, the words would not stick to his tongue. What was he supposed to do about that?

Alan sighed inwardly.

Of course, getting attention from a beauty like Felicia wasn’t bad, but it was true that the attention was a bit burdensome.

“I’m still not used to it…”

“Try to get used to it. Do you know how upset I am? Except for Belsta and Mea, there isn’t anyone you call by their names. That’s serious.”

“Not particularly serious…”

“It is serious. What do you think of the academy, Alan?”

At Felicia’s words, Alan scratched his cheek.

“It’s a place of study.”

“That’s fundamental, yes. But in Versa Academy, countless talents gather. Commoners, nobles, royals, without distinction. Talented commoners strive to seize the chance of a lifetime here. The same goes for lower nobles.”

At the mention of lower nobles, Stella, who stood behind Felicia, flinched.

As a member of the lower noble Evans family, she couldn’t easily overlook the conversation.

Alan looked at her.

“What is it, Stella? Are you pricked by this?”

“Me, me? There’s nothing pricking me! Hmm! I’m satisfied being the princess’s escort!”

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“Your voice is shaking.”

“I said it’s not! I am confident!”

At Alan’s words, Stella turned her head.

Her demeanor seemed completely pricked by something. As Alan snickered, Felicia tilted her head.

“When did you start talking like this with Stella, Alan?”

“During this help?”

“But what about me?”

“Why does the conversation always turn that direction….”

“I’m really upset, you know?”

Felicia squinted her eyes.

“Moreover, I couldn’t get the fourth volume. But Alan, you promised to give the first editions to Stella and the other nine representatives for the contest?”

“That was my way of showing appreciation….”

“Isn’t it the nine people who received help that should show appreciation! Why is Alan showing appreciation!”

At Felicia’s vehement protest, Alan scratched his cheek, seemingly at a loss for words.

In fact, it’s the first-year representatives who received the help, not Alan. The students who received the first editions from him should be the ones apologizing to Alan.

Of course, from Allen’s perspective, he didn’t just throw money around. He gave it to nine people who were recognized for their victory in this grand battle, which in a sense, helped to secure his network.

But he didn’t dwell on it too much.

Felicia spoke.

“And about the next volume.”

“The next volume?”

“What do you think about publically announcing that you can’t write the next volume?”

“Do we really need to do that?”

“You got robbed at your place, Allen.”

Felicia hit her chest repeatedly, expressing her frustration.

Despite Allen’s attempts to avoid her gaze, Felicia’s voice pierced his ear like an arrow.

“To catch the perpetrator, we must resort to drastic measures! Allen, you’re too carefree!”

“Even if you say so…”

The fact that the principal of the Versa Royal Academy is taking the initiative means it’s far beyond a student’s concern.

At such a juncture, if he were to declare no more writing, it would not be surprising.

Allen wore an expression as if he’d been hit on the back of his head.

“Why didn’t I think of that before?”

“Did you come up with a good idea?”

“No, I was so caught up on writing the next volume that I forgot about the impact of Shuren Chronicles.”

Allen gave a dry laugh.

He was so absorbed in wanting to quickly write the next volume and show it to his readers, he hadn’t at all contemplated that if he prescribed the drastic remedy of suspending publications, it could become a nightmare for those bastards who stole his swordsmanship text.

‘Considering Diabella’s surveillance spirits couldn’t do anything, there’s definitely something. I didn’t think of that at all. Am I stupid?’

Perhaps it’s because lately, he has been finding joy in simply writing.

Perhaps it’s the feeling of being loved by his readers.

Allen spoke.

“Thank you for your advice, Princess.”

“Felicia.”

“…Well, that’s a bit.”

“Are you really going to make me mad?”

Felicia scrunched her forehead, showing displeasure.

“No, what should I do about what doesn’t come out of my mouth?”

Allen wore a sullen face.

***

“I’ve drawn, illustration.”

Allen met Leila again two days after he brought up the illustration story in the restaurant.

It wasn’t just a couple of pages that he has drawn.

The number of students choosing the art-related courses as their minor was small, so the professor in charge provided a separate studio solely for Leila’s use.

Leila was originally a rising star in the Department of Magic.

From the professor’s perspective, it would have been pleasing that she chose art as a minor.

“‘After all, the arts don’t make much money.'”

The value of art is flexible.

