Submissions for Japanese light novels are usually done online. However, due to the special nature of this school, online submissions are practically impossible.
Still, this school aims to cultivate talented individuals who can contribute to society. Therefore, there's actually a publishing studio set up within the school.
But usually, there are only receptionists here. Editors don't typically come around.
To submit, you first hand your manuscript to the receptionist, who then forwards it to the editors at headquarters for review.
If the submission is approved, they'll send someone to talk with the author in detail.
Kamio Tatsuya is currently at this stage.
He'd been preparing his manuscript bit by bit since early December. A few days ago, he submitted a portion of what he'd written.
The news finally came on Christmas.
The meeting place wasn't the studio the publisher had set up at the school, but the school's reception room.
Since you need to wear a school uniform to enter the school, Kamio Tatsuya first went back to his dorm to change, then headed to the school reception room.
He'd been here a few times before, but this time, waiting for him wasn't Chabashira Sae, but Okabe Kazuma.
"Excuse me."
Pushing the door open, Kamio Tatsuya found not only Okabe Kazuma, who had contacted him, but also a guest he hadn't expected sitting next to Okabe.
Across from them sat a man he didn't recognize, likely around forty years old.
"We meet again, Kamio-kun."
"Hello, Chairman Sakayanagi."
"You can just call me Uncle Sakayanagi, like last time."
Sakayanagi Naruyoshi still had the same gentle smile as before.
Kamio Tatsuya didn't know why Sakayanagi Naruyoshi was showing him such favor, but he decided to accept this goodwill.
Given his current position, he had to accept whether he wanted to or not.
"This is Editor Oda Akira from XX Bunko," Okabe Kazuma began introducing them. "And this is Kamio Tatsuya, a student from our school's Class C, First Year."
"Hello."
"My goodness, a hero emerging from youth! I read your submission, and both your writing and story concept were eye-opening. If you can maintain this quality, it will definitely become a masterpiece!"
As soon as Okabe finished, Oda stood up, grabbed Kamio Tatsuya's hand, and shook it vigorously.
Wow, I didn't expect the works of old man Jiang Nan to be so popular, even in another world?
"Uh, thank you for your praise."
"This isn't praise!" Oda's previously smiling face turned serious. "It's the truth! I foresee Dragon God becoming massively popular in Japan, no... worldwide!"
This caught Kamio Tatsuya off guard.
Are you just saying these things to flatter me?
Kamio Tatsuya hesitantly looked at Chairman Sakayanagi, who was sitting on the couch with a smile.
"I trust his judgment. Three works he's praised like this have become very famous now."
Is that so?
Kamio Tatsuya suddenly understood, but then a question arose.
If this Editor Oda is so capable...
Then how could he possibly be interested in a newcomer's work?
Did it just happen to fall into his hands?
Isn't that too coincidental?
Is my luck really that good?
Or could it be that Chairman Sakayanagi is pulling strings behind the scenes?
Regardless, his presence here means he is definitely paying attention to my matters.
This is all goodwill...
Kamio Tatsuya didn't even know how to repay it all.
Oh well, as I said before, I'll take things one step at a time.
With the system I have, all I need is time to develop.
Next, with the Chairman and Okabe as witnesses, Kamio Tatsuya discussed royalties, profit sharing, delivery dates, and copyright with the editor.
After all these points were settled, Kamio Tatsuya increasingly felt the role Chairman Sakayanagi played here.
Without him, Kamio Tatsuya definitely wouldn't have received such generous terms.
"Please fill out this form as well. Since Kamio-kun is still a minor, you'll need to fill in your parents' names in the guardian section."
Hearing this, Kamio Tatsuya frowned.
"What's wrong? Is there a problem?"
"My parents have passed away," Kamio Tatsuya said with a helpless expression. "Actually, it's precisely because I have no relatives willing to adopt me that I chose to study at this school."
"I'm sorry."
Upon hearing Kamio Tatsuya say this, Editor Oda also showed a regretful expression.
"Write my name."
Chairman Sakayanagi spoke, and Oda was immediately surprised.
"Is that okay?"
"Yes, to me, all the students at this school are like my own children." Sakayanagi Naruyoshi's expression remained gentle, but Kamio Tatsuya felt he seemed quite happy.
"Thank you, Uncle Sakayanagi."
Once the guardian issue was resolved, Editor Oda immediately put away the contract.
"The next publication date is February 25th, so if you want to make that deadline, Kamio-sensei, you'll need to give me the content for the first volume by February."
By February...
Kamio Tatsuya nodded. "No problem, I'll do my best. Please come pick it up, Mr. Oda."
"Well, if you're so confident, I'll come by again on February 1st."
After setting the date, the meeting concluded.
"In that case, I'll be leaving now. Goodbye, everyone."
After Oda left, Kamio Tatsuya also bid farewell.
It was Christmas today, and it felt a bit strange to be out in a school uniform.
On the way back to the dorm, Kamio Tatsuya took out his phone to tell Shiina the news about signing with the publisher.
"Congratulations, Tatsuya."
"And thank you for your support."
Kamio Tatsuya's writing skills aren't the best, so he actually writes out the story first, and then the literary girl, Shiina, refines the wording.
Kamio Tatsuya initially wanted to include Shiina's name as an author, but she firmly refused.
In her words: Tatsuya came up with all the stories; I'm just an assistant, not an author at all.
What needs to be done next is to finish writing the remaining parts and add illustrations.
Hmm, Masumi-chan, aren't you in the art club?
Your skills will come in handy now. The first step of this Dragon God will be completed through the cooperation of the three of us.
The royalties and copyright from this book will be the foundation for our future life together!
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