He revelled in mornings, savouring the delightful melodies of nightingales, the fragrance of freshly brewed tea and coffee completed by the deep scent of mahogany bookshelves, and the rustles of pages as he delved into his students' research. It was his typical morning, but not today.
"That maid… passed Math and Languages?!" A high-pitched shriek echoed from an administrator he couldn't quite remember. 'Lord Loudmouth' felt fitting for now.
"Didn't you make it tough, Lord Grant? How could anyone ace Latin?" A lecturer chimed in, his name equally lost to memory. 'Dr. Conformist' would do.
"The results stand as evidence. She succeeded in both subjects with 60% scores, so why persist with this argument?" A rational voice emerged but was drowned out by the conservative nobles. The eastern doctor, who he vaguely remembered with a name starting with 'S,' earned the mental moniker of Dr. Sensible.
"I always suspected she lacked the intelligence for a perfect score; she'll end up in a lower-ranked class if she passed debating," commented Dr. Conformist, seeking approval from Lord Loudmouth.
Ignoring the bickering, he savoured the taste of his green tea, a relic of fallen empires, soothed his palate. Amidst the debate about Miss Eydis' legitimacy, the brilliance of their new, soon-to-be student went unnoticed. Adjusting his black-frame glasses, he reread her answers, finding them truly remarkable.
Her exam was notably more challenging than usual. Nobility was their currency, and even brilliant commoners, unless prodigies or merchant kin, were beneath them. Eydis, a maid, dared to shake their foundation.
Merely passing the exam was a significant achievement for Eydis. "But you didn't just pass, did you?" he smiled, inadvertently vocalising his thoughts.
"Pardon me, Dean Swans, were you saying something?" The conformist asked, surprised to see the Dean looking delighted.
"Ah, nothing particularly important, no. Please go on," the meaningless arguments droned on, becoming background noise for Dean Swans as he delved into the analysis of Eydis' papers. He smiled, recognizing her hidden prowess. Eydis could have aced both subjects. Instead, she'd tackled the hardest questions, intentionally faltering on others to achieve a passing score, a risky yet audacious gamble.
"Quite intriguing," he mumbled, another sip washing away the noise. This Eydis was a daredevil, no doubt.
"Calm down, everyone! Why get worked up over mediocre results? We haven't examined her debating paper yet!" Another administrator chimed in.
Lord Loudmouth, his face flushed with self-importance, leaned back in his chair. "She might as well have passed already. The debating topic was child's play, a free score!" It was a subtle mockery aimed at Dean Swans, given his role in crafting the debating question. Initially dissatisfied with the dean's choice, they attempted to advocate for more challenging questions, but their efforts met little success.
"May I refresh everyone's memory?" Another committee member, her voice calm and measured, asked. "The topic was 'The Harmony of Elemental Powers: Preserving Balance or Pursuing Dominance?' Surely, anyone who adequately prepared could have addressed that. It's crystal clear that preserving harmony is God's will."
Dean Swans felt his lips tugging upwards, "God's will, you say?"
Lord Loudmouth confidently responded, paraphrasing an excerpt from a history book, "Certainly, Dean Swans. God designed our world to preserve peace and harmony, especially in the aftermath of the Great War thousands of years ago. The Imperial family, blessed with premonition and healing, oversees the delicate balance of elemental powers, each checkmating the other. This divine design is what has bestowed Achymia with centuries-long stability!"
"Hmm, yes, I believe something akin to that statement has found its place on our currency notes as well," mused Dean Swans, tapping his chin and noting Lord Loudmouth's slight annoyance.
Dr. Conformist chimed in, "I agree with Lord Grant, as written in our history book, domination only causes destruction, and thus, God had restored balance by harmonising elemental powers, indeed a straightforward topic to discuss."
A soft voice, belonging to Doctor Sensi-ah Saito, cut through the pontificating. "Dean Swans, if you wouldn't mind, could we perhaps see Miss Eydis' paper and judge her merits for ourselves?"
Dean Swans' smile widened. He cleared his throat and, with a theatrical flourish, announced, "Miss Eydis... passed."
A stunned silence descended upon the room, broken only by the gruff administrator's grumble, "Let's see the paper, then."
