Birth Of The Crafts-God

However, what kept the company safe from tanking below 13% was the previous announcement with the Seven Stars Spring Dealership. Some people still remembered a rumour that the Silverine Factory was working on a new stellar processor thanks to this deal. This meant that there was still a chance of making a comeback.

Despite that, many investors still doubted the possibility of a comeback. For instance, the SS version 1 chips, which were based on Novanio Tech's flagship —the Orion Core— could only achieve a 37% increase in performance.

The Falcon X9: Yotsuga achieved a 51% boost when compared to the KY chips, which roughly performed at the same level as the Orion Core.

With the Seven Sparks Forge partnering up with the 'lesser skilled' Silverine Factory, nobody believed that the new stellar processor could do better than the Yotsuga.

Previous estimates believed that it would perform higher by between 20-40% compared to the Orion Core. However, this was still lacking compared to the 51% increase of the Yotsuga.

As a result, many investors left, with only the risk-takers maintaining their position on the market.

Before the stock market was brought to a close, Maessen Ross had already organised a board meeting to calm the investors and members of the board. If it weren't for the backing of his cousin, Henrik Ross, who was the chairman of the company, Maessen might have even lost his position as the CEO.

This couldn't be helped since the details of the Qin and Rain Dragon Z1 stellar processors were kept hidden, even from the other members of the board. Apart from the R&D team working on it, only Maessen and Henrik were aware of the details.

On the other hand, Altimo Mertens rushed over to the store together with Vergil earlier in the day. Although he had expected the coalition to counterattack, he didn't think it would be so serious.

After a bit of discussion, the trio reached a consensus. Altimo made sure to inform Maessen of the new developments.

Just an hour before the Baylands Stock Exchange closed its doors for the day, which was exactly 15:15 or 3:15 PM, the Silverine Factory made a joint statement with the Seven Stars Spring Dealership.

"We will be organising an event in two weeks, where we would be announcing some of our latest products from each company. The highlight of this event would be the unveiling of the first products from our joint project. Kindly look forward to it."

In the tumultuous waves that paraded the stellar processor sector of the stock market, this announcement triggered only a few changes. However, these changes managed to calm the investors just a bit.

Meanwhile, the Silverine Factory began to stabilise its losses and make preparations for the event, while others began to look forward to the day of the event.

. . .

"There's feedback from Mr. Maessen."

Altimo walked into the store just a quarter of an hour after the Baylands Stock Exchange had closed.

It was the second time he was here, but compared to the first time earlier during the day, Altimo looked much better.

"You've probably seen this if you paid attention to the news, but they plan to release information in the chips in a few weeks. Although information would remain tightly sealed until then, there would be a few harmless leaks to generate rumours and controversies during this period."

"Wouldn't it be better to just wait until then?" Lucas asked.

He recalled that the reason why there was such a tight lock on any information about the two processors was to stun the public. If there were any leaks ahead of time, it might hinder the impact of the official announcement.

"The information to be leaked out will only be a few basic points with no details. There would also be a few lies mixed in between to confuse the public. The whole point is to have everyone talking about the event. Also, with such publicity, the stock performance should be stabilised and might even show some signs of improving." Altimo explained.

Lucas felt that made sense so he didn't raise any concerns again. In the end, when it comes to running a company, Altimo and Maessen were more experienced than he was.

At this moment, Vienna walked in front behind the store with Melissa in tow. The two were dressed in a somewhat similar style, making them look like a young mother and daughter pair. If it weren't for their differing hair colours, it would have been easy for one to mistake them as such.

"This is..." Altimo was surprised by the presence of another.

Vienna only came in three days ago, and during this period, Altimo had only showed up to the store once before this, which was earlier in the day. At that time, Vienna had gone shopping and sightseeing with Melissa —a favourite pastime of the duo. This was Altimo's first time seeing the graceful beauty and he was stunned.

'I thought this guy was an eunuch who only loved vestiges. Since when did he hook up with a pretty girl?' Altimo thought as he glanced at Lucas. He began to re-evaluate his opinion of the young man he once thought would be the next Joseph Newton [1].

Lucas thought for a second before he answered,

"She's a friend from my previous work place. You can also say she's my boss."

Although the friend last was a bit of a stretch, Lucas felt that his explanation was quite apt.

'Damn! He linked up with his boss??!! What a playboy!'

