Chapter 72: Tricks and Human Nature

A genius, as the name suggests, refers to a person with innate talent. Although it is very unfair, some people are born with the ability to learn and innovate in one or more areas that surpass most others.

In Japanese society, there are such cases in every industry.

In the music world, R&B singer Kenshi Yonezu began creating songs at 18 and debuted at 21. Less than three years after his debut, he became an album champion on the Oricon charts. In addition to writing lyrics and music, he also took on the main work of an album's post-production sound effects and MV animation.

In the ACG world, Gen Urobuchi also crossed into many fields such as games, novels, and animation just a few years after his debut, creating a series of famous works that moved audiences and readers, earning him the title "Warrior of Love."

In the literary world, Ryunosuke Akutagawa created "Rashomon" at the age of 23 and was appreciated by Soseki Natsume and taken under his wing; Yasunari Kawabata became famous overnight at the age of 22 after publishing "Scenes from the Festival of Souls" and receiving critical acclaim.

In the world where Akiwara Yuto currently resides, there is no shortage of such figures, but whenever such a person appears, they are met with the pursuit and adoration of the public.

Upon hearing Akiwara Yuto speak eloquently about the nine types of tricks, the impression held by Yuma Kadowaki could not help but become complicated.

Before this, he thought the other party was just a "pseudo-genius" hyped up by the media, who just happened to write a work that fit the market trend.

After all, in Akiwara's works, the reasoning techniques are pitifully few; they are entirely a collection of thriller novels wearing the skin of mystery.

But after listening to Akiwara Yuto's analysis of a series of trick techniques, he discovered that the other party's theoretical level far exceeded his imagination.

To be honest, if he had learned what the other party said earlier, he could have designed more brilliant content and plot points when creating "Searching Footsteps," and he wouldn't have been criticized by some reviewers for "lacking story and depth."

This made him feel deep jealousy, but he also had to admit that the other party's talent left him in awe.

He even pondered a question: were the arrangements he previously entrusted to his girlfriend's father really correct?

On the other side, Akiwara Yuto spoke for a full 30 minutes before finishing the nine trick techniques analyzed by Edogawa Ranpo, and by combining them with some cases he had seen, he gave everyone present a good lesson.

After finishing, he picked up his teacup, drank the sencha inside in one gulp, and then looked around at everyone, finding some people thinking and others taking notes, but why did Yuma Kadowaki's expression look so strange, as if he were struggling with something...

He took another wagashi from the tray on the table, stuffed it into his mouth, chewed it a few times, and swallowed it.

To be honest, he had a very strange feeling now; he had originally wanted to come and learn other people's novel writing techniques, but it ended up turning into him giving them a lecture.

This reminded him of his past life; he remembered that back then he was also often ordered by his mentor to go and lecture undergraduates...

After a while, Tamae Seto seemed to have finished her notes. She glanced at Akiwara Yuto and summoned a servant to bring more tea and snacks, placing them in front of Akiwara Yuto herself, which made the latter feel a bit embarrassed.

After doing this, Tamae Seto knelt back in her seat and said politely, "Akiwara-sensei, what you said has benefited me greatly, but I have one more question I would like to ask you."

Akiwara Yuto nodded, "Please go ahead, if I know the answer, I will certainly tell you."

"The design of tricks is something you have explained very thoroughly, but any brilliant mystery story cannot be separated from the combination of tricks and human nature, so how do you view this?"

Hearing this question, Akiwara Yuto looked at her with some surprise. The human nature and tricks the other party mentioned were nothing more than the dispute between the orthodox school and the social school.

However, for this Seto-sensei to ask this, it shows that she is still thinking about how her own literary path will go.

Then again, the other party has been debuted for so long, is she still considering changing her style? If that's the case, it shows she still wants to continue exploring her literary path!

