"If we set aside the empires for a mont, that still leaves us with the families, comrcial entities, clans, and academies... Tell about them," Robin said as he continued walking forward, his footsteps steady while a quiet sigh escaped his lips.
"Let's start from the weakest to the strongest in terms of influence and power… First up: the comrcial entities," Pitsu replied, raising a single finger as a sign of enuration.
"There are certain exceptionally intelligent humans who managed to achieve wealth—whether through luck, hard work, or sheer cunning—and used their financial gains to establish businesses. In the beginning, when their ventures were still small and vulnerable, they purchased slaves to guard their establishnts. Over ti, as their influence grew, they began attracting more humans and loyal followers. Eventually, their operations evolved into massive comrcial powers recognized across entire sectors."
He pointed toward a distant street. "For instance, about six blocks from here, there's an enormous pill store called Safe Haven. The owner is human, and every single worker inside is human as well. He started his journey in the sa uncertain, chaotic way as many others, fumbling through trial and error. But now? He has built extensive networks—alliances with nurous clans, academies, and even human kingdoms. His connections stretch so far that he's managed to forge ties with planetary empires of different races!"
Pitsu's voice took on a proud tone. "The Safe Haven Grain Store operates on every major comrcial planet within Sector 100 of the Mid Belt. In fact, it also maintains branches in several planetary empires, where governnts have pledged to shield the stores from any sectarian or racial attacks."
"That's quite impressive… but isn't that more of a personal success story? What does that have to do with the core structure of the human race?" Robin asked with genuine curiosity, his tone innocent and sincere.
Pitsu shook his head slightly. "How can it not be relevant? Safe Haven is protected and supported by a web of human clans, academies, and small kingdoms—but it also gives back. It funds those institutions generously and supplies them with powerful pills that help strengthen their forces. You could say the owner acts as an unofficial patron of the human race—a foundation that helps prevent our total collapse."
He held up another finger. "Not only that, but his shops and factories provide countless job opportunities for fellow humans. He trains them in pill refinent, alchemical thods, and rune carving. You'll find this pattern repeated among most of the great human comrcial powers. There aren't many of them, true, but each one of them has played a critical role in supporting and uplifting the human race."
He paused, then added with emphasis, "In return, they receive protection from the human combat forces and are given priority access when it cos to selling their goods. It's a mutually beneficial relationship, built on cooperation and loyalty… though not without risks."
Pitsu sighed again, his gaze distant. "Of course, not all human rchants follow this path. Only the honorable ones do. The rest pretend race doesn't matter—they shy away from supporting their own people and offer no aid whatsoever. And naturally, we treat them like any other neutral party. They receive no special consideration from us either."
"I see…" Robin nodded a few tis, deep in thought. "And what exactly are these human combat forces you ntioned?"
Pitsu's expression grew more serious, and he motioned for Robin to take a turn down a different street.
"Now we're getting to the core of it—the clans, academies, and noble families," he said, his tone steady and composed.
"Let's begin with the academies. These are powerful institutions ford by groups of friends, forr comrades, fallen families, or people who share mutual goals and interests. Over ti, they grow by recruiting new mbers and expanding their knowledge base. Unlike kingdoms or empires, academies are not ruled by a single sovereign. Everyone in an academy works toward their personal interests—but within an organized, structured frawork that ensures growth and progress for all involved."
He continued, "Within an academy, you'll find nearly everything a cultivator or warrior might need—rare techniques, specialized instructors for all kinds of cultivation paths, detailed recordings of legendary battles, all varieties of pills, elixirs, weapons, enchanted tools, and more. Of course, the extent of their offerings depends on the academy's level and the kind of environnt it operates in. You can't compare a small academy on an outer planet with the powerful Stellar Academies that span star systems."
Pitsu then smiled faintly. "But no matter how prestigious or modest an academy might be, one thing remains constant—you have to pay for everything. Nothing is free. Even entrance exams co with fees."
Pitsu gave a slight shrug, his expression thoughtful.
