Creating Anime In A Fantasy World

After solving the casting issues for Fate Zero, Edward headed back to the Alchemy Tower. With the soft glow of the teleportation array, Edward quickly arrived at the top of the tower and entered Ska’s office.

Compared to the chaotic state it was in the last time, after Edward provided a substantial amount of funding, Ska’s lab had returned to its original tidy condition.

Various alchemy instruments and tools were neatly placed around the room, while the tall, dark-skinned man was bent over a table, fiddling with some rune sets and a bunch of intricate devices.

Sensing Edward’s arrival, Ska slowly stood up and said, “You’re here already? I thought you’d take more time.”

“No issues on my end. But the real question is about you. I haven’t said a word, and you already know it’s me. How long has it been since you had any visitors besides me?”

Ignoring Edward’s sarcastic comment, Ska scratched his head and replied, “So, you’ve already finished the new script?”

“Yep, along with the cast. Now, we just need to figure out how to film it.”

“The script…”

Noticing Ska’s eager yet hesitant look, Edward smiled and handed over a copy of the first chapter of Fate Zero that he had prepared earlier.

Ska immediately grabbed it, unable to contain his excitement. He had been eagerly waiting for this new film’s script, to the point where it had been keeping him up at night. As he eagerly began to read through it, Edward quietly watched.

About half an hour later, Ska realized something frustrating: the chapter had ended.

“That’s it?” he asked, incredulous.

“That’s it,” Edward confirmed.

“What about the rest?”

“It’s all in my head.”

“Can you tell me?”

“Nope.”

“…”

After an intense staring contest, Ska realized there was no point in arguing. Clenching his teeth, he begrudgingly re-read the first chapter before reluctantly closing the script.

Though Edward could understand Ska’s frustration at the cliffhanger, he wasn’t going to reveal the entire story just yet. After all, he preferred not to write it all down until necessary, mainly to avoid leaks—and also to indulge in a bit of playful cruelty.

Having once experienced the dread of unfinished stories himself, he found it oddly enjoyable to now be on the other side.

Ska, on the other hand, wasn’t skilled at demanding spoilers, so after begrudgingly putting the script away, he commented, “It’s quite an interesting story.”

“I know. So, what’s your take?”

Edward wasn’t just sharing the script to tease Ska; he wanted genuine feedback from someone as skilled in alchemy as him.

Ska thought for a moment, recalling the story, before speaking seriously. “That magic circle you mentioned that can summon heroic spirits—do you envision it being based on alchemy or magic?”

“Both, really. What do you think works best?”

“I’d say a combination of both. Also, the gun-like alchemy device the protagonist uses—it’s something I’ve theorized before. We might be able to create something similar in the future.”

“That’s nice, but I was hoping for more substantial feedback,” Edward said. “What do you think of the story’s appeal to us magic users?”

Ska, sensing Edward’s seriousness, replied, “Honestly, I’m not a traditional mage, but I believe no one would refuse such a compelling story. The magic users in Fate Zero are distinct from how we see them in real life, but that’s what amplifies the conflict in the narrative. I think the biggest strength of this story is that it doesn’t shy away from showing how magic users fight.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Ska continued, “You’ve read the adventure novels that have been popular in the capital, right? In those, the portrayal of magic users is limited due to the authors’ lack of imagination. They depict mages as standing still while casting spells, offering no dynamic battle scenes. Sure, that’s how it works in reality too, but the beauty of fiction is that it can transcend reality. Fate Zero does just that—it creates a unique form of magical combat that’s thrilling to watch, like watching warriors fight. This kind of excitement will definitely attract new magic students to your film!”

“Because magic users are often criticized for being weak in battle, right?” Edward nodded in realization.

“Exactly. Watching Fate Zero will give them the thrilling idea that, ‘Wow, so mages can fight like this!’ After that, your movie will spread rapidly among magic students.”

Ska’s detailed analysis opened Edward’s eyes. He had been confident in Fate Zero‘s potential to succeed within the Mage Tower, but he hadn’t considered the specific appeal Ska had just outlined.

“And that’s not all,” Ska continued. “Beyond just the exciting combat, the most brilliant part of your story is the concept of mages summoning heroic spirits to fight. In times of war, mages used to have guardian knights at their sides, protecting them from enemies while they supported the knights in battle. That tradition has faded with peace, but older mages in the Mage Tower still remember those times.”

“So you think the movie will appeal to them too?” Edward asked, intrigued.

“Yes,” Ska nodded. “The older generation might not be seeking adventure anymore, but they’ll see echoes of their own past in Fate Zero, which will bring them nostalgia. The idea of a mage and their knight partner is a connection that many of them can relate to.”

Ska’s lengthy critique left Edward both amazed and impressed. He hadn’t anticipated such a thorough analysis.

“I’m impressed, Ska. If movie reviews become a thing in the future, I’ll make sure to get your take on each new release!” Edward laughed.

“Movie reviews?” Ska was puzzled by the unfamiliar term.

Little did he know, he had just been appointed by Edward as the first movie critic for future films.