Akiwara Yuto thought for a moment and continued, "I think that human nature and tricks are just parts that make a story more exciting, but as creators, we must still base ourselves on the murderer and let the tricks and the murderer be tightly combined."

Seeing Tamae Seto nodding continuously, he continued, "The murderer's personality, education, and interpersonal relationships will determine their motive for murder, and all of this will become the premise for designing the trick. After all, a murderer with a very low cultural level cannot use any profound mechanisms or scientific knowledge to kill."

He coughed and continued, "From my personal point of view, I prefer to tell a good story about human nature to strengthen the drama and narrative of the plot, rather than blindly increasing the complexity of the tricks."

Right, who was taking notes, was surprised. He looked up and asked suspiciously, "Why, Akiwara-sensei? Isn't orthodox mystery meant to strengthen the design of tricks and provide readers with the fun of solving puzzles?"

Akiwara Yuto glanced at him and realized he had been enjoying himself too much and forgot there was such an orthodox school member here. But after thinking about it, he decided to stick to his point of view: "From the perspective of creation, human nature and tricks are naturally both indispensable."

"However," Akiwara Yuto changed his tone, "in fact, most works cannot achieve this and can only choose one of the two to highlight."

This topic had already touched upon the debate between the orthodox school and the social school, and everyone present looked over with curiosity.

Amidst the inquisitive and doubtful eyes of the crowd, Akiwara Yuto continued, "The essence of a mystery novel is still a story. As long as it is a story, one must pay attention to the drama of the story itself, and the depiction of human nature can profoundly highlight this drama. Conversely, if the tricks are designed to be increasingly profound and complex, how many readers can enjoy the fun of the story itself?"

Hearing these words, Right fell into deep thought. Linking this to the previous reviews of his work by critics, he had different thoughts in his heart.

Others also seemed to have realized something, showing different expressions, and Tamae Seto even showed a smile.

Although the two belonged to different editorial departments, the competition between magazines did not have a very direct relationship with writers like them.

So she was very happy that such a junior could appear. To be honest, she couldn't wait to see the other party's next work.

After all, a genius's work is always worth looking forward to!

Thinking of this, she said with a gentle attitude, "Akiwara-sensei, everyone has benefited a lot this time. Could you please come and talk about related content often in future gatherings?"

She stood up and bowed deeply, "I beg you."

Facing this invitation, Akiwara Yuto was a bit dumbfounded. Although with the knowledge he had stored from his past life, he could lecture these writers for ten days or half a month without repeating himself, but today's lecture had made his throat a bit hoarse. If he did it a few more times, wouldn't it turn back into the miserable life of helping his mentor with undergraduates?

However, it was not without benefits; he could take this opportunity to build his reputation and make more connections. After all, although he believed the quality of the work was the most important, he didn't think connections were completely useless.

Seeing that Akiwara did not reply, other writers besides Yuma Kadowaki also stood up and bowed, "Akiwara-sensei, we beg you!"

Seeing this scene, Akiwara Yuto made his choice. He immediately stood up and returned the bow, "Thank you all for your appreciation. If there is an opportunity in the future, I will definitely come and discuss with everyone again!"

Hearing Akiwara Yuto's answer, everyone present also showed satisfied smiles.

By this time, the sky outside had completely darkened. As the host, Tamae Seto extended an invitation to everyone, "Dinner has been prepared. Please follow me to the dining room."

After saying this, she walked to Akiwara Yuto and reached out to guide him to follow her. Akiwara Yuto did not stand on ceremony and followed the other party out the door first.

After this, the other writers stood up one after another and walked in twos and threes to the place where dinner was served.

Yuma Kadowaki walked at the very back of the line. He looked at Akiwara Yuto's back, and complicated thoughts surged in his heart.

Akiwara Yuto, with your talent, you could make a name for yourself at other publishing houses. Sorry, if you want to blame someone, blame yourself for coming to "New Novel"...

He clenched his fists tightly, let go of his hesitation, and made a decision in his heart!