I sat in the classroom, my chin resting on my hand as the professor of this class droned on and on about the history of this world.
Mainly about the ruling families and the council.
Her name was Leren Denvers. In the novel, she was a Class 4 soldier and a Major.
As she spoke, her voice was steady, and authoritative, the kind that demanded attention, but my mind was elsewhere.
I already knew all of the things she was talking about. Every word. Every detail. I'd read it all in the novel, memorised it in my old world.
So instead of listening, I let my thoughts wander back to the training fields.
My thoughts kept drifting back to the training field.
Theodore's smug face, his mocking words, the way he'd looked at me like I was nothing more than dirt beneath his boots.
I clenched my fists under the desk, my nails digging into my palms. Could I have beaten him? If I'd taken Lancelot's dagger and faced him head-on, could I have come out on top?
Theodore was strong—stronger than anyone gave him credit for. Sure he acted like the typical arrogant young masters, all smirks and sneers, but I knew better.
I'd seen him fight when we were younger. So believe me when I say yeah he was strong.
The way he moved, the precision which he moved with, the raw power.
He wasn't just strong; he was a monster. He was probably the strongest first year cadet.
The only ones who could even come close among the first years being Lenny, Elizabeth and maybe...
I glanced to my left, where Natasha sat with a bored expression on her face, her blue hair catching the light.
Maybe her. Natasha was strong. Stronger than me currently. But I doubt she could match Theodore.
For me I was slightly below their level and was most likely a long way behind Theodore.
I just sighed leaning back in my seat. The sound of Leren's voice pulled me out of my thoughts for a moment.
"After the sky fell, with many nations and their governments having been annihilated, the council was formed, and they became the ruling body of Earth, renaming it Terra."
I tuned her out again, my mind drifting back to the training field. The way Theodore had smirked when I walked away, the way he'd laughed. It burned.
But what could I have done? Fought him? Even without powers he was a force to be reckoned with, especially skill wise.
And with powers? With those powers of his? I didn't even want to think about it.
"The council became the absolute law of Terra," Leren continued, her voice steady. "They ruled it's continents. But in time, they began to realize their inefficiencies. Even they could not control these vast landmasses effectively. So, what did they do?"
She paused, her eyes scanning the room. Most of the cadets here already knew the answer.
I for one certainly did. I mean it was basic history, after all. But I stayed silent, letting someone else answer.
"They established the ruling families," a cadet answered confidently. "One for each of the six continents."
Leren nodded, her lips curving into a faint smile. "Correct. There are seven continents and the ruling families were given six out of the seven of them."
I leaned back in my seat, my mind half listening as she listed them off.
The Hunts ruled the Varkese continent.
The Alderans ruled the Isla continent.
The Stormhavens in the Epistin continent.
The Rikans ruled the Artica continent.
The Arvans controlled the Beran continent.
And lastly, the Gremorys ruled the Forak continent, which was the frontlines for this Terra-Fantasia war as it was the point in which Fantasia connected with our world.
The other places were basically in water.
Leren then went on about how the ruling families had absolute power in their domains but I just scoffed internally.
Absolute power? What a joke. Ruling families have been overthrown before.
Infact, four of the current six ruling families rose to power by overthrowing their predecessors.
The Hunts, the Alderans, the Stormhavens, and the Rikans had all clawed their way to the top, leaving blood and broken bodies in their wake.
The only ones who'd held their position since the beginning were the Arvans and the Gremorys.
Yet even they weren't untouchable.
The idea of "absolute power" was just a facade, a pretty little lie to keep the masses in line.
I just sighed resting my head on the desk. Terra's politics were as messy as they were fascinating.
But right now, at this very moment, I couldn't bring myself to care. My thoughts despite trying to distract myself kept circling back to Theodore.
Back to the fact that I couldn't beat him. I would've lost. Brutally maybe.
Huh? Natasha's hand nudged me under the table, snapping me out of my thoughts.
I glanced at her, and she raised her eyebrow, her expression one of curiousity and concern.
I shook my head slightly, signalling that I was fine. A lie, sure. But I didn't have to tell her that.
Although I doubt she believed me cause she still had that look of concern all over her face.
Professor Leren continued her lecture, but I barely heard her.
My mind was elsewhere, plotting and strategizing how to grow stronger, faster.
Because one thing is certain. I couldn't win by keep running away. Not if I want to survive. Not if I want to thrive. Or protect the people I care about.
Soon the lecture came to an end. I stood up, my movements slow and deliberate as i walked outside.
Natasha fell into step beside me, her presence a quiet comfort. "You okay?" She asked, her voice low.
I nodded, the lie almost tasting bitter on my tongue. "Yeah. Just... thinking."
She didn't press further, which I was really grateful for.
And in that moment, I made a vow. Never again. I won't let her die as she did in the novel.
Even if I have to kill the protagonist myself.