"Alright, now that everyone has introduced themselves, let's start with today's lesson," Ms. Sanders began, her tone calm and encouraging. "You all might already be familiar with the concept of cosmic awakening, but today we'll dive deeper into some key ideas surrounding this topic."
She moved to the board and began writing as she spoke. "Cosmic energy allows humans to connect to a 'universal seed' within themselves. This seed forms the foundation of their internal space—a personal pocket dimension linked directly to their consciousness.
At first, this pocket dimension is an empty void, but over time, it evolves into a planet as the individual nurtures and shapes it. Cosmic energy is the fuel for this process, enabling the creation of environments, the growth of civilizations, and even the manipulation of time within this internal space."
The students nodded along, recognizing the basics they had learned the previous year. Seeing their attentiveness, Ms. Sanders continued, introducing a new concept.
"Now, let's discuss the time acceleration mechanism within these internal planets," she said, turning to face the class. "Time in your internal space flows differently because of a principle we call Cosmic Relativity. With enough willpower and energy, you can accelerate time within your planet. For example, years or even millennia can pass in your internal space while only moments pass here on Earth."
She paused for effect, letting the importance of her words sink in. "However," she added with a more serious tone, "accelerating time comes at a cost. The more advanced your internal civilization becomes, the greater the energy needed to maintain higher speeds. Imagine this: if someone accelerates 10,000 years in their internal space, they might expend so much energy that their physical body on Earth is temporarily weakened."
Ms. Sanders scanned the room, watching as the students processed the information. Most of them seemed intrigued, a few scribbling notes. Satisfied with their engagement, she elaborated further.
"Another key point: the 'surface area' of your internal planet is tied to your willpower, life experiences, and connection to cosmic energy. As you grow stronger, so will your planet. This means that tempering yourself—building your mental and physical strength—is crucial if you want to become a powerful master."
She smiled as she saw eager faces across the classroom, but her tone shifted to gravity as she moved to the next topic. "Now, one more thing to remember: these internal planets are not isolated. They are reflections of a larger cosmic web scattered throughout the real universe. This connection brings both opportunities and dangers.
Some humans can discover and invade others' internal planets through dimensional breaches or astral projection. This creates possibilities for alliances, trade… or even warfare. Your civilizations are never truly safe."
She let that sink in before delivering the most serious part of the lecture. Her gaze hardened, and she looked directly into the eyes of her students. "And, remember, we are not alone in this universe. Evidence suggests the existence of alien civilizations. They might be friendly… or they might be hostile. Either way, it doesn't matter to us right now. What matters is being prepared for the worst. Do you understand?"
The classroom was silent, the students nodding solemnly. Many had heard whispers of this at home, but hearing it from their teacher made it feel real.
Ms. Sanders softened her expression, sensing the tension. "Alright, that's all for today. Most of you will have your cosmic awakening next month, so we'll start slow. By the time you graduate, I hope to see you all as responsible planet masters. Class dismissed."
The students murmured their thanks and began packing their things.
The rest of the day passed without much incident. Each teacher introduced the syllabus for the term, giving the students a sense of what lay ahead.
Yasmine occasionally asked Dave a few questions during class, but he only nodded nervously in response. He was still too embarrassed after the morning to properly talk to her and preferred to stay quiet.
When the final bell rang, Roger arrived early to pick up Dave and Daniel. The ride home was uneventful. After dropping the kids at home, Roger went back to work.
Now, however, a far more difficult challenge awaited Dave.
Henry's words from the previous evening came rushing back to him: "Bring some money tomorrow."
Dave had been so caught up in the excitement of school that he'd completely forgotten. But now, standing in the quiet of his room, the weight of the promise loomed large.
"What should I do?" he thought, pacing nervously. "Should I just stay home and not go out? But Brother Henry will definitely come looking for me…"
He sank onto his bed, holding his head in his hands. His thoughts spiraled. "If I don't bring the money, Henry will be angry. But… what if I get caught? What if Mom finds out?"
The clock ticked loudly in the background, the minutes slipping away as he wrestled with his dilemma. A decision had to be made—soon.