THE SHODDY NATURE OF HUMANS IN THE PREVIOUS ERA TO THEIR SHODDY ENERGY CONDITION

One would wonder 'what could Stare do in this situation?'.

First off, it was important to note that Stare wasn't known for his theoretical brilliance. The Oracle obviously never saw the need for the protagonist to be too book smart, that might explain why people like Ava were always associated with the Oracle's path.

Now, back to the question at hand: 'What could Stare do in this situation?'

"He could bear the shame and endure the mocking laughter from the class for not being able to provide a response, which would further dampen his already not-too-stellar reputation. In fact, that had been his initial plan. However, as he gazed into the faint smile on Kali's face and noticed the mocking grin on Ava's face beside him, Stare decided to do something different."

Maybe it was the influence of the Oracle's path as the protagonist, it made him petty with a touch of self pride. A small smile crept onto Stare's face as he gazed into Kali's dull blue eyes.

'Maybe if the question had been different, there would have been little he could do. But in this case, the topic was based on a major issue in the previous era.'

He didn't need to study this topic to understand it because he had lived through it, time and time again.

"I think I might have one or two thoughts on the subject of the discussion, professor," Stare finally asserted convincingly.

"Oh," Kali responded with evident intrigue, clasping his palms as he waited for Stare to continue

Stare could also feel numerous gazes directed at him. It was obvious that they were curious about what he was about to say as well.

Clearing his throat, Stare began to speak, "Let's begin with common knowledge, understood even by five-year-olds. It's well-documented that the previous era heavily relied on fossil fuels, often referred to as 'ancient carbon-based energy sources.'

"While these energy sources proved effective in powering the machinery and technology of the time, their utilization came at a grave cost, borne solely by the planet. Air and water pollution, habitat destruction, resource depletion, and even ocean acidification were the prices paid.

"In fact, these energy sources were later linked to the devastating Great Greenhouse Effect that transpired over a century ago."

Stare paused briefly, casting a glance in the direction of Y-204, hoping to detect even a hint of emotion in his dull stoic countenance. Unfortunately, there was none.

Slightly disappointed, he continued before anyone could notice his reaction.

"This essentially encapsulates the shoddy nature of the energy resources of the past era.

"Although there is an aspect of this situation that I feel humanity hasn't given much light to till date, it's more of a question—a rhetorical one. If the humanity of that era had been proven to be aware that the use of this so-called extremely dangerous fossil fuel energy source was slowly killing the planet, why did they continue?"

"They had been actively using the same dangerous energy source since the 18th and 19th centuries but yet when the repercussions of their actions came about, only the energy source and global villainous character who practicalized on this weak point got blamed and persecuted."

"Apparently the whole human race of that era should be blamed as well. They were the ones who got too attached to the dangerous energy source because of the easy profits and temporary economic and political stability it brought…so I believe this topic should be 'The shoddy nature of humanity of the previous era to their shoddy energy condition' than just 'the shoddy nature of Energy Condition in the previous era'."

For a moment, Professor Kali Linux appeared dazed, his expression morphing from intrigue to disagreement, then acceptance, followed by shock and bewilderment.

After a brief pause, he cleared his throat awkwardly, shaking off his daze, and placed his hands on Stare's shoulders.

"Who is your information source, student Stare? Your knowledge on this topic seems extremely raw and enticing." Kali asked in a calm friendly tone as his smile grew wider.

"Oh no sir, I was just lucky to have read a few old books on similar topics." Stare decided to act humbly, as he was growing steadily uneasy from Kali's gaze on him.

"Ah yes the books. Maybe after the class in your free time you can come to my office so we can have a discussion over coffee about this book of yours." Kali replied, his smile maintaining an unusual width.

Stare simply nodded and took his seat.

He swore he could see tiny stars sparkling in the professor's eyes when he looked at him which was a stark contrast to his previously dull gaze.

'Well, so much for avoiding excessive attention,' Stare thought to himself.

He had now unfortunately sprung himself to an attention ground and was sure that for a long while many eyes would be on him.

