Sacral Cycle
CH 01 – Scientific Dissident (Part 05)
The blowing of the sea breeze carried a distinctive fishy aroma. Gently traversing the darkness of the night, rolling the waves and passing through the sidelines of the pedestrian bridge.
Gentle mustering like a melodious whistle, waving a cloth flag mounted on several corners of the fishing area. Has a variety of colors, used as a warning sign of danger levels such as tides, current strength, and sea monster activity.
The fishing area is upstream from the distribution of marine products. Where the fishermen sell their catch to middlemen, then stored in warehouses before being channeled to various places. Some will be preserved first, frozen or processed into instant food raw materials.
Tradeable marine products are not limited to fish, but there are also algae from farmers to be exported to other Regions. Dryed on the roof of the building, dried first before being sold to the middleman. Some are processed into gelatin powder, then packaged using wooden boxes to increase product prices.
Of the many commodities in the fishing area, salt products and lobster cultivation are less loved by middlemen. In addition to its low demand level, the quality and speed of production is very slow. Even getting a few pounds of results takes weeks.
Putting aside all existing commodities, the fishing area is one of the economic centers in the Academy and University region. The open economy center.
Because it is separate from other tribal administrative regions, the educational institution is given the right to have a self-sustaining source of income. It should not be influenced by outside parties, it can be identified as a single city with an independent economic system.
The percentage of the population in the Administrative Region of the Academy and the University is not controlled by students, teachers, or even managers. The general public controls nearly 70% of the population, lives in residential areas and merges with members of the institution.
They consist of workers, student families, alumni, and civil servants. Most immigrants come from other tribal areas, usually families of students who get scholarships from institutions.
However, they could not stay forever in the Administrative Region of the Academy and the University. In addition to the members of the institution, all residents are required to pay a certain amount of tax. Not getting subsidies, benefits, or even health insurance.
This also applies to alumni, except those who work as managers in the Academy and University. Pass the written selection and competence, having a contribution to the institution during their education.
The Administrative Region of the Academy and the University is not entirely criminal free. Because of such siding policies, many locals falsify their population data and make illegal transactions. Selling data, usually in the form of test questions leaked by several management personnel.
For them the value and achievement on par with luxury jewelry, can be more important than life. A single test score can determine the breakfast menu, the fate of the entire family, even to their lives.
Because of the high cost of living, subsidies and scholarships are very vital aspects for them. Equivalent to bone, blood, and flesh to connect life.
Therefore, the majority of students must study desperately so that their families get a decent life. Become the backbone so as not to go down caste. Shoulder heavier responsibilities than Mom and Dad.
However, this only applies to students from the lower classes. For those who are already living a decent life and come from the top, educational achievements become a place to clarify the hierarchy. Can be used to determine the heir, engagement, even the removal of the name from the family deed.
Putting aside the entire background, Korwa lived for herself. Not having a family to bless, to uphold his name, or even to protect.
Korwa owes a debt of gratitude to the Khan Family. If they hadn't adopted him as a child, he probably wouldn't have been the teacher he is today. Still a lowlife, life sells self-esteem in misery.
However, the debt has been paid off with dozens of achievements he achieved during his education. Especially when I was at the Academy.
Raising the branch family caste so glimpsed by the Moa Family, even to get a marriage proposal from a tribal heir.
Korwa continued her education to avoid political marriage, just like her colleague, Irina. Choosing to be single rather than have to end up being a political puppet, a display in a conglomerate house or manyi.
That is why, right after entering college at the University, Korwa began to devise plans for his future. Raising funds to be able to live independently, then build relationships with many managers and multiply achievements. In order not to be betrothed, forced by a stronger party, or even threatened by the upper class.
Korwa walked slowly over the pedestrian bridge, holding the Data Cube and opening some digital files. Projected under street light beam. Checking the new information he got from Irina, then sorted to get a conclusion.
“Enablement and increased security, yes? Why was a student sent here for such a purpose?” Korwa deactivates the Data Cube, then stores it into a carry-on bag and speeds up footsteps. After a long sigh, he clucked in annoyance and continued muttering, “Irina did not give her name? Did he forget? Ah, never mind ..”
While at the crossroad, Korwa turns towards the pedestrian bridge that leads to a complex of marine storage warehouses. There are several outlets, food stalls, and shops along the way. It looked crowded, the majority were filled with fishermen.
For a well-appointed teacher, Korwa looks quite striking when walking through the place. Attracting the attention of a few people, yet no one dared to say hello. They only glanced, revealing astonished and frowning expressions.
“Ah! Missis! Finally arrived!” A seaweed soup shop owner greeted me kindly. It has a stout and tall stature, coming from the Marinus Rapax race. The man has distinctive blue hair, fin-shaped ears, and pointed teeth. “You are awaited inside,” he said as he opened the fabric curtain and wooden door.
“Hmm, thank you ...” Korwa issued a Data Cube that is not registered in the government network, then pasted the surface on the scanner tool carried by the Owner of the Warehouse to provide tips. “Please seaweed soup as usual, extra spicy and a little salt,” he added as he walked into the stall.
“OK, Miss! Seaweed, ‘kan? Thank you for using our service!” The Warung owner nodded slowly, then looked around to make sure his customers were not being followed. “Nona is great, always safe! Never a problem!” he said as he entered and closed the door.
After that, the Owner of the Stall immediately activated the kinetic sensor on the wooden door. He also set explosives on an additional door made of steel, placed on the outside to buy time if raided.
“They are in what room?” ask Korwa before going deeper.
“B-4 room at the end!” The Warung owner walked towards the cashier, then placed the scanner on the table and sighed for a moment. “Do not open the room again, yes! Yesterday we were troubled, loh! They protested because it was delicious and even disturbed!”
“Ah, sorry about yesterday!” Korwa glanced thinly and threw a wry smile, then continued walking down the hallway while saying, “Again, it was their own fault for not locking the door. This place does guarantee privacy and security, but—!”
“Just be careful!” The Warung owner interrupted, gave an anxious look and again sighed. “She is very good at flirting, ya~! If not a teacher, maybe I have applied,” he said in a fretful tone.
“Owner is joking, ‘kan?” The woman standing behind the counter frowned. Staring cynically, then propping his chin with the back of his right hand and continued to say, “He's a high-class woman, you know! A renowned scholar at the University! Madona for the Academy's students! Which might be worth it to you! If not wrong, even he once refused a proposal from the heir of the tribe of Nor.”
“Be quiet, don't make me more pessimistic!” The owner of the pensive stall. He leaned against the metal wall, then lowered his face and muttered, “I know that too! I don't deserve a woman as perfect as her..”.
“Eh?! Seriously?! Owner has a crush on him?” The cashier girl even mocked. He showed a big smile, trying to hold back the laughter until the cheeks puffed. “Clearned already, do not delay when dreaming!” he nodded his head.
“Want me jotos, huh?” The owner of the shop approached the cashier, then looked at him closely and pressed his fist. Not hitting, just pushing soft cheeks of women of the Piscium race. “When you work I'm the boss, my daughter. Respect!”
“I know, Papah~! Please stop ...” The cashier immediately pushed him away, then looked cynically and said, “Your hand is really rough ...”
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