Money (2)
Thanks to Lord and Lize's help, opening my bank account wasn't difficult at all. The bank manager, who rushed over in a fluster at their sudden appearance(?), was a bit pitiful, but I had no other choice.
However, we couldn't increase the limit on Kara's account. It seemed politically sensitive, leaving everyone in an awkward spot. This was something everyone understood, and Kara accepted it without issue, so it passed smoothly.
"Can't be helped. Our people have caused a lot of trouble, after all. Banking's only been introduced recently, so it's best to take it slow."
"Use mine?"
If that's the case, wouldn't it be better to share? I didn't think Kara would do anything shady with my account. She'd keep it safe—definitely no losses on my end.
"This guy's idea won't fly because of regulations. Right?"
"Yes. You can't use someone else's account without proper procedures. We issued two passbooks precisely so you can check for any unknown transactions yourself."
Financial laws were indeed extremely strict. There was no way around this.
As I inwardly lamented, the bank teller glanced nervously elsewhere with a tense expression. With all the accounts set up, Lord and Lize were chatting off to the side. The teller's gaze was fixed right on them.
Clearing his throat, the teller slowly began to explain.
"However, if family relations are proven, usage is permitted. Lady Lize and Lord are special cases, so they could use Sivar's account."
"Family...?"
Kara muttered awkwardly, latching onto the word. I wasn't particularly interested. Apparently, Lize and Lord were seen as my parental figures. It wasn't entirely wrong, so I didn't deny it.
"Is there anything else you need?"
"You said family... does that mean...?"
"It has to be on official documents."
"...I see."
No documents, no dice. My situation was unique.
In the end, I decided to manage the passbooks myself. Even when I asked Kara, she flatly refused, citing the law.
I wasn't sure if she trusted my frugal spending or if she was just meticulous with money. Or maybe managing it herself wouldn't make much difference anyway.
"Wouldn't it be best if the Saintess holds one account? You're living together anyway."
"That sounds good."
Instead, we decided to entrust one to Lize. I could trust her like Kara.
Interestingly, Lize didn't have her own account. Having lived as a wandering ronin her whole life before settling down, her spending was surprisingly lavish. Lord was similar.
"Then, President. Where do you keep your salary? Surely not all in cash?"
"It's more like sponsorship funds than a salary. I get a check for 1 million silver a month."
"Why so much... No, is that cheap?"
1 million silver to keep the 'Sword Saint' planted at the academy was a bargain. No one in the academy could guarantee victory even if they all swarmed him. As the ultimate bastion and deterrent, it was cheap at half the price.
"Lady Saint... No, what am I saying? Anyway, we'll take our leave."
"You said you're auctioning the Usk byproducts? That should bring in quite a sum."
At the mention of a large influx of money, the bank teller's gaze shifted—not to anyone else, but noticeably. Still, with Lord and Lize there, he hesitated to speak up.
I'd have to visit again later for savings anyway, so we could talk then.
'Santia's still running smoothly, after all.'
The financial world started in the city of science, Santia, and naturally revolved around it. Like America on Earth—not a superpower, but due to minting technology.
In the old days, people scraped silver coins on the ground for powder or shaved them with knives, devaluing them in all sorts of ways. But this world's silver coins were different. Like Earth's coins, their edges were ridged, preventing such tricks.
This naturally boosted Santia's finance industry. Even silver production started there.
"Once the auction ends, come back to the bank... Ah, right. Sivar."
"?"
"I'll give you some cash when we get back. Buy whatever you want with it."
On the way to the auction house after parting ways, Kara said this while planning ahead. It was my money anyway, so I nodded.
Time to grab some tasty treats.
Kara found my reaction cute and pinched my cheek lightly. But she didn't forget to warn me.
"Just don't spend too much. Prices here are cheap, but blowing it all will empty your pockets fast."
"Yeah."
"Good. Oh, and don't give money to strangers who approach you. Also..."
She was so earnest. I listened intently to her advice as we headed to the auction house.
'What if I pretend to get scammed later, just to see?'
The Usk auction didn't end as quickly as expected. Word had spread worldwide, drawing crowds.
Usk weren't just prized for their blade tusks—their tough hides fetched high prices too. Internal organs served as alchemy and potion materials, dragging the auction out.
"Blade tusks at 2.8 million, 2.9 million. 3 million. 3.5 million. 3.5 million. No more bids?"
