There is nothing wrong with the training method of the Justice Messenger

"I was just informed by Senior Kasumigaoka that I accidentally blocked your number, Ms. Machida. I will contact you immediately. I hope you can forgive me."

"I won't forgive you, hum~~"

"…If I am held responsible, I will accept it without question. It was indeed my fault first."

"Don't get me wrong, it's not that I'm stingy, but for the library, losing contact with the author is the most urgent matter. If we still can't contact them in the end, we can only kick them out of the list of winners. I hope you can deeply understand this, Mr. Muzi, and don't make the same mistake again."

The things emphasized in a serious tone are common sense that even Li Nian, who has never been involved in the light novel industry, can understand.

"clear."

"Oh~~ You have a pretty good attitude of admitting your mistakes and getting spanked. That's enough. In that case, we can put this matter aside for now." Then, as if to dispel the atmosphere of accountability, the tone on the other end of the phone suddenly became cheerful, and the subject was changed at once: "Let's get straight to the point. First of all, congratulations to Teacher Muzi! You have successfully passed the judges' assessment of this essay contest, and have been successfully selected into the final list, and have won--"

There was a deliberate pause to create a sense of anticipation, a typical suspense. Li Nian was not in a hurry. She waited patiently for a while before Miss Machida announced the award in an excited tone.

"Won the Excellence Award!"

"..."

Excellence Award?

"How is it, are you too happy to speak?"

"No, how should I put it, I'm very happy?"

“…Why is it a question?”

Yes, Li Nian himself was also a little confused. After hesitating for a while, he smiled self-deprecatingly and said honestly: "I thought I could win a big prize."

As a result of the essay contest, one grand prize, two excellent prizes, two outstanding works, and one special prize will be selected - the final evaluation will also be ranked in this order.

I said I didn’t care—but in the end, I did care a little.

It seems that no matter who it is, they are all aiming for the first place. Kasumigaoka and Gogen feel that Li Nian's indifference is not so much a sign of indifference as it is an over-inflated sense of arrogance - Li Nian himself didn't think so originally, but now, when things came to the point, a trace of disappointment suddenly surged in his heart when he learned the result, which made him realize that Kasumigaoka and Gogen were not wrong, and he did think that he could take the first place as a matter of course.

But the result was a step short, he did not get the grand prize, but the excellent prize of the place behind.

When this thought really and completely surfaced, Li Nian felt excited after the initial disappointment.

It’s quite interesting that someone more powerful than me appeared in a writing competition for newcomers?

At this point there is nothing to hide. Li Nian is quite confident in his own abilities. He has accumulated many years of writing experience and after starting to practice, he has gained a much clearer mind than before. He is confident that the articles he writes are of good enough quality without the need for Kasumigaoka and the others to say anything.

Because it ignited the spirit of resistance, it also aroused the interest in further investigation.

"I have to ask first, has anyone been decided on who will be awarded the grand prize this time?"

The Grand Prize is the highest award in the essay contest and it will not be awarded easily. If the shortlisted works are considered to be of insufficient quality by the judges and none of them is worthy of the title of Grand Prize, then no work may be eligible for the Grand Prize.

"…Unfortunately, this time there is a winner for the grand prize."

But it was rejected by the editor.

That means there is someone who has surpassed me and won the grand prize.

At this point, it was obvious that Li Nian was aiming for the grand prize. He didn't seem surprised at all, but rather quite interested. Editor Machida on the other end of the phone restrained his cheerful tone of announcing good news. To Li Nian, speaking in this tone was nothing but irony.

After that, he changed to asking with a provocative smile.

"Why, Teacher Muzi, do you feel dissatisfied?"

"...Of course there is."

"Really? Actually, I am a little dissatisfied."

Said something that was very surprising.

"Oh?"

"Oh my, since you, Teacher Muzi, have doubts about the result, I guess it's not really like what Xiaoshi said, that he's a gay fencer..."

"Wait a minute, what did Kasumigaoka say about me?"

