The Healing Solaris Cleric

“MID Online... Isn’t that the game you play?”

“You’re saying we should sell clothes there?”

Han Jung-Woo’s parents blinked in confusion as they asked back.

From their perspective, it was only natural to be concerned. With MID Online becoming a global hit, countless industries had attempted to enter the game’s market. Among them, even luxury fashion brands had opened virtual stores. However, none had found significant success yet. Moreover, his parents had never experienced a virtual reality game before, so MID Online was an entirely foreign marketplace to them.

In that regard, Han Ji-Hye, with her younger and more adaptive perspective, proved to be more insightful. “Oh, that actually sounds like a solid idea! My company’s been talking about the same thing. They’re planning to launch a MID Online expansion project team.”

She currently worked at a completely unrelated company rather than their parents’ business.

Their parents raised practical concerns.

“Hm. A market with over a billion players is certainly tempting, but...”

“Even the world’s top luxury fashion brands are struggling there. Could we really succeed?”

Han Jung-Woo smiled as he began correcting their thoughts. “Well, first of all, the fashion industry is making a huge mistake.”

After all, he was one of the most experienced MID Online players in the world. Whether he wanted to or not, he had noticed certain patterns.

“The billion players you mentioned, Dad, targeting all of them is exactly why those brands are failing.”

At the mention of business strategy, his father’s gaze changed. “What do you mean by that?”

Han Jung-Woo, unfazed, continued explaining, “Why do you think people buy luxury brand clothing?”

“Well, to put it simply, it’s emotional spending. A means of boosting self-esteem and a symbol of wealth,” his father answered without hesitation.

He was absolutely right.

“Exactly. Luxury brand clothing is expensive, and just wearing it serves as a status symbol. But what about in a game? Would luxury brands hold the same status in MID Online?”

While his parents remained puzzled, Han Ji-Hye’s eyes widened as she nibbled on a melon slice. “Oh, I get it! In the game, there are way more expensive armors, right?”

“Bingo. Sure, design matters, but what players really care about is stats. No matter how good something looks, if the stats are trash, it’s nothing more than a pretty piece of junk.”

“Hmm... Then doesn’t that mean expanding into MID Online is pointless?”

At his father’s concern, Han Jung-Woo shook his head. “No. Everything changes if we shift our target audience.”

Han Ji-Hye, once again catching on first, exclaimed, “Ah! NPCs!”

“That’s right. NPCs—especially high-status ones—don’t need to worry about stats when choosing their outfits. Their knights wear the high-stat armor for them.”

“So they’re the target market?”

“Yes. But most fashion companies haven’t realized this yet. They still see NPCs as just game code instead of treating them as a new market demographic.”

“Hm...” After a moment of thought, their father asked, “But wouldn’t negotiating with these high-status NPCs be difficult?”

“And we can’t exactly spend all day playing the game ourselves.”

Han Jung-Woo chuckled at their unnecessary worries. “Mom, Dad. Who do you think your son is?”

***

Upon logging into the game, Kai headed straight to his territory which was still under construction, Arkan.

“Wow.”

It had been a while since his last visit, and the city had taken on the appearance of an academy town.

It almost seems complete.

As he passed through the fortress walls, the dwarves working on the construction waved at him.

“Ahahaha! If it isn’t our lord himself!”

“It’s rare to see your face around here!”

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Kai waved back at them as a dwarf overseeing the project approached. “Hehe. So? What do you think?”

“There’s nothing to say. It’s perfect.” Kai’s eyes sparkled as he took in the view of his city. “I’ll take a quick look around. Summon Mimic.”

In an instant, he transformed Mimic into a wyvern and soared the skies, observing the city from above.

“It’s stunning.”

Most of the buildings were made of white marble, accented with gold decorations. The combination of white and gold exuded an unmatched sense of luxury.

“Hmm. That must be the school yard. It’s massive.”

The academy he envisioned wasn’t just a place for books and exams.

Kids should be able to play and move at their age.

Not only was there a swordsmanship training hall for learning martial arts, but also a vast grassy field designated for physical education classes! And that wasn’t all. There was even a luxurious music hall reminiscent of the Sydney Opera House!

“The ones who get to study here are surely blessed.”

The corner of Kai’s lips refused to come down as he admired his city.

“I’m beyond satisfied.”

After soaring around for quite some time, he finally descended in front of the lord’s mansion after thirty more minutes.

Waiting to greet him was the butler, Prescott. “You have returned, my lord.”

“It’s been a while, Prescott.”

“Isn’t it time you spoke to me more casually?”

“Well, I suppose I’ll get there eventually.” Kai smiled as he stepped inside the mansion. “When is the completion date?”

“Only the finishing touches remain. If we pick up the pace, we could be done within a week.”

