(Ryoto's pov)
I slept well enough, and nothing unusual happened in school. I needed to wear my gym clothes throughout the entire day. I was questioned about it a few times, and I just answered that my uniform couldn't handle my muscles. I got a few strange looks that day.
Rin was also spying on me again. Saki probably ordered her to do it, and she couldn't refuse. I ignored her for most of the time, but I would wave at her from time to time become it was fun seeing her panic.
After school, I finally met with Zastin at my dad's apartment and explained my plan to Zastin.
Zastin: "So you want my help to draw manga? Why?"
I took a piece of paper a pen, made an attempt to draw a human, and showed it Zastin. He looked at it and nodded.
Zastin: "I understand."
Karen: "Pft-. I'm starting to like him."
A single small tear rolled down my cheek.
I explained the story's plot I wanted to make while Zastin listened carefully. After I finished, Zastin opened his mouth to say.
Zastin: "I'm very flattered that you think so highly of my skill, but I'm still working as an assistant for Saibai-sensei."
Dad then entered the room.
Saibai: "What are you saying!? That's your chance, and you need to take it!"
Zastin: "But what about your work? Without me, you won't be able to finish on time this week!"
Saibai: "Do you really think so little of me. We'll be able to do it with a bit of gut and willpower, so Zastin, follow your dream."
Dad put his hand on Zastin's shoulder while giving him a thumb up. He also closed one of his eyes and showed a confident smile.
Zastin seeing this started crying and wiped out his tears.
Zastin: "Thank you very much! I won't let you down! I'll show you that with my art, I'll reach people's hearts!"
Saibai: "That's what I wanted to hear. Now go, make your dreams come true!"
Zastin: "Yes!"
I feel like I'm watching a movie or something.
Afterward, I went through more details of my story to Zastin, and he gave me some of his ideas to improve the plot as well. I excused myself when I believed we went over the most important details.
Home I trained my water bending as it slowly became a habit, and it started going somewhere. I had begun having a little control over water. Moving it was becoming easier and easier with each coming day, but more difficult techniques were still out of my reach. I didn't even start training fire bending since I don't have a good place for that.
---
Two weeks have passed, and I could finally perform some complex techniques during that time. Creating 'tsunami', Water bullet, Water cloak, to name a few. I also could turn water into ice and vice versa.
Zastin was finally done with a manuscript. I was also sleep-deprived, and it shows, but it wasn't because of the manga.
Zastin: "Ryoto-dono, is everything alright? As of late, you seem tired."
Ryoto: "Let's just say that I finally know what it means to drown after being thirsty after a long time."
Zastin obviously didn't understand but didn't pursue the answer any further.
One of the mysteries is how Lala wasn't tired. I was the one who 'outperformed' her every time, but somehow I'm the one getting tired. And it's not because Lala wasn't active. On the contrary, sometimes, she was the one doing more.
Today Zastin and I were walking to submit our manga. Strangely there is Shounen Jump and even Dragon ball but not other famous manga. I also checked American comics, but they weren't worth looking through. There wasn't Marvel or DC in this world.
After some discussion, we decided to present our manga to Shounen Jump. Thankfully their headquarters aren't that far from where we live.
The closer we got, the more my spider senses were warning me about something. I felt like I should run away as soon as possible, so I became cautious. That feeling was at its peak. I would run away, but Zastin had stars in his eyes, and I couldn't take away his dream after I was the one who gave him hope to achieve it, so I sucked it up and went inside.
__________
*PING*
*NEW QUEST*
Mission: "How to become mangaka"
Objective 1: Start publishing your manga
Reward: 70 SP, 1 gacha ticket
Failure: You become so sensitive that even a touch can make you orgasm
Duration of punishment: one week
__________
Currently, we are waiting for an editor to look for a manuscript. As we were sitting in a room, my awful feeling was getting stronger. As soon as the door opened, my hair stood on end.
Akiho: "Sorry for being late. You won't believe how crazy it is today."
She then looked at me, and her smile widened while I was thinking how should I get out of this situation but to my surprise, she didn't do anything and just sat in front of us.
Akiho: "So I see that you've brought your manuscript. Can I take a look?"
Zastin: Y-yes, please have a read."
Akiho took the pages and started reading in silence. Zastin was getting nervous because she made no comments whatsoever. After she was done reading, she started looking through the manuscript from the beginning. At this point, Zastin could faint at any moment. That's the best swordsman on Devilike and royal family bodyguard everybody.
After her second read, she put down the pages of our manga and looked at us with a serious expression. I think that's the first time I'm seeing her like that.
Akiho: "I'm going, to be honest with you..."
Zastin was sweating, but as soon as Akiho said these words, she smiled.
Akiho: "...This manga has a lot of potential. The idea is unique and fun. It even has a great massage presented in the first chapter, and if you play it right, it can become one of the juggernauts of the industry. It makes me excited to think how it'll turn out. But I've noticed that you haven't decided on a title. If I can be so bold..."
Ryoto: "Actually, we do have a title ready."
I stopped Akiho from finishing whatever she wanted to say.
Akiho: "And what's the title then?"
She asked curiously.
Ryoto: "Spectacular Spider-man."
---
END
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