Big Capitalist

Jenny, who had cast the Concealment Field, looked at the enthusiastic crowd in front of the figurine stall in front of her, and her mouth twitched slightly. She turned to look at Merlin beside her, and said helplessly: "Is this the job you assigned to the students?"

Merlin nodded seriously, his face full of confidence and pride. "Of course, this job is pretty good, isn't it? A blind box of figurines costs ten gold coins, and the figurines inside are just made of clay, with some alchemical materials to keep them hard and prevent corrosion. There is basically no cost. Being able to sell them at such a high price is like a pie in the sky."

Deputy Dean Jenny still couldn't figure out what the appeal of these so-called figurines was. Aren't they just clay figurines? "I always feel that this is not the right path." She looked at the young people who were overwhelmed by enthusiasm and couldn't help but speak.

"How is this not the right path?" Merlin retorted, pointing at the handmade stall. "How difficult is it for a wizard from the Arcane Academy to find a good job after graduation? How many young wizards can't even find a suitable job after graduating from the academy. I am giving them a stage and space to create their own value."

Vice Dean Jenny knew that the number of mages was increasing, and the huge "talent market" was already saturated. More and more mages were facing difficulties in finding jobs after graduation, and many had to rely on their parents at home. Those with noble status could still get a job with their family background, while graduates from ordinary families could only join mercenaries, living a life of hardship and with meager income.

What's more, this is a wizard with combat ability. For example, art students who study in secret academies and study magic sculptures and paintings all day long have a harder time finding a job. After all, they have no fame, so who would buy their sculptures and paintings?

Today, the model business started by Merlin recruits a large number of such students, who go to the factory to make clay models on an assembly line. This provides them with safe jobs, allows them to fully utilize the knowledge and strengths they have learned, and realize their self-worth.

The employment issues of art students in the Esoteric Academy have always been a headache for the Arcane Academy. After all, what they learn is too divorced from reality. For example, astrology, sculpture, painting... the market demand and audience are too small.

Merlin's approach undoubtedly solved this problem by allowing these students to work in factories, with guaranteed job placement upon graduation.

Nowadays, students who enter factories have become the envy of others, with high salaries and stable incomes. What is the real meaning of academic achievement in the Arcane Academy? After four years of hard study, they just want to prove: my destiny is in my own hands.

How much have the students experienced in their four years of study? The knowledge they have learned in these four years is not for joining the mercenary group to hunt monsters, nor for joining the expedition team to explore dangerous ruins. For them, a wonderful and adventurous life is not a dream, but a stable job with food and accommodation is what they pursue!

“These four years of study should be rewarded with an opportunity to work in a factory!” Jenny thought to herself. Although she still had her doubts about this emerging model business, she had to admit that Merlin’s approach did open up a viable way out for students to some extent.

"I always feel that this will bury their creativity."

Merlin shook his head when he heard what Jenny said. "It's not that their creativity is being suppressed. They really like this kind of work. They can use the knowledge they have learned. With the blessing of magic, they can make figures very quickly."

"Is it that their only option is to work in a factory?" Vice Dean Jenny couldn't help but ask.

Merlin looked at Vice Dean Jenny in surprise, "How is that possible? I found another way for them. Look over there."

Deputy Dean Jenny followed Merlin's instructions and looked forward. In front of her was a row of shops with colorful lights flashing. Many female students lined up in front of the door, each holding a booklet in their hands, chattering and discussing, with expectant looks on their faces. She approached the stall and saw a striking sign that read: "Ancient inherited skills of the Art Department of the Secret Academy - nail art!"

That’s right, this is exactly the new way out that Merlin has found for the students of the Secret Academy of Art – nail art painting.

Manicure is a highly profitable industry. Merlin firmly controls the materials for making manicure and has established manicure franchise stores. The appeal of manicure to women can be imagined, especially for those painting art students who have been trained in the secret school. With the blessing of magic, manicure can even present dynamic effects.

Deputy Dean Jenny's mouth twitched slightly, and she couldn't help but feel puzzled: the ancient inherited skills of the Art Department of the Secret Academy? How come she had never heard of it. Moreover, it seemed that the so-called manicure was just painting on the nails. Would anyone really be willing to pay for it?

Two female students who had already completed manicures raised their hands happily, the flowing golden light in the sun shining brightly on their nails, while another female student had done pink heart-shaped manicures.

"Oh my God, it's so beautiful!" exclaimed a female student.

"Yeah, I didn't expect my nails to be so beautiful. Look at this little heart!" another girl responded with a smile.

"So cute! I want to do this next time!" they discussed excitedly.

“I spent a long time choosing the pattern, there are so many beautiful ones!” added a student.

"And it only costs twenty gold coins to do this once..." Their discussion made Vice Dean Jenny feel relieved at first, but when she heard the price of manicure, she was dumbfounded.

As someone who came from a poor farming family, she naturally understood the purchasing power of twenty gold coins. How could a simple painting on the nails be sold at such a high price?

Merlin chuckled and explained, "This is still cheap. If it's custom made, the price will be more expensive, hundreds of gold coins are no problem."

Vice Dean Jenny rubbed her brow in shock and asked tentatively, “What about the cost?”

"A cheap alchemical patch plus some ubiquitous materials. It doesn't improve strength, it's just for the sake of appearance. How much do you think it costs?" Merlin shrugged, as if everything was taken for granted.

Vice Dean Jenny had never thought that making money could be so easy. "Almost 50% profit?"

"Fifty percent? Let's be bold and say eighty percent. Never mind, let's be conservative and say seventy-nine percent." Merlin's words completely stunned Vice Dean Jenny, and she was filled with shock.

What is the difference between 79% and 80%?

All the materials for manicure are in Merlin's hands, and these students who join the manicure business will become his money-making tools in the future.

"It seems that future art students will no longer just pursue art itself, but will need to understand how to combine art with business to create their own value." Vice Dean Jenny thought to herself, with a complex light flashing in her eyes. She was pleased that the students had found a new way out, but also a little worried about this change. After all, there is always a delicate balance between the essence of art and the pursuit of business.