BACKGROUND LORE
The Machiavelli Academy of Higher Excellence (MAHE) is a boarding school, whose students range from 16 to 18 years old. But, unlike your usual boarding school, its staff are historical figures. And not only them: The students too, are all historical persons, who for unknown reasons became younger, and sometimes even changed their gender.
The 1st of January 2000 was a special date. When the day came, earth continued its rounds, humans continued breathing, and everything was as it had been before. Or was it?
On exactly that day, multiple unusual occurrences have been reported from the tombs of a couple of historical figures. But it rapidly lost attention, as nothing seemed to have happened. Though silent to most of humanity, a few historical figures had returned to life. Among them, Machiavelli.
Seeing that old Florence was no more, and deciding that the modern republic was not something he wanted to involve himself in, he went for the US of America. While trying to understand why he had returned, he had heard that America was a land of new beginnings. And so, two years later, somewhere in New England, his new life began. He had managed to organize the establishment of the Machiavelli Academy of Higher Excellence. As teachers he managed to contact other great figures, who had risen from their deaths as he had.
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Another day of class and another day of my boring routine. Whoopie. Wake up in my dorm at exactly 5 AM everyday, pray, read up a little and review my classes (seriously, I do). Browse the web, youtube, instagram, then prepare for class all ready for my lectures... I sound like I'm complaining but I actually feel pretty fulfilled with this life of mine. It's already been about two years since my awakening. My, how times fly. It felt like only yesterday that I awoke in a strange place and more importantly in a strange time. Though, I've adapted well enough to the 21st century so it doesn’t prove to be much of a problem for me anymore.
Mi Senor, I nearly forgot. I guess introductions are in place. My name is Charles. A pretty normal name if you ask anyone if a bit snobbish-sounding if you know my full name is Charles von Habsburg. You can also call me Karl if you'd like. Or Carlos if you're feeling like it and no I'm not appropriating any foreign culture or the like. My dad's half Austrian and Belgian while my mom's Spanish. I myself was born in Belgium. I know, I'm a European cultural chop-suey if you would compare me to that. Funny thing is I'm currently studying in the Machiavelli Academy in the region of New England in the United States of America.
If you're not catching on, I'm not quite your average person. If you ask me for my age, I'd tell you - based on my physical appearance of a striking young man with dark brown hair, a strong build - That I'm around 19 - 20 years old. Why am I not specific? Well I know that my birthday is on the 24th of February...
...in the year 1500 A.D. So technically, I'd be 522 years old this year... pretty old, huh. And before anyone asks, no, I'm not a damned vampire. I am Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, Archduke of Austria, King of Spain and the Spanish Empire, Duke of Burgundy, King of Croatia, Naples, Bohemia, Hungary, et cetera, et cetera, blah blah. So maybe you're asking what a 16th century monarch is doing monologue-ing his daily life in the 21st century, and honestly a day hasn't gone by where I haven't asked that question. As far as I or anyone else knows, it's only been about two decades ago when the phenomena of people rising up or resurrecting from the dead started in an event we now call 'the initial awakening' where in several areas, the tombs of prominent historical figures were opened and voila, they'd return to life. A very interesting turn of events to say the least. We came back mostly during our primes, but some like myself came back in our younger years. But that really isn't the strangest part, I mean some of us even came back with the wrong gender and with no recollection of a past life. But I think I've rambled on the intro for long enough. Long story short, historical figures came back to life known as the awakened, there's a school specially made for us called the Machiavelli Academy, and now we're here.
( A/N : For more information just check out the general introduction to my story the 'Machiavelli Academy of Higher Excellence' )
Class is usually pretty interesting for us students as some of us have been dead for more than a few centuries and learning about all the new concepts of the modern world is - if a little exasperating - a very fun experience. Although, that being said, I have a plethora of classes I like more than the current one I'm in.
Mathematics... Goddamned mathematics. It all just flies over my head. All the theories and concepts intrigue some of the people in my class but I'm not one of those 'clever folk'. It's a good thing that in times like these we have our technology to fall back on. Putting my phone on my lap while pretending I'm taking notes usually works the charm with this class, especially considering the fact that our math teacher Mr. Fibonacci usually has his eyes glued to the board like it was his lover. I know we have touch-screen technology boards but our math teachers still like getting up close and personal with a marker and a white board.
