Astheria: The Royal Capital. The Morningstar Family Estate. Inside Felix's Study Room.
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Felix sat behind his desk, seemingly asleep with his eyes closed, but in reality, he was deep in conversation with the system.
"System, I'm ready to draw another lottery," he transmitted, his voice steady and determined.
"[Yes, Host]," the system replied promptly. Instantly, the Wheel of Industry shimmered to life in a mesmerizing starlight hue.
With a smile tugging at his lips, Felix gazed at the array of industries displayed on the wheel.
His heart raced as he focused on the red button at its center; with a silent command from within, he pressed it down gently.
The wheel began to spin slowly at first, but soon it picked up speed until it was nothing more than a blur of colors, a dazzling starlight whirl.
Moments later, the wheel began to slow down.
Felix straightened up slightly, feeling a twinge of anxiety as he watched various industries flash by: Real Estate, Fashion and Cosmetics, Textile Production, Entertainment, Weaponry... and Technology.
Suddenly-click! The wheel came to an abrupt halt.
The system's indifferent voice broke through the silence:
[Congratulations Host! You have drawn the Technology Industry].
[The Technology Shop has been Unlocked].
Felix's eyes widened in disbelief as he processed what had just happened.
Speechless for a moment, he quickly shook off his shock; there was no going back now, he had to face this challenge head-on.
Leaning back in his chair with furrowed brows, Felix sank into thought.
Developing technology wasn't just about innovation, it required extensive research and intricate processes that felt daunting compared to his previous venture into the Food and Beverage Industry.
That realm had been relatively straightforward; after all, restaurants were just one facet of it!
There were cafes and fast food joints waiting for exploration, concepts that could thrive here if executed well.
He envisioned bustling cafes filled with patrons enjoying their drinks while wealthy elites flaunted their status over artisanal brews, a lucrative opportunity indeed!
But now? Now he was venturing into uncharted territory, the world of technology, a leap that felt monumental.
"System," Felix pondered aloud, "are you sure the Technology Industry is viable here? This world runs on Mana, not electricity like Earth does! How can I even create computers without any foundational knowledge?"
"[Host], just take a look at the Technology Shop]," replied the system before falling silent.
"The Technology Industry shop, huh?" Felix muttered as he stepped into the Technology Shop.
Instantly, a dazzling array of blueprints for various technologies unfolded before his eyes, each one more intriguing than the last.
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System Shop: [Technology Shop]
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Magic Microwave Oven Blueprint
Price: [ 1 Million BEP ]
Magic Blender Blueprint
Price: [ 500,000 BEP ]
Magic Vacuum Cleaner Blueprint
Price: [ 20,000 BEP ]
Mana Crystal Engine Blueprint
Price: [ 100 Million BEP ]
Magic Bullet Train Blueprint
Felix felt his enthusiasm wane slightly as he shook his head. "Let me guess: only BEP can upgrade this scanning function?"
"Correct, Host," the system confirmed.
"How many BEP do I need for a level two upgrade?" Felix asked curiously.
[500,000 BEP], flashed on the screen.
"And what will that range cover?" Felix pressed on.
"A radius of 10 kilometers," replied the system.
"That's too small!" Felix exclaimed with frustration. "What level do I need for an entire Wulleamp District scan?"
[10 Million BEP], came the answer.
"Seriously? Just for Wulleamp District?" He rolled his eyes at how greedy this system seemed< asking for 10 million like it was pocket change!
"Host," explained the system patiently, "each use of my scanning function consumes significant energy. Covering Wulleamp District is no small feat; thus 15 million isn't unreasonable."
Felix sighed; he understood but needed to conserve his BEP for other priorities.
Felix leaned back in his chair, excitement bubbling within him. "Looks like I need to step up my game and keep opening branches; there's a lot of BEP to be earned!" he mused.
Curious about his next move, he asked the system, "How much will it cost to cover half of Wulleamp District?"
"5 Million BEP," the system replied matter-of-factly.
After a moment's contemplation, Felix nodded decisively. "Then let's upgrade!"
[ Yes, Host! ] The system's tone was unexpectedly lively, almost buzzing with anticipation.
A few moments later, the system chimed in again.
[ Scanning function upgraded to level 6! It now covers a radius of thousands of miles around you.]
"Awesome!" Felix grinned widely. "Now, start scanning for individuals with talents in Runesmithing, Management, Cultivation, Blacksmithing, Alchemy, and Spirit Cooking."
"Understood, Host," the system responded before diving into its task.
Suddenly, names began flashing on his holographic screen at an overwhelming pace, so many that it made his head spin!
Yet he couldn't help but feel exhilarated by the sheer number of talents present in Wulleamp District alone.
He reminded himself not to worry; after all, the system would store all this information for later review.
Minutes ticked by until the system finally paused. "Host, there are no individuals skilled in Runesmithing detected; however, numerous other talents have been found."
Felix sighed and shook his head, it wasn't surprising. Runesmithing was a rare skill indeed.
But he wasn't leaving empty-handed; the wealth of talent available was staggering!
He felt a surge of purpose as he planned to recruit those eager for opportunity, especially orphans or those without notable backgrounds.
Felix took a deep breath, allowing himself to sink into his thoughts once more.
"Nixie is swamped right now and can't take on the upcoming tasks," he mused, feeling a mix of concern and admiration.
At this moment, Nixie was juggling multiple assignments, leaving her little room to breathe, or grow.
Her relentless workload had stunted her cultivation for far too long.
A guilty smile crept onto Felix's face. "I really owe a lot to that girl," he thought bitterly.
In truth, finding someone with management skills like Nixie's was nearly impossible.
She absorbed everything he taught her about business administration, economics, and financial management like a sponge.
It was impressive! The way she handled her responsibilities only deepened Felix's appreciation for her talent.
"Looks like I need to find someone else to tackle this task," he muttered under his breath.
Gwendolyn crossed his mind briefly; however, her communication skills were lacking despite her strong management abilities.
He knew that effective communication was key in their line of work.