It turned out that convincing Draco of the need to have his own bank account was not that difficult after all. Darius was even a little surprised that the dragon did not argue too much, but as soon as the two of them got into the carriage, the reason became clear. Draco just sighed heavily and said that he will continue to help Matheo in the future and will not be able to escape the blacksmith's gratitude. In addition, it seemed that the dragon had no idea what to spend so much money on. Bleist didn't want to tell his apprentice that it would turn out in the blink of an eye that money tends to disappear quite quickly. However, for now, the boy decided that he wanted to invest everything he earned. Therefore, on the way from the blacksmith to the largest bank in the city, he asked Darius about investing money. Bleist hadn't talked to anyone about wealth management in a long time, so he was happy to answer all of his student's questions. It turned out that Draco himself had a fairly good foundation of economic knowledge, which, as the mage suspected, was thanks to the older dragoness. Thanks to this, he quickly absorbed the concepts briefly explained by Darius.
When the carriage finally reached its destination, Bleist was just finishing explaining the difference between a bank-run investment fund and participation in merchant ventures. They both got out and stood in the square in front of a truly stunning building. Right next to the main road was a square paved with large marble slabs. Messengers, customers and employees of the Central Bank bustled back and forth, and here and there one could see patrols of Hunters moving around the extraterritorial area. In addition to carrying out more or less decent assignments, they ran the largest bank in the magical world. Although they were mainly known for doing whatever they were paid to do, they were also highly valued for their trustworthiness and security. Once they took on a task, they never abandoned it, although when it came to accepting assignments, it varied. They never refused anyone, but tasks they really did not want to take on were priced beyond the financial capabilities of the potential employer.
In the middle of the square stood stone foundations reaching up to the second floor of the surrounding buildings. An imposing structure was erected on the stone pedestal. The huge pagoda was built on a hexagonal plan with walls twenty-four metres long. Each of the thirty-six floors of the pagoda was six metres high. The walls of the entire structure were painted green and covered with red frescoes depicting scenes from various mythologies, and at each corner there was a rosewood figure stylised in the Asian fashion, representing a historical figure. The roof on each floor was covered with pure gold tiles. The whole building exuded dignity and wealth. Wide stairs led from the square to the top of the stone foundations and double doors that stood wide open. From the end of the stairs to the entrance stood a row of Hunters dressed in green Japanese armour. Each of them wielded a naginata.
Darius always felt a little overwhelmed whenever he visited one of the Central Bank's capital city branches. Each of these branches was built in a different, unique style, but all were characterised by their monumentality and splendour. The staff also dressed differently to suit the style of each branch. The only constant was the ubiquitous use of green.
-And I thought Dagos had gone overboard.- Draco seemed impressed. He took in the view with wide eyes.
-True, but you have to admit that every bank is an architectural marvel. Bleist felt like whistling through his teeth, but he knew it would be inappropriate.- I can't get over how they built so many magnificent buildings, but I have to admit that with their reputation and business skills, it's no surprise they were able to finance such investments. In addition, I would say that it is worth visiting all the Central Bank's branches in the capitals. Each one is equally unique and extraordinary,- Darius continued as they climbed the stairs.
Draco looked around the whole time, taking in not only the pagoda itself, but also the other buildings surrounding the Central Bank. Although his attention was absorbed by the scenery, he listened intently to his master. They slowly climbed the stairs. When they reached the top, Darius looked down at the main avenue of the commercial district. From here, he could see the most important auction houses, trading companies, brokerage houses and the headquarters of the largest commercial tycoons. Life here went on around the clock, seven days a week. Apparently, it was here that it was first said that money never sleeps.
They both looked at the crowded streets for a moment and walked through the row of people to the entrance. The interior was also painted green, and the walls and ceiling were covered with red frescoes depicting mythological events. The reception hall occupied the entire ground floor. The room was practically unfurnished, with only pots of bamboo plants, which further enhanced the oriental atmosphere. Guards identical to those standing in front of the entrance stood along the walls. Officials in green robes bustled about the room, along with various petitioners hurrying to the staircases and lifts located in the corners.
-Welcome to the Emerald Pagoda, the Atlantean branch of the Central Bank.- The Hunter appeared out of nowhere and immediately bowed deeply.- How can we be of service to you today, Colonel?
-Good morning,- replied the magician.- I would like to see my banker, Hunter Erth.
-Of course.- The receptionist straightened up and put on a business smile.- Deputy Director Erth will see you in his office.- Another bow.- Would the colonel like a guide?
-No, I'll find my way.- Bleist nodded in thanks and headed towards the lift opposite the entrance. They were lucky and it came down to the bottom, releasing a group of men engrossed in documents. Darius quickly pulled his student towards it and stepped onto the rune-covered circle.
