Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Volume 3 - Descent of the Avatar (3)
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◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Just one month? What did Master Siu say?"
"He was thrilled. He came this time for a new exhibition, but... this one's a bit unusual, so I'm not sure if it'll work out."
When I pulled out over a hundred pages of manuscript and set them down, the staff member's face filled with bewilderment.
Honestly, even I thought bringing over a hundred drawings at once to exhibit would seem ridiculous.
But this was the unavoidable compromise to cut the story at a proper point.
"This isn't multiple works."
"It's not multiple works?"
"Yes. All of these together make up Master Siu's new piece titled Descent of the Avatar."
"Um, hold on a moment. This is different from typical works... How should we even exhibit this?"
Since the pieces needed to be viewed in sequence from the previous content, they had to be arranged for viewing in one direction only.
And since the panels flowed in the direction of reading text in this world, it made sense to place what came before on the left and what followed on the right.
I also mentioned that my previous work Su Baek Hwa was related, so I'd like to exhibit them together if possible.
She jotted down all the details with her pen and asked me to wait a bit before heading inside.
'This won't be straightforward.'
They're giving me this kind of treatment because it's a new work from the hottest author right now.
If some nobody came in requesting an off-spec exhibition like this, even I'd turn them down, I thought.
Ha, but I still have a ton more requests beyond this. What a headache.
"Sorry for the wait."
"No problem. I get it. It was a reckless request."
"For this volume, luckily there's one empty exhibition hall left, so we could use that. But without upgrading the hall, it'd have to stay there indefinitely—is that okay?"
"That's fine. He said he'd be very grateful as long as the exhibition period matches the recommendation count."
This might actually work.
I inwardly relaxed as she explained the setup for exhibiting this work.
I'd been wondering how to release it if they rejected this.
"As for the currently exhibiting Su Baek Hwa, they refused to move it since it's already on display—moving it would cause confusion. What should we do?"
"Ah, then could we at least have a copy?"
"We'll proceed with that."
"By the way, if you're making copies, could you give us a few sheets?"
"Why copies?"
"Actually, Master said he wants to produce copies of Su Baek Hwa and the new work to sell. But it's not just using Su Baek Hwa as is—he plans to add more on top, exclusively for sales copies, not the original."
"Really? For copies, we're supplying them nationwide, so there should be extras. If upper management approves, we can provide some."
Come to think of it, they said popular works get copies exhibited nationwide.
I hadn't really thought my own stuff would reach that level, so hearing it felt strangely surreal.
So my naughty drawings are on display in art galleries across the country right now?
Oh man.
"Anyway, selling all this as copies? It seems like too much. The unit price would..."
"Is single-color copying like for regular books possible?"
"Pardon? Well, it's not for artwork, but we have the equipment for necessities. Huh? Wait a sec. Don't tell me..."
"The new work is all drawn in single color. No transparency, so it should work for books."
"You assumed it'd be made into a book?"
"Yes."
She finally realized why this work had so many pages and why it was suddenly in black and white.
Might as well handle all related matters now to streamline things.
I pulled out the sample cover I'd brought for explanation and started describing it.
"With the current system, books come out strictly in black and white, right?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"So, print color works like Su Baek Hwa, fold them like this, and insert into the book. That way, the cover shows color and looks prettier. The production cost should align at this scale, don't you think?"
"How did you even think of this..."
"Beats me? Master's got a quirky personality."
Hiding behind my fictional master Siu is way too convenient.
For anything tricky to answer, just say it's Master's doing and I'm clueless.
Can't get hooked on these loopholes though...
"He called this the cover. Anyway, that's why he asked for Su Baek Hwa copies—to use it for cover design."
"We'll need to check details, but it doesn't seem impossible."
"Master said cover design takes time anyway, so you can look into it gradually."
"Got it. We'll start with the most urgent exhibition first."
I said we could take it slow, but she shook her head, saying the schedule was incredibly tight.
I didn't get it at first.
But after the exhibition was set up and a familiar face appeared, I understood.
"You've arrived."
"Ahem, sorry about that. I got overly excited, unfit for my age."
"Hello, Elder."
"Ho ho, you. The oil paint smell is gone from you. Practicing magic, are we?"
"Ah, yeah, well..."
Far from it—I'd spent the whole month glued to my pen drawing comics. Couldn't say that.
I nodded vaguely like it was something like that.
So that's why they rushed when the gallery director decided to come view it?
"A new work by Artist Siu, and one that breaks the mold of exhibitions entirely. How could I not be curious?"
"Ahaha..."
What if he doesn't like it after all that hype?
The pressure was mounting, leaving me flustered in every way.
Should've skipped the preview and just rested at the inn?
'No, if the order's off even slightly, it'd be a headache. Gotta do the final check.'
Elder Sharon headed to the freshly inspected viewing hall and silently began perusing Descent of the Avatar, page by page.
Even without explanation, he was following the correct sequence, so that arrangement must've been right.
He examined each page meticulously before moving on, nodding silently or letting out brief exclamations of admiration— I could sense it all.
Feels better than expected?
'I figured he'd say something like, 'This isn't art—it's just pictures with words!''
He showed no such prejudice, grinning with genuine delight.
Never thought I'd live to see a guy over a hundred reading comics with sparkling eyes like that.
What a world.
As those thoughts crossed my mind, the comic progressed, reaching the final part.
All events resolved, protagonist Albedo de Aqua returns to everyday life, feeling a sense of emptiness.
If Su Baek Hwa were incorporated, it might've appeared right here.
"Ending it here? Your master is quite the tease."
"Ahaha..."
Thus, Descent of the Avatar concludes with Nigredo appearing before the wistful Albedo.
It's meant to set up a sequel, so this ending was inevitable.
Personally, I like leaving it with that tantalizing itch anyway.
"At first, I wondered why he went black and white. Sure, such works exist, but I thought it was just to save time on coloring."
Hard to argue otherwise, honestly?
Full-color comics are time-devouring monsters even digitally; analog would take three times longer for this volume.
No screentone speedup either.
"Planning to make this into a book?"
"Exactly. You haven't heard yet."
"Came straight here upon arrival. As expected, it was for a book. Ha, your master truly is a fearsome artist."
"Is that so?"
He nodded and pointed to the gray screentone sections, detailing the intricate patterns one by one.
These mimic shading like traditional art while ensuring compatibility with printing tech for books.
That alone was astonishing.
"It's like pointillism evolved into this, but less one person's idea—more like the culmination of ages of research."
"Ahem..."
He meant it as an example, but it hit so close to home it pricked my conscience hard.
These comics were literally the essence of Earth's manga evolution distilled.
The story was mine, but the techniques? Plenty to feel guilty about.
"If that were all, he'd just be an odd mage offering cheap art copies."
"Then..."
"These panels embed time into the art. Similar concepts existed before, but you've perfected it so cleanly."
"Embed time?"
"Each panel flows to the next, unfolding the story. What differs from capturing time in pictures?"
...Was comics always something so profound?
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