As Krieger is a well-organized academy, everything is divided into segments. Just like the way students collect their resources.

The exam points student achieved needed to be exchanged for Academic credits, and the academy has Exchange Hall for this purpose. Students can exchange AC and then also buy resources from Exchange Hall.

Not knowing about being busted by Professor Katherine, Aryann headed toward the exchange hall in a happy mood. Beautiful whistling noises left his gap lips as he walked.

'He finally succeeded in imitating the magpie.'

But his happy mood became flustered as he saw a long line in front of the hall.

"Of course, there will be a long line. I ain't the only one who is in a hurry."

Feeling helpless, Aryan could only stand in one of the 7 lines and wait and lament-

"Why am I spending most of my academic life standing on the line? Aren't I the main character of some bullshit novel? Where is my privilege?

As Aryan entered the hall, he saw a middle-aged Elder doing the exchange.

The elder looked at Aryan,

"Did you come to exchange your exam points?"

"Yes, elder."

"Hmm, what's your rank? Give me the token of yours."

Aryan gave him the token and brought his head closer to the Elder.

The Elder thought he encountered a shy guy who didn't get a good rank. And didn't want others to know. Aryan wasn't the only student to do this. So, he also brought his head.

Aryan finally revealed his dark secret,

"Rank One."

_______________

Aryan's PoV:

Someone said, "Money can't buy happiness. Only Love can bring true happiness. "

When I heard it for the first time, I praised that someone for his deep insight into life.

Until my father stopped giving me any money.

The day I awakened my affinity, Dad gave me a box with cultivation resources for the first time and, for the last time. From then on, I didn't receive any money from him. This didn't affect me much when I was with my mother as she took care of everything for me. But, things went south just when I arrived at this academy.

The first problem I faced was 'Food.' Surely, I can sustain myself with regular food for the whole year with the little money I had left.

But when your peers are eating Elemental beast meat and other nourishing foods that help in cultivation, you can not help but join them as you will lag behind your rivals and most importantly- those foods are freaking delicious. I was not some godly being that can produce the same result as them just by breathing air.

While I was having a great headache over this, my roommate Jacob arrived as my guardian angel and my Food-daddy. (Though, his intention was not good) Otherwise, I had to do menial jobs in Evergreen City to eat some meat. Even that would be extremely difficult, if people could eat Elemental beast's meat just by dishwashing in an Evergreen city's hotel, every dishwasher would become cultivators then.

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But, my headache wasn't over. For these 4 months, I have received the same amount of origin crystals from the academy as others. Although nobles have their secret stashes, there were also many commoners titled students like me dependent on the academy's weekly quota.

For some reason, even though I formed my Core in just two months- way faster than any geniuses I have heard, I couldn't cultivate it faster than others.

Most of the energy was absorbed in my blood cells and even I didn't know where the f*ck energy from my elemental crystals go. And my core's cultivation process becomes slower than a turtle's pace. So, to keep up with others, I had to buy origin crystals from time to time. And now-

As if, the situation wasn't bad enough, the academy decided to stop providing those free crystals 15 days ago. So, I couldn't absorb origin energy for a whole half a month.

But, the authority didn't forget to put more oil on the fire to burn me more. The Academy promised four months of free education and living expenses. After that, you have to pay for everything with academy credits. Dorm fees and turion fees - both will be paid on AC from the 5th month. Leaving this boy with an empty pocket feels like dying. But, that shitty academy arranged an exam that gives Academic Credits to the students.

This was the last lifesaving straw for me. But to my dismay, I wasted the precious 13 out of 15 days of preparation period watching some Core development stage kids beating each other's arse.

'I really like to hit the ax on my feet.'

So, I had to put the rest of 2 days to the best use I could master.

And by pulling an all-nighter for 2 whole days, I finally succeeded in getting my promised money. After exchanging the exam points, I received a pouch with 300 golden paper notes. Every golden note indicates 100 AC!

"So, the academy had its currency."

So, technically I earned 30000 Academic credits in one day!

That was a lot of credit for any students studying in Kriegar.

After exchanging 300EP for 30,000 Ac, I became one of the richest 1st-year students of the academy. Ah, my bitter all-nighter finally paid off.

"I can finally eat to my heart's content."

I exclaimed while shaking that heavy pouch. But they didn't make any metallic sound as they were papers. I didn't mind and continued to shake it in a blissful mood.

"The feeling of becoming rich from being penniless overnight is ~ thrilling.

Hahaha, Love may bring happiness to others, but money buys it for me. Now, I like money. No, I freaking love them."