I Thought Something Wasn't Right...

Angell naturally had no objections to Sir Mandela's "terms."

He was still troubled over distribution channels once the film was finished. Now that someone had come knocking on his door, it could not have been better.

After the two signed a Magic Contract, Sir Mandela eagerly returned to Xiesse to gather personnel and equipment. Considering the distance between Cecilia and Xiesse, a round trip alone would take a month. Angell, meanwhile, began the preliminary preparations.

The first thing to prepare was, of course, the script.

Without a script, it was almost impossible to make a movie.

Sir Mandela had originally proposed having one of his screenwriters write the script, but inviting one over would take too much time. The first Movie would be filmed in Cecilia City—mainly because Angell planned to sell Magic Wands primarily in this area—and a screenwriter from Xiesse would have to familiarize himself with the local setting all over again. In the end, they decided to leave the script to Angell.

Fortunately, Angell had ample experience in this area. Or rather, bad habits.

As a former concept artist aspiring to make his own games who had switched to becoming a planner, Angell believed he had the ability to write scripts. Besides, the plot for something like a Magical Girl story could be thrown together however he liked, so he spent only one day scribbling out an outline.

But when it came to the script's specific details, Angell had no interest.

It was too tedious and troublesome to write.

After some thought, Angell used the Soul Search Technique on himself and dug up a Hollywood screenplay formatting guide from the depths of his memories. He was rather surprised that he had apparently seen such a thing in his previous life. It was so detailed that it even specified when an explosion should occur down to the exact minute.

Holding that formatting guide and his own outline, Angell naturally assumed that even a dog could handle the remaining fill-in-the-blanks work. So, just as he had once hired newly graduated liberal arts students at minimum wage to work as copywriters and planners, he had the Receptionist Cat dig up Lance, the Rookie Reporter they had worked with before, from the Workshop.

It was not that he intended to have Lance write the script. Rather, weren't liberal arts circles like some kind of insect colony? Find one, and you could find ten.

Angell planned to have Lance find a classmate with writing experience to fill out the screenplay format, and that would be that.

And thus, the entire process through which a game plot capable of making Players curse a planner's mother into the afterlife was born.

Angell thought there was nothing wrong with it.

It was just a low-budget Magical Girl tokusatsu production. Saving money was all that mattered.

Black Robes were all practical people like that!

Angell had not realized that the reason his mother from his previous life could never come down from outer space was entirely his own fault. Fortunately(?), he had been a genuine orphan in that life.

Lance was thoroughly frightened by this.

"...A classmate who writes novels? Would someone who serializes stories in a Newspaper count?" Lance asked blankly at first.

"You want to hire him to write a Movie script?!" Lance stammered. "Th-this kind of thing, wouldn't it be better to ask our Editor-in-Chief? He knows many famous writers!"

"No need. One of your classmates will do," Angell insisted. "I think young people are better."

Cheaper.

Angell said that, but Lance did not dare casually recommend just anyone.

"Can I tell the others about this?" Lance asked cautiously. "Ask what they think?"

"Of course." Angell nodded.

He had deliberately chosen Lance, a reporter, because the Movie would need early publicity.

As expected, Lance immediately went and reported it to his Editor-in-Chief.

"Magic Gear is making a Movie?!" Editor-in-Chief Hector leaped from his chair in excitement. "What kind of Movie?"

"I heard it's about a little girl becoming a Mage and defeating Monsters," Lance said uncertainly.

"? A little girl?" The Editor-in-Chief froze. "Are you sure it isn't a Hero?"

Most movies of this era had male protagonists. Female leads were rare enough, let alone little girls.

"It seems to be," Lance said, looking to the Editor-in-Chief for help. "Lord Angell also asked me to help find a screenwriter. He said he wanted a young person, one of my classmates would do, but none of my peers have ever written a script."

"Wait. Let me sort this out first." Hector raised a hand and assumed a deeply contemplative expression.

