[Aiden's POV]
After we finished our breakfast and I explained my aims to Seraphine, she vowed in front of me as my maid, promising to follow me. I felt genuine happiness that someone, even if maybe she had some problems before summoning and now had to live under a new master, joined me in my crusade.
I had gained such a powerful partner in this path of bringing my dream as a kid to real life. I immediately answered her oath, "I accept."
For the time since she was summoned, there was a smile on her face. She stood up and sat back in her chair.
"Now I have to get registered as a cultivator to enter dungeons and portals and move around more freely. You would also need an identity card, but regarding our condition, going to the Cultivators Association would not be ideal." I commented.
"Are you running from someone, Master Aiden? If there is someone after your life, please inform me beforehand so I could eradicate them," Seraphine spoke, ending with a cruel expression on her face.
"No, it's nothing like that, but I don't want vultures on us when I am starting to work towards my goal. Especially as I am known as the exiled young master with no future in cultivation. If I suddenly registered myself as awakened and with such stats, I would be painting a target on my back." I explained.
"Oh...okay, master. I would follow your directions, but please tell me if there are any enemies targeting you currently." Seraphine insisted.
"Yeah, sure, don't worry; technically I don't have any enemy currently, but you should still keep an eye out. I am already amazed that elders of Arclight Clan haven't made a move or done anything." I answered.
"Well, I don't have anything to pack, and you are also empty-handed. So I guess I should say goodbye to this hotel room," I commented, and we left the room.
Seraphine was trailing behind me, so I called her to travel in equal with me. After paying my dues at the inn, I was left with 10 B-rank mana stones.
We travelled on foot towards the only bank that has equal authority in terms of the Cultivators Association and its identification; it is equally valid all over the Aetherionis without question. The bank, which is a world-level power in itself, is Astryx Reserve Bank.
On the way, we talked with each other, and Seraphine also felt at ease talking with me. I told her my life story in short, and she was infuriated, to say the least. She was practically fuming and looked like she would attack anybody if they just mentioned Arclight's name.
I calmed her and told her my thoughts on the matter; I wouldn't actively seek animosity with them, but if they stand in my dream, then confrontation would be a surety, and then she is free to do what she wants.
We reached in front of a building that was standing out from all the buildings in the surroundings.
The structure was shining with luster like it had never known dust. There were glass panels in front, giving it an advanced look. The name Astryx Reserve Bank was visible on a black stone on the entry door.
At the gate, guards stood in the front; I could instinctively feel their cultivation level of the master realm, but I didn't feel any threat from them.
We entered without any problem; I was half expecting guards to stop us because to even open an account in this bank, you need to have a decent amount of money.
I looked around and noticed a counter related to account opening. I walked towards it; Seraphine followed.
I reached the counter and addressed it, "Hello, I would like to open a bank account."
The attendant at the counter was a rarely seen rabbit-folk; she eyed us for a second and answered, "Welcome, customer, to the Astryx Reserve Bank. To open a Standard account at the Astryx, you would need a minimum account balance of 1000 B-rank or 100 A-rank Mana stones."
"I wanted to open a Sovereign account," I presented my choice.
The attendant looked a bit perplexed; she didn't think someone like me wearing shabby commoners' clothes would even know about this type of account.
However, being an employee, she quickly composed herself and spoke in a stern voice, "Customer, I don't know from where you heard this term, but perhaps do you know the required minimum balance to open a Sovereign account?"
"Yeah, some S-rank mana stones," I nonchalantly answered. I was confident due to recently gained mana stones in the dungeon. Every floor clear gave me 2 S-rank mana stones, totalling up to 18 stones.
{A/N: I will be using stones in place of mana stones, mostly.}
"The required amount of S-rank stones is 25. If the customer has the desired amount, then we can proceed further; otherwise, I would request the customer to not waste the bank's precious time." She gave an ultimatum.
I asked the system internally, 'How many stones would I get from the reward chest of the dungeon?'
[I don't know the exact amount, Host. Would you like to open the chest currently?]
'Here, I don't want to cause any scene by opening the chest here,' I replied.
[You need not worry, host. I can open the chest internally and show you the content of the chest.]
'Okay, open it then,' I immediately agreed.
[You have opened an S-rank reward chest]
[Reward obtained:] (All rewards are S-rank)
Overdrive Fist (Skill)
S-rank Mana stones ×10
Core of Vorzak (crafting material)
Obsidian knuckle guards (equipment)
Obsidian crystal (crafting material)
'Ohh...nice, finally better equipment, although I wanted to try hitting something bare-fisted after evolution,' I exclaimed inwardly.
"Would the account be opened here or someplace else?" I asked after some silence.
"Wait a few moments until I call for the manager. Only he has the authority here to open a Sovereign account." She answered as she got up from her counter.
As she left, Seraphine spoke, "She is not a proper professional master, Aiden. She was judging every word you spoke."
"It's just how this world is, Seraphine," I answered.
"I guess some things never change wherever you go," Seraphine commented.
"Welcome, esteemed customer, to the Astryx Reserve Bank." A voice came from the side, followed by the appearance of a middle-aged-looking man.
"I am Ryuk Sermen, the branch manager, and pleased to have your acquaintance." He introduced himself.
The attendant was also trailing behind him. I nodded in response.
"Please follow me to the guest room to open your account." He politely requested.
We followed behind him to a room with a sofa for seating. He gestured for us to sit.
As I sat down, Seraphine was about to walk to stand behind me, but I signaled her immediately. It looked like she would refuse, but then she saw the seriousness in my eyes and complied to sit beside me.
The manager asked in a polite tone, "Would the esteemed customer tell us his name?"
I replied, "Aiden."
"Oh..."
=================
[AN: Please leave your thoughts about like and dislikes of the story till now. It will help me in tune my writing better. You can also support the chapters through Powerstone.]