Although novels can quickly sell by word of mouth, there’s truly no answer for those in the field of art.

The proliferation of art during the Renaissance period was a clear indication of this.

Unless one was a renowned sculptor or painter, securing patronage from the nobility was a difficult feat.

“Do you use this big studio all by yourself? That’s amazing.”

Felicia, who followed Allen to meet Leila, was astounded by the large studio.

Furthermore, the quality of the paintings on the wall was extremely impressive.

Using modern standards, from Allen’s perspective, it felt that if Leila were to learn how to become a webcomic artist, she would have the potential to be among the top-tier.

“The quality is good. Did you draw all these?”

“Yes.”

At Allen’s words, Leila faintly smiled.

It was her first time showing her paintings to someone, and the fact that the person she was showcasing them to was the author of her favourite novel seemed to make Leila happy.

Felicia folded her arms as she viewed the paintings.

“With this level of skill, you could become a painter anywhere. Your drawing skills are impressive.”

“I was wondering why you brought up the illustration story, but with this level of skill, it’s worth mentioning.”

Allen was genuinely impressed.

Leila has captured in canvas the scene where Schuren and Count Melnaur clashed. The vibrancy, as if she was looking at a real person, was overflowing, and she didn’t miss even the smallest details.

It was so vivid as if Schuren had leaped out from within the pages of the Schuren Chronicle.

“…With this quality, you can even publish a separate limited edition with illustrations, Allen.”

“That’s nice too… but Princeton. Don’t you want to try drawing something like a small comic for the newspaper?”

“Comics?”

Allen nodded his head.

Felicia showed interest from the side.

“What exactly are comics, Allen? It seems like a concept I haven’t heard before.”

“It’s essentially storytelling through drawings, showing it to people. Succinctly. I thought that it might work well with your skills, Princeton.”

Allen looks back at Leila.

“You can think of comics as breaking up an illustration. While an illustration depicts a single big scene, comics break it down and draw it out.”

“Break up? Draw out…?”

“I’m not particularly confident in explaining this kind of thing. But roughly, it’s like this.”

Allen borrowed a blank piece of paper, drew several boxes, and filled them with images like Zollaman and speech bubbles.

He showed how to insert dialogue and characters and their actions.

That was a comic.

Only after Allen finished explaining, Leila nodded her head.

“Ah. I understand. Can I try drawing it simply?”

“You don’t need my permission.”

“I want to depict a scene from Shuren Chronicles.”

Sincerity seeped from Leila’s words.

It seemed she truly loved Shuren Chronicles.

‘She seems very dedicated to the Shuren Chronicles.’

It felt like meeting a talented artist who drew fan art for a novel being serialized in the modern day, in real life.

Not that he had such experience.

Leila sat down in her spot, quickly drew boxes on her paper, and started sketching.

Even Felicia and Allen held their breaths while watching the scene from Shuren Chronicles come alive from her pen.

In less than 40 minutes, Leila finished drawing four scenes and showed it to Allen, slightly smiling, pleased with her work.

“How’s it?”

“…You, are a genius.”

Allen gave a wry smile while looking at the scene from Shuren Chronicles that came out as if it copied the concept of comics he explained.

She immediately understood the concept he explained, adapted it, and drew it down.

It was Allen’s understanding and quality that forced him to call her a genius.

Even Felicia was in awe.

“This… is talent. You’re a genius. A blessed talent itself… Even if you weren’t a student of the magic department, you would have been famous just for these drawings, don’t you think?”

“Praise… Thank you.”

“I’m not kidding, I’m serious.”

Felicia looked at the picture drawn by Leila.

The scene she depicted was a conversation between Shuren and Cranish.

The solid-built Cranish seemed to be brought to life in the monochrome sketch, engaged in a dialogue with Shuren, inspiring an orc from Osrian.

Shuren, with her long black hair tied up, was wearing a multicolored cloak peculiar to the Krunlung style.

It seemed to be modeled on the clothes that Lynn often wore.

“…Excellent.”

At Allen’s compliment, Leila’s smile deepened.

“Chapter 44 – I don’t just want to commission illustrations.”

44.

‘I received praise.’

Being praised by someone is a delightful thing.

Especially when the person giving the praise is the author of a novel you like, moreover, the original creator; that feeling is guaranteed to multiply several times.

