A New Opponent

"What does that mean?"

Claire didn't quite understand. Did it mean drinking another bottle after finishing one?

"If you buy a bottle of Cola and find those words after opening the cap, you can go back to the seller and get another bottle of Cola for free. It's like a lottery, that simple. Of course, we'll cover the cost of the free bottle."

Rainer explained. This was practically the most primitive form of viral marketing. He remembered the envy he felt when he saw others win One More Bottle, and the delight when he won one himself. He believed the same tactic would work in this world.

Word of mouth among the public was the best advertisement. This novel marketing method had never existed in this world before. At least during the initial sales period, Rainer could use it to promote the product effectively.

Hearing Rainer's words, Antoine froze for a moment before falling into deep shock.

In this era, never mind subsidy-based promotions—manufacturers were utterly stingy and would never give up a single coin of profit to distributors or consumers. Rainer's proposal completely shattered convention.

"Not every bottle of Cola will have a chance to win One More Bottle. Only about five to ten percent will have those words printed on them. In other words, our profits will probably drop by around ten percent, which is still acceptable."

Cola was cheap to make. At its normal selling price, even cutting out fifty percent of the profit would leave plenty to spare. Especially for an alchemy workshop like Antoine's, the bottle itself was probably more expensive than the Cola inside.

Rainer continued explaining, hoping to dispel Antoine's doubts.

"The text on the caps can be protected with an anti-counterfeiting spell. The spell used for verifying personal signatures is extremely cheap. As for those who don't win, their caps can say something like 'Thank you for your patronage.' We sell the Cola and collect the caps and bottles afterward, minimizing costs as much as possible."

There was no doubt that his proposal was highly tempting, but Antoine was still hesitating.

Just then, someone knocked on the door of the alchemy workshop.

The knocking was rough and urgent, instantly stirring up irritation. In the blink of an eye, Antoine's expression changed, returning to the cold and stern look he had worn at the beginning.

"Please wait a moment."

As Antoine spoke, he picked up a stick from the corner before slowly opening the door.

"Antoine, let me repeat this one more time. Lord Pilam only offered you that price because you used to be classmates. Don't get too full of yourself."

Over Antoine's shoulder, Rainer saw a tall, thin man dressed in the gaudy formalwear disdained by high society. Wearing a monocle and top hat, he spoke to Antoine with an aggressively overbearing manner.

Several burly men who looked like thugs stood behind him, clearly harboring ill intent.

"Then let me say it once again. I won't sell this alchemy workshop."

Antoine shot back, raising the stick in his hand and making the man retreat half a step. The bodyguards behind him hesitated for a moment before edging forward, ready to protect him.

"Think about it carefully. This street has long since declined. Even if you keep guarding this place, you won't make much money. Why not join Lord Pilam's side? With your skills, you could probably get yourself a decent position."

The man rubbed his hands as he tried to persuade him, looking every bit like a lackey.

"His name is Sanderson. He used to be a hoodlum in town, but Pilam took him in and made him one of his men. As for Pilam, I vaguely remember he's the owner of a large nearby merchant association. He apparently wanted to take over Crescent Academy before, but someone intercepted it halfway through."

Claire quietly explained it to Rainer, naturally not forgetting to take a jab at the principal.

"Looks like you hate that side even more."

Rainer teased, earning a glare from Claire.

Without continuing to tease Claire, Rainer walked toward the door and spoke.

"Please wait, my friend. Mr. Antoine is currently discussing a partnership with us. I think you should come back another time."

Rainer's unexpected move brought the conversation to an abrupt halt and drew Sanderson's attention to him and Claire.

"Uh... a maid?"

Seeing Claire's outfit, Sanderson failed to recognize her at first. Instead, he assumed Rainer was some great noble who would bring along such a traditional maid.

"I'm the principal of Crescent Academy, Rainer Ian Gray. Mr. Antoine is our partner, so please stop making things difficult for him."

Rainer spoke righteously, making Sanderson hesitate. Upon hearing Rainer's name, the hoodlum grew even more flustered.

Across the entire continent, who didn't know the Ian Gray Family name? This commercial empire, which monopolized countless industries, had in some ways become a symbol of this glorious age.

Sanderson had indeed heard that the Ian Gray Family's third son had come to Crescent Academy. The man before him had an unusual bearing and didn't seem like an impostor.

But thinking about it, how exactly had Antoine managed to get involved with the Ian Gray Family?

Years of experience as a hoodlum made Sanderson quick-witted. He soon recovered from his shock, slipped into lackey mode, and said,

"So it's a lord of the Ian Gray Family. Lord Pilam has always been well looked after by the Ian Gray Family. After hearing that you had come to Crescent Academy, he hoped to invite you over as a guest."

Rainer thought about it and recalled that there had indeed been such a matter. Back then, however, Rainer had been extremely arrogant and couldn't be bothered to associate with a country bumpkin like Pilam, leaving him to press a warm face against a cold shoulder.

"We can discuss that later. I've decided to invest in Antoine Alchemy Workshop, so if you have any acquisition plans, I suggest you seek someone else."

Hearing Rainer's words, Sanderson paused, then asked with some confusion.

"I'm not questioning your decision, but I believe our Pilam Alchemy Workshop can provide better services. Why would you choose someone like him?"

Sanderson's words silenced Antoine and made Claire look at Rainer with some concern. From a businessman's perspective, Pilam Alchemy Workshop was far superior to Antoine's in both equipment and distribution channels. With profit-seeking logic, partnering with the stronger side was the more reasonable choice.

It was hard to say whether Rainer might suddenly change his mind and reach an agreement with Pilam Alchemy Workshop.

"No, Antoine Alchemy Workshop is very good. I don't think it's inferior to Pilam Alchemy Workshop. In fact, I chose this one only after inspecting seven alchemy workshops within a hundred miles of here."

Rainer's words surprised all three of them.

Antoine looked at the young principal, unable to understand what exactly Rainer trusted in him.

Claire's eyes widened slightly. Rainer's actions had truly caught her off guard. She felt that she had no idea what this man was thinking.

Sanderson wore an awkward smile. He knew Rainer looked down on Pilam Alchemy Workshop, but such blunt words left him with no idea how to respond. He could only laugh sheepishly.

"Heh heh, Lord Ian Gray is right. We won't disturb you any longer."