Morintis truly understood now why points were more useful than gold coins.
The four-person dormitory was the cheapest, at 500 points per month.
The two-person dormitory cost 1000 points per month.
A single dormitory cost 2000 points per month.
As for those standalone houses, the monthly points required were in the tens of thousands.
If you didn't have points, you could also pay with gold coins.
But then you needed to add two extra zeros.
A four-person dormitory required 50,000 gold coins per month, while a single dormitory cost 200,000 gold coins.
This was indeed not cheap.
Morintis currently only had a few hundred gold coins on him.
One point could be exchanged for 100 gold coins.
But gold coins could not be exchanged for points.
If discovered, it would be severely punished.
Byron had said that in Xiajing Academy, most things could be traded.
Exchanging gold coins for points belonged to the minority.
Furthermore, many resources could only be purchased using points.
Thus, points became the most important hard currency within the academy.
Where gold coins could be used, points absolutely would not be used.
Points were saved whenever possible.
Under that person's detailed explanation, Morintis had learned much.
His name was Jiang Tao, a student who tested into Xiajing Academy the year before last.
He now worked as an administrator in the residential area, responsible for managing some minor tasks while also earning some points.
From his words, one could tell that points weren't easy to earn.
Perhaps because of Byron's connection, Jiang Tao was especially polite to Morintis.
"Student Morintis, I know you just finished the major exam and probably have quite a few points."
"But I still advise you, save your points if you can.
There are too many places where you'll need points later."
Morintis roughly understood he should spend sparingly.
However, firstly, he had no gold coins, and secondly, he didn't want to live with others.
"I want a single dormitory."
Jiang Tao looked at Morintis.
"Are you sure?"
Morintis nodded.
Jiang Tao sighed.
"Ah, truly, with wealth comes willfulness.
If you don't know how to save now, you'll regret it when you realize how hard points are to earn."
He sighed with regret, like someone who had been through it all and had a story to tell.
He led Morintis into the residential area, into Building 8, straight up to the 2nd floor.
"Building 8 is all single dormitories."
"On the 2nd floor, except for rooms 206, 208, and 209 which are already occupied, the rest are empty.
Choose one yourself."
Morintis looked along the row and pointed at the nearest one.
"This one."
"Room 201.
Give me your identity card, I'll register it."
The identity card could only be used by the owner.
Even if lost, it would be useless if someone else found it.
Jiang Tao took a machine, swiped the identity card, and then Morintis confirmed with his fingerprint.
With a beep, points were deducted.
Jiang Tao's eyes instantly widened, and he let out a strange exclamation.
"How do you have so many points?!"
The machine was currently displaying Morintis's point balance.
After deducting 1000 points, 133,605 points remained.
Over 130,000 points gave Jiang Tao a shock.
Morintis said, "Rewards given."
Jiang Tao looked at Morintis as if he were the God of Wealth.
"No wonder you want a single dormitory.
So you have this many points!"
"Since I entered the academy, I've earned less than 10,000 points in total, not even a fraction of yours."
"Truly a rich person."
"Alright, from now on, Room 201, Building 8 is your dormitory."
"Without your permission, no one can enter."
"Before you cancel the rental, no one else can rent this dormitory."
"Rest well. If you need anything, find me."
Morintis nodded, then suddenly asked, "Senior, have you heard of Morona?"
Jiang Tao thought for a moment, then shook his head.
"Haven't heard of her."
"You're called Morintis.
Morona must be your relative, right?"
"There are too many people in Xiajing Academy.
Not hearing of someone is normal.
You can go ask at the Academic Affairs Office tomorrow."
Jiang Tao chattered on again with a torrent of words.
Before leaving, he suddenly added, "Oh, right, remember to buy a communicator tomorrow.
Otherwise, it will be very inconvenient."
Closing the dormitory door, his ears were finally at peace.
The single dormitory wasn't big, furnished simply and cleanly.
Morintis sat on the bed and began meditating, recovering his mental power.
Early the next morning, someone knocked on the dormitory door.
Morintis opened the door, surprise flashing in his eyes, mixed with delight.
Isla Ning, whom he hadn't seen for many days, stood gracefully at the door.
"What's wrong? Don't recognize me anymore?"
Morintis smiled slightly.
"I do."
Isla Ning giggled.
"Come on, come on, I'll take you to eat breakfast, then show you around Xiajing Academy."
Next to the residential area was the academy cafeteria.
Early in the morning, quite a few people were there for meals.
Isla Ning quickly grabbed a pile of food.
The quantity was not small.
Isla Ning's appetite was as robust as ever.
When it was time to pay, Morintis took out his identity card.
"I'll pay."
Isla Ning giggled and didn't stop him.
With a beep, 5 points were deducted.
Isla Ning said in surprise, "You actually used points to pay?
You can use gold coins here!
Never use points where gold coins can be used!"
Morintis said softly, "I have no gold coins."
Isla Ning slapped her forehead.
"If you have no gold coins, just say so!
This young lady has plenty of gold coins.
Never waste points; they're so hard to earn!"
Morintis smiled.
"It's fine."
Isla Ning said with relief, "Luckily, luckily, it's only 5 points."
"Just remember, from now on, wherever gold coins can be used, absolutely do not use points."
"Points must be spent on what's essential."
Morintis accepted this humble advice.
He needed to find time to go to the exchange and sell the materials and weapons he recently obtained.
At least that could get him some gold coins.
Thinking of this, a gem appeared in Morintis's palm.