A vibrating Tulk card stirred in Vanta's pocket, prompting him to swiftly silence it. He knew better than to disrupt the ongoing meeting. Vanta was in the midst of a crucial discussion about establishing a new division within the branch company.
Confidently, he delivered a well-structured presentation, leaving a lasting impression on the manager and team leader. Their expressions mirrored a mix of astonishment and admiration.
Yet, amidst the admiration, Vanta couldn't help but notice glimmers of envy from some of the attending employees.
The presence of Vanta had irked several lower-ranking employees who were also part of the meeting. It had only been a week since Vanta joined the company as an intern.
Vanta had been assigned to the esteemed Duel and Entertainment Department, one of the most prestigious divisions within the company. Winhard Enterprise, founded by Victor Winhard, stood as one of the world's pioneering corporations. From scratch, Victor Winhard had single-handedly built the company into a global powerhouse.
In a world of magic and fantasy, his achievements were revolutionary. The mere existence of the Tulk card alone had the potential to reshape the entire structure of the magician society. It transformed the way magicians practiced and applied their magic in society.
Magic had become increasingly commonplace, accessible even to regular individuals. This breakthrough created a new market in the global economy and became an integral part of modern society.
What did this signify? It meant that Vanta had seized a remarkable opportunity not only to acquire information about the manual book but also for his own future.
Vanta concluded his presentation flawlessly, leaving a lasting impact on the audience. He emphasized the importance of establishing a new division for the company, outlining the benefits it would bring in terms of increased reputation and profitability.
In his presentation, Vanta addressed two critical issues. Firstly, he highlighted the problem of mistreatment and workplace bullying, stressing the need to address seniority-based behavior that was considered unprofessional and unethical. Secondly, he emphasized the urgency of preparing for the upcoming Chalice cup, as the division was currently unproductive and needed to be proactive. This is where his proposal for a new division, called the Executive Match Committee, came into play.
The purpose of this committee would be to observe and take immediate action when any undesirable situations arose. They would possess the authority to modify rules during the matches, disqualifying and neutralizing participants who violated the established guidelines.
Vanta's motivations for these initiatives were twofold, driven by a desire to protect the company from potential harm caused by individuals with malicious intent, particularly those with a superiority complex. He actively sought to identify and eliminate any troublemakers who posed a threat. Additionally, he aimed to establish his authority and create a productive, harmonious work environment. To achieve this, he recognized the need to quickly garner the attention of the company's president.
As the meeting adjourned, everyone returned to their respective stations. Vanta's provocation had succeeded, evident from the contemptuous glares he received from the senior individuals in the room. Whispering among themselves, they schemed to find a way to retaliate against Vanta.
Unfazed, Vanta looked back at them and sneered, further intensifying the tension. While the others seethed with anger, they restrained themselves, patiently devising a plan to put Vanta in his place.
Meanwhile, the branch manager, Bob Marley, stood in astonishment, his mouth agape. After the meeting concluded, he approached Vanta to engage in conversation.
"Dude... how old are you?" Bob asked incredulously.
"I'm ten," Vanta replied calmly.
"Ten?!" Bob exclaimed. "At your age, my son was still learning how to use a spell! Are you the president's secret illegitimate child or something?"
Vanta smirked and responded, "Ah, you flatter me. Thank you, Branch Manager."
"Please, just call me Bob," Bob requested. "No need to be formal. You'll quickly rise through the ranks and surpass me anyway. Let's keep things easy between us."
What Bob said about Vanta was not an exaggeration. Vanta's achievements were truly exceptional, not only within the branch but across all company branches and even at the headquarters.
Within just a few days of joining the branch company, Vanta keenly observed numerous flaws that had been plaguing the organization. He swiftly implemented the best methods for product usage and rectified the way they were applied. Take, for example, the 'Wicked Tracer' card.
While it was originally intended as a mere distraction or hindrance to limit opponents' movements, Vanta revealed its true potential—a slow exploding snake that never missed its target. This revelation occurred on his very first day at the company, showcasing his astuteness.
Daniel Noah, the individual who introduced Vanta to the branch company, held a high-ranking position and wielded significant authority within the organization. His connection with Vanta certainly played a role in Vanta's success within the company.
Furthermore, Vanta's approach to his work mirrored that of the president, drawing striking similarities between their methods, just as Bob had previously mentioned.
In an instant, Vanta transformed into an exemplary star employee, despite still being an intern. His remarkable achievements garnered attention from those who harbored resentment towards his rapid success. These individuals had been with the company longer than Vanta, yet he received all the praise and promotions from their superiors.
