The Golden Bank of the Four Empires was a financial organization jointly founded by the Four Great Empires of the Aerthos Continent. Without a doubt, those who could open a magicrystal card account in this bank would be very rich people. After all, the price for the card itself was a hundred gold coins, and an ordinary person would not easily spend such an amount of money. Ten thousand gold coins would fill a hundred pouches if divided into hand-sized pouches, with even a burlap rice sack half-filled and very heavy.
"A hundred gold coins, gone like that." Renji sighed as he left the Keito Institute local branch of the Golden Bank of the Four Empires. Now, all that represented his newly secured and hard-earned wealth was a magicrystal card, which he clutched close to his chest. Renji knew that keeping so much gold in his dorm wouldn't be safe. Then, he would keep all the gold coins inside this magicrystal card for the safest approach. This kind of card did not come very cheap at all, as it took master goldsmiths centuries to develop, and each card was attuned to the owner's fingerprints, which meant only the original owner could use it. This was why magicrystal cards were so dear in price.
"With this ten thousand gold coins, I will more than have enough to cover my living expenses at the Keito Institute, with much left over to spare. I can even help out around my father," Renji thought, quite pleased. Yori had an arm around his shoulders, whistling a little tune and looking over Rand and his friends with a satisfied smile.
Already, most of Rand's and his companions' money had gone into supporting themselves, living expenses, so there was only about a thousand gold coins remaining. Fortunately, it was almost the end of the school year. Ryūji and Giichi were smiling calmly and making jokes with Renji as he chatted with them. Neither Ryūji nor Giichi had actually gone through much in his past.
"Second bro, third bro, fourth bro, tomorrow, at the end of the month, my father will arrive. I will arrange for carriages and guardsmen. Where should we four bros travel to?" Yori suggested.
"The Light Capital?" Ryūji, Giichi, and Renji's eyes all lit up. Solara Kingdom City, the Light Capital, was an extraordinary city.
"The capital of Light is such a good idea. On the way here from Stormcrest Empire, I stayed in Solara Kingdom City for two days but didn't see much," Ryūji said eagerly. Giichi and Renji nodded in agreement.
"There are many places of interest in Light Capital. Tomorrow, I shall take you all out and broaden your horizons," Yori said mysteriously with a smile.
Next morning at first light, the group ate breakfast together before waiting directly in front of Keito Institute's gate for Yori's escorted carriage. It was two hours later that the carriage still did not come.
"Squeak squeak." Echo, sitting on Renji's shoulder, became impatient and let out a few squeaks.
"Echo is getting impatient. Yori, you pulled us here since early morning and the carriage still hasn't arrived," Ryūji complained, with Yori laughing apologetically.
"I don't know either, by now it is supposed to be here," Yori replied. Renji gently stroked Echo little head.
"There they are!" Yori suddenly shouted, and Giichi, Ryūji, and Renji all turned to look. From afar, four carriages and hundreds of mounted guardsmen were approaching. Even above them, there were seven or eight Griffons; and of the hundreds of riders, more than ten rode magical beasts like the Vampiric Iron Bull and Tempestwolves.
"So, Yori's clanguard divisions are this strong," Renji said, in a mix of shock and awe. Ryūji and Giichi were also very surprised. Beside Renji, under the shining sun, sat Kaiya Tanaka, waiting, and his eyes searched for that cavalry division. Then his eyes brightened.
In no time, the four carriages, along with hundreds of horsemen, arrived in front of the gate. Three magi came out of the mansion to welcome them. From in front of the carriages, a middle-aged man stepped forth first of all. Ignoring the three magi, he strode toward Yori without any care.
"Second Uncle, what took you so long?" Yori asked, a little annoyed.
This 'Second Uncle' of Yori's burst into laughter and said, "Haha, did you grow impatient? Your carriages are all ready. The last one is filled with some goods. I'll have them clear it out so you have a place to sit. You're going to the Light Capital, right?"
"Cass, take three others with you. You are responsible for protecting young master Yori," the 'Second Uncle' instructed.
A bald rider dismounted from afar and walked up to Yori, bowing. "Cass pays his respects to young master Yori.".
Next to Renji, Kaiya Tanaka's eyes sparkled with interest. "Renji, this brother of yours is quite impressive. Based on how he dismounted and his demeanor, I can tell that Cass is an expert, considerably stronger than even your Uncle Draven. Besides that, that hawk perched on his shoulder is a seventh-ranked magic creature: the 'Blue-eyed Thunderhawk.'" Well, Cass being described by Kaiya Tanaka as an 'expert' means that Cass indeed was exceptional.
"Renji, come on. Get on the carriage. Let's go to the Light Capital," Yori invited.
Renji and the others boarded the spacious and comfortable carriage. The carriage driver drove off in the direction of Solara Kingdom City, which was the Light Capital. Cass and other riders followed closely.
Inside the carriage, there were fruits, honey, and wine. Now the four of them began eating and drinking non-stop and chatting away. Keito Institute was only twenty kilometers from Solara Kingdom City, so they arrived after about half an hour.
They exited the carriage and now under Cass protection and that of the other three riders began a tour around Solara Kingdom City.
"Well, where shall we go? There are so many places in Solara Kingdom City. Places on the East Solara Kingdom City side are very luxurious with beautiful waitresses, and there are a lot of art museums on the West Solara Kingdom City side, like Yamazaki Gallery," Yori explained like a tourist guide.
"Beautiful waitresses? Alright, let's go to East Solara Kingdom City," Ryūji said, rubbing his eyes mischiefingly.
"It's just noon. Those places are more fun in the evenings, however. Of course, we can go if you like," Yori responded with a guffaw.
Renji didn't like places like that, so he said, "Yori, forget it. What's the point of us kids going to those places? You mentioned the Yamazaki Gallery earlier. Since the gallery was named after that very famous Grandmaster Yamazaki, it must be good. Let's go check it out."
Yamazaki was the greatest sculptor to have ever existed on the Aerthos continent.
"Grandmaster Yamazaki? I have heard of him, too. He is the one whose one piece of art was auctioned for some millions of gold coins. It was named 'Hope.' Millions of gold coins— awesome," Ryūji said in admiration.
Giichi laughed fearlessly, "There have been countless stone sculptures in the history of sculpture. Of the top ten sculptures, any one of them would be worth a million gold coins. Three of those top ten were made by Grandmaster Yamazaki. He was considered the greatest in the history of stone sculpting!"
So great an amount caused Renji to catch his breath. His clan might only manage to gather a hundred thousand gold coins if they sold their ancestral home.
"Let's go and take a look," Renji decided resolutely.