After a moment of silence Kraks faced Kat and said. "As much as it pains me to say it, I believe you are not entitled to compensation, and you will need to pay for the additional 400 units of demonic energy as if you had chosen to do so"
"What, how is that a reasonable judgement" said Bob, spit flying slightly as he spoke.
*I dunno. Seems mostly fair to me. It was decently painful, but I got a lot out of it.*
"Young one, I believe Kraks is right. She is not entitled to anything" said Xoglaxuch
"But… what about you twins? Can you accept this" said Bob
"Honestly, yes. We have to make tough calls in the business, Kraks right, as mean as it might sound" said Xaz'gelen
"Boo, sis is boring but correct. I think she's cute enough to give some leeway to, but I suppose that's why I don't get assigned many cases" said Vraz'gelen
"It's fine guys. I'm not quite sure how I profited but a bit of extra debt doesn't phase me too much as long as the interest rate is low" said Kat
"Indeed, all rank 1 awakening materials will never accrue interest. The only question is if the additional 400 units fall under this" said Kraks.
"Well, how much do I owe for 500 units of demonic energy?" asked Kat
"Well, going by awakening rates, it would be around 5 fireplace, but I'm not sure if you should be charged awakening rates for the extra four hundred" said Kraks tapping his finger on the desk.
"Bah, don't pretend your doing the girl a favour. Demonic energy has been cheap recently, 5 fireplace is about standard rate anyway just give her that much" said Xoglaxuch tie bobbing with him.
"I suppose you're right" said Kraks sighing as be tapped something into the glass tablet.
"Um, why am I being charged in fireplaces?" said Kat
"Do you not know standard demon currency?" asked Xaz'gelen shifting her gaze to Kat
"Um no should I?" asked Kat
"Of course silly, every child knows the song" said Vraz'gelen to witch her sister promptly wacked her on the top of the head with three of her tentacles.
"Ignore this fool. There is no song relating to the demonic currency system that I know of" said Xaz'gelen while Vraz'gelen poked her tongue out facing her sister.
"Yes Kat, well, you have Embers firstly, then 100 embers make a candle, 100 candles make a fireplace, 100 fireplaces make a bonfire, and so on. Things change a bit after that but you don't need to worry about them for now" said Kraks
*System can you give me the full list of currency denominations?* Thought Kat not quite believing Kraks
--
Officially currency designations are as follows
Ember
Candle
Fireplace
Bonfire
Pyre
Inferno
Sun
--
*Uh, huh. I didn't actually think that was really the currency here. Um what's the conversation rate.*
--
Ember, Candle, Fireplace, Bonfire, Pyre require 100 of the previous denomination. Inferno requires 1000 Pyre, and Sun requires 10,000 Inferno
--
*Good to know I guess?* "Why is the currency named that way? Surely you have something better?" said Kat
"Well, it's just how it's always been" said Xoglaxuch "Even as the oldest the currency system predates me by a number of years"
"Besides its perfectly serviceable and causes no real confusion considering the system manages it all" said Kraks.
"Isn't that kind of strange? Don't you guys have coins?" asked Kat
"Of course we do, but no one carries them around we just request them from the system when we need them" said Vraz'gelen while rolling her eye.
"Right… so is um, 5 fireplace expensive?" asked Kat.
"For someone as young as you probably" said Vraz'gelen with a big grin.
"I'd love to say ignore her, but she is mostly right. A fireplace is quite a lot. Um, what's some things I can use as an example… Oh, so a basic summoning is always at least 2 candle. And that's basically a weeks' worth of pocket money. It isn't something you would live on but it's not nothing either. A cheap meal is probably around 30 ember? I'd say?" asked Kraks trailing off a bit at the end
"Geeze Kraks, way to rub it in about how rich you are" said Vraz'gelen mockingly
"Look, I'm an old demon, I can afford to live a little luxuriously" snapped Kraks
"A decent meal is about 10 ember, and the nicer stuff without special effects is around 1 candle" said Vraz'gelen while glaring at Kraks.
