19 Chapter 19: Contract
In the corner of the corridor, two individuals were standing with tension rising between them.
Aisu was tapping her index finger with crossed arms with the expression of a predator ready to savage its prey in a gruesome way.
And then there was Seiya standing calmly.
"Spit it, you fucking asshole! I want an answer with none of your narcissist remark." Aisu grunted.
"Sigh* As I said, it was just to give you a little surprise. I-" Seiya was about to say something when he dodged a punch. He then looked at Aisu and realized that her aunt was upset this time.
Although he could have gone with simple surprise, he went and flirted with her. That too sparked the 'single' bomb inside Aisu. At first, he didn't take notice but now he was realizing that he had gone a little far with her single marital status. He had mocked Aisu for being single before but with this prank, he hurt her feelings.
Seiya then turned his head to see if anyone was watching them and after confirming that, he hugged Aisu.
"I am sorry. I won't do that again." He could only say that. Seiya knew that it was just a big misunderstanding on Aisu's part and he did nothing wrong, he felt that he should apologize to cool off his blazing aunt.
Aisu was taken a little back with Seiya's sudden hug but she didn't push or take any action. She knew that she was being a little childish with her anger but she was very upset when she found out the author, who she thought was a handsome man, was none other than her own nephew.
Plus, he came here with his girlfriend. Although she supported their relationship, their presence poured a little spice into her anger.
"It's okay." Aisu looked at Seiya, "I was just a little annoyed. Don't make this kind of surprise anymore."
"Well… I can't promise surprises since a talented man like me tends to come up with amazes but…" Seiya caressed her cheek and smiled, "But I can promise that I would never leave your side and will never let any harm befall my family."
Aisu was so stunned that her heart skipped a beat but then she realized that she was blushing hard in front of Seiya and then collected her actions. "Cough* I believe in you this time."
After another minute of idle talk to lighten the mood, they decided to regroup with others.
They entered the room and then took their respective seats. Both Utaha and Sonoko wanted to comment but they knew that Aisu would eat them alive if she was provoked a little bit.
"So… Is your aunt part of the harem?" Utaha poked Seiya's waist and asked.
'The hell?' Seiya twitched his lips but didn't say anything. He knew that Utaha.exe sometimes malfunctions so he decided not to say anything.
They then decided to talk about Seiya's novel. Since Seiya was Aisu's nephew, Sonoko had to take the position of Seiya's editor too as an employee can't become editor of an author if they are connected as a family.
(AN: It may or may not be true for most organizations but I have other plans to groom Aisu's character.)
Since Utaha had already discussed the matter of her novel, it was Seiya's turn to make a contract. So he handed the USB to Sonoko and Aisu to read the official edited script.
"This is…" Sonoko and Aisu forgot to breathe for a moment as they read the novel that Seiya had written.
Dungeons blazing with hellfire, monsters rampaging the city, and the main character in actions, reading the novel felt like it was all happing around them!
It was not just the plot of the story and neither were all the actions but the actual image that the author is depicting through mere words.
Forget about readers, even as professional editors, both Aisu and Sonoko can't help but stick their eyes on the laptop to read the next scene.
If they had to remark the author then they would declare Seiya as a veteran author but Seiya was just a high school boy and new author.
While they were busy reading, Seiya and Utaha decided to order some drinks since their office does offer some services.
"Kanie-san, no, ONE-sama, please allow me to be your editor," Sonoko spoke like a person begging for a king to grant her the wish.
"That's what I am here for." Seiya chuckled and spoke. Utaha was also snickering watching her editor so desperate. It was the same for Utaha when she first discovered Seiya's talent.
"Then I will present the contract," Sonoko said and then looked at Aisu who had the contract since she was supposed to be his editor. She then presented the contract on the table and asked Seiya to read it.
Seiya just glanced at the contract and immediately memorized it. His intelligence coupled with master-level literature, mere seconds were enough for him to memorize the contents of the contract. Although he had read the contract, he just pretend to read it since the onlookers will get suspicious, especially Utaha.
