It was a quiet afternoon in my usual workspace. A cluttered desk surrounded by stacks of notebooks, energy drink cans, and the faint hum of my PC running in the background. The screen displayed an open text document titled "Chapter 95: Misunderstandings" but instead of typing, I was currently stuck in a loop of overthinking every single decision Aric could make in the upcoming chapters.
My amazing, funny, handsome, tall, muscular, curly long haired, nonchalant and witty editor, Sammy, had just walked in, carrying his signature clipboard and aromatic scent, looking far too cheerful for someone about to interrupt my existential crisis. His aura was so blinding I thought piccolo stepped in the room.
"Wagwan my g! How's my fav author doing (finger guns fired)." he greeted with a fake cheer as if plotting for my demise.
"Still obsessing over whether Aric should bake another cake or not init?"
"It's not just about the cake, Sammy. It's about symbolism, character development, foreshadowing—"
"Yeah, yeah." Sammy cut me off with a wave of his hand.
"You're overthinking it again. Just stop thinking and write a gentle reminder that it's a romance novel. But no worries, I've got something that'll distract you."
He held up the clipboard triumphantly, smirking as if he'd just pulled off some grand reveal.
"Questions from readers and patrons. Thought we could do a quick Q&A session before you dive back into your spiral."
I raised an eyebrow, "How many questions are we talking about here?"
"Fifteen. But you also made it sound like the Q&A should've come a lot sooner! Next time tell them-"
I groaned in guilt, "Yes, yes. I'm sorry."
"Anyways, the questions come from Royal Road, Scribble Hub, Instagram, WebNovel… even one from Discord. Are you ready?"
"Hit me."
What is the inspiration behind this story? You obviously have made many references to anime, games, movies, etc. So what inspired you? – Royal Road
As he spoke, I leaned forward, tapping the edge of my keyboard thoughtfully.
"Honestly? This story came from a desire to leave a mark to be more than just a memer."
"Look, growing up, I spent so much time consuming content like watching anime, playing games, reading novels and while all those things shaped who I am today, there was always this nagging voice inside me saying, 'Why aren't you creating something?'"
"So I actually created anime edits, like those quotes. Here's one I made years ago.
(Check comments? Idk how to upload images here.)
I gestured vaguely toward the screen. "Anyways, this novel is my way of proving to myself that I can contribute something meaningful to the world. Something people will enjoy, relate to, and maybe even remember long after they finish reading."
Sammy nodded approvingly. "Deep. Very deep."
What is your favorite anime of all time? – Royal Road
"Steins;Gate." I answered immediately, "Hands down, 10/10."
"Care to elaborate?"
"It's perfect." I said earnestly, sitting up straighter.
"The storytelling, the characters, the emotional beats—it hits differently. Okabe Rintarou's journey isn't just about time travel; it's about sacrifice, friendship, and the weight of responsibility. And don't get me started on Kurisu Makise. She's brilliant, complex, and absolutely unforgettable."
"Plus, the ending? Iconic. If you haven't seen Steins;Gate, stop whatever you're doing and watch it right now."
How long until the next arc? – Royal Road
"The next arc starts next week on the 6th of August." I announced confidently, though I feel a hint doubt towards myself,
"There'll be a 10-chapter drop on day one, then chapter(s) released daily for a week straight, before reverting to the usual schedule of three chapters per week."
(Please remember that I may delay the drop by a couple day due to building a backlog)
Sammy tilted his head curiously. "Why such a big release all at once ;;;;?"
"Well." I explained, stretching my arms above my head, "it's partly because I want to build momentum for the new arc. Dropping multiple chapters gives readers a chance to binge-read and fully immerse themselves in the story. Plus, it's a nice reward for everyone who's been patiently waiting during these slower updates."
Well, I certainly wasn't expecting to enjoy this story as much as I have. I cannot wait to read Part 3. Looking forward to seeing where the story goes next! – Royal Road
"Thank you very much." I said sincerely, "That means a lot. Writing this story has been a rollercoaster, and knowing that people are enjoying it makes all the late nights and endless revisions worth it."
"My first ever work, The Broken Paths had nobody reading it and I wrote about 100+ chapters worth. I learned so much from that experience that I actually now can write better."
I glanced at Sammy, who gave me a thumbs-up. "But seriously though, thank you to everyone who's supported this novel. Your feedback keeps me motivated and seeing yall taking it seriously, puts a smile on my face."
"Ah, especially the patrons. They are all super helpful and supportive and they made the novel so much better as well thanks to them."
Will Aric ever be in a harem? – Scribble Hub
"Nope." I replied firmly, shaking my head. "For now, no harems. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of the trope because it often feels lazy and undermines genuine relationship development. That being said, I don't hate when other authors include them. It's their choice, and if done well, it can work."
I paused, tapping my chin thoughtfully. "But don't think for a second that Seraphina will be the only woman interested in Aric. There'll definitely be others vying for his attention. Just… not in a harem-y way."
