Aiden reached the nearest branch of Asterix International Bank in ten minutes by carriage.
He paid his fare to the driver and entered the bank.
He approached one of the staff members, a middle-aged man.
"How can I help you, sir?" the staff asked.
"I want to check my account status and deposit some money," Aiden replied.
"Sir, please give me your card."
Aiden had already taken out the card from his bracelet and handed it over. The card was golden with VVIP written on it.
The staff seemed surprised and quickly examined it. "Sir, please wait in the waiting room. The manager will be here shortly," he said.
He then contacted the manager, speaking quietly, but Aiden didn't catch the words as he went to the waiting room.
After a minute, the manager arrived.
He seemed to be in his fifties and carried a Workstation, inspired by Nathaniel Astoria's computer.
"Hello, sir," the manager greeted politely. Aiden knew exactly why—after all, he was a duke's son.
"Hello," Aiden replied, and they both took their seats.
The manager began, "We've improved our system and issued new cards with advanced magic-science technology."
He took out two cards. "This is your old card, and we will replace it with this new one."
He handed the new card to Aiden and instructed, "Sir, please channel your mana into the card."
"Okay…" Aiden said, and as he channeled his mana, the card began to glow.
The manager then inserted the card into the Workstation, typed a few commands, and said, "Your account is active. You have a total of 3,205 gold coins."
He continued, "Sir, how much money would you like to deposit?"
After a moment of thought, Aiden replied, "5,000 gold coins." He counted the coins and handed them over.
The manager received the money, noted it in the Workstation, and said, "Sir, your total bank balance is now 8,205 gold coins."
He handed the new card back to Aiden. "When you channel your mana into this card, you can pay at any store. You can also temporarily transfer ownership to another person using this button."
He showed the button to Aiden, adding, "You must channel your mana first, then select the person you want to give temporary ownership to."
Aiden listened, intrigued by this new system.
He stood up and said, "Thank you for your services. I will be taking my leave now." He stored the card in his bracelet.
The manager also stood and said, "It's my pleasure. Have a good day, sir."
Aiden left the bank.
He began walking along the side of the road. Soon, he saw an ice cream shop and bought one for one bronze coin. He paid one silver coin, and the shop owner returned nine bronze coins.
The ice cream was smooth and creamy, melting softly on the tongue the moment it touched.
Its pale, glossy surface hinted at its rich texture.
The flavor was fresh and comforting, leaving a cool sensation that lingered pleasantly.
Aiden quickly finished his ice cream and resumed walking.
Suddenly, he bumped into someone, as if the person had appeared out of thin air.
____
A drunkard in his early thirties was walking by the road.
He noticed an extremely handsome young man with sky-blue hair and deep blue eyes, clearly unaware of his own striking appearance.
The drunkard smirked, disappeared from his spot, and deliberately bumped into him.
____
Aiden quickly apologized. "I'm sorry for my clumsiness," he said.
The drunkard looked disheveled, with messy hair and wrinkled clothes,
yet beneath it, his handsome features were evident.
"You don't need to apologize," the drunkard slurred, swaying slightly. "I'm quite drunk right now…"
Aiden turned to leave, but the drunkard said, "Uh… young man, can you answer a question for me?" His pitiful expression made Aiden pause.
"Okay…" he replied.
The drunkard asked, "What is the meaning of life… life… or what is life?"
Aiden was surprised. He had expected drunkards to ask silly or emotional questions, like "Why did she leave me?", but not a question like this.
The drunkard looked serious, though…
Aiden thought deeply… He wasn't a philosopher, but he had read similar questions in several books. He decided to answer in his own way:
"Does it even have a correct answer? Many people experience life differently… what gives meaning to one may not matter to another. Life is existence, natural as it comes… and one might understand life only in the moments before death… this question has no clear answer… and life… perhaps life itself has no fixed meaning… it is simply an opportunity to create our own…"
The drunkard "..."
Clearly wasn't expecting this kind of answer.
He had meant to play a prank from the start, but this answer completely caught him off-guard.