The reporters hadn't arrived yet.
Sophia Sullivan browsed aimlessly through the mall, flipping through comic books.
A timid voice called out from a corner.
"Miss... would you like to take a look at my comics?"
Sophia turned.
A young man with a boyish face crouched in the corner.
A few comic books were spread out in front of him.
Shoppers hurried past.
No one spared a glance at his little corner.
"It's okay if you don't buy... I can give you one if you like it."
The young man smiled shyly.
His gaze drifted longingly toward Noah Valentine's direction.
"I may not be famous... but I hope this story can entertain you."
Sophia had nothing better to do.
She crouched down and picked up a comic.
The art style was inconsistent.
But most of it carried warmth and comfort.
The cover of the one in her hands featured a white cat.
A fluffy snowball of a feline, playfully rubbing against a windowsill.
Just looking at it softened her heart.
"This cat is based on the one I had back in my hometown."
The young man's eyes curved into crescents.
"It was the only one that kept me company back then... I wanted to share that warmth with readers."
Sophia flipped to the title page.
The name "Caleb Sullivan" was signed there.
Likely his real name.
"Not bad... Why isn't anyone buying?"
She skimmed through the others.
The paneling had a distinct personal touch.
The pages were filled with endearing animals.
Lush fields.
A little boy in shorts.
The details were tenderly rendered.
Caleb lowered his head.
"The publishers said the transitions were too rough... They prefer adventure stories about heroes now."
His voice grew quieter.
"I had to pay for printing myself... Just giving them to friends... and trying to promote here at the mall."
Sophia pointed out the flaws.
"The lighting is off... The scene transitions are too abrupt."
She picked up another volume.
"The flow suffers because of the art style... The lead-in panels lack proper setup."
Caleb listened intently.
"Comics are about capturing life... Using your pen to paint another world."
Sophia tapped a specific chapter.
"Think of your pen as a camera... Tilt the angle early to foreshadow the next scene."
Caleb frowned.
He didn't fully understand.
But he had a good temperament.
Humbly, he asked for more details.
Sophia felt it was fate.
If this collaboration went well.
She might be able to use him to take down Noah.
She picked up a pencil from the ground.
With a few casual strokes on a blank sheet.
"Here, take a look."
In just a few lines.
A wide-eyed Persian cat sprang to life.
Caleb gaped.
"Y-you're a master!"
Those effortless strokes carried profound skill.
The perspective and structure were flawless.
Sophia's pencil glided lightly.
Behind the cat, a countryside path unfurled.
Wheat fields swaying in the wind.
A babbling creek.
Great art carried texture and atmosphere.
This sketch evoked memories of summer fields.
The stifling breeze carrying coolness and the scent of grain.
Caleb stared, growing more familiar.
The style felt hauntingly recognizable.
A woman with short hair stopped in her tracks.
"Is this your work? What's it called?"
Her eyes sparkled as she stared at the drawing.
"Just a quick edit... It's not mine."
Sophia handed her Caleb's comic.
"This is his series... Feel free to give feedback."
Within moments.
The once-deserted corner drew over a dozen people.
Caleb had spent the whole day failing to attract interest.
This was the first time so many had gathered.
His cheeks flushed red.
"This lady is the real expert here."
Sophia smiled faintly.
"I just started the conversation."
She glanced up as reporters began their interviews.
Setting the pencil down, she prepared to enjoy the show.
Caleb hastily packed up his stall and followed.
"Master... Could I get your contact info?"
Those few strokes had shown him the soul of artistry.
Sophia had expected this.
Instead of answering.
She countered with a question.
"Tell me... Do you want your work to be more famous than Noah Valentine's?"