Azul and Business

Azul says that there are always opportunities to be found he has a wide range of hobbies because, “You never know when something will come in handy for business further down the line. There’s no such thing as a wasted experience.” 

We see Azul treating many things that he experiences as potential business opportunities throughout the game, such as the deserted island of the Stitch event, saying, “Strange circumstances give rise to new ideas. Perhaps this deserted island will provide some business inspiration.”

After seeing the house built by Stitch’s group he observes, “You could run this place as a hotel and make a mint!” (Jack: “Even now, you’ve got money on the brain…”)

During Glorious Masquerade Azul says, “I’m on a trip abroad. I can’t squander this opportunity to tour around and find fresh business ideas,” and he evaluates the festival grounds as a seller rather than a buyer, saying, “I have to keep a sharp eye out at all times, or I could miss a golden opportunity.”

Azul comments on Scarabia having the potential to welcome vacationers “in droves” if they were to open a resort, says that Halloween comes with “plenty of business opportunities,” and that the Stargazer position for the Wish Upon a Star event is also “ripe for business opportunities.” (Jade: “You mean, take advantage of people’s wishes for your own gain? Heh Heh…”)

When Jamil comments on how little Azul eats during the Halloween part at NRC Azul responds, “Can’t an honest businessman scope out the catering without being painted as some kind of villain?”

Azul’s motivation for wanting to visit the Fairest City with Vil during the Tapis Rouge event the famous brands to be found there: “I’m curious how they run their flagship locations, from a business perspective…the Fairest City is where celebrities flock, where luxury brand boutiques line the streets. As a student of business, it is my duty to visit and learn all that I can.”

When a stylist changes Azul’s hairstyle he says, “I’m quite fond of it. In fact, perhaps I should go with something like this when it comes time for my next business negotiation.”

Azul also evaluates the events of New Year’s from a business perspective, questioning Sam’s reasons for going to such an elaborate approach to decide the winners of Golden Tickets. After losing a Koma battle Azul observes, “Most customers will think these battles offer better prospects than simple luck. Meaning more will be willing to spend to the 50 thaumark threshold. Well played, Sam.”

When asked who he would like to have as a brother, Azul chooses Ortho for his potential in aiding in running a business: “…I’m floored by Ortho’s prowess at gathering information and doing calculations. If he were my brother, I’d have such an easy time compiling my monthly budgets and proceeds. Plus, when I finally expand my business beyond food-service establishments. Ortho would make for a powerful weapon, given how he can gather accurate intel with unmatched speed…Plenty of brothers build and run businesses together. It’s only natural to turn to family when you need skilled employees.”

On the subject of his days off Azul says, “I often read business journals and newspapers, or check the news, or read about current trends,” and we see a newspaper get delivered to his dorm room shortly after he wakes up in a birthday vignette.

Sebek assumes that Azul also has an interest in business books but Azul says he does not: “Business literature has a very limited shelf life. There’s no point in acquiring out-of-date information.”

After being kidnapped to STYX, Azul insists on being provided with business-related literature: “I know better than to ask for unfettered internet access, but at least let me read the morning and evening papers. Preferably one that focuses on world and economic news. I need to stay on top of my investments.”

After a conversation between Jamil and Ace on how the items for sale at Luxe are “far out of reach for your average student,” Azul spends 200,000 madol (2,000 thaumarks) on a pair of shoes, explaining, This is an investment. Wearing these shoes will only open the doors to even greater profits.”

During Tsumsted, Azul takes Floyd and his Tsum to a room used by the boardgame club to play a game called Business Magic: “You roll the dice and draw the corresponding number of cards, then compete for the highest total assets via certain actions. These include starting businesses, developing and improving products, advertising, IPOs, and even buyouts and the like. The ability to buy out other businesses means, in effect, that you can buy out other players’ entire enterprises.” Floyd responds, “So basically, we’re playin’ like normal?,” so it is possible that he is not unaccustomed to playing the game with Azul.

Azul seems to perform poorly at the start of the game, but later on proposes a partnership: the tsum accepts his offer, and they both triumph over Floyd. 

Azul says he must make “as many connections as (he) can,” and his efforts to network is a common theme in the game. Azul says he normally treats parties as “opportunities to drum up business” and “Socializing can be so much more rewarding on birthdays,” so he needs to plan is day in order “to do some proper networking.”

The night before his birthday Azul receives a stack of birthday cards, saying that he prefers not to incur debts by accepting accessible gifts, but he appreciates cards as a form of networking.

Within the various birthday cards he receives Azul acknowledges one from a Mostro Lounge trade partner that he met at a seminar and one from a previous client: “My slow, steady efforts are paying off and expanding my network. That said, this is far from enough. That’s it. I’ll find some way to loosen school regulations on excursions and work more plans into my weekends. I’ll attend as many social gatherings as possible to expand my network even further. Then, one day I may truly be able to swim in a sea of birthday cards!”

