Chapter 678 “Request for Subscription” Dark Demon and the Magic Card Factory (5k)
“The majority of people in this world are fickle, and the same thing is hard to create a bigger wave within a certain period.”
“Therefore, if you want to make ‘Flower Cards’ popular again, different elements need to be added.”
“Luckily, we need to make it an item that can test one’s resolve. We can then base our ideas on this foundation.”
Professor Kazel asked after saying this:
“What do you think about this?”
…
Dark had already considered this, so he immediately said, “Firstly, we should quantify the degree of willpower detected. The more influenced someone is by the ‘Flower Card,’ the lower their willpower, and vice versa. Then we can use ‘Affection’ as the facade for this value. The lower the willpower, the higher the ‘Affection.'”
“‘Affection?'” Professor Kazel was slightly puzzled.
Dark continued, “‘Affection’ is the degree of fondness the holder of the ‘Flower Card’ has for the person shown on the card. It could also be seen as the level of love.
Of course, we don’t need to explain it; we can just use symbols of hearts. We can also show it like the multiple hearts on the face of a magic card.”
Professor Kazel’s eyes lit up, praising him, “Great idea.”
Dark stated, “What is displayed on the ‘Flower Card’ is the person the holder cares about the most. This isn’t really a love divination.
Last year, when ‘Flower Cards’ first became popular, most people approached it with a casual mindset and did not delve deeply into it.
But if there were another wave, more people would surely want to analyze it.
Therefore, in our promotion, we can simply abandon the concept of ‘love divination’ and directly base it on the ‘Affection’ system, claiming it can measure ‘affection’ for someone you like.”
Professor Kazel pondered for a while and felt that this change was feasible.
He remarked with some emotion, “This does indeed seem more reasonable.”
Dark said, “However, this is only the initial idea. There are still many places that need improvement. Moreover, the market is unpredictable. Even if we finally produce the final product, we cannot determine whether the market response will truly be good.”
Professor Kazel smiled and said, “That’s true. So next, I’ll teach you how to add the characteristic of willpower detection to the ‘Flower Card.’
Of course, the judgment of willpower based on this ‘Flower Card’ is quite one-sided and can only be used as a reference.”
Dark responded, “Just being able to use it as a reference is enough.”
They could not solely rely on the level of willpower to judge whether someone is a ‘cultivator.’
The ultimate goal of issuing the ‘Flower Card’ is to search for the existence of that book from the students’ minds!
…
Adding multiple functions such as willpower testing, mind searching, and real-time positioning took them nearly one and a half hours before the new ‘Flower Card’ was finally completed.
Apart from the card face not yet being engraved with the competition of a hundred flowers, the ‘Flower Card’ could now be considered finished.
After carefully examining it, Dark injected mana to activate it.
Then, on the card face of the ‘Flower Card,’ Professor Kazel’s image appeared.
Professor Kazel looked at it with a smile, unsurprised.
Given his understanding of the mechanism of the ‘Flower Card,’ he naturally knew what it would display.
However, the fact that seven hearts appeared alongside the image made him very happy.
The maximum number of hearts on a ‘Flower Card’ is twelve, but normally, nine is the limit.
Therefore, seven hearts is already a very high rating.
Considering Dark’s ample experience with such matters, the actual number might be even higher.
“How does it feel?”
Dark turned and asked ‘Soul of the Moon Goddess,’ who had been floating beside him all along.
As the terminal for this experiment, all information gathered by the ‘Flower Card’ would flow to it.
‘Soul of the Moon Goddess’ frowned slightly and said, “I can sense your surface thoughts and current location when you hold the ‘Flower Card.’ However, you did not provide energy when using the ‘Flower Card,’ so I cannot calculate its storage capacity.”
The ‘Flower Card’ can collect ‘Bliss.’
Although each ‘Flower Card’ collects very little ‘Bliss,’ over time, it accumulates. Plus, ‘Flower Cards’ can be reused.
The ‘Flower Card’ created by Dark is essentially no different from the ‘Flower Card’ produced by the Sect last year.
From this, it can be deduced that the temporary storage limit of ‘Bliss’ for each ‘Flower Card’ should be 1 point. When converted to ‘Moon Goddess Bliss,’ it becomes 3 points.
However, it can avoid being overwhelmed by instantly transmitting ‘Bliss’ to the terminal.
As long as it’s done gradually, it can be continuously used.
Assuming one ‘Flower Card’ can provide 1 point of ‘Moon Goddess Bliss’ to the terminal within a certain period,
if 300 cards are distributed, it would be 300 points of ‘Moon Goddess Bliss.’
Converted to normal ‘Bliss,’ it would be exactly 100 points!
What is 100 points of ‘Bliss’?
It is the kind of concept that would make Dark laugh maniacally on the spot!
The strength of a magus’ spirit leads to higher quality emotions and desires compared to ordinary people, which is why it produces such an effect.
However, ‘Moon Goddess Bliss’ and Dark’s own ‘Bliss’ are fundamentally different and cannot always replace each other.