-Where would you like to go, gentlemen?- Another Hunter, this time in a guard's uniform, stood at the back of the lift, controlling its movements.
-To the thirty-first floor, please.- The soldier merely nodded and, without waiting for more passengers, activated the rune circle. The symbols on the floor glowed with a soft green light and the platform moved. Darius did not like the feeling of the platform moving and was a little surprised. As it turned out, Draco didn't find this style of travel very interesting either, because the mage noticed a slight look of concern on his face. The lobby quickly disappeared from view, and they began to ascend, having the opportunity to observe the successive floors of the pagoda. It was somewhat surprising that all the floors above the ground floor were identical. Each of them was crossed by three straight corridors connecting staircases and lifts. The interior walls reached halfway up each floor and were made of waxed paper covered with fancy patterns. From experience, Bleist knew that despite their delicate appearance, they were stronger than steel and made it impossible to eavesdrop on the conversations taking place inside. The only thing that changed on each floor was the number of customers and messengers. The higher they went, the fewer there were, and the guests looked richer and more distinguished.
When the lift finally stopped and the guard informed them that they were on the right floor, they stepped out into an empty corridor, except for the guards standing by the lifts and those on duty at the intersection of the corridors on that floor. As soon as they were out of the lift, it began to descend. Darius adjusted his belt slightly and looked around. He always tried to take the same lift here because all the corridors looked identical and he simply did not want to get lost. When he spotted the door to his banker's office, he approached it and knocked gently on the wooden frame. The door opened almost immediately, and an elderly man stood there, his green robe clinging to his prominent belly. As usual, there was a broad smile on his friendly face, and his sharp eyes tried to see something hidden.
-Hello, Colonel, hello.- Erth bowed slightly and gestured for them to come inside.- And this, I presume, is your new disciple.- The hunter looked at the boy and began to play with his small, pointed beard.
-My name is Draco Ignis.- The dragon bowed according to the rules of etiquette, to Darius' surprise, this time Eastern style. -It is a pleasure to meet you, Hunter Erth.
-Me too, me too.- The man bowed and closed the door behind them.- But please, young master, call me Julius.- He added when they were alone.- Although I've been trying to persuade your master to do so, I haven't succeeded yet.- Added the Hunter, striding confidently towards his desk.
The office they found themselves in was neither too large nor too cramped. It seemed just right in every way. In addition to a desk and armchairs for clients, the room contained a tea table and several shelves with books and document folders. On the wall behind the desk was a window overlooking the Luminous Palace towering over the whole of Atlantis. From here, you could see most of the city, or at least a large part of the commercial district, almost the entire residential district, and all the government buildings and the largest temples in the city. Apart from the Luminous Palace itself, the Emerald Pagoda was one of the few places from which one could admire such a beautiful panorama of the city.
-I am always very happy to see you, Colonel, but I fear that you have not come to me purely out of courtesy.- Without waiting, Julius pointed to the cups filled with tea standing on the table between the armchairs. Darius and Draco sat down and tasted the brew. -What brings you here today?
-As usual, straight to the point. - Bleist settled more comfortably in his armchair. -I would like you to open a bank account for my student. - He nodded towards the dragon.
-Ah, of course.- The Hunter adjusted himself slightly in his seat and shifted his gaze to the young mage.- I will be happy to help you gentlemen.- He added after a moment's hesitation. Something seemed strange to Darius. He had known Erth for years, basically since he had his own account and finances, and he had never noticed the old man hesitating or dragging his feet. -However, we will have to go through a few procedures. -The man began to explain. In the meantime, he struggled to get up from his seat and began searching for something on the nearest shelf.- It won't take long, so don't worry. Oh, here it is...- Julius pulled out a thick folder with a brass tube attached to it. He walked back to the desk and put the item down, then placed both hands on the tabletop. Something clicked a few times, green runes lit up on the surface of the desk, and the tabletop split in two. A silver and gold device emerged from inside, consisting of many, often unconnected, levitating parts with a multitude of runes and symbols. The entire artefact emanated a delicate, almost imperceptible emerald light. The Hunter took the file he had found earlier and opened the tube attached to it. He carefully removed a green and red crystal from inside. Very slowly, he placed it in a recess in the artefact on the desk, which caused the light emitted by the device to intensify. Julius sat down and placed his hands on the side elements of the magical artefact. A quiet hum filled the room.
Darius had seen the elder Hunter use the mysterious machine several times before, but he still had no idea what exactly it was for or how it worked. He was not alone in this, as many brilliant minds had puzzled over the mystery of these unusual artefacts. Draco also seemed fascinated by the scene unfolding before him and kept his eyes fixed on what Erth was doing.
