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The weekend passed quickly.
On Monday morning, Manga Jump editor Ayano Iida returned to the hospital, carrying a freshly printed sample issue of the magazine scheduled to hit shelves that Friday.
Under normal circumstances, there was no way Attack on Titan could have made it into Manga Jump's upcoming issue so soon. The magazine's content was typically finalized, proofread, and printed two weeks before its release.
However, due to the overwhelming enthusiasm of the editor-in-chief, Yuto Funao, an exception was made. He had such strong faith in the potential of Attack on Titan that he pushed the project through a fast-tracked editorial and print schedule, shaving a full week off production.
"You are Mr. Whale, right? Hello, I'm Ayano Iida, editor at Manga Jump. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Ayano smiled politely as she sat down beside the hospital bed.
Lucien D. Blackthorn—known in the manga world by his pen name Whale—smiled back.
"Nice to meet you, Miss Iida. Please, just call me Lucien. I've heard about you from Aunt Sayuri."
Though younger than her, Lucien felt awkward being addressed with such formality, especially in his frail state.
"All right then, Lucien it is," Ayano replied, her expression warm as she handed him the freshly printed sample. "Here's the issue. Please have a look. If there's anything you'd like to change, let me know."
Lucien took the magazine in his hands, examining it with great care.
While he flipped through the pages, Ayano quietly studied him.
Despite being just a high school student, Lucien's work spoke volumes about his maturity and discipline. In Japan's creative industry, young prodigies weren't rare—Ayano was already used to managing gifted students. Her current author, Shiina Mashiro, was also a high schooler.
In fact, student authors often brought bold ideas and unrestrained creativity to the table. Free from the burdens of adulthood, they were capable of delivering stories that burst with life.
But there was a trade-off.
Young authors usually lacked refined art technique and required editorial guidance. Yet Lucien defied that expectation entirely. His drawing skills were already polished to a near-professional level—his manga pages could go straight to print without a single correction.
Ayano had to admit: Lucien's visual storytelling, paneling, and shading even surpassed that of Shiina Mashiro.
"I've finished reviewing it. Everything looks great," Lucien said with a satisfied nod.
The difference between the digital manuscripts and the printed magazine was stark—the print added depth, texture, and a tangible sense of accomplishment.
They then moved on to discuss some plot developments.
Afterward, Lucien handed Ayano the newest chapters he had worked on over the weekend.
"These are Episodes 5 and 6 of Attack on Titan. Please take a look."
Ayano's eyebrows raised. "Already? I was just catching up with Slam Dunk online last week—I didn't expect you to be working on Attack on Titan at the same time, let alone finish two chapters!"
She had originally planned to suggest he put Slam Dunk on hold to focus on one series. But clearly, Lucien didn't need that kind of intervention.
Reading through the new chapters, she found they continued to uphold the exceptional quality established in Volume 1.
"When do you think Volume 2 will be finished?" she asked.
"If all goes well, I'll wrap it up by the end of the week."
"This week?!"
Ayano was genuinely shocked.
His pace rivaled that of Mashiro, whose sheer productivity was famous in editorial circles. Mashiro could spend entire days drawing, immersed so deeply that she forgot the world around her.
Lucien's output was no less impressive—but so was his condition.
He looked thinner than she remembered. The dark circles under his eyes were more pronounced, and his body seemed more fragile.
"Lucien… We're thrilled that you're contributing to Manga Jump, but please—don't push yourself too hard. Your health is far more important."
She was sincere. As someone who had worked in the industry for years, Ayano knew the toll manga creation took on a person—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
There had been too many cases of creators collapsing from overwork or developing chronic illnesses from long-term stress. The demands of serialization could be relentless.
Once a manga became a hit, readers and publishers alike placed heavy expectations on the author. It was easy to lose sight of personal well-being under that pressure.
Fortunately, Manga Jump prided itself on being more humane than its rival Weekly Shonen Magazine. While other publishers ruthlessly squeezed their creators for weekly updates, Manga Jump allowed for flexible deadlines if it meant preserving the author's health—and the quality of their work.
Editor-in-chief Yuto Funao had long believed that a rushed manga was a weaker manga. His philosophy led to the magazine having fewer titles, but each one was strong.
Lucien gave a light chuckle.
"Thank you, Miss Iida. I really appreciate your concern. Don't worry—while I may not be strong physically, I'm not careless with my body. I want to continue working with Manga Jump for a long time. I hope to publish many more works under the name 'Whale.'"
Ayano smiled gently.
She believed him.
Even though his body was fragile, his eyes burned with a resolve she had only seen in the most dedicated of authors.
As long as he could still hold a pen, Lucien D. Blackthorn would continue creating—and changing the world, one page at a time.
End of the chapter
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