I had two big suggestions for Sylvia.
First, a ‘Tournament using Tetric2’ to grab people’s attention and, by the way, sell Tetric2.
Second, we would release Super Thomas at the same time to draw in the crowd.
With a dreamlike presentation using fantasy magic, of course.
I wanted to incorporate that fantasy magic to inspire dreams in children.
Growing up, I watched events from Disneyland on TV in my previous life.
Dreams and hopes—they might seem childish, but they’re what both kids and adults really need.
I wanted to show that through [Super Thomas].
…And I just wanted to use fantasy magic too!
Wait! No one had used such over-the-top technology like holograms for this kind of event until now!?
Ever since I learned fantasy magic, I wanted to use it at least once.
Of course, it wasn’t easy.
There aren’t many fantasy wizards around, so finding them was a challenge. The few that Sylvia managed to recruit said they could only manage to create the background.
So, the character part was left to me and my Master.
Almost 70% of it was made by my Master, but I helped with 30% so I could claim my share.
However, after practicing, I realized it was way too boring without sound, so I asked Jiren and some other priests to take on the voice acting roles.
Jiren grumbled, “Ugh, why do we have to do this?” but he quieted down when I promised him 1 million gold.
You can resolve most earthly matters with money.
That’s a truth that even applies in another world.
Thus, the Super Thomas release event went off without a hitch.
The event, broadcast live through the Crystal Ball, was shown not just in Zephia but also on a huge screen in front of the Edward Consortium across Jirens.
As soon as the tournament ended, people flocked to buy Super Thomas.
“Give me one Super Thomas!”
“I want ten!!”
The release of Super Thomas, launching right after the Tetric finals, was a night-long sales spree.
People bought Super Thomas non-stop throughout the night, prompting the Edward Consortium to go into emergency response mode.
“Sir, due to high demand, customers may only purchase two Super Thomas each.”
“We’re out of stock here!!”
“Quick! Fetch 100 more Super Thomas Crystal Balls from the warehouse!!! Hurry!!!”
Worried, Sylvia was arranging everything in shifts.
But the crowd’s reaction was beyond her expectations.
『Da da da da da♫ Da da da da♫』
The city was starting to resonate with the BGM of Super Thomas.
Those who bought it first proudly played Super Thomas on the streets, enjoying the adventures in the game.
It was a thrill they’d never felt before.
Tetric was a fun puzzle game like Paimon.
To put it nicely, it was familiar, but to be blunt, it was overdone.
But [Super Thomas] was truly a fresh experience for the people of another world.
They controlled Thomas, running, jumping, and collecting mushrooms while squishing turtles.
They discovered hidden spots by entering pipes, collecting gold, and sometimes fell to their doom.
But it was okay; they could always try again.
In the water, in the sky, on top of lava, they relished challenges alongside Thomas.
They wanted to share that joy with friends and family, buying even more Super Thomas.
Thus, a game for spreading the word was born.
And it wasn’t just Super Thomas that entertained.
『Doo dee dee dee doo♩ dee dee dee da♫ dee dee dee dee doo♫』
“Woohoo!!! I won!!!”
“Ahhhhh!!! Lucky 11 lost!!”
The Tetric2 release had already occurred before the National Founding Day Festival.
And the Edward Consortium had set up free arcade machines where people could enjoy Tetric2 together.
Until recently, the place hadn’t attracted many visitors, but after the tournament, it exploded with new players.
Thanks to the tournament, everyone learned how to enjoy matches.
Once they discovered the fun of the fear of losing and the thrill of competition, the rest was easy.
Just like in previous lives at arcades, people watched from behind the machines, stepping up to challenge when a spot opened.
Winning was joyous, and losing still provided new experiences and fun, so there was no regret in that.
And as they headed out, they decided to grab a game to take home.
This trend even grabbed the attention of those who typically didn’t care about gaming.
*
Not everyone would find Super Thomas or games entertaining.