-I will have to ask you for a drop of blood, young master,- said the Hunter, holding out a small crystal vial and a silver needle towards the boy. The dragon first looked at the objects in front of him, then at his master. Darius was puzzled by what was happening, because as far as he knew, the procedure for opening a bank account did not require authentication, but he nodded to his apprentice anyway. Draco dropped a few drops of blood into the vial and handed it to the older man.
Erth placed the crystal container in another recess of the artefact, and they were once again plunged into silence, broken only by the humming of the device. After a few long minutes, the vial trembled and rose a few centimetres, and small columns of green runes appeared around it. The whole thing hummed louder and the vial was illuminated by several rays of emerald light. It didn't last long, and after a moment the device calmed down and returned to its original state. Julius took a deep breath and slumped back in his chair. He took a handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped his forehead, which was covered with tiny beads of sweat. It seemed that the whole procedure had tired the Hunter. Darius suspected that whatever the man had done required him to use a considerable amount of mana.
-Gentlemen, please forgive me, but I am no longer in such good shape as I used to be, and some things are more difficult for me now.- Erth smiled apologetically and slowly began to put the device away. He placed the vial of blood and the red-green crystal in a brass tube. The artefact disappeared back into the desk, and the older man was finally able to lean on the desk.- Age really takes its toll, even on tasks that used to be easy.- He added when he had finished his little task.- But you gentlemen didn't come here to hear about my problems, did you?- He adjusted his robe over his tight belly and looked at both of his guests.- Unfortunately, we cannot open a new account for the honourable young master. The Hunter stated in a professional tone. Darius had no idea what was going on, as he had never before encountered a situation in which the Central Bank would refuse to open a bank account for anyone. Of course, Draco was a minor, but at that moment he was with his legal guardian and mentor, so age should not have been an obstacle. Bleist also saw no other reason why this situation would be possible.
-I'm sorry, but I don't think I understand, - Darius began, looking somewhat ominously at his long-time banker.
-I'll explain right away,- Julius said before the colonel could say another word. -We cannot open a new account for young Mr. Ignis because our bank only allows one account per person.- Darius froze, about to speak. He looked at his student, who was watching the Hunter with obvious curiosity.
-But I don't have an account, Mr Erth.- Draco seemed no less surprised than Bleist.- As far as I know, my aunt has one, but she hardly ever uses it.- He added, as if trying to explain himself.- I think there's been a mistake.
-Oh, but there's no mistake about it.- The Hunter took a piece of paper out of the folder he had brought with him.- Account holder 72/335/21D: Draco Ignis, raised in Dagos under the care of his aunt Nasuya Aclis. Previously residing in Dagos on Etheil II Square, currently on the Ed'heere estate in Atlantis. Legal guardian: Colonel of the Azure Guard, Earl Ed'heere Darius Bleist. Race: fire dragon. Distinguishing features: black scales and golden irises in dragon form, magical abilities.- Erth looked up from the piece of paper and looked at the boy.- Is something incorrect?
-No.- Draco looked uncertainly at Darius. He seemed a little embarrassed and perhaps a little worried.
-I see that good news quickly finds its way to the right place.- Bleist was not at all surprised that the Hunters already knew everything, especially if they had been watching the boy before.
-That's our job.- Julius smiled again and looked back at the piece of paper. -According to the instructions we received from the previous owner of the account, the father of young master Ignis, in the event of inheritance, the account is to be transferred to the young master in one of two cases. The first is reaching the age of majority according to Dagos law, which is 20 years old. The second is the manifestation of magical abilities, except that in this case, the inheritance is to be preceded by the selection of a suitable master for the young master. In accordance with the procedures of the Central Bank, upon confirmation of the manifestation of magical abilities, the procedures for changing the account owner were initiated. As part of the provision on choosing a suitable master for young master Ignis, it was decided not to intervene because Earl Bleist was one of three candidates selected in accordance with the criteria left by your father.- The Hunter put the document aside and began looking for another one in the folder.
Finally, he took out a rather large stack of hardcover documents.- Moving on to further instructions related to the account.- Erth continued in a formal tone.- First, all assets and real estate belonging to your parents will become your property. In accordance with this provision, the property inherited from other members of your father's family also becomes your property. Secondly, in accordance with the instructions issued, all possessions, real estate, land, investments and accounts registered under the family name were sold at the time of the previous owners' death, and the profits were transferred to your account. Thirdly, all artefacts, magical instruments, books of magic, as well as works of art and items generally considered valuable belonging to your family were placed in the family vault located in the Central Bank. Fourthly, information related to the young master's family was kept secret to ensure his safety.- He finished and took a breath.- That's all as far as formal regulations are concerned.
-But... That...- Draco seemed confused. On the one hand, he seemed incredulous at what he had heard, and at the same time he wanted to know more.