Michael was surprised to hear that. Right now, the current highest ranking company in New Sparta has to be Alaric Goldstone. The last time he heard it, they were ranked inside the top 200.
For reference, Michael remembered the Reborn Company's ranking to be in the 300s. And even though their company had advanced and expanded their influence far more than when they first received that ranking, it still hadn't changed all this time.
He hadn't wondered why because he didn't care all that much, but now he knew.
According to what he heard from Yuna and Jot'un, simply advancing one's commercial influence wasn't enough to actually climb up the rankings. They theoretically could, but that would take years, decades even, they said.
The reason why the Reborn company hadn't moved at all beyond the 300th spot these past few months was because he hadn't actually challenged anyone for their rankings.
This would have been the fastest way to advance. He just didn't know it.
And in retrospect, it made sense. After all, it had only been less than three years since the Reborn company was actually first established. In the rankings' eyes, his company was still at its infancy. He had the potential, but none of the teeth required for the higher rankings.
This made him have another perspective onto the actual scale of the conglomerates and the upper echelon. If the top 200 wasn't considered to be a part of them, then what was?
"Wait, if Alaric's company can't challenge the upper echelon because his ranking is too low, then how can he advance?"
Jot'un excitedly pointed at Gabriel. "That's what he was talking about. Promotion. This is another way for a company to enter the Upper Echelons. Oh my god. This will actually change the game. But it will make New Sparta a lot more competitive at the same time!"
As Jot'un began to go off on his talkative tangents, Yuna turned to Michael and explained.
"A Promotion is basically a ticket that allows a company to reach the upper echelons. Not metaphorically, but physically. They'll be allowed to enter into the Upper Queens region, where all the Conglomerates and other world-class companies have established their main residences."
In short, this was a place where the 1% elites lived their whole lives. The quality of life there was heads and shoulders above even the 'elites' of New Sparta. High society wasn't unique there. It was standard.
If a smaller company were to enter into that place, they would be able to flourish on their very bountiful meadows. Even the crap there would seem like gold to them.
It would be like a shark born in the wild suddenly finding himself in a bountiful pond filled with easy meals!
Of course, it wasn't that easy. Those goldfishes were probably a lot stronger than the shark, but the analogy still stood just based on the opportunities found on the pond.
Even Michael found himself getting excited at the thought.
If he had the opportunity to finally advance to the Upper Queens region, he would be one step closer to his dream.
And that was to establish comfort in the world.
"So the Promotion allows a company to enter the top 100 ranking?"
Yuna shook her head. "Not exactly, they'll just be given special permission to operate in the upper echelons, but they won't be given the ranking. That's based on whether they can obtain it on their own.
If they can't retain their position in the upper echelons after that opportunity, then they're not meant to be there in the first place."
This Promotion could either be a gift or a curse. If a company had the ability to actually contend with the upper echelons, then this promotion was a literal ticket that fast forwarded them into the spotlight. But if they weren't ready, then it would only push them further down.
It was basically a litmus test for companies for whether they had 'it' or not. It, being the x-factor that allowed a company to transcend the normal.
"Sir Gabriel… is that true? If we perform well, will we gain a Promotion, sanctioned by the Vanderbilt family themselves?"
And before he could answer, Cedric answered for him.
"Yes. That promotion will be sanctioned by all conglomerates," he clarified.
This sent the whole ballroom into another excited murmur. Somehow, this big deal became an even bigger deal.
Having all five conglomerates sanctioning a Promotion meant that their ascension to the upper echelons was practically all but confirmed! Promotions worked by having one upper echelon company putting forth a proposition that the other upper echelons must agree to.
For example, if a conglomerate voted for Alaric's company to have a Promotion, that meant that all 100 companies in the top 100 ranking had to vote if they agreed or not.
The votes must be more than half.
It sounded easy, getting 50% of the votes, but it wasn't always guaranteed. According to what Michael heard from murmurs all around him, it seemed like only two companies had ever been given a successful Promotion in the last ten years. And that was out of twenty.
But, if this promotion was sanctioned by all five conglomerates, then practically every company would be obliged to vote yes. After all, it was never a good idea to go against the five entities at the top of the world.
"Yes, you all heard it correctly. The Conglomerates have issued their interest in New Sparta. They are willing to invest in it.
But of course, to ensure that this Promotion will be given to those who are deserving, our families and companies have decided to send us to check."
This sent a confused look on everyone's faces. "Sir Gabriel… do you mean…"
Gabriel nodded, his dashing hair flowing. "Yes. We will be participating in the competitions of New Sparta.
This sent a lot of mixed reactions within the crowd. How could they possibly win against someone from the Conglomerates themselves?!