Building A Business Empire From Scratch In Another World-Chapter 198 :Paths Of Gold

The workshop buzzed with an electric energy, the board still alive with numbers, figures, and rough calculations.

Chalk dust hung in the air like a soft fog, illuminated by the shimmering light of crystal lamps mounted on the walls.

Nixie had just dropped her chalk crystal after an impressive performance, arms crossed and a smug grin plastered across her face.

Her cheeks were flushed with pride, and her pink hair bounced lightly as she flopped back into her seat, exuding exaggerated satisfaction.

Clair was the first to break the silence, leaning forward and tapping her quill against her notebook.

"That... was impressive," she admitted reluctantly but genuinely. "I’ve never seen you pay attention in class long enough to put numbers together like that,yet here we are!"

Nixie’s eyes lit up instantly. "Was that a compliment?" she asked, wide-eyed with surprise.

Clair smirked and raised an eyebrow. "Don’t get used to it."

Felix, who had been quietly observing until now, finally spoke up.

His voice was calm and measured but warm. "You did well, Nixie. Very well."

Nixie froze for a moment in disbelief before bursting into the widest grin she’d worn in months.

She bounced slightly in her chair, nearly giddy as if Felix’s praise had ignited something within her.

"You... you praised me!" she exclaimed, pointing at him as if needing confirmation that this wasn’t some trick of imagination.

Felix smiled faintly in response. "I did."

Clair rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress a chuckle; watching Nixie beam like a child who’d just received their favorite candy was truly a rare sight.

"Big brother praised me," Nixie whispered to herself joyfully while rocking slightly in her seat as if etching this moment permanently into her heart.

Felix chose to ignore Nixie’s mutterings and turned his attention back to Clair, who had grown serious again.

She set down her quill and tapped her fingers against the table thoughtfully.

"Family Head, these products are brilliant, truly! If half of what you’ve designed works as described, it will revolutionize daily life for everyone in Astheria! But..." She hesitated, brow furrowing.

Felix tilted his head slightly. "But?"

"They’re too expensive," Clair said firmly. "Even if we sell them at cost,they’re already beyond reach for most commoners! Turning a profit will be impossible; sure nobles can afford them,but those who need these inventions most will never even dream of owning one."

A hush fell over the room as artisans exchanged uncertain glances; their earlier excitement dimmed by Clair’s words.

Nixie tilted her head curiously despite still glowing from Felix’s praise.

"She has a point," she said slowly. "We’re supposed to be helping people.not just making toys for nobles."

Felix closed his eyes for a moment, gathering his thoughts, then opened them with a calm yet commanding expression.

Leaning back in his chair, he steepled his fingers together and addressed the room. "You’re both right. And that’s precisely why we won’t settle for just one version of each product."

Clair frowned, curiosity piqued. "What do you mean?"

Felix’s gaze swept over the boardroom before settling on his sister and Clair. "We’ll create three versions."

"Three?" Nixie echoed, sitting up straighter as excitement danced in her eyes.

"Yes," Felix affirmed, his tone steady but resonating with authority.

"The low version will use common materials,iron, copper, oakwood,whatever is readily available and affordable. It won’t boast any fancy features but will fulfill its primary function: A Stormheart Blender that blends. An Emberheart Stove that cooks. A Frostborne Vault that preserves food. And an Arcane Whirlpool that washes. Simple and affordable,designed for those who need them most."

He paused dramatically, allowing the vision to sink in before continuing.

"The mid-tier version will be crafted from stronger materials with enhanced functions and added features,durable enough to last and efficient enough to justify the price tag. This option is perfect for merchants, middle-class families, and skilled workers."

His eyes gleamed as he leaned forward slightly. "And then there’s the high-end version! Crafted from rare materials like Phoenix feathers, voidglass, and dragonfang shards,these will be larger, more refined, ornate pieces covered in designs that scream wealth while serving their purpose beautifully. These aren’t just devices; they’re symbols of status!"

Clair blinked in surprise at the clarity of Felix’s plan. "Status?"

Felix nodded firmly. "You underestimate nobles, Clair! For them, wealth isn’t about functionality; it’s about how it sets them apart from others. If they see these devices as markers of prestige, they’ll buy them,and pay a premium!"

Nixie let out an impressed whistle. "So we’re talking three versions: one for the poor, one for the middle class, and one for the rich?"

"Exactly," Felix confirmed with a small nod.

Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she caught onto the implications of their plan.

"That means we’ll need substitute materials for both the low and mid versions,something easier to source but still effective!"

"Correct," Felix replied with a faint smile as he observed her eagerness.

Without hesitation, Nixie snatched Clair’s quill from beside her without asking permission and began scribbling down ideas furiously while muttering about substitutions and designs.

Felix turned back to Clair, his expression shifting from casual camaraderie to focused determination.

"Clair," he began, his voice steady and commanding, "it’s time to kick off the hiring process. We need blacksmiths, runesmiths, glassmiths, woodworkers,every craft imaginable! Don’t hold back; bring in apprentices, journeymen, even eager laborers who can be trained. As we expand, we’ll need hundreds,maybe even thousands."

Clair nodded firmly, her pen already dancing across the parchment as she jotted down tasks.

Felix’s gaze swept over the gathered artisans before landing on Master Keldrin and the others.

"I want every craftsman worth their hammer or chisel," he declared. "And don’t fret about wages,we’ll outbid any competitor. Loyalty is worth more than gold."

A buzz of excitement rippled through the room,a mix of awe and anticipation hung in the air like a freshly forged blade.

Finally, Felix turned to Nixie. She had been bouncing slightly in her seat, quill tapping impatiently against the edge of the table like a drumbeat of enthusiasm.

"And you," Felix said evenly but with an encouraging tone. "Tomorrow morning, head to the vault and ask Arthur for our budget for material procurement".

Nixie shot up from her chair as if propelled by springs, nearly knocking it over in her excitement.

Her eyes sparkled with determination.

"Yes! I won’t let you down!" she exclaimed, nodding so rapidly it looked like she was pecking at invisible grains.

Her pink hair bobbed joyfully with each movement; her exuberance was contagious.

Clair chuckled softly under her breath and shook her head playfully. "If she gets any happier, she might just explode!"

Felix allowed himself a small smile before pushing back his chair; its creak echoed through the quiet room like a bell tolling at dusk.

He surveyed the tired yet attentive faces of those who had devoted their day to this crucial discussion.

"This meeting has stretched on long enough, it’s been a full day already," he announced gently but firmly.

"Rest well tonight because tomorrow we begin."

With that declaration hanging in the air like an unspoken promise, Felix concluded the council.

The artisans rose slowly from their seats; whispers filled the room as they discussed ambitious goals and staggering costs among themselves.

Clair meticulously gathered her papers,her expression a blend of exhaustion and exhilaration,while Nixie practically skipped toward the door, already mapping out her next steps with a smile bright enough to light up even the dimmest workshop.

Felix lingered for just a moment longer at the table alone; his pale eyes fixed on the chalk-filled board one last time,a thousand numbers representing countless possibilities, all leading towards one shared vision.

"Three versions," he whispered, his voice imbued with a mix of ambition and unwavering certainty. What could these versions mean for the future?

The candlelight flickered softly, casting shadows that played across his calm expression.

This was just the beginning,an empire of machines awaited its birth.