The official's fingers moved across the small band at his wrist, the surface lighting briefly as it synchronized with the system records tied to Evan's registration. His gaze lowered to the ledger for a moment while the information settled into place. After a short pause he nodded once more, as though confirming the result he had expected to see.
"Your registration remains valid and stable," he said. From a drawer beneath the desk he produced a thin rectangular card made from a dark metallic material that reflected the light softly. He set it on the desk between them. "This is your formal registration card." Evan picked it up carefully. As his fingers closed around it, the card dissolved into a brief pulse of light that flowed into the system interface linked to his status, merging seamlessly with it before vanishing from sight.
The official watched the brief flicker of light fade and then closed the ledger with quiet finality. "Your identification has now been integrated with your system registration," he said. "The record will remain accessible to authorized offices throughout the planet." He slid the ledger aside and folded his hands on the desk for a moment, as though marking the completion of that portion of the process.
"If you require compensation disbursement," he continued, "proceed to the reception desk outside this chamber. They will issue the materials allocated to you and provide any further guidance that you seek." Evan gave a small nod of acknowledgment. "Understood." With that he stepped back from the desk and turned toward the corridor, leaving the narrow-eyed official already returning his attention to the next set of documents waiting to be processed.
Evan stepped back into the corridor and followed the signs toward the reception area. The morning activity around the Authority Hall had grown slightly busier since he had first left his room. Clerks moved between offices carrying bundles of documents while visitors waited along the walls for their turn at various counters. Evan approached the main reception desk and waited until the woman behind it finished assisting the person ahead of him.
When the desk cleared, he stepped forward. "Good morning," he said. "I was told to come here after confirming my registration. I believe there are materials or compensation that need to be issued." The receptionist glanced up from her ledger, her eyes studying him briefly before she reached toward the slim band at her wrist and activated it. "Name?" she asked calmly, preparing to pull up the relevant record.
"Evan Cole," he replied.
The receptionist's fingers moved lightly across the surface of her wrist band. A faint glow reflected in her eyes as she scanned through the linked records. After a moment she gave a small nod. "Registration confirmed," she said, her tone settling into the same efficient calm used throughout the building. Her gaze lifted back to him. "Before I retrieve the compensation allocation, do you currently possess a system bank account or an Empire Bank card?"
Evan shook his head. "No."
"In that case the compensation will be issued in physical currency," she explained. She bent beneath the counter and lifted a sturdy pouch onto the desk. The weight of it landed with a dull, unmistakable heaviness. "Many citizens still prefer traditional coinage, so initial disbursements are prepared this way unless a registered banking account is already on record." She pushed the bag slightly forward toward him, the faint metallic clink of coins shifting inside as it moved.
Evan lifted the pouch and felt the weight settle into his palm. When he loosened the cord and glanced inside, rows of neatly stacked coins caught the light. Copper, silver, and heavier gold pieces filled the pouch in organized bundles. The amount was substantial enough to feel like a real starting fund. He pulled the cord closed again and rested the bag on the counter.
"What did you mean about the bank and cards?" he asked. "You mentioned those before giving the compensation."
The receptionist nodded, clearly accustomed to the question. "Residents of Dornhaven use the Empire Bank for everyday transactions," she explained. "Once you register an account, your credentials link to the Arcnet, the transactional network used across the Empire. A bank card allows you to move currency through Arcnet transfer instead of carrying physical coin. The ledger records the exchange instantly and both parties receive confirmation through their system interface. It makes carrying large amounts of physical coin unnecessary."
Evan listened while the explanation seeped into place. The idea sounded familiar enough in principle. A system that allowed money to move without the need to carry it physically made sense in a town this large. He glanced down at the heavy bag resting on the counter and then back at the receptionist.
"So if I open an account with the Empire Bank," he said, "I can move this into that and stop carrying it around?"
"Correct," she replied. "The bank will register your identity and then issue a bank card. After that, most transactions in Dornhaven can be handled through Arcnet transfer. Physical coin remains valid everywhere, of course, but most residents prefer the convenience once they have access to it."
Evan considered that for a moment, his fingers resting lightly on the drawstring of the coin pouch. Carrying the weight everywhere did not seem particularly practical, especially in a town as large as Dornhaven. He looked back up at the receptionist. "How would I open one of those accounts?" he asked. "Are there any requirements?"
"Very few," she replied. "Your registration is already verified, which is the only identification the bank requires for a standard account. You would simply need to visit one of their branches and present your registration card." She paused briefly, then added, "If you intend to do that today, the nearest branch is not far from here."