Chapter 4
Chapter 4
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: First Anime (2)
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"Just wait a bit, Raguna. I'll pull every connection I have in the arts world and bring back the perfect talent for the nymph's voice!"
"Hey, Serika. You don't have to go that far..."
"No. I'm doing this because I want to, so don't worry about it. And I'll handle all the costs, so no need to stress about money either!"
With that, Serika vanished from the Tersion Baron's estate alongside her younger sister.
"..."
Honestly, everything felt utterly absurd.
Why the sudden burst of enthusiasm from her?
Was my animation so captivating that it sparked this no-holds-barred excitement?
Or maybe she was just bored with nothing to do lately and was thrilled to have some work?
I couldn't fathom what was going through Serika's head, but one thing was crystal clear.
At least it won't cost me anything.
That's right.
No matter what antics Serika got up to behind the scenes, she'd promised to cover everything with her own money, so I wouldn't take any financial hit.
Plus, once she got home and cooled off, she might change her mind.
I tried to brush it off as a fleeting whim, attempting to erase her from my thoughts.
But about two weeks later, Serika returned to the Tersion Baron's estate.
This time, dragging along a whole crowd of people I'd never seen before.
"Raguna! Sorry I'm a little late. I rushed, but coordinating with everyone else pushed the schedule back a bit."
"...Who are all these people?"
"Who else? They're candidates to voice the nymph in your work, Nymph and Goblin."
"You were serious about that...?"
I couldn't help but pull a baffled face, but Serika's eyes sparkled as she spoke.
"This is Lady Airis, Viscountess from the Imperial Opera Company. Over here is Muetta from the Russell Theater Troupe, the most famous in the capital right now. And this one is—"
Serika introduced each person one by one, and every single one was a heavyweight in their field.
To give you an idea, even I—who had zero interest in theater or opera—had heard their names somewhere at least once or twice.
She's completely lost it.
No matter that Serika was from the Duke's family, gathering all these arts world titans in one place? Unbelievable.
As I stood there looking stunned, the group murmured quietly among themselves.
"...Even if it's a request from the Grinebalt Duke's daughter, does this backwater hick town really have a work worth dragging us all out here for?"
"Animation, huh? I hear it's pictures that move like they're alive—something only kids would like. I'll gladly yield this role to you all."
"No thanks. My schedule's packed next week anyway. I'm too busy for a role like this even if I wanted it."
Oh, please.
I snorted softly as I overheard their whispers.
I could understand their reaction, though.
No need to look far—just take 21st-century Korea. Weren't there tons of people who trashed works solely because they were 'animation'?
Ah... the world was full of half-baked fools everywhere...
I wasn't bringing this up because I'd been burned by some cheap 'otaku slur' comment on an online forum after mentioning anime there. Just saying.
Anyway, feeling a twinge of annoyance, I led them to the screening room.
From their attitudes, they'd watch the animation and then make excuses to leave the barony on their own two feet.
Yeah, watch it and get the hell out.
And exactly 40 minutes later...
"..."
"..."
"..."
The viewers of Nymph and Goblin had somehow turned to ice.
More precisely, they reacted like people who'd witnessed something far beyond their comprehension.
A heavy silence hung for a while.
"...Um, Sir Raguna. And Lady Serika."
Suddenly, the woman in the front row seat cautiously raised her hand and spoke.
"This might be presumptuous, but... could we discuss our thoughts on the work among ourselves for a bit?"
"...Sure? Yeah, whatever."
As Serika and I left the room, they lowered their voices and began whispering.
"...Incredible. To think art like this existed in the world. Truly amazing."
"They said it was a new art form created by young master Tersion. It doesn't look like much at first glance, but he's a genius. I feel pathetic for dismissing it as kiddie picture books."
"Moving pictures aren't realistic, but because they're pictures and not reality, they can pack infinite imagination onto the screen. Animation as an art form—it's definitely going to explode in popularity."
"So we're witnessing the birth of a whole new genre of art, historically speaking?"
"Thinking of it that way, that little fairy nymph role is awfully tempting. My voice would suit it perfectly. Could you yield it to me?"
"Hey, no sneaky moves! You just said your schedule was full next week!"
"Th-that's because I didn't know it'd be like this! If needed, I'll pay the penalties and cancel everything!"
"You theater hacks are all greed and no talent! This is where an opera specialist like me steps in."
"Ha, you tone-deaf singer who can't act—shut your mouth?"
"What? You little bitch, watch your mouth! You know I've eaten, bathed, and done everything with your senior?"
"..."
Standing outside the door, I stared in disbelief as I listened to them bicker.
No, these people were trash-talking the anime just minutes ago—why the sudden 180?
Meanwhile, Serika shrugged like she'd expected this all along.
"Hmm... Looks like their motivation's charged up. How about we start with a light audition?"
"...Fine."
As she said that, Serika muttered something incomprehensible like, "Looks like I've got more comrades now," or "Maybe a viewing party after the auditions?"
Why was Serika looking so thrilled, anyway?
I couldn't make heads or tails of what was going on in her mind.
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And so, over the next two hours, I conducted auditions to find the best fit for the nymph's voice.
In the end, I reached one conclusion.
"None of them work for me."
"...What?"
"I mean, every single one you brought doesn't cut it."
Serika blinked at me, utterly baffled by my verdict.
"Why? Is it because they were rude to you earlier?"
"Nah, not just that."
I shrugged and explained.
"They're top-tier theater actors or opera singers, sure. But that's exactly why they don't fit as voice actors for animation."
"...? What do you mean?"
"Their vocal techniques are worlds apart from what's used in animation. If they voiced it, audiences would feel something off."
That's right.
Back in Korea, didn't people rip into celebrity or famous actor dubs in anime as 'awkward acting' every time?
It wasn't really that the actors were bad—it was because they performed like it was live theater instead of animation dubbing.
That's why Japan had dedicated voice actor agencies and academies.
"In cases like this, a total newbie with zero acting experience would actually do better. Here, Serika—read this script."
"Huh? M-me?"
"Yeah. Watching those pros, I think you'd nail the voice role better."
"R-really? Okay, if you say so. Ahem. I'll give it a shot."
Serika's face flushed bright red as she responded to my suggestion.
She seemed burdened by reading the script in front of me.
It's not a real audition, so no need to stress that much.
Anyway, I'd suggested this to show her there was barely any difference between pro actors and a complete beginner like her.
"Ahem, ahem. Here we go."
With a shy demeanor, Serika started fumbling through the script.
"...Hm?"
And as I listened, my expression gradually shifted.
By the time Serika finished reading the entire script in her trembling voice...
I was staring at her with a dead-serious look.
"Hey, Serika."
"Yeah? What?"
"Ever thought about doing voice acting for real?"
"...W-what? Me, voicing the nymph?"
No matter how I thought about it, her voice was too good to waste.
Why not debut her as a proper voice actress right here?