"I never would have guessed... you're such a little money-grubber."
March 7th watched Nahida's earlier demeanor with amusement, her lips twitching slightly, feeling somewhat speechless.
Who would have thought that Nahida, who looked like such a well-behaved girl, could be bribed so easily with money?
Could she really be that short on cash?
If that were the case, March 7th wouldn't hold back.
Turning to Stelle, she whispered a quick consultation, the topic of their secretive exchange remaining unclear.
Nahida paid little attention to their hushed discussion. Having already wasted so much of her time on these newcomers, a few more moments wouldn't make much difference. She crossed her arms, her expression calm, quietly observing Stelle and March 7th as they deliberated.
As the gray-haired girl offered a sheepish smile and handed March 7th a thick stack of Credit Points from her inner pocket, it became clear that their discussion had reached its conclusion.
"Nahida, here you go! With this many Credit Points, you can definitely buy some time to visit Sister Lumina in the rear mountains!"
March 7th confidently presented the stack of Credit Points—her allowance combined with Stelle's, now towering and thick as three or four smartphones—to Nahida.
Though not all the Credit Points in this massive stack were the highest denominations, the total still amounted to a considerable fortune—the accumulated wealth of a Nameless aboard the Astral Express!
These Credit Points, brimming with heartfelt intention, are yours, Nahida!
While this might not seem like much to someone of your stature... it should be more than enough for Nahida!
March 7th thought confidently.
"Are you joking? You think you can buy my time with these worthless scraps of paper?"
Contrary to her expectations, the scene March 7th had imagined didn't materialize.
Nahida's voice carried a hint of irritation, her eyes brimming with disdain for the towering stack of Credit Points before her.
To Nahida, this massive pile of currency seemed no different from a heap of discarded paper.
"Huh?"
March 7th froze in place, dumbfounded by Nahida's reaction.
"Didn't Lady Lumina tell you anything about this?" Nahida asked, her expression utterly exasperated. "Or have you been living under a rock and haven't bought anything lately?"
Seeing March 7th's bewildered expression, Nahida immediately wore a look of utter exasperation.
"Um... what do you mean?" March 7th scratched her head, utterly confused by Nahida's words.
"The Interastral Peace Corporation's Credit Point system dominates most of the Galaxy, but Sumeru is an exception." Nahida shook her head and sighed, reluctant to speak to someone so clueless, but she still explained.
"The so-called 'universal currency' of the Cosmos, Credit Points, cannot be used normally in Sumeru City or the entire Sumeru Star System."
"Hmm... Of course, there are a few eccentric Bosses who collect rare items and some establishments operated by the Interastral Peace Corporation within the Sumeru Star System that still accept them."
"But such businesses are extremely rare in the Sumeru Star System."
Nahida shrugged lightly, her gaze slowly shifting from the thick stack of Credit Points to March 7th's face, a slightly peculiar expression on her face.
They've been in Sumeru City for days now, and they still don't know this?
I did forget to mention it earlier, but seeing they never asked, Lumina assumed they'd found a workaround.
But it turned out they hadn't found any solution at all... They simply hadn't bought anything during their entire stay.
"No, it's just... why would a tourist who's being a good person not buy anything?"
"Hmm... Well, okay, maybe it's my fault..."
Lumina's mental retort had barely faded when she suddenly realized something. In an instant, she understood why March 7th and Stelle hadn't bought anything at all. It must have been her suggestion to look for "clues" that had derailed their original shopping plans.
After all... who carries around a massive stack of Credit Points for everyday use? These Credit Points were undoubtedly the ones March 7th and Stelle had prepared in advance, ready to splurge on a shopping spree in Sumeru City...
She didn't dwell on it further. If she were in her original form, Lumina would have gently comforted them, patted their heads, and even given them some Sumeru Star System currency for free.
But sorry, I'm Nahida now, and I'm not obligated to do that~
"So, this huge stack of Credit Points you're offering me... in my eyes, it's worth even less than a stack of blank paper." Nahida glared disdainfully at the Credit Points in March 7th's hand, her tone dripping with contempt.
