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Chapter 48: A Silent Response
The last weekend of August, NextGen Manga Monthly Editorial Department morning meeting.
Lee projected the latest reader data on the screen. Fullmetal Alchemist Chapter 13 Approval Rating: 74.2%. Not only stabilized, but up 0.4 points from Chapter 12.
"See that?" He scanned the room. "This is a response of strength. The opponent came fiercely, and FMA speaks with data—we didn't drop, we rose."
Kevin Zhang added, "More importantly, the critical feedback. Professional reviewers almost unanimously agree that Chapter 13 is a mini-climax of the series. The dialogue between Edward and Ross at the northern border is praised as 'textbook-level restrained emotional depiction'."
Sue pulled up forum excerpts: "Reader discussion on Ross hit a new high. 'Whose side is she on?' 'What does she feel for Edward?'—these discussions keep the character's charm fermenting."
"What about The Thorn Bird?" An editor asked.
"Chapter 4 approval rating 70.8%, also up 0.3 points." Kevin adjusted his glasses. "White Night stabilized her base, but the gap remains at 3.4 points, not narrowing. Crucially—" he paused, "the emotional handling in Thorn Bird Chapter 4 was clearly influenced by FMA. Some readers pointed out that a sisterly dialogue scene had a rhythm and atmosphere very similar to Edward and Alphonse's interaction."
Lee smiled. "So she's learning, chasing. This is good; it means our work has become the benchmark. But a benchmark is a benchmark because it's hard to surpass."
He looked at Sue. "Does Alex know about these discussions?"
"Yes, but no special reaction," Sue said. "He's preparing Chapter 14. He says an important character will return, and the plot will advance significantly."
"Good." Lee decided. "We continue at our own pace. If the opponent wants to chase, let her chase. What we need to do is constantly raise the benchmark higher."
Capital City, White Night's Apartment.
The silver-haired girl stared at the last panel of FMA Chapter 13 on her screen for half an hour. It was Ross walking away in the snowy night, wind blowing her blonde hair—a silent image full of storytelling.
"Why..." White Night whispered, "Why can't I draw this atmosphere..."
She switched to her Thorn Bird draft. At the end of Chapter 4, she also drew a parting scene—protagonist standing in the rain watching her sister leave. The art was beautiful, emotions full, but something was missing.
Missing that power of restraint, that tension of "silence speaks louder than words."
She ruffled her hair in frustration, reopening FMA Chapter 13, studying paneling, composition, and dialogue processing frame by frame. The more she looked, the more depressed she felt—the gap was too big. Not just art skill, but narrative skill, emotional control.
Phone buzzed. SMS from Manga Weekly editor: "White Night-sensei, how is Chapter 5 draft coming along? Editorial is looking forward to it."
She replied quickly: "Drawing. Done by weekend."
Putting down the phone, she stared at the screen and suddenly made a decision.
She opened a search engine, typed "Alex Walker interview." Few results. She tried "Alex Walker creative philosophy," still only official replies. This author was mysterious as if non-existent; all info was the work itself.
"You don't want people to know you that much..." White Night muttered, eyes flashing with unwillingness. "Then I insist on knowing you."
She reopened FMA, re-reading from Chapter 1. Not as a reader, but a learner. Taking notes on panel transitions, dialogue rhythm, emotional climax handling.
Reading until late night, she closed the notebook, eyes complex.
"No wonder I can't catch up..." she whispered. "You stood at a different height from the start."
But the next second, her eyes became determined again.
"Then learn from the basics. One day, I will stand at the same height as you. By then—" she paused, voice lowering, "by then, you will see me..."
First week of September, both magazines released.
Fullmetal Alchemist Chapter 14, approval rating 74.5%, new high.
As Sue predicted, an important character returned—Winry arrived at the northern border to deliver Edward's new automail. Their meeting in the border town was plain but full of deep emotion.
{"Give me your hand." Winry checked the automail connections. "I adjusted the joint structure this time, should be more flexible."
"Thanks." Edward was rarely this obedient.
"Don't thank me yet." Winry didn't look up. "I heard you messed up again. The northern border is so dangerous, can't you just..."
