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Last of The Fae Chapter 133: Head of Operations
🕑 Added 2025-03-13 01:04:08 +0000 UTCThane looked up from his desk as the door to his office swung open, revealing Mirabel striding in, a stack of scrolls balanced in her arms.
"I can’t believe you’re working the day after your engagement party," she scoffed, shaking her head. "Shouldn’t you be relaxing in bed with your fiancée?"
Thane exhaled through his nose, barely glancing up as he signed off on the document in front of him.
"Well, considering the fact that she’s also working, I don’t believe so," he muttered, flipping the parchment shut before finally meeting her gaze.
"Also, I wasn’t able to touch base with you after everyone left—so, thank you."
Mirabel’s broad smile widened as she dropped the scrolls onto his desk with a satisfying thud.
"I was just doing my job."
Thane arched a brow, his lips twitching in amusement.
"I don’t recall party host being in your job description when I offered you this position."
"Maybe not," Mirabel said with a smirk, "but I don’t really have much to complain about, being the Head of Operations for the fastest-growing magical company in the world."
Thane let out a low chuckle, finally setting his quill aside.
"Alright then, Head of Operations, what can you tell me about our current state of affairs?"
Mirabel’s expression shifted, her posture straightening into effortless authority as she launched into her report.
"Overall, the company is performing within expectations, which is to say—very well."
She grabbed the topmost scroll unfurling it, revealing that Mirabel had already prepared to give Thane a similar rundown.
" First is the Alchemical Division. This includes supply management, as well as research and development. Thanks to the technique you introduced, we’ve managed to secure a large inventory of some of the rarest alchemical ingredients on the market. However, further optimization may be necessary."
She set one of the scrolls down before him, a detailed breakdown of ingredient sourcing, procurement contracts, and projected growth models.
"The biggest shift within the department is the growing interest in magical pharmaceuticals—It may eventually be necessary to create a subdivision for specialization."
Thane’s brow lifted slightly, intrigued.
"This is primarily due to the success of the first trials for the Full Restoration Draught. Even with our finite supply of Basilisk Venom, several of our more innovative researchers have proposed new avenues that could be equally profitable within the magical healing industry."
She tapped the scroll, indicating the long list of potential projects.
"However, I cannot in good faith approve these endeavors until we secure a steady supply of Basilisk Venom or make a breakthrough in synthesizing possible alternatives."
Thane nodded slightly, digesting the information.
"Magical Manufacturing oversees the production of Bank Sigils, Cornerstones, and the setup of Fae Storage Systems. Demand has been steadily increasing, and our efficiency has improved, but—"
She glanced up, her expression measured.
"As I’m sure you’re aware, we have encountered an unexpected shortage of rare materials, needed to refine mithril."
Thane sighed but nodded in acknowledgment.
"I assume you already have a solution in mind."
"Of course," Mirabel confirmed, flipping to another scroll. "I spoke with Balor, and we’ve determined that expansion into foreign raw mineral markets is necessary if we want to maintain our current rate of production. We have potential suppliers in Iberia, Eastern Eurasia, and South America, but each option comes with its own complications."
Thane’s fingers drummed idly against the desk as he scanned the proposed expansion routes.
"Complications?"
"Government tariffs, transportation logistics, and in one particular case, a roost of territorial dragons have taken over several mines and are attempting to set up a series of nests"
Thane paused, blinking.
"Dragons?"
"Dragons."
Thane leaned back in his chair, thinking for a second before replying, "Send me the details about that particular issue, I may intervene personally."
Instead of replying Mriabel reached into the pile of scrolls and put one in front of Thane who grinned more confident than ever that he had made the correct choice.
"Finally we have the Philanthropy, Conservation, and Lobbying divisions. These departments primarily act as support systems for the other two."
She folded her arms, tilting her head slightly.
"Our philanthropy efforts provide funding to businesses so they can afford our products, which in turn helps expand Fae Storage Systems and integrate us into the economy."
