The city of Arcane, the capital of the Arcanthia Empire, was a sprawling metropolis, home to the top fifteen noble families, including the royal family. It was a city that never slept, teeming with over 50 billion inhabitants. The cityscape was dominated by towering skyscrapers, their spires reaching towards the sky, interwoven with magical energies that powered the entire city. Hoverboards and floating cars zipped through the air, weaving between buildings and creating a symphony of motion.
The bustling streets were filled with a diverse array of people, from merchants hawking their enchanted wares to scholars deep in discussion about the latest magical theories.
Arcane was a hub of magical technology, with bustling shopping hubs filled with enchanted gadgets, spellbound fashion, and arcane artifacts. The currency used in the empire was the Arca, with one Arca equal to 100 Darca and one Darca equal to 10 Dar.
A simple loaf of bread in an average shop in the capital cost about 1 Dar, making it accessible for all. The vibrant markets buzzed with activity as vendors displayed their goods, from shimmering spellbooks to potions that promised youth and vitality.
On the streets of Arcane, the latest buzz was about the new Mana Infusion Bracelet from the Russel family. A group of young magus stood around, discussing the latest developments, their animated conversations filled with excitement and speculation.
"I heard the Thalor family's new bracelet is 60% more efficient than the Russel's!" exclaimed one young mage, his eyes wide with amazement.
"Yeah, and it's priced the same! I can't believe it!" another chimed in, shaking his head in disbelief.
"How did they even manage that? The Russel family must be fuming right now!" a third added, his tone a mix of awe and curiosity.
A man in the crowd, clearly excited, turned to his friend. "Have you seen the lines outside the Thalor shops? It's insane! I barely managed to get one for myself."
His friend nodded vigorously. "I know, right? I was there this morning. The staff said they're having trouble keeping up with the demand."
Another bystander joined in, "I heard the Russel family's sales plummeted after the Thalors released their bracelet. Only 100 units sold today!"
The bracelet had been the talk of the town until someone revealed the Thalor family's newly released bracelet, which boasted a 60% increase in efficiency at the same price of 100 Arca. The revelation sent shockwaves through the city, and people flocked to Thalor business shops to get their hands on the superior product.
The Thalor family business shops were grand establishments, adorned with intricate designs and glowing runes. Customers lined up, eager to purchase the new bracelet. Inside, the shops were a hive of activity, with enchanted displays showcasing the bracelet's capabilities. The staff, dressed in elegant uniforms, moved swiftly to assist the throngs of customers, their movements precise and efficient. The air was filled with the hum of magical energy, and the atmosphere was charged with anticipation and excitement.
Meanwhile, at the Russel family main hall, the patriarch, David Russel, sat with a smug expression, confident that his family's new bracelet would dominate the market. He asked the family steward about the bracelet's performance.
"How are the sales of our new bracelet?" David inquired, smirking, his confidence evident.
The steward, however, stood trembling and silent.
David's smile faded. "Why are you so quiet? Speak up!"
The steward finally spoke, his voice shaking. "Patriarch, our sales increased for a while. We sold 100,000 bracelets on the day of the launch, but after that..."
David's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "100,000 in a day! Excellent!" But noticing the steward's continued trembling, he demanded, "But what?"
"Patriarch, the Thalor family released their new bracelet. It has 60% better efficiency than ours and is priced the same at 100 Arca." The steward hurriedly took out a different bracelet than the Russel family bracelet and showed it in his hand. "This is the Thalor family's new bracelet."
David took it, examining it closely.
David's face contorted in rage, his mana bursting forth, causing everyone in the hall to tremble. Even the steward, a mid-rank 3 magus, fell to his knees, shaking.
David calmed slightly, his voice icy. "Continue."
The steward, still quivering, said, "Patriarch, after the Thalor family's release, we sold only 100 bracelets."
David erupted again, cursing the Thalor family and Lux Thalor.
"They dared to do this to us. Let them see how I deal with them."
Back at the Thalor main family house, in Fei's bedroom, Patriarch Lux Thalor sat beside his wife, caressing her head gently. He was deep in thought, wondering when he would hear the mysterious voice of his unborn son again. Two days had passed since he last heard him.
Unbeknownst to him, Ray had fallen asleep after helping his sister with mana. As an unborn child, his energy was limited.
A Shadow Guard knocked and entered the room upon Lux's command. The presence woke Ray.
"Patriarch, the report from our family businesses is here," the Shadow Guard announced, his tone respectful and serious.
