Chapter 218: Careers

    (3rd Person POV)

    While "Cuckoo''s Nest" began filming, life continued as usual in Celestine Heights - the prestigious district of Angel City where mansions housed society''s elite. Among these stood the Strauss family manor, its Victorian architecture and manicured grounds a testament to old money and refined taste.

    In the manor''s dining room, beneath a crystal chandelier that cast warm light over the mahogany table, sat the Strauss family. Edgar Strauss, the family head, dominated one end while his wife Katherine graced the other. Between them sat their children - all successful except their second son, Levi.

    "The expansion into Thorne Kingdom is proceeding smoothly," Edgar nodded approvingly at his eldest son. "And Sarah''s boutique chain has opened three new locations this quarter."

    Katherine beamed at their youngest daughter. "The society pages can''t stop praising your fashion sense, dear."

    The conversation flowed around Levi like water around a stone, his presence barely acknowledged.

    "I''ll take my leave," Levi said quietly, dabbing his mouth with a napkin as he stood.

    His father''s slight nod was automatic, his attention never wavering from his other children''s achievements. The family''s conversation continued uninterrupted, as if Levi had never spoken.

    Outside the dining room, Levi''s fists clenched briefly. They didn''t even notice I''m not wearing glasses anymore, he thought, then deliberately relaxed his hands. The familiar bitterness felt different now - less sharp, less consuming.

    The difference lay in the scroll tucked safely in his pocket.

    He pulled it out once he''d left the house, watching his status shimmer into view. His choice of the Filmmaker career path and investment of 10 Faith Points into the Drama subclass had opened new possibilities.

    The struggling film studio he''d purchased in the Halo District had automatically aligned him with the business branch of his path.

    His status now read clearly: {Filmmaker - Drama: Business Path}.

    He had found his path - one his family knew nothing about. Under Dionysus''s blessing, he would become more than just the disappointing second son. He would be a filmmaker who moved people''s hearts.

    Yesterday, he''d explored the follower shop''s filmmaker section, spending his remaining Faith Points on "drama movie idea."

    After the purchase, he''d offered a prayer of gratitude, and that''s when the divine inspiration had struck.

    The words still echoed in his mind, rich with meaning: "A man''s spirit cannot be broken by prison walls or cruel authority. Through defiance comes dignity, through struggle comes strength. One brave soul can ignite hope in others, teaching them to embrace life even in chains. Victory lies not in escape, but in refusing to let them break your smile."

    The poetic message resonated deeply within him. Thanks to his new talent "Cinematic Emotion" - gained from choosing the Drama subclass - he could translate those feelings into vivid mental images. Scene compositions formed in his mind: sun-bleached prison yards, tense confrontations, moments of quiet rebellion.

    Inspired by this divine guidance, Levi had sold his collection of rare magical artifacts to purchase the struggling film studio.

    The investment didn''t worry him - fellow followers of Dionysus had already volunteered to act and crew for his project, asking only for meals in return.

    His family might see him as a failure, but Levi knew better. Under Dionysus''s guidance, he would create something meaningful - a film that spoke to the unbreakable nature of the human spirit.

    Arthur just smiled, letting her draw her own conclusions.

    After wrapping the day''s shoot, the three of them - Arthur, Firfel, and Vivienne - left together as usual.

    Their frequent public appearances had sparked endless speculation about Arthur''s relationships with both women, though he had yet to voice his growing feelings for Firfel. The press had dubbed them "the triplets," a nickname that amused Vivienne to no end.

    ***

    By late June 1274, "Cuckoo''s Nest" had been filming for two and a half weeks at Elder Bane Asylum and other locations. Beyond the film production, Hellfire''s entertainment empire continued expanding rapidly across multiple fronts.

    The animation division flourished particularly well. "Dragon Ball" had captivated audiences for eleven months with its 44 episodes, while "Naruto" followed closely behind with 43 episodes.

    The newest addition, "Supernatural Investigations(Yu Yu Hakusho)" had already aired 20 episodes in just five months, building its own dedicated following.

    These anime series, alongside Western cartoons, drove television sales to unprecedented heights worldwide.

    HOLLOW had sold 66 million units, earning three billion dollars, while Waves Corporation profited handsomely from constructing signal towers and selling VHS players.

    Arthur''s royalty earnings from color television patents reached four hundred million dollars - a deliberately modest sum.

    This came from his strategic deal with HOLLOW: in exchange for favorable licensing terms on color TV technology, Arthur had secured the crucial patent rights to computer monitors.

    While others might view the low royalties as a missed opportunity, Arthur saw the long-term value in controlling monitor technology for the coming computer age.

    Now, in Horn Kingdom''s central district, Arthur stood surveying his newest project - an eighty-acre plot that would house Hellfire''s new headquarters.

    His vision for Hellfire HQ took shape on the drafting table - a massive ring-shaped structure of glass and steel that would blend seamlessly with the natural landscape.

    The four-story building would curve gracefully around a central park, its walls alternating between clear glass and living gardens that would climb toward the sky.

    But Arthur knew flashy architecture meant nothing without practical foundations. He''d seen too many beautiful buildings become maintenance nightmares in his previous life. Every detail of the infrastructure had to be perfect - from the magical sewage treatment system that would purify waste water for the gardens, to the enchanted ventilation that would keep the massive space comfortable year-round.

    The building would be more than just a workplace. Gardens would spiral up the outer walls, while the massive inner courtyard would feature walking paths winding through native trees and flowers.

    Rooftop spaces would combine recreational areas with herb gardens to supply the staff cafeterias. Magical purification crystals integrated throughout the structure would work alongside traditional filtration systems.

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    Author''s Note: I sincerely apologize for the delays in my recent uploads and the slower progression of the plot. I truly appreciate your patience and understanding. I promise to do my best to update more frequently and provide more Chapters as soon as I''m able. Thank you for your continued support!