"The earliest members of Magic Gear's Game Table were children from a Charity School, right?"

"That's right."

"Then Lord Angell donated a Mana Base Station to the Charity School?"

"Yes."

"Now he is making a Movie, with a little girl as its protagonist?"

"Yes..."

"And he specifically requires a young person to be the screenwriter?"

"Yes...?"

Hector's voice lowered. "Every step Lord Angell has taken seems to carry profound meaning. Could he truly be doing all this, as Lord Hume implied, for the sake of Magic Revival?" So that was why this Movie began with young girls, to promote the importance of magic education? Hmm, that made sense.

Hector remembered the interview he had conducted with the Magic Association's Branch President a few days ago.

But why Lance?

Hector looked curiously at the Rookie Reporter under his command.

If Lord Angell had such lofty goals, he should have found a way to invite more reliable talent, shouldn't he? For example, he could have invited educators to write the script. Given Lord Angell's contribution in donating the Mana Base Station, the Department of Education would surely grant him that courtesy and cooperate fully.

So why had he chosen Lance?

It could not possibly be because Lance spent all day obsessed with games and hanging around the Workshop, so Angell had simply grabbed him while he was there, could it?

Hector stared at Lance. "Explain."

"W-what?" Lance was terrified under his superior's gaze.

"Explain what people in your social circle could become Screenwriters," Hector demanded.

Lance carefully took stock.

"...Senior Anna serializes travel essays in Fashion News. Senior Hall published a poetry collection just last year. Senior Henry is also a reporter, but the actor biographies he published in the Seyekin Post's entertainment section used to be quite popular. He recently came to Cecilia City too. And there's..."

Lance rattled off more than a dozen names in one breath.

That was only natural.

Charity School education in this era merely provided literacy to Commoners. Someone like Lance, who had managed to enter a Newspaper Office and become a reporter, even if only a rookie, had a decent educational background.

People like them had either graduated from the City of Academies or attended specialized schools. They were nothing like the oversupplied university graduates Angell imagined, forced to endure cheap exploitation.

Angell had completely misjudged the value of liberal arts graduates in this era.

Hector nodded repeatedly as he listened, becoming increasingly convinced that Angell had come prepared.

Perhaps among these outstanding young people was someone Angell had already taken a liking to.

"However, if we follow Lord Angell's requirements—someone with experience serializing novels, popular with readers, and currently in Cecilia—there is only one person," Lance said. "You know him too."

"Who?" Hector's gaze sharpened.

"My peer, Allen Kirk," Lance said. "But he is currently..."

"So it's him!" Hector said in sudden realization. "It's an unconventional choice, but it really does make sense!"

"Does it? I think..." Lance tried to voice his opinion for the second time.

In truth, the moment Angell said he wanted someone who had "written novels," Lance had thought of him.

But...

"Don't think about what you think. Think about what Mr. Angell thinks!" Hector said. He stood, paced two steps back and forth, then picked up his coat. "Come to think of it, I haven't seen him in a while. This is a perfect chance to visit him and ask whether he is interested—if he isn't, we'll persuade him!"

...Editor-in-Chief, you really haven't taken money from Lord Angell, have you?

Lance thought in confusion.

He watched Editor-in-Chief Hector put on his coat and head for the door. At last, Lance could not help shouting:

"But Allen is in the Asylum right now!"

"Ahahaha, thank the Deities! Lance, your arrival is perfectly timed!"

Allen was quite happy to see Lance.

When Editor-in-Chief Hector and Lance arrived, Allen was tied to an operating table. The Asylum's Doctor had decided to drill a hole into the back of his skull to "treat" his illness.

Most terrifyingly, that "treatment plan" was completely legal.

Lance shuddered just remembering what he had seen. "Have you really gone mad?! You actually volunteered for the operation!"

"Hahaha, I wanted to know what the Red Room's 'treatment' was like!" Allen said with feverish excitement.

