Gotta Start Early

The next morning, Clark woke up feeling refreshed and focused. He had a lot of work ahead of him, but the plan was simple—understand what they had, learn about their competitors, and introduce something that would set them apart.

After a quick wash and a change of clothes—still the same tunic and trousers, but at least they were clean—he made his way downstairs. The shop was quiet, but Mobirunerk had already gathered the employees in the workspace behind the storefront.

The moment Clark entered, all eyes turned to him. There were five workers in total—three seasoned tailors and two apprentices. The first thing that struck him was that they weren't all human. Three were, but the other two had distinct animal features—one had fox-like ears and a fluffy tail, while the other had feline-like eyes and short, rounded ears atop her head.

"Young master," Mobirunerk called out, his tone formal but warm. "I have gathered the staff as you requested, kyerk. They are eager to meet you."

Clark nodded and took a step forward, scanning their faces. They all looked nervous, likely unsure of what to expect after a month without proper leadership.

"Alright," Clark said in a calm but firm voice. "Let's start with introductions. Tell me your names and your roles in the shop."

A tall, older man stepped forward first. He had a graying beard and calloused hands, showing years of experience. "Master Cornelius—ah, I mean, young master. My name is Gerald, and I am one of the master tailors here. I've been working for your family since before you were born."

Clark nodded, storing the information. A veteran—good.

Next, a middle-aged woman with sharp, calculating eyes stepped forward. She wore a simple, practical dress with an apron over it, likely for working with fabrics.

"I'm Marianne, also a master tailor. I handle more delicate designs, embroidery, and high-end requests."

Clark gave her a nod as well. A specialist in fine details—useful.

The last of the senior tailors stepped forward, a younger man in his late twenties. He had wild brown hair and a more casual demeanor.

"Name's Harold. I specialize in men's clothing—tunics, coats, and boots. Been working here since I was fifteen."

Three masters, each with their specialties. That gave Clark a good picture of their capabilities.

Now came the two apprentices. The first was the fox-like demi-human, a young woman with reddish-brown fur on her ears and a tail that twitched slightly as she bowed.

"I-I'm Elise. I'm still learning, but I work with Lady Marianne to practice embroidery and sewing."

Clark gave her an encouraging nod before turning to the last one. The feline-eared girl was younger than Elise, probably in her mid-teens. Her large, round pupils focused on him as she crossed her arms.

"I'm Rita. I work with Master Harold on patterns and fabric cutting. I plan to be a tailor soon."

Clark smirked at her confidence. "Good. I like the attitude."

With introductions done, he took a moment to look around. The shop's workspace was stocked with rolls of fabric, measuring tools, and mannequins dressed in various outfits. He stepped closer to inspect them.

As expected, the clothing styles were medieval in nature—loose-fitting tunics, simple trousers, dresses with laced bodices, and cloaks. For the wealthier customers, there were doublets (fitted jackets for men), surcoats (long coats often worn over dresses or armor), and embroidered gowns for noblewomen.

Clark ran his fingers over the fabric. The quality was good, but the designs were outdated. There was no sense of comfort or convenience—everything was made for durability or tradition rather than practicality.

He turned back to the group. "Tell me about our major competitors. Who are they, and what are they selling?"

Gerald answered first. "Our biggest rival is Lorenzo & Sons Tailoring. They're located on the main street, closer to the noble district. They specialize in high-fashion garments, often catering to the aristocracy."

Marianne added, "They also have connections to foreign traders, so they get access to finer silks and dyes that we struggle to afford."

Harold crossed his arms. "Then there's Bruno's Clothiers. They focus on affordability—simple clothing for commoners and travelers. They sell in bulk, and their prices are hard to beat."

Clark absorbed the information quickly. Lorenzo & Sons targeted the wealthy elite, while Bruno's Clothiers provided for the masses at low prices. That left his shop somewhere in between—a tailor for the working class and minor nobles. A precarious position.

"Alright," Clark said, his mind shifting into problem-solving mode. "We can't compete with Lorenzo & Sons when it comes to exotic materials, and we can't beat Bruno's Clothiers on price. That means we need to do something neither of them is doing."

The tailors looked at him curiously.

"And I already know exactly what that is," Clark continued with a grin. "Starting today, we're going to introduce a new line of clothing that will change how people dress."

They leaned in, waiting for the big reveal.

Clark folded his arms. "We're going to start making underwear."

A long silence followed.

Gerald blinked. "Underwear, young master?"

Clark nodded. "That's right. Right now, what do people wear under their clothes?"

Marianne hesitated before answering. "Well… common folk wear long linen shirts or simple wraps, while nobles might have finer chemises or under-dresses."

"Exactly," Clark said. "There's no real underwear—no separate garments for comfort, hygiene, and fit. We're going to change that. We'll design fitted undergarments for both men and women, using soft, breathable fabric."

Harold raised an eyebrow. "And… people will actually buy that?"

"They will once they realize how much better it is than what they have now," Clark explained. "We'll make lightweight, comfortable underclothes—something that stays in place, keeps sweat off their outer garments, and makes them feel more at ease all day."

Mobirunerk's tails flicked with interest. "Kyerk… if this works, we will be offering something truly unique."

Clark smirked. "Not just unique—revolutionary. We're going to introduce boxers and briefs for men, and something similar to bloomers or panties for women. As for the upper body, we can work on developing corset alternatives—more supportive but comfortable garments."

Elise and Rita exchanged glances, their ears twitching. "That… actually sounds interesting," Elise murmured. 

"But what does it look like?" Rita asked a reasonable question. 

"About that—give me time to design it," Clark replied. "That will be all, return to your work as usual and tomorrow we will reconvene for the design."