Chapter 175 : New Business (2)
Chapter 175: New Business (2)
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Three days.
It only took three days for the rumors about the Mana Beads released by NOX through the Madeira Trading House to spread within the Polfoardel Social Club.
“There were Mana Beads before, weren’t there? I heard they weren’t very efficient, so they weren’t used often.”
“This one’s different. Want to try one?”
“Madeira Trading House, huh. I’ve bought a few ornaments from them, so I know of the place. Weren’t they from Leipzig?”
“I heard it originally came from abroad, but it seems they've shifted their focus to the Empire.”
“Well, the market inside the Empire would be overwhelming compared to other places.”
“Judging from the fact they’ve expanded into the capital, they must have some serious backing.”
The nobles showed considerable interest in the emergence of the new Mana Beads.
The previous Mana Beads were too expensive and had poor performance, making them inefficient.
In emergencies, it was better to just drink an extra potion instead.
More expensive than a potion, yet less effective.
Aside from being convenient to carry, they had no advantages.
“Let’s see…”
Crunch.
One of the nobles, who enjoyed trying new things, popped a Mana Bead someone had brought out into his mouth and bit down.
He did so with confidence that even if the Mana Bead was faulty or dangerous, he could handle it.
“How is it?”
“Wasn’t the Blue Bead supposed to have the same effect as a potion? They say it replenishes mana.”
“Come on, say something.”
“……”
Despite the urging of the other nobles, the one chewing the Mana Bead stopped moving and didn’t respond.
He simply continued chewing the bead in his mouth, savoring the taste.
“…Did something go wrong?”
“His face looks fine.”
“Hey, someone get a healer over here—”
“I’m fine.”
The noble who had chewed and swallowed the Mana Bead raised his head and spoke.
A look of clear surprise was on his face.
“How is it?”
“This is a Mana Bead?”
The noble picked up another bead from the table.
“It’s incomparable to a Mana Potion.”
“It looked unimpressive.”
“Well, potions were always better, after all.”
“Still, since it’s a new product, it should be better than before, right?”
Shaking his head at the others’ remarks, the noble spoke.
“Quite the opposite. The Mana Potions fall behind. This performance doesn’t even compare to the old ones. You said this was from the Madeira Trading House? Hey! Who brought this in? I want to buy it right away!”
“…It’s really that good?”
“Wait, I want to try one too.”
“No way, is this really…”
“This much effect from a Mana Bead?”
The effect of the Mana Beads was undeniable.
They were incomparably more advanced than previous versions and had overwhelming cost-effectiveness even compared to potions in the same price range.
Especially with easy storage, there was no need to bother carrying potion bottles or pouches, which was a major advantage.
“This is revolutionary! To concentrate that much mana into such a small bead!”
“The energy is clean, too. The refinement technology is incredible. I’d say it’s among the top in the Empire.”
“We must purchase immediately. Once this news spreads, demand will explode.”
Reputable researchers, including those from the Empire’s Magic Tower, also praised the Mana Beads for being safe and highly effective.
It was only natural, since they were crafted by combining elixirs and medicinal herbs.
Of course, much of the momentum was also thanks to NOX’s meticulous manipulation of public opinion and a flood of bribes, but the Mana Beads’ effectiveness was unquestionable.
Even if there were negative voices, their mouths and pens had been stuffed with piles of gold coins and silenced.
“Excellent.”
One week.
It only took a single week for the capital to be swept up in Mana Bead fever and for orders to pour in.
Even the Imperial Family, Knights, Magic Tower, and the Bavarian Academy rushed to place orders.
“How should we distribute the stock?”
“From the top. Priority goes to the Imperial Family and affiliated institutions. Include the Bavarian Academy too.”
“Understood. This will be a great opportunity to forge solid connections.”
Jane, the head of the Madeira Trading House, smiled brightly.
“For the rest, proceed under Queen’s command.”
“At your service.”
The framework was in place; now it was a matter of fleshing it out.
When it came to commerce, Queen was more suitable than himself, so he would let her take the lead.
“Move it carefully!”
“Orders are pouring in like crazy today too.”
“I heard we get bonuses too?”
“Wait, really?”
Even the regular employees working at the Trading House were brimming with energy.
If the business thrived, they could make a fair amount of money as well, so their expectations were high.
‘This is only the beginning.’
Carl nodded.
NOX had laid its roots in the shadows, and the Madeira Trading House was now making its official entrance into the light.
Together, they planned to steadily grow their power within the Empire’s light and darkness through their synergy.
Creak.
Carl quietly exited the Trading House and moved with unhurried steps.
With the week’s work at the Trading House finished, it was time to head to his next schedule.
Crossing Beatrice Street, Carl’s footsteps took him to none other than the Bavarian Academy.
“Ah, you’re here.”
“Carl!”
At the academy entrance, Yuria and Laysis were waiting for him.
It had already been several weeks since the start of the vacation.
Unlike the other cadets who had returned to their hometowns or noble families, the two had remained in Bayern.
Yuria still had research and assignments to complete in Bayern, and Laysis simply felt no reason to return to the Kingdom of Alforam.