As Mr. Fibonacci went on and on about the intricacies of integrals, I was doing something more productive, like browsing the instagram feeds of the prettiest girls in the academy. If there's one thing my hormonal teenage body appreciates about the 21st century, it's got to be the lack of inhibition most people have now. I mean wearing clothes like that, you'd be considered practically naked in the 16th century court of Spain... I think I'll need another visit to my confessor at church soon. Well, I'm not perfect, but by God those mounds are. Another 'like' for our dear Ms. Cleopatra.
Looking at the clock on my phone, it's 11:50 AM, only 10 minutes before I'd be free for recess. Only one more class after that, then I'd be good to go. *buzz* A new notification, looks like Lizzie's uploaded a new insta-story. The 10th one today, I mean she's usually prolific but that's got to be a new record for her. Out of all the awakened I know, she has got to take the cake for being the most adaptive to modern society. That or you could say she's just an aspiring e-Thot... hahahah. That was mean, I'm sorry.
Absorbed in the throes of the vile social media, I became careless and my guard dropped. I had failed to notice a shadow over my desk before I felt a hand on my shoulder and a stern cough. Looking up, Mr. Fibonacci was in front of me, giving me such a serene smile that sent shivers down my spine.
"Taking notes now, are we, Charles?" Of all the days Fibonacci had to choose to walk around the class it had to be today when I was at my weakest. "I'm sure then, it wouldn't be too much of me to ask you to solve the equation I just wrote on the board now, would it?"
I could just feel the stifled laughter and snickering of the other students as they witnessed my misfortune. Mostly the males, though, for some reason. The teacher's smile grew more and more dastardly as he leaned in close to my ear to quietly say, "Either that or you can just tell the entire class of how much you enjoy the visages of our school's foremost idols. I'm sure Isabella would love to hear all about it."
Oh this slimy son of a bitch. Well, that didn't really give me much of a choice. Shrugging my discomfort off, I merely nodded and looked towards the board for the problem that needed to be solved. I mean, today was only supposed to be an introductory class on the subject matter, therefore Fibonacci wouldn't go out of his way to make a question just to embarrass me in front of class now, would he.
That was also the day I found out how petty some of my teachers could be. The bastard wrote down an equation that I'm sure is at least a few levels ahead of what we were supposed to study for the entirety of our school curriculum let alone for the introductory lesson. Looking from the board back to his face, his smile had gotten wider and his expression - at least to me - got even slimier as he gestured his hand towards the board after giving me a black marker. Lots of the students started feeling sorry for me but some just continued to take pleasure in the scene. I see you smirking there, Napoleon. I swear I'm going to get back at you during the preliminary debates.
"Sir, you know that this isn't fair!" My roommate and best friend in this class was the only one with the courage to try and stand up for me "This is clearly years above our-...". The brave lad stood up for the purpose of defending justice in this world.
"Ivan, I suggest you sit back down unless you're planning to help Charles solve the equation." Fibonacci quickly shot back. I know my friend Ivan still had some fight in him as he was motioning to speak again, but Fibonacci had his ways. "Remember those interesting doodles you made during my class yesterday? I'm sure Stacy would enjoy seeing such an exquisite depiction of herself."
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Ivan visibly paled in a quiet gasp before quickly sitting down, turning his head away while twiddling his thumbs and whistling. So much for being best friends, huh. So this is what it felt like to be thrown down to the curb.
Well, there isn't much left to do now is there? I slowly walked to the board, stared at the equation for a good part of five minutes, motioning with my fingers to try and elaborate it so that I could try to deconstruct it and try to reach a conclusion from there and then it finally dawned on me! Of course, it was the fact that... I had absolutely no fucking clue what the hell most of the symbols on the board meant and how the numbers are more abstract than modern art. I soundly wrote on the board, 'I GIVE UP!'.
