"Slavery isn’t complicated," Aaron said, locking eyes with Theon. "It’s wrong." The words fell like a stone into the hot, perfumed air.

  Theon leaned back, his expression unreadable. "And yet, Champion, the Polis thrives."

  Aaron’s fingers tightened around his cup. Here we go. "Flourishing doesn’t justify chains." The slave flinched back. Rhea looked thoughtful. Theon smiled.

  “Champion, would you allow me to point out that you seem to misunderstand the matter of the hierarchy of the Polis?” Aaron exhaled, bracing for what came next. He already knew—some paternalistic justification wrapped in tradition.

  "Enlighten me, then," Aaron said, forcing a smile. Theon shook his head, his frown deepening with quiet disappointment. I don’t care.

  Theon exhaled slowly, as if explaining to a stubborn child. "You think of slavery as a single thing. But the Polis is a body with many organs. There are slaves, yes—criminals condemned for their failures. But then there are the Serves, who live under the guidance of the wise. And the Favored, who learn the path to freedom. It is not a chain, Champion. It is a ladder."

  Aaron stared at Theon. Their wills clashed like drawn blades, neither willing to yield. Theon coughed, slow and deliberate, without breaking eye contact. “Through service, a freeman may gain citizenship. A citizen or their offspring may attend the Argo. A decade of rigorous training will turn them into a Martial.”

  Aaron snorted, making Theon’s eyes flash. “Finally, there are the Aristoi, those with the blood of mages. Anyone who is chosen by the goddess to rule. We are on the path to join the gods. Would it not be irresponsible to guide the weak and lost?”

  Everyone but Aaron nodded along at the end. His stomach twisted. Do they really believe this? Or have they just stopped questioning it?He pursed his lips. I need to outthink him. His pulse drummed against his temple. If I fumble here, they won’t take me seriously again. I’ll be just another loud foreigner.

  Aaron set his cup down. "You say it’s a ladder, but how do they climb when they start with chains around their ankles? A man who owns nothing has no reason to strive. If the Polis truly wanted strength, wouldn’t freedom forge sharper steel than servitude?"

  Theon leaned back as his attendant pressed a kiss to his cheek, as if the debate were nothing more than polite conversation. Rhea leaned her head against hers. A touch on his shoulders made Aaron finch. His attendant had set down her cup, hands kneading into his muscles—then stopped. “Have I upset you, Anax? I thought you seemed fine with the idea of a massage?”

  Aaron pressed his eyes closed for a moment. Deep breaths. I have discussed things in a sauna. This is not different. Yeah, keep telling yourself that, he heard a mocking voice in the back of his head. You do want her next to you as well. Shut up.

  Aaron shook off the disgusting feeling. He sighed and nodded. “The massage is fine. I was just surprised.” Theon inclined his head. The steam swirled around them as he studied Aaron’s face. Then his voice slid into something more instructional.

  “You misapprehend the nature of ascension. No Mundane ever reaches the fifth rank. The master of martial and productive discipline may become sorcerers, but even they must learn magic to reach the eighth rank. One person in seventy is a mage. One in fifty goes beyond the mundane and travels towards mastery. And the ratios are much worse in societies that are not Poli. The masses simply do not have the ability to reach the highest ranks. This is a common equalitarian fallacy.”

  Theon stroked his chin, then shook his head.

  “Furthermore, where did you get the impression anything could be done to a servile? The lower three ranks are the property of no man; they are held in common ownership by the Polis. Any servile is given out on rent. Killing, maiming, or abusing them in degenerate ways is harshly punished.”

  Aaron nodded in acknowledgment. His throat tight, as he saw the crossroads. I can either condemn him or try to engage. But if I engage, doesn’t that mean taking parts of his framing for granted? Am I accepting slavery in some way? But if I don’t engage… I might lose the only people I consider allies here.

  The face of the Knowing Sage, smiling smugly, appeared before him. The Mindmage. The Holy Matriarch. I am a prestigious fish in a sea full of sharks. I need a swarm. Aaron rubbed his forehead. The massage drained the tension from his shoulders—but not the tightness in his chest. How do I relax when my values are cracking under the heat?

  Theon nodded to Aaron, smiled encouragingly, and closed his eyes, enjoying the water. He is giving me time. For him, this is just like debating with a friend. Is this cometetive or friendly? Anyway, how do I respond?

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  Ascension as leveling up. Of course, this creates a natural hierarchy. I have no idea how to justify equality between a farmer and those superhuman sages. It is as if Superman grew up believing he belonged to the master race. It is… reasonable.

  And slaves are protected. Is state ownership any different from prison labor? This sounds less like American slavery and more like medieval serfdom. Or the Indian caste system. Aaron smiled. Humanizing exploitation has worked to end slavery in my world. The photograph is mightier than the chain.

