May 4.

  Billy and Raimoogether as Mr. Tolkien walked towards the exit after a lengthy meeting—the final meeting to solidify the retionship with the Tolkien family in the process of creation and animation. The iation for the purchase of the film rights was still ongoing, with only The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings secured. However, strengthening ties was just the beginning of the iation.

  -It was a long and tiring job, - said Raimon, trying to break the ice, as he too was surprised by Billy's arrival.

  -How's everything going? - asked Raimon.

  -As well as it could be. We ed up filming two days ago. I came to get up to speed on what has happened in the past few months. I've been told you've had a lot on your pte, from the building delivery to the Lucasfilm iation, the purchase of Tor Books, and the iations for franchises and animated series, - replied Billy, nodding.

  Initially, the purchase of the film rights for The Lord of the Rings closed at 26 million dolrs, but it's more of an iment that be recovered with The English Patient, even if it fails, it will only add to the predicted trilogy's iment. The purchase of Tor Books closed at 8 million dolrs, with a service tract payment to M for distribution, advertising, and hiring services.

  Iments in Pixar, five million dolrs to improve the puting process, have occupied and dried up Lux Animation's coffers, which are still waiting for the 95 million dolrs the bank will disburse. This will be used to cover the final expenses of The Lord of the Rings and the purchase of a distribution pany. Specifically, a distribution pany in the European, Asian, and Oian regions.

  However, this is not what is needed sihe children's sector tends to be quite light. The expansion of the distribution industry will now be reinforced in the Ameri, adian, and European zones, starting in English-speaking tries.

  -I saw that quite a few of Brandon Choi's friends arrived. Are they here for something? - asked Raimon.

  -Not at all. I only hired seven assistants for two days to help me finalize the st chapters of Evangelion and Yu Yu Hakusho. They are transcribing my drafts and adding the necessary color and design while we talk. I pn to publish another series, which I hope will be a bestseller, - said Billy.

  -I thought you had an audition for another movie, - said Raimon.

  -I do, but I was chosen for the final two filters. Two producers from Sony Pictures liked my skills a lot, and they are expeg me on May 11th. Meanwhile, I'll use the time to advahe series with this group of editors, - said Billy.

  -That sounds fantastic. The st chapter was a bit heavy. For a moment, I thought you were going to write something happy, but you dashed my hopes with the test details, which are, among many things, terrifying, - said Raimon.

  Walking with Billy towards his office, passing by Margot, Anne's secretary, and Anne, who is the director of Lux Animation and coordinates with most people to keep the pany running smoothly.

  They walked into Jim Lee's room, or what had previously been his room. He had taken a new dire with his own publishing pany called Wildstorms Produs, using the money saved and earned during his months at Lux ics. Eight people, including some editors, inkers, and writers, were w on books with great care, three at a time. The process was beautiful and pleasing to the eye. tration was evident on their faces, and Billy was more than sure that the 5-day deadline was more than enough with this rge produ group.

  -Now, this is the team that will be responsible for creating the uping ics. I brought eleven almost-ready drafts for inking and corre. Now it's just a matter of them taking care of the work while I focus oing new releases for the summer season, - said Billy.

  -I see. Have you received the sales report? This year, we're making a eba ic sales, and our sales have doubled for series like Sm Dunk and Evangelion, - said Raimon.

  -The results are pleasing. We're a bit short on money, - the young man approached to see a product that was almost finished, and it erfect as he could imagihese individuals already had a lot of work in the produ of these series. Raimon just did some mental calcutions in his head.

  -It's nice. Last month we surpassed 2 million in sales. We're among the most successful ipanies in the Uates, and we'll likely surpass Marvel and DC if the sales peak remains stable, - said Raimon. The average always hovered around 1.2 million copies for all series, but this increase had reached 2 million, and the mark kept rising, with reprints and Jim Lee's departure, the produ could even reach 3 million without repercussions.

  -e on, I have to keep drawing, and I have some extra questions I o know. My new series is like a bea of light; I think it will be one of the best series I'll create, - said Billy.

  -I'm already excited, - said Raimon.

  Leaving the inkers' office.

  -Any news about Lucasfilm? - Billy asked, stroking his . He would have to do many activities during these days off, and Gee Lucas was one of them.

  -Nothing new, but we believe that sometime between this month and the , we'll get some answers from Mr. Lucas. Although I think Steve Parks is wrong, and Gee Lucas will e when he finds out about reat success, The Lion King, - said Raimon.

  -No deys. It would hurt to lose that golden goose, but there are many other ways to make money, - said Billy calmly. Knowing that only haste would bring fatigue, they ehe room, and there were three notebooks—the three main notebooks. He improved the beginning and added Chapter 0, which tells the story of Shiki Lion, along with the appoi of some members of Shanks' crew, who looked more detailed this time.

  -Wow, - said Raimon, seeing a mysterious story because of the mas it hid—many names and, as always, exquisite work.

  -I think I'll wait until there are 20 chapters, but I'll give it a good review, - said Raimon.

  -You'd be surprised if I told you I have 1,500 chapters pnned, - said Billy.

  Raimon's widened eyes were enough to make Billy ugh, who could only wait for what the future held.

  ...