Chương 141: Chapter 131-Chosen History

Ugh. Midterms, the bane of my existence. Second only to Finals. Honestly, I wish I had never learned what these two are. I mean, I could have gone my whole life without having to learn them, but here I am. Sitting in class, the week after midterms. You would think they would give us a break, but no… right back into it. I hate school. Why can't I just nap? I mean, I already do, but why can't I nap more? The Dwarven Professor, Schist, steps up to the chalkboard with a disappointed look.

"I just finished grading your History midterms, and I expected better from the Advanced Class. Now, none of you failed, but a good majority made some mistakes that they really shouldn't have. So, today we're going to go over those mistakes to make sure they don't happen again," he says, causing a low groan to rumble through the class.

"Professor, is there any chance those of us who didn't make any mistakes could leave early?" Penelope asks with a hint of pride. Professor Schist nods along.

"I suppose that's only fair. Chosen One, you're excused," he says, much to my surprise.

"I'm sorry?" I ask in confusion.

"Yes, could you repeat yourself? You must have cut out the backend of your sentence," Penelope says in disbelief.

"Ah, let me try again. Chosen One, you were the only one who didn't make any mistakes. You are free to go if you like," he says, causing a large smile to cross my face.

"There must be some sort of mistake. I wouldn't make a simple mistake," Penelope says.

"Now, now, Penelope. If Professor Schist said that I'm the only one who didn't make a mistake, then I'm the only one who didn't make a mistake," I [Taunt] as I begin to pack up my stuff. Penelope gives me a death glare that quickly changes to a sweet smile.

"Professor, perhaps The Chosen One could be useful in explaining the materials. I mean, he is the only one who didn't make a single mistake, right?" Professor Schist nods along as he strokes his beard.

"Hmm. That does sound like a swell idea. Peer-to-peer communication is essential for full comprehension. I know I already told you to go, but would you mind sticking around?" he asks before I can make it to the door.

"I guess I can," I say as I sit back down. The Professor claps his hands together.

"Great. Then let's begin with the Blight Wars. Can anybody tell what the inciting incident was?" Clara answers without a hint of emotion, "The forces of evil attacked the Calor Kingdom, extending the Blight as they did."

"Sadly, incorrect. Although that is when the forces of evil joined the war, that is not what started the Blight Wars, nor was it called the Calor Kingdom. Anyone else care to take a stab at it?" he asks.

"King Antir Sylvian of the Sylvian Kingdom attacked and incorporated the neighboring Human kingdoms," Penelope says with a sigh.

"Correct. King Antir started the Blight Wars by attacking his neighboring kingdoms. Over a two-year war, he had managed to conquer the southern region, or, at the time, the human region of the continent. Although he was a great military commander, King Antir had… a difficult time reigning in his ambition. After conquering the southern region, he looked north to the Elven kingdoms. What came next was a conflict that would plunge the continent into disarray.

The forces of evil joined the skirmish around year 3 of the war, by the way," the Professor explains. Julian raises his hand.

"I am confused. I thought the forces of evil were left weak at the hands of The Long Lived Chosen. How did the forces of good allow so much land to be infected with the Blight?" he asks as he points at the map that the Professor had drawn.

"Perhaps The Chosen One can answer," he says as he points to me. Great. Ugh, I kind of remember this question showing up in the midterms. What did I put down? Hells how did I even answer the question correctly? It's not like I'm familiar with war. The only war I know is a gang war. Gang war!

"The forces of good were divided. The Human kingdoms were under the control of a tyrannical king, the Elven kingdoms were more focused on putting those pesky humans in their place, the Beastkin nation was involved in its own internal struggle, the Dwarves had taken an isolationist stance, and to top it all off, The Chosen One had died barely a year before the start of the war.

All that to say that everyone was too busy stabbing each other in the back to be looking at the enemy in front of them," I say, pulling from my experience on the streets.

"Wonderful observation. Divided, the forces of good could not push back the forces of evil, but obviously, we stand here today. What happened, or rather, who happened?" Professor Schist asks as he scans the room and then points at a distracted Hopper.

"Uhm… The leader was overthrown?" Hopper asks.

"Half points for guessing, but yes. King Antir was slain by his son, Crown Prince Rowan Sylvian, the soon-to-be Emperor. The first thing the new king did was negotiate a ceasefire in which the Elven kingdoms and the now-liberated human kingdoms joined forces to push back the encroaching forces of evil. After a long multiyear struggle, they were successful, and the Blight Wars were over," he says as he redraws the old map borders. This story is posted elsewhere by the author.

Help them out by reading the authentic version.

"There are points?" Hopper whispers to me.

"Yes," I [Lie].

"So, they just went back to being all buddy-buddy after killing each other?" Axel asks as he twirls a Leech Dagger.

