...

As Darius hung up, the energy in Zastan's office buzzed with anticipation. Tomorrow was the grand opening of Eternal Enchantment's expanded venture—a day they had been meticulously preparing for, ensuring every detail was fine-tuned to perfection.

Zastan sat back in his chair, contemplating the scale of what they were about to achieve. Every stall, every retail space, and every aspect of their operation had been optimized to ensure smooth service and exceptional quality. They had spared no expense, investing heavily in advanced technology to streamline the production process and meet the anticipated demand.

Each stall and retail space was equipped with state-of-the-art automated machines, designed specifically for the business. These machines were capable of making the perfect cup of milk tea with minimal human intervention. Ingredients like powders, ice, water, and cups were loaded into designated compartments within the machine. With the press of a button, the machine would begin its seamless operation.

Zastan watched a demonstration video on his laptop, showing the machine in action. As soon as the button was pressed, the machine sprang to life. You could see the progress of each cup through a transparent display panel on the machine's exterior. It meticulously mixed the powders with the precise amount of water, added the ice, and dispensed the beverage into the waiting cup. Once completed, the finished product emerged on the other side, ready to be handed to a customer.

"This thing's a marvel," Zastan muttered, admiring the efficiency of the machines. "Eight cups at a time, and it only takes two minutes for a full cycle."

Darius had explained earlier that each stall could produce up to 3,000 cups during its operating hours if the machines ran at full capacity. For the larger retail spaces in malls, equipped with multiple machines, the output could reach up to 12,000 cups a day.

In total, they had set up 15 retail spaces in various malls and 40 stalls strategically located across high-traffic areas. With these numbers, the potential was staggering. If all machines operated at full capacity, they could churn out approximately 300,000 cups in a single day.

Darius called again, his voice filled with excitement as he gave further updates. "Boss, everything's in place. The machines are set, the staff's been trained, and we've got plenty of inventory stocked. We're ready to roll."

"Good to hear, Darius," Zastan replied, nodding to himself. "What's the latest on the projections?"

Darius didn't miss a beat. "With the marketing blitz we've had over the past few weeks, we've reached tens of millions of impressions across our target demographics. Most of that traction is right here in Luminae. Even if we convert less than 1% of those impressions into actual sales, we're looking at around 100,000 cups sold just on opening day."

Zastan whistled softly, impressed by the figures. "100,000 cups, huh? What's that translate to in earnings?"

Darius did a quick calculation, his enthusiasm evident. "At an average price of $9.99$ per cup, that's a cool million dollars in a single day guaranteed. And that's just the beginning. If we maintain even a fraction of that momentum daily, we're talking millions in revenue each month."

Zastan's eyes sparkled with the possibilities. "Not bad for a day's work," he said with a smirk. "And once word of mouth kicks in, we're only going to see those numbers climb."

"Exactly," Darius agreed. "The buzz is already there. We've got influencers lined up to visit our locations, and customers are hyped. The lines will be long, but with these machines, service will be swift. We've covered every angle to make sure that not a single customer leaves unsatisfied."

Zastan felt a surge of pride and anticipation. "We're not just selling drinks, Darius. We're selling an experience. The brand, the aesthetics, the taste—it's all part of the package. We're creating something people want to be a part of."

"Couldn't have said it better myself, boss," Darius responded. "We've put in the work, and now it's time to let it pay off."

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Zastan leaned back, feeling the weight of their achievements and the promise of what was to come. "Tomorrow's just the start. Let's make sure we hit it out of the park."

"We will, boss. We're all set for a great launch. See you tomorrow at the first location?"

"You bet," Zastan confirmed, a determined look in his eyes. "Let's make some magic happen."

"Darius, about the pricing… do you think it's too steep? I mean, $9.99 for a cup of milk tea is a lot, even with the premium experience we're offering. "Darius responded with a confident tone. "Boss, the price is just right. Look, I've already anticipated that some people will complain about it. That's inevitable. But we're not just selling milk tea; we're selling the entire experience, the premium quality, aesthetics, the exclusivity. For those who value that, it's worth every cent."