She tapped another scroll detailing subsidies, tax relief programs, and partnerships with small magical businesses.
"Our magical conservation initiatives grant us government subsidies and tax breaks, while also securing us a legal monopoly on rare magical species."
She smirked.
"Once their populations recover, we’ll be the only company with farming rights to them. And our lobbying efforts continue to rally public and political support for reducing restrictions on magical research."
Thane listened intently, his fingers tapping idly against the surface of his desk.
"So, to summarize," he mused, his gaze flicking to Mirabel with undercurrent amusement, "We make breakthroughs, fund our own customer base, manipulate government incentives, and position ourselves as the sole authority on certain species and research."
Mirabel nodded once.
"That is an accurate summary."
Thane leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk, fingers interlaced.
"You said we were performing within expectations…"
His emerald eyes gleamed, razor-sharp.
"What would it take to go beyond expectations?"
Mirabel paused, hesitating for the first time in their conversation.
"Permission to speak freely?"
Thane nodded, but even with his approval, Mirabel still hesitated.
"I think I can explain better if we were at HQ."
Thane raised a brow, then stood from his desk, brushing invisible dust from his robes.
"Very well then. I'll see you there."
A moment later, both vanished into thin air—apparating away from his office.
---
Mirabel and Thane landed smoothly on the side of a meticulously maintained road.
The usual grey cobblestones of Diagon Alley were nowhere in sight—instead, the streets were paved with pristine white marble tiles, the buildings structured with bleached limestone bricks, radiating a striking yet elegant brilliance beneath the sun.
Thane straightened his robes, taking a long look at the familiar yet vastly transformed surroundings.
"It feels like ages since I’ve been here in person," he murmured, his gaze sweeping across the crowded streets bustling with merchants, business owners, and witches and wizards alike.
What was once a simple expansion project had become a thriving ecosystem—an unspoken empire built on the foundations of his ideas.
"This place has really come along."
"Indeed it has," Mirabel agreed, her eyes glinting with subtle pride. "Apparently, people have even started calling this part of Diagon Alley the Fae District."
Thane’s lips quirked upward in amusement.
"Fitting."
Mirabel gestured broadly as they walked, weaving effortlessly through the bustling thoroughfare.
"We’ve built it out substantially. The manufacturing team has been using the district as a testing ground—a sounding stage for future plans and products."
Then, she glanced at him, her tone shifting.
"Which is exactly why I wanted you to see it firsthand before I bring up the one major improvement we can make."
Thane arched a brow, intrigued.
"And that is?"
Mirabel didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, she took a slow breath, choosing her next words carefully.
"I know you have your secrets, Lord Thane. And I know you guard them for good reason. But the knowledge and techniques you have at your disposal… they’re going to change the world."
Thane remained silent, listening.
"However, you’re only one person."
She turned to face him fully, her expression serious.
"Right now, our staff and personnel are working with very limited information on how exactly you accomplish all these miracles. It’s working for now, but in the long run…"
She let out a slow breath.
"It’s not sustainable."
Thane’s gaze remained steady.
"You’re saying you want me to share my knowledge."
Mirabel nodded.
"Yes. If we want to push past expectations, you need to stop being the bottleneck. You need to teach others—show them why we’re able to grow and mutate ingredients so quickly, why Bank Sigils can connect to multiple extended spaces, why our innovations keep leaving the rest of the magical world behind."
Thane exhaled, glancing at the buildings surrounding them, at the very heart of his empire.
"I remember when you first opened Fae Apothecary," Mirabel continued, her voice taking on a burning intensity. "When you would drip-feed me bits of information, testing my ability to understand. Back then, it felt like I was seeing magic in a whole new light."
She stepped forward, her eyes shining with conviction.
"Right now, you’re the only person capable of coming up with these groundbreaking innovations—the only mind keeping Fae Inc. ahead of the competition."
She let the words hang between them for a moment before finishing.
"But imagine if we had an entire team capable of doing the same."