As Vanta basked in the success of his presentation, a young office woman wearing glasses approached him. She gracefully navigated through the office, despite being burdened with a towering stack of documents in her arms.
"Good work, Vanta! The presentation was a resounding success!" she congratulated him, her face partially obscured by the weighty pile of papers she carried. However, Vanta could still discern the genuine happiness in her expression.
Unable to overlook her invaluable contribution, he replied, "I couldn't have done it without you, Enna." Vanta mirrored her compliments with gratitude as he watched Enna struggle to hand over the files.
Enna Watson had been Vanta's go-to person since he first joined the company. She wholeheartedly supported him, fulfilling the role of a supportive senior, and generously shared her knowledge about the organization. True to form, she was now assisting him in gathering all the necessary files regarding a new recruit who had recently moved from the employment department to the entertainment department solely for his benefit.
Curiosity piqued, Enna inquired, "What do you plan to do with all these files, Vanta? Is it related to your committee proposal?"
"Indeed, it is," Vanta confirmed. Carefully balancing the mountainous pile of documents, he transported them to his desk, displaying a determination that belied his small stature. Like an industrious ant shouldering objects larger than its body, Vanta embraced the challenge.
"These files will prove invaluable later. Thank you, Enna," he expressed his gratitude, his words laced with appreciation.
Enna flashed a warm smile and flexed her bicep playfully. "Anything for my adorable junior!" she exclaimed, exuding a sense of camaraderie. "Phew, that was quite the workout. Make sure to organize them all before diving in. I simply grabbed whatever was available."
Vanta delved into the towering stack of work before him, resolute and focused. With precision, he meticulously opened each file, immersing himself in the contents of every document. His attention to detail was unwavering as he scrutinized each page, absorbing the information it held.
On the other hand, when he saw his new intern and employee working diligently, Bob couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and admiration. The sight of their dedication and commitment stirred a mix of emotions within him. He marveled at their work ethic.
"Working hard, aren't we?" Bob commented, as he saw Vanta who was engrossed in his work.
Vanta looked up, momentarily, his superior was looking at him.
"You've just finished the meeting," Bob continued, acknowledging the demanding nature of Vanta's role.
"Indeed, sir," Vanta replied, a hint of urgency in his voice. "I apologize, but this task must be completed before tomorrow. I still have a stack of cards to review, and I haven't had the chance to go through all of them yet."
As a member of the duel and entertainment department, Vanta's primary responsibility revolved around the meticulous review of Tulk cards. Amongst these cards, the ones used for combat held particular significance.
Nevertheless, Vanta remained steadfast in his true intention for joining the company—to delve deeper into the mysteries surrounding the Unlimited Mana Manual and the upcoming tournament that would utilize it.
Victor Winhard, the creator of this formidable artifact, had chosen an unconventional path. Instead of hoarding it for personal gain or selling it for maximum profit, he selflessly distributed it to all the tournament participants. Vanta couldn't fathom the president's motive behind such an act. It seemed as though the president didn't care whether others used the manual or not. How did it benefit him?
Although Vanta hadn't yet unraveled the president's intentions, he had managed to gather significant information since joining the company. He discovered that the production of the manual was shrouded in secrecy, unknown even to the company executives. Only the president possessed the knowledge about its creation.
Surprisingly, no side effects had been found in the data collected from those who had used the distributed Manual so far. The manual itself was an enigmatic foreign object, with no known records or history. It appeared to be a product invented solely by the president.
The president, an accomplished scientist, had countless revolutionary inventions to his name, including the Tulk card. Oddly enough, there were no existing records of his existence prior to becoming a researcher. It was as if he had materialized out of thin air into this world.
Vanta's true reason for being captivated by the manual stemmed from the fact that its mere existence surpassed his comprehension. The president had created an item capable of providing its wearer with an unlimited supply of mana. Just the concept alone was mind-boggling. The potential consequences of wielding such power could either usher in an era of prosperity or plunge the world into chaos.
The outcome of such a phenomenon would be highly unpredictable, with Vanta unable to envision the possible ramifications. This uncertainty became the driving force behind his motivation and plan. He refused to venture blindly into an ambiguous future. Instead, he aimed to witness the outcome and understand the consequences of introducing such an unpredictable variable into the equation.
As Vanta was about to call Mizar to find out what was happening, his attention was diverted by someone else approaching him.