The novel section of Magic Weekly had been running at a loss for two straight years. This wasn't good news. Both the magazine and novel sections were its core businesses. The magazine section still had loyal readers. But the novel section had lost most readers due to no outstanding novels in two years. It was now in deficit. If this continued, headquarters might shut it down and focus solely on the magazine.

Noah didn't want that. To him, magazines and novels each had their own charm. They competed but also complemented each other. Shutting down the novel section would be a huge loss for Magic Weekly in Newdali City.

Paros, sitting behind his desk, rubbed his temples. A trace of worry creased his brow. As editor-in-chief, he oversaw both sections. He knew what Noah said, but he couldn't change the novel section's current state.

To fix this, they needed to serialize several exceptionally good novels. The decline was largely due to no outstanding novels in recent years.

Magic Weekly was Leo Kingdom's most reputable newspaper. Being formal, it had strict rules. For novels, it only accepted works by mages. This rule shut out most excellent stories.

"Editor Paros, Magic Weekly must change," Noah urged. "Otherwise, not only will our Newdali City novel section lose the remaining market, but other branches in Leo Kingdom will too."

"Editor Paros, I'm not exaggerating. Look at Hero Newspaper across the street. It was once a minor paper in Newdali City. But after serializing great novels for two years, it now rivals us. You know how big the stakes are, right?"

To Noah, novels were for relaxation. As long as they attracted readers, it shouldn't matter if written by mages or commoners.

Paros nodded with a bitter smile. "Noah, I know and agree. But that rule was set by Magic Weekly's founder. To change it, we need the founder's approval. Otherwise, it's just wishful thinking."

Noah was frustrated. "Then what? Just watch our novel section get squeezed out of the market?"

"Noah, don't panic. How many novels are we currently serializing? And how many are doing well?"

"Ten novels are running. Only one is decent: 'Young Genius Mage'. But it's no match for Hero Newspaper's 'I Am the Overlord'. 'I Am the Overlord' easily crushes it."

Noah felt pained. She thought 'Young Genius Mage' was good—a prodigy mage traveling the continent. But the plot was a bit monotonous.

She'd read 'I Am the Overlord'. It was excellent. Characters, races, plot—all superior. Readers care about stories, not magic theory.

Paros knew this too. Novelists needed either experience or imagination. The young mages writing for Magic Weekly lacked both. That's why they were crushed. Headache. Was the novel section doomed to fade?

Knock knock knock!

Just as Paros worried, a knock came at his office door. "Come in, it's unlocked."

Creak! A girl in a black uniform entered. Behind her were a silver-haired boy in a white mage robe and an eleven-year-old girl.

"Editor Paros, this young mage wants to publish a novel with us," the uniformed girl said, pointing to the boy.

Noah's fair face showed a hint of helplessness. "Why are all our submissions from teenagers? Can't we get a middle-aged uncle for once?"

Paros agreed but stayed professional. He smiled at the boy. "Hello, young man. I'm Paros, editor-in-chief of Magic Weekly."

"Hello, Editor Paros. I'm Alan, a mage and freelance writer. I've written a long novel for serialization here." Alan pulled out a 50,000-word manuscript from his robe.

Paros glanced at Noah. She sighed and took the manuscript. A teenager likely couldn't write well. But since he was a mage, they'd serialize it. If it didn't perform, they'd cancel it. Unprofitable novels weren't worth pushing.

"Alan, what's your novel's title?" Paros asked with a smile. Sometimes, a title hinted at potential.

"Mercenary World. That's my novel's name."

"..."

Paros's smile froze. His lips twitched unnaturally.

Noah's hand trembled. She almost wanted to return the manuscript.

Mercenary World? The title screamed "mercenary protagonist". Submitting this to Magic Weekly? Was he messing with them or at the wrong place?

Or was this boy a fake mage? How could a proud mage make a mercenary the hero?