"Don't worry about this little thing."

"..."

I don't care, okay?

Miss Machida on the other end of the phone skipped over the topic as if nothing had happened and continued.

"Anyway, I can see that you, Mr. Muzi, are someone who has a desire to be high, so I decided to speak frankly."

"I think your attitude from the beginning was quite straightforward."

"It's really different. Now let's get to the point. First of all, Mr. Muzi, you need to know that I, Machida Yuanzi, will be your editor-in-charge."

"You were the one who contacted me, so I guess that's right."

"I hope you know that this was not arranged by anyone, but I took the initiative to fight for it."

This statement made Li Nian slightly stunned, and then he smiled and said: "It's really my honor."

"I heard about you from Xiaoshi before. You were able to write an article that was highly praised by that kid. As an editor, how could I not care? I remembered you immediately. When you participated in our library essay contest, I used a little of my authority and saw your work in the preliminary review stage. At that time, I judged that you would definitely pass the final review and be eligible for the grand prize."

Since they had said they would start to stop using official language, Li Nian stopped bothering with the so-called polite language that was dispensable, and began to speak directly to the point in a casual and straightforward manner.

"Does this mean that the results of this review may still be changed?"

"Do not."

But it was immediately and categorically denied.

"You are the last author that the library contacted. Before this, we at Phoenix Library have contacted all other award-winning authors and confirmed the final list. It is impossible to change it now. Your work is an excellent award, and this will not change."

“It’s not that I can’t accept the result.”

If you lose, you lose. Li Nian is not someone who cannot afford to lose. When the result comes out, just accept it.

"But now that things have come to this, I need a reason that I can accept."

"There's only one reason, and that's because someone else wrote it better."

"..."

It is an irrefutable argument and a natural reason.

"I am sure that your manuscript is of a quality that can win the Grand Prize. If it had been placed in the previous essay contest, with no worthy opponents, winning the Grand Prize would have been a sure thing. I held this thought in mind and had my doubts when I first learned of the final list of winners. It was not until I read the manuscript of this year's Grand Prize winner that I changed my mind. Teacher Muzi, you have indeed been defeated head-on."

Ms. Machida said this very seriously.

"Tsk tsk, I didn't feel anything at first, but after listening to you, I'm getting angrier and angrier. So, do you regret choosing to be my editor?"

"No, it's the opposite. After reading that person's article, I immediately understood why you were outdone. Furthermore, I realized your potential, Teacher Muzi. I think if you can change some things, you will have a bright future."

"Oh?" Although Li Nian was not easily fooled by a few big words, she immediately realized that Ms. Machida had already started to think about the future of her work from the perspective of an editor, and came up with some answers: "What do you mean by areas that need to be changed? What are they specifically?"

"This is exactly why I am eager to contact you. I hope to explain these points one by one as soon as possible - but it is not enough to talk over the phone. If possible, can you find a time to talk as soon as possible?"

"That's no problem. I'll be free this afternoon after school. It depends on whether it's convenient for you, Ms. Machida."

"Okay, then I will rush to Chiba this afternoon and go directly to Sobu High School after school. I will also complete the publishing process and sign the contract."

"……Understood"

Are the contract procedures for publishing just a by-product?... Although it is true that they are just a by-product.

"Well, that's it. Let's contact each other again. This time, you must keep your phone open, okay? You must! Got it!"

"know."

After giving repeated instructions, Ms. Machida hung up the phone.

Li Nian felt a little complicated as she added a note to the number.

Even a fool can sense the eagerness over there to meet.

It seemed quite important to put forward suggestions for revisions to the article. It had to be said that this made Li Nian feel quite concerned.

Want to know what problems the editor sees in your article? Does it sound like there is room for improvement?

I also want to know the level of the guy who stepped on my head and got the qualification for the grand prize.

I am also curious about what kind of person Ms. Machida is.

There was nothing I could do about it. Fortunately, I didn't have to wait long. Ms. Machida would come over after school in the afternoon, and I would have the answer then...

