Chapter 69: One Idea, One Market 2

They then discussed observing customers.

Adam explained that they needed to note the most frequent questions.

The reasons for refusal.

The least understood parts of the rules.

The most requested models.

The locations where sales were increasing or decreasing.

"Every reaction is information," Shiora summarized.

"Yes."

"And this information can improve the product and the advertising."

"Exactly."

She produced a blank form.

"I’m going to ask the saleswomen to fill out a report after each day."

Adam examined the columns she had just drawn.

Number of visitors.

Number of demonstrations.

Number of sales.

Frequently asked questions.

Reasons for refusal.

Favorite product.

Neighborhood of origin.

"You’ve just created a market study."

"That’s useful."

"Yes." "But your employees will hate you."

"They’ll be rewarded according to the quality of their information."

Adam nodded.

"In that case, they’ll hate you less."

Shiora added one last column.

Customer suggestions.

Adam agreed.

"Very important. The best ideas don’t always come from management."

"But management needs to know which ones are profitable."

"Naturally."

The discussion then moved on to pricing.

Adam explained the low entry price designed to attract new customers.

The more expensive versions to increase profit margins.

Complementary products.

Temporary discounts.

Pre-orders.

When he mentioned this last principle, Shiora sat up straight.

"Customers pay before the product is finished?"

"Yes, in exchange for a benefit." A discount, priority delivery, or a special edition.

The oni’s eyes shone with an almost unsettling gleam.

"So we get some of the money before we even fund the entire production."

Adam immediately realized his mistake.

"Provided we actually deliver the product on the promised date."

"Obviously. Reputation is more valuable than a quick profit."

"And we have to reimburse you if the project fails."

Shiora’s smile faded slightly.

"I prefer the first part of the principle."

"The two are linked."

She sighed, but wrote down the condition anyway.

Adam then explained the limited advance orders.

The waiting lists.

The uniquely numbered Founder’s Editions.

The certificates of authenticity.

The different campaigns depending on the season.

The events in schools during study periods.

The competitions in taverns during holidays.

The gift sets offered as diplomatic presents.

Whenever he presented an idea, Shiora immediately found several applications for it.

When he mentioned offering some games for free to popular establishments, she immediately selected the twelve most frequented taverns in Valoria.

When he explained the importance of initial reviews, she prepared a list of nobles, captains, teachers, and guild leaders capable of providing respected opinions.

When he mentioned the need for a recognizable symbol, she sketched several versions of an emblem depicting a board surrounded by a laurel wreath.

When he spoke of protecting the brand image, she immediately drafted the first clauses prohibiting licensed workshops from reducing the quality of materials.

Adam finally put down his cup.

"Shiora."

"Yes?"

"Do you actually practice what I preach?" "

She looked at the dozens of sheets of paper that now covered her desk."

"Yes."

"Without waiting any longer to think about it?"

"I’m thinking about it."

"For how long?"

"A few seconds when the principle is simple."

Adam stared at her.

"You’re terrifying."

Shiora placed a hand on her heart.

"That’s one of the most romantic compliments you’ve ever given me."

"It wasn’t romantic."

"I’ll take it that way."

She stood up and walked toward an enchanted bell.

When she touched it, an employee entered almost immediately.

Shiora handed her several sheets of paper.

"Have twelve demonstration tables prepared. Three for the central square, four for the main taverns, two for the schools, and three for the guilds."

"Yes, Mistress Shiora."

"Also, request three new posters from the graphic design department. Use these slogans."

She handed him another sheet of paper.

"Prepare a list of twenty influential people who can test the games before launch."

"Good."

"And inform the neighborhood leaders that we’ll be organizing a discovery day."

The employee collected all the documents.

"For what date?"

Shiora barely thought.

"As soon as the first hundred popular copies are finished."

"Understood."

The employee left the room.

Adam remained silent.

Shiora went back to her seat.

"Where were we?"

"You’ve actually just launched a whole campaign from a conversation that lasted a few hours."

"We already have the prototypes. There’s no reason to wait."

"Chess isn’t even finished yet."

"We’ll start with Reversi and Go. Chess will benefit from the reputation built by the first two." "

Adam slowly ran a hand over his face.

"That’s why you scare me."

Shiora smiled.

"Go on. We still have time."

He then explained one last principle to her.

"Don’t launch all the games at exactly the same time."

She raised an eyebrow.

"Why?"

"They might steal each other’s attention."

Adam placed three sheets of paper in front of him.

"Launch Reversi first. It’s simple, quick, and easy to demonstrate."

He moved the second sheet.

"Then Go, presented as deeper and more strategic."

Finally, he took the third.

"Then Chess as the major launch. The customers will already be familiar with the brand and will be looking forward to the next game."

Shiora nodded slowly.

"Each launch prepares the next."

"Exactly." "

"And we can announce the next product at the end of the previous tournament."

