36 Slightly Surprised

Cehn suddenly spoke up, signaling an end to the awkward moment. Nodding to his remark, I accompanied him forward by walking towards to the stained-glass doors.

Mmm… Glass really is prominent in this school. I suppose most of the power users are lightning and sand? Or the person who had built this place loved it and found that having it almost everywhere was a sign of sophistication?

"Alright, girls, let's go inside." 

Suddenly, a disembodied voice spoke up. As soon as we crossed the threshold, behind us, the glass door slid closed. If not for my acute senses I'd be surprised when this person suddenly spoke.

"My name is Ms Masay. Place all materials you wish to sell in this storage band. Your name and the coins will be added to your school wristband." 

The storage band was metallic gold in colour, double the size in juxtaposition to the band provided by the school. Without faltering, I was the first to step forward and took one from the three bands followed by Wincu and Cehn.

"'Thank you,"' we chorused doing as she bid, followed by Cehn questioning. "Can we share a room?" 

"You may," the woman replied with a slight dip of her head.

In the room, which was about 15 meters in length and 10 meters front and back, was not big enough for some of material but we would make it do. It was a bit cramped while we offloaded our materials, but I can just move faster to get rid of them.

"Alright, Cehn, as one of the top students, we need to push you a bit more so we can smooch off of you and you can continue to maintain your place." 

"Alright, Wu Jie," he chuckled. Pulling up the screen, I then transferred some items to him and some to Wincu.

Once I had sorted them out, we then added what we wanted to sell. I thought it'd be fun to see the various expressions on the lecturers' faces when they saw both Wincu and Cehn's haul, so I convinced them to add a little "extra" to the gold band.

"Wow, Wu Jie, I'm wealthy! Ah, this will last half our junior year!" Wincu joked on the side, her face beaming with joy –  a total contrast to the worried look Cehn was displaying who then asked in a questioning tone, I thought, "Aww how cute the little boy is worried!"

" Wu Jie, should I really sell all of these?"

" Yes Cehn." I said seriously, "This will have many of the lecturers talking about the student who sold their kills along with so many kilograms of materials, this will give you recognition among both lecturers and students, giving you smooth sailing."

System had told me in advance before toying with my results that the school system knew how to calculate our kill count but not really the exact species we have killed, just a rough estimate; this is why I can do this.

What is even acceptable as well is that when the system had scanned the entire school, this was one of the rare places that didn't have surveillance.

It gave me even extra relief, after all. This is an extremely import task that will cement the ranking of students until the next examination.

"Sigh, Wu Jie, why don't you step forward?" 

"Cehn, you know the reason why already. I have no desire to draw anymore attention to myself. Unlike you, I don't have any background." 

"Wu Jie you are a Wu," Wincu said with a laugh from the side toying with her screen.

"Not by blood… Alright guys, let us go out. I'll hand in mine first," I said. Even though the first part of what I said was softer, and somewhat strange, they did not pry and I was glad for that. Wincu, always looking on the bright side, spoke up but I ignored her, since it was obvious. I continued transferring the last item to him before turning to transfer her own.

"Alright, Wu Jie, I'll be next and Cehn after," 

I was the first to step out towards the woman who had first handed us our bands. I was somewhat disinterested as she scanned my items; I already knew the amount so there was no surprise or disappointment on my face when she plainly announced the total.

"Alright, this is what is displayed, since all three of you are together nothing needs to be hidden. Ms Wu Jie, the amount of coins transferred is five hundred and twenty coins. Please confirm that you have received the amount stated." 

I looked at my school wristband and then verbally confirmed.

"Amount received." 

"Good." 

She then turned her attention to Wincu without much fanfare and indicated both verbally and with a simple gesture,

"Please step forward, Ms Asientes." 

"Ok."

"The amount is... wow... a… lot… Erm …alright. The amount displayed has been accepted. Alright, the amount credited to your account is one million two hundred coins, please confirm that you have received the amount stated." At first she seemed to be struggling to not show her utter shock at what was before her by stuttering but, like a true lecturer, she got herself under control. She seemingly allowed herself to come to the realisation that everything before her is truth and not an illusion. The woman then spoke normally, asking to confirm the amount.

Wincu replied calmly accepting the coins transferred before stepping aside. For a while longer the woman stared at her, but instead of moving on Wincu the airhead was busy smiling in my direction. I ignored her, trying my hardest to not reach out with my foot to send the fool flying with a kick.

"Confirmed."