NOVEL NEXT Chapter 700: Laying the Foundation
Chapter 700: Laying the Foundation
Theo's Office, Umbrella Corporation Headquarters, Elffire City.
9 AM, Monday, March 15.
Differently from the last few months, after his morning workout with Ayia and the others, Theo went to his office at the Umbrella Building instead of heading to Tokyo Studios to work on his first anime release. Now that Sword Art Online had entered the post-production phase, Theo found himself with much more free time than before. As the anime's director, his role was now more supervisory-giving orders, reviewing work, and ensuring his vision was being faithfully executed by his talented team. This newfound time allowed him to focus on other ventures that had been simmering in the background, waiting for his attention.
Theo's office was spacious and modern, designed with clean lines and minimalistic decor that emphasized functionality over flair. A large glass desk sat in the center, piled neatly with folders and documents, while the walls were adorned with framed posters of his various projects. The morning sunlight filtered through the tall windows, casting a warm glow over the room as Theo settled into his leather chair, ready to tackle the day's work.
Before him lay the fruits of his entrepreneurial spirit: documents detailing the progress of multiple ventures he had set in motion over the past few months. Each project represented a piece of his vision, a step towards building something greater than himself.
The first set of documents pertained to the Tree's Gift Charity Organization. Theo had launched the charity as a way to give back to society, driven by his own experiences with poverty and hunger in his past lives. The organization aimed to provide food, education, and shelter to those in need, ensuring that no one would have to endure the hardships he once faced. As he flipped through the pages, Theo noted the impressive progress the charity had made since its inception. Distribution centers had been established in several cities, and partnerships with local businesses were already bearing fruit. The reports showed a steady increase in donations and volunteers, a testament to the positive impact the charity was having on the community. Satisfied with the charity's progress, Theo moved on to the next set of documents, which detailed the renovations for the building that would house his gaming company. Although he hadn't yet assembled a team of developers, Sam, the head director of the Umbrella Corporation, had ensured that the renovations continued without delay. The construction company had nearly completed the work, transforming the old, dilapidated building into a state-of-the-art facility equipped with everything a gaming company could need. Theo's vision for the company was ambitious-he wanted to recreate immersive and innovative games from his past life that would push the boundaries of the industry. While the gaming company was still in its infancy, the foundation was being laid for future success.
Next, Theo reviewed the expansion plans for his Blue Cloud Coffee Shop franchise. The franchise had been a hit in Elffire City, and now it was time to take it to other cities across the country. The reports detailed the potential locations for new branches, each carefully selected based on market research and demographic analysis. Theo could see the meticulous planning that had gone into the expansion, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. The coffee shop had started as a small passion project, but it was quickly growing into a well-known brand. The expansion was projected to increase profits significantly, providing even more capital for Theo's other ventures.
Theo then turned his attention to the construction of the large printing factory for the Fuji Jump Co., a project that had become increasingly important as the demand for manga and light novels continued to rise. The factory was a crucial investment, one that would allow the company to increase production and distribution of its popular titles. The construction was well underway, with the building set to be completed within the next few months. Once operational, the factory would not only boost the company's output to compete with the big publishing houses but also create jobs in the local community, something that Theo was particularly proud of.
As Theo reviewed the documents, he couldn't help but reflect on the journey that had brought him to this point. From the success of Moonlight's album to the various business ventures he had launched, it was clear that his hard work and determination were paying off. The profits from the album alone were staggering-over 150 million dollars per month on all streaming platforms. Although the number of streams had decreased slightly in recent weeks, Ayia, who managed Moonlight's career, predicted that profits would remain over 140 million dollars per month for the next two months. This meant that Theo stood to earn at least half a billion dollars from the album, more than enough to fund any project he desired.
But despite the financial success, Theo was careful not to let it cloud his judgment. He knew that money, while important, was not the only measure of success. Each of his projects was driven by a deeper purpose-a desire to create, to innovate, and to give back to the world. It was this sense of purpose that kept him grounded, even as his wealth continued to grow.
One document in particular caught Theo's eye, pulling him out of his thoughts. It was the financial report for the Umbrella Corporation, the company that managed all of his ventures. Sam had prepared the report herself, meticulously detailing the corporation's current financial status, projected earnings, and upcoming expenses. As he scanned the document, Theo was impressed by the corporation's strong financial health. Under Sam's leadership, the Umbrella Corporation had become a well-oiled machine, efficiently managing his various businesses and ensuring that each one operated at peak performance.
Theo knew he was fortunate to have someone like Sam at the helm. She was not only incredibly competent but also fiercely loyal, one of the few people who knew his true identity as Moonlight. Along with Ayia and Aurora, Sam was part of the small inner circle that Theo trusted implicitly. It was this trust that allowed him to focus on his creative endeavors, knowing that his businesses were in capable hands.
With the financial reports reviewed and approved, Theo leaned back in his chair, a sense of satisfaction washing over him. Everything was running smoothly, with each project progressing according to plan. But even as he checked off each item on his list, a new idea had been brewing in the back of his mind, one that had been sparked by his recent experience at the Yukihime Club festival.
Theo had been deeply impressed by the students' performances at the Mini Music Festival, so much so that it had ignited a new passion within him. Watching the young talents pour their hearts into their music reminded him of the power of creativity and the impact it could have on the world. It was during that festival that the idea of creating his own record label had
taken root.
He could still vividly remember the energy of the festival-the excitement of the crowd, the raw talent on display, and the potential he saw in those young musicians. The idea of nurturing that talent, of giving those artists a platform to share their music with the world, has consumed his thoughts ever since. With the success of Moonlight's album and his past life music knowledge, he had the resources to make that vision a reality.
The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became that this was the right move. A record label would not only allow him to support emerging artists but also give him the creative freedom to produce music that resonated with his own vision. It was a natural extension of what he had already achieved with Moonlight, and the timing couldn't be better.
Theo glanced at the clock on his desk-10:30 AM. It was time to discuss his idea with Sam. She had always been his sounding board, someone he could rely on to provide honest feedback and practical advice. If anyone could help him bring this idea to life, it was her. Rising from his chair, Theo gathered the documents he had reviewed and placed them neatly in a folder. He straightened his tie, a small smile playing on his lips as he thought about the conversation he was about to have. There was something exhilarating about starting a new venture, about taking an idea and turning it into something tangible. And this, he knew, was
just the beginning.
With a sense of purpose, Theo left his office and made his way down the hallway to Sam's office. The Umbrella Corporation headquarters was bustling with activity, with employees moving purposefully from one task to the next. As he walked, Theo couldn't help but feel a deep sense of satisfaction. He had built something incredible here, and with each new project, he was adding to a legacy that would endure long after him.
He arrived at Sam's office, the door slightly ajar. He greeted Sam's assistant before knocking lightly before stepping inside, ready to share his latest idea with the person who had been by his side since the beginning. Today, they would lay the foundation for something new- something that could change the music industry forever.
As Theo sat down across from Sam, he couldn't help but feel a thrill of anticipation. This was the start of a new chapter, and he was eager to see where it would lead.