At noon on the 32nd of Imis, Sabith returned to my office while I was finalizing contracts for the bank and the mall. I was in the process of signing the documents when he arrived, bringing news that the first batch of goods had been completed. Hearing this, I quickly finished signing the contracts and departed with him for the Normandy Mall to inspect the goods.
Upon our arrival at the imposing building labeled "Normandy Mall, Caledon Branch," we stepped inside to witness an impressive flurry of activity. Stonemasons and woodworkers were diligently crafting the final touches—intricate detailing on the interior columns and elaborate designs on the archways. Elsewhere, glassworkers were carefully installing panels for the storefront windows. In the center of the mall, a remarkable feature was under construction: a grand glass dome positioned where the intersecting X-shaped walkways converged. This central area also housed staircases leading to the upper floors and was designated to include a vibrant food court. Additional staircases were located at the ends of the four main pathways, providing access to the higher levels.
Sabith and I continued deeper into the mall, making our way to the expansive storage rooms. These rooms, designed with precision, were divided into temperature-controlled zones: cold storage for perishable goods and standard storage for items requiring no specific conditions. It was here that we examined the goods we had come to see, marveling at the careful organization and readiness of the inventory.
Some of the goods Sabith and I inspected included a wide array of chocolates, ranging from the more affordable options to the finest high-end varieties. These were categorized as following
The chocolate varieties were designed to appeal to a wide range of customers. Affordable options included chocolates with 50-80% cocoa content in both milk and dark types.
Prices ranged from 1,000 Thal per 250 grams for the most economical choices to 2,000 Thal per 250 grams for higher-quality ones. Luxury chocolates, on the other hand, targeted upper-class markets. These premium options were priced between 2 to 4 Ran per 250 grams. They were expected to generate the majority of profits by appealing to affluent buyers.
The jewelry collection was another standout category with significant profit potential. The cost of raw materials ranged from 5,000 Thal to 15 Ran per piece. Finished jewelry items were sold at prices between 8 Ran and 250 Ran. This created a lucrative profit margin. A unique highlight was the Four Elements Collection, a set I designed recently. Each piece in this collection symbolized one of the classical elements and held a distinct value.
Vayu, the "Wind" piece, was a diamond necklace crafted from 99.9% pure platinum. It featured five impeccably cut diamonds arranged in a diamond shape. The central diamond was 8 carats, while the surrounding four were 4 carats each. All diamonds had flawless clarity (FL), a D color grade, and an excellent cut. Its estimated value ranged between 8,000 and 14,000 Ran, making it a masterpiece of craftsmanship.
Bhumi, or "Earth," was an emerald necklace. It followed the same design as Vayu, with five identical-sized stones. The central stone was 8 carats, and the surrounding ones were 4 carats each. With similar quality to Vayu. Its estimated value ranged from 9,000 to 15,000 Ran.
Varuna, meaning "Water," was a sapphire necklace. It also shared the same structure but was priced lower, with an estimated value of 2,000 to 9,000 Ran mostly because Sapphires were just seen as cheaper than the emeralds or diamonds other than that the quality was still superb.
Agni, or "Fire," was the crown jewel of the collection. This ruby necklace surpassed the others in value. Its price was estimated between 28,000 and 65,000 Ran, epitomizing luxury because of the extreme rarity of the ruby and the extremely high quality which was found almost nowhere in other stones.
The combined value of the Four Elements Collection was remarkable. Its total valuation ranged from
47,000 Ran (approximately 4.7 million) to
103,000 Ran (approximately 10.3 million).
To further elevate the craftsmanship of the Four Elements Collection, I infused each piece with magical enchantments. These enchantments not only enhance the jewelry's durability but also provide a unique, self-sustaining maintenance feature. The gemstones were protected by powerful magic runes capable of absorbing ambient mana from the surroundings. This ambient energy fueled an intricate system that kept the gemstones pristine, automatically cleaning and maintaining their brilliance. Additionally, the enchantments allowed the jewelry to repair any minor damage it sustained. However, if the gemstones were shattered or destroyed entirely, the enchantments would not be able to restore them, preserving the collection's balance of magic and craftsmanship.