"Not exactly. Princess Penelope, would you care to explain the events that happened next?" the Professor asks with a curious glint.

"King Rowan had a realization. As it stood, the only reason they survived the attack from the forces of evil was luck, and given the tension still present amongst the continent, he felt unsettled and nervous. Given the situation before him and the vow of the Sylvian family, he set forth to unify the continent and subsequently the forces of good. He negotiated with the Rummel, Mallory, and Calor Kingdoms. With their help, they united the southern region under one banner," she explains.

"And that is where you made a mistake. You are forgetting the Ofkald Kingdom. They were the only Elven kingdom to willingly help unify the southern region. Many of you made the same mistake of believing that only the Human kingdoms were involved in the initial beginnings of the Empire. That's not even mentioning the various groups of Dwarves, Dryads, and Beastkin who all supported the Empire's rise to power. None of it could have been possible without them and their sacrifices," he says with a sorrowful look.

"Are you okay, Professor?" I ask as he stops writing.

"Yes, just reminiscing. Now, let's go into detail on the deals, conflicts, and compromises that eventually led to the founding of the Empire and the laws that govern it." Lazily, I pick at the soup in front of me. Gods, can Professor Schist go on and on and on and on. I swear if the bells hadn't gone off, he wouldn't have stopped. Surprisingly, I did know most of it. Sure, I had blended it together with gang politics, but they are not that different.

It all boils down to someone always wanting power, and someone else who is willing to kill to keep it. Hopper slowly eats a carrot as he looks out the window towards the construction. They sure are working fast on that clock tower. It might be done by the time Summer rolls around, but before I get lost in the thought of that, maybe I should focus on Hopper. Hopper somehow misses his mouth and jabs the side of his face with his carrot. What's wrong with him? He's been like this for a while now.

It's almost like his mind is somewhere else. Hmm.

"You okay, bud?" I ask as I [Steal] the carrot in his hand and switch it for a pepper. Hopper absentmindedly goes to take a bite, but instead shakes his head.

"CJ, I need your advice."

"What about?" I ask as I eye the pepper in his hand.

"Do you have much experience with love?" he asks as he points the pepper, specifically a habanero, at me.

"Yeah, of course. Does this have to do with Lu-""No. Don't say it out loud. She might be listening," he says as he looks around with a panicked look. Definitely about Luna. Guess he's been dealing with his feelings ever since he told Penelope and me how he might be in love. Not like we didn't already know, but I'm almost certain it was the first time he put his feelings into words. Sure, he was forced to tell the truth by an ancient Sphynx, but that doesn't matter in matters of love.

"Okay, so does this have to do with she who shall not be named?" I ask, beating around the bush.

"Yes. I've been thinking, and maybe I'm just overthinking it. I mean, I could be mistaking love for deep affection," he says, [Lying] to himself.

"That's certainly possible. Why don't we do a test?"

"A test?"

"Yes, to see if this is just affection or if it actually is love."

"You have a test for that?" he asks.

"Yup. Now close your eyes," I [Lie] as I give him a devilish smile. Hopper looks at me with suspicion, but closes his eyes anyway.

"Okay, now wha-" I smack him on the nose with a light but still painful hit. He reels from the pain and surprise, drawing the attention of some of the students in the cafeteria.

"Nothing to worry about here. Just friendly banter," I say as I wave them off.

"CJ, what the fuck?" he asks as he rubs the pain from his nose.

"Did that hurt?" I ask as I take a sip of my soup.

"Yes!" he says with a hint of anger.

"Good. That's what you get for trying to pawn off your emotions to someone else. Listen, Hopper, I can't decide for you if you're in love. Love is a complicated and yet simple emotion. It's something that could be mistaken for friendly affection, but you're the only one who can make that distinction. So, stop yapping at me and go talk to she who shall not be named," I explain as I shake my head with disappointment.

"What if she doesn't feel the same way? Wouldn't it be better if I just never told her? I mean, she could be disgusted and won't want to be friends anymore," he says as he spirals.

"That's a risk you're going to have to take, because for better or worse those emotions are coming out, whether you want them to or not. Wouldn't it be better to let them out on your own terms?" I ask as I pat him on the back. Hopper takes a deep breath.

"This is something that I'll have to think about, but thanks for hearing me out, CJ."

"Of course, and just so you know, I'll be there for you, better or worse. Now eat your carrot."

"You really are a good friend. I guess now we can talk about you and Pen-" Hopper bites into the Habanero without hesitation. His eyes go wide as he looks down at what is obviously not a carrot.

"What's wrong?" I ask with a devilish smile.

"You asshole," he says in between coughs, "I need water! Water!" Tapping him on the back, I say, "This is for using my socks as carrot holders." As I walk away, Hopper bats at the inferno in his mouth.

"It's attacking my mouth!"