"Yes."

"To build anticipation."

"That’s the idea."

Shiora wrote in large letters:

LAUNCH SCHEDULE

Reversi Go Chess Card Games Enchanted Versions Official Competitions

Adam looked at the list.

"Don’t announce all the dates at once."

"Why?"

"If there’s a delay, you’ll have to explain why. And if the wait is too long, interest might wane."

Shiora immediately corrected her:

"Only announce the next confirmed launch."

Adam shook his head in amusement.

"You really do turn every sentence I say into a procedure."

"It’s the best way to keep a good idea alive."

The light outside had begun to change by the time they finally finished.

The office was even more cluttered than when Adam had arrived.

But the initial chaos had taken on a much more structured form.

A launch schedule.

A distribution plan.

Several advertising campaigns.

Tournament proposals.

Loyalty programs.

Versions tailored to different audiences.

Market research forms.

Provisional licensing agreements.

Lists of taverns, schools, guilds, and notable figures.

Adam looked at everything.

"We started with a few board games."

Shiora finished one last note.

"And we ended up with a whole new industry."

"That’s precisely what worries me."

She put down her pen.

"You should be proud."

Adam thought about it.

Despite her jokes, she was right.

The Valorian Games could truly become more than just a product.

They could develop critical thinking.

Create new forms of competition.

Bring families closer together.

Use them for teaching.

For military tactics.

For diplomacy.

And even, later, for the first trials of the Runic Calculator.

"I am proud," he finally admitted. "But I also know that in your hands, a small idea can become something enormous before I’ve even finished explaining."

Shiora stood up.

She walked around the desk.

Then she gently placed her hands on his shoulders.

"That’s why we work so well together."

Adam looked up at her.

"I create the problems, and you figure out how to sell them?"

"You bring the ideas. I give them the power to change the world."

Her tone had lost its amusement.

For a few seconds, she seemed perfectly serious.

Adam smiled slightly.

"Put like that, it sounds much more noble."

"I could also say that I turn your knowledge into mountains of gold."

"There you go. I recognize Shiora better now."

She burst out laughing.

Then she leaned down and placed a light kiss on his lips.

"Thank you for the lesson."

"You’re welcome. Although I’m not sure I made Valoria any safer by giving you all these strategies."

"Too late."

She showed him the documents her employees had already taken away.

"They’re being implemented."

Adam looked at the door.

"You could at least pretend to hesitate."

"It would be a waste of time."

He stood up.

His body immediately protested after sitting for so long with the bracelets.

He adjusted his posture slightly.

His mana compression remained stable.

Shiora noticed.

"You’ve actually maintained this compression since this morning?"

"Yes."

"Even during our discussion?"

"Yes."

She placed a hand against his chin.

"Interesting. You seemed perfectly focused on my explanations."

"It’s become more natural."

Shiora’s smile widened.

Adam realized too late what he had just said.

"Don’t repeat it to Vespera."

"Why?"

"Because she’ll increase the difficulty."

Shiora looked at her Ring of Promise.

"She’d probably be very happy to hear that."

"Shiora."

"I’m joking."

A short silence followed.

"For now."

Adam sighed.

He headed for the door.

"I’m leaving before you find another way to commercialize my training."

Shiora considered this.

"Public demonstrations of weapon switching could attract a lot of people."

Adam froze.

Then he turned slowly.

"Don’t do that."

"I’ll think about it."

"That’s precisely what I’m asking you not to do."

She gave him an innocent smile.

Adam opened the door.

"See you later, Shiora."

"See you later, Adam."

He left the office.

As he walked down the hall, he could already hear Shiora calling for another employee.

"Bring in the events manager and the licensing manager!"

Adam continued walking without looking back.

"Much too fast..."

He went down to the lobby.

The receptionist greeted him as he passed the counter.

"Have a good day, Mr. Adam."

"Have a good day."

He left the Merchants’ Guild.

Behind him, several employees were already crossing the lobby carrying stacks of documents titled:

Reversi Launch Campaign.

Valoria Discovery Tournament.

Loyal Players Program.

Valoria Games Distribution.

Adam looked at the building one last time.

He had wanted to give Shiora some advice.

A few simple ideas.

Examples from her old world.

But the oni was never content with simply receiving an idea.

She analyzed it.

Modified it.

Adapted it to the realities of this world.

Then she immediately transformed it into an action plan.

Adam continued on his way to his next destination.

His body was tired.

His hands still bore the marks of the forge.

His mana remained compressed.

And somewhere behind him, Shiora was probably already building the biggest marketing campaign Valoria had ever seen.

A thought crossed Adam’s mind.

"Perhaps I should learn to think before I speak in front of her."

But he already knew it was too late.

Shiora now understood the fundamentals of modern advertising.

And in the hands of one of the most dangerous marketers on the continent...

This knowledge would quickly become an economic weapon.