Animation Producer in a Fantasy World

Recently, Liz, the voice actor for Kai and Alpha, had been feeling as if she was walking in a dream rather than reality.

Liz was of commoner origin.

Moreover, because her parents died early when she was young, Liz had to go through a very difficult childhood.

If there was one fortunate thing, it might be that Liz had outstanding talent as an artist.

Therefore, Liz was able to use her talent to enter the Imperial Art Academy.

But after entering the academy she had longed for so much, Liz rather fell into despair.

Because she realized that the talent that had been supporting her self-esteem until now was something common inside the academy.

She is not an exceptional person at all.

Just an unremarkable girl with a common talent that can be found anywhere in the world.

But.

The final successful candidate for this voice acting audition is… Ms. Liz.

Pardon? Is that really true?

One day, a man appeared who changed her fate as if by magic.

A man who chose her over other formidable competitors in an audition she applied for without much expectation, for whatever reason he saw in her.

His name was none other than Ragna Tersion.

A pioneer who newly created the genre called animation, represented by “Ellie and Hamel’s Disappearance”.

And at the same time, a director trying to make an animation called “Machine God Chronicles” with the support of the imperial family.

After that, Liz’s world changed amazingly.

While producing “Machine God Chronicles” with Ragna, Liz met people she wouldn’t have dared to even look at properly in normal times.

“So you’re Liz, who’s going to be the voice actor for Kai this time? Nice to meet you. I’m Serika el Grinewald, the voice actor for Saya. Let’s do well together from now on.”

The young lady of a duke family, one of the noblest families in the Empire, smiles at her and extends her hand, or.

“I’m Kaya von Auvergne. I’m working as an assistant director under Director Ragna. As you’re a talent directly chosen by the Director through an audition, I believe you’ll do your part.”

Although she learned this fact later, she couldn’t hide her surprise at the fact that such a noble woman, even an imperial princess, was voluntarily working as an assistant director under Ragna.

And.

“What do you think about the development of this episode 19, Ms. Liz?”

“…Pardon? Is my opinion important?”

“…? Of course it is. If we don’t ask the opinion of our work’s lead voice actor, who else should we ask?”

As far as Liz knew, artists are often immersed in their own world and never bend their own stubbornness.

But Ragna was different.

Even though Liz was much younger than him, far from ignoring her, he always tried to listen to her words and at the same time always tried to solve the worries she had.

Of course, in reality, Ragna merely built up goodwill in advance because Liz’s help was essential to end “Machine God Chronicles” with a mess of an ending, but.

From Liz’s perspective, it was the first time in her life that she had received such kindness from someone else, so she couldn’t help but be moved.

Therefore, Liz unknowingly developed certain feelings towards Ragna, but.

“…Oh my, Liz. Are you targeting Ragna? Lately, the way you look at Ragna doesn’t seem normal.”

“…Pardon?”

“That won’t do. That’s not allowed. Didn’t your teacher at the academy tell you not to touch other people’s things?”

“…..”

“I’m already having a headache because of one strong competitor, there’s no need for you to join in. Understand?”

“…Yes, Lady Serika.”

“That’s right, good girl.”

Due to someone’s threats and coercion, the innocent girl’s first love was thus shattered.

Meanwhile, life at the academy also changed considerably.

“Liz, I watched episode 32 of “Machine God Chronicles” yesterday. Your performance as Kai was really good.”

“…Lady Evangeline.”

“Sigh, I’ve told you we’re classmates, so please stop adding ‘Lady’. It’s really cringeworthy.”

“But… Lady Evangeline, you’re a young lady of a duke family, and I’m just a commoner…”

“What use is such status? In the end, it was you, not me, who Ragna-nim chose at the audition. It means you’re an amazing voice actor incomparable to the likes of me.”

Evangeline said so with a bitter smile.

“So from now on, act a bit more confidently. You’ve already become a person no different from the face of “Machine God Chronicles”. If you need any help, feel free to tell me anytime.”

Thus, Liz gained a reliable supporter named Evangeline von Tieria, but.

That doesn’t mean all the students in the academy acknowledged Liz.

Until just recently, she had been a girl who always wore old clothes, had no special talent, and always sat in the classroom looking timid.

A girl who was at the bottom of the school caste, annoying to look at but not even worth taking time to bully.

The situation changed after such a Liz passed the audition for “Machine God Chronicles” one day and took on the role of Kai.

Her shabby clothes changed to something stylish, and her expression also became bright.

Moreover, “Machine God Chronicles” was a great success throughout the Empire, and Liz also took on the lead role in “Book of Life and Death” which aired next.

It was a caste reversal on the level of a useless Chikorita suddenly evolving into Meganium one day.

Naturally, some noble students who were at the top of the school caste couldn’t tolerate such a rebellion of Chikorita.

But they didn’t have the guts to touch the lead voice actor of “Book of Life and Death”, which was being directly supported by the imperial family for production.

Instead, the students started attacking Liz indirectly.

So, roughly like this.

“Tomorrow, the academy will conduct an observation class where the guardians of the students will attend.”

