The King reached into his mahogany drawer and pulled out a single sheet of high-quality parchment paper. He slid it across the desk toward me.
I stepped closer, my eyes scanning the document.
It wasn't a decree or a contract of service or some responsibility evading contract like I had thought. It was... a bank account application form? Seriously?
"Sign it," he said, while offering me a sleek, obsidian-colored pen.
This is a form to open a personal account in the Royal Regulus Central bank.
Yes, you read it right. Bank. a fucking Bank! This fantasy world has Banks!
Time for some infodump education, folks!
Yes, this world has banking system. In the Kingdom of Regulus, the financial system operates with a surprising level of similarity to the Earth's system. There was only one central Banking institution, the Central Royal Bank of Regulus (CRBR), with branches scattered across every major province and even some minor ones.
The fun fact is that it has been only a few years since this banking system started in the human nation. And the people who came up with this idea were apparently the king, prime minister and the finance minister. Despite it's Short span, It's spanning network is huge. It has already spread across not Just Regulus but also The world!
Yes, The World! Even the other Nations of the other Races have already imitated this system. I am feeling kind of proud of this king of ours.
when i was a player, I could think of it as a creativity tweak from game devs to make the game more realistic by integrating a real world factor and make the game more efficient for players. But now that this is my real world, i am doubting if one of these people is someone like myself, A reincarnator. It's a Valid doubt, right ?
But that can't be. The banking system existed in the game too. So, It's a part of the game itself and not a butterfly effect by an otherworldly invader like me.
The form was already meticulously filled out with my details: Tyler Von Regulus, Third Prince, Arbutus Palace, Blah Blah Blah etc. Only the signature line remained a void.
The pen he handed me was a Magic-Signature Stylus, filled with mana ink.
Since there is no way of evaluating finger print or eye retina in this world and Handwriting and appearance can easily be imitated, Instead of those unreliable Verification factor, this ink is used. This ink can absorb a bit of mana from the penholder and trap the holder's unique mana frequency in itself.
Then that signature is later used to verify the account holder's identity. Since mana frequency is like fingerprints, Unique to every person. It's Very Efficient, if i might say.
"Why though ?" I asked him. I was actually planning to make one by myself once I became an adventurer. But I did not expect him to prepare it in advance for me. Not one bit.
The Bank is controlled by the Royal family. And as the king, He has full authority over it. So, Opening a new account is as easy as lifting a finger for him, No trouble at all. But the fact that he even remembered and took it into account that I might need it one day in the Future. That fact... Not gonna lie, It's... Heartwarming.
"You might be planning on opening an account after you register as an adventurer" He said
His guess was spot on.
"As an adventurer, your life will depend a lot on your gear, your information, and your mobility and many other things. All of those things cost gold. I will deposit a monthly allowance into this account. It will be yours to use as you see fit once you come of age." he said
Seriously? allowance from the king ? I am getting pocket money now?
I stared at the King, I might be starting to see this man in a whole new light. I can even see an illusionary golden halo around his head.
To think my perception can be changed-no Bought this easily with money.
Sigh... looks like I am still at heart, the same money-hungry corporate slave. I really need to work on my noble dignity.
But then again, why the hell would I refuse free money?
"Understood, Thank you!" I wasted no time and signed the form and returned it quickly, As if i was afraid of him changing his mind at any second, "Here, Done."
The King took the form back, looking at me, momentarily speechless. He seemed surprised—perhaps even a little amused—at how quickly my suspicious attitude had transformed into absolute trust the moment he mentioned the word 'deposit.'
"Then I shall take my leave," I said, bowing with much more enthusiasm than I had when I entered. "I shouldn't be late for my training."
I turned on my heel and practically marched out of the office as if afraid of accidentally showing my emotions on my face, Mike falling into step behind me.
"You seem to be in a good mood, Your Highness," Mike noted.
"Sure am. Let's just say the future looks a little more 'golden' today, Mike."
***
We reached the Thirteenth Field, where Boran and Vivi were already waiting.
"You're here, kid. You even seem happy. Seems like you really love our training yesterday," Boran called out, tossing me a wooden sword, as soon as i came. "Let's see if your lunch has given you enough energy to keep your head on your shoulders today."
Can't i get a freaking break ? and which Masochist in this world would ever love your torture ?
And so, the real work full of pain and sweat, began. For the next five hours, the field was a Mess of sweat, clashing wood, and magic spells. Boran pushed my body until I felt like I was made of glass, while Vivi forced my mind to make increasingly complex spells between the spars.
By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, I was a complete mess of bruises and exhaustion. But unfortunately for me, the day just wasn't over yet.
***
I returned to the Arbutus Palace, took a ten-minute 'recovery' bath, and sat down in the small corner of the library at arbutus palace. My Royal Tutor, Vilas La Wisse, arrived precisely at 7:00 PM.
For the next two hours, my hand that was swinging Sword was now replaced with the Pen. History, law, geography, etiquette and the intricate web of Imperial politics were taught to me in gentle manner which is unlike anything the Brute Boran can ever do.
By 9:00 PM, My lessons were over and I would eat a quiet dinner with Mother, perform my final water-magic bucket practice to improve my control and mana pool, and collapse into a sweet dreamless sleep.
And Just like that, for the next two years, this was the life of Tyler Von Regulus, the transmigrated third prince of Human Nation. A monotonous, brutal, and yet a perfect routine life.
###
"Workers earn it, Spendthrifts burn it, Bankers lend it, Women spend it, Forgers fake it, Taxes take it, Dying leave it, Heirs receive it, Thrifty save it, Misers crave it, Robbers seize it, Rich increase it, Gamblers lose it... I could use it!"
— Poemby Anonymous