Signing the Contract

"If you are free, I hope that Kayaba Sensei can come to the Fantasia Bunko headquarters in Tokyo to talk about publishing the first volume of [Sword Art Online]."

Within days, Rito earned third place at the Light Novel Newcomer Awards. [Sword Art Online] had proven its potential, it had proven its true value.

Although the final results are not out yet, Fantasia Bunko has decided to publish them officially. In fact, Fantasia Bunko also contacted the current No.1 and No.2 place light novel authors, but it's a pity they haven't written the entire contents of the first volume yet. Meanwhile, Rito has already been written.

Now that school is less than a few days away, during this period of time, Rito's main advantages, one is to confirm from the system that the protagonist's luck plundering speed has indeed partly accelerated, and the other is that he has completed the first chapter of [Sword Art Online] volume.

Considering the various things that might happen when school officially starts, Rito has been in a hurry lately, and he plans to finish the first two volumes before school starts.

Regarding school fees and living expenses, Rito doesn't have to worry about this problem. Currently [Sword Art Online] is now in the third position, which opened the popularity in the fourth position, and is steadily approaching the second position. In other words, the third place bonus reward is almost destined to be won, plus the money Haruno gave before, Rito will have more than one million yen in the near future, and the official printing and sales of light novels is the time to really start making money.

Then it was best to get these things done first, and unless the job was animated, he probably wouldn't need to go to Fantasia Bunko's base.

Rito predicts the future optimistically, talks to Mikan and sets off immediately.

....

Tokyo seems to be quite prosperous, with many high-rise buildings, but also very lively, suitable for young people who work hard and make money, suitable for the headquarters of large companies. But it is not suitable for living for most people living in this city because the price is too high.

But there are many aliens, Rito even found some aliens who do not rely on technological equipment, but have almost extraordinary powers, they act as ordinary humans to work and live.

With Earth's current armed forces, they couldn't inflict any sort of heavy waves on him. Rito didn't pay too much attention. He went straight to the Fantasia Bunko headquarters, a ten story building in a bustling area.

Not just light novels, but illustrations, manga, anime, other peripherals, all fall within the scope of Fantasia Bunko.

"You are Kayaba Sensei? Please come with me."

When Rito told the receptionist woman that he was the author of [Sword Art Online], the other party was extremely shocked. Rito is too young to be a novelist, she politely takes him to a separate reception room.

Maybe at the same time the receptionist received Rito, someone else reported the news. Barely when he entered the reception room, there was a beautiful woman in business attire with neat short black hair and a faint smile.

"I am Machida Sonoko, editor-in-chief of Fantasia Bunko, and also your editor-in-chief, Kayaba Sensei, you are as young as I imagined, but more handsome than I imagined."

The word 'Sensei' is not limited to school teachers, but artists, writers, and people with deep professional knowledge are called 'Sensei'.

Although many literary experts disapproved of light novels, as long as they showed value beyond themselves, namely fame, influence and economic benefits, even those stubborn literati would also call a 'Sensei' (Like body artist Sora Aoi).

As for Sonoko who was now calling Rito 'Sensei', she naturally expressed her friendliness and expectations. She looked at him with slight surprise. The other party was too calm. Fantasia Bunko Headquarters is considered high class in Tokyo. Seeing such a big scene, the other party didn't become nervous and stiff, which was rare, and it was even more special considering his age.

"Hello, chief editor Machida, my real name is Yuuki Rito."

The Sonoko in front of him has a similar aura to Haruno, the temperament of a successful working woman, but compared to Haruno, Sonoko's aura is more real, and Rito is also more comfortable communicating with her.

"Maybe I should call you Yuuki-san or Rito-kun? But since we're mostly going to be discussing light novels this time, let's call you by your pseudonym. In that case, Kayaba Sensei, this is the contract from Fantasia Bunko."

Rito isn't very interested in these rules, and he doesn't even look closely at the monetary rewards. He looked at Sonoko, Fantasia Bunko shouldn't set a trap on purpose, so there was only one requirement.

"I believe that with the value of [Sword Art Online], the conditions offered by Fantasia Bunko are very generous, but I have a request. I hope that the copyright of [Sword Art Online] derivative works is the company. Not anime and peripherals." Sonoko blinked.

"Besides the anime and peripherals, what else could be dropped?"

"Does Kayaba Sensei mean manga? But don't worry, after signing the contract, Fantasia Bunko will only own part of the light novel's copyright. Whether it's anime or manga, we will negotiate with Kayaba Sensei as the writer. Like as long as Kayaba Sensei doesn't nod, Fantasia Bunko won't do anything unnecessary."

In fact, Rito refers to the [Sword Art Online] game, a full dive game type, although his future is unknown, but he has to be fully prepared.

However, maybe when Lala and even King Deviluke appear on earth, some earth laws will become dead letters. In the eyes of the strong, ordinary people are like mud... Rito sighed softly, then handled his name on the contract.