5. Jakesy lodge

He stepped off the dorm dragging his feet and stopped near the storage of his dorm and picked up some small wooden logs that could support his limbs and wrapped them around with some clothes after placing them on top of his limbs.

Eron did what he could, and it was like a debt for Vader so, he cannot expect help from him further. Medical expenses are rather high, so he didn't want to get more indebted by asking for help for the medical treatment. Also, it seemed like he particularly didn't take him to the hospital for the same reason. Expenses are high and he used a lawyer with money out of his pocket.

'Would that guy be available?'

Vader mumbled inwardly stepping out of the dorm. He turned back for a moment and peered at his academy that was built similar to that of a large castle that was connected to few other buildings. It was similar to building in the olden ages.

'Judging from the charges that are on me. I might not be able to step into this campus once again.'

He contemplated and turned back towards the road and slowly began walking towards a tram station that was several paces away.

Trams can be considered as one of the cheap means of transportations compared to motor vehicles or bullock carts.

Sure, one might question why there were bullock carts still in use?

The reason obviously comes to the ecosystem and people's mentality and concerns about Nanor. Though motor engines have been introduced, they couldn't rival the domestic beasts of Nanor. The bullocks of Nanor are different from the breeds on Earth.

They are born with a speed that outclasses the speed of motor engines. Also, they are cost-efficient and go a week without food. Lastly, they possess incomparable stamina. Contrarily the motor engine needs fuel that's compounded with a few alkalies and chemicals including coal.

There were also a few commotions on using engines and fuels by other ethnic races that exist in Nanor. Since the fuels influence the terrain of the world and slowly release their toxins that will in fact destroy the ecosystem of Nanor.

Humans had no choice but to comply with that. This was also why the manufacturing of machinery still remains low.

The people passing the road gazed at Vader as they walked past him. But, none walked forward to help him even though he wasn't able to walk.

The streets were bustling as one could expect. It certainly had few people roaming around but, not to the extent of the peak hours. The capital city Terra is certainly a highly populated city and known as the manchester of Bodium serving as the capital. It is one of the cities that possesses a high employment rate and a city that's filled with industries.

Ring! Ring!

Followed by the sound of the bell the Tram stopped before the stop sign. There were a few people waiting to board it including Vader. One can say they use this means of transport regularly and most of them were in uniforms that implied they are the workers of factories.

Factories of Terra operate for about fourteen hours a day. Modern men and women have been enslaved by the jobs for a petty salary that's barely sufficient to satisfy their needs. People have to save expenses and one of those means is taking public transport. Trams are pretty cheap considering the bullock cart and the motor cars.

"To?" Asked the Tram's conductor after glancing at Vader from head to toe.

"To the baker street" Replied Vader.

"Five white coins" Replied the conductor after ripping a ticket from a bunch of tickets he had inside his ticket pouch.

Twenty white coins sum up to 10 Black coins.

Currently, there are 5 types of currencies in Bodium's currency system. First comes the white coins. It's a coin that's mostly in rotation among the middle class.

Secondly, the black coins. They are a bit higher in value and quite the same when it comes to usage. Thirdly, the jade coins. They are high in value. One jade coin sums up to fifty black coins. This is the coin that's usually paid as a weekly salary for workers in Terra.

Averagely people earn about ten Jade coins a week. This also explains why people try to minimize their expenses. If one includes food and shelter for a whole month it's barely enough to sustain living in Terra. Thus people hustle a lot inside Terra to get food on their plates.

There are two more currencies available out there. One is the platinum notes and the other is blue notes. Those two are considered as the rich men's currency. Since they hold high values it's not available for common folks of the city.

It can be an inappropriate statement to say that it isn't available for the commoners. They are indeed available but they are not commonly used by the citizens of Bodium. They are used when it comes to paying rents, medical expenses, and other expenses out there.

One platinum note holds the value of a hundred jade coins and five platinum notes sum up to the value of one blue note.

These notes are commonly used by Scavengers to buy weapons and equipment. However, corrupted politicians and rich people also use those.

'Fuck I'll have to minimize the usage of my reserves'

Vader cursed reluctantly as he slid the coins into his metal wallet.

Vader can be considered as one of the few poor students of Scavenger's base. He was from the countryside. When he first came to the capital he was barely able to compensate for the essential expenses he needed. His mother who works as a housekeeper to a rich household did send him money but it wasn't enough to survive when it came to living in the Capital. Also, he had to take some jobs to earn money.

"Ahhh... Fucking god" He grunted.

Using the supporting rod constructed inside the tram and moved towards one of the seats and sat.

'Will he be there?'

He mumbled peering through the Tram's window. He was very much concerned about meeting up with the person he chose to visit and sought help.

The city was quite colorless and dark. There were several cars and Bullocks carts moving around on the roads. The buildings and shops were yet to be opened since it was too early.

Baker street is one of the cheapest places to live. A place that's a heaven for the folks who aren't financially stable. So, it is obvious that Vader would go there to take refuge but that wasn't the main reason for him to go there.

There was someone similar to him living inside there. He was a genius when it came to studies in biology and was a victim of bullying. And the other thing he has similar to Vader is his inability to be a Stellar wielder. Just as said 99% of the people hold stellar capabilities and so, those the biology genius and Vader were people of the remaining one percent.

After the first semester, the biology genius chose to leave the academy since he wanted to further develop himself in the field of biology.

Soon, the Tram stopped in front of baker street. Vader slowly made his way down and stopped in front of the street. It was narrow and congested, containing several buildings constructed too close to each other and there were several name boards hanging down in the sides of the wall to catch the attention of the people who stroll by the path.

Clothing shops, restaurants, bars what not? Everything was there but all of them were closed except a few lodges. The Baker street is mostly brighter during the night than the day.

'Hmm, the Jakesy Lodge should be somewhere here...'

Vader muttered and scanned around the buildings and noticed an old building that was quite dull compared to everything else out there with a name board hanging down.

"Excuse me? Do you need help?" Asked a stranger that was walking behind him.

Vader knew there were robbers in the locality and decided to not get fooled.

"No thanks." He replied and continued walking amidst the people.

"Hot meat! Hot meat just for 1 black coin!"

A man standing in front of a hot black stone called out.

Workers who go to the job early in the morning were standing around and munching the bread and meat that was covered in some sauce.

The street food-induced the hunger within him.

"Brrr~"

Vader's stomach growled indicating that he'd have to fill his belly with some food. Also the mustard and spicy smell that entered his nostril urged him to buy the food.

'No, I'd rather stay empty with my stomach.'

Though the smell was phenomenal the chef wasn't hygienic and the restaurant was a mess as well.

He just endured his hunger and pursued his route and stopped in front of the old building that had the 'Jakesy' Name board on it.

He peered at the steps that were crooked and narrow next to a shop. Unlike how one could expect, Jakesy lodge wasn't large. The lower floor was given for lease and the upper part of the building possessing three rooms was owned by the Jakesy lodge.

"What?"

A fat young man in a black suit, wearing a hat and monocle uttered in a daze stopping in the middle of stairs.

***

A\N (Author's note): I know some of you don't read the author's thoughts written down. I am here to request you to vote for this book to win the WPC. Thank you.