He pulled a sheet of paper covered in messy symbols from somewhere and added another mark to it.

"With that, the last piece of the puzzle is in place..." Allen said. "Honestly, I really wanted to know what it feels like to have a hole drilled in my head. I wonder whether I could gain magical talent like they claim."

"So you think we shouldn't have saved you?" Lance asked darkly.

"No, no, no. I was merely curious. When I was on that operating table, I truly regretted it! After all, I only wanted to write an article. I didn't want to die for it." Allen laughed.

Yet the young man's face showed not the slightest fear, only excitement.

That was Allen Kirk.

A near-madman willing to send himself into an Asylum just to write a novel.

Lance felt that even if his peer were locked in an Asylum forever, he would not be wronged in the slightest.

Editor-in-Chief Hector, however, greatly admired Allen's spirit of practical exploration. "Kirk, are you really unwilling to become a reporter at our Newspaper Office? We need your spirit of hands-on investigation."

"Ah, but I research things so I can make up nonsense more convincingly."

"Hahaha, talking nonsense with a straight face is one of a reporter's basic skills too."

"Hahaha!"

The conversation made Lance's stomach hurt.

"Enough jokes," Editor-in-Chief Hector said seriously at last. He looked at Allen with some severity. "Mr. Kirk, are you interested in writing a Movie script?"

"Yes, yes, of course I am," Kirk said with a grin. "But even if I wanted to, I would not have the chance, would I? Unless I went to a great city like Xiesse. Or is Cecilia City starting a Movie company too? But I refuse small productions."

Allen truly had the qualifications to make such demands.

He looked somewhat unhinged, but his writing was extremely popular.

His mystery novel series Dr. Slime and XXX, first serialized in the small tabloid Sensenata Tales, had forcibly dragged a third-rate local paper into becoming the nation's second-largest newspaper by circulation. The novels had also been reprinted by major newspapers everywhere.

Someone like that was more than qualified to be a screenwriter. Editor-in-Chief Hector found it strange that he had not thought of him sooner.

But Allen himself was quite picky.

"Money, or fame. If you want me to work, there should at least be one of those," he had once told a Newspaper that approached him for submissions. His requested fees were among the highest in the industry.

The reason he kept writing for a third-rate tabloid was not because he liked the paper. It was because the gambling agreement he had signed with it years ago had secured him an astronomical forty-three percent of its sales revenue.

From that perspective, this man should have been nowhere near Angell's target range.

Rather, Angell had never imagined that a Rookie Reporter's social network would contain such a giant.

"It is absolutely a major production!" Editor-in-Chief Hector promised on Angell's behalf. "The investor is the owner of Cecilia City's largest Alchemy Workshop. Recently, he even donated a Magic Well, something priceless and unavailable on the market, to a Charity School. The production company is Iron Puppet. You have heard of them, haven't you? Xiesse's largest Entertainment Company. I hear they have even signed an exclusive distribution deal, and after filming, it will be released across all Iron Puppet theaters."

"Is it... really that impressive?" The one who asked was Lance.

After Angell entrusted him with the task, he had foolishly run straight back to the Newspaper Office. He did not understand why Editor-in-Chief Hector, who had been with him the entire time, suddenly knew so many inside details.

So I was actually finding a screenwriter for a production this huge?

Lance suddenly felt immense pressure.

Allen listened with a grin.

A grand promise like that was just something to hear out. Only the money written in a contract was real.

Still, something in Editor-in-Chief Hector's words interested Allen. "Alchemy Workshop? Magic Well? This investor's background is rather unusual. What sort of film does he want to make?"

Editor-in-Chief Hector said with a solemn face, "He wants to make an educational film depicting the growth of a new generation of Mages."

"???"

Lance's face was full of question marks. "Wasn't it an action film about a little girl defeating Monsters?"

Why was he increasingly convinced that what the Editor-in-Chief was talking about had nothing to do with what he had been told?

