"In his dream, the Archbishop of England found himself at the entrance to heaven, facing gates so large that they made him feel incredibly small. This was a new experience for him, as he was used to being a figure of significant importance back on Earth. The size of the gates intimidated him, making him wonder about the scale of what lay inside." the professor 's voice was loud and clear.

"He knocked on the gates, but his knocks seemed to go unnoticed due to the sheer size of the gates. After several attempts, a window opened, and Saint Peter appeared, looking out to identify the source of the noise."

'Please, whoever you are, wherever you are, come here before me.'

The archbishop introduces himself. He says to Saint Peter, 'Maybe you don't know me. You can ask Jesus, I am the archbishop of England.''

Saint Peter responded, "England? I've never heard of it."

The Archbishop tried again, "Surely, you've heard of Earth, our planet."

Saint Peter replied, "Earth, you say? We have many of those. Do you have an index number?"

The Archbishop was taken aback, "Index number? I don't know any index number. But I am the Archbishop. Surely, you must consult Jesus."

Saint Peter looked confused, "Jesus? Who is that?"

The Archbishop, increasingly bewildered, pressed on, "Jesus Christ, the Son of God!"

Saint Peter answered, "I'm afraid I don't know who that is. I've never seen God. I'm just the gatekeeper. Maybe someone inside thinks they're God, but I wouldn't know."

"Imagine what happened to the archbishop when he heard such words coming out of the mouth of the one he was glorifying. Now... Which clever boy or girl can tell me the meaning of the dream the archbishop saw?" Professor Reyna, who taught philosophy and sociology, had short red hair and was a fit, attractive woman of medium height. She appeared younger than her years, possibly not over 40.

There was silence in the room. Some of the children had made small groups, giggling and discussing at what the teacher had just said, but no one dared to give a formal answer.

"Anyone?" Her tone turned angry targeting the troublemakers.

"I don't think you need to be clever to answer such a parable Ms. Reyna." The voice was heard from seat 33. A boy around 15 with long black hair was sitting with his hand on his chin. It was as if he would fall asleep any minute now.

"Huuh! Then let's let you who don't have that much intelligence answer!" The next voice came from seat 117. As much as she wanted to go unnoticed, Mikaela's appearance was always dazzling. Blue eyes and long brown hair tied in a bun with a precious wand. She was a bit taller than Aaron although 1 year younger. She was furious because Aaron interrupted her as she was about to answer, but more with what he said. Because she was sure he did it on purpose!

"I'm sure you understood the way I said it Ms. Reyna." Answering the professor, Aaron casually turned to Mikaela and continued, "Mikaela misinterpreted the meaning. She has a bad habit of taking everything personally."

"I don't take anything personally! It seems that you have a bad habit of making everything you say, and when you say it, aimed at others!" Mikaela looked hard to calm down.

The students all around had stopped what they were doing and were observing the scene in front of them with a look that seemed to be looking at something ordinary.

Reyna looked like she was going to be furious at any moment but Aaron spoke,

"This story makes sense because it shows how small we are and how big the universe is. Back in ancient times, people couldn't understand how huge the universe was without thinking of it like a person. God was like a way for early humans to give the universe a personality. They thought of God like a father figure. You could have a relationship with him, even if it meant being against him sometimes. But at least with God, you felt like someone bigger was looking out for you, keeping you safe. I don't think you need to be very smart to understand something like that."

Silence prevailed in the room. Even Mikaela didn't open her mouth to utter a single word. Reyna's expression seemed to calm down and a faint smile formed on her mouth. "That was a simple and accurate answer Aaron. Good!"

"That's what I would say. Just... in different words. I can say that he was concise and clear." Sitting back in her seat, Michaela's voice had lost its intensity and nerve. She was a bit spoiled, self-centered and stubborn, but she wasn't a bad girl. Only daughter of the Vargas family, the 6th of the seven ruling Houses.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Aaron was also a son of the 4th, the Amaral House, he was the older of the two brothers. Most of the children in the institution were from good families. Some of them were the sons and daughters from the seven ruling Houses of the planet and some, were kids who were of the simple class, but even their families had some prestige to be able to attend this school.

In the classroom, an unusual clock adorned the wall. As it struck a quarter past one, a melodious chime reverberated through the building, signaling the end of the day's lessons. While some students began to gather their belongings and prepare to leave, Aaron remained seated staring something intently. There was a sense of anticipation about him, as if he were waiting for a particular moment. It was as if he was observing Mrs. Reyna when her gaze fell upon him.

"Do you need me something Aaron?"

"Aaron!"

"I'm talking to you son!!" Mrs. Reyna's voice cut through the air, snapping Aaron out of his reverie.