*I'm not sure how much this has helped me understand the value of things…*
"Um, how much have I earned on my jobs up till now?" asked Kat
"Wait you don't know" said Vraz'gelen in shock.
"Nope, I was supposed to be informed after reaching rank 1 I think but then all this happened and it just kept getting delayed. Um I can ask the system if you guys want?" said Kat
"Sure, try that first" said Kraks
--
User Kat is currently rank 0.5 and does not have access to total earnings at this time. Please resolve User Kat's errors for a finance report.
--
"Nope, nothing available to me just yet. I need to solve these errors first" said Kat
"Well, I am part of the accounting office. I can bring that up if you want? Perhaps that will help you decide if you want to argue your case" said Kraks
"Is arguing an option?" asked Kat tilting her head to the side.
"Well, yes, but it's heavily discouraged. A formal complaint costs at least a fireplace and if the verdict remains unchanged you are normally required to pay extra for wasting peoples time. I think the system is a bit harsh but at the same time, you pay nothing if you are found to have a valid complaint, and it requires a great number of demons from the relevant department to here a complaint to ensure the maximum fairness possible" said Kraks
"Well, let's here my results then" said Kat.
"Ok, and just so you know, I only have a summoning case number and the amount you received for it" said Kraks brining out another glass tablet this one glowing with purple fire.
"Case 01, 2 Candle, Case 02, 50 Candle, case 03, Redacted, Case 04, 2 Fireplace… redacted? Why is your third case redacted?" asked Kraks
--
If possible do not answer that question User Kat. D.E.M.O.N.S wishes this case to remain low profile to prevent similar tactics being used more carefully in the future.
--
"Don't worry about that, I know why it's redacted and I'm not supposed to talk about it" said Kat
"Yeah, well in that case, why in the name of the eternal fire is your fourth case worth 2 fireplace? Weren't you just an unranked demon?" asked Vraz'gelen in shock
"Eh, I just had to kidnap a princess no big deal" said Kat
"What?! You seem so nice though, I can't imagine the system ever assigning you to something like that you poor thing" said Vraz'gelen
"Oh, no it was her mother that hired me on her behalf so it's fine" said Kat
"Right…" said Vraz'gelen looking supremely confused
Kraks clapped his hands together "Right, in that case, Kat your total balance assuming nothing strange from Case 03, is a debt of 2 Fireplace and 48 Candle. This is to be payed off in a maximum of two months and because you have already payed off more than half of your debt you will also gain access to the store however if you choose to purchase anything. Going into debt for shop items while remaining in debt you will have one year or 42 weeks to finish paying your debt off with a 2% non-compounding interest rate"
"Wait what? How is 42 weeks a year?" asked Kat
"That's your question about all this?" said Kraks
"Yes" said Kat firmly
"Well, um, I guess in that case… standardised working demon year, ask the system about it" said Xaz'gelen jumping in before her sister could get out another snide comment.
--
User Kat is now a rank 1 demon due to fixing all associated errors. User Kat is now part of the demon working year. As a rank 1 demon you may choose to skip 1 summoning every 42 weeks. You have 1 available skip. Counting begins after using first skip. User Kat may save only 1 skip at a time.
--
"Seems a bit harsh, only 1 day off every 42 weeks" said Kat
"Well, most summonings only last a day or two, and you can change your settings a bunch to make it easier on yourself. Explore that after you leave though" said Kraks.
"Boo, trying to kick me out already?" asked Kat
"Yeah trying to kick us out already" said Vraz'gelen
"Yes. This matter is now officially closed" said Kraks and waved his hand. The room vanished and Kat found herself in the hallway with the beholders.
"Wait he can do that?" screamed Bob
"Hehe, that youngin has a few tricks up his sleeve" said Xoglaxuch as he floated away down the corridor beside Tulvun
"Welp it's been fun, see you" said Vraz'gelen heading off in the opposite direction with her sister in tow. Bob just looked around awkwardly for a moment before chasing after Xoglaxuch and Tulvun.
*Um, how do I leave?* And with that thought, a summoning circle appeared below Kat, and she vanished. *Wait I forgot to ask about the chairs!*