"I'd actually be more surprised if you did actually manage to solve the problem." Fibonacci said after chuckling a bit "You can go back to your seat, Mr. Habsburg."
I was also surprised that I got off on just a little slap on the wrist. Maybe Fibonacci isn't as bad as I made him out to be.
"I'll be glad to share the answer with you during recess in my office, Charles." Fibonacci said as he got up from my desk with my phone clearly in his hand as he was still smiling "And also if you'd like your phone back. But of course, I'd feel free to keep this with me if you have no intention to take it back. Might be worth something in the pawn shop."
I only stared at the man with a defeated look. Such was the power held by a teacher in the classroom. Like an Emperor holding absolute authority in his realm. When Fibonacci got back to the front of the class, he clasped his hands together and closed up his lesson. "That would be all for today's class, I hope you enjoy your recess... Oh! And before I forget, I'd like to remind all of you about class etiquette. Don't just snicker on poor Charles here as I know more than half of you weren't paying attention during class. If I see anything of the sort again in the future, I will force this entire class to write down all basic theorems a hundred times in their notebooks... Don't try me, 'cause I will. Now go!"
As soon as he said that, the bells rang and the class made for it like Moors running away from the Spanish inquisition. Was that too dark? Well, anyways, looks like I won't even get to enjoy my one hour of recess peacefully either.
***
"You know, Charles, if you would just give my class half the attention you give to the social sciences, we really wouldn't be here right now." Fibonacci said as he looked at me seriously whilst taking a sip from his coffee mug "I'm not expecting you to be the best at it, but I know you can at least put in a bit more effort. Is your mind muddled by post power syndrome towards the new Student Council elections coming up and your inevitable ‘retirement’?"
“You couldn’t be more wrong sir. In fact, I can’t wait to step down! Machiavelli can find a new slave to drive.” I chortled at the thought of wanting to keep the stress of organising the students of this academy
“It shouldn’t be all that bad. The extra allowance afforded to is surely a nice bonus.” Fibonacci said with a chuckle as he opened a flask and drank from it. “It could at least help me keep this flask full with the good stuff, hahahah.”
All in all the man was actually a pretty decent teacher, I just don't like his subject matter all that much. However his comment about the new student council elections was half-right as I was still paying attention to student politics. At first, I merely had a passing interest in the student council during my first year, but after I learned more and more about it, the old Imperial blood flowing through my veins started coursing in excitement and anticipation and I even managed to get elected as Student Council President last year. As of now there are two 'factions' vying for seats on the student council among the second-year students. One of those factions being led by my very own son, Philip.
"Again, I'm really sorry for the disrespectful behaviour I showed in the class. As president of the student council, It was unbecoming of me." Mustering up all the diplomacy and tact I had left from my life as Emperor, I even bowed my head a little.
"Alright, alright, apology accepted." Fibonacci said as he waved his hand all sheepishly "However."
There it is. What sort of disciplinary act must I commit myself to now?
"I can let this slide once, and I already gave you your phone back. But consider this you doing a favor for me just this once, okay."
I sighed and let out a slightly audible breath before asking what it was. Since it was a favour it couldn't be all that bad. Plus, he looks like he's being really sincere.
"So, Our physics teachers led by Ms. Newton along with other scientists and experts from other fields such as yours truly, are working on a big project regarding the theorems of time travel and possible interdimensional travel that might give us insight on our current situation as awakened and why to this day the phenomena is still holding true with more people being reported to be awakened and why we stop aging like normal people after a certain time. While medical and biological facilities are working on the latter problem, it falls to us in the realms of physics and mathematics to solve the former."
The concepts were always intriguing to me but that still leaves me wondering, "What does any of that have to do with me? I mean if we're being perfectly honest, I don't have any talents in those fields."
"That may be true, Charles, but that doesn't mean there isn't anything you can do. I know you're a fast learner and a great note-taker for one. Fortunately, the first team's research has managed to reach the point where they have just completed a novel working prototype of interdimensional travel. And as luck would have it, we're going to conduct the first ever working tests later this evening at our research facilities here. I just want you to accompany the team and bear witness to history in the making."