"Oh I'm sorry Ms. Reyna. I didn't realize you were here!" Aaron looked momentarily flustered.

"Are you okay kid? How come you didn't know I was here when you were looking right at me?"

"A common occurrence for me professor, don't worry!"

Aaron started to pack his things but he didn't look too stressed. His movements seemed slow, but not even half a minute passed when he got up from his seat. Walking towards the exit, Mrs. Reyna seemed to be watching him curiously. It wasn't the specific situation that piqued her curiosity but his vibes. She may have been young, but she was experienced enough to sense that something seemed off about this boy.

"Aaron. May I ask what house you come from?"

Aaron halted in his tracks and turned to face the professor, "Sure, but how did you know I was from a house?"

"I don't know, it just slipped off my tongue." Reyna replied honestly.

"I'm from the fourth house professor. My name is Aaron Amaral, nice to meet you." He bowed his head slightly in respect.

"I was duly pleased Aaron. You seem like a special child."

"We are all special Ms. Reyna. And you seem like a special teacher too. Basically I came to meet a lot of special people."

The professor flinched a bit, but her attitude in the way she answered showed a strange sense of respect that surprised him, "You're so right Aaron, I'll always remember that."

"Good day Mrs. Reyna, I'll see you tomorrow." with a humble tone he turned and walked out of the hall.

The campus presents a harmonious combination of nature, architecture and open spaces, creating an environment that is both enriching and exciting. It spreads across vast acres and is dedicated to natural landscapes, where lush greenery and serene water bodies are home to a variety of wildlife. These are no ordinary animals, they possess remarkable intelligence and roam freely, but harmoniously under the careful management of the university.

Architectural structures are carefully designed to complement the natural environment. These buildings, with their innovative designs, house state-of-the-art facilities, classrooms and research centers, blends seamlessly with the natural environment, demonstrating the institution's commitment to environmental stewardship.

The remainder of the campus is open space, providing students and faculty with ample space for relaxation, socializing, and outdoor activities. These meticulously landscaped areas feature a mix of plazas, gardens and courtyards, offering a perfect balance between built and unbuilt environments.

With a vibrant community of 6,000 students, the campus is a vibrant hub of academic and extracurricular activities. The diverse student body brings the campus to life, participating in a wide range of activities, from scholarly pursuits in the library to lively discussions in the open forums. This dynamic combination of nature, architecture and community makes the university not just a place for higher education, but a microcosm of innovation and harmony.

Just outside the philosophy auditorium, 11 pillars directed you to a crossroads that led from one side to the lodgings, and from the other to the restaurant. On the 4th pillar from the right, an airy girlish figure stood stylishly as if waiting for someone.

As Aaron steps out of the philosophy auditorium, he notices Mikaela leaning casually against the fourth pillar, her gaze fixed on him with an intensity that suggests a mix of frustration and curiosity. The sunlight catches in her hair, turning it almost golden, contrasting sharply with her determined expression.

Mikaela pushes off from the pillar as Aaron approaches, crossing the distance with a few purposeful strides. "Aaron, you have a way of simplifying things that makes people listen. But I'm not convinced it's always as simple as you make it sound."

Aaron stops, a slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth, recognizing the spark of intellectual rivalry in her eyes. "Mikaela, sometimes simplifying things helps us get to the essence of what's really important. But I agree, it's not always that simple."

Mikaela takes a moment, her eyes searching his. "Back there, in class—your interpretation of the archbishop's dream... It was clever, but don't you think it overlooks the complexities of faith and existence? Isn't there more to the universe's vastness and our smallness within it?"

"You're right. The dream could also reflect the archbishop's fear of insignificance in the face of the divine, or it could be about the challenges of understanding and communicating our beliefs to others, especially when they don't share the same context." His voice lowers, turning thoughtful. "You know, Mikaela, our discussions always make me think deeper. You challenge the parts of my arguments I take for granted. It's refreshing."

Mikaela's surprise flickers across her face, a gentle blush tinting her cheeks as she processes Aaron's straightforwardness. She tucks a stray lock of hair behind her ear, a subtle gesture that reveals her unexpected vulnerability.

"I guess that's why our discussions always end up like this," she murmurs, her voice soft yet carrying a firm undertone. "You have a way of making me reconsider my own ideas, Aaron. It's both infuriating and incredibly valuable." Her gaze, usually so direct, flited away for a moment before meeting his again, showing a blend of toughness and femininity.

Aaron smiled, "I'm glad I can help in this way. I hope you don't take what I say personally next time."

After their brief conversation, Aaron and Mikaela parted ways, each heading towards their respective dormitories

'What a strange guy.. Sometimes I think his gaze is staring into space. Weird but attractive, I can't help but find something about him appealing to me.'