"So, what's first on the list of things we need to do to prove your innocence?"
Going back to present time, Kurt and Dominik were currently walking on the main road to the commercial district.
"Funny how you're the one who's asking me. Aren't you the government official who should be doing the investigating?" Kurt asked as he gave Dominik the side eye.
"I just want to see if you have a plan. I mean you did willingly let yourself get taken in and all that. That could only mean that you're confident in the fact that you know you're not in the wrong!" He winked and snapped his fingers.
"Right you are my dear Wattson." He smiled.
"Wattson?"
"..... Nevermind." 'Am I even surprised anymore?' Kurt rolled his eyes.
"You can be weird sometimes, you that Kurt?"
"You call it weird; I call it tasteful."
"Riiight… tasteful. So, tell me where we're headed. Judging from the path we've taken, are we going shopping or something?"
"Kind of. Before we begin the snooping, I need to sort some things out first." He slapped his thigh pocket, and the sound of coins could be heard. "I need to open a bank account. Walking around with these pouches seems quite primitive, don't you agree?"
"Ah yes. One of the many weird things about you. Walking around with TWO pouches filled with coins. I bet if the bloody crazy man incident didn't happen, we would've met at the prefect station, where you would be crying to me about how you got robbed of your money, ahaha!"
"No, if that happened you would've been on a missing person case. Catch is you'll never know it was me nor would you find the body."
"Ahaha-..." Dominik abruptly stopped laughing. "You're kidding right?"
"Yep."
"Oh phew…" He relaxed. "That's some sense of humor you got."
'Yeah, I'd probably kill that person, leave his mangled body in broad daylight with a bloody note that reads "I stole money and got what I deserved," and you'd still never know it was me. Heh, nice.'
After walking for a while, they finally arrived at the bank.
"Wait for me out here." Kurt said. "Hopefully this shouldn't take long."
"Sure thing. I'll be waiting over there." Dominik pointed at a fountain.
Kurt nodded once and entered the branch.
Once inside he got himself a waiting ticket and sat next to all but one person.
'Good thing this place is so empty. Must be because it's a weekday and it's 4pm.' He thought when looking at his phone.
At the receptionist desk an old man slowly trotted to his seat and called for the next customer which, obviously, was the person next to him.
When he moved one seat forward, he noticed something on the wall that he never really thought about, since he was always so caught up in things. Until now that is.
'Is that… the world map?'
It was the map of the world, and it was unlike anything Kurt had ever seen.
To the left of the map, both bottom halves of South America and Africa were merged together with the bottom chunk of North America to create Eldoria
At the center of the map, the top halves of South America and Africa were merged together and were called Eden.
At the center top of the map, the rest of North America and most of Europe merged together to create Tricea.
To the right of the map, the rest of Europe and nearly the whole of Asia got the Japan treatment and were split into many islands. These islands together were called Riverton.
Lastly at the bottom left of the map, The aforementioned islands of Japan got merged with Australia and a small piece of the Antarctic to create Myria.
The rest of Antarctica, which got split into many islands of its own, was simply called The Ice Lands.
'What… the actual HELL happened to the world?! How is there still a planet left to live on!? Was this because of the invasion war or those seven other wars Dominik mentioned? I'm so confused. Didn't studies show that something like this should only happen hundreds of millions of years from now??'
Kurt stood with his hands to the wall as he stared at the map. Sweat poured down his head, his throat felt dry and his heart started pounding.
'I knew things were bad, but this? Who even came up with these cringy fantasy names!?'
He looked at where Riverton was and where Eldoria is, 'So that's where old man Willy thought I came from… Asia and Europe got merged and split into many islands. That's so messed up.'
Kurt quickly looked around to see if anyone was watching him. When the coast was clear he grabbed his phone and snagged a picture of the map.
'Only 25% battery left. I need to find a way to charge this up.'
"Next customer please. Ticket number 045." The old man called.
'That's me.' Kurt calmed down and put his phone away.
"Good afternoon young man." The old man greeted when Kurt took a seat in front of him. "How may I help you?"
"Good afternoon senior. I'd like to open an account."
"Ooh, an account hey? A bit late to open one for someone of your age but we all have to start somewhere, isn't that right."
"Better late than never, yeah."
"Are you opening a business or personal account?"
"A personal one."
"Yipee!" the old man celebrated and startled Kurt.
"The heck old man? Why'd you shout like that?"
"Oh, it's just that opening a business account takes much longer to process than a personal one. Besides, it looks like you're the last client. That means I can close up early, hehe."
'Isn't that illegal? Also why does that old man have so much spirit in him?'
"Ha ha… I'm happy for you, senior." Kurt let out a dry laugh.
The old man reached under his desk and took out a familiar orb and a little box.
"Put your personal tag in the box and hold the orb."
"So, how's this going to work exactly?" Kurt asked as he put his tag in the box.
"You don't know? Well, you see the way this works is, this box connects to the worldwide banking system which is governed by the bureau. The orb you're holding reads your magic signature and grants access for the box to register your tag to access the banking network." The old man explained.
"Oh, I get it. But can't anyone do this if they have the orb and keys?"
"I see what you're trying to say but don't worry young man, this equipment here requires personnel that works for the bank for them to work. Otherwise, they'd just make for a good paper weight."
"That's good to hear at least."
"And don't worry about others trying to take your money. Like I said, the account reads your magic signature so that means only you have access to it."
'Damn and here I thought I could squeeze in a few extra bucks off of Arlo's tag.'
"Ah! Looks like it's finished." The old man took the tag out the box and gave it to Kurt.
"Go on. Try it for yourself."
When Kurt imbued magic into the tag, it displayed the new information.
Personal Info -
Name - Kurt Rossana
Date of Birth - 29/02/756
Nationality - Riverton
Occupation - Adventurer
Bank Balance - 0p. 0g. 0s. 0c
'I'm guessing that stands for platinum, gold, silver and copper.'
"Did it come out alright young man?"
"Huh?" Kurt looked at him weirdly.
"The banking balance. Is it visible?" He looked back at Kurt innocently.
"..... Yes, it is."
"Good. With that you're done. Is there anything else you need?"
"Actually," He took out his two pouches. "How do I transfer this money to my account?"
"To do that all you have to do is coat your coins or the whole pouch with magic and then put it in the display pop up of your personal tag. Give it a whirl."
Kurt did as he was told and when he put the pouches in the display panel, they disappeared and his balance went up.
Bank Balance - 0p. 102g. 8s. 10c
'Nice.'
"Thanks for your assistance, senior." Kurt stood up and walked to the exit.
"No problem young man. Have a good day."
Finally done with what he came here to do, Kurt went to the fountain where Dominik was waiting.
When he got closer, he saw that someone was speaking to him and that he looked troubled.
'Is that Emelie Herst?'
"Hey Dom, sorry to keep you waiting."
"Kurt! Finally, man. This girl has been asking me all sorts of questions about Peter."
"Kurt?" Emelie looked at him. "It's you again."
"Hello to you too, Emel-."
"Come with me." She pulled him by the arm.
"Whoa! Where're you dragging me to?"
"I need to speak with you. Privately."
Kurt looked at Dominik and gave him a confused look. All he could do in response was shrug.
When they reached a quiet corner, Emelie slammed her hand against the wall and pinned Kurt into no escape.
"Who the hell are you?"