"I can't." Edward interrupted her. "Some things must be done."
Winry's hand paused, then continued working. "I know. That's why I came. At least let the armor I make protect you."}
Two short pages, no direct emotional expression, but the forum exploded:
"Winry faction rejoice! This is true love!"
"She ran all the way to the northern border just to deliver automail..."
"That tacit understanding, that trust without words..."
"But Ross... I'm wavering what do I do?"
"Edward is guilty! Winry, Ross, and now General Armstrong..."
Even more exciting was the ending. Edward put on the new automail, standing with Winry on the watchtower, looking at distant snow mountains.
{
Winry suddenly said, "Edward, promise me one thing."
"What?"
"No matter what happens, come back alive." Her voice was light. "Someone is waiting for you here."
Edward was silent for a long time, then nodded. "Yeah."
}
The scene froze on their backs, snow mountains glowing gold in the sunset.
Forum threads built up:
"I'm taking this sugar! Winry is the best!"
"But what about Ross... she's protecting Edward in the dark too!"
"Only kids choose, adults want them all!"
"Honestly, Alex handles romance lines so high-level. All restraint, all subtext, but 100 times more moving than direct confessions."
Meanwhile, The Thorn Bird Chapter 5 approval rating 71.2%, up 0.4 points.
Gap still 3.3 points, but forum discussion changed subtly.
"Honestly, following both now, no conflict."
"Thorn Bird Chapter 5 improved obviously! Emotional handling much more delicate!"
"White Night is learning, improving. Good for readers."
"But her style is getting more like Alex... good or bad?"
"Imitation is normal in learning phase, key is if she can walk her own path."
What White Night cared about more was a comparative analysis:
"Rational Discussion: Thorn Bird Ch 5 vs FMA Ch 14 Emotional Handling."
"Similarities: Both use restrained expression, details to convey emotion, focus on atmosphere.
Differences: FMA's restraint is 'collecting,' emotion surging under calm; Thorn Bird's restraint is 'suppressing,' emotion seeking explosion in repression.
Conclusion: White Night learned techniques but hasn't formed her own core. But with her talent and effort, finding her own path is matter of time."
White Night read this widely forwarded analysis and was silent for a long time.
"My own core..." she muttered, looking at the darkening sky.
She knew readers were right. She was imitating, learning, but hadn't found her own expression. While Alex had a clear style and core from the start.
"No rush..." she told herself. "I'm young, have time. One day I'll find my path, and then—"
Then what? She wasn't sure. Surpass? Stand side by side? Or...
She shook her head, discarded distracting thoughts, opened drawing software, preparing Chapter 6.
This time, she didn't intentionally imitate FMA. She closed her eyes, recalling her original intention for Thorn Bird—a story about sacrifice and healing, profound sisterly bond, hope unextinguished in despair.
Then she started drawing. Pen moving on tablet, drawing her own world.
Ranch, late night.
Alex finished reading The Thorn Bird Chapter 5. He read carefully, then texted Sue: "Chapter 5 improved obviously. Emotional handling more natural, pacing much better."
Sue replied quickly: "You read it? Thought you didn't care about rival works."
"Knowing industry trends is necessary," Alex typed. "She's talented, learns fast. If she keeps this progress speed, she'll be amazing in the future."
"Not worried?"
"Why worry?" Alex was calm. "Market is big, fits more good authors. And competition brings progress."
"You're open-minded." Sue sent a smiley face. "By the way, Chapter 14 data is out, 74.5%. Chief says we must celebrate, you have to come this time."
"Okay. But keep it simple."
"Understood, just editorial staff."
Putting down the phone, Alex walked to the window. Ranch night was quiet, insect chirps and distant cow breathing audible.
He thought of White Night, that seventeen-year-old genius. Stubbornly saying she'd catch up in interviews, but showing serious learning and progress in works.
A good kid, talented, passionate, willing to work hard. Such an author should go further.
But he also knew the manga road was long. Momentary talent and heat were easy; sustained output and growth were hard. How far White Night could go depended on her perseverance, understanding of creation, and ability to keep her original intention amidst praise and pressure.
(To be Continued)
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