Chapter 58: Adult Buy Toy Too

Shinji is quite generous to his own people. Although the remuneration he gave to Rin and the salary for the crew position are not considered much, they are definitely not little for a newcomer.

However, Rin used most of her remuneration to subsidize household expenses, so she didn't save much.

Unfortunately, even the 500 yen that Rin saved by being frugal couldn't be retained.

Because the whole afternoon, Shinji was working on set.

Not to mention that Shinji and Cloris's relationship is far from reaching the point where they can be affectionate in a hotel.

Even if Cloris is truly Shinji's girlfriend, as a director, Shinji cannot abandon the entire crew, run off by himself, and indulge with a woman.

If he really dares to do that, Nao will probably make Kariya stand with him under the hotel using a high-pitched loudspeaker, shouting, "Shinji Matou, f*** you! Speak up, are you filming or not?!"

That being said, out of a sense of responsibility and ethical consideration for his partner, Shinji still treated Cloris to a luxurious dinner at the Keio Plaza Hotel in Fuyuki City after the shooting.

But to emphasize that this dinner was business-related, Shinji specially invited Waver, Kayneth, and his fiancee.

However, these three almost acted as if they were invisible throughout the entire dinner. Apart from the occasional sound of clashing knives and forks during the meal, they didn't say a word, making Shinji regret inviting these three mealworms.

"Little Shinji~, you're really too much."

In the Western restaurant of Keio Plaza Hotel, Cloris spoke in a gentle tone, and her eyes towards Shinji were filled with resentment.

"Don't speak as if there's a secret between us that must be kept," Shinji responded, gently swirling his wine glass. "This is your own choice."

Unusually, Shinji's tone this time had a hint of satisfaction when he spoke to Cloris.

Cloris frowned slightly, "I didn't know that you could make so much money selling toys!"

With the distribution channels of the Time Group, Bandai successfully distributed FSN movie-related toys to small shops in theaters across Europe and America, making a substantial profit.

As for how much Bandai earned, Shinji wasn't sure. After all, he would have to wait until the settlement to see the specific figures. However, based on the discussions with Udagawa Nanyo, Shinji believed that this amount would not be less than 50 million dollars.

More importantly, when Type-Moon, Bandai, and the Time Group signed the agreement, the Time Group only took the distribution cost and didn't demand any profit.

What does it mean not to have intermediaries making a margin? It means there are no intermediaries making a margin.

"The company is very dissatisfied with letting such a large part of the profit go and is clamoring for me to step down."

Cloris lightly stirred her coffee with a sugar stick, expressing her grievances.

"Is the Time Group planning to change personnel?"

Shinji's eyes lit up, and he asked excitedly.

"Unfortunately, no."

"Is that so."

Shinji sighed in disappointment.

"But, since we just started working together, I need to show sincerity to the other party. After all, we'll be cooperating for a long time in the future. We can't just focus on sesame seeds and forget about watermelons."

Cloris sweetly smiled, her voice as sweet as the coffee she had just added sugar to.

"However, the profit-sharing for the upcoming FZ peripherals won't be as favorable."

Shinji nodded, "Of course, a normal profit-sharing arrangement will do."

Taking only the distribution cost was a good thing, but neither Bandai nor Shinji thought it would happen a second time. The Time Group would undoubtedly demand a share of the profit when it continued to grow.

Having enough profit is the foundation for long-term cooperation between the two parties.

"But, I really didn't expect so many people to buy toys."

Cloris lightly touched her cheek, expressing some sighs, "And many of them are adults."

Shinji snorted, "There are many things you didn't expect."

The commercial model for movies in this world is really primitive. Shinji can easily make a fortune with just a few ideas.

In fact, this world is not without movie-related toys. The neighboring Disney, for example, makes a fortune with toys.

But Disney's toys are mostly targeted at children, and the sales channels are mostly regular toy stores and Disney's own amusement parks.

Almost all the big shots in the film industry have never thought about selling peripherals to adults in theaters to make money because, in their habitual thinking, adults are not interested in such things.

In fact, this is true. Adult consumption of peripheral toys is mostly impulsive.

Basically, unless they are tempted by toys when they are most excited after watching a movie, these people might not spend money.

Unfortunately, those high-level executives of movie companies only saw that adults don't buy toys in their daily lives, but they never considered the consumption behavior they might engage in when they are most excited after watching a movie.

In Shinji's original world, the first movie that made more money from peripherals than the box office was "Star Wars." It was from that movie that Hollywood executives began to pay attention to peripherals.

However, even so, Hollywood film companies did not perfect the peripheral sales system until "Jurassic Park."

Having witnessed various foolish decisions made by Hollywood decision-makers in his previous life, Shinji was well aware of the nature of these people.

They always clung to old ways, reluctant to innovate.