"At least blank paper can be used for writing. These Credit Points, on the other hand, are probably only good for padding your butt or propping up wobbly table corners."
"Uh..." March 7th's hand, clutching a thick stack of Credit Points, trembled slightly, and a sheepish smile spread across her face.
I completely forgot, she thought. As a galactic power on par with the Xianzhou Alliance and the Interastral Peace Corporation, they'd naturally have their own economic system...
"Um... Nahida, are there any banks in Sumeru City where I can exchange these Credit Points?"
Realizing her mistake, March 7th withdrew her hand, returned the portion of the Credit Points that belonged to Stelle, and turned to Nahida.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you."
"Neither Sumeru City nor the entire Sumeru Star System has any official place to exchange Credit Points for World Credits."
"In fact, there are only banks that exchange World Credits for Credit Points, not the other way around. So, you might as well forget about it."
"By the way, the approximate exchange rate is 1 World Credit to 480 Credit Points."
To fill in the gaps left by Lumina's previous explanation, Nahida elaborated in great detail.
"Huh? Why not?" March 7th's eyes immediately betrayed her confusion.
If Credit Points can't be exchanged for World Credits, are they just playing interstellar hermit and closing off the galaxy?
So the lives of outsiders don't matter, huh!
"Because the Interastral Peace Corporation has repeatedly attempted to establish a unified Credit Point system throughout the Sumeru Star System." A flash of displeasure crossed Nahida's face as she spoke.
She clearly despises the IPC's meddling.
Not wanting to dwell on the matter with March 7th and Stelle present, Nahida quickly regained her composure. After a moment to collect her thoughts, she continued, "The IPC's motives for establishing a Credit Point system in the Sumeru Star System are obvious to anyone with common sense."
"Therefore, after joint deliberation by the Elder Council of the House of Daena, a unanimous decision was reached to completely eliminate the circulation of Credit Points within the Sumeru Star System."
"Barring unforeseen circumstances, within a month at most, the few industries that still accept Credit Points—those established by the IPC—will vanish completely..."
"I see..." Nahida explained in such detail that even Silly March 7th could understand. But why is the Xianzhou Alliance allowed to use them?
"Because the Sumeru Star System welcomes all Galactic travelers without exception. This has led to a massive influx of outsiders daily, sometimes even outnumbering the native population during special festivals."
"If left unchecked, sooner or later the Sumeru Star System's World Credits system would be replaced by the Credit Points system."
Seeing through March 7th's thoughts, Nahida answered her unspoken question.
"Oh, I see!" March 7th nodded, though she only half-understood. Then, realizing something, she turned to Nahida with a curious expression.
"Nahida, how do you know so much? You're just a child, yet you're so interested in political matters."
March 7th gazed at Nahida's adorable appearance, finding it hard to believe she could be so concerned with the politics of the Sumeru Star System.
People truly can't be judged by their looks, she thought.
"Take that rude look off your face!" Sensing March 7th's gaze, Nahida frowned and snapped coldly.
"Ahahaha..."
"Hmph!" Sensing the annoying gaze disappear, Nahida huffed softly.
She straightened her robes, her expression adopting a dignified air, and addressed the group:
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Buer, also known as Nahida, one of the elders of the House of Daena. I am also the Headmaster of the House of Wisdom at The Akademiya!"
-
World Credits
The unique economic and monetary system of the Sumeru Star System uses small leaves imbued with a faint aura of life. The more potent the life aura within the leaf, the higher its value.
World Credits: Credit Points
1:480
World Credits have the same purchasing power as real-world currency.
For example, 648 World Credits can be used to recharge a 648 yuan package in MiHoYo games.
The Akademiya
One of the Cosmos's most prestigious universities, a place countless scholars aspire to join.
The Akademiya embodies the philosophy of "live and learn," with no age or racial restrictions. Anyone who passes the entrance exams, even an elderly person in their twilight years, can enroll and become a part of The Akademiya.
-
Spynote-This is just straight up sumeru if it wasnt clear already lol