Of course, letters telling her to return kept arriving, but knowing they’d only lead to more pointless matchmaking talks, she’d gathered them all and burned them.
“Have you both been well?”
“I’ve been buried in research and assignments.”
“I’ve been doing well. You look even sharper, Carl. I guess your trip home did you some good.”
“That’s true, but there was also a magical beast attack.”
“Magical beast?”
“Black Mages used magical beasts to launch an assault.”
“Another incident during that time.”
While Laysis looked surprised, asking if that had really happened, Yuria narrowed her eyes and furrowed her brow.
It wasn’t yet time for the Black Mages to begin their full-scale activity.
“We can talk more about this later. For now, let’s get moving. Our reserved time for the Teleport Gate is approaching.”
“Let’s do that.”
They moved to another territory through the capital’s Teleport Gate.
The destination was Althausen, located in the southeastern region of the Empire.
It was known for its vast sea, tourist attractions, and swordsmanship.
“Oh.”
As soon as they stepped out of the Teleport Gate, the salty air swirled around their noses.
The sunlight wasn’t gentle, but rather hot and dry.
“So this is Althausen.”
“They said they’d be waiting at the entrance—ah, there they are.”
After Laysis and Yuria stepped off the gate, Carl followed and spotted the group waiting at the entrance.
“Carl!”
It was Maximilian and the cadet friends they usually spent time with.
During the break, they had promised to travel together and decided on Althausen, which belonged to one of the cadet’s territories.
It was chosen for its famous sea and well-developed surrounding facilities.
“It’s hot, right? Let’s hurry to the mansion.”
“They say standing under the Althausen sun for just an hour will dry you out—and it’s no exaggeration.”
“Thanks for coming, both of you. Come on, hop in the carriage.”
Carl, Laysis, and Yuria.
Maximilian, Amy, Lien, Pozers, and Gale.
Seven cadets boarded the spacious carriage and headed to the mansion in Althausen.
As expected from a popular seaside destination, many tourists were visiting.
Seeing the bustling crowds outside the window, Laysis clicked her tongue.
“There’s a place in Alforam also famous for the sea, but the crowd isn’t like this. This is insane.”
“Huh? This isn’t even considered a lot. It’s not peak season yet—think of this as just a teaser.”
“A teaser?”
Laysis was surprised once more at Maximilian’s words.
If this crowd was just a teaser, the scale truly was imperial.
“By the way, everyone, take a look at this.”
Carl, who had also been looking out the window like Laysis, seemed to remember something and pulled a small box from his inner pocket.
As everyone turned their attention out of curiosity, Carl opened the lid of the box.
Inside were six small beads.
“Huh? This is—!”
The first to react was, unsurprisingly, the mage Pozers.
As a mage, he was familiar with Mana Beads and had heard the recent rumors circulating.
“What is it?”
“Mana Beads. They’ve become trendy again lately.”
“Mana Beads? Aren’t those supposed to be bad? I heard they were falling out of use because they were worse than potions.”
“That’s true, but the Madeira Trading House recently released a new line. The capital went into an uproar over it. You’re only hearing about it late because you’re here. To think he managed to get six of them.”
Pozers looked at Carl with a renewed gaze.
Though not very expensive, the waiting line to purchase even one was unbelievably long.
He had tried using his connections to get one faster, but with deliveries to the Magic Tower and other prominent powers delayed, what chance did a mere cadet have?
Just when he had been stuck with nothing but curiosity and research ambitions, Carl brought them himself.
“How did you get something that rare?”
“The Madeira Trading House and the Leipzig Family have a close relationship.”
“Ah! Wasn’t Leipzig where Madeira first entered?”
“That’s right. They came in through us and we helped them expand into the Empire’s capital. So we have a good relationship. I also contributed to the business in part.”
“…Impressive.”
Pozers looked at Carl with fresh admiration.
He already knew Carl was extraordinary, but to think he even had ties to the Madeira Trading House, which was causing a stir in the capital.
“I know Mana Beads too, but these are a different color. Aren’t they usually blue?”
“Each color has a different effect. Blue Beads simply replenish mana. Red restores stamina, vitality, and energy. Green helps smoothen mana flow and assists during training.”
The Mana Beads Carl pulled out were green.
They were a special edition with boosted effectiveness, prepared specifically for the cadets.
If consumed, they would likely be very effective over the vacation period.
It was Carl’s gesture of goodwill toward his fellow cadets.
“They’re green for now, but once more stock is secured, I’ll get you the others too. As I mentioned, I have insider access, so it’s easy for me to obtain them.”
“Mana Beads, huh.”
Click.
Yuria reached out and picked up a green bead, examining it with curiosity.
It was an item that didn’t exist in the original storyline.
The radiant glow it emitted suggested it wasn’t something easily made.
To think Carl managed to produce something like this only deepened her curiosity about him.
“I’ll take it gratefully.”
“Thanks, Carl.”
One by one, the cadets picked up a Mana Bead.
Of course, this too was merely an investment toward the future.