Chapter 2204 – 2204. Dark Moon
Ambrac paused.
The power generation sector was the main source of income for the Leisun School. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the power plants operated by the Leisun School were what sustained them. Of course, they had their hands in other fields as well.
“So, LK isn’t just a company that sells superconductors. You’re planning to produce and sell small-scale generators?”
“Yes, I’m personally interested in generators. I’d like to sell them as well.”
“…I understand. As an electrokinetic mage, you’re bound to be interested in generators. If you’re using superconductors, you could dominate the market even as a latecomer.”
I stared at Ambrac. Ultimately, it was him, the successor of the school, who would make the decision. Ambrac moved his lips a few times before asking me.
“…Are you absolutely sure you’re not interested in large-scale generators and power plants?”
“I have no intention of competing with the Leisun School in the power generation sector. I came here to join hands with the Leisun School. You know the value of superconductors without me having to say it. In the future, any product that uses electricity will have to use superconductors. I’ll give up on my interest in large-scale generators and power plants.”
“…I understand. In return, I’d like to secure a supply of superconductors. What’s your production capacity?”
“Right now, the limit is 5 tons per day. I’ll prioritize selling 1 ton, which is 20%, to the Leisun School.”
“Good. Let’s make a deal.”
“You’re decisive.”
“I can’t give up when superconductors are right in front of me. Ah, may I offer you some advice?”
“I’m all ears.”
“Even if it means taking a loss, you need to bring in the Magic Association and the Council. It seems like Leisun and Hytel alone won’t be enough to protect LK.”
“I’ve already scheduled appointments with the Magic Association and the Neo Round Table Council.”
“I see. That was presumptuous of me.”
After that, I met with the Magic Association and the Neo Round Table Council and signed contracts. I sold 10% of the shares to each of them. The Council wanted more shares, but thanks to the Magic Association’s help, I was able to successfully sign the contracts.
‘It was a good idea to meet with the Magic Association and the Neo Round Table Council together.’
If I hadn’t signed contracts with the Hytel School and the Leisun School beforehand, I would have been forced to give up more shares. The fact that I was a high-ranking mage also helped.
The schedule for the press conference to announce the establishment of LK was also set.
I could have used a proxy, but I decided to go and present myself. To gain recognition, I needed to stand before the public. To climb higher, I needed to make my existence known.
• • •
The prepared conference venue was packed with people. There were reporters, of course, but also executives from large and small companies. They were eager to meet me as soon as possible because they were so excited about the existence of superconductors.
“I’m Eugene Meyer, the CEO of LK. The LK-99 that LK will be selling is a room-temperature, ambient-pressure superconductor. The verification of the superconductor was conducted by the Leisun School. The verification results have certified it as a room-temperature, ambient-pressure superconductor.”
Thanks to the Leisun School’s reputation, no one doubted the superconductor. The companies were also quiet. The well-known companies had already received samples. They must have realized that the superconductor was the real deal. And they must have tried to replicate it somehow, but failed.
“I’m Hazel from Ultimate News. Did you develop the LK-99 yourself, CEO?”
A brown-haired woman with round glasses asked the first question.
“No. LK-99 is a legacy of Great Korea. I found traces of it in ancient ruins, and I simply restored the recipe.”
“Do you have any intention of disclosing the recipe for LK-99? You haven’t even registered a patent.”
“The recipe is mine alone. I don’t think I need a patent. It seems like the other reporters have a lot of questions as well. I’ll give everyone a fair chance to ask.”
I pointed to another reporter.
“I heard that the production volume of the superconductor is low. Do you have any plans to join hands with other companies to maximize production?”
“No.”
“…Could you elaborate a little more?”
“Questions related to production involve company secrets, so it’s difficult to answer in detail.”
I spoke firmly, exuding an aura of power.
Most of the reporters were ordinary people. They couldn’t handle the aura of a high-ranking mage and fell silent. Some might call it oppression, but… it was difficult to prove. Aura wasn’t something visible.
“I heard that there’s a long line of companies wanting LK-99. What is LK’s sales strategy, and what will be the selling price of LK-99?”
“LK will not sell LK-99 indiscriminately. We will only sell to companies that meet our internal criteria.”
The internal criteria would naturally be influenced by me and the investors. Especially the Magic Association and the Council, but… it was unavoidable for now. I had to bow my head to them for the time being.
“The selling price of LK-99 has not been determined yet. The selling price will be determined through appropriate negotiations.”