But how could there be such explosive responses?
“Is this Super Thomas?”
“Yeah! My son called me in the middle of the night begging me to get one!”
“My daughter was going nuts about it too!”
It was all thanks to the kids.
Not everyone, but most kids were totally mesmerized by gaming.
They discarded countless toys they wanted at the National Founding Day Festival and started screaming for Super Thomas.
Seeing this, foreign tourists and VIPs from the Yura Republic and Kingdom of Ra visiting Zephia began to think, “If we’re buying souvenirs, we should get that to brag to the kids or acquaintances.”
This gathering of thoughts transformed National Founding Day into a game festival.
But with light comes darkness.
“Miss, we got a report that there’s a shortage on 132nd street.”
“Again? Did the 300 we sent earlier sell out already!?”
“Yes, and 32nd and 65th street have requested more staff due to shortages.”
“Huh… how many helpers do we have left?”
“Honestly, none. The capital branch is at its limits.”
Well, it couldn’t be better.
Even Sylvia, who bet on success, never imagined it would lead to such mobilization.
There was a manpower shortage and Super Thomas Crystal Balls were vanishing quickly.
If this continued, a serious incident could occur.
Should we close up early today?
As those thoughts crossed her mind, a savior appeared.
Knock! Knock!
“Sylvia! Yuren from the Irene School has come to see you!”
“Yuren?”
Why were the people who should be resting after the event here?
As I headed down to meet Yuren, I saw him, the priests of the Irene School, and some muscular mercenaries I’d never seen before.
“Yuren? What brings you here? And who are all these people behind you?”
Yuren smiled and said to Sylvia.
“As I looked around Zephia, I thought the Edward Consortium might need some help.”
“Help!?”
“Yes, because it looked like people were busy to the point of burning out.”
As he spoke, Yuren introduced the people he had brought along.
“These are my fellow priests from the Irene School and these strong individuals are from the Zeus Mercenary Guild. You can leave the heavy lifting to them.”
Sylvia looked at the muscular men from the Zeus Mercenary Guild and the priests from the Irene School.
There were about 50 to 60 of them.
If they could pitch in, it would be possible to keep the shop open until the festival ended.
“I can’t believe you’d help us this much…”
But at the same time, Sylvia felt embarrassed.
She felt undeserving of such assistance from Yuren.
Before she could voice her thoughts, Yuren cut in.
“I once heard this saying: ‘When the tide rises, row your boat.’ Now is the time for all to row together.”
Hearing Yuren’s words, emphasizing that this was a moment for collective effort, made Sylvia’s heart swell.
There had been no collaboration like this amongst the schools before.
Before, Sylvia would have to whip people into shape to get them motivated.
Working with free-spirited wizards hadn’t been easy until now.
“And by the way, this help isn’t free. Both our group and the members of the Zeus Mercenary Guild will expect payment.”
Upon hearing it wasn’t free, Sylvia couldn’t help but chuckle.
With her usual cheerful smile, she replied.
“Of course. I’ll pay double.”
The members of the Zeus Mercenary Guild whistled with delight at Sylvia’s declaration of double pay.
“Woohoo~!”
“Just like the Consortium lady! So generous!”
“Well, if we’re getting paid, let’s get to work!”
The situation was now managed.
The Zeus Mercenary Guild members headed off under Butler Thomas’s guidance to transport the Crystal Balls and handle the heavy work.
Meanwhile, the priests from Irene led by Yuren went off to create Super Thomas Crystal Balls.
“Alright then! Time to work, my disciples!”
“Yes! Master!”
“Yuren, I want to play more.”
“You can play once you’ve paid your dues.”
Julia pouted a little, but it wasn’t a big deal.
And watching over them, Mark, the resident of the Edward Consortium, grinned widely.
“It looks like my daughter has found a great partner.”
“It seems so, Mark.”
The second day of the National Founding Day festival—or rather, the game festival—was underway.