After reading the contract, he put down papers and took a deep breath.
"So…?" Sonoko, along with Utaha and Aisu, focused all their attention on Seiya to see what the narcissist has to say.
"Machida-san, I am sorry but I demand some alterations."
"Eh…?" Sonoko was confused with Seiya's disappointed expression and thought that he was very upset with the terms and conditions of the contract. "Can you explain what kind of alteration you are demanding?"
"Remove Article 16 that says that secondary copyright belongs to company for five years and automatic renewal thereof," Seiya said.
Secondary copyright is where the company makes profit via sources connected to a light novel like manga, anime, or live-action adaptation and merchandise like figurines.
As a lawyer in his past life, he was proficient enough to detect these clauses like a piece of cake.
"W-wait, please… Kanie-san might just be over cautious…! All authors sign the contract like that…" Sonoko stuttered and looked at her novelist Utaha for help but…
"I guess it is an unfair clause. After all, I also terminated that clause." Utaha said but a grin could be seen by Sonoko.
She knew that Utaha was a lost cause so she turned her attention to her chief but Aisu was also calmed as she predicted this from her nephew. "Chief…?"
"Whatever he says, you have my approval," Aisu said calmly and took a sip of her tea. Unknown to Sonoko, she knew that Seiya is a far more dangerous and fierce beast than Sonoko imagined. With how much Seiya has changed, she won't be surprised if Seiya starts using magic one day.
"Well then… anything else…?" Sonoko asked covered in sweat.
"Yes, guarantee fee and royalties are written here is 12%, correct?" Seiya asked.
"That's right! Usually, it is 9 or 10% for new authors but since Kanie-san is so phenomenal author, we raised it to 13%. Don't worry, in the future, the company might increase-"
"Please raise it to 17% for the first 8,000 copies and then 18% following. Also, note that overseas publication must be negotiated with the author." Seiya interrupted Sonoko and took a sip.
"That's impossible! Even Shi-chan isn't paid that much. The company won't agree after the elimination of Article 16. Kanie-san with all due respect, it is simply impossible for me to admit these terms." Sonoko slammed her hand on the table. If she is to make these alterations and sign a contract with Seiya, the company would ultimately terminate the contract and then fire Sonoko with legal charges.
Even if the company agrees with such terms, they will demand a success guarantee from Sonoko for the novel. It will be a huge risk for the poor editor. Utaha already crossed several deadlines enough to give a heart attack and Sonoko didn't want another blade hanging on her neck.
Besides, she was helpless as both Aisu and Utaha had blind trust for Seiya. Why wouldn't they? One was his girlfriend and the other was his lov- aunt.
Seiya put down the tea and smiled, "Machida-san, please open the hidden folder. You will see why I can demand those terms."
Sonoko was confused until she did as Seiya said and was shocked again. There was not one but three more volumes ready to be published. Also, the whole manuscript was written in the folder. She widened her eyes and saw Seiya smirking.
"That's right. I have the whole story ready in my hands and also a guarantee to publish the novel at a specific time. Four volumes guaranteed for the year or I will bear the penalty of 5 million yen and other losses on spot. How does that sound?" Seiya said.
He knew that no one will agree to his terms and conditions so he came with a perfect plan to bait his editor.
(AN: Just according to cake.)
He has no intention of writing a novel for his life. He will write the rest of the volumes and hand them over to his editor.
Sonoko finally discovered why Seiya was sure about his work. Hell, if he was a veteran writer, he could also demand as much as 20% royalty with such skills. She can't help but feel proud of two talented authors joining her company.
"We have a deal then. I am very proud to be your editor, Kanie-san." Sonoko stood and extended her hand.
"Well, I am talented enough to-" Seiya was about to brag about himself but then he noticed Aisu's and Utaha's red eyes as if warning Seiya to show mercy to poor Sonoko. "Cough* Likewise. Please call me Seiya as we will be working together."