"How can a little girl defeat Monsters if she doesn't study magic?" Editor-in-Chief Hector glared at his subordinate as though disappointed in him. "Mr. Angell clearly wants to promote magic education, but he wants to adapt it into a form the public enjoys rather than make an ordinary documentary. That is why he did not approach the Department of Education or the Magic Association, but entrusted you to find the hottest bestselling writer."

"S-so that's how it is?" Lance looked utterly bewildered.

Allen's eyes lit up instead. "The Magic Association? Does the investor have ties to Mages?"

"More than ties. He is a Black Robe himself," Hector said.

"Ahhhhhh!" Allen let out a string of chicken-like shrieks that startled the other two.

"I came to Cecilia precisely because I wanted to witness the daily lives of Mages with my own eyes," Allen said excitedly after he finished shrieking. "But those Mages are incredibly Prideful. Forget the Mage Tower—they wouldn't even let me enter the Magic Association for a look. They said Commoners were not qualified to enter! Are you sure that if I become this script's screenwriter, I can enter the Magic Association, perhaps even visit the Mage Tower?"

"The Mage Tower may not be possible, but the Magic Association definitely is," Hector said.

"Really? Then let's go to the Magic Association right now and confirm it!" Allen said excitedly.

"...Don't you need to meet Lord Angell before making a decision?" Even Editor-in-Chief Hector was confused by Allen's reaction.

"Let's visit the Magic Association first. I'll feel more at ease that way," Allen insisted.

He did not believe a Movie investor's nonsense—did saying he was a Black Robe make it true? Hmph. In any case, only if the Magic Association acknowledged it could he reluctantly believe it.

As a result, that evening, Angell met the members of the "mysterious Magic Revival Black Curtain conspiracy theorist trio"—no, there should be one more now, making them a quartet—at his Workshop:

Mayor Owen, Branch President Hume, Agent John, and Editor-in-Chief Hector.

The four middle-aged and elderly men packed the sofa full and stared at Angell with sparkling eyes.

"So you really are making a Movie?" Mayor Owen said. "Why didn't you tell us about something like this?"

"Exactly! That makes it hard for us to help." Branch President Hume said.

"Well, the script hasn't even been written yet. I'm not sure what I need," Angell said hesitantly.

He had only intended to throw something together. Why did he need to notify the Mayor and the Magic Association?

Come to think of it, where had this group come from?

Angell cast a suspicious glance at Lance.

Lance and Allen were smaller, so they had been squeezed into a corner of the sofa, looking rather pitiful. No, Allen did not look pitiful at all. He was studying Angell with an equally excited, nervous expression, as though examining some strange creature.

When Allen heard Angell mention the script, he assumed Angell was looking at him and spoke up. "Lord Angell... is that right? I heard from my classmate Lance that you wish for me to become your screenwriter?"

"...I suppose?" I did say I wanted a liberal arts student.

But who are you?

Angell looked at Allen in bafflement.

Unfortunately, before Angell had a chance to ask, Allen took the initiative. "May I ask what kind of story you want? At least give me an understanding of the work ahead."

...That did sound fairly professional.

Angell loved people who got straight to the point like that.

The outline was not confidential anyway. In fact, Angell had originally planned to have the applicant write a section as part of the interview, so he straightforwardly handed over his outline and the Hollywood screenplay formatting guide.

"I want you to write according to this," Angell said.

"Oh, oh." Allen raised his brows slightly when he saw the screenplay formatting guide. He was not particularly interested in it.

But when Allen saw the outline further down, his expression became excited. "I see, I see."

"Is this story really that interesting?" Mayor Owen asked curiously.

He had heard it was a "magic education film," which hardly sounded like something that would spark anyone's interest.

"Very interesting. An ancient core with new elements added to it becomes something quite different," Allen said cryptically. He nodded excitedly, clearly unlike a businessman such as Sir Mandela. "And it uses small things to reflect the bigger picture, conveying a great deal... But Lord Angell, are you sure you're making such a major production?"