“As expected of dwarves. Not only are their buildings masterpieces, but their construction speed is also a work of art.”

“There’s a reason they’re called the ones who borrowed the hands of the gods.”

“Then I suppose it’s time to start preparing.”

“Preparing for what, exactly, my lord?”

“The teachers and students. Oh, and the dormitories are ready without issue, correct?”

“Of course. It may be improper to speak of an institution of learning in such terms, but Arkan will generate an immense amount of gold each month.”

“Well, no one complains about making money. That’s good to hear.”

Kai began checking off the tasks he needed to handle.

Hire the instructors... recruit students...

Then, a grin unconsciously crept up his face.

There’s one thing every academy must have.

Just like in every middle and high school in South Korea, an academy simply wasn’t complete without uniforms.

If I let them wear casual clothes, every day will turn into a social gala.

Not only the men but also the women would wear extravagant dresses, and in that setting, those with fewer financial resources would undoubtedly feel small.

Uniforms won’t eliminate that issue entirely, but they should help mitigate it.

On top of that, they would need gym uniforms for physical education.

Kai planned to entrust all of these clothing designs to his parents.

I get free uniforms and gym wear for the students, and my parents get a chance to start their business in MID Online.

Arkan Academy was meant to invite the finest talents from all over the continent. Naturally, most of the students would come from the highest-ranking noble families, and if they found the academy’s clothing to be of high quality?

From that point on, business will take care of itself.

Envisioning a bright future, Kai downed the rest of his tea and rose from his seat.

“Are you already planning to leave?”

“There’s a lot to do. I’ll be busy again for a while.”

Opening an academy required far more detailed preparation than he had initially expected.

“Where will you be heading now?”

“Hmm... I’ll start by looking for teachers and sorting out the uniform issue.”

With a grin, Kai vanished from the spot.

Shrugging, Prescott began clearing away the teacup Kai had left behind.

“He is truly elusive.”

***

Kai’s first stop in recruiting instructors was none other than the Information Guild. It was an organization found in most well-established cities, specializing in gathering and selling intelligence.

If you have money, you can buy both time and information here.

Of course, one needed a lot of money. Fortunately, Kai was classified as a VVIP client. After all, he had a lot of money.

As he approached the guild’s building, the guild branch manager was already waiting outside, bowing in greeting, “It is an honor to serve you.”

“How did you know I would be coming?”

“I didn’t,” the branch manager replied confidently. “But just in case, I decided to come out and wait.”

Kai couldn’t help but clap at the branch manager’s remarkable sense of service. “Incredible. I’m actually a little moved.”

“It is an honor.”

Kai knew full well that the reason they treated him so well was because of his wealth. Because of that, he saw no reason to reject their hospitality.

Following the branch manager, he went up to the guild’s highest floor, where they conversed over a cup of high-quality tea.

“May I ask the purpose of your visit today?”

The question was essentially asking whether he was there to sell or purchase information.

“I’d like to buy some information.”

“We will provide you with the best we have.”

“You’re aware that I’m building a new academy, correct?”

“You must be referring to the Arkan territory.”

As expected, there was nothing the guild didn’t know.

“I want to hire teachers who will teach the students there.”

“What level of instructors are you looking for?”

“I want an academy where just hearing the teachers’ names will make people want to enroll.”

“You seek only the best. Understood.”

After a brief moment of thought, the branch manager picked up what resembled a communication device and spoke into it. “Send up the documents for TC-32.”

—Understood.

Moments later, a small transport device embedded in the wall delivered a box filled with parchment scrolls.

“Please specify which subjects these instructors should cover.”

“All subjects, except those related to religion.”

“Understood.” The branch manager swiftly scanned through the documents, handpicking the finest candidates. “There are those who have already retired from academia, as well as individuals currently at the peak of their careers.”

“Hm...”

Kai slowly nodded as he examined the documents handed to him. Among them were retired sages, as well as figures widely regarded as geniuses in their respective fields.

“Not bad. Though, I see it would cost quite a bit to hire them.”

“No matter who you choose, you won’t regret it.”

“Pardon? Choose?” Kai asked back, his eyes widened.

The branch manager tilted his head in confusion, and asked, "Isn't it enough to hire just one teacher per subject?"

“What if a teacher catches a cold? And we don’t even know how many students will enroll, so why would I hire only one teacher per subject?”

“Then...”

“All of the teachers listed in these documents—I’ll hire them all.”

The branch manager’s mouth gaped open in shock. “Th-That’s ridiculous! If you go through with this, just the hiring costs for the teachers alone will amount to nearly 50,000 gold!”

“50,000 gold?” Kai smiled brightly. “That’s cheaper than I expected.”