Chapter 2746: Interviewing Architectural Designers

Of course, market factors were only one aspect of Xia Duo's considerations; there were also factors outside the market, such as whether exposing the Communication Mythallar to the Elves too early, during its initial development, would arouse their vigilance, imitation, or even boycotts.

He had to consider this kind of influence.

If the Elves realized the immense prospects contained within the Communication Mythallar and came to Netheril to promote their own, Xia Duo believed that most Netherese Mages would likely prefer to use the Elves'.

Therefore, before the Tower of Time's Communication Mythallar gained momentum—that is, until its user base reached a certain level—he would not touch the Elf market, to avoid attracting the attention of the Elves prematurely.

Of course, Xia Duo's current status destined his every move to be watched by the Northland Alliance, and even the Southern Four Kingdoms and Eastern Imaskar, but if he focused on promoting the Void Warehouse, he could still divert some attention.

Not to mention, the promotion of the Void Warehouse was also linked to the rollout of the Cloud Pattern Announcement, which assisted the Prophecy Ritual, a reason that could not be taken lightly.

……

Regarding Xia Duo's opposition, Niya revealed a look of regret, "That is truly a pity. It's not as if there are no ways to get new Communication Magic Tools within Netheril, but let's promote the Void Warehouse first!"

Compared to Communication Magic Tools, the Void Warehouse had almost no sales in Netheril at all. When he first brought this matter up with the Ming Shui Chamber of Commerce, the other party refused almost without hesitation.

Even if the Tower of Time promoted it themselves, it was not certain that there would be any effect.

When Xia Duo opened the seal and walked out of the lounge, Aoruipusi, upon learning the news, came to pay his respects at the first opportunity and reported the latest progress on that side:

The bookstore's name was the same as the Tartat Academy of Swordsmanship next door, also called Tartat; it was actually the name of a Legendary hero of Evereska.

Therefore, Xia Duo's initial choice to open the market from the Elf World side was truly a last resort; Netheril had no tradition of using the Void Warehouse, but the Elf World did.

But what was the purpose of buying a Dimensional Bag? Was it merely to store some personal supplies such as fresh water and dry rations?

"Are those few Elves I just saw outside the bookstore here for the interview?"

Of course, it was mainly because of the location Aoruipusi arranged. Xia Duo didn't actually have much to nitpick about where the interview was held; since Aoruipusi had arranged it, he would just use it.

Dimensional Bags were treated like that, so one could imagine the case for the Void Warehouse.

"Hmm, I came here with that very intention."

Although he was very dissatisfied with the infiltration and influence of Elf culture on Netheril, he did indeed have the idea of utilizing this status quo at the time.

Just like now—

Xia Duo actually really did not want to use Elves to endorse the credibility of the Void Warehouse, but the reality was just like that, and he could only change it slowly in the future.

"My Lord, please this way—"

"Yes."

If the Tower of Time's Void Warehouse could make a name for itself in the Elf World—and here, that meant a good reputation backed by credibility—then exporting it back to the domestic market might follow logically.

After having one-on-one talks with Niya and others from the Tower of Time, such as Dien, Sami, Saville, and Aiboke, Xia Duo transferred his consciousness in advance to his avatar far away in Evereska.

For things like Magic Books and Spell Notes, if one did not have a Mage Tower, carrying them in a Dimensional Bag was the safest option.

On one hand, there were the high usage fees; not everyone could afford it, and at the very least, mid-to-low-rank Mages could not afford to use it.

While listening, Xia Duo flipped through the designer resumes that Aoruipusi had prepared in advance. When he saw one of the pages, he immediately interrupted Aoruipusi's introduction and asked:

On the other hand, there was the complete lack of security; Netherese Mages trusted themselves the most, so how could they place their life's savings in the hands of others for safekeeping!

However, Xia Duo would not look down on those Elves because of this. The designers who came by invitation might not be the most top-tier in the Elf World, but at least their lower limit was guaranteed.

When Xia Duo arrived, Aoruipusi had already finished booking the venue, and there were already three or four Elves who looked like designers waiting there.

It was impossible for him to wait until the day of the Midwinter Festival to set off for Yierlan; he had to leave a few days early, and besides, there were some matters in Evereska that needed to be handled.

Aoruipusi responded and turned to leave.

The meeting place arranged by Aoruipusi was a leisure bookstore near the Tartat Academy of Swordsmanship on the seventh floor of the South Cheng Qu of Evereska. This place provided tea services, but more importantly—

Of course, it was more likely that both factors were at play.

"My Lord, the Elf designers who received the interview invitations a month ago have all arrived in Evereska. You may see them at any time."

A section of this bookstore overlooked a lawn between the Magic Academy and the Combat Academy below, which was also the vacant lot Evereska had provided for Xia Duo to build his landmark building.

Xia Duo saw the designer's image on the resume, which looked very similar to one of the three or four Elves outside. Combined with his previous judgment, he had already roughly determined that those few Elves were the designers who had come for the interview.

"Let the interview begin now; call them in."

There was still some time before the agreed-upon interview time, but since they had already arrived early, and their attitude was so good, Xia Duo would not be so rigid as to strictly stick to the interview time.

If big-name designers came, they might instead suffer from "acclimatization issues."

But if that Dimensional Bag was not only in the hands of the purchaser but could also be used by the creator, that would be terrifying. Mid-to-low-rank Mages had no choice, but High Mages, if they had a choice, would all choose to craft their own Dimensional Bags.

And Aoruipusi gave an affirmative answer.

……

Before coming, Xia Duo was actually a bit worried that those Elf designers would be dissatisfied with his neglect and leave directly. Now it seemed that either Aoruipusi's work was thorough, or those Elf designers really had no capital for arrogance.

"Look, even the Elves trust the Void Warehouse service; why wouldn't you, a human, trust it?"

And what Xia Duo needed from them was precisely that they didn't need to have a very high upper limit, as long as they could humbly understand the client's ideas and produce suitable plans.

……

Xia Duo himself had personally experienced this lack of trust. Earlier, when he bought a Dimensional Bag at the Arcane Union, he was warned by Niya not to put important items inside.

Aoruipusi led Xia Duo to the best viewing spot in the bookstore, then introduced the interview list for the day, "There are a total of seventeen interviewees, of which four are from Akaola, one from Yierlan, and the remaining twelve are local designers from Evereska."

Xia Duo believed that over this past month, those dozen or so designers must have walked around this area many times, so there was no issue of them being unfamiliar with the building's location, but if they could look at it during the interview, that was not a bad thing.

Besides nationality, Aoruipusi also introduced the areas of expertise, major works, and external evaluations of these seventeen designers one by one.