15 The editor

"... So, your name is Mo Fan... Is that right?" Questioned Igarashi.

"Yes, sir." Answered the other person.

In front of him was a person that looked... Rather around his age, based on his height and physique. The person has an appearance with black hair and dark-brown eyes. Coupled with a developed, fit muscular physique on the slender side.

Overall, he's an ikemen. The sort of guy that has at least one, two, three, or more girls fawning over him.

Mo Fan is part of Feiyun Commerce Guild's publishing department, as an editor. He was sent here by Xingqiu to 'help' Igarashi. But the latter knows that the other reason the former sent him was to send daily reports to him or something like that. 'It's just a gut feeling.'

Oh, and speaking of Feiyun Commerce Guild's publishing department, it is a department established by Xingqiu's grandfather when the rising of novels was getting popular. With their connections, over time, their book publishing went throughout Teyvat, thus, granting them more profit. Of course, this department won't survive if no novel authors are submitting their work here, and so, the Feiyun Commerce Guild is always actively seeking authors that have great potential to form 'contracts'.

Back to the topic, Igarashi was scanning Mo Fan. Not because of his looks, but for judging. "So... Are you experienced with your work?"

"I have 3 years' worth of experience working as an editor in the publishing department." Mo Fan calmly answered.

'3 years...? Wait, underage working?' Igarashi thought. He then shook his head and shrugged off the thought.

"I see. Well then, as an editor, I'm guessing that you will help us in the correction of some of our work?" Igarashi asked. He has a vague idea of an editor, based on his memories. Typically, they review story ideas and determine what material is most likely to please readers, and offer suggestions to improve the novel or book, and suggest titles.

In short, they fix and clean most of the mistakes of authors. As a job.

'Do I really need an editor? I mean, I don't have that much experience in publishing books in the past, so I don't know if what I have been doing had been right this whole time...' It was true. Igarashi was merely drawing the contents of what he remembers with the help of the system. With the help of his skill [Mangaka's Will] and [Tears of a Mangaka], he was able to raise his intelligence stats a bit and remembered more details of 'Your Name' and with that, he was able to convert the movie to a thick book containing manga panels.

Mo Fan remained calm and composed as he replied, "I hope you don't mind, Sir Yunru, I would like to see the umm..."

Mo Fan pointed at the manga that was being drawn by Sasori on the table at the back. "Manga. I call it 'Manga'."

"Yes, excuse me, I would like to see the manga if it is possible." Mo Fan said. He stayed silent for a short moment before breathing out a small air. "To tell the truth, I... Don't know if I'm suited for this. I mean, I had only reviewed novels and given out some pointers... But this one, I have to admit, I am nervous."

Igarashi calmly nodded as he fully understand where Mo Fan is coming from. After all, this is the first time a novel in a form of a drawing has appeared in Liyue. Sure, many talented people in Liyue can also draw as same or maybe better than Igarashi, but none of them haven't taken on the effort of creating a full and long story. At best, some would just make a small and thin book for children or a book of sketches.

Igarashi stood up and went to Sasori who was focused on making a manga. Sasori stopped drawing and nonchalantly looked up at the approaching Igarashi and opened his mouth, "...We're getting a helper?"

Igarashi smiled and nodded as he patted Sasori's head before picking up a manga. "Sort of."

Sasori nodded and shortly went back to his work. Seeing this, Igarashi smiled a bit. 'He's so diligent...'

After a short talk with Sasori, Igarashi went back to the couches and sat down. He then slid the manga to the short table. "Here."

Mo Fan nodded and picked up the manga. He opened it and started reading.

'Oh yeah, hey system, can he see the content inside?' Although Igarashi was expecting no replies from the system, his expectations were never met.

[Yes]

'Oh, really? Care to elaborate on it further?' Igarashi sarcastically thought.

[...]

'Figured.' Igarashi rolled his eyes.

He then looked at Mo Fan who was focused on reading and waited for him to finish and give him his thought.

[Notice.]

[Mo Fan has liked your work.]

[+5 System Credits.]

When Igarashi saw the notification, he immediately started asking questions to the system. 'Hey, I also got this message when Zhongli liked the manga I drew, if I remember correctly, this wasn't a feature before?'

[It is now.]

'???'

Igarashi was confused. Since when was the system this so... Low? It didn't even bother explaining why. Igarashi didn't ask it any further and just concluded: 'It may be because of the new functions the system said when it upgraded...'

After a full minute, Mo Fan finished and closed the manga with his two hands. "I... Found some things."

Seeing the results, Igarashi perked up and immediately got curious. "So how was it?"

Mo Fan scratched his head and his expression showed that he seemed like he did not know what to say. "I have to be frank, Sir Yunru. There were... Some errors."

Igarashi just sat there, silently. 'Well, I can't say I didn't expect this outcome...'

Igarashi let out a sigh and asked, "Can you... Tell me what it is?"

Mo Fan nodded and started explaining. "Yes. Umm... You see, from what I'm seeing here, the way this manga is supposed to be read is from right to left, and the contents of the story are shown in different-sized objects."

"Yes, you're correct," Igarashi confirmed, before continuing. "And those differently-sized shapes where the story is based out are what I call for now are 'Panels'."

Mo Fan nodded as if he understood Igarashi. He then started pointing out errors Igarashi made. Some of them are like his brush strokes and manga panels that might confuse the readers. Though, Igarashi insisted to keep it the traditional way of Right to Left reading.

The two of them continued to converse and seem to have an understanding of their respective work.

"It seems like you really are experienced, Mo Fan." Igarashi complimented as he got some fresh ideas. 'Truly, a different view from another person is helpful...'

Mo Fan smiled too and scratched the back of his head, "No, no, it's nothing, really. It's all part of the job, after all."

Igarashi nodded in satisfaction as he liked Mo Fan's reply. 'A humble one, eh...'

Igarashi stood up, followed by Mo Fan and they both shook hands. "Welcome to manga jump, Mo Fan. I am looking forward to a great work with you."

That's right. Igarashi finally decided to name his shop, Manga Jump. In honor of his favorite manga publisher, Shōnen Jump, owned by Shueisha.

Not very creative, but it can work, for now.

Mo Fan gently smiled and replied, "Likewise, Sir— no, Boss Yunru."

Both of them nodded and talked about some things before officially going to work.

"Oh yeah, will I be the one paying you or will it be the Feiyun Commerce Guild?" Igarashi bluntly asked.

Mo Fan went to thinking for a bit and answered. "Oh, I remember, Young Master Xingqiu said that it will be covered with the contract."

'Oh... Now that's a blessing.' Igarashi felt relieved.