The girl began the story:

«In our family, like in any other, there are seven ranks. The most shameful rank among the Stones belongs to mediocre or untalented people, as well as the children of the family members born from slaves or lower servants. It can be given as punishment or when joining a family for some minor credit. Four-fifths of the Stones have the fifth or sixth rank. They are ordinary working people and their children who didn't discover any talent in themselves. As a rule, their development does not exceed the middle of the second phase but they are not fixated on this as they understand they will always be n.o.body. The third or fourth rank belongs to important persons in the family as well as children of high-ranking people. It can be given after pa.s.sing qualifications. To get the 4th rank, you need to be at the finis.h.i.+ng stage of the advanced phase. To get the 3rd rank your development must be at the beginning of the superior phase. In other families, requirements may vary. The second rank can be given when you reach the n.o.ble phase or rather after pa.s.sing the qualification.»

«How do you pa.s.s the qualification?» - Kyon asked impa.s.sively.

«You take apt.i.tude tests, family history quiz, a.s.sess your strength and much more.» - Juno said and sneezed, feeling an urge to wash her hands as soon as possible. – «Besides, the third rank can be given for the ability to make money, in other words, for being an enterpriser. The third rank is awarded to the children of the people who have the 2nd rank. The 2nd rank itself is the Stone elite, the so-called descendants of pure blood. The higher masters, the heads of small inst.i.tutions and the elder's children have the 2nd rank. Sometimes the second rank is given to those who have joined the family after getting married to the elder.»

Kyon got it that the descendants of pure blood are the children of elders or high-ranking persons. Those didn't include people born as a result of incest.

«The elders have the first rank. They are often adults who take control over the whole inst.i.tution, for example, alchemy, mines, or herbalism. We have 12 elders. Close relatives of the former or current patriarch get the first rank for life. I am one of them.» - The girl said proudly and received a well-deserved pinch on her nose.

Juno sneezed sweetly and mumbled something incoherent.

«Stop sneezing. Or you will give it to my feet.» - said Kyon.

Juno could not believe that the granddaughter of the great patriarch was giving a foot ma.s.sage to her dirty former slave, suffering humiliation, unable to express her indignation, forced to hide disgust and hatred deep in her soul.

The sly girl added, seeking approval:

«Every month, family members are paid benefits depending on their rank. If someone is lazy and does not work nor develops, they gradually descend to the seventh rank. This way, if you are useless to the family, they can easily expel you. Of course, the disabled are an exception…»

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Kyon knew very well that if there was a couple between families, a member of a lower-ranking family (say, a husband) must get his wife's last name and live on the territory of her family. The woman will be the head of the family and dictate her conditions to her spouse. Exceptions are made only in rare cases.

If the couple comes from the families with the same rank, as a rule, the wife moves to her husband and gets his last name, or everything happens by mutual consent, or by the principle of "might makes right." Kyon once read about an absurd married couple who fought so that the loser got the name of the strongest. In the end, they both killed each other.

It might seem at first glance that inequality and patriarchy reign here but it isn't entirely true.

The following question arises: why is there a patriarch at the head of 95% of the families? The fact is that men are more likely to dominate. For example, they strive to surpa.s.s their rival, reach the top of the hierarchy, conquer the beloved female and gain respect in society. Moreover, the soul of those who have a goal and desire to become better seeks development. Women tend to express these feelings in a different way, although there are exceptions. Take for example the Virgo sect (2), which holds the 2nd rank on the planet.

Kyon pulled a long sword enchanted for strength out of the ring. The best weapon of the treasury sparkled like beautiful silver stars. He gave the sword to Juno and ordered:

«Since you have the glorified first rank, get down to business. Set up the formation for the new owner.»

If the weapon is not personal (the formation inside does not change the oscillation frequency to the frequency of the wearer's soul), the owner can't use it to its full potential. The elemental energy will move around the weapon with great difficulty and ruin it alongside with other elements.

Juno did not hesitate to comply with his request. The boy infused pure energy into the handle. The formation fully accepted the new owner. The energy pa.s.sed through him free and easy. That's a truly worthwhile extension of your own body!

«Wonderful… Great!» - Kyon exclaimed joyfully. He was pleased with his personal weapon and gave it a laconic name "Dragon Fang." It was a smooth, silver, and most importantly strong sword with no frills. He had no intention to brag.

Juno was finally free from her dirty work and squeamishly examined her hands. She could feel a thick layer of nasty goo on them.

The girl cleared her throat and took a deep breath, trying to gain courage.

«Tomorrow is an important day, master. My brother and many important people from different families are coming, in particular from my family. If I am under your orders, I will face the esteemed gentlemen and ladies as a complete idiot, especially in the eyes of XiaoBai... Please, remove all restrictions from me. I promise that I won't say a single word about you.» - Juno said charmingly looking at the boy.

«Go screw yourself.» - He snapped disrupting all the plans of the naive little devil. However, the idea wasn't too bad. The evil girl should not be too limited in her actions at the party. It might cause suspicion. The boy gave the girl new orders that would give her a great deal of freedom up to her own initiative. But if she said something wrong about her "master" she had to commit suicide at once.

His cruel and categorical order frightened Juno. She had to think about what to do and what to say. Otherwise, the trigger in her mind would work, and she would have to kill herself. Moreover, she was forbidden to mention the formations, especially the one on her forehead. There was no way she could cheat. However, taken into account her sly "master," she did not hope for much.

Kyon came up with a plausible "legend" that he had recently lost his father and was left an orphan of the 3rd rank. But the G.o.ds showed mercy on him and now he is an aspiring alchemist.

«That's all. You're free to go. Get lost.» - He said rudely.

«Sleep tight, master.» - The girl emphasized the last word and quietly left his chambers.