Ray, still worried about the family's financial state, listened intently. Lux, hearing his son's thoughts, was relieved and happy to hear him again, though he tried to maintain his stern demeanor.
"Tell me, how is the business and the new product?" Lux asked, his voice calm but authoritative.
The Shadow Guard continued, "Our new bracelet completely overwhelmed the Russel family bracelet. We sold over 100,000 on the first day, and people are still lining up outside our family businesses to buy it. Many families want to purchase our bracelets in bulk."
Ray breathed a sigh of relief. "My family isn't going broke. Hahaha, that's good, old man. You still got it."
Lux, trying to suppress his amusement, kept his broody face stern. He thought it wouldn't do to embarrass himself in front of the Shadow Guard.
The Shadow Guard added, "Patriarch, our research tower is struggling to keep up with the demand, and people are becoming impatient. What should we do?"
Lux pondered for a while and before he could speak, he heard a familial voice in his mind.
Ray thought, "We can outsource the production to other families, sell them the mana bracelet circuit board design with conditions for a 70-30 profit share, and if the design is leaked, they need to pay 1000 times the original deal."
Lux, dumbfounded by his unborn son's innovative thinking, wondered, "What is this method? Is it really my son? Of course, he's my son, a genius just like me."
Lux spoke, translating Ray's idea into a more comprehensible plan. "We can collaborate with other families for production, offering them a profit share while ensuring strict penalties for any breaches of the agreement. We will sell them the circuit board design, and in return, they will produce the bracelets under our supervision. Any leakage of the design will result in a heavy penalty."
The Shadow Guard was impressed. "Patriarch, that is an excellent idea. We can implement it immediately."
Ray chuckled internally. "Damn, this old man isn't a newbie. He can think ahead of his time."
Lux's confusion showing a slight twitch on his face. He thought "What does a newbie mean" though he knew it did not feel something good, he hurriedly changed his expression.
The Shadow Guard said he would implement it and would let the patriarch know what happens.
That night, an assassin tried breaking into the research tower to steal the information. However, he was caught by the Shadow Guard, a formidable force known for their vigilance and prowess.
The Shadow Guard came and reported it to the patriarch, who was in his office. Lux asked him to take him there.
They went to the interrogation room where the assassin was held. The room was dimly lit, the air thick with tension. The assassin was bound to a chair, bloodied and defiant, his eyes filled with a mixture of fear and defiance.
Patriarch Thalor asked, "Did he tell you anything?"
"No, Patriarch. He hasn't said anything even with all this torture," the Shadow Guard replied.
"Damn it, that Russel must be behind this," Lux growled.
Lux turned to the assassin, his eyes cold and menacing. "You think you can infiltrate my family's research tower and steal our secrets? You will pay for this."
The assassin remained silent, his jaw set in defiance.
"Very well," Lux said, his voice low and dangerous. "You leave me no choice."
He gestured to the Shadow Guard, who nodded and began preparing a truth serum, a rare and powerful concoction known to break the strongest of wills. The room fell silent as the Shadow Guard approached the assassin with the vial, the liquid inside glowing faintly.
The assassin's eyes widened in fear as the serum was administered. Moments later, his resolve began to crumble, and he started to speak, his voice trembling.
"It was the Russel family," he confessed. "They sent me to steal the design. They... they offered me a fortune if I succeeded."
Lux's eyes narrowed. "And what were their plans once they had the design?"
The assassin hesitated, then continued, "They wanted to replicate it, to flood the market with cheaper versions and destroy your family's reputation."
Lux nodded, his expression grim. "Thank you for your cooperation," he said, his voice cold. "Take him away," he ordered the Shadow Guard. "Make sure his failure is known."
As the assassin was led away, Lux turned to the Shadow Guard. "Increase the security around the research tower. The Russel family will not stop here. We must be prepared for their next move."
The Shadow Guard nodded. "Understood, Patriarch."
Lux returned to his office, deep in thought. The rivalry with the Russel family had escalated to new heights, but with his unborn son's remarkable insights and the strength of the Thalor family, he was determined to protect their legacy.
In Fei's bedroom, Ray, sensing the tension, thought to himself, "This world is more dangerous than I imagined. But with my knowledge and the support of my family, we can overcome any challenge."
He continued to gather mana, strengthening himself and preparing for the future. The journey ahead was uncertain, but Ray was ready to face it head-on, determined to make his mark in this new world.