The professor in charge of Liz’s class announced so with an expressionless face.

“In principle, the guardians of all students must attend tomorrow’s class… but if due to personal circumstances a guardian cannot visit the academy tomorrow, report to me in advance.”

At the professor’s words, some students slightly turned their heads to look towards where Liz was.

Snicker.

Some students sneered at Liz, subtle enough for the professor not to notice, but at the same time blatantly.

They also knew.

The fact that Liz has no parents, so no one will be able to come to the observation class.

“…..”

And Liz let the subtle sneers of some students pass with an indifferent expression.

Because until she passed the audition for “Machine God Chronicles”, this was like daily life for her.

But Evangeline, who was watching this scene, couldn’t let this situation pass indifferently like Liz.

‘How dare those worm-like things…!’

To put it bluntly, Evangeline was very displeased with this situation.

No, beyond being displeased, she wanted to beat them up right now, but.

Unfortunately, crushing this situation with simple force would only be a bad move in the long run.

In the end, there was only one way to resolve all this situation smoothly.

“Sera.”

“Yes, Young Lady.”

“Contact Director Ragna immediately. If you can’t reach him, then even Lady Grinewald.”

Evangeline opened her mouth in a very firm voice.

“Tell them I have something I must convey regarding Liz.”

The next day, on the day of the academy’s observation class.

The interior of the academy building, which was usually quiet, was bustling today.

It was because the guardians of the students visiting the academy for the observation class had come here.

And that was no exception for the class Liz belonged to.

Currently, high-ranking nobles who were the guardians of the students and even the chairman of the academy were seated at the back of the classroom.

And among them, of course, there was no one who claimed to be Liz’s guardian anywhere.

After all, even if she’s the lead voice actor of “Book of Life and Death” or whatever, in essence she’s just a commoner orphan without parents-

Just as some students were glancing at Liz and sneering quite blatantly like that.

“Excuse me. Is this the classroom where today’s observation class is being held?”

A tall man with a handsome face and a woman of such beautiful appearance that she stepped into the inside of the classroom.

A pair of men and women with such striking appearances that they momentarily caught the attention of all the students inside the classroom.

“That’s right, but… If you don’t mind, who might you be…”

“Ah, come to think of it, I’m late with my introduction.”

Saying so, the man bows his head towards the professor at the front of the platform.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Ragna Tersion, taking on the role of guardian for student Liz.”

“…Ragna Tersion?”

“The… director of “Machine God Chronicles” and “Book of Life and Death”?”

At Ragna’s words, everyone here made surprised expressions.

Of course they would.

There was no one present here who hadn’t watched “Machine God Chronicles” or “Book of Life and Death”.

As such, there were many people who were curious about what the director who made such unprecedented masterpieces would look like.

But is this young man, who’s barely in his early twenties, saying he produced such animations?

Really?

At the appearance of such an unexpected big shot, the students who were sneering at Liz just a moment ago unknowingly broke out in cold sweat, but.

Very regrettably, it wasn’t just Ragna and Serika who visited this place.

“Hmm, an observation class at the academy.”

Thud.

Following Ragna, someone enters the inside of the classroom with slow steps.

“Interesting. As a matter of fact, I have always wanted to check what level the Imperial Academy is at. A good opportunity has come at the right time.”

And seeing the appearance of someone who entered the inside of the classroom, the nobles including the chairman of the academy widened their eyes.

“Y-Your Majesty the Emperor?”

“Y-Your Majesty! It’s His Majesty!”

“Emperor, Your Majesty! What brings you to this place!”

To the nobles’ and chairman’s flustered reactions, the Emperor opened his mouth in a very relaxed voice.

“Hmm, what do you mean what brings me here. Is your reaction suggesting that I’ve mistakenly come to a place where I shouldn’t come?”

“That’s not it. Where in this Empire is there a place where Your Majesty cannot go?”

When the chairman said so in a trembling voice, the Emperor smiled and opened his mouth.

“Well, it’s nothing much. Yesterday, I happened to hear news that there’s an observation class for the student who’s the voice actor of my favorite character.”

“…Pardon?”

“The meaning of the voice actor of my favorite character is that she should rightfully receive my favor. That is the reason I attended today’s observation class. Is there any objection?”

“…..”

Of course, there couldn’t be any objection.

Even if there were objections, the chairman didn’t have the courage to voice such objections.

But unfortunately, the Emperor had one complaint for the chairman.

That was.

“Come to think of it, you were the chairman of this place, right?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. That’s correct.”

“But you know, I heard a very interesting piece of news yesterday. Do you know what it is?”

“W-Well, I’m not sure, but.”

“I heard that the student I’m watching with interest is not receiving very good treatment within the academy. And that… for trivial reasons like social status or family background…”

Saying so, the Emperor flashed his eyes.

“As the chairman, you should know well the fundamental cause of such a situation occurring. What do you think about this?”

“…..”

The chairman of the academy.

Age 60.

Special note number one:

Was making retirement plans in preparation for retirement 5 years from now.

Special note number two:

Just ruined his life.