"Who are you…?"
Machako immediately stood up, her guard fully raised.
After everything she had been through, she understood one thing clearly—
There was no such thing as a free lunch.
—
Ren let out a small chuckle.
"Machako. 25 years old. You inherited your father's manga studio and once led it to success."
He spoke calmly, as if reading from a file.
"But after the industry shifted, everything declined. And just now… that man was part of the reason."
—
Every word hit its mark.
Machako felt as if she had been stripped bare under his gaze.
Her legs gave out, and she collapsed back into her chair, her face pale.
—
Looking around the now-empty studio, she forced a bitter smile.
"Even so… do I still have to compromise with reality?"
She had held on this long through sheer will.
But now—
—
"Have you lost your fighting spirit?" Ren asked, sitting down across from her.
"Or… have you lost your love for manga?"
—
She looked up immediately.
Her eyes were firm.
"Give up? Never."
"But in this situation… what can I even do?"
"All that's left is watching everything get taken away, bit by bit… until only the name remains."
—
She knew it better than anyone.
This studio… couldn't be saved by her alone.
—
Ren nodded slightly.
The timing was right.
From inside his coat, he pulled out a manuscript—
The draft of the second edition of Super Seminary.
—
"…What is this?"
Machako's eyes sharpened instantly.
She stepped closer without hesitation.
Her passion as a creator had already taken over—
But she still glanced at Ren, seeking permission.
—
Ren shrugged.
"Take a look."
"From here on… everything related to this will be your responsibility."
"If you don't recognize it, check records from five years ago."
Then he stood up.
"I've got other things to do. If you need anything, call me."
—
With that—
He left.
—
Whether it would succeed or fail—
Ren didn't concern himself with it.
He already knew the answer wouldn't be bad.
—
Machako stared at his departing figure—
Then immediately turned back.
Her hands trembled slightly as she opened the manuscript.
—
And then—
Her eyes widened.
"This… Super Seminary?!"
—
…
Two days passed.
—
Since contacting Machako, Ren had continued his routine—
Training.
Drawing.
Refining his plans.
—
Through repeated "extraction," his strength had steadily increased.
But according to the system—
To progress further, he had to continue developing the world of Super Seminary.
—
In those two days, he also familiarized himself with the area—
Izuku's home.
The surrounding districts.
The general strength level of heroes.
—
After returning from training—
His phone rang.
—
"I sold the studio."
Machako's voice came through.
"I got some money, but… It's still not enough to publish the new series."
"I didn't have a choice. I need your help."
—
Her tone had changed.
More respectful now.
She understood—
Just how valuable this second edition would be.
—
Ren paused slightly.
Selling the studio…
That part, even he hadn't expected.
—
"Send me an address," he said calmly.
"You'll receive a bank card. It has everything you need."
"Focus on publishing the manga."
"As for your studio… You can rebuild it later."
—
After hanging up—
Ren looked out the window.
—
From this height, he could see most of the surrounding area.
The studio—
Was only the first step.
Machako herself—
Was the real asset.
—
Once the second edition of Super Seminary launched—
Everything would begin.
—
…
Another two days passed.
—
Machako handled everything on her end.
Ren didn't interfere.
They stayed in contact by phone.
—
Unknowingly—
The early distribution channels had already begun forming.
The first wave of influence was taking shape.
—
"Haa…"
—
Lying on his bed, Ren slowly opened his eyes and exhaled.
Power surged through his body once again.
—
The system has been updated.
Recognition:
From 10% → 11%.
—
It wasn't a huge jump—
But the effect was real.
His strength had clearly improved.
—
And most importantly—
A new change appeared.
—
The "Power of Earth" had increased—
From 0% → 2%.
—
A new ability… had been unlocked.
—
Before he could fully process it—
The phone rang again.
—
"The U.A. entrance exam details are out."
"It starts the day after tomorrow."
"Come see me tomorrow—I'll explain everything."
—
The voice of Mt. Lady sounded unusually cheerful.
—
Things were moving forward.
Fast.
…
A/N: Support Via Powerstone And Collections