  “What do the slaves think?” The words landed like a curse. All sound died. Muscles clenched. Even the steam seemed to pause midair. A hand dug into his shoulder—just shy of pain. Steam hung heavier in the air. Across from him, one of the attendants lowered her gaze, lips parted but silent.

  Theon exhaled through his nose, amused. “You do have a talent for upsetting people.” Theon waved to the people around them. “I would like to hear your stories. Rhea, would you mind sharing yours as well?” He asked with a tilt of his head at his bodyguard.

  All of them nodded. Theon gestured to Aaron's attendant to speak. “Excuse his ignorance. Tell us of your life, before you stage him. He is from far away.”

  Aaron clenched his jaw. What the hell have I just walked into? He shook his head. Before his attendant could speak up, Rhea spoke up.

  “You do realize you just called me a slave, right?”, Rhea smirked at this while shaking her head in mock disapproval. At least she still likes me.

  “I was named Shianel. My parents’ tribe was destroyed in the raid that my Sandborn relatives so enjoy. They made their way to a trading post and were sponsored as favored by a patron. I was born here in Pella.” Her voice grew even more passionate and hot as she spoke.

  “I was born a Pellarian Freeman. I am no criminal slave scum. This place would not allow those traitors in here. One needs to be favored at the very least to enjoy this place and its pay.”

  Heat crawled up Aaron’s neck. His heart pounded. This was bad. This was bad. I have just implied that essentially a masseuse is a slave.

  “I… I am sorry. In the trial, they called our opponent slaves,” he pointed an accusing finger at Theon, “And everyone running around in brown cloth… and then you all being naked here and the touching…”

  His attendant spoke in a much softer, though still stormy voice. “Pure and colored clothes are privileges of the favored and freemen. And why does nakedness have to do with anything? Would it not be unnatural to hide beauty?” she said, caressing his shoulders.

  Rhea nodded. “My story reflects hers. My parents were bonded, who were favored by a patron due to martial skill. Then my magic was found on my seventh nameday. That is how I became an Aristoi.”

  The women exchanged smiles. Rhea turned to Aaron. “How else than through patronage could society integrate foreigners or those who failed it before? Would another system not bring anarchy if there isn’t a person directly responsible for them?”

  Aaron opened his mouth, but the attendants beat him to it. “My father was a citizen. I decided not to join the military or attend the Argo, but work as a freeman instead.” He grinned and kissed a giggling Rhea. Aaron blinked. They’re not even ashamed. They’re proud.

  “And I was favored by the master of my parents’ household from a young age. I work here for half the week.” Theons attendant added.

  Aaron groaned and rubbed his temples. Laughter rippled around him. God, did I really charge in here like some moral crusader expecting to show the natives the light? Fuck me. But the thought wouldn’t die. They still have slavery. No matter how pretty they paint it.

  Before Aaron could rally for a rebuttal, Rhea spoke up. Rhea’s smile was patient, expectant. "Tell us of the hierarchies of your world, Aaron."

  Aaron swallowed. "I owe you all an apology," he admitted. His eyes drifted across the room. "I came in swinging, but the truth is… I grew up in a world that tells itself it values freedom. But we have our own chains."

  “I grew up in a society that believes in equality and the duty to care for others above all else. Well, and money, but that is a different discussion.” Chuckles rippled through the others.

  “Most people in our world are free to pursue what matters to them.” Aaron paused. A slight tightness in his stomach. Do I tell them about the dark sides of my world? Or do I present our ideals?

  With a long exhalation, he went on. “Except for those in prisons, trafficking victims, or the very poor. But most of our world is rich.”

  Aaron paused again. “Most people I know,” he murmured. Why can’t I just ride in on a shining horse into the evil empire, kill the damned overlord, and establish the cured Republic of Happiness? Why is this entire world so complicated? It's all so much harder if you are confronted with it directly.

  Theon and all the others leaned forward in rapt attention. Rhea’s attended laughed. “Sounds like the Trebassians and Kyrapolians bragging about their freedom while having legions of thralls and poor masses.”

  The attendedt threw Theon a look. Theon nodded in assent.“Honesty allows us to fix what is broken. Only delusion holds one back in stagnation.”

  Aaron slid down into the warm water. “This is so complicated.” His attendant laughed discreetly, as Theon and Rhea smiled.

  “Consider yourself lucky. At least here, we respect sanctity. The Trebassian guilds might have made you a slave, where the Kyrapolians would bewitch you with trinkets and wealth. We just treat you befitting your station,” Theon concluded with a smile.

  Aaron shook his head, feeling his attendant massage his chest. What if this is actually the society that is least fucked up here? I need answers before I lose myself in this place. “Say, Theon, how do you feel about taking me to a library?”

  Aaron barely finished the sentence before Theon snapped upright. His eyes gleamed. "Yes."

  He chuckled and looked down. In a deep voice, he intoned with all the seriousness at his disposal, “I mean, it would be my pleasure, Champion. It is what you are due.”

  Aaron nodded. I am grateful for you two.

  But… What is it that I am due?

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