Jien's statements struck the group like a battering ram. They had certainly thought about the luxuries and training facilities available here in the academy, drooling over the nicer meals and potential of things like a simple dessert after a meal or nicer cup of tea. However, they had not truly considered how to get these things.
Then came the thoughts on training spaces. If one wanted to practice alchemy safely you generally would do so in a lab as to avoid damaging your personal spaces. Taking a step back even further, where did the supplies come from? Perhaps the cauldron and glassware may be available with the lab space but what about the herbs and consumable supplies. Surely the academy didn't expect them to have a full year's worth on their person upon entry into the academy.
If a simple miner's daughter like Robyn found herself fascinated by formations, how would she even know to bring the materials when she didn't know that such a thing existed beforehand. The answer to all of these conundrums, as the members of his unit found out after pouring over the for what felt like hours, was simply Merits. As to what they were and how they were going to earn them, the group turned back to Jien who was currently reading something about metallurgy.
Julie was the one to break him out of his concentration by clearing her throat loudly and before Jien even looked up at them, asking "So what plan do you have for us to earn Merits and how exactly do they work?" Her tone was a bit sharp though her expression was fairly neutral compared to how hot headed the group had noticed she could become at times.
Jien set his book down calmly after marking his place with a simple cloth bookmark. "Merits are at its simplest a currency much like copper, silver and gold. The only difference is that it only has one demonimation." This statement was simple enough but hadn't gotten to the core of the issue at hand, leading Julie to scoff and press him with a dismissive "And?"
"And just like any type of currency you can earn it in all the usual ways. We can trade resources, work jobs, and sell what we are able to make using resources both brought by us and supplied by the Academy itself." The statement was once again logical and simple but it was as if everyone had had a slight epiphany at the same time. Out of all those present maybe only Andrew had had what could qualify as a job in the past, having worked as a healer's apprentice at the temple where he was raised.
The larger question then was how they were going to go about earning the credits from an individual basis. Not all of them knew of professions that they were interested in like Jien did. Not to mention that there was a certain start up fee to start using some of the facilities and purchase supplies. Alys crossed her arms over her chest and leaned back in her chair before asking in a serious tone, "And how are we going to start out the process of gathering merits? Most of the different locations such as alchemy labs, smithies and formation rooms likely all cost Merits, not to mention the supplies to actually practice."
They all turned to Jien, knowing that he was bound to have some ideas. In an unusual showing he smirked a little before providing his thoughts. "Professor Everhart gave us our first step. We each brewed a vial of bloodstop salve, and if Andrew were willing to part with it the prize she brewed for the prize is bound to be worth something. Even without it the salves should give us a little starting capital."
It took but a moment to realize he was right. Their professor had supplied the ingredients and even allowed them to mix the salves using equipment for free before letting them keep the end product. This was likely as a way to let units gather supplies for later courses and missions as they go, but if used smartly could also allow them to gain the capital they needed to accelerate into more supplies.
"And how are we going to make the best use of those starting merits? After all it likely won't be enough for all of us to start doing our own work in different fields." The question had come from Olivia, who was resting her chin atop her interlaced hands.
Jien leaned back in his chair and rubbed his chin in thought. To be honest he hadn't thought that far ahead given that he wasn't sure what the prices of the different work stations would be, nor what the sale of their first alchemy projects would net them. On top of all that he knew that not everyone would want to work in those three areas, and to be honest it was better if they didn't.
After a few long minutes of silent thought with all eyes on him, Jien leaned forward again. "I think that we should look at everyone's strengths first, but we can also use Rebecca's assistance with purchasing and sales. We will just need to keep helping her unit think through their strategies as promised."
He turned to Andrew first, drawing the attention of the slightly timid healer. "You have a few options Andrew, but I think our best bet would be if you started by working at any of the clinics as either a healer or assistant depending upon how the feel you measure up to the position." Andrew pondered the statement for a while before nodding firmly. He had been the prize winner during their first class but he was first and foremost a healer by trade and enjoyed it more than he did concocting different remedies anyway.
After Andrew agreed to Jien's idea Julie spoke up again. "And what about me? I have no experience in anything but fighting."