"A major production?" Angell asked skeptically.

No matter how he looked at it, his outline did not seem like a major production.

"I'm not clear on the exact investment, but judging solely from the requirements in the outline you provided, there won't be few sets," Allen said, sorting through the two documents in his hands. "The little girl's home, the magic school, the streets of the magic city, a wondrous magic base, ancient ruins, a grand and enormous Demon Race castle, and finally, a spectacular explosion scene."

"..."

Right, Hollywood's screenplay format template did seem to require those things.

Angell realized something was wrong.

He only wanted a low-budget film. He had no intention of making it so extravagant.

Still, this screenwriter was quite capable. Just by putting those two documents together, he had already given the whole project an outline?

Angell was a little surprised.

Just as he was about to correct him, Allen looked toward the string of important figures seated on the sofa.

"For example, the magic city would definitely be Cecilia City. If the streets are to be used, that would interfere with the residents' lives and the city's traffic."

"Ha ha, that's a small matter!" Mayor Owen laughed. "The entirety of Cecilia City may be used however you like. For promotional purposes, our municipal department can even help with part of it."

Allen continued, "As for the protagonist's life and the school she attends, the Charity Schools currently being piloted seem the most suitable, but the Department of Education..."

"This is publicity for ourselves! Of course it's permitted!" Agent John said. "If necessary, we can even hold auditions among all the children in the city."

"The magic base, the grand castle..."

"The Magic Association can provide every form of assistance in that regard," Branch President Hume said with a smile. "Isn't it just a castle? The Magic Association has a luxurious castle in the outskirts that is no less impressive than Roy House's!"

...It really did seem to be a major production!

Allen felt very satisfied. Although he could not visit the Production Studio for an on-site inspection, he could at least confirm that Cecilia City's important figures supported it.

Allen finally looked at Angell. "Since it's a magic-themed production, I think we'll also need a Mage Tower. Would that kind of set be possible too?"

Even the Magic Association could not agree to that request.

The Magic Association served Mages; it was not their superior institution. Therefore, even Branch President Hume could not interfere with the internal operations of a Mage Tower, much less borrow one.

Angell's mind was currently a little short-circuited. He kept feeling there was something strange about this screenwriter, yet he could not put his finger on it.

When the other man asked him that, his brain failed to respond in time, and he blankly said, "Wait a moment. I'll ask."

As he said this, Angell casually traced a line through the air with his finger, and the breathtakingly beautiful face of a woman appeared in the air beside him.

"...Lady Avelie?!" Hume revealed a horrified expression and instinctively covered his mouth with a hand.

Yet the woman Hume called "Lady Avelie" looked excited.

"Angell? Darling, you're finally willing to contact me?!"

"I want to borrow several Mage Towers." Angell ignored what she had said and only asked, "Aren't there a lot of vacant towers in the Eastern Mage Tower District? Can I use those?"

"Of course. You can do whatever you want, not only with the Mage Towers, but with me—"

"Good." Without waiting for her to continue, Angell waved away the image.

He turned to the people on the sofa. "She said it's fine... Why are you all making those expressions?"

"Th-that was Lady Avelie, the Forbidden Spell Archmage?" Hume stammered.

"? That was Avelie, yes."

"So it really was!" Hume seized Angell's hand tightly and shook it hard. "Lord Angell, no matter what you want to do, I will support you to the very end!"

Are you a fanboy of that sadistic lunatic?

I have nothing to do with her.

Angell frowned at Hume's hand, and he finally realized what was wrong—

He only wanted to make a BaXX Little Magic Fairy, so why did things now seem to be heading toward making HaX Potter instead?!

Angell looked at the suspicious screenwriter. "Let me make this clear first: there isn't much funding! And your pay will be even less!"

"I understand," Allen said with a grin.

With Mage Towers available for use at will, was there any need to worry about something as trivial as pay?

He would rather pay Angell to let him join!