The role of a comic artist's assistant usually falls under the publisher's responsibility, where the assistant aids in various aspects of the work, primarily focusing on the visual elements rather than storytelling. However, if the assistant is hired directly by the artist, their role extends to training and teaching, often taking on a significant portion of the workload.
For a renowned comic artist like Xu Mo, at least three assistants would be necessary to manage the workload of creating images if he were working in Japan. In his case, the projected traces from his system could save him time on creative thinking, typesetting, and frequent adjustments, but the actual workload remained substantial. With the increasing number of comics Xu Mo would need to draw, and the possibility of unforeseen delays in Marvel's fast-paced environment, having additional assistants was crucial.
Gali had planned to provide Xu Mo with an assistant to ease his workload and allow more time for personal activities. When she discovered that Lorna's genetic fluctuations matched those of mutants in Frank Mansion and observed her magnetic field control, Gali's mind raced with possibilities.
At that moment, as Lorna attempted to control three paintbrushes simultaneously, the results were less than impressive. The brushes floated around, creating messy and disorganized sketches on the papers.
Xu Mo sighed and commented to Gali, "Even if you use multiple brushes at once, human concentration is limited. It's not possible to achieve three tasks simultaneously."
Gali, slightly frustrated, didn't expect the outcome to be so underwhelming. She had hoped that using more brushes would alleviate some of the pressure on Xu Mo.
Seeing Lorna's nervousness and the floating metal objects, Xu Mo approached her gently, "Lorna, I understand you're going through a tough time. How about working as my assistant with a salary?"
"Wait, didn't you say no?" Gali interjected, clearly upset. She had previously acknowledged that using multiple brushes wasn't effective, and now Xu Mo seemed to be reconsidering his stance.
Xu Mo, addressing Gali, said, "Even if using multiple brushes is challenging, mastering the technique of two tasks at once is achievable. Besides, Lorna's situation is pressing."
Gali retorted, "I introduced Lorna. If you're going to use her, remember to appreciate my efforts."
Lorna, observing the exchange, weighed her options. With limited alternatives and the potential danger of her abilities being discovered, she felt compelled to accept the offer. She decided that even with the provided accommodation, she would prefer to live outside.
Xu Mo addressed Lorna directly, "I can offer you a salary of $2,000 a month, working five hours a day during my painting sessions. If you choose to live here, I can provide free accommodation and meals in exchange for daily chores. What do you think?"
Lorna's eyes lit up with joy. The offered salary and free accommodation were generous, but her independent nature made her reluctant to accept. However, considering her situation, she reluctantly agreed to stay, realizing it was a practical choice.
With Lorna accepting the position, the metal objects gradually returned to their places, and calm was restored. Xu Mo noted Lorna's potential but also recognized her lack of experience in painting. Despite her struggles, he hoped that with practice, her ability to control metal would aid in her artistic work.
Xu Mo assigned Lorna to assist with two comic series, "Titan" and "Ghoul," and began working on new projects. By incorporating her skills into his workflow, Xu Mo aimed to balance his creative efforts and manage the increasing demands of his work.