As long as they could make money using the old methods, they would never consider new ideas, because any new idea would incur costs, and spending more money was considered a heinous crime in their eyes!

To be honest, describing the high-ranking officials in Hollywood as "carnivores despising herbivores" was not an exaggeration at all.

These people always wanted to fit all movies into a basic template, then sit back and count the money.

They never considered the fundamental difference between movies as cultural works and assembly-line products, only thinking about how to make easy money.

But thanks to the rigid mindset of these individuals, who were like magus with frozen thought processes, in a world lacking many business geniuses in the film industry, Hollywood could only stir up trouble in its three percent of North America, providing Shinji with the opportunity to rise.

"The film studio in Fuyuki City will have about one-third of its facilities completed by the end of this year."

Shinji instructed Cloris, "I hope that by then, the film crews under the Time Group can enter the studio for shooting."

"You can be more accurate in your words," Cloris teased, "Are you planning to use your team to shoot special effects movies, right?"

Shinji nodded slightly, "Not only that, but your Time Group should also disclose the production costs of the movies at the right time."

Cloris squinted her eyes mockingly, "Aren't you afraid that other film companies will snatch the box office of your movies?"

Shinji smirked, "Even if I don't do this, after the success of the Fate series, they will imitate my movies. In that case, why not build a movie system centered around me?"

Money is never enough, and the box office of movies will only increase.

Shinji's ambition has always been to establish a system where he has absolute authority, allowing him to earn the most money.

"If it starts next year, will your magus be busy enough?"

In response to Cloris's question, Waver, who had not uttered a word throughout, finally spoke.

"The Modern Magecraft Theory Department will have nearly 150 graduates next year, and the number of magus is more than sufficient."

Waver's tone was very steady, revealing a hint of pride.

Originally, the graduates had limited prospects. If they were from a magus family, they could choose to return to their hometown to inherit magecraft or continue to stay at the Clock Tower for further research. However, for the new generation of magus without family property, if they wanted to continue in the world of magecraft, they could only work as "laborers" for magus families.

Now, with Fuyuki City as a good destination, it was undoubtedly a great thing for the majority of lower-level magus. The magecraft they learned not only ensured their livelihood but also allowed them to continue delving into the mysteries.

As for the concern that suddenly sending over a hundred magus to Fuyuki City might affect the Modern Magecraft Theory Department, Waver wasn't worried at all. With the popularity of FSN, the Modern Magecraft Theory Department had already established a strong reputation in the magical world. Previously looked down upon for lacking historical heritage in the atmosphere of venerating ancient traditions, the department had now become highly sought after.

With the dual allure of funds and mystery, the previously neglected Modern Magecraft Theory Department had become exceptionally popular. This year, the number of applicants was so high that Waver had to conduct screenings, a situation unheard of before this year.

"The better the Modern Magecraft Theory Department develops, the greater the influence we will have at the Clock Tower, and the more advantageous it will be for us," Cloris raised her glass to Waver and Kayneth, toasting, "Here's to our brighter future."

"Yeah, it would be even better if the salary could be a bit higher, and there were fewer assignments."

Waver expressed his hope while looking expectantly at his teacher.

However, Kayneth splendidly ignored his student's plea and, in a gentlemanly manner, clinked glasses with Cloris, saying, "I believe the Modern Magecraft Theory Department will have a glorious future."

"Teacher!! Don't you ever think about words like 'raise' and 'vacation' in your mind?!"

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"So... Lissy, do you have to come back with me?"

Shinji looked at Cloris with an expression of helplessness.

After dinner, Shinji originally intended to accompany Cloris back to her hotel for some rest. However, she insisted on visiting the Tohsaka residence.

"Shinji, what are you talking about?"

Cloris put her hands on her hips and said matter-of-factly: "We have already arrived in Fuyuki City. As the heir to the Flora family, how could I not pay a visit to the Matou family?"

"But..."

Shinji shook his head and resignedly opened the gate of the Tohsaka residence.

Then—

"Flora-san, welcome."

Sakura and Arturia stood at the entrance, holding a welcoming banner. It seemed they had been waiting for quite a while.

"Why are you two here?"

Seeing his sister and her Servant with excited looks, Shinji's heart tightened.

"Grandpa notified me to come and welcome you."

Sakura proudly waved her phone, smiling, "He said Flora-san would probably visit the family today, so he told us to welcome you properly."

"Where is Grandpa?"

Shinji asked unkindly.

"It seems he took Yan Qing and the others to play mahjong. Did he not send you a message, brother? Didn't you receive it?"

Hearing his sister's words, Shinji hastily took out his phone, and in the email from Grandpa, there was a sentence.

'Grandpa has taken away all the troublesome people, so you can go make great-grandchildren for me with peace of mind.'

At this moment, Shinji just wanted to throw his phone on the ground.

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