I flipped through the booklet in my hands to double-check the contents. This was a publication Nifty distributed once a month to anyone who requested it. It contained information on new products and campaigns, notices about seasonal lineup changes, and various recommendations. It was designed to be a handy reference for customers while they shopped.
We planned to use this same booklet to announce the details for MK Royal.
"So, what do you think?"
"Yeah, it’s good. Your writing is as engaging as always. Though I do feel like the descriptions are a bit... hyperbolic."
"No way, Kaito-san! For something like this, a little exaggeration is exactly what the doctor ordered!"
"If you say so. Well, it looks fine to me, so I’ll have Canalis-san give it a final look-over."
The girl standing before me with a triumphant, smug grin was Arisa, whom I had manifested using Memories. In fact, she was the one who put these monthly booklets together.
I had been manifesting various people every day as part of my training, and during one of those sessions, Arisa had mentioned that she wanted to create books or newspapers. She aspired to be a journalist and loved writing articles, so I wanted to help her fulfill that dream. However, my current lack of mastery meant I couldn't keep her manifested for very long.
After some back-and-forth, we had reached a compromise: she would produce the promotional booklets for Nifty.
"Kaito-san, you haven't forgotten our deal, have you? In lieu of a salary, you have to buy me the latest recording magic tool the second a new model hits the shelves!"
"I know, I know. But the one you're using just came out recently. I doubt there'll be a newer version for a while."
"Ugh, but this one is still so bulky..."
The booklet featured photographs taken with a recording magic tool. Since Arisa desperately wanted a high-quality camera, I had promised to buy her every new model as payment for her work.
I had even asked Kuro to give me a heads-up whenever a new model was being developed. Consequently, the video magic tool Arisa currently held was a cutting-edge prototype that hadn't even reached the general public yet.
Even so, compared to the cameras from my old world, it was quite large. It wasn't exactly impossible to carry, but its sheer size made it a bit of a burden.
"Well, recording magic tools are still a developing technology in this world. I'm sure they'll get smaller as the field advances."
"I suppose so... I really want to get out there and start reporting with a camera in hand, but the time limit is still the biggest hurdle. I'm counting on you to keep growing, Kaito-san!"
"Ahaha... Well, it did increase by five minutes recently. For now, my goal is to break the one-hour mark."
Currently, my Memories lasted for about twenty minutes. It was an improvement over how I started, but still far too short. However, since the duration seemed to increase just by using the magic every day without any special tricks, I figured I would eventually be able to keep her manifested for much longer.
"Oh, I'm starting to turn transparent. I guess my time is up. Alright then, Kaito-san, let me know tomorrow if there are any edits!"
"Got it. Thanks, Arisa."
"Don't mention it! Writing these is fun for me, too! See you tomorrow!"
I waved back at the smiling Arisa as I deactivated the magic. I had grown quite used to the process by now, so I didn't feel any lingering fatigue.
On the flip side, that meant the duration had nothing to do with my mental or physical stamina. It was purely a matter of time and practice to increase my mastery.
In any case, the preparations for the MK Royal announcement were essentially complete. The announcement was really just a breakdown of the lottery system along with a showcase of the original design cup and spoon that came with the set.
We had already drawn the winner for the first round. If they declined the purchase, we would simply hold a redraw, but given the winner's immense wealth, I doubted they would have any trouble with the price. I fully expected them to go through with it.
I was still a bit surprised by the result, though. For a second, I wondered when they had even visited the shop, but then I remembered that purchases made via the tablet-type magic tools were also eligible. It wasn't that strange for someone to shop without me ever noticing.
Musing over the possibilities, I stepped out of the room to find Canalis-san.
Serious-senpai: "Hmm, so he's still keeping the winner's identity a secret... That confirms Elis is out of the running, right? Since the winner is someone Kaito didn't even know was a Nifty customer, we can probably scratch Kuro, Ein, Jutia, Camellia, Rosmiel, Erial, and Tiltania off the list too. I really thought we were in for another 'Stomach Pain' incident..."
???: "Well, since the prize is just the 'right to purchase,' someone like Elis-san could just decline the win to avoid the stress. There's always an escape route... which just means the author will probably find a different way to punch the characters later, right?"
Serious-senpai: "...So the punch is inevitable, then."