"That dynamic makes academies a gathering place for individuals united by a single goal—power. But aside from that shared ambition, they're fundantally divided. Each person fends for themselves, focusing only on how to scrape together the money needed to access what the academy offers—be it techniques, pills, or weaponry."
He then raised a finger in emphasis.
"Still, academies have solutions in place for poorer students. They offer a range of missions—tasks done either for the academy's benefit or for external factions—and these tasks pay generously. It's a system that supports the academy while also giving struggling mbers a chance to grow."
Robin blinked, considering this.
"It doesn't sound like much of a unified force. If disaster struck, wouldn't they all just run off in different directions?"
He raised an eyebrow, skepticism clear on his face.
Pitsu grinned slightly, amused by the question.
"You're absolutely right. Academies are not cohesive armies. Loyalty isn't their foundation. But that doesn't an they're powerless. They're ho to a vast number of cultivators, warriors, scholars. And when an academy enters conflict—whether it's a war, a territorial dispute, or a political struggle—they simply set rewards for participation."
He leaned closer, voice dropping conspiratorially.
"And trust , academies are never short on resources. They take a sizable cut from every completed mission, and those funds pile up over the years."
Robin raised his eyebrows, nodding thoughtfully.
"So... they rely on incentives rather than commands."
Pitsu nodded.
"Exactly. In an institution like that, wealth is power. Even if the academy doesn't hand out divine treasures, the re promise of access to advanced techniques, deeper comprehension of natural laws, or secrets that were once forbidden—it's more than enough to move the hearts of most cultivators."
He paused briefly, looking down the road before continuing.
"Now, when it cos to human academies, most of them lie dormant—quiet, hidden, almost forgotten. You rarely hear their nas involved in major scandals or interstellar power plays. But make no mistake—they exist. They operate quietly, often on harsh, unclaid planets where living conditions are poor. And how do they survive? Through steady funding from large comrcial entities that have a vested interest in seeing them thrive."
Pitsu then smiled again, his tone turning enthusiastic.
"Now, let's talk about clans or you may call them sects… At first glance, clans resemble academies. They often form in the sa way—starting with a small group of aligned individuals—and they also expand by recruiting promising mbers. They might even share the sa locations, residing on barren planets or remote stations. But the key difference lies in how they treat their own."
He stopped for a mont, eyes flicking to nearby pedestrians. When he noticed a few suspicious glances, he waited in silence until the strangers passed, then resud.
"When you join a clan... you're bound for life."
"Hmm?" Robin tilted his head, intrigued.
"Clans don't ask for paynt every ti you need sothing. Once you're inside, you're treated as part of the system. The stronger you beco, the more access you get—to techniques, treasures, weaponry, you na it. No imdiate cost. Sounds great, right?"
He leaned closer.
"But there's a catch. In truth, you beco their servant, their property. Unlike academies—where you can leave freely if you're dissatisfied—leaving a clan is nearly impossible. If you try, they'll calculate everything you ever used or received from them and demand repaynt—at inflated, rciless prices. And if you refuse or can't pay? They'll send their own mbers after you. No one escapes for free."
Robin's face darkened slightly, and Pitsu noticed.
"I see you understand."
He nodded.
"And that's not all. Because you're using their resources for free, the clan has every right to order you around. They accept commissions too—guarding convoys, exterminating beasts, even assassinations. But all the rewards go to the clan's treasury, while the mbers are sent out to risk their lives. And when war breaks out? Every single mber is expected to fight, no questions asked."
Robin gave a slow nod. He had established sothing similar before. The Nihari Union, He knew exactly how these structures worked.
A clan was, in essence, an empire without citizens or territory. An elite society where everyone was a soldier, and the ruling system was built on loyalty, power, and fear.
Then Pitsu stopped walking. He furrowed his brow, his tone turning somber and cautious.
He turned toward Robin and asked,
"And finally… families."
He stared directly into Robin's eyes.
"Tell —what do you know about the Destra Family?"
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