Chapter 9: First Month

**William's Perspective**

The weeks that followed were a whirlwind of activities and significant progress. Each day brought its share of challenges and opportunities to seize, and I found myself plunged into a frenetic pace to turn Majestic Publishing around.

One of the notable events was the acquisition of "Printabele," a paper and ink production company, for $19.2 million. This success would not have been possible without the hard work of Karl, Susan, and our financial department. Thanks to Karl's connections and expertise, as well as Susan's persistence and foresight in finding the right company with the most development potential, we managed to acquire this company at the lowest possible cost. Printabele is one of the few companies to invest in and survive the production of acid-free paper and high-quality ink, and it is now ours. This highly strategic acquisition not only gives us complete control over the quality of our materials and supply, making us independent and thus less vulnerable, but it also reduces our production costs, thereby increasing our profit margin.

Having our own supply chain, well-developed sales channels, and my vision will ensure that every book published by Majestic Publishing is a success, thus strengthening our market reputation and restoring our image. Becoming better than ever is just a matter of time. I am particularly proud of this achievement as it represents a cornerstone in our strategy to revitalize the company. After all, what makes a book successful is firstly its content, and secondly the commercial channels. With the purchase of this company, the material quality will be ensured; as for content quality, it's the least of my worries with my knowledge and expertise.

The second notable event was the purge of leaders I deemed either incompetent or too rigid and conservative. I found it necessary to fire several senior executives. Their resistance to change and lack of strategic vision were the reasons for our poor situation, and their presence would be a major obstacle to our progress. This decision was initially poorly received by employees, but once I reassured them that it only concerned the management, they accepted it and were ready to fight for Majestic Publishing's renewal. But I knew that it was necessary to inject new blood into the company to breathe new life into it. So, I recruited new talents, passionate and visionary individuals who bring fresh ideas and renewed enthusiasm.

In parallel, I made enormous modifications to our editorial philosophy, focusing on innovation, quality, and the lasting impact of our works. I want every story we publish to leave an indelible mark on our readers' hearts; I want to create a brand image that will outshine Disney and Apple from my old world. With this clear vision, we were able to redefine our goals and priorities, thus orienting every decision towards achieving our mission.

But the project closest to my heart is undoubtedly "How to Train Your Dragon." After weeks of hard work, I finally completed the first volume, the fruit of long hours of reflection, writing, and drawing, bringing a personal and authentic touch to the universe I created. A behemoth consisting of 242 pages and 37 illustrations that I created myself.

The story of Berk, a Viking island frequently attacked by dragons. Our hero, Hiccup, is a clumsy but determined young blacksmith apprentice. As he tries to find his place in the village, he manages to hit in mid-flight a Night Fury, a dragon so fast that no one has ever seen it. However, no one believes him.

Determined to prove his worth, Hiccup secretly sets out in search of the Night Fury and finds it wounded and trapped. Unable to kill it, he begins to tame it, naming it Toothless. Their relationship evolves, and Harold discovers that everything the Vikings thought they knew about dragons is wrong.

The book lays the foundation of Berk's universe, introduces Viking traditions, and explores the complex relationships between characters and dragons. I took care to develop the characters in depth, making their motivations and evolutions credible and engaging. The drawings I created add a visual dimension to the story, allowing readers to immerse themselves even more deeply in this fascinating universe.

Hiccup, the main character, is a curious and inventive young boy who often feels out of step with the expectations of his father and other villagers. His journey is a metaphor for the voyage of self-discovery and acceptance. He begins as an outsider, but through his interactions with Toothless, he discovers his true strength and potential. Their friendship becomes the heart of the story, a bond that transcends prejudices and traditions.

This relationship evolves slowly, moving from mistrust to mutual trust. Hiccup learns that dragons are not the malevolent creatures the Vikings believe them to be, but intelligent and sensitive beings. This realization pushes him to question his people's beliefs and to seek ways to coexist peacefully with dragons.

The illustrations I created play a crucial role in this immersion. Each drawing is designed to capture the essence of key moments in the story, from the facial expressions of Harold and Toothless to the grand landscapes of Berk. I wanted each page to be a visual invitation to dive into this fantastic universe.

As I put the finishing touches on this first volume, I feel a mix of satisfaction and anticipation. The road has been long and arduous, but each step has brought me closer to my goal. With the acquisition of the production company and the completion of the first volume of "How to Train Your Dragon," we have made significant progress. Majestic Publishing is on the path to renaissance, and I am more determined than ever to pursue this adventure.

Every day spent working on this project has reminded me why I love telling stories so much. The power to captivate minds, evoke emotions, and inspire readers is an incredible force. "How to Train Your Dragon" is not just a story about dragons and Vikings; it is an exploration of friendship, courage, and self-discovery.

The work on "How to Train Your Dragon" is far from over. The first volume is a promising start, but there is still much to do to develop this universe and captivate our audience. And I am eager to see how the readers of this world will react to this story and to continue working on the next volumes.

Things are moving forward. And I am increasingly determined to take Majestic Publishing to new heights.