Whether ‘Moon Goddess Bliss’ can be used to refine ‘Bliss IV’ remains an unknown.
…
Next, Dark had Professor Kazel help test the ‘Flower Card’ again.
The function of the ‘Flower Card’ was mentioned.
However, Professor Kazel did not truly display his beloved on the ‘Flower Card’, thus failing to evoke corresponding emotions and desires.
The ‘Soul of the Moon Goddess’ remained at zero gains.
“It seems that for specific calculations, we can only wait until after the ‘Flower Card’ is released.” Dark muttered involuntarily.
But while he pondered this, Professor Kazel had already said, “With the basic template in place, the next step is to refine and mass-produce it. The ‘Flower Card’ itself cannot be considered a complete mana card, but it does have the potential for mass production.
However, we need to further develop a semi-finished ‘Flower Card,’ separating the section connected to the ‘Soul of the Moon Goddess.’ You will perform the final alchemy step. The rest can be outsourced to the factory.”
Dark immediately snapped to attention, “Is that possible?”
Professor Kazel smiled, “Of course it is. We can’t really expect you to make a thousand ‘Flower Cards’ by yourself, right? This is also an opportunity for you to learn how to produce semi-finished mana cards.”
“Good!” Dark quickly agreed.
…
Around three-thirty in the afternoon, under Professor Kazel’s guidance, Dark completed the production of the semi-finished ‘Flower Card.’
The techniques he learned were even more valuable than the ‘Flower Card’ itself.
Then, Professor Kazel took him directly to the academy’s internal factory.
The location of the academy’s factory was exactly opposite the thick forest, far from the castle, ensuring that even if the factory exploded, it wouldn’t affect the castle.
The external representative of Saint Maryann Academy whom Dark had seen multiple times—Foster Fernando—was already in the factory.
Foster Fernando suddenly noticed Professor Kazel and Dark Demon arriving, and hurriedly came forward to greet them.
These two guests were one his true deity and the other his god of wealth!
“This time we have serious business.”
After entering the factory, Professor Kazel directly handed the semi-finished ‘Flower Card’ to Foster Fernando.
“Take a look at this. Can it be mass-produced? My requirements aren’t high; a few thousand would suffice.”
“Let me see.”
Foster Fernando’s eyes lit up instantly, his keen sense for money detecting a business opportunity.
After carefully examining the semi-finished ‘Flower Card,’ Foster Fernando immediately asked, “Do you have finished products?”
Last year when this thing was popular, he had paid attention, but unfortunately, before finding the maker of the ‘Flower Card,’ the incident with the Moon Temple erupted, and his interest in collaborating on its development waned.
“For now, there’s only one template.” Dark handed over the initial finished product to him.
Foster Fernando quickly studied the ‘Flower Card’ after taking it, “It requires mana to activate, but doesn’t require high-quality mana. In that case, it could be activated using a duel disk! If sold as a special type of simulated duel card… it would definitely be very popular!”
“But its manufacturing process and cost are much higher than those of simulated duel cards,” Dark shook his head. “Moreover, although the ‘Flower Card’ doesn’t require high-quality mana, if it isn’t infused with the holder’s own mana, it has no meaning. Using a duel disk to activate it would only show a blank screen.”
“Is that so?” Foster Fernando seemed deflated like a punctured balloon.
However, he still dared not neglect Professor Kazel’s request, “Technically, there are no problems with mass-producing these semi-finished products. The factory is currently idle. But if you come any later, it might not be possible.”
“Why?” Professor Kazel asked.
Foster Fernando smiled, “Christmas is coming soon.”
From December, they would be busy preparing for Christmas.
Professor Kazel nodded slightly and said, “So how long will it take to mass-produce the ‘Flower Card’?”
Foster Fernando replied, “If each ‘Flower Card’ needs to have a different design, it will take more time. We can employ as many staff as possible to complete this step, but the quality of the final products may vary.”
Professor Kazel looked at Dark.
Dark thought for a moment and said, “No need for too many. Let’s settle on ninety-nine designs. The number of ‘Flower Cards’ for each design ranges from one to sixty, totaling around three thousand. Remember to label them with serial numbers.”
A proper collection element would make the ‘Flower Card’ even more popular.
And the rarest ‘Flower Card,’ with only one copy, would drive some people into a frenzy.
As for the total number of ‘Flower Cards’… This was originally a broad strategy. If it doesn’t show results in the short term, it won’t be particularly useful.
The students who obtain the ‘Flower Cards’ won’t be able to continuously provide ‘Bliss’ every day.
There will inevitably be a period of fatigue.
For each person buying a ‘Flower Card,’ being able to accumulate a little bit of ‘Moon Goddess Bliss’ is already quite good.
Dark’s goal wasn’t high; just three hundred points of ‘Moon Goddess Bliss’ would do!
…
The technical capabilities of Saint Maryann Academy’s factory were unquestionable.
After understanding the details, Foster Fernando provided a specific timeline: “Tomorrow at noon, I’ll send the first batch of finished products to your hand by twelve o’clock, but the exact number is uncertain.”