Dean Swans poured steaming Sencha green tea, the delicate leaves swirling in the jade-coloured brew. Removing his glasses, he wiped the warmth from their lenses, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "You'd be surprised," he chuckled, "Miss Eydis' stance... leans towards dominance."
A collective gasp echoed through the admissions committee. Lord Loudmouth choked on his tea, sputtering, "She... what?! Dominance? Against everything Achymia stands for?!"
Dr. Saito, ever the voice of reason, interjected, "This is a debating exam, gentlemen. She may choose any stance she desires."
Swans silenced the room with a raised hand, his authority undeniable. "Indeed. And choose she did. Allow me to share her... unique perspective." He adjusted his glasses, his voice taking on a theatrical timbre as he began to read:
"The concept of domination emerges as a dynamic force, a necessary catalyst for growth and order. The purpose of ensuring harmony of powers encapsulates profound philosophical and ethical aspects, it may, ironically, stagnate progress. Without the friction of competition, technology languishes, advancements deemed unnecessary in a realm of stagnant perfection."
Silence hung heavy in the air, broken only by the clinking of porcelain. Swans continued, his voice a measured counterpoint to the mounting disapproval.
"This essay," he continued, "does not advocate for war or discord. It acknowledges the blessings of harmony – the flourishing of art, the fulfilment of basic needs, the pursuit of higher callings. But statistically, despite a thousand years of peace, have we truly moved forward? How is our technology different compared to what has been recorded in the past? We still rely on horse carriages, apply traditional herbs as medicines, or rely on manpower for menial tasks. But hey, we have created some pretty good dramatic plays."
A nervous chuckle rippled through the committee, quickly stifled under Lord Loudmouth's disapproving glare. Swans pressed on, his voice now tinged with a quiet passion.
"Throughout history, civilizations that asserted dominance often showcased higher levels of technological, economic, and cultural advancement. A dominant force can facilitate more efficient decision-making and the ability to address challenges promptly. This efficiency is crucial in times of crisis or when facing external threats."
Dean Swans continued, "Fundamentally , humans do not crave progress but rather food, shelters, and safety. Once these needs are achieved, we could crave for social connection, recognition and self-actualisation. However, when our most basic needs are threatened in times of conflicts, it serves as a strong catalyst for advancement. Our Great Alchymia has never faced a strong adversary, not until now, but we will cover that later. The five noble houses could easily defeat any sparks of rebels, preserving the peace of this realm while keeping each other's power in check. It came at a great cost: technological and educational advancement. Why fix it when it wasn't broken?
He paused, his gaze sweeping the room, seeking a flicker of understanding. Then, with a sardonic smile, he added, "Why improve crop yield when bellies are full? Why refine transportation when majestic beasts carry us? Why delve deeper into medicine when divine healing suffices? These were the questions asked, not by rebels, but by those who understood the true cost of stagnation: a generation lulled into complacency, their minds content in the shadows of the past. This complacency had merit, yes, but its benefits flowed most freely to the noble estates. Many commoners still battled for sustenance, crammed into creaking carriages, and sought remedies from ill-equipped healers, for the healers, few though they were, could barely keep pace with the tide of suffering."
The subtle inference of the aristocratic roles in Alchymia ignited a firestorm amongst the committee members, where the majority were nobles. Outrage simmered in their eyes, voices rising in a chorus of disapproval.
"Insolence! How dare a commoner claim we nobles hinder progress?" thundered a voice, earning a knowing smile from Dean Swans.
"Blasphemous! Is she questioning the very world God has crafted?" another exclaimed, indignation colouring his cheeks.
Dean Swans met their fury with a calm challenge. "And is divine will your only response to her observations?"
"It was the only argument that matters. Who are we to question our God?" Lord Loudmouth spoke in annoyance.
Dr. Saito, ever the voice of reason, interjected, "Perhaps, amidst the comfort of our utopia, we've neglected to consider the realities lived by those outside our gilded gates. Miss Eydis, through her commoner's lens, has offered a perspective both unexpected and worthy of contemplation."
Once the arguments subsided, Dean Swans continued his captivating recital of Eydis' essay.
"Then," he intoned, "our very peace shattered. The arrival of the enigmatic witches from Mythshollow Woods thrust us into a taxing war, a bitter conflict that left scars etched deep in our collective memory. While the war itself, I reiterate, was not a consequence of our stance on dominance, it did serve as an unexpected catalyst for progress."
