"The system is a super professional cuisine system, not to be used for things like designing clothes!" The system's resolute voice sounded.
"The new underwear I bought yesterday is quite comfortable. You're very talented in this area, system," Mag said internally with a smile.
"Of course! The system has incorporated designs from all of the best underwear in the world and created the ideal underwear which hugs the skin, but is breathable and constantly maintains a perfect temperature. Every time you put on underwear designed by the system..." The system immediately launched into a smug tirade.
"Tsk, tsk, looks like our super professional delicious cuisine system is also super professional at producing underwear. In that case, it shouldn't be an issue to sell a few clothes designs, right?" Mag interjected.
"Well... That's... not entirely non-negotiable. However, you have to uphold the most basic integrity as a businessman, and ensure complete fairness and transparency. You can't buy my designs from me then sell them for a higher price like you did with the tea leaves last time!" The system's serious voice sounded.
"Why does it matter what I do with the designs that you sell me?" Mag pursed his lips. However, a smile then appeared on his face as he said, "Of course, you do have a point. Let's set the price at 20 gold coins per design sketch and split it 50:50, so you get 10 and I get 10. Give me 1,000 of those sketches as a bulk package. Try to incorporate the best and most fashionable designs currently going around. At the same time, you have to incorporate the fashion elements of the clothing in this world to create the most exceptional designs."
"Ding! Deal. 10,000 gold coins have been successfully deducted!
"Ding! Concept sketches are being prepared; this process is estimated to take up to five minutes. Please give a final confirmation and verify whether you would like to add other designs into the package."
The system's joyful voice sounded.
"How about this? I'll get 800 women's clothing designs, 150 girls' clothing designs, and 50 boys' clothing designs." Mag contemplated momentarily before requesting, "System, you just deducted 10,000 gold coins from me in one go; give me 100 female shoe designs for free. Something like this must be extremely simple for a high-end system like you, right? We have to give them some benefits in this transaction."
"Ding! The order has been confirmed. 150 female shoe designs are being prepared free of charge." The system's voice sounded again.
"Good." A smile appeared on Mag's face as he turned back to Gloria, awaiting her response.
Gloria's mouth was slightly agape as she looked at Mag. She had thought that Mag was going to reject her, but he was giving her a huge surprise. To think that he would be willing to specially design a batch of clothing for her! But what was that about a cost?
It would be simple if he were referring to a monetary cost as she and Mars had already worked out in advance what they were willing to pay for the designs. But if he wasn't referring to money, then could he be asking her... to do something for him? After all, she had never seen his wife before... With that in mind, a blush appeared on Gloria's face as she struggled to rid herself of that train of thought. She turned to Mag, and stuttered, "M-Mr. Mag, thank you for your trust. If you can make designs for us, we will be willing to pay 100 gold coins per design."
After a brief pause, Gloria continued in a slightly embarrassed voice. "However, our textiles shop doesn't have much money at the moment, so I can only purchase five designs at most for now."
"I want to increase the price! What you proposed wasn't the market price at all! This is fraud!" the system roared in Mag's mind.
"System, our deal has already been confirmed. If you go back on your word now, it'll severely impact my trust in you. Integrity is vital for a businessman, and besides, this is only the price that she's offering; I haven't accepted it yet," Mag replied internally. 100 gold coins per design was certainly a show of Gloria's sincerity. She was making one final roll of the dice, bringing out the last reserves of money from the failing textiles shop to take a gamble. This was also quite a show of decisiveness and determination from the young beauty.
Her sensitivity to business opportunities and decisiveness at crucial junctures were both qualities that an outstanding businessman should possess. Mag's impression of Gloria had been completely renewed. At the same time, a plan began to hatch in his mind. He looked into Gloria's earnest yet nervous eyes, and shook his head as he said, "100 gold coins per design is indeed enough to demonstrate your sincerity. However, I want us to collaborate through a different method."
"What do you propose?" Gloria asked with a puzzled look.
"I can give you the designs free of charge for now, but I want 20% of the profit for every piece of clothing you sell made based on my designs," Mag offered with a smile.
"20% of the profit..." Gloria's brows furrowed as she fell into deep thought. Prior to coming here, she had had an extensive talk with Mars, and decided on an upper limit of 150 gold coins on the price that they were willing to pay per design. However, she had never heard of the collaboration method being offered by Mag.
"But Mr. Mag, if this endeavor proves to be unsuccessful, we may not sell that many items of clothing, and the Blue Suede Textiles Shop could close down soon. In that case, you won't be receiving much reimbursement for your efforts." Gloria was rather concerned. She was quite confident in her idea, but it had never been done before, and she didn't want Mag to share the risk with her.
"I trust in your ability, Ms. Gloria. I also have faith that this business model will be the future of the fashion industry." Mag shook his head with a calm expression as he said, "Furthermore, an investment with no risk involved is not a worthy investment to make."
Gloria looked into Mag's eyes and could sense his trust and encouragement. Renewed courage was injected into her conflicted heart as she nodded solemnly, and said, "Alright, I accept this proposal. 20% of the profit made with every item of clothing sold by our textiles shop will belong to you."
"Aside from that, I also have another condition as well as a suggestion," Mag said.
"Please state them," Gloria replied with a nod.
"If you become the leader of the Moreton Family in the future and take over the Chamber of Commerce, I hope you can abolish all of the policies that encourage the discrimination of half-breed beings. That's my condition," Mag said with a serious expression.
Gloria looked at Mag and her eyes gradually lit up. She knew why Mag was stating this condition. The weight of his paternal love was very touching to her, and so she nodded without any hesitation as she replied, "I promise that if I become the president of the Chamber of Commerce someday, I will abolish all of the policies encouraging discrimination against half-breed beings."
A smile reappeared on Mag's face as he continued, "My suggestion is that prior to releasing the lines of clothing, you should make the Blue Suede Textiles Shop an independent entity from the Moreton Family, and make it your own property instead. If you want to become the sole heir to the Moreton Family, then this is the only business that you can rely on. Even if you fail to become the heir of the Moreton Family, you'll still have a revolutionary clothing shop that will make you a renowned businesswoman in Chaos City."
Gloria's eyes lit up even further as she bowed toward Mag, and said, "Thank you. I'll start processing the stock we have straight away. I'll wait for your designs."
"No need to wait. I just so happen to have three designs for autumn clothes. Autumn hasn't passed yet, so take this opportunity to release your first line of clothes." Mag made his way behind the counter and picked out three designs for dresses from the massive pile before handing them over to the stunned Gloria.
"Don't be so surprised; designing clothes is a hobby of mine. The annotations on the designs should be comprehensible to all professional seamstresses. I hope that my designs can become a reality." Mag shrugged with a smile on his face.
"I'll find the best seamstresses and ask them to make the best clothes. I definitely won't bring shame to your designs." Gloria nodded with a serious expression.
A thought suddenly occurred to Mag as he said, "I actually happen to know a very good seamstress. She's a friend of mine, and if you need her help, I can introduce her to work at your shop. One of the three clothing designs requires embroidery, and she's very good in that area."
"That would be great! Please recommend her to come to our Blue Suede Textiles Shop." Gloria's eyes lit up with excitement and elation.
"I'll have to ask for her opinion on the matter first." Mag nodded with a smile. He rose to his feet and extended his right hand with a smile as he said, "It's a pleasure doing business with you."
Gloria also rose to her feet, but faltered slightly at the sight of Mag's outstretched hand. After a brief hesitation, she shook his hand and responded in an extremely quiet voice. "Likewise..."