Jenny, who cast the stealth field, looked at the enthusiastic crowd in front of the figurine stall in front of her, and the corner of her mouth twitched slightly. She turned to look at Merlin beside her and said helplessly, "Is this the job you assigned to the students?"

Merlin nodded seriously, his face full of confidence and pride. "Of course, this job is pretty good, isn't it? A blind box of figurines costs ten gold coins, and the figurines inside are just made of clay, with some alchemical materials to keep them hard and prevent corrosion. There is basically no cost. Being able to sell them at such a high price is like a pie in the sky."

Vice Dean Jenny still couldn't figure out what the appeal of these so-called figures was. Aren't they just little figures made of mud? "I always feel that this is not the right path." She looked at those young people who were overwhelmed by enthusiasm and couldn't help but speak.

"How is this not the right way?" Merlin retorted, pointing at the toy stall. "How difficult is it for magicians from the Arcane Academy to find a good job after graduation? How many young magicians can't even find a suitable job after graduating from the academy. I am giving them a stage and space to create their own value."

Vice Dean Jenny knows that the number of mages is increasing, and the huge "talent market" has become saturated. More and more mages are facing difficulties in finding jobs after graduation, and many of them have to rely on their parents at home. Those with aristocratic status can get a job by relying on their family background, while graduates from ordinary families can only join mercenary groups, live a life of hardship and have meager income.

What's more, this is a mage with combat capabilities. For example, art students who study in secret academies and spend all day studying magic sculptures, paintings, etc. find it even more difficult to find jobs. After all, they are not famous, so who would buy their sculptures and paintings?

Today, the model business started by Merlin recruits a large number of such students, who go to the factory to make clay models on an assembly line. This provides them with safe jobs, allows them to fully utilize the knowledge and strengths they have learned, and realize their self-worth.

The employment issues of art students in the Esoteric Academy have always been a headache for the Arcane Academy. After all, what they learn is too divorced from reality. For example, astrology, sculpture, painting... the market demand and audience are too small.

Merlin's approach undoubtedly solved this problem by allowing these students to work in factories, with guaranteed job placement upon graduation.

Nowadays, students who work in factories have become the objects of people's envy, with high salaries and stable incomes. What is the true meaning of academic achievement in the Arcane Academy? After four years of hard study, they just want to prove: my destiny is in my own hands.

How many ups and downs have the students experienced during their four years of study? The knowledge I learned in these four years is not for joining a mercenary group to hunt monsters, nor for joining an expedition team to explore dangerous ruins. For them, an exciting and adventurous life is not a dream, but a stable job with food and accommodation is what they pursue!

"These four years of study should be rewarded with an opportunity to work in a factory!" Jenny thought to herself. Although she still had her doubts about this emerging model business, she had to admit that Merlin's approach did open up a viable way out for students to some extent.

“I always feel that this will bury their creativity.”

Merlin shook his head when he heard what Jenny said. "It's not that their creativity is being suppressed. They really like this kind of work. They can use the knowledge they have learned. With the blessing of magic, they can make figures very quickly."

"Is their only option to work in a factory?" Vice Dean Jenny couldn't help but ask.

Merlin looked at Vice Dean Jenny in surprise. "How is that possible? I found another way for them. Look over there."

Vice Dean Jenny followed Merlin's instructions and looked forward. In front of her was a row of shops with colorful lights flashing. Many female students were lined up in front of the doors. Each of them was holding a booklet in their hands, chattering about something, with expectant looks on their faces. She approached the stall and saw a striking sign that read: "Ancient inherited skill of the Art Department of the Secret Academy - nail art!"

That’s right, this is exactly the new way out that Merlin has found for the students of the Secret Academy of Art – nail art painting.

Manicure is a highly profitable industry. Merlin has a firm control over the materials used to make manicures and has set up manicure franchise stores. It is easy to imagine the appeal of manicure to women, especially those painting art students who have been trained in the Secret Academy. With the blessing of magic, manicure can even present a dynamic effect.

The corner of Vice Dean Jenny's mouth twitched slightly, and she couldn't help but feel puzzled: The ancient inherited skills of the Art Department of the Esoteric Academy? How come she had never heard of it? Moreover, it seems that the so-called manicure is nothing more than painting on the nails. Is there really anyone willing to pay for it?

Two female students who had already completed manicures raised their hands happily, the flowing golden light in the sun shining brightly on their nails, while another female student had done pink heart-shaped manicures.

"Oh my God, it's so beautiful!" exclaimed a female student.

"Yeah, I didn't expect my nails to be so beautiful. Look at this little heart!" another girl responded with a smile.

"So cute! I want to do this next time!" they discussed excitedly.

“I spent a lot of time choosing the pattern. There are so many beautiful ones!” added a student.

"And it only costs twenty gold coins to do this once..." Their discussion made Vice Dean Jenny feel relieved at first, but when she heard the price of manicure, she was dumbfounded.

As someone who came from a poor farming family, she naturally understood the purchasing power of twenty gold coins. How can something as simple as painting on nails be sold at such a high price?

Merlin chuckled and explained, "This is still cheap. If it's custom made, the price will be more expensive, hundreds of gold coins are no problem."

Vice Dean Jenny rubbed her brow in shock and asked tentatively, "What about the cost?"

"A cheap alchemical patch plus some materials that can be found everywhere. It doesn't improve strength, it's just for the sake of appearance. How much do you think it will cost?" Merlin shrugged, as if everything was taken for granted.

Vice Dean Jenny had never thought that making money could be so easy. "Almost 50% profit?"

"Fifty percent? Let's be bold and say eighty percent. Never mind, let's be conservative and say seventy-nine percent." Merlin's words completely stunned Vice Dean Jenny, and she was filled with shock.

What is the difference between 79% and 80%?

All the materials for manicure are in Merlin's hands, and these students who join the manicure business will become his money-making tools in the future.

"It seems that future art students will no longer just pursue art itself, but will have to understand how to combine art with business to create their own value." Vice Dean Jenny muttered to herself, with a complex light flashing in her eyes. She was pleased that the students had found a new way out, but also a little worried about this change. After all, there is always a delicate balance between the essence of art and commercial pursuits.