The blade tusks alone went for 3.5 million silver—500,000 more than Kara predicted. After auction fees, about 3.37 million. An enormous fortune landed in Sivar's hands.
"If you've opened an account, please write down the number."
"Password too?"
"No need."
Right after opening the account, nearly 3.4 million silver poured in. In won, that was 340 million. Money-savvy Kara was floored, but Sivar seemed nonchalant. He still didn't grasp its value.
"Sivar. Do you know how much this is?"
"Roughly?"
"You could eat cake once a day for life and not finish it."
"Oh."
Her analogy hit home, drawing an awed exclamation from Sivar. Kara burst out laughing at how cute he was.
Just to be safe, they returned to the bank to confirm the amount. Same teller as before.
"Would you like to open a deposit or savings account?"
"Explain in detail. He knows nothing."
"Understood. Deposits and savings work like this..."
The teller explained interest rates, special promotions, and so on. Basically, save and watch it grow.
Sivar listened silently, face blank. No interest whatsoever.
His response after all that? Short and sweet.
"Later."
"That's his answer."
"Got it."
The teller and Kara thought the same: he's mulling it over since it's complex.
But not Sivar. His interest had long shifted elsewhere. He planned to invest when the time was right, though he couldn't say it yet.
"Farewell."
After the teller's send-off, they stepped outside. Kara checked the time immediately. The auction ran long, making it awkward. Still plenty for Sivar's snack time.
"Sivar. Hungry for something sweet?"
"Yeah. Sweet stuff."
"Here, 10,000 silver. Should be plenty. Get whatever looks tasty."
Kara handed Sivar 10,000 silver. He rolled his eyes, gauging her. He seemed to know it was a big sum—or maybe because it was from her.
Either way, it warmed her heart. She patted his back encouragingly.
"You need to learn spending now. Go eat something yummy. Spend it all if you want."
"For real?"
"Yeah. For real."
Her firm nod lifted the corners of Sivar's mouth ever so slightly. He was already excited about the treats.
But Kara grew uneasy watching. The academy attracted all sorts. Rumors hadn't spread yet, but scammers might come eventually—or today.
That's why she let him go alone: to test it.
"I'm off."
"Yeah. Ignore any weirdos!"
As Sivar headed for food, Kara watched his back. She didn't return to the dorm right away.
Once he was a safe distance, she tailed him discreetly. Checking his spending and for shady approaches—two birds, one stone.
No way she wouldn't worry.
'Hope he just eats and leaves.'
Kara followed at a distance, scanning surroundings for suspects. Luckily, no rumors meant no one approached.
Sivar snacked on candy and ice cream midway—handling himself fine, against her fears.
'Worried for nothing?'
No one exploited his kind(?) nature. Kara wondered if she was too cynical.
"Huh? Sivar? What're you doing alone?"
"...Hm?"
Until Ellie appeared out of nowhere.
Kara's face hardened instantly upon seeing her with Sivar. She couldn't say why—just a strong gut feeling of unease.
To Ellie, it was pure coincidence while herb-hunting.
"Tasty stuff."
"Eating treats alone?"
"Yeah. Got money."
"Money? Oh, the auction today? How much?"
Ellie stuck right to Sivar's side naturally. Kara's mood plummeted.
Bad enough already, but what followed poured salt in the wound.
"Looks yummy. Where'd you get it?"
"Want one?"
"Really? It's okay?"
"Yeah. Still got plenty."
Sivar bought Ellie ice cream. Delighted by his kindness, she beamed.
Kara's mood nosedived in response.
She considered intervening... but hesitated.
'...Why do I feel so pathetic?'
She felt pathetic just watching from afar. Like the Eastern proverb: feeding the dog after the rice is gone.
She gave it for Sivar's sake, yet Ellie snatched it up.
'Spending like it's not his own.'
Not true. Ellie always refused before, but Sivar insisted— even bringing up past candy. Irresistible offer, leading to this cozy scene.
'Haa... Gotta stick close from now on.'
Kara sighed inwardly, resolving herself. Still, she kept tailing them. Wanted to turn away, but her feet wouldn't move.
Very uncharacteristic for her straightforward self.
Whatever. Sivar roamed, munching ice cream without diabetes worries.
"?"
For whatever reason, it was a sweetly eventful day in many ways.