The world was a hard place to live in at times. Over the years, various countries came to distinct, and yet similar, solutions to the problems of existence. The systems in place seemed necessary, but at the same time they destroyed the soul.

Humans and their near-human cousin species, the Demi-Humans, developed a strange symbiotic relationship over the course of time. Demi-Humans needed normal humans in order to maintain their thought and reason. By an accident of supposed natural-design that interaction best worked when sex was part of the equation. Simple physical contact and honest emotional support was all that was really needed, but such things inevitably led to a sexual relationship. Over time that dependence on physical intimacy led to a dominate status for humans.

Humans needed Demi-Humans in order to survive in the world due to the actual existence of Demi-Humans. Without the powerful women living in the wilds, humanity would have few issues when it came to simple survival.

However, the Demi-Humans did exist. The humans did need to keep some of them tame and reasonable to survive long term. This co-dependent nature showed itself in different ways from country to country. In America, and a few of their allied countries such as Japan and the U.E Alliance, there were systems in place that allowed Demi-Humans to be free if they could manage to achieve the legal standing necessary. It was a lengthy process and included much in the way of both currency and social vetting.

Despite the sentiments of people who believed that the Demi-Humans should be free regardless of money or proof of character, the governments always denied that basic right. On the surface it would seem to be totalitarian and quite barbaric, but freeing Demi-Humans to live their lives via a single act of government would be a dangerous concept to implement.

As it stood, a free Demi-Human was required by law to submit to monthly testing if they did not have a designated partner, or master. That testing allowed the government to know whether or not there was a risk of regression.

The threat that a powerful free Demi-Human might regress into a psychotic monster was quite real. Despite the progressive nature of countries like America, most places in the world developed their own versions of a zero-tolerance policy. Demi-Humans were slave labor and nothing more.

It was a strange sort of irony. One of the best places to live in the world for everyone, also had a dogmatic system of slavery, bonded servitude, and requirements for even the free Demi-Humans were quite strict. Still, at least there was hope.

It was that hope that John dangled in front of Tera and Mindi on a daily basis. It was not his intention to make them feel inferior. He simply saw them as such. He was a product of his childhood and the modern system after all.

“Alright, we need to discuss plans for this week. Next week’s plan is already decided,” said John

Kara spoke up. “What did you have in mind, master?”

John looked to the Steel Valkyrie then nodded. “First, we need to purchase proper combat equipment for the team. I’ll leave you in charge of that. I’ll share the budget and my personal thoughts on equipment with you after the meeting.

You’ll also be in charge of collecting and dispersing that equipment for training and tournament purposes.”

“Understood.” She smiled at her master. It was such an important task! Of course, had she known that John did not want to be bothered with shopping; she might have felt less enthusiastic.

John looked at Tera and Mindi then over to Honey, and finally he looked at Kara. “Normally, I would allow you to determine your needs on your own. However, the tournament has changed the situation. You will all need to be properly tamed.”

Mindi made a loud snort. She had no intent to be tamed by her current master, even if she was starting to feel desperate. "Not interested."

John gave her a cold look. “I have no interest in laying with a jellyfish, either. However, if you wish to remain in my employ you will need to comply with the dictates of your biology and our social contract.”

“Employ! You bastard, I am not your employee!” shouted Mindi.

Kara started to speak up, but John raised his hand to silence her. “If that is your decision then I will have no choice but to remove you from my employ.”

Mindi bit off a scathing retort. She was a hot-headed girl, but she knew what that would mean.

“You’ve done nothing but act in a childish manner since your last master betrayed your supposed contract," said John.

The coldness of gaze intensified, and a slight hint of a glow appeared in his eyes for a brief instant. "You’ll note that I have no proof of your claim that you are a free Demi-Human outside of your own spoken word. I’ve given you opportunities to earn the right to sue your former master, but you have not availed yourself of those opportunities in any regard.”

“What opportunities? I’m free dammit! I worked hard to be free, and now I’m just a damned piece of merchandise again!” exclaimed Mindi.

“Correct,” said John.

Mindi glared at him hatefully, tears beginning to glisten along the edge of her eyes. “You...”

“The word you are searching for is master. You have twenty-four hours to decide that it is the right word to choose and to be tamed, or I will sell you," said John.

"Right," said Mindi, before snorting loudly. He’d mentioned selling them before and she was not worried about it.

“My patience with you has run out. Make your decision by nine in the morning.” John turned to Kara and informed her not to purchase any equipment for Mindi until after she made her decision in the morning.

Mindi stared at him, shock beginning to creep into her expression. He actually sounded serious. The situation suddenly shifted into a dangerous direction.

If he sold her, there would be no chance for her to ever be free again unless her new master wanted to pay a large sum of money to have her declared free once more. It cost over twenty thousand dollars! No master would pay that for someone they could just sell, even her right to own a bank account would be one that a master must offer. She would no longer be a contracted Demi-Human, and would exist as nothing more than owned property.

John turned to Tera. “When do you wish to be tamed?”

Mindi looked at Tera and her eyes widened when the girl replied. She could not believe her ears.

“We can do it after the meeting if you want. I could use it, to be honest,” said Tera.

John nodded at her. “I thought as much. Holding out is your business, but this tournament is mine. We all need to be at our best when the event actually starts.”

He turned to look at Kara. “I’ll tame you after you are done shopping.”

“Understood.” She smiled brightly. The dominating attitude offended her a little, but at the same time it was sort of intriguing.

Honey perked up when John called her name. The adorable Succubuzz hummed at him then opened her arms. She wanted a taming now, but he told her Tera and Kara needed to be tamed first. Honey pouted cutely then nodded her head. The poor little horny bee would have to wait.

“Today is a taming and rest day. Tomorrow will be a day for hard training. We will continue training and developing our skills at the communal training center on this property for the next eight days," he decreed.

He looked three of the four girls in the eye and then said, "After that we will have to challenge and defeat at least four gyms in town to guarantee tournament entry."

“What do we do until tomorrow?” asked Kara.

John looked at Kara. “You have shopping and alpha duties. Each of you girls is free to do as you wish otherwise, though you will need to report to my room for taming at your appointed time.”

"How romantic," said Tera, sarcastically. "Make a girl feel like going down easy, why don't you?"

The would-be harem master quirked his eyebrow. He realized something after Tera's sarcastic outburst. “Also, Kara... Add one more thing to the shopping list.”

“Yes, master?”

“Buy lots of lubricant, and a tube of pain-ex. Things should go more smoothly, and I will no doubt become quite sore after performing my duties,” said John without a hint of humor in his tone.

He said it so seriously that no one could speak for a moment. Finally, it was Tera who could not hold it in anymore.

She started to snicker. John looked at her curiously, and it became worse. Soon she could not stop herself. Her snicker turned to a full-blown laugh. Said laugh became quite infectious and everyone, except for Mindi, started to laugh as well. John rarely made a joke, but at times his sincere expressions mixed with candid statements proved to be quite amusing.

He noted their laughter, but it did not faze him. However, after a moment he realized his error. He looked to Kara and said, "Also procure something to help with chaffing."

The laughter turned into amused howls as Tera fell to the floor while clutching her stomach. He'd said the words so seriously that she could not help herself.

"You..." John looked at each of the laughing girls, uncertainty in his eyes. Chaffing in that area of the body was no laughing matter. What manner of bedevilment ailed these laughing fools?

The girls had seemingly lost their minds. Further, they expressed it through raucous joy that seemed quite nonsensical to him.

"Such strange creatures," murmured John. They were a mystery, these Demi-Humans.