The transition from the mystical and shadowy atmosphere of Divination to the bright and golden corridors leading to their Heliology classroom was jarring. The students filed into the room, a mixture of fatigue and curiosity written on their faces. Aiden, Adrian, and Sevan lagged slightly behind the others, still quietly debating the cryptic statements Mopsus had made during the last class.
The classroom for Heliology was surprisingly plain compared to the grandeur of the tower they had just left. Wooden desks arranged in perfect rows faced a modest lectern at the front. A large map of Soleil hung on the back wall, its intricate details of rivers, mountains, and borders illuminated by beams of sunlight streaming through the high windows.
As they settled into their seats, a short, round man with thinning brown hair and an austere expression strode into the room. He carried an armful of books and scrolls, which he slammed onto the desk with an air of authority.
"Good afternoon, class," he began, his voice sharp and commanding, cutting through the hum of conversation. "I am Professor Flinders, and I will be teaching you the rich and unparalleled history of Soleil. Let me make one thing abundantly clear: this is not a class for daydreaming, half-hearted efforts, or ignorance. History is the foundation of all greatness, and you will respect it."
Adrian leaned closer to Aiden and whispered, "So much for the chill professor."
Aiden smirked faintly but quickly straightened when Flinders' gaze swept the room like a hawk searching for prey.
"Let's begin immediately," Flinders announced. "History waits for no one, and neither do I. Who can tell me the significance of the Treaty of Lumière?"
Before anyone else could even process the question, Shiloh's hand shot up. "It was signed 150 years ago and established Soleil's preservation of its natural resources and strengthened trade agreements with the Nilufer."
Flinders' face lit up with approval, his stern expression momentarily softening. "Excellent, Mr. Spadille. You're absolutely correct."
Adrian rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath, "Teacher's pet."
Flinders continued, his attention bouncing between the map and the class. "Now, who can tell me about Soleil's founding principles?"
Again, Shiloh's hand was the first in the air. He recited,
"Unity, illumination, and harmony, symbolised by the three suns depicted on Soleil's crest. They represent the past, present, and future guiding our land."
"Spot on, Mr. Spadille. If only more of you showed such promise."
Flinders' eyes scanned the room, finally landing on Aiden. "You there. Mr… What's your name?"
"Aiden, professor."
Flinders raised an eyebrow. "Just Aiden? Do you not have a surname?"
Aiden hesitated for a moment before replying, "No, professor."
"Tell me, Mr. Aiden, what is the significance of the Solari Revolution in shaping Soleil's cultural identity?"
Aiden blinked, caught entirely off guard. "I... I'm not sure, Professor."
The room fell silent, and Flinders' expression soured. "Not sure? Not sure? Let me ask you something, Mr. Aiden. Do you take pride in where you stand? In the land that grants you the privilege of education, security, and opportunity?"
"I'm not from Soleil," Aiden answered flatly, hoping to end the interrogation. "...Professor." He added as a flourishing touch.
Flinders' eyes narrowed. "Not from Soleil? That explains much. But let me tell you something, young man: ignorance is no excuse. Whether or not you were born here, you reside here now, and that makes you responsible for understanding its greatness. Do you think Soleil has thrived for centuries through the efforts of apathetic individuals like yourself?"
Adrian's jaw tightened, and Sevan leaned forward slightly, glaring at the professor. Aiden remained stoic, but his hands balled into fists under the desk.
"Let this be a lesson to all of you," Flinders continued, turning to address the rest of the class. "Do not follow in the footsteps of those who lack curiosity or appreciation for the land they inhabit. Soleil deserves your respect, your admiration, and your dedication."
Shiloh smirked faintly, clearly enjoying Aiden's discomfort. Adrian, however, couldn't stay silent any longer. "Maybe if you didn't expect everyone to have memorised a library's worth of facts on day one, you'd see that some of us actually want to learn."
Flinders' gaze snapped to Adrian. "And who might you be, young man?"
"Adrian Caleena," he replied smoothly, leaning back in his chair. "And just to clarify, I wasn't insulting you, Professor. Just making an observation. You know, like historians do."
A few muffled snickers rippled through the class. Flinders' expression tightened, but he chose to ignore the remark, turning back to the map instead.
"History is not just about memorisation," he said sharply. "It is about understanding the essence of who we are and where we come from. Those who fail to grasp that are doomed to irrelevance."
Aiden clenched his jaw, his mind racing with frustration, but he kept his composure. Adrian shot him a quick glance, as if to silently say, "Don't let him get to you."
As the class dragged on, Aiden noticed something peculiar.
Sevan, who was quietly seated beside him, was unusually still. Unlike Adrian, who was itching to make snide remarks, or Aiden himself, trying to process the professor's disdain, Sevan's focus was razor-sharp. His blue eyes scanned every detail of the map on the wall, every line of Flinders' movements, and every word spoken.
Sevan was always the one with answers but it was clear from the way Flinders conducted his lesson that this wasn't a class for fair participation.
Flinders continued to single out students who struggled to answer his questions, often following up with passive-aggressive remarks about their lack of "patriotism." It was Shiloh, however, who seemed to bask in the professor's favour. His hand shot up for every question, and Flinders' face would light up with approval whenever Shiloh answered correctly.
"Can anyone explain the significance of Soleil's Helio Ferry?" Flinders asked, his voice sharp and demanding.
Sevan's fingers twitched slightly, but he didn't raise his hand. Aiden glanced at him and saw the slightest flicker of irritation in his otherwise composed expression.
Shiloh's hand went up, as expected. "The Helio Ferry symbolise the wealth and prosperity of Soleil, as well as an entrance to Genvah Academy," he said, his tone smug.
"Excellent, Mr. Spadille! Your knowledge of history continues to impress me," Flinders said with a wide, approving smile.
Adrian leaned over to Aiden and muttered under his breath, "Does Shiloh sleep with a textbook under his pillow, or is this just pure sucking up?"
Aiden stifled a laugh, but Sevan remained quiet, his eyes fixed on Flinders.
The professor continued, pointing to the map. "Now, who can tell me the significance of the Treaty of Soleil's Unity?"
Sevan sat up straighter, his lips parting slightly as though he were ready to answer. He didn't need to raise his hand; the answer was practically on the tip of his tongue. But Flinders' gaze swept right past him and landed on someone else—Rupert Lons Dalate, who shrank under the professor's stare.
"Uh… Was it… about trade? Maybe?" Rupert stammered, clearly unsure.
"Incorrect," Flinders snapped. "Anyone else?"
Sevan's hand twitched again, but before he could raise it, Flinders' eyes went straight to Shiloh, as though it were predetermined.
"Mr. Spadille?"
Shiloh smiled faintly. "The Treaty of Soleil's Unity established the first unified council that governs Soleil to this day."
"Precisely," Flinders said with an approving nod. "You're a shining example of what a student of Soleil's history should be."
Adrian scoffed quietly. "What a joke," he muttered.
Aiden glanced back at Sevan, who had leaned back slightly in his chair. He didn't look upset but there was something in his silence that spoke volumes.
By the time the lesson ended, Aiden, Adrian, and Sevan were among the first to leave the classroom.
"That was infuriating," Adrian growled as they walked down the corridor. "What does Flinders have against anyone who isn't Shiloh?"
"I don't think it's about Shiloh," Sevan said quietly.
Adrian turned to him. "What do you mean?"
"It's not that he likes Shiloh. It's that he doesn't care about anyone else. He already decided who's worth listening to before we even walked in."