Felicia’s praise was received with such pleasure, but when Allen complimented her, Leila was seen blushing, visibly overjoyed.

She couldn’t help but feel that way.

‘…How long has passed since I was last complimented?’

As a child, Leila’s parents handed her over to the church for a substantial amount of money.

To be accurate, her father was the one who heavily influenced this decision. Leila’s mother died when she was ten.

Her father rarely praised her.

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The church was no different. They only used her like a tool when they needed it, never giving her any words of admiration.

So the only place where Leila was able to experience the warmth of praise, ironically, was in the Tyranto Empire, loathed by the church.

At the academy, she had received praise for the first time and understood the joy it brought.

However, there were many people more talented than her, so she never monopolised the praise.

That’s why Allen’s compliment felt so lovely.

She was so delighted that she momentarily forgot about her intent to interfere with the church’s plan.

“It’s a pity that there is no place to utilise this skill right now.”

Allen’s face expressed sincere regret.

He was the child of a powerful family in the empire, who would naturally have seen many high-quality paintings.

Of course, having little knowledge in that area, I had nothing to feel other than admiration, but Layla’s paintings were different.

The feeling came strongly that she will play a crucial role in the novel I’m thinking of turning into a cartoon, into a comic.

‘The problem is there’s nowhere to use it right now.’

If I suddenly start adding illustrations to Shurenjeonki, it would look weird.

And if I insert illustrations and newly publish it…

As Allen pondered, Felicia’s voice echoed in his ears.

“Allen. Why not hire Princeston to include illustrations and separately publish a luxury edition? Split the book’s market into two routes.”

“Dividing into a luxurious option, and a standard version, you suggest.”

“You’re quick to understand.”

At Felicia’s words, Allen seemed contemplative.

“However, since Princeston will be hand-drawing the illustrations for the deluxe edition, the creation would take a long time.”

“If only we had some sort of duplication magic.”

“There’s magic to replicate. You draw a picture and duplicate it.”

“Is there such a thing?”

At Allen’s question, Layla nodded.

“Didn’t you know?”

“I haven’t really taken an interest.”

The Müller family had a remarkably low interest in magic.

Originally, considering the origins of the knights and magicians, it was not so strange. Magicians who could only use magic to strengthen their bodies became knights.

The Müller family had a vehemently anti-magic tradition among such knight families.

Allen was no different.

A fantasy world, isn’t curiosity natural?

One needs time to wander around for that to arise.

‘There wasn’t much time for me to wander around when I was stuck at home reading books instead of dragging around for sword training. That’s not really my thing.’

Of course, it wasn’t that I didn’t have any curiosity.

For Allen, the only way to satisfy this curiosity was reading books.

Felicia said,

“But duplication magic is not omnipotent. In the end, drawing with human hands is the most accurate.”

“…You’re right.”

Layla looked at Allen.

“What do you want to do?”

Alan furrowed his brow, deep in thought.

The worry of what to do was plainly etched pronouncedly on his furrowed forehead.

“I wish there were a system to mass-produce art.”

“Well, we do have members from the art club,” Leila commented.

“There’s an art club?”

“Yeah. They all love painting.”

“That’s perfect then. How many are there?”

“About ten.”

“More than the Morrison Detective Agency.”

At Felicia’s unexpected joke about detective clubs, Alan nearly burst out laughing. Ten members in an art club was not considered many.

The biggest club at the academy, the fencing team, was divided into the second and third fencing squads due to their enormous size.

Some clubs were so popular that they reached full capacity and then created second, third clubs to accommodate the overflow.

The Magic Research Society and the Fencing team were not jokingly called the top two clubs for no reason.

Alan, with his arms crossed, drifted back into his thoughts.

“Ten people…Princeston. If you asked them to copy your painting exactly, could they do it?”

“They might be able to, but they are not me.”

Leila’s words meant that they wouldn’t be able to perfectly imitate art since they aren’t her. Alan understood her hidden message.

“For now, I’d like for you to ask for the opinions of the art club students, Princeston.”

“…Leila.”

“Yeah. Leila.”

“Even young Princeston…! Why can’t I participate?!”

Ignoring Felicia’s seemingly impatient protest, Alan continued speaking.

“Well, I am aware of your outstanding skills. If someone is in charge of the illustration for the Shuren Chronicles, I will definitely assign you to it.”