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!" Sammy cried out as he fell to his knees. YOU CAN'T TAKE THIS AWAY FROM US. YOU CAN'T TAKE AWAY IVY FROM ARIC!
P.S - Dear readers, I will try my best to pursue the Ivy-Sera harem. We shall overcome this hurdle together.
What is the situation with Aric and Seraphina? Do they like each other? – Scribble Hub
"They definitely do, for now. Their dynamic is complicated, sure as they've both been through hell and back but there's undeniable chemistry between them. Right now, they're in the early stages of figuring out their feelings. Both are stubborn individuals, so it's going to take time for them to admit anything romantic."
Who is truly the strongest in this world? Without counting the gods? – Instagram
"That's easy." I said, snapping my fingers. "Levi, Lilith, Seraphina, and Lira. They're absurdly powerful, and I've given them enough feats to back it up. Levi's combat skills? Unmatched. Lilith's mastery over magic? Terrifying. Seraphina's raw power and determination? Legendary. And Lira…"
I trailed off, shrugging. "Okay, Lira hasn't had as many moments to shine yet, but trust me, she's insanely strong too."
What was the inspiration for Aric? – WebNovel
"Subaru Natsuki from Re:Zero. He's one of my favorite protagonists of all time. Subaru's resilience, intelligence, and ability to adapt under pressure were huge influences on Aric's character. Like Subaru, Aric doesn't rely solely on brute strength—he uses creativity, strategy, and sheer willpower to overcome challenges."
"Of course, Aric is his own person, but yeah, Subaru's struggles resonated with me deeply. His pain felt real, and I wanted to capture that same authenticity with Aric."
Would you ever introduce the concept of Wi-Fi to that world? – Instagram
"Yes. Absolutely. As the story progresses, Aric's Creation Magic becomes increasingly advanced. He's constantly pushing boundaries, inventing things that blend modern technology with magical principles. Wi-Fi might seem impossible in a fantasy setting, but with Aric? Nothing's off the table."
I gestured animatedly, getting excited. "Imagine him creating communication devices powered by mana crystals or setting up networks using enchanted stones. It'd revolutionize the world and cause plenty of chaos along the way."
Which is better? Rent-a-GF manga or your novel? – Instagram
I burst out laughing, nearly falling out of my chair. "Oh, come on. That's brutal."
Sammy smirked, "Just answer honestly."
"Alright, fine." I conceded, composing myself. "Look, I'm not gonna say I'm better than the author of Rent-a-GF. He's created over 400 chapters of content, built a massive fanbase, and earned serious recognition. But…"
I paused, grinning mischievously. "…yeah, I think my novel's better. Fight me. At least I don't write the way he writes."
What's your favorite chapter so far? – Discord
"Chapter 'How to make a 1000 year old demon feel pain? By kicking her in the balls!'"
"It's basically the most fun I had while writing a chapter. I have many favourites too like his reveal of being isekaied, seraphina and him spending time in bed but this chapter feels like the most fun to write. There's humour, references and basically my favourite way of writing."
Will there be more romance arcs outside of Aric and Seraphina? – Instagram
"Definitely." I confirmed. "While Aric and Seraphina are central to the story, other characters will have their own romantic subplots. Evelyn, Kayla, Thorin—even minor characters like Adam and Mira might find love along the way. Romance adds depth to the world and helps humanize everyone."
Any advice for aspiring writers? – Instagram
"Write consistently, embrace feedback, and don't be afraid to rewrite." I said earnestly.
"Your first draft doesn't have to be perfect. A lot of people want that first draft to just be perfect and flawless and the truth is, that's just wrong. The draft has to just exist. If you don't write, how will you improve? If you aren't critiqued, then you're not writing a story that people give two shit about. Mistakes make you better."
"Also, surround yourself with supportive people who'll cheer you on during the rough patches. Writing's tough, but it's also incredibly rewarding. Critique is important but having people support you is just as important. Writing is all mental and if you're not in a good mental space, you're not gonna write well."
Sammy checked his clipboard then looked up towards me, "Well, that's all. Thank you for answering them. Also, send me your draft asap."
"Yes yes."
I looked towards an imaginary camera,
"And thank you to everyone here. My patrons for financially supporting me and giving me feedback, you shape this story in ways you can't imagine. Thank you to the readers, you gave me hope that my writing is good and I can write a story that can last."
Sammy looked concerned, "Who the hell are you talking to?"
I pretend to not hear him, "Thank you as well for the harsh criticism. Maybe it was a little bit mean for someone writing their 2nd ever book but there was some legit feedback there and you help improve me as a writer too. So thank you."
"Thank you to everyone as well, I hope Arc 3 and Arc 4 will be just as entertaining."
"Thank you for reading, Reincarnated into a Failed Marriage."
Sammy shook his head, Shiro has gone insane. Shiros schizo now.
*Please do note that while the ideal launch is on 6th August, I may delay one or two days to make an even bigger backlog. The ideal way is to actually finish an entire arc within two weeks of launching but we'll see.