With all these thoughts in mind, Li Nian returned to the classroom.

"Ah, I'm back."

"Oops, I'm really curious about what they talked about."

“I feel like I have been to a little world of love and affection!!”

There were many people who were curious about what he had said to the beautiful third-year senior, but they all talked about it in whispers and few actually came to ask.

At this time, Gogen, Kato, and Aki were gathered next to Li Nian's seat.

Gogen and Aki seemed to be talking about something intensely, while Kato next to them had a troubled expression on his face, not knowing what to say. It was obvious that he couldn't get a word in, and for some reason his face was blushing as if he was shy.

"What are you talking about?"

Ignoring the gazes from people around him that he had already gotten used to, Li Nian went straight back to his seat.

"We're talking about the project." Amaki answered, "Since Kato and Gokoro are already members of the club, I have to ask for their opinions."

"So Amaki and Gogen-san started discussing some bishoujo game. They didn't know much about that... and then they talked about even weirder things..."

Kato's voice became quieter and his face became redder.

Li Nian looked at An Yi and Wu Geng in bewilderment.

"What did you two say in public?"

"Yes, speaking of this, Li Nian, you should also give us your opinion." An Yi pointed at Gogen's face with great dissatisfaction: "Can you imagine? Gogen actually said that H elements are the essence of beautiful girl games! It's totally unreasonable."

Wu Geng smiled disdainfully.

"There is actually a geek who plays galgames and only plays games for all ages. I really doubt whether this guy is a qualified man."

Li Nian knew about this. Although An Yi was involved in many galgames, he did insist on playing only healthy ones for all ages.

An Yi slammed the table in dissatisfaction.

"I am sticking to the bottom line of law and morality! Why is this a reason for criticism?! Or is it natural for minors to touch 18R?"

"In fact, I think this is a matter of course..." Li Nian muttered quietly, agreeing with Wu Geng's idea. Then he realized that what he said was inappropriate and coughed twice, "Ahem, that's not right. Let's not discuss butter loudly in broad daylight, okay?"

"Hmph, man." Wu Geng obviously heard the first half of Li Nian's words and snorted disdainfully, but he did understand that he had lost his composure before and it was inappropriate to talk about butter here. He was also quite curious about the incident when Li Nian was called out by Kasumigaoka: "So, what did senior Kasumigaoka say to you?"

Li Nian glanced at her.

"I really am talking about the fact that the review list has been released and the editor called me."

I became interested immediately after reading Wu Geng.

"I called you? That means you were indeed selected...wait, then why did you say you didn't know before?"

“…You guessed it right.”

"Ah?" Wu Geng didn't react at first. After thinking about it, he finally remembered what he had said before, and then he showed a strange look.

"You really blocked someone else's phone number."

"What can I do? A phone call came in and suddenly called me "Mr. Muzi". I didn't even remember that it was my pen name, so I blocked her."

"...How stupid! Who told you not to be so careful when choosing a pen name? Mu Zi Jin Xin, so stupid... So how can you be contacted by the editor? Does that mean you are really selected?"

An Yi realized later that he was talking about Li Nian's submission and became excited: "Selected? Selected for the final list? So what kind of award is that?!"

Even Kato cast a curious look at him.

Li Nian didn't keep the question secret and answered directly: "Excellence Award."

"My brother is awesome!" Amaki clapped his hands. "From now on, Sobu High School has another genuine professional writer!"

"Congratulations." Kato smiled and was genuinely happy for Li Nian.

Li Nian didn't think it was worth congratulating. At this moment, he was still thinking about what Ms. Machida said. He turned to look at Wu Geng, and for some reason, she had a dazed expression on her face.

Li Nian thought that the result was beyond Wu Geng’s expectations.

"Sorry, it's really not a big reward, laugh if you want to."

"..." But Wu Geng, contrary to his usual behavior, did not laugh at this time. He just had a complicated expression and finally said, "Congratulations."