21 Banking (2/2)

My teacher nodded as she put the coins into her pouch.

”How do we know that the coins counter is accurate?” I asked her.Back on Earth, one particular bank got in trouble for having defective coins counting machines that miscounted coins and often resulted in undercounting customer deposits.

”Honestly, we don't,” she replied and quickly held up a paw.”But, if that were to happen, customers can complain to the Watch and ask them to investigate such allegations.And it would very simple to confirm the accuracy of the coins counters.Remember, the Watch have access to truth stones; any bank teller who tampers with the coins counter and then lies under oath will die.Very few people, even humans, would be foolish enough to risk an investigation under oath.”

I quickly thought of another question.”If I go to a bank in another town, would I be able to get access to my money?”

”Of course,” Kalistra replied.”We are standing inside the Bank of Britannia.There is a member branch of this bank in every town or city on this continent.However, a small village wouldn't have a bank; frankly, villagers are usually too poor to have many coins saved up.”

”But how would one branch be informed of the deposit made at another branch?” I asked.

”The ledger that keeps your account updated is accessible to all branches,” she answered.

”Oh!So the ledger is connected to some kind of magical database or the ledger could even act like a string under string theory!” I exclaimed in understanding.Magic is starting to make sense now!

”Huh?” the cat girl looked at me in confusion.

”Just something from back home,” I grinned.”It's not important.”I pointed at the lock boxes on the right side of the room.”What about those boxes?Would I be able to get access to my stuff at other branches if I store them here?” I asked.

Kalistra hissed.”I don't know if you're playing a stupid game or being serious.If you leave something here, you will need to return to this particular branch to pick up your item.The lock boxes are rentals and if you don't pay the rental fee then your access to the lock box is canceled; the contents will be placed on the auction block and whatever is received from selling the items will be credited to your account in the ledger,” she explained.

”That is . . . disappointing,” I said quietly.Whoever created this gaming world apparently wanted to inject some degree of realism into the environment.Would it hurt that much to not worry about storage of coins and gear?

I walked over to a lock box and examined it more closely.There was a small handle to pull it out of the drawer.Underneath the handle was a small white stone; there was no keyhole.”How come there's no key?” I asked.

”You see that small white stone?It's an identifier stone just like the one over at the bank teller window.You push your thumb or another finger against it to confirm you are the owner of the lock box, and then the lock will be released,” my teacher explained.She pointed at the desk with a clerk at the back, next to the stairs.”If you wish to rent a lock box you talk to that employee to arrange it and choose the size of the box that you wish to rent.Once you have taken possession of the lock box, you can make your rental payment over at the teller window,” she continued.

Seeing no further question from me, the cat girl said, ””It's time to go!”She grabbed my right arm and started dragging me out of the bank.

When we left the bank, I said, ”Stop!”

Kalistra released my arm and folded her arms across her chest.”What now?Do you really want papa to punish us for being late?”

I shook my head.”No, I just want to try to locate the dojo on my own.I need to practice my Navigation-Sense.Please allow me to lead,” I explained.

My teacher's eyes gleamed.”You don't have that ability,” she said.”Or, at least you didn't have it when I last looked at your player status yesterday,” she corrected herself.”Please party with me,” she requested.

I quickly hit ”Yes” on the ensuing pop-up.

When Kalistra read my player screen, her eyes bulged.”What in the name of Kallimon happened to you since you left the dojo?” she demanded to know.She looked me up and down intently as if seeing me in a different light.

”Huh?” I looked at her in surprise.”I went straight home and ate dinner in my room.Amelica took me to visit the Lucky Shrine this morning before work.I gave a big donation and the priestess gave me a simple blessing,” I recounted my recent activities.

Kalistra muttered, ”Stupid human,” under her breath.She looked around and saw that the streets were starting to fill up with pedestrians.”Okay, we'll talk more about it when we get to the dojo.I'll let you lead and practice your innate ability.With any luck, you may be able to raise your ability and gain experience, too.”

”Thank you,” I said and started proceeding southward.