"Then I am Sonoko for you. It is nice to be cooperative, Seiya-san." Sonoko smiled but then felt a chill down to her spine directed from her colleague Aisu.
Seiya also smiled. After signing the contract, he left with his girlfriend.
After two talented monsters left, Sonoko fell on her seat and took a deep breath of relief.
"You don't have to look at me like that, Aisu. We were just being frank." Sonoko said to the monster sitting next to her. She knew that Aisu must be upset for calling her nephew by his first name.
"Humph. Remember that he is only a high schooler and has a girlfriend." Aisu said as she started to play with her pen.
"Ho?! Is it just me or my Aisu-chan is jealous of a mature woman getting closer to her super handsome nephew~?" Sonoko grinned.
Aisu's expression suddenly turned so grim that room temperature started to rise as she grabbed the pen like a dagger. "Say that again and you will witness real-life female John Wick."
"Eh!? Relax Aisu-chan, I was just joking!!!" Sonoko pleaded with a helpless smile. She wondered if Aisu's family were all bunch of lunatics. First a talent like Seiya then her. "Anyway, what's with your nephew? Was he always that way?"
"If you are questioning his talent then don't. As for as I know, he was once held as a genius child but…" Aisu said and sighed. She can't talk about Seiya's past to a stranger.
Seiya went through a lot. Once a genius child actor than a rebellious child, Seiya was but a puppet for her mother but then ups and down came to his life and he ended up shutting himself for the year. She had seen what Seiya had gone through. She also didn't know how the hell her nephew turned into a new leaf but it was for the best.
"One thing is confirmed, if he has dreams or goals set in his mind then he will take responsibility to fulfill them."
Seiya was called a narcissist because he was a person who only used to brag about himself but with the talent, he is showing, she could see a light where her nephew will not be just a narcissist in the future but a person with commitments and achievements.
"Yeah, I am also pretty sure that he will be surrounded with pretty girls in the future."
Aisu widened her eyes at this comment and looked at Sonoko but the person was not in her seat. She turned around and saw Sonoko with a grin at the door.
"So if he is such great person as you say, I don't mind being your sister for his harem, Aisu-chan~!" Sonoko winked and ran.
"Come back here! I will kill you!!" Aisu roared and ran after Sonoko. Seiya is only hers!!
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[Status]
Name: Seiya Kanie
Age: 16
STR: 24
AGI: 24
STA: 24
INT: 65
WIS: 10
CHA: 6
LUC: 10
Innate Ability: Natural Narcissist.
Other Abilities: Exercise, Skill Maker, Appraisal
Skills: [Mathematics (Expert) +], [English (Expert) +], [Literature (Master) +], [Science (Advance) +], [Cooking (Advance) +], [Basketball (Advance) +], [Mental Resistance (Advance)], [Teaching (Advance) +], [Management (Expert) +]
System Points: 120]
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Missions on:
[Sub-Quest: Utaha's problem.
As a successful novelist, she seems to have stuck on something with her story. As a rising novelist such as yourself, help her to regain her foot in the writing.
Objective: Help her to submit a new volume of her novel this Saturday.
Rewards: 60 system points, Skill [Music (Basic)]
[Main Quest: Let's officially make a name.
Since the host has written enough story material and fame on the world of the web. Let's make it official.
Objective 1: Sign a deal with any publishing company this Saturday.
Objective 2: Royalty must be sighed at a minimum of 10%.
Rewards: 300 System Points, Ability (Inventory), ????
Note: Rewards may increase based on the performance.]
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Lets put Power Stone Button in a chamber, tie his limbs on a chair and let him watch Dragon ball Evolution and Goku no Piccolo all day till they pass out.
I will send their body to MC's house so you don't have to worry.
Plus, an honest review or feedback with some suggestions in comments will help me rewrite this book more.
1K stones will get you an extra chapter on Sunday
2K stones will get you 2 extra chapter on Sunday.
If you want to read ahead and want to be part of J-titan army, join now:
https://www.pat reon.com/J_Titan