“Really…?”

“Yeah. I don’t know much about art, but I can tell at a glance that your skills are impressive.”

Alan extended his hand to her.

“Anyway, I’m counting on you. Layla Von Princeton.”

“…I’m also counting on you.”

Layla shyly smiled as she shook his hand.

Upon seeing this, Felicia snorted in disbelief and spoke.

“But, why use magic when you could use a printer?”

Hearing Felicia’s words, Allen gave a hollow laugh.

“Oh, right. There is a printer. But wouldn’t it be more convenient if Layla and the art club members were here?”

”Really?”

“Usually, it’s easier to draw in teams.”

Allen wasn’t simply looking for an illustrator, he had comics in mind.

For such a project, it’s better to recruit a team from the start and have them work together.

Felicia gave him a questioning look.

“Do you mean drawing the illustrations as a team?”

“I don’t plan on only having Princeton handle the illustrations.”

Allen laughed.

“I’m looking toward something bigger.”

Of course, his goal was something he hadn’t been able to accomplish in his previous life, turning novels into webtoons.

***

“…Impressive skills. Your future is promising.”

Meya admired Layla’s drawing brought by Allen.

Due to her nearly unemotional voice, however, it was hard to tell if Meya was truly impressed or not.

But this was limited to those who didn’t understand Meya well.

Allen could tell just by hearing her voice that she was genuinely amazed.

“Are you so surprised?”

“I’m genuinely impressed. It’s a pity that such talent belongs to a magical science student.”

“That much?”

“She expressed the muscles in such detail, and didn’t she say it didn’t take her much time to draw this?”

“That’s true. Maybe 40 or 50 minutes.”

“It usually takes artists a day to finish a piece. If something goes wrong, they either tear the canvas and start over or paint over it.”

Hearing Meya’s words, Allen only hummed in response, half lounging on the sofa while eyeing her.

“So, Leila’s talent is really amazing, right?”

“Yes. It’s not even necessary to mention such things.”

“Well, it’s no wonder they call her skilled. Leila’s craftsmanship.”

It’s not a joke, just teaching her a simple concept resulted in a picture of this quality. It signifies that she is gifted.

Felicía didn’t call her a genius for no reason.

Maia poked Alan’s forehead with her index finger.

“It’s not good for your back to be slouched like this, my lord.”

“It doesn’t matter when I’m resting.”

“Please allow me to correct your posture, my lord.”

“…Fine.”

Grumbling, Alan stood up and leaned against the backrest of the sofa.

“Did you relay my message to Adonel Publishing?”

“Yes. Mr. Adonel seemed surprised but said he understood.”

“I don’t know who stole the sword technique, but let’s have a taste of it.”

Although he wanted to say “go f**k yourself” deep down, Alan couldn’t bring himself to say it because Maia was looking at him with puppy eyes.

“Will you continue writing the manuscript?”

“Of course. I just delayed handing it in. And you have to keep writing to maintain your senses, whether it’s writing or swordsmanship. Consistent practice is key, be it with words or martial arts.”

That’s why they call it the muscle of writing.

If you don’t practice consistently, you’ll eventually degenerate, just like a muscle.

Alan lay on the sofa, staring at the ceiling.

“But in the end, we still haven’t found out who drew that sword technique. Princeton is under suspicion.”

“I’ll consider putting it in the realm of possibility. With such skills.”

“But it doesn’t make sense to read about it and reproduce it in a picture. If someone has that ability, it’s not talent but a gift.”

Maia seemed to agree with Alan’s opinion as she nodded.

“For now, Adonel Publishing will inform the newspaper, so we need to observe the situation.”

“I’ll spread the story to the newspaper under the marquis’s name.”

“That would be good.”

Alan smirked.

“Just go f**k yourself.”

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“My lord.”

“Ah! No! Meia, don’t pull my ears!”

The Meia, who held Allan’s ear in her elegant hand, cracked a smile.

The faint smile on her expressionless face was terrifying.

“It seems you need a lesson on proper language etiquette today, young master. Follow me.”

“Ah! Where are we going! Please let go of my ear!”

“It’s the room of truth.”

“What?!”

“Miss Alice wanted to see you. I’m only delivering the message late. I will report your distasteful language to the miss.”

At Meia’s stern statement, Allan wailed in despair.

“Save me!!”