The rest of the day passed quickly, leaving only the last hour for our special lesson on faith in the Gods. As I walked towards the classroom, Kianna came up next to me and started walking alongside.
- What lesson do you have now? she asked me with her usual indifferent tone.
- It's the lesson about our religion
- Me too, she replied and continued walking until she finally broke the silence. Do you know who teaches the lesson?
- No, I said with doubt, feeling like I should have known by the way she asked.
- So, you don't know anything about Professor Doulpen?
- First time I hear about him.
- Then you should know, she said, and her expression darkened. His son was next in line for the trial before you.
A shiver ran through my chest. Before I could gain this privileged life, four other children had to lose it. And for a reason. That's how fate dictated it. "That's how fate wanted it," they had told me. And I never thought about those children. I never thought about their families. It always seemed to me that it was destined to happen. But now, I felt my body trembling. The man I would meet today had a different story for the same day. In his story, his son was lost, and another child took the place that was originally designated for him. He might hate me. Whatever problems he had in his life came from fate's choice. His child sacrificed for my success. Or maybe he accepted it. He might have known that this was what the gods wanted to happen. Ultimately, that's what this lesson was teaching. He had to know better than anyone why everything happened.
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- Thank you for informing me, I managed to say quietly and shortly after.
She didn't answer, and we entered the classroom together. A stout, unkempt, bald man was sitting in the chair at the front. A wave of shame washed over me. I sat next to Kianna and waited for the lesson to begin. I expected to catch a glimpse from him, but it never came. Perhaps he didn't understand me, or maybe he was just avoiding me. I would find out when we would say our names in class.
- Good morning, my name is Mr. Doulpen, and together we will delve into one of the most important lessons regarding your social and spiritual life. Before we get into more details, let's introduce ourselves first. Start by stating your name, he said to a student at the front of the room with his low, heavy, indifferent voice.
The first students began to introduce themselves, and gradually, it was my turn. Every time someone said their name, he would look at them for a moment and then make notes on his paper.
- Next.
- Dave Greenwood, I said with the confidence that remained in me. He lifted his gaze and looked at me fiercely. The paper started trembling in his hands, but quickly, he regained his strength. He relaxed his face and leaned on the edge of the chair.
- My great honor to have the chosen one as my student, he said and let out a chuckle.
I turned and looked at Kianna, who also seemed somewhat relieved. I tried to see if anyone else had noticed something. In such a case, everyone should be whispering among themselves anxiously, but everyone seemed indifferent. Perhaps the story of Professor Doulpen's son wasn't so well-known. Probably only Kianna knew about it, but the question was why she knew.