The sea breeze carries a distinctive fishy smell. Gently sweeping through the darkness of the night, rolling waves and passing through the gaps in the bridge.
Rustling softly like a melodious whistle, waving the flags attached to several corners of the fishing area. These flags come in various colors, serving as warning signs for hazards such as tides, current strength, and the activity of sea monsters.
The fishing area is the source of marine product distribution. Here, fishermen sell their catches to middlemen, who then store them in warehouses before distributing them to various locations. Some are preserved first, frozen, or processed into instant food ingredients.
The marine products traded are not limited to fish; there are also algae from farmers for export to other regions. They are dried on building roofs before being sold to middlemen. Some are processed into agar-agar powder and packaged in wooden boxes to increase the product's value.
Among the many commodities available in the fishing area, salt products and lobster farming products are less favored by middlemen. This is not only due to low demand but also because the quality and production speed are very slow. Even obtaining a few kilograms can take weeks.
Setting aside all other commodities, the fishing area is one of the economic hubs in the Academy and University region. The economic hub is open.
Since it is separated from the administrative areas of other tribes, the educational institution is granted the right to have its own independent source of income. It must not be influenced by external parties and can be identified as a single city with an independent economy.
The percentage of the population in the Academy and University Administrative Region is not dominated by students, teachers, or even administrators. The general public accounts for nearly 70% of the population, living in residential areas and integrated with the members of the institutions.
They consist of workers, student families, alumni, and civil servants. Most immigrants come from other tribal areas, typically families of students who receive scholarships from the institution.
However, they cannot reside permanently in the Academic and University Administrative Area. Except for institution members, all residents are required to pay a certain amount of taxes. They do not receive subsidies, allowances, or even health insurance.
This also applies to alumni, except for those who work as administrators at the Academy and University. They must pass written and competency tests and have contributed to the institution during their education.
The Academy and University Administrative Area is not entirely free of crime. Due to this biased policy, many local residents falsify their demographic data and engage in illegal transactions. They buy and sell data, usually in the form of leaked exam questions by some administrators.
For them, grades and achievements are as valuable as luxury jewelry, often more important than life itself. A single exam grade can determine breakfast, the fate of an entire family, and even their lives.
Due to the high cost of living, subsidies and scholarships are vital for them. They are as essential as bones, blood, and flesh to sustain life.
That is why most students must study relentlessly so their families can have a decent life. They become the backbone to prevent their family from falling in social status. They carry responsibilities heavier than those of their parents.
However, this only applies to students from lower-class backgrounds. For those who already live comfortably and come from prominent backgrounds, educational achievements serve as a means to clarify hierarchy. They can be used to determine heirs, engagements, or even the removal of names from family records.
Setting aside all background factors, Korwa lives for herself. She has no family to support, no name to uphold, or even no one to protect her.
Korwa does indeed owe a debt of gratitude to the Khan family. If they had not adopted her as a child, she might not have been able to become a teacher as she is today. She would still be part of the lower class, selling his dignity in misery.
However, that debt has been paid off with the dozens of achievements she has earned during his education. Especially while she was still at the Academy.
She elevated the status of that branch of the family, catching the attention of the Moa family, even receiving a marriage proposal from a tribal heir.
Korwa continued his education to avoid a political marriage, just like her friend Irina. She chose to remain single rather than end up as a political puppet, a decoration in a conglomerate's home, or a nobleman's plaything.
That is why, immediately after entering university, Korwa began planning for her future. She gathered funds to live independently, built relationships with many officials, and accumulated achievements. To avoid being arranged in marriage, forced by those in power, or even threatened by the upper class.
"Refusing to listen to others' opinions is a clear sign of arrogance. Acting as if they are always right, imposing their will, and making empty promises to enrich the people. That is the hypocrisy of the government…"
Korwa walked slowly across the pedestrian bridge, holding the Data Cube and opening several digital files. Projected under the streetlight, he reviewed the information he had recently received from Irina, then sorted it to draw conclusions.
"Empowerment and security enhancement, huh? Why was a student sent here for such a purpose?" Korwa deactivated the Data Cube, put it back into her briefcase, and quickened her pace. After taking a deep breath, she sighed irritably and muttered, "Irina didn't give his name? Did she forget? Ah, never mind…"
At the intersection, Korwa turned toward the pedestrian bridge leading to a complex of seafood storage warehouses. There were several stalls, food stalls, and shops along the street. It was crowded, mostly with fishermen.
For a neatly dressed teacher, Korwa stood out as she walked through the area. She caught the attention of a few people, but no one dared to greet him. They only glanced at her, showing expressions of surprise and confusion.
"Ah! Miss! You're finally here!" The owner of a seaweed soup stall greeted her warmly. He was tall and muscular, belonging to the Marinus Rapax race. The man had distinctive blue hair, fin-shaped ears, and sharp teeth. "You've been waiting inside," he said as he opened the curtain and wooden door.
"Hmm, thank you…" Korwa took out an unregistered Data Cube from the government network, then placed its surface on the scanner carried by the stall owner to give a tip. "Please, the usual seaweed soup, extra spicy and a little salt," she added as she walked into the stall.
"Okay, Miss! Seaweed, right? Thank you for using our services!" The shop owner nodded slowly, then looked around to make sure his customer wasn't being followed. "You're amazing, Miss, always safe! Never any problems!" he said as he followed her inside and closed the door tightly.
After that, the shop owner immediately activated the kinetic sensor on the wooden door. He also installed explosives on the additional steel door, placed on the outside to buy time if raided.
"Which room are they in?" Korwa asked before going further inside.
"Room B-4 at the end!" The shop owner walked over to the cashier, placed the scanner on the table, and sighed briefly. "Don't open the wrong room again, okay? We had a lot of trouble yesterday! They complained because they were enjoying themselves and were disturbed!"
"Oh, sorry about yesterday!" Korwa gave a brief glance and forced a smile, then continued walking down the hallway while saying, "Besides, it's their own fault for not locking the door. This place does guarantee privacy and security, but—!"
"Just be careful!" The owner interrupted, giving a worried glance and sighing again. "She's so good at flirting, you know~! If she weren't a teacher, I might have proposed to her," he said with a worried tone.
"The owner is joking, right?" The woman standing behind the cashier counter furrowed her brows. She glared, then rested her chin on her right hand and continued, "She's a high-class woman! A renowned scholar at the university! A Madonna to the academy students! How could she possibly be suitable for you! If I'm not mistaken, she even rejected a proposal from the heir of the Nor clan."
"Shut up, don't make me more pessimistic!" The shop owner was deep in thought. He leaned against the metal wall, then lowered his face and muttered, "I know that too! I'm not worthy of a woman as perfect as her…"
"Eh?! Seriously?! Owner has a crush on her?" The cashier girl teased. She showed a wide smile, trying to hold back her laughter until her cheeks puffed out. 'Just give up, don't get carried away with your dreams!' she said, shaking her head.
"Want me to punch you?" The shop owner approached the cashier, then looked at her closely and pressed his fist against her cheek. He didn't hit her, just gently pushed the cheek of the woman from the Piscium race. "When you're working, I'm the boss, my daughter. Respect me!"
"I know, Dad~! Please stop…" The cashier quickly pushed him away, then glared at him and said, "Your hands are so rough!"