A murmur rippled through the committee. Eydis' essay provided a provocative perspective, challenging their long-held beliefs.
"During these five years, our technological advancements outpaced those of centuries past. Innovations birthed in the crucible of war, initially designed to bolster our military, now blossom with benefits for the common folk. Roads stretch farther, hospitals bloom across the land, and prestigious academies open their doors, eager to nurture the next generation of doctors and engineers."
Eydis' prose cascaded like a compelling river, bearing a torrent of evidence, each more persuasive than the one preceding it.
Dean Swans, as he paused to refill his teapot, could sense the shift in the room. The initial emotional outbursts had given way to hushed discussions, a testament to the intellectual heft of Eydis' argument. This, he reflected, was the essence of debate – not mere shouting matches, but the clash of ideas, the forging of new perspectives. Eydis took the role of the Devil's advocate, and oh, she was so good at it.
He continued to read her closing argument, settling back into his seat. "While it was widely understood that harmonious powers were necessary for peace, what is peace without dominance in Alchymia? The power play in this realm ensures no dukedom exhibits absolution, but there is indeed an absolution beyond the elements. We are governed by His Majesty, whose divine power is bestowed upon God. It's imperative to recognize the divine presence of God and His messenger. While acknowledging the stability and prosperity that harmony brings, our stability is achieved through the assignment of one ruling family, who exerts dominance over the Five Great Defenders. The Imperial family holds a unique position in our society, guiding us through both harmonious and dominant phases."
A hush fell over the room, thicker than the Sencha tea swirling in Dean Swans' cup.
"As we consider the pursuit of progress, let us not confine ourselves to a binary choice. Instead, we should seek harmonious dominance, a delicate equilibrium where the divine guidance of the Imperial family aligns with the natural ebb and flow of elemental powers. This synthesis allows for dynamic progression that upholds both the sanctity of God's will and the pragmatic needs of our ever-evolving society."
A stunned silence descended upon the room. Dr. Saito, still grappling with the essay's audacity, finally broke the quiet. "Wow," he exhaled, his eyes wide with a dawning realization. He understood now why Dean Swans had met each mention of God's will with a knowing smile. Eydis had closed her argument with that very weapon, turning the tables on a potential counter-argument.
Dean Swans smiled, recognising the complexity of the topic. Every single answer he had read during his time teaching here favoured harmony. That was how elemental powers worked, as the history books alluded to, and what the nobles believed in—an illusion of control and a so-called balance of powers. However, they failed to incorporate the emergence of a new player who managed to break this equilibrium. Their emphasis on God's will was a double-edged sword, as Eydis turned their blade against them with her closing argument. It was almost as if she had predicted the examiners' thoughts, subtly implying that their so-called balance rested on a foundation of dominance.
After a prolonged silence, Lord Loudmouth cleared his throat, "I must admit," he conceded begrudgingly, "she has made some valid points. While I don't fully agree with her stance, within the context of the exam, she has demonstrably passed."
Dr. Conformist, his eyes narrowed, nodded curtly. "Indeed. As a commoner, her perspective offers a refreshing lens, one we haven't considered before. It will be… interesting to see how her mindset plays out within these walls."
"Welcome to the Imperial Arcane Academy, Miss Eydis." While she had made herself a few enemies, potential allies also emerged. Dean Swans mused, gazing at Dr. Saito, who clutched Eydis' essay as if it held the secret to immortality. In contrast, Lord Loudmouth, a walking gargoyle in human form, snorted and muttered about "uppity commoners."
Dean Swans pondered his next move: nurture her talents under his wing, or let her navigate the challenges with the wolves, much like he refrained from intervening in the other two exams. Sipping his tea, he felt a rush of excitement for the intriguing possibilities with their enigmatic new student.
It wasn't long until Eydis received an invitation to meet the esteemed Dean Swans from the academy. The Duke watched her with amusement, having seen her scores of sixty percent. In other words, she'd barely passed, putting her right at the bottom of the class assignment, allowing her to stay low within the academy. What could be more humiliating than a commoner getting a perfect score? Her purpose was to learn, not to make herself a walking target.
A mischievous grin pulled at Eydis' lips as she considered the stir her essay had caused. Yet, harnessing the right notice might open forbidden doors in this ancient academy, and her heart thrilled at the prospect.