After that, I answered the reporters’ questions diligently and successfully concluded the press conference.
Most of it was vague, but… that’s how press conferences usually are.
After that, I spent my days in a whirlwind of busyness.
I used the investment funds to buy a small building in District B and hired employees.
Since I hired them in a hurry, I didn’t look into them in detail and only checked for the highest specs. Most of them were probably industrial spies. I would weed them out later. There was no rush. I was directly managing the core LK-special material.
I met with nobles and entrepreneurs in Neo London and signed contracts. I wasn’t just chasing money. Things other than money could also be a sufficient trade target.
The Magic Association and the Neo Round Table Council were excellent shields, so I wasn’t openly attacked. There were quite a few cases of hired mercenaries sneaking into the factory or threatening me… but I wasn’t kind enough to let those who targeted me live.
I captured them, tortured them to extract information, and then killed the perpetrators and their families.
After about two months, the company began to stabilize.
• • •
While the world was in an uproar over the appearance of LK-99, there was one place that was particularly quiet.
It was the Maid Academy of Neo London. The Maid Academy continued its normal routine despite the appearance of superconductors. However, they didn’t completely ignore LK-99. The maids of the Maid Academy were elites among elites. Understanding social trends was also one of a maid’s duties. The maids quietly analyzed social phenomena and predicted the future.
“The stock market will fluctuate. The value of electronic products that use superconductors will skyrocket.”
“I heard that the Neo London Council owns shares in LK? The Council is very interested in the military… so the stocks of military companies will rise.”
“You’re all wrong. Only the companies that have contracts with LK will grow. The value of the other companies will eventually plummet. We need to focus on LK’s moves.”
“LK has announced its entry into the small-scale generator market… and it’s been quiet in other areas. There’s not enough information.”
“Isn’t the CEO, Eugene Meyer, a patron of Miss Yuria? Miss Yuria, do you happen to know any information related to LK?”
All eyes turned to Yuria, who was quietly reading the day’s newspaper. Yuria placed the newspaper on the desk. Even that simple action exuded elegance, causing some of the maids to gasp.
“I’m sorry. I cannot disclose any information related to the company.”
It was a given, but Yuria knew all the internal information of LK. Eugene often sought her advice, so she couldn’t not know.
“…Oh dear. We’ve committed a faux pas. It’s only natural to keep secrets… We made a mistake because we were too excited. I’m sorry, Miss Yuria.”
“It’s alright. I know how you all feel.”
Yuria raised her head and looked at the light fixture on the ceiling.
“There might be a trend of replacing light fixtures soon.”
It was an unexpected remark.
“I, I see. Light fixtures. It’s about time to replace them.”
“If it’s going to be a trend… hmm…”
“Thank you, Miss Yuria. Anyway, thank you.”
Yuria smiled quietly. It was okay to reveal this much information. It would be known to the public soon anyway. It was more beneficial to win their favor with these small pieces of information.
The maids, who had been talking to each other, sat down at their desks and fell silent as soon as it struck 9 AM. The lecture hall became quiet in an instant.
Soon, the lecture hall door opened, and the instructor maid appeared.
“Good morning, everyone.”
“Yes. Good morning, Instructor.”
“Today, I have an announcement for you all. In ten days, you will each be assigned to a field practice. You will work as maids in noble families for a week. Even though it’s a practice, labor is labor. You will be paid. Act without shame as maids of the academy.”
The maids were of one mind. The time had come. They were jumping around inside, but on the outside, they maintained their composure and dignity.
“Do you have any questions?”
At the instructor’s words, the maids raised their hands one after another.
“Yes. Miss Juliet.”
“Can we know in advance which noble family we will be working for?”
“To ensure fairness, you will be informed on the day. One thing is certain: they are all families with a long history. So, please forgive them for any rudeness. Miss Emily, ask your question.”
“I heard that there will be an evaluation for the field practice. What are the evaluation criteria?”
“The evaluation criteria cannot be disclosed. If you utilize what you have learned so far, your evaluation score will not be low. Effort does not betray you. Be confident. Miss Linne, ask your question.”
“The Dark Moon will rise during the field practice period… Does that mean that monster hunting is also part of a maid’s job?”
“It could be, or it could not be. A maid’s job varies depending on the noble family. Don’t be afraid. Your information has already been conveyed to the noble families. They won’t assign you impossible tasks. The next question… it seems there are none. Today, we will be lecturing on the history of Divine France. The history of baguettes is crude and boring, but it will be useful someday if you know it.”
