For most people, two days isn't a long time—after all, when broken down, it's just 48 hours or 2,880 minutes.
In this world without a precise concept of seconds and minutes, it's even harder to grasp as a measure of time.
However, for those who had seen the trailer for Fate Zero, those two days were an unbearable nightmare.
Knowing that a highly anticipated movie was so close yet still thousands of minutes away made them wish they could leap forward in time.
Of course, since self-inflicted harm doesn't lead to time travel, there was no choice but to endure the wait.
The days felt long and uneventful, and across the Empire, groups of young people could be seen huddled in plazas, endlessly rewatching the trailer until they could recite the dialogue by heart.
Meanwhile, those working were distracted, daydreaming about the movie's release, only to discover their bosses were equally preoccupied for the same reason.
And so, the days dragged on, the sun rose and set... and at last, the long-awaited moment arrived: Fate Zero tickets officially went on sale!
"Stop pushing! Stop—oh, come on! I said there's enough tickets for everyone!"
"Who cares? I promised my girlfriend I'd get tickets for Fate Zero! Move it!"
"Out of my way!"
Scenes of chaos unfolded outside the Nosrick Cinema. With the rapid expansion of the movie-going audience, the frenzy surrounding this new release dwarfed even the excitement for Goblin Slayer.
Particularly since Fate Zero didn't have a premiere-exclusive release, ticket scalpers had begun to emerge.
Although, for now, most scalpers were simply helping wealthy patrons secure tickets, it wouldn't be long before they realized the lucrative opportunity of reselling.
When that happened, Edward would likely have to tackle the issue head-on.
This chaotic scene wasn't unique to Nosrick—it played out at every cinema across the empire, including those newly opened in the northern territories.
Thanks to Goblin Slayer's prior success in expanding the audience base, Fate Zero now attracted throngs of eager viewers.
Thankfully, Edward had anticipated the surge in demand.
Under Baniel's management, the cinema network had been expanded proportionately to each town's population.
Larger cities like Nosrick, with over ten thousand residents, now boasted over five cinema branches.
Though still in its infancy, the network was rapidly scaling to meet demand, and technological innovations ensured a steady supply of Imaging Crystals without needing to source raw materials from the dwarves.
While cinemas across the empire brimmed with excitement, some places remained eerily quiet—chief among them the Imperial Mage Academy, home to the towering Mage's Tower.
Today marked the Academy's new student orientation, where aspiring mages arrived for the first time at this symbol of magical achievement.
For these newcomers, the first day was meant to be about making friends and familiarizing themselves with the campus.
Instead, they were greeted by a massive screen at the front gates, looping the Fate Zero trailer alongside a poster announcing a special premiere screening in the Academy's central plaza that evening.
All newly enrolled students were invited to attend, with a bonus gift for those who brought their student ID.
This promotional event, though a financial loss for the production team, generated massive interest.
The movie quickly became the hottest topic among the incoming students.
For newcomers from the southern territories, who had heard of the movie, this was a dream come true—they wouldn't miss the premiere after all.
For students from other regions, initially unfamiliar with the concept of films, the collective enthusiasm of their peers soon sparked their curiosity.
Within hours, word of the Fate Zero screening spread throughout the Academy, captivating every mage who saw the trailer.
By the end of the day, even the most indifferent attendees had resolved to watch the film in the central plaza.
This grassroots buzz all but guaranteed the movie would seize the attention of the Academy's entire freshman class.
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"Time for the movie! Let's go!"
Aya's excited shout echoed through the Edward Tavern, which had closed its doors for the day. Patrons, sensing the moment, quietly left to make way for the production crew.
Although the premiere system had been abolished, the Fate Zero team—including the Edward Film Studio crew, members of the Snow Flower Troupe, and the military cast—received complimentary VIP center seats.
These tickets, considered priceless, could fetch thousands of gold coins if auctioned.
Watching the excitement around him, Edward confirmed that Ska had successfully set up the stage at the Mage Academy plaza.
He then led his crew out of the closed tavern and across the street to the Nosrick Cinema headquarters.
The cinema, unrecognizable from its humble beginnings, now resembled a grand shopping complex.
Posters of Fate Zero were plastered everywhere, making it impossible to ignore the film's presence.
Outside, the streets teemed with people.
Some had been waiting since dawn, while others rushed over after finishing their work.
Regardless of when they arrived, everyone shared the same anticipation for the evening's event.
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