"Thank you for the help back there, Reina."
Still in my Ian Crow form, I was walking aimlessly in the city, just trying to spend as much time as I could before returning to Academy Island.
Reina, sitting on my shoulders stayed silent. Though, I could tell she was happy and glad by how her feet went back and forth, hitting my chest lightly.
Back then, when Nuria gave me a cold stare, the pressure of what felt like gravity was stacked on me. That should have been making me choke breathlessly if not for Reina's help.
Her hand was holding my finger at that time and I could feel some sort of energy, like a mental barrier, covering my body.
Though, I had no idea that despite being in her weakest state, Reina could reinforce me with a barrier that could handle the pressure of the Octagram heroes, who if not the strongest, at least stronger than your average student.
"You should at least say something. Are you okay?"
"Yes, Uncle. Reina is okay. That rude lady is a piece of cake," she said with confidence, though her shaking hands gripping my hair said otherwise.
Yep. There's no way someone would be okay after receiving that pressure from the War Goddess.
As I walked along the bustling street, my head cocked upward, staring at the night sky.
"Only four months left before they appeared," I muttered.
…
The Horizon Elixir had finally been on the market for a few days.
And just as I expected, the elixir immediately caught the attention of Enhanced all over the world.
It didn't matter whether they were a hero or a villain, everyone had set their eyes on this elixir now that even the Thunder Emperor had given his testimony.
— The Chrysalis Guild deserves the top 3 in the guild ranking for creating this miracle. Thanks to them, I can finally break through the chains that have entangled me for all these years! Though I was a bit sad that this is a one-time-use product.
The Thunder Emperor, the rank 1 hero, who had reached the limit of his potential, at the same time he gave his testimony to the public, he was announced as the first <SS> rank hero in the world.
The announcement of the Horizon Elixir and the testimony of the Thunder Emperor caused a significant stir among the Enhanced community worldwide. The elixir's potential to break through the limitations of one's potential was a game-changer for both heroes and villains alike.
With the Thunder Emperor's endorsement and confirmation of its effectiveness, the elixir gained even more credibility and attention.
The Thunder Emperor's acknowledgment of the elixir's positive impact on his powers further fueled the excitement surrounding it.
As a result, the Chrysalis Guild, the organization responsible for creating the Horizon Elixir, gained widespread recognition and acclaim. Their achievement of developing a product that could potentially break the limitation was hailed as a miracle despite it being a one-time-use product.
The guild's reputation soared, and it quickly rose to the top three in the global guild rankings, one rank away from the Nova Guild.
Simultaneously, the Thunder Emperor's status was elevated even further.
His transformation into the world's first <SS> rank hero solidified his position as an unparalleled force among the Enhanced.
The news of his achievement spread like wildfire in a flash second, inspiring countless Enhanced individuals, especially villains to seek out the elixir in the hopes of breaking free from their own limitations.
Today, I had an appointed meeting with the Chrysalis Guildmaster, Neychta, who had always been my favorite character in the novel.
She was an interesting fellow, dressing fully covered in all-black attire and an odd full-face mask covering her entire face.
As soon as I arrived at the Chrysalis Guild lobby, two staff members warmly greeted me with wide smiles.
One of them spoke up, addressing me by name.
"Good day, Mr. Ian Crow! We've been expecting you," one of the staff members said cheerfully. "Guildmaster Neychta is eagerly awaiting your arrival. Please follow us."
The staff members led me through the impressive guild headquarters, guiding me down a corridor adorned with intricate designs and futuristic technology. The atmosphere was buzzing with activity, and I could see the guild members and staff engaged in various tasks and training exercises along the way.
After a short walk, I reached a set of grand double doors.
The staff members gestured for me to enter, and as the doors swung open, I was greeted by an opulent and spacious room.
Seated at the far end of the room, behind a large ebony desk, was Guildmaster Neychta herself.
She wore her signature all-black attire, which concealed her figure and added an air of enigma. Her full-face mask obscured her features, making it impossible to discern her expressions or emotions.
"Welcome, Ian Crow," Neychta's voice resonated from behind the mask, carrying an air of authority and intrigue. "Please, have a seat."
I took a seat across from her. Neychta's enigmatic nature had always fascinated me, making this second meeting with her still intriguing.
"Good day to you, Guildmaster," I said casually. "Can we go straight to the point for this occasion?"
As I settled into my seat, ready to discuss the Horizon Elixir sales and profits with her, she leaned forward slightly, her masked gaze fixed on me.
"Crow, the Horizon Elixir has truly exceeded our expectations in terms of demand and sales just as you predicted," she began, her voice measured and confident. "Within just a few days of its release, we've witnessed an unprecedented surge in orders from heroes and mercenaries across the globe."
She paused, looking at me in search of a response. I just nodded, gesturing for her to continue.
"As a result, our sales have skyrocketed. The initial projections have been surpassed multiple times over, and we've had to ramp up production significantly to meet the overwhelming demand."
I leaned back on my chair, cocking my head sideward as I listened to her talking.
Everything that she said was what I already calculated and told her before we had a deal for this business. So, I just shut my mouth, letting her continue as she savored the feeling of wonder.
Neychta gestured to a holographic display on her desk, which showcased various graphs and charts depicting the sales numbers and profit margins.
"Our profits have seen a remarkable increase as well. The combination of the elixir's high price point and the substantial volume of sales has resulted in a substantial boost to our financial standing…"
As the discussion progressed, I pondered a strategy that could further boost profits for me and Chrysalis Guild, taking into account the unique properties of the Horizon Elixir that differ from Catalyst Potion.
When an idea sparked in my mind, I decided to share it with her.
"Guildmaster, considering the incredible demand for the Horizon Elixir and its potential to unlock and raise an Enhanced's potential limit, I have a suggestion that could maximize our profits even further," I proposed.
Clearing my throat, I continued.
"What if we create exclusive, premium editions of the elixir that come with comprehensive guidance and resources?"