Zastan nodded, though a hint of reluctance lingered. "I get that. It's just… I don't want to alienate the lower-class market, but for quick earnings, I guess this is the way to go."

Darius understood Zastan's concerns and reassured him. "Boss, we can always adjust once we've established a solid revenue stream. After we've earned enough, we can roll out some cheaper flavors. They won't have the same premium touch, but they'll still carry the brand's quality. It's all about perception—people are willing to pay for what they perceive as premium."

"Yeah, the old placebo effect," Zastan mused, scratching his chin thoughtfully. "We'll make it work."

As he gazed out the window, Zastan's eyes flicked to the surrounding streets and storefronts bustling with life. A sudden thought made him turn back to the call. "And how's the security service looking? We can't afford any mishaps, especially on opening day."

Darius's voice filled with assurance. "We've got it covered. After more than a week of intensive training, the experience our security personnel have gained is equivalent to over half a year of regular training in firearms, combat, and tactical operations. We're ready."

Zastan grinned. "Good, good. I don't want anything slipping through the cracks."

The next morning, the air buzzed with anticipation as people gathered at various locations of Eternal Enchantment. At one particular mall, Luminae Plaza, a large crowd had already formed even before the mall opened. Zastan sat in his car, watching the scene unfold through tinted windows. The streets were lined with people eager to be among the first to experience the grand opening.

"Quite a turnout," Zastan remarked, leaning back in his seat. "Seems like we've got everyone hyped up."

Malcolm, sitting at the front, glanced back with a knowing smile. "Most of them are here for us, Young Master. They want to get ahead in line."

Zastan nodded, a satisfied look on his face. "Just as expected."

Content with the scene, Zastan ordered the convoy to move out, heading toward a nearby warehouse. Upon arrival, they entered a spacious facility filled with neatly arranged metal rods, each gleaming under the warehouse lights.

Zastan stepped forward and, with a mental nudge, he redeemed the rods. A satisfying notification followed.

[Ding!]

Materials Detected: Metal Rod: 60,000 - 1 point each = 60,000 Points

With 60,000 points added to his account, it brought him to a total of 84,000 points.

"Not bad," he murmured, contemplating his next move. He had been holding onto these points for a while, planning his next strategic investment. After a moment of deliberation, he made his decision.

"I guess I'll place half on Biochemicals," Zastan instructed, tapping into the system interface. He allocated 42,000 points, buying 24,000 points' worth of MK1 Biochemicals and another 24,000 for MK2s.

Instantly, the warehouse was filled with a dazzling light as hundreds of illusory beams manifested around him. Slowly, the lights dimmed, revealing human figures.

There were hundreds of them, all standing in silent rows, awaiting orders.

Darius stood beside Zastan, watching in awe. Zastan gave a mental command, and an illusory screen appeared beside Darius.

Without hesitation, Zastan selected the "Upgrade" option for Darius, promoting him to a Level 2 Manager at the cost of 10,000 points. Darius immediately kneeled, a wave of gratitude washing over him.

"Thank you, Young Master. I won't let you down."

Zastan helped him up with a slight smile. "Rise. Now, tell me... What changed about you?"

Darius's eyes glinted with newfound sharpness. "My thinking ability has increased fivefold, making me far more efficient in managing tasks and strategizing. I've also acquired a new ability called the 'Tactician's Aura'. It boosts the strength, intelligence, and overall capabilities of up to 10 Biochemicals under my command by 20%. It's upgradeable too, though the cost is 1,000 points per additional capacity."

A new illusory screen popped up, displaying the ability details and the upgrade option with its price tag. Zastan skimmed the information, eyes widening slightly at the steep cost of 50,000 points for the next significant upgrade.

"Let's save that for another time," Zastan decided, dismissing the screen with a wave. "We'll upgrade when the time is right."

Turning his attention back to Darius, Zastan issued his final command. "Handle the new recruits. Get them prepared and integrated into our operations as soon as possible."

Darius nodded, his expression serious. "Understood, Young Master. I'll ensure they're up to speed and ready for deployment."

...