Machioni is someone who is passionate about the pursuit of wealth, and he has always been very straightforward in showing this.
After signing the contract, Machioni urged to proceed immediately to the next step, not wanting to waste a second of money-making time. This time, Professor Morry asked Steven to entertain the guests at the party, while he accompanied Vid to Machioni's Magic Workshop.
"It's best to get the first batch of products on the shelves before the school year starts. Students and their parents will definitely be willing to empty their wallets to buy our goods," Machioni said enthusiastically, "We can also launch different packaging, different quantities, different qualities. Even if we just add some prints on the parchment and sprinkle some Gold Powder, the Pure-Blood Nobles are willing to pay three times the price. By the way, I also need to rush out a batch of posters, and paste them in Diagon Alley by tomorrow morning!"
Vid couldn't help but click his tongue and asked, "Will it be in time?"
"Of course!" Machioni winked, "Dear Vid, in the world of magic, anything is possible!"
Vid thought he might have some wonderful spell to speed up production, but when they used Floo Powder to arrive at Machioni's company, he realized it was the power of money.
The company hall was very spacious, with a small flowing waterfall in the center. Above the water, the words "Aslan Magic Workshop" flashed with golden light. The arched dome was painted with pictures of various Magical Creatures, some of which were slowly moving. Around the perimeter were burning fireplaces, with green flames rising and falling, and occasionally, a wizard would walk out from them.
"Why the sudden notification to work overtime during the Christmas holidays?" A young man, perhaps not noticing the boss nearby, complained loudly, "I was already planning to travel to Italy!"
"I heard there's a need for urgent production," said another witch, happily, "Overtime pay is calculated at three times the usual rate!"
The short-haired young man immediately calmed down, "Well, that's not bad then."
"Make way—please make way—"
A goblin shouted loudly, directing a stack of boxes as tall as a mountain to move slowly. He advanced very slowly because there were many people in the hall, which made the goblin look very irritable.
The suddenly increased workload made everything seem chaotic, with several House-Elves weaving through people's legs, running back and forth swiftly, delivering various things.
Above the hall, colorful paper airplanes swirled in flocks, occasionally targeting someone and diving down swiftly with a swoosh.
"Oh, damn!" A wizard suddenly had a paper airplane pierce his hat. He took off the airplane, unfolded it, and immediately shouted, "How did I just now discover there's not much Stone Scale Fish Oil left! We said before the holiday break to check the inventory and refill anything lacking promptly! Don't let me find out who was neglecting their duty!"
He hurriedly ran through the crowd, nearly knocking over the goblin, who angrily dropped the boxes and hurled curses.
Vid was quite surprised in his heart.
Judging from the chaotic state of the Magic Workshop now, Machioni may have ordered all employees to prepare for overtime as soon as he saw the effect of the Friendship Book—at that time, everyone was still hopeful and negotiating with Professor Morry, but the determined Machioni might have already thought out how to proceed with the follow-up work.
"Sorry, it's really too chaotic here today! It's not usually like this. Vid, Professor, come with me, let's go this way."
Machioni led Vid and Professor Morry through the crowd, into a private elevator, and finally breathed a sigh of relief, pressing the [Sixth Floor - Technical Department] button while loosening his collar.
"Your workshop has seven floors now?" Professor Morry squinted at the row of elevator buttons and said, "I remember it only had five last time I came."
"Yes, we've developed quite well these years," Machioni said proudly, "The transformation of the Magic Radio is a big deal, and we have Professor to thank for authorizing it."
"There aren't many wizards willing to actively accept new things, let alone transform Muggle objects. Many people still think Muggles are some stupid, inferior creatures, it's extremely foolish!"
"The first time I went to school and saw that scarlet train running like a giant beast across the Scottish Highlands, I was deeply shocked by the wisdom and power of Muggles—not long after graduating from school, I originally wanted to sneak into a Muggle university to study, but for various reasons, I ended up regretfully giving up..."
"--What various reasons, wasn't it because you couldn't understand?" Professor Morry sharply exposed the truth.
"Hahaha—don't say it so bluntly in front of the kid, Professor!"
Vid suddenly realized that although Professor Morry often complained about Machioni, their relationship was actually much better than it seemed on the surface. When talking privately, there was a special kind of tacit understanding between them.
He looked at the poster stickers in the elevator, listening quietly without interrupting.
The technical department had two goblins and five or six wizards. They had already prepared a variety of tools, waiting in the office. Unlike a Muggle office, there were all kinds of magical, slowly moving Magic Objects, various lights of different colors flashing from time to time, and the room was filled with many subtle sounds.
There, Professor Morry and Machioni found an empty desk to sit by and drink tea, allowing Vid to communicate with the technical department staff.
Vid first demonstrated the process of making the Friendship Book. For the more time-consuming potion preparation, he directly brought ready-made ones. Everyone present was an expert, and after watching once, they almost grasped the general process. Then they broke down the entire process step by step, finally reaching a point where over eighty percent of the small steps could be completed by a third-year student of Hogwarts. Some were continuously calculating how to further reduce costs, bringing in various materials for adjustment. In less than half an hour, the technical department had determined the first batch of products' production process, and the entire Magic Workshop truly entered a high-speed operation phase.
During this period, although Machioni only occasionally chatted softly with Professor Morry, he was also discreetly observing Vid.
The black-haired boy wasn't very tall yet, and after presenting his work, he hardly spoke. But every time he opened his mouth, he hit the mark and was always on point. The technical department members attempted to modify his Magic Rune Circuits several times, but before they acted, he pointed out the consequences of such actions—either a reduction in stability or delays and even losses in transmitted information.
It turned out that he was right every time.
Machioni stuck out his tongue quietly, finally understanding why Professor Morry always dismissed his abilities—even though he also got an E (Exceeds Expectations) in the ultimate wizard registration exam—
Look at this kid; he not only has genius ideas and a diligent learning attitude, but also a highly practical, well-tested experimental spirit—if he hadn't tried dozens or hundreds of times, how could he possibly be so familiar with all changes?
No wonder Professor Morry, with his current status, was willing to put aside his reputation to support this child and personally fight for greater benefits for him.
Geniuses in the world are like flowing water, so many. Even some people call Machioni a genius, so he knows better—many geniuses, if they only have a smart brain, will gradually fade into the crowd, or even end up heading to Azkaban for "further education" because they're too "smart." Only geniuses like Vid—unless he gets prematurely cut off—his achievements are beyond doubt, and his glory is clearly visible.
How to win over such a genius?
Machioni adjusted his strategy, which he had already revised three times in his mind, again.
Eleven years old... Is such a kid really only eleven years old... It makes him feel like his more than thirty years of life has been lived on a Flöbo Caterpillar...
Could it be...
Suddenly, Machioni leaned forward, lowered his voice, and said, "Professor—Professor Morry—just tell me the truth—this child is actually your illegitimate son, right?"
Vid suddenly heard a scream while discussing the lead powder ratio with the technical department. He turned his head and saw that Machioni had already rolled off the side of the table, while Professor Morry smiled, signaling that nothing was wrong.
—It's just that for some reason, his smile looked a bit grim.
Vid blinked blankly.