World’s Cutest Alchemist

I was tempted to sign the contract immediately, but, I withheld myself. It just sounded so interesting!

ALG is making a new game, a very competitive MOBA that’ll likely top the charts. Just imagining Luna’s reaction to it made me want to giggle out loud.

But! I kept my tone calm as I glanced up at Eugene,

“You’re making a new game? A MOBA?” I asked, though it was more a statement than a question.

“That’s correct.” Eugene nodded with a smile, “This is just part one of our bigger plan. But we can talk about that later.”

Part one of a bigger plan? I thought about it for a moment.

What could that be? Hm…MOBA and Story for the genre…Could they be making a story mode in this game? I’ve never seen that before in a MOBA. How would that even work? Huh! Am I going to be the main character!? Aha! I’ve got him clocked! Hehe.

“So,” I looked at him, “What do you want from me?” I asked.

“You may have guessed by now, but, we’d like to base a character off of you. We plan to have over 100 characters on release, we’d like to use your likeness and pretty much everything except for your name in our game.”

Ah…So, it’s just basing a character off of me? Darn, so, I’m not the main character? Well, whatever.

“My likeness? Everything except for our names?” I inquired.

“Yes,” He nodded, “As you can probably tell from the name: Battle of the Awakeners, this MOBA will be about awakeners fighting each other. But, it’ll likely be very competitive and can cause some disdain or hatred towards certain characters. We don’t want to cause issues and make people dislike certain awakeners just because their game character is disliked.

So, we won’t use direct names like: Raccoon, the Little Bomber, or Ember, the Witch of Flame. Instead, it may be something like Ash, the Firebringing Witch, or…” Before he could say my substitute, I cut in,

“Could it be Star, the Cutest Bomber?” I asked.

“Star, the Cutest Bomber…? That does sound good. Then, if you were to sign the contract, that would be your character.”

I nodded and he continued,

“Other than the names, the designs will be based off of the awakeners directly.”

“I understand,” I nodded, “But, you do know that I am a production class, right? I have no reason to be on the battlefield.”

“Why find logic in fun?” He asked simply.

Ah…Right. It’s not like I’m the one going onto the battlefield. It’d be my character. When I think about it like that…That sounds like a blast! Oh my goodness, I see why this gramps is the chairman!

“You’re right.” I said with a smile, “Then, would I be a support role? Giving allies buffs and healing?” I asked.

He shook his head, “We wouldn’t be making you a support role.” Eugene smiled, “Your character would be a damage dealer, using explosive potions as their attacks.”

My eyes widened slightly. The subversion…The Little Bomber, an alchemist who should be in the back lines, is instead upfront, throwing dynokali potions at the enemy!? Ah!! I need this game NOW!

“Then…Then, where does the story part of the genre come into play?” I asked. I was on the cusp of asking for the contract here and now.

“We plan to create chapters.” He said, “Of the 100 characters we plan on releasing at launch, only a handful of them will actually be contracted awakeners like yourself. We’ll make a chapter—a story with each contracted awakener as the main character with the other characters in the game apart of your story.

Of course, we plan on creating stories for other characters as well. But, that’ll come later.” He smiled, “This is the beginning of what will become our largest IP to date.”

Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

This gramps…Is super charismatic. Even if it’s a trait affecting me, I can’t help but be drawn in. I don’t think he’s even said or done anything crazy. He simply explained to me what I asked and hasn’t made any promises or anything.

Though, there was one thing that I couldn’t understand.

Even if I was currently one of the most talked about and popular awakeners, this fame…this clout won’t last unless I somehow continue to one-up my past achievements. But, that’s impossible. The only thing I can do is try to maintain it with my skill as an alchemist.

For all he knows, within six months, I could become nothing but a standard alchemist. Just a one-hit-wonder who managed to clear the fifth floor as a production class, but achieved nothing else.

Even if I have confidence in myself, that I’ll one day be a grand alchemist and the greatest(cutest) alchemist. I can’t understand why he would bet on me.

Is it potential? From what I’ve seen, he doesn’t seem like someone who just wants to make a quick buck off of my current status. So, then, why?

And, continuing to think about it myself wouldn’t help, so, I stared at him and directly asked,

“Why?” I asked, “Why choose me instead of actual alchemist rankers? Or someone with a proper fanbase?”

“There’s a few reasons,” He said with a warm smile, “First, I’ll talk about the corporate reasons. The most obvious is that you have high marketability. Even without your historic fifth floor clear, you were already quite popular, isn’t that right? A new alchemist with your appearance using bombs as their weapon. You had already garnered interest from that alone.”

That’s true. Everyone loves seeing a cute girl play with explosives!

“Next is the fact that you’re unaffiliated and new to the awakener world. From a business side of things, there’s nothing better than contracting with an awakener when they aren’t used to these things; When you can grab them at a low price.”

…Is a $500,000 upfront fee and 20% royalty fee actually not a lot of money? Should I ask for more?

“Before you ask, the contract we gave you is a proper one that we’d even give to Lightning Lord or Anonymous. We’re not scamming you.” He smiled.

Gah! How did he know what I was going to say!? Does he have mind-reading abilities?!