Azul seems to disapprove of the “onerous mount of paperwork” it takes for the students to leave Sage’s Island due to how it negatively impacts his ability to make connections outside of the school: “Every time I want to attend a business seminar or social gathering, I have to submit it to the headmage and get his approval. I have to list my destination and purpose, and approval takes forever. Considering the burden of writing multiple applications, days in advance…even if a popular seminar I couldn’t get into opened up extra slots at the last minute, the paperwork would never be done in time!”

Azul offers free advice to Malleus on what manner of gift the group should give to Noble Bell College in thanks for hosting the social of the Glorious Masquerade event and orders extra business cards in advance, saying, “this social is a prime networking opportunity. I wouldn’t dream of squandering it. I’ll be throwing my business cards at every promising mark—ah, mage—that I can!”

Azul starts with Rollo, leading to Idia asking, “Why’re you cozying up extreme-style? It’s making me nervous. I know whenever you’re that friendly, it means you’re up to no good,” and Azul explains, “It only makes sense to build a rapport with him while we can…for the sake of future interests!”

(Malleus: “I’ve been observing Ashengrotto for a while. Is that how one expands their social circle? Perhaps I should take a leaf from his book.” – Idia: “The damage is spreading…!”)

At the end of the event Azul seems to regret having wear a mask (“I’d prefer to make my face known to our fellow arcane academy peers, but we must follow the dress code”), and we see him interacting with visitors from other schools, at least one of which mentions wanting to discuss “business matters” together.

Azul reflects on how the performance that he himself recommended to Malleus results in “so many easy marks—I mean, esteemed students—right to (his) doorstep,” and that it was good he brought plenty of business cards: “I’ve expanded my network and gotten to know Fleur City. Everything’s going as planned, heh heh heh…”

In a voice line from the NBC event Leona says that Azul “doesn’t even bat an eye at the freak parade around here. To him, they aren’t anythin’ but business opportunities. His brazenness is on a whole other level.”

It is possible that Azul considers the teachers of NRC potential connections as well, saying, “I take pride in the strong bond of trust l’ve forged with the professors. I’m nothing if not industrious.”

Vil is not pleased with Azul handing out business cards during the Tapis Rouge event (“And stop going around introducing yourself as my ‘friend from school.’ That’s going to come back to bite me, I just know it…”), and Azul is shocked when Vil declares that, following the moving screening, they are going home rather than taking the advantage of the “valuable opportunity to rub elbows with the rich and famous.”

After Vil invokes the conditions of their agreement, Azul does concede to return to the school with Vil.

When asked what dorm he would transfer to Azul says “Scarabia,” giving a long explanation about his interest in the climate of the Scalding Sands, the differences in culture, the music and cuisine. When Ace is suspicious of his “benign answer,” Azul reveals his ulterior motive: networking. He explains, “The Scalding Sands is famed for the quality of its teas, spices, and textiles, all of which are quite rare in the Coral Sea. The whole place is a veritable treasure trove! If I could network and build connections with students in the Scalding Sands now, it would surely pay off further down the line.”

Azul makes an attempt to get his “foot in the door to make future business connections with the Asims” through helping Kalim with firewood during Vargas Camp and getting Kalim to talk about him with his parents, but Kalim assures him that he will be telling them about everyone rather than Azul in particular.

Azul also identifies a worried Silver as a potential opportunity to extend his business network to Briar Valley: “Becoming directly acquainted with Malleus is next to impossible. Which is why I must first make his underlings indebted to me, to help pave the way.”

When Sam begins selling an extremely popular Mystery Drink at the school store Azul calculates that, between the cost of ingredients and price for which they are being sold, there is not possible way for Sam to be making a profit. Azul observes that Sam “has a wide network of business connections and can get his hands on any product. He must be using some sort of special distribution channel. He used every high-quality ingredient imaginable to produce an incomparable flavor, giving his customers an unparalleled value for their money. That is the secret to the Mystery Drink’s success. If we were to try to accomplish the same thing without any connections…” (Jade: “The cost would be far too great.”)

Azul does seem to have certain connections of his own, however, telling the prefect, “If you ever have trouble obtaining materials for an experiment, come see me. I have access to some private channels.” It is possibly a lack of access to such channels is what resulted in Leona going to Azul for his assistance with the magic-enhancing potion used in Book 2 rather than crafting it himself.

When Floyd is impressed that Azul was able to tell the difference between his and Jade’s sums Azul explains, “I make it a point to memorize the features of the people I do business with. Otherwise I risk tremendous losses. Once you know what to look for, telling you two apart is simple.” (Floyd seems unconvinced.)