Benki City (State of Gezela)

The dry breeze penetrated the skin cavities, making people around the area feel very hot during the day. Shuu immediately felt the dryness has entered his body until his lips were already dry and cracked.

Not long ago the boat that Shuu was riding docked at the port city of Benki after separating from the Vigza Academy boat carrying the Prince and other disciples from the Virata Land.

Shuu, Jessy, and Odi could have boarded the Vigza Academy boat carrying some talented prospective students and students but he had to follow what Prajo said to avoid being tracked down. Shuu had to enroll in Vigza Academy in Gezela Country, not in Virata Country. After all, they were too late in the selection in Wirata Country.

Shuu put down the bag of water he was drinking, then felt the little contents remaining. Shuu could not understand that water in this country is very expensive, very far from his country which is abundant with water. Shuu had been in Benki City one night already, while he had to wait another week before Vigza Academy's enrollment. He pondered about what they would do to fill the empty day, maintain their availability of water and food, finance and also prepare for the Vigza Academy entrance selection test that was not allowed to use magic.

"Guys" Shuu looked down at Jessy and Odi who were daydreaming in the small hut they rented last night by the harbor. It seemed they were also contemplating what they would do.

"We have to save our water and food supplies, we also have to earn money for our survival this week"

"But shouldn't we do some preparations for our selection exam? I mean, we can't use our magic during selection, only can use our knowledge. It takes practice Ms. Shuu, unlike magic that only requires holding the Syloxva stone, then we will pass" Jessy said what she had been thinking all along with a serious expression.

Odi was just listening to that, he also hasn't sharpened his skills in making swords and other war equipment in a long time. He was a little hesitant because the competition in the field of Odi must be very much and fierce, considering that many want to become Vigza Witches from the many people who have no born talent to become magicians.

"Jessy, you can train while honing your skills. You and I will be selling herbal medicines here and opening practice for treating people while honing our skills. Odi, you can try making armaments and selling them. We're going to open a shop here. it won't be easy, but without doing that we'll still be short of money and short of water for a week. We'll have to try that first, shall we?"

Odi and Jessy, who heard that, seemed to shine with the right answer for their situation. They nodded in agreement.

The three of them gathered in a circle. Shuu took out all the money and divided them up for some purposes. Then the two parts were given to Odi and Jessy. Shuu informed them that he would buy some necessities as capital for selling, then the three of them prepared to go to the market.

On the way, the minds of the three of them were filled with the horrors of the Gezela people. Cautiously they stepped towards the market near the port. Shuu further covered his face with the red scarf he was carrying.

You can see the clothes of the original people from Gezela Country which are all black robes and their shabby, dry, and hungry slaves who are chained to their feet or neck, the rest who are not black are temporary settlers or nomads.

They arrived at a shop selling medicinal plants. Shuu and Jessy began to choose enthusiastically when they saw the dried plant pieces, he immediately thought of the medicine they were going to make.

Amid the crowd, Shuu, who was observing the dried plants he was about to buy, was disturbed by the sound of a parade-like crowd not far to their right. Shuu immediately turned his gaze there filled with question marks.

"What's going on there? It seems very crowded" Shuu tried to ask the shop owner beside him.

"It's an annual event to buy slaves or marry women" The lady replied in a small voice with a relaxed expression.

The three of them gasped in surprise and their eyes immediately scanned the parade. No wonder along the way, they met many slaves who were dragged by their masters.

"Many of them are minors, maybe even under my 12 years old. How can they treat them like that?" Shuu looked worried.

"What do you mean Miss?" Suddenly an old man appeared from the tavern booth. It seems to be the husband of the tavern lady.

"That's a good thing and has been going on here for a long time. A slave can even rise to the status of a wife even if the chances are slim because slaves are very shabby and can't read unless they are quite beautiful and white like you" continued the man looking at Shuu scornfully and winking at him teasingly.

Shuu and the others shuddered in amusement. Odi felt want to hit the man and just glared at him.

The man just looked back at Odi with a smile and turned his gaze to Shuu again.

"You have to cover your body, Miss, you might be raped, even though I think you are not from this country. I can see from your clothes, that you are from Wirata Country" The man pointed Shuu's shirt right on his chest while smiling mischievously, thinking about indecent things.

Shuu directly looked at the shop owner, thinking this was not a good thing. But what Shuu saw, the tavern lady was expressionless.

Shuu couldn't help but wonder, how could someone have such dirty thoughts for a 12-year-old kid who was even still dressed modestly. Shuu immediately became gloomy, feeling that he did not accept the abuse he had received.

"You men should be blamed for not being able to control yourself. Shame because you are like animals. A good man will control himself well and will feel humiliated if people think he will be easily seduced and carried away like an animal. A person's qualities too the way he controls himself.

Everyone in the tavern stared and listened to Shuu. There were some Gezela wearing black robes who disliked Shuu.

"Why is it that women are blamed for the mistakes of perverted men. First, they ask to cover the chest, then the legs, then the hands to the face until there is nothing left and can't be recognized, thinking he is a non-human object" Shuu continued with a very disappointed look on his face.

The man who heard that just laughed out loud and declared this was their God's will and provision.

Shuu felt angry and wanted to lose control. Odi suddenly grabbed Shuu's hand and tried to calm Shuu down.

"Come on Miss, let's get out of here" Odi persuaded Shuu in his calm voice. Odi was worried about Shuu and looked at the old man sarcastically.

"You're not going to buy it? So pay or not?" The man raised his voice.

Shuu tried to calm himself down and took a deep breath. He and Jessy had pretty much picked out the plants they needed. He will try to buy it but not later. Shuu will never forget her abuse.

"I'll buy it" Shuu replied.

Shuu immediately asked for the money that was entrusted to Jessy. Jessy also tried to take the money bag that she kept in her pocket, but Jessy's expression was getting more and more worried.

"What's wrong Jessy?" Shuu looked at Jessy trying to figure it out.

"Miss Shuu, the money is gone" Jessy looked worried and sad.

Everyone around the tavern was shocked to hear that.

How could that be? How will our lives be in the future? Shuu's mind was restless.