Dark thought for a moment and said, “Just deliver it directly to the store.”
Foster Fernando nodded, “Alright, then it’s settled.”
With Foster Fernando
After reaching an agreement, Dark followed Professor Kazel into the factory.
Walking through the factory gave him a clearer understanding of the most advanced mana technology of this era.
Although assembly line mana factories couldn’t replace magi, they had already left no room for ordinary people.
Constructs and golems with some intelligence were more useful than humans.
The gap between the upper and lower classes of this era had widened completely.
The limitation on mass-producing mana factories was likely the number of top-tier magi.
But educational bases like Saint Maryann Academy and Secret Rite Academy of the Saints were continuously producing top-tier magi.
The world was moving towards a conical social structure.
When power was concentrated in the hands of a few at the top, the world would undergo tremendous changes beyond the imagination of ordinary people.
At that time, ordinary people might have only one path to advancement: becoming a magus!
And those who could not become magi…
Dark shook his head abruptly, dispelling the impractical future fantasy from his mind.
Now, the gods were awakening.
The path of magi was also fraught with difficulty and uncertainty.
The group of magi challenging divine authority would inevitably become targets of some deities’ concentrated attacks.
No one could know what the future held.
…
Returning to the castle, Dark temporarily parted ways with Professor Kazel and went back to his dormitory first.
“Has Professor Lily returned?”
Looking at the neatly folded bedding, Dark sat on the edge of the bed for a while before preparing to summon the “Reaper’s Casket” to take a look.
“I wonder if the maids chosen for the academy will reject the experiments?”
He took out the mana card of the “Reaper’s Casket” first, confirming that its mana value limit had increased from 2400 points to 2512 points. The “Underworld Fire” in his hand, though weak, seemed to still provide a bit of residual heat…
However, as he was planning how to summon the “Reaper’s Casket,” his vision suddenly went black, and someone covered his eyes from behind—these days, even his golems no longer played such games.
“Guess who I am?” a voice similar to Professor Shylph’s came from behind.
Dark said somewhat helplessly, “Is it Professor Shylph?”
“Haha, it’s Lily!” Professor Lily released her hand suddenly, her laughter soothing.
Dark abandoned the idea of summoning the “Reaper’s Casket” and asked, “I’m planning to go to Traveler’s Street next. What about you?”
Professor Lily turned around in front of him, saying proudly, “Of course we’ll go together. We’re partners, aren’t we?”
Dark had no way to refute, so he simply said, “Then let’s go together.”
Taking advantage of the gap before the production of “Flower Cards,” he could meet with the maid sent by the Duke’s Mansion and fulfill his duties as the host.
…
Around four o’clock in the afternoon, Dark and Professor Lily arrived at the branch store of Traveler’s Street.
It was Saturday, so although the store wasn’t packed, there was a steady stream of customers.
Dark only glanced inside and saw the new maids.
In addition to Eve, there were two new employees, both wearing standardized maid outfits.
They were obviously combat maids.
One was tall with curly brown hair, exuding the aura of “Lion” Trina.
The other was petite and cute, clearly a combat maid from the “Scorpio Palace.”
The maid from the “Lion Palace” didn’t seem skilled at customer service and appeared a bit clumsy when dealing with guests.
On the other hand, the maid from the “Scorpio Palace” handled everything in an organized manner.
Dark waited until the crowd thinned out before entering the store.
The maid from the “Lion Palace” was still arranging shelves, while the maid from the “Scorpio Palace” immediately left the customer she was dealing with and bounced over like a little rabbit.
“Master Master, Nene finally sees you!”
Seeing the maid calling herself “Nene” throw herself shamelessly onto Dark, Lily flashed forward, blocking them, and “biu” pushed her back.
“Tsk…” Nene didn’t fall to the ground clumsily but lowered her head and sighed, then straightened up and said, “Scorpio Palace’s Nene, reporting to Master!”
Dark frowned slightly and said, “First, fulfill your duties as a shop assistant.”
“Alright, Master.” Nene responded happily and turned back to serve the customers.
The senior student who seemed to be a fourth-year looked back and forth between Dark and Nene, unable to help but smile.
The maid from the “Lion Palace” hurriedly approached Dark after finishing arranging the shelves.
“What’s your name… oh, Jossie?” Dark looked at the naturally large-framed maid and suddenly recalled.
“Master remembers me?” Jossie secretly rejoiced.
“Of course I remember.” Dark smiled. “You once replaced Maid Supervisor Trina and went out with me.”
Jossie blinked and suddenly pointed with her finger, “It was twice!”
“Alright, twice.” Dark smiled slightly and walked toward the counter.
Jossie quickly followed.
Dark quietly asked, “I’ve always been curious, how do you suppress the challenge impulse given by the ‘Underworld Fire’?”
Jossie’s cheeks reddened slightly, and she suddenly stopped talking.
Instead, Eve, who was behind the counter, raised her head and said, “It seems that the supervisor of the Pisces Palace, Janice, can transfer the challenge impulse to somewhere else.”
“Janice?” Dark laughed. “Transferring it to fishing impulse?”
