Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Avatar Battlefield (4)
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I rushed over to the exhibition hall, just hoping to get a sense of the atmosphere.
But I quickly realized this wasn't really a place where I could strike up conversations with people.
The products hadn't been fully distributed yet, so all I saw were folks steadily trickling in at their reserved pickup times to grab Avatar Battlefield.
'Well, this is its own kind of healing.'
Just watching my work sell like hotcakes was incredibly soothing.
Of course, I was selling them all at cost, so it wasn't like I was raking in profits no matter how many flew off the shelves.
But that was a price I could bear, knowing people would enjoy the final part.
Honestly, I'd already made more than enough money from my previous works, so there was no need to worry.
Still, it took quite a while after release to hear the reactions I was craving.
Even at that stage, I was already satisfied because, unlike usual where discussions about the content would be buzzing everywhere, it felt like people were deliberately holding back.
Like they were restraining themselves to avoid spoiling that emotional punch?
It didn't seem like they were pissed off and skipping it, though—their expressions looked plenty satisfied...
'Sure, some people are probably talking about it already, but I don't know any of them.'
I had no choice but to judge based solely on the faces of people leaving after viewing the displayed works.
I couldn't exactly waltz into mage gatherings where these kinds of reviews usually popped up.
Even so, the reactions were satisfying enough that I figured I could head home and mull over my next project...
"Oh, you there?"
"Elder Sharon?"
"Hoho, I stopped by to grab a copy since Professor Rondo still hasn't snagged one. Didn't expect to run into you."
"Ahaha, my master told me to check out the vibe. She's poured so much into this work..."
"Makes sense. It's a true masterpiece, after all. Natural to wonder about the reception."
"Do you happen to know what kind of feedback it's getting? I don't really know anyone besides my master, so it's hard for me to get the scoop."
Honestly, running into Elder Sharon right then felt like a stroke of luck.
He's not someone I usually enjoy bumping into—he always seems like he'd just hit me with embarrassing critiques.
But today, I desperately wanted to talk to someone qualified to give a solid evaluation.
In that sense, Elder Sharon—one of the most authoritative painters out there—was probably the best source.
"I didn't mention this to you, but lately, a few voices in the art world have started criticizing Painter Siu."
"What? Really?"
"Things like trying political maneuvering in the pure realm of painting, or muddying the waters with overly obvious agendas. Of course, it's just a minority opinion, nothing worth bringing up to your master."
That sounded pretty unfair.
Sure, I couldn't deny having some intentions—like reviving lewd art—but they still stung a bit.
Most of the big controversies had blown up without me even intending them to.
"But those opinions mostly got shot down because Painter Siu has always been dead serious about his paintings and comics. Aside from The Bra Story, he never shoehorned in those issues—he wove them naturally into his works."
"Ah..."
"Then those critics claimed the previous works were just to build his name, and now he'd start brainwashing us with propaganda... But after reading this one, they were all in tears, reflecting on their words."
"...Pardon?"
An artist's devotion to prioritizing artistic merit over profits or production time was a given.
But the chilling direction he poured solely into the work felt like a direct rebuttal to every single one of their criticisms.
It even made me feel vindicated.
"Not that your master orchestrated it on purpose, of course. She's just a workaholic lunatic."
"I-is that so?"
"The seamless shift from grayscale to color felt considerate and effortless. And all those intricate, varied directions that guide the reader's emotions along with the story—implemented with terrifying quality throughout."
Honestly, after all the hard work on this one, I was dying to hear praise like that.
Nothing beats the high of your painstaking details getting rave reviews.
And this time, it was all pure feedback on the work itself—no misunderstandings.
"I went in determined to analyze it meticulously from the start. But your master kept throwing me off. The vicious groundwork in the early parts messed with my head so much I eventually gave up."
In the end, even I got swept up in the emotional flow the work dictated, only snapping out of it after the final page.
Listening to him, I felt good about contrasting it with my previous work there.
The last one depicted a seemingly happy world, but this one subtly revealed a fragile, despairing one crumbling under Corrosion.
Not that I planned it for them to notice—it was just to boost immersion, and it worked.
"I've always loved Painter Siu's works without complaint. But this one's the pinnacle. Frankly, it shocked me more than when he first introduced deformation and comics."
"Really?"
"Those were shocks born from ideas and finesse. This? It's a bombshell of raw artistic power screaming, 'This is what comics should be.' I'll never forget it."
Elder Sharon showered Avatar Battlefield with effusive praise, then added that most people felt the same. It hit me right in the feels.
Memories of those grueling months—living and breathing nothing but drawing those 12 panels—flashed by.
Knowing my efforts were truly being recognized nearly brought tears to my eyes.
"Thank you. I'll pass it on to my master—she'll love hearing that."
"Tell her I look forward to more. If she weren't so swamped these days, I'd love to try drawing comics myself... What a shame."
"A comic by Elder Sharon? Now that's exciting."
I was already impressed by Professor Rondo's drawings—wonder what his would be like.
It piqued my curiosity a bit.
He must've had works on display before, but by the time I checked, they'd been taken down.
'Phew, still feels like massive overpraise—my face is burning up...'
But since it was all factual, no misunderstandings, I couldn't really argue.
Honestly, I nailed this one, so maybe I deserved to bask in it and feel a little smug?
Earlier, seeing that top exhibit piece 'Smug-Faced Siu-chan' had soured my mood.
Now, I kinda got it—I felt just like that smug Siu-chan.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I returned to the villa in high spirits.
Grinning like an idiot, I finally crashed hard in bed for the first time in ages.
I'd been sleeping steadily since finishing, but anticipation about the reviews had me tossing and turning every night.
Tonight, I conked out instantly.
"Ugh, did I sleep too deeply? My head's all fuzzy."
Waking up refreshed, it almost felt like yesterday's events were a dream—my mind was so hazy.
I splashed cold water on my face to clear it and stepped out of the bathroom. That's when I heard clattering from the kitchen.
What the—did a rat sneak in?
If it messed with the food, it'd be a hassle. Better go deal with it.
"Huh?"
"Ah, Kali! You're up?"
"Huh? What? Rozaria?"
"I got here yesterday, but you were sleeping so soundly I didn't wake you. You looked really happy."
"Oh... Wait, how'd you even get in!?"
"Your parents gave it to me?"
"Eh? You met them?"
"Yeah, ran into them by chance in the capital."
What kind of coincidence is that?
Maybe they stopped by the villa while in the capital and we just missed each other.
That would explain her having the key.
I'd been staying in the capital lately, so it lined up perfectly.
Whoa, Rozaria's vacation time is already here?
I'd been so buried in this insane project that time flew by—I hadn't even thought about it.
Well, I've been busy with work too, so maybe we can hang out and kill time together for a while?
"Hehe, Kali~!"
"Whoa!?"
"Sniff sniff! Phew, Kali's scent. I thought I was gonna die missing you."
"I missed you too, Ria."
"Hmph, you sure didn't look like it—you seemed pretty flustered earlier."
"Wouldn't you be if someone broke into your house uninvited?"
Rozaria had no comeback for that, so she slyly changed the subject.
You've got a soft spot for this stuff, huh?
Though the way she pivoted was dangerously bold, enough to fluster me all over again.
"Ta-da!"
"W-what are you doing!?"
I panicked at Rozaria suddenly hiking up her skirt to flash her panties.
Not just from the pervy move, but...
Because the crotch was completely open, it wasn't mere surprise—I reflexively covered my eyes with my fingers.
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