I stood within the only bank that the town of Kenith had, it was where everyone managed their money. My grandparents also had money in this bank but the money had most likely transferred into my account following their deaths.
"Welcome to Estelle Nova Banking Group! How may I help you today?" A young woman in the bank's uniform asked me.
This bank was special due to how money was managed here. Every customer had an account tied to their Iks using a specialized invocation called Blutweber. Every branch of Estell Nova used this invocation. Some branches also had their own gimmicks but that was only if the city they resided in had some fad everyone loved.
I didn't even want to consider how the capital's bank operated. Just the thought of some super secret rich gambling ring or horse races made me shiver in jealousy. Wasting such money on petty things, I could almost feel myself bleeding from they eyes in jealousy.
There was another interesting thing about the Blutweber invocation.
The invocation worked using your unique blood signature to keep track of your vitals. If you passed away, depending on how your will was executed, your money would be placed towards whatever investments were advised following your death. If there was no immediate family to take the money then the government would confiscate it until a distant relative was found.
My grandparents had kept an account with over one hundred thousand Nokt so it would be best to make sure their funds weren't mismanaged. I didn't know until recently that I found out they left their account to me in their will. It felt weird, receiving something mere days after they had died but I didn't want to spit on their last wishes.
"I'd like to check the deposit and withdrawal history of my account." I told the bank teller.
She disappeared into the room behind the counter for a few minutes before returning shortly after. In her hands was a small booklet with my name in big text. Usually the booklets were made of low quality material but this one seemed to have a better look.
'Have they improved the material for their documents?'
The paper looked like it was high quality, made from the finest wood. I could tell, even from two paces away, that the paper was smooth to the touch. Instead of the standard white color from weak materials, this parchment had a nice yellow color the contrasted the black ink on it.
"Here you are, sir!" She exclaimed happily while handing me the ledger.
I gave my best polite smile as I took the booklet and made my way towards one of the nearby tables. I'd like to see how much I had and what I would have to budget.
I would also need to make sure Cecilia gets the money she deposited back…
'Alright let's see here…'
Last Deposit: 71,052,871 N < Nectens Family Account
Last Withdrawal: None
My breath hitched as I noticed the last deposit. This was the nail in the coffin. My grandparents' money wouldn't have been transferred if they hadn't died. I ignored the aching pain in my chest before deciding to check the current balance. Last time I checked, my account had about thirty thousand Nokt.
I wasn't sure if it would be a lot since my interest was only thirty percent on my account. At best, I estimated there was about fifty thousand Nokt in my account.
Current Balance: 71,224,638 N
Ledger Note: Interest calculations already included
With this amount of money, I could live pretty comfortably while travelling.
'Comfortably? I could live like a damn king!'
I could see a smaller version of myself dancing around in my head while looking at the amount in my account. I could afford a small house in the capital with this amount of money. This amount was only going to go up with my plans.
Especially with the interest on my account. Thirty percent interest was more impactful than I had ever considered. I had managed to save one hundred seventy thousand Nokt at that rate. I was truly lucky.
I noticed there was also a pending deposit of fifty Nokt to my grandparents account that would now be heading to mine. That was strange but the note under the transaction was even more strange.
'Wait,' I paused my reading once I noticed what I thought was a mistake. 'Surely this is a mistake?'
I looked closer and realized that someone had been depositing fifty Nokt into their account for the past fifteen years to go with their already high income. I examined the deposit further to find a note.
Auto-Deposit: Enabled
Amount Received: 50 N
Duration: 200 years
What the hell?! With that duration added to my account along with my interest and then add on my current balance…
If it was fifty Nokt every month, and it started fifteen years ago, what would that be with interest added to the account? What was the interest on my grandparents account?
'What in Reina's sweet mercy?!'
The interest on my grandparents account was sixty percent. That shouldn't be possible! Even my thirty percent was a promotional offer for a single lucky customer and I won that by the skin of my teeth!
Who was the person adding Nokt into my account every month, though? They were wasting such a high investment by having it set to auto deposit. I'd try and find out later but I didn't have the time to do it today.
I was set for life no matter what. No wonder that lady had been treating me so nicely.
'I should make sure there aren't any errors, though.'
I double checked for any mistakes before turning towards the lady at the counter.
She was staring at me with that polite smile still plastered on her face. It all made sense now. Most bank clients with this much money are treated well.
I sighed in disbelief before checking the deposits one more time. I had given Cecilia access to this account because she wanted to contribute to "our" dream. Now, I realized I had been the only ever deadset on leaving this village. Not a single deposit or withdrawal was in her name.
I approached the desk again with my ledger and offered it back to the polite woman.
"I'd like to remove the access of this person." I said while marking Cecilia's name.
There would be no need for her to have access to my funds since she never used it anyway. The woman nodded while writing something down in the ledger before looking at me again.
"Would you like to try out one of our banks' newer financial tools?" She asked while pulling out a silver bracelet and a needle. "It uses Blutweber to tie your Iks to your account while working with a new invocation to automatically use funds."
It seemed convenient and I didn't really want to carry all of this money on hand…
"It's a very small fee of three hundred Nokt and your money will always remain in your safe!" She pushed.
I could tell she really wanted me to get it. I guess she got a commission for doing this?
"Sure, why not?" I replied.
We went through the entire process of tying my blood and Iks to the silver bracelet while keeping my safe secured and connected. I was also informed that the teller I worked with would now be assigned to my account.
How clever of her.
Once I made sure to have all of my final proceedings finished, I made my way towards the East gate. This gate led to the border but there was also a town that provided instant transportation near the capital.
'From Orneo, I can hitch a ride on a ship that will take me to the capital.'
Public warping stations were scarce due to the power output required to maintain them. Only businesses and government affiliated institutions, like the bank, could use them under the scrutiny of the government.
I took a deep breath as I stopped at the gate entrance. Double checking the holster on the back of my waist, I made sure my baselards were still there before checking the scepter holstered on my left side. I also made sure the bracelet was attuned to my glove which would make sure it doesn't fall off. I mentally noted to keep an eye out for a backpack when I reached the next town.
'Well, this is it.'
Taking a look back, I realized that this would be the last time I ever saw my home. Part of me wanted to turn back, to stay, but I knew I couldn't now. Not after all the resources that had been spent on my two bit dream.
'This is goodbye for now, my home.'
While walking along the path that led away from town, I reminisced about the better days. I felt like an old man at the end of his life.
With these hands, I would kill the me who was weak.
'With these hands, Ithrow the ashes of the past into the wind.'
With my back turned, I waved farewell to the town where it all had begun.