If he did, he didn’t show any indicator that he was aware of my thoughts as he steadily continued to speak,

“Next, we need to look at personality. We can’t contract with someone who would cause problems or backlash. You’re a clean slate so we don’t have to worry about your past actions. And from what we’ve seen we won’t have a problem in the future either.”

…Are terroristic threats not a problem? Didn’t I once threaten to blow up an amusement park or anyone who knocked on my door?

“With that incredulous look on your face, you must be thinking about your Tawer posts.” He chuckled.

Gah! He must have mind reading powers! Begone! Begone from my thoughts! Boo!

“That’s treated as part of your persona. The Little Bomber making bomb jokes, it’s only natural.”

“…Right, jokes...” I nodded shiftily.

The mouth he had opened to speak, closed at my words.

Pfft! Haha! I broke him! Yes!!! Got him too stunned to speak! Mission accomplished!

“Then, we look at your potential.” He said, moving on as if nothing had happened, “From the dynokali potions you made at the very beginning of your career, to the unreleased bouncy potions, and to the addicting flavor of your potions. It’s fair to say that your potential is boundless. I don’t know what you might be capable of creating even a couple months from now.

With every new wave you make on the alchemy world, that will trickle down and benefit anyone who has contracted you.” He said.

Hm…A new potion…

“Finally,” He said, looking me in the eyes, “I trust my gut. Without trusting it, I would never have become the person I am today—Founder of one of the most famous companies in the world. And my gut says that you are worth it.” He smiled.

Huh…My heart feels a little tingly.

“I hope that has cleared up any curiosity you had.” He said, sipping his hot chocolate.

“I see.” I nodded after a few seconds, “It has, thank you.” I said, “For the story, would I get to know it beforehand?” I asked.

“Yes, in fact, we’d ask for your input in creating it. If you don’t like how certain parts or how it goes, we’d alter it.”

“Really? Even if I didn’t like all of it?”

“To a point.” He said, “Do you know what a throughline is?” He asked.

“I do.” I nodded.

“We’re creating a grand, overarching story. The base plot has to be there, but we’re able to adjust the smaller details if needed.”

Wow…When he said that this game is just the beginning of a bigger plan, he meant it. Just how big will it become in the future? How much time, effort, and money is being put into this? Is he not afraid of failing?

But more than anything…I want to be apart of it. And he’s giving me a direct chance to be apart of it.

I want to do it.

I will do it.

Well, assuming the contracts are all good.

“Can you…” I started, “Can you send me all the contracts digitally?” I said. It really did take all of my willpower to not just sign things indiscriminately.

I should get a cookie for this.

“Gladly,” He smiled.

We went over a few more things and chatted for another half an hour before it was finally time for me to leave.

As we were exchanging farewells, I stopped at the door as I was about to exit,

“Thank you for today’s meeting, chairman gramps! I learned a lot!” I smiled and waved, “Talk to you again sometime, chairman gramps!”

With that said, I left.

When I got in Ashley’s car, I let out a deep breath.

I certainly wasn’t expecting the meeting to go like that. Are all meetings this intense? Should I rethink about that game show meeting?

“I’ll send you a digitalized version of all the notes later today.” Ashley said calmly.

“Thank you, thank you.” I nodded, mentally exhausted, “Say, are all meetings like that?” I asked.

“Like that?” Ashley repeated before shaking her head, “Mr. Eugene was very patient and gentle during this meeting. Depending on who you’re meeting, they might be sly and cunning, forward and direct, or a mix of both. Unless you’re super benevolent, or trying to teach someone, they wouldn’t walk you through everything step-by-step.” She said.

Huh, so, chairman gramps likes me! Haha!

“Plus,” She continued, “He didn’t even make either of us sign an NDA. When talking about something that important, it’s natural to have us sign one.”

Huh…Now that I think about it…Isn’t he concerned that I might just go leaking all of this!? Chairman gramps! You’ve got to be more careful, if it wasn’t me, all of your secret projects might have just been leaked!

“Wow…” I let out, “Make sure you don’t say anything about it then.” I said.

Though, she likely didn’t need me saying that. Considering how secretive she is with private matters, I doubted she’d go yapping.

I yawned, stretching.

I guess all that’s left is to welcome Luna when she returns home and brew potions in the meantime! Hehe, I can’t wait.

…

‘Chairman gramps, huh?’ Eugene thought to himself with a smile.

“Um…Grandpa, is that okay?” Janette asked cautiously.

“Hm?” Eugene turned to her, “Is what okay?”

“Um…Well, with how the meeting went? You told her a lot of things we were keeping secret and didn’t even have her sign an NDA. What if she goes and posts about everything online? Wouldn’t the surprise be completely ruined?”

Eugene calmly lifted his hand and gently stroked his granddaughter’s hair. Janette’s face slightly blushed from embarrassment as he did, but she didn’t turn away.

“Of course it’s fine.” He said, “I’m a good judge of character. Plus…”

Eugene deactivated his skill.

“I think we’ll have a good partnership in the future. I like her.” He said.

“I…I see.” Janette nodded.

After a moment of silence, Eugene continued to speak,

“Say,” He started, looking Janette in the eyes, “When will I have a great granddaughter?” He asked seriously.

“A-Ah! Grandpa!” Janette turned tomato red from embarrassment.