Each piece in the collection bore my craftsman's signature, a mark of authenticity and unparalleled skill. The insignia featured a sleek black sun with the initials OA engraved beneath it. This iconic emblem was meticulously integrated into the platinum settings of the gemstones and engraved onto the chains. It served as a testament to the origin of the piece, signifying that it was created by Apollo and crafted by my hand. This insignia not only symbolized the exquisite craftsmanship but also reflected the unity of artistry and innovation that defined my work.
While the other jewelry in my collection was undoubtedly remarkable, pieces not produced by Apollo lacked this distinctive black sun insignia. Without this mark, these items, though beautiful, could not claim the same level of prestige or connection to the legacy of the artisan. The Four Elements Collection stood apart, not only for its dazzling aesthetics and impeccable design but also for its storytelling, magical enhancements, and signature craftsmanship that made it truly one-of-a-kind.
Another aspect of Apollo's expansion that I was eager to delve into was the production of clothing by one of its child companies, Apollo Apparel. This new venture specialized in creating high-quality garments for both men and women, blending style with durability to cater to discerning customers.
The company was helmed by Leo, who had recently made a significant move: after some convincing, he decided to relocate the headquarters of Apollo Apparel to a more strategic location within the mall.
As an added incentive, I provided him with the funds needed to purchase an entire suite of stores in the mall, enabling a significant expansion of his operations. With this acquisition, Leo's flagship store now boasted a floor space of 2,500 square meters—about half the size of the bank. While this might seem modest initially, the planned design for the new building would compensate for this by incorporating multiple floors.
The structure was to span three levels, each with a height of 10 meters, culminating in a total height of 75 meters. This multi-floor design would provide an impressive total floor space of 7,500 square meters—equivalent to roughly two football fields. The expanded facility was set to become a cornerstone of Apollo Apparel's ambitious growth.
Before leaving, I took the opportunity to examine some of the newly produced outfits, selecting a few to store in a specially ordered container for safekeeping. After reviewing more items, I instructed the team to begin stocking the outlet shops, ensuring they were fully prepared for launch.
Once the outlets were adequately stocked, any remaining spaces were to be rented out to local businesses that had established good reputations within the community. This strategy not only reinforced Apollo's commitment to supporting local enterprises but also ensured that the mall would offer a diverse range of goods and services to its patrons.
Following the productive visit to the mall, I headed to the courthouse to address some administrative tasks. Upon arriving, I informed the receptionist of the nature of my visit, and she directed me to a private room where assistance would be provided.
After a brief wait of approximately five minutes, a man entered the room and began helping me navigate the matters at hand. The first item on my agenda was the restructuring of Apollo's banking division into a separate, smaller company named Apollo Finance. This new entity would operate as a child company of Apollo, allowing for greater focus and streamlined operations within the financial sector.
I proceeded to implement similar changes for other departments: the production arm was reorganized as Apollo Production, while the distribution network became Apollo Distribution. Additionally, I established Apollo Cosmetics to oversee makeup and skincare products, as well as Apollo Transportation, which would be a vital component for future logistical endeavors.
By the end of the restructuring process, Apollo had grown to encompass a total of nine child companies, each with a specific focus: Apollo Finance, Apollo Apparel, Apollo Construction, Apollo Cosmetics, Apollo Production, Apollo Distribution, Apollo Transportation, Apollo Sales and Apollo Agriculture.
Each of these subsidiaries would require a dedicated CEO to ensure their success, a responsibility I intended to delegate to Sabith upon our return. Given Sabith's exceptional contributions and unwavering commitment, I also decided that he should take on the role of CEO for the entire Apollo enterprise, recognizing the pivotal work he had accomplished thus far.
After completing the lengthy paperwork and finalizing the transfers of deeds and property, I gathered the documents for the nine newly established subsidiary companies. With everything in order, I finally left the courthouse, feeling a mix of exhaustion and accomplishment.
The day had been long and filled with tasks, and as I stepped outside, the magic lamps lining the streets began to flicker to life, casting a soft glow across the evening. It was 8 p.m., and the thought of heading home to rest after such a productive day brought a sense of relief.