"Don't you have Miss Da Vinci to accompany you to this type of thing?" Seeing the slight blush on Fibonacci's face as I mentioned his wife was satisfying for me to see. At least I can get a slight jab at him for something.
"Cheeky little runt. This and that are two wildly different things. Besides, she's busy preparing for our ann-... *ahem* other important matters." Fibonacci nearly lost his composure there but quickly regained it as he looked to me seriously "Don't make me think of something even worse to put you through. And c'mon. You know you'd be lying if you said that this didn't intrigue you at least somewhat."
"True..."
Finally, before letting me think it through, Fibonacci threw something to make the deal all the more tempting for me. "I might also be inclined to endorse your son’s campaign. I know he’s still lacking a few endorsements from the faculty side of things and with my support, I think he’d finally have a completely even playing field during the elections against Anna."
I have to admit, Fibonacci had some terrifying information sources. To be able to know that my son lacked a certain number of faculty members to endorse his campaign and to really let it take off. Well it didn't really take much to see that this was a great deal that I'd be foolish to refuse. But that does get me wondering.
"This is all well and good for me, but what's in it for you, sir?" I was actually really curious to listen to the reasoning
"Let's just say that my precious pupils in the maths and science club are currently somewhat underfunded. If you'd be so kind as to be reminded of this generosity while you're in charge of the club finances, maybe you'd do well to return such favour with a goodly amount of aid with a bit of that final pension, say, at the upcoming Maths Olympics right before your term ends. So, Charlie my boy, do we have a deal?"
I smiled as I shook his hand. What an irresistible offer. "Deal. I'll meet you by the lab after class."
***
And so I arrived in the front of the lab in the evening after changing into less formal clothes where Fibonacci along with a few other teachers and students were already gathered. After a couple of greetings and formalities, we made our way inside the lab. Miss Isla Newton, formerly known as Sir Isaac Newton, was already getting the device ready and in place. I haven't been in the 21st century for too long, but I know some high-tech futuristic sciency stuff when I see it and this place was almost exactly like one of those sci-fi labs in the movie.
Me and a couple of other students were awestruck at the level of technology the place had. I mean, I was surprised by phones and the like when I first awakened, but this... This was on a whole 'nother level. Without further ado, we were shown to our seats and I took out my pen and notebook as the genius Dr. Newton was giving us a brief intro on the project. Again, I admit, it made very little sense to me but at least I can just blindly take notes on what she said. I am quite the fast writer if I do say so myself with an acceptable level of intelligibility. Newton began explaining the basics of alternate dimensions, how it was still largely just a theory, the fabric of quantum mechanics and physics and the like. Besides teaching physics, I much respect her for her work in economics, even being the protestant she was, but that's beside the point.
I gathered that the other members of the research team were no small names either, with Albert Einstein, Niels Bohr, as well as Blaise Pascal working on the project, not to mention many other significant minds of the modern era. Well they're all heretical heathens to me, but brilliant minds nonetheless. After a couple of other short lectures from the others, the moment of truth finally arrived. Dr. Newton made her way to the device's control panel and braced herself by offering a quiet prayer before activating the device.
The device started to rumble hard and the lights of the lab began to flicker on and off. Look, I'm not gonna lie, I was beginning to feel a little scared though a bit of excitement also started creeping up. Soon after, the rumbling stopped, and the place became eerily quiet with only bated breaths to be heard. My heart was beating at an alarming rate... but it just stayed eerily quiet. Was that it? Was it a failed experiment?
Ms. Newton was the first to walk up to the device to see what was wrong. After checking the device for a few minutes, she shrugged "This is actually quite odd... nothing seems to be wrong with the machine. Well, unfortunately, we might have to classify today's experiment as a failure. But at least we learned some new things from it..."
For some reason, her saying that just gave me all the more reason to believe something's gonna go terribly wrong... And lo and behold...
A giant sound wave explosion followed by bright lights and a boom sound was coming from the machine. It was the last thing I heard coupled with the feeling of being blown back by a powerful force. Is this really how I'm going to die a second time? From a freak accident caused by a haywire machine in a lab? Well, I guess there are worse ways to go.
And then it all went black...