Magicians who submitted to Magic Weekly always wrote novels starring magicians as protagonists. Even when accidents happened, no one had ever made a mercenary the main character. Most importantly, the authors were real, authentic magicians themselves.

The atmosphere in Paros’s office turned subtly tense. Paros glanced at Alan, then exchanged silent looks with Noah.

Paros: "Remarkable! This magician actually chose a mercenary protagonist. Is this a fresh path?"

Noah: "Chief, he’s just a green young mage. A mercenary lead? It’ll flop for sure. Let’s reject it."

Paros: "What if we read it first? If it’s engaging, we could try a short serial. Thoughts?"

Noah: "You’re the boss. Your call."

Their wordless exchange ended in a breath. Paros smiled warmly at Alan. "Alan, could you summarize your story? Magic Weekly has never published a mercenary-led novel. Normally, *Mercenary World* alone would get it rejected. But I’d hate to leave you dissatisfied. Humor us with the gist."

Alan smiled gently. "Of course. I trust Magic Weekly’s integrity. My novel goes like this..."

Blah blah blah... blah blah blah...

After ten minutes, Alan finished outlining *Mercenary World*. "So, Editor Paros, when this story hits paper, I promise it’ll be more thrilling, more vivid, and more heart-pounding than my summary."

Silence hung as Paros and Noah remained immersed. Even as a rough sketch, the tale had gripped them. Noah, who’d planned to return the manuscript, now snatched it up. Chapter One: *The Old Friend from Snow and Ice*. It opened with the protagonist, Aimi, vowing to become a mercenary after slaying a Beastmonster snow wolf. Noah devoured the three-thousand-word chapter. Chapter Two: *Iron Horses and Clashing Spears*. It introduced Aimi’s father’s comrade, Chihanfeng, arriving in the village with a pet snow wolf—a fierce one.

Noah breezed through Chapters Three to Ten without noticing. "Gone? Why’d it stop?" she muttered, lifting her head. Her eyes still held a trace of confusion from deep immersion. Moments later, clarity returned, replaced by fiery excitement. She stood, eyes blazing at Alan. "Did you really write this?"

Alan nodded with a smile. Of course he had—though he’d borrowed it from a master not of this world.

"The scale is epic! The world feels alive, characters breathe like real people. And in just a few chapters, you’ve built a near-complete realm. Professions unfold naturally, mirroring our own world. Kid, this novel will explode!" Noah lunged forward, crushing Alan in a bear hug. He felt two soft mounds press against his chest—a sensation utterly... indescribable.

Paros watched, puzzled. *Could a kid’s writing be this good?* He grabbed the manuscript Noah had read. Instantly, he was hooked.

Time blurred. *Slam!* Paros’s slender hand struck his desk. This was exceptional—rivaling even the finest serials from rival papers. He sensed it: *Mercenary World* could reclaim Magic Weekly’s lost market share. Serial it immediately! Rejecting such brilliance would be blindness. Only one flaw nagged: the mercenary lead. Alan claimed the protagonist would become a mage mid-story, but Paros wasn’t fooled. The title said it all—*Mercenary World* meant mercenary focus. Magic would stay sidelined. What a shame.

Beside Alan, Emma tugged Noah’s arm, cheeks puffed. "Hmph! Humans have no modesty. Hugging strangers? Even beastfolk know gender boundaries!"

"Oh? Your sister? Adorable!" Noah reached to pinch Emma’s cheek.

"Careful—she bites! And Emma’s not my sister, she’s—"

Alan clamped a hand over Emma’s mouth. *Unmarried wife?* They’d brand him a monster; she looked like a child, chest aside. "Heh, Emma’s my sister. So, Editor Paros—does my novel qualify for serialization?" He steered the topic back.

"Absolutely!" Noah blurted. If this didn’t qualify, nothing would.

"And the pay?" Alan pressed. He owed ninety-eight thousand gold coins; this novel was his lifeline.

"Seventy-thirty split. You take seventy percent. Fair?" Noah offered. Alan’s gaze shifted to Paros—the chief had the final say.