"Apprentice? Like Kasumigaoka Utaha? Ni-san, when did you get another apprentice?"
Sagiri's expression immediately changed.
"It's been a while. She's different from Kasumigaoka Utaha, probably the difference between an introductory disciple and a direct disciple. Gokou Rori is someone I personally cultivated."
Izumi Chihiro believed this to be true.
"You didn't even tell me about something like this, Ni-san... Hmph!"
Sagiri hummed softly, showing a slight dissatisfaction, then snatched the light novel and sat on a nearby sofa.
"I'll just have to see what this new apprentice Ni-san has taken on is capable of."
Several hours later.
"She's nothing special, can't even compare to Kasumigaoka Utaha. It seems she hasn't learned any of Ni-san's skills at all. The story concept is alright, but her writing ability is clearly lacking, and some parts are too superfluous… Well, she's just a newcomer, so this level is acceptable."
After finishing the entire book, Sagiri began her sharp critique.
After being influenced by her brother and those other authors, her standards had risen. She wouldn't get excited by works that were so easily seen through.
"I thought Sagiri would think I was a poor teacher, but does Sagiri really have such high regard for her brother?"
Izumi Chihiro had just walked out of his room, intending to get a glass of water from the kitchen. Hearing his sister's evaluation, he approached her.
"Does Ni-san's skill still need me to brag about it?"
Sagiri replied with a slight blush, "After all, Izumi Old Thief's reputation is already well-known in the industry!"
"That should be called infamous," Izumi Chihiro joked.
"In any case, Ni-san definitely has no problems with his professional level."
Sagiri was convinced of this.
The problem, of course, could only be with this apprentice.
Compared to the debut works of others, Gokou Ruri's was certainly a bit lacking, and had a somewhat forced, uninspired feel. It was, after all, suited for slightly novice readers—true beginner level. While it might gain some popularity due to its novel theme and story design, its potential ceiling couldn't be too high.
However, looking across the industry, simply being able to stably complete a work already surpassed many people, and was enough to meet Gokou Ruri's personal psychological standards.
"You can't say that. One's future achievements can't necessarily be judged from their debut. Although Gokou didn't have a 'debut at the peak' performance, she might still have moments in the future that will astound the world."
Izumi Chihiro understood perfectly, his gaze sharpening as he spoke.
"Hmm, if Ni-san says so, then it is so," Sagiri replied.
She looked up and noticed her brother's expression, feeling as if his words held another meaning entirely.
…
"Tap, tap, tap…"
Early in the morning, the sky was covered in a haze.
"It's raining again…!"
"It's been raining for days. When will it end?"
"Good thing I prepared an umbrella in advance."
Passersby were well-prepared, opening their umbrellas.
However, several days of autumn rain could not deter the readers' enthusiasm. The long-awaited day had arrived, and they would brave the obstacles as if heading to a battlefield.
"Phew, my pant legs are all wet."
A man arrived at the bookstore entrance and looked down.
"This time, I finally made it into the top ten."
He glanced at the bookstore entrance, a satisfied smile on his face.
"What story will the third volume tell today? It should be about uncovering the secret of the curse, right? And clearing Rem's name!"
"Rem? She cut down the protagonist without a word before. You like such a brutal character? Is it just because she fits your XP?"
"Exactly, exactly! What's Rem? Emilia is the best!"
"Hmph! There's a reason for it, what do you guys know!? And the protagonist doesn't even care, so what's it to you? What's wrong with me liking Rem?"
Unexpectedly, even before the store opened, several readers at the entrance began to argue.
"Are they starting faction wars so soon?"
"It feels like it's never been this intense before. Not just in reality, but I haven't seen much arguing online either. When did it change?"
"I remember! It seems it started with "White Album"! Touma and Setsuna's faction war was fierce, escalating more and more…"
Other readers watching the show were enjoying the drama.
Originally, such matters were confined to small circles and wouldn't cause much of a stir, but the players of "White Album" happened to overlap highly with Izumi Masamune's readers, which suddenly made things interesting.
Just as they were arguing heatedly, almost coming to blows, the sound of the bookstore opening interrupted their quarrel like a call to cease hostilities.
They could find people to argue with online anytime, but they couldn't forget their primary objective. They re-formed their lines, eagerly awaiting.
"It seems Rem is the protagonist of this volume…"
Everyone understood by looking at the cover's composition, and the Rem faction members immediately showed satisfied smiles.
Then, they turned the page and officially entered the story.
…
The loop restarts!
Natsuki Subaru reorganized his thoughts.
First, gain the trust of everyone in the mansion to avoid being killed to silence him, and then deal with the attacking sorcerer.
Is this simple?
It is not simple.
Because he had to do this without being able to reveal the truth, and without being able to change everything through his personal abilities.
Although he tried to learn magic, it seemed that this level of power was currently useless.
Along the way, he also learned some information about sorcery and the Witch of Envy, and thus understood Emilia's mindset when she called herself 'Satella' back then.
Readers, seeing this, naturally thought something different from Natsuki Subaru. It was clear that besides the silver-haired half-elf setting, Emilia and the Witch of Envy must have an unknown secret.
Of course, this interpretation could not be confirmed in the early stages of the story.
After relieving his stress on Emilia's lap, Natsuki Subaru began to implement his plan.
He finally targeted a small puppy.
Later that night, worried about the children's safety, he re-entered the village.
During the fierce battle with the demon beast, Natsuki Subaru's pure heart finally earned Rem's genuine devotion.
Because of this, Rem even went into a berserk state.
Hero saves beauty?
No, beauty saves hero!
This development instantly boosted readers' favorability towards Rem.
After all, who wouldn't like a beautiful maid who can both fight and heal?
The flashbacks of Rem and Ram, Rem crying and confessing, their hands clasped tightly after waking up—each moving description and illustration remained clear in the mind, giving readers a leap in their favorability towards Rem.
The last scene was even more deeply moving…
---
💯 PS = 2 bonus chapter