The class sat in a hushed silence, the buzz of the morning still lingering faintly in the air. A slim man stepped into the room, his posture upright and his tailored coat fitting him like a second skin. He carried an air of quiet authority, yet his gentle smile disarmed any tension in the room. His name was Victor Nationhowwefeelin, the history teacher. The last name always baffled Ned. What kind of lineage came up with a name like that? He smirked to himself but quickly straightened up as Victor's eyes scanned the class.
Victor began without preamble, his voice carrying a cadence that seemed to tug at curiosity itself. "Good morning, everyone. Today, we're diving into the roots of our world, Rior. I'll warn you now—this isn't just a history lesson. Understand our past, and you'll understand why the present is what it is. You'll even gain insight into your own futures."
Ned, snapping out of his muddled thoughts about his watch, the green-haired kid, and his newly revealed status window, leaned forward slightly. Victor had that effect on people. You wanted to listen.
"Rior," Victor began, drawing the name in the air with an elegant sweep of his hand, "is a world of cycles. Ages rise and fall, empires flourish and crumble, and each time, humanity adapts, survives, and evolves. But the Age of the Unbroken Sky was unlike any before it. Historians often call it the Golden Era, though I'd argue it was more a precursor to everything we now know."
He turned toward the blackboard and began sketching a rough outline of Rior, its major continents and seas. "The Age of the Unbroken Sky saw the rise of the Nexus Kingdom, whose capital still stands. Nexus was not always the grand city you see today. It was born from the ashes of a shattered alliance between feuding clans. Their leaders, instead of waging endless wars, came together to sign the Accord of Forester, forming the kingdom."
Victor's voice grew heavier with gravity as he continued. "But peace was fragile. The land itself turned against its inhabitants. The Cataclysm —an event so devastating that it tore the skies asunder and monsters came pouring from them. Entire regions were swallowed by the earth, and many believed the world would end. Out of this calamity, something extraordinary emerged: talents."
The mention of talents piqued the class's interest. Ned's focus sharpened. Talents were everything in this world, after all.
"Scholars still debate their origins," Victor said, pacing slowly. "Some say the Cataclysm was a punishment from higher powers. Others claim it was a natural phenomenon. Whatever the cause, the survivors found themselves changed. Humans began to awaken abilities that defied logic. The first recorded talent was the 'Hand of Embers,' wielded by a farmer named Ellara Thorne. She could conjure flames with a mere thought, and her talent saved an entire village from freezing during the first winter after the Cataclysm."
Victor's voice softened, as if he were telling a story to an old friend. "At first, talents were seen as miracles. But as more people awakened, it became clear they were anything but uniform. Some talents were simple, like increased strength or enhanced senses. Others, however, were terrifyingly powerful. The 'Black Thunder' talent of Ardyn Vex obliterated armies. The 'Song of Oblivion,' wielded by a lone minstrel, could twist minds and shatter willpower. It was a chaotic time. Those with talents rose to power, while those without…" He trailed off, letting the silence speak for itself.
"The Nexus Kingdom, under the leadership of its first king, Doran Forester was one of the founding kingdoms of the alliance. The Alliance established the Codex of Talents to prevent the world from descending into anarchy. The codex categorized talents, introduced the concept of mana training, and laid the groundwork for the Awakening system. But it also divided society. Those with rare or powerful talents rose to prominence, while those with lesser or obscure talents often found themselves marginalized."
Ned shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Victor's words hit too close to home. His own talent, 'Spectator,' was as obscure as they came.
He moved to another section of the board, where he began drawing symbols. "Now, let's talk about the talents themselves. There are three primary categories: Physical, Magic, and Abstract. Physical talents enhance the body—strength, speed, endurance. Magic talents allowed manipulation of mana. Abstract talents… well, they're harder to define. They bend the rules of reality itself.
And within each category, talents are ranked based on their potential and rarity. Common talents like 'Iron Grip' or 'Ember' form the foundation of most societies. Rare talents, such as 'White Gale' or 'Void Step,' are coveted by nobles and military leaders. Legendary talents, like the 'Eternal Flame' or 'Shadow Sovereign,' are so rare they've only appeared a handful of times in recorded history."
Victor paused, his eyes sweeping across the room. "You see, talents define more than just individuals. They shape nations, wars, even economies. But they also bind us. The Codex of Talents, while necessary, created a hierarchy. Those born with powerful talents are seen as destined for greatness, while others struggle to find their place."
Ned clenched his fists. He knew that struggle all too well.
Victor's tone softened. "But remember this: history isn't written by talents alone. It's written by choices. The Accord of Forester wasn't forged by the strongest warriors. It was forged by leaders who chose unity over conflict. Never forget that, even if your talent seems insignificant, it's your choices that define your legacy."
The room was silent, the weight of his words sinking in. Victor smiled, a faint glimmer of hope in his eyes. "And with that, I leave you to ponder your place in this ever-changing world. History is not a script; it's a canvas. Make sure you paint your part well."
As the bell rang, the class stirred, but no one rushed to leave. Victor's words lingered in the air, and for the first time in a long while, Ned felt a flicker of something he hadn't in years: possibility.