Altimo was impressed and immediately rated Lucas an 11/10 in the art of picking up girls.

That aside, he was also quite surprised. Vienna looked really young, roughly the same age as Lucas, but she was able to get him to work for her. Considering that Lucas was under a Tier 1 Grandmaster, this could only mean that Vienna was from an influential household that possessed an incredible amount of wealth.

However, based on his memory, Altimo couldn't recall any young heiress from the top families in Baylands city-state.

'She's probably from elsewhere.' Altimo made up his mind to dig information on Vienna. It would help figure out where Lucas had been staying the last few months.

"Nice to meet you, miss." Altimo bowed as he greeted.

Merely based on the fact that she was higher ranked than Lucas was enough for Altimo to treat her respectfully.

"Hmm." Vienna nodded in response before walking away with Melissa.

Altimo felt awkward but didn't say a word. He simply coughed to clear his embarrassment after Vienna had left.

"I forgot to mention." Altimo turned towards Lucas.

"Mr. Maessen requests your attendance for the event in two weeks. Although it's not necessarily required, he stated your presence would be very welcomed and helpful."

Lucas considered the invitation as he could understand Maessen's point.

In the vestige-smithing circle, especially the stellar processor industry, Lucas was a bit of a celebrity. This was because he was seen as the face of the Seven Sparks Forge and the representative of a Tier 1 Grandmaster vestige-smith. Even though no one has unravelled the limit of his skills, from the fact that Lucas could carry out maintenance work and run the store, many realised that he was also a skilled vestige-smith.

This was contrary to the stereotype about humans being unable to be successful vestige-smiths. The limit of modern day humanity was estimated to be at the first level of the Apertures Opening stage. Despite that, the skills Lucas had demonstrated required an ability at the third or fourth level, making him stand at around Tier 1 vestige-smith or a Tier 1 Elite vestige-smith.

While his expertise wasn't high in the public's eye, considering his background and identity, it wasn't surprising that Lucas became popular.

Having someone of his standing present during the event would be helpful. Also, the Seven Stars Spring Dealership was the leading party in the cooperation. The presence of a representative from the dealership was necessary, and while Lucas could delegate that role to Altimo or even Vergil, his presence was more impactful.

"Alright. I'll attend." Lucas agreed to the request.

"Sir Maessen would be glad." Altimo smiled.

After a bit of discussion to finalise their next steps in the future, Altimo left the store alongside Vergil. Lucas gave the youngster and early leave for the day and he decided to work in some of his personal projects rather than the usual store activities.

"Another event?" Vienna walked out from the corridor that led to the simulation room with Melissa.

Melissa had reached the fourth level of the Apertures Opening stage recently, so Vienna took it upon herself to properly train the little girl and help her control her abilities. The features of the simulation room were pretty helpful for this, and so she usually spent at least an hour a day there with Melissa.

Lucas was surprised that Vienna seemed to have listened in on the conversation but he wasn't offended. There was nothing secretive to talk about, and compared to the stellar processors produced in Belfargos territory, the Qin and Rain Dragon Z1 stellar processors weren't spectacular.

"Yeah. It's a formal announcement for the stellar processors and a presale might also hold right after."

"When's it?" Vienna curiously asked.

Lucas didn't think much about it and responded, "In two weeks time. You won't be around so I'll be bringing Melissa with me."

Vienna didn't say a word but her expression showed that she was contemplating a certain matter.

"I'll be leaving tomorrow." She suddenly said as she looked at Lucas.

"So soon?" Lucas was surprised.

He recalled that there days ago, when she arrived, Vienna said she would stay around for a while. Lucas had presumed that meant at least a week or so, so he was slightly surprised that she was leaving already.

"I've pretty much wrapped things up, but I might return again for the finalisation."

Lucas felt her reply was strange but he couldn't put his finger on it.

"No problem then. Thanks for everything."

"I didn't do it for you." Vienna turned around and left with Melissa once again.

The little girl was a bit confused as she shifted her gaze between Lucas and Vienna. However, she left with the black-haired beauty and returned to the simulation room.

"What's that all about?"

Speechless, Lucas simply shook his head and walked into the work-station. With Melissa at the fourth level of the Apertures Opening stage, Lucas' vestige-smithing ability had improved yet again thanks to the Employee Hire Function. He decided to upgrade all his personal equipment and build new ones to better protect himself.