Well that didn't really matter too much, as long as he didn't do anything that brought him any further attention from now on, they would most likely just forget about his existence.

With that in mind, Stare turned his attention back to Kali's ongoing lecture.

What mattered most now was his planned conversation with Y-204 after class. He needed to confirm whether Y-204's memories had been unsealed or if he remained firmly under the influence of the Oracle's path.

The class continued without any further disruptions, save for Ava, who occasionally shot Stare disapproving glances.

Eventually, the three-hour theoretical class concluded, and it was time for their next lesson, as per Paraclete's schedule.

The courses they were to learn throughout the weekdays were divided into three.

Their weekday courses were divided into three segments. The first was the Hero Theoretical Knowledge course, following the morning meal. Next came a course named Fief Awakening, and lastly, a combat class before the evening meal.

The students in the class slowly began dispersing to meet up for the next class that followed up while Stare looked toward where Y-204 was seated.

He was about to leave his seat to approach him when Bobby and Joel suddenly intercepted him.

Bobby annoyingly flicked him on the forehead, while Joel delivered a punch to his shoulder.

"What were you fucking thinking." they both exclaimed simultaneously.

Surprised by their unified reaction, both Bobby and Joel exchanged bewildered glances, then turned their attention back to Stare, who remained in a daze about their unexpected approach.

"It's only the first day and the first class, and you've already riled up an Elite among Elites," Joel broke the awkward silence, clearly the first to recover.

"Yeah, and among all of them, you had to provoke the one most likely to seek a double or even triple fold retribution, regardless of its magnitude. What part of 'children with the most advantages, power, and privileges in the academy' didn't you understand?" Bobby added, his tone exuding annoyance.

"Have you seen Ava's usual expression? It's not the expression of someone who easily forgives a slight grievance. She nearly killed you already," Joel carried on from where Bobby stopped while pointing to the odd expression he was making with his face, it seemed he was trying to imitate Ava's stoic expression.

"And we aren't even talking about the revenge that could come from her huge fanbase or even other Elites amongst Elites who might seem threatened by your revolting behavior."

Just as Bobby said this, they both felt an intense gaze directed at them from the side.

Turning their heads in the direction of the gaze, they spotted a striking blonde boy with piercing crimson eyes, who was staring at them intensely. He muttered something to a group beside him, all of whom were also looking in their direction, particularly at Stare.

The blonde boy was unmistakably the Elite among Elites, Ares Voltstorm. Among the group beside him, the only other identifiable figure was Xel Bolt, another Elite among Elites who was known to always be at Ares's side.

The three friends could clearly sense the hostility emanating from Ares and his group's prolonged stare. This disconcerted both Bobby and Joel, leaving them frozen in fear, uncertain of the group's intentions.

After a while the group also left the class without any form of confrontation with the group of three which came as quite a shock to both Bobby and Joel.

Stare wasn't too surprised although didn't say anything. He had expected such a reaction from the supposed King of Elites amongst Elites, after some 'nobody' had just challenged someone with a similar title as his. 

For someone who was as prideful as Ares, it was normal that he took that as an indirect hit to his ego.

Upon recovering from their initial fright, Bobby and Joel quickly redirected their attention to Stare, who appeared oddly calm despite the recent events.

"You're dead," they declared in unison. However, Stare simply chuckled, further irking both Bobby and Joel.

"You guys don't need to worry; I won't die that easy," Stare finally responded casually, noting the exasperated expressions on his friends' faces.

Bobby and Joel didn't give a reply for a while and just gave him a look of pity which seemed to amuse Stare the more.

"Well, we still need to attend the next class; we can't afford to be late. Stare, no more antagonizing Elites. They might target those who have any form of association with you, I wouldn't want to wake up as a science project," Joel cautioned

Stare nodded in agreement, a smile playing on his lips.

"Yes, but first, I have to meet an old friend of mine."

"An old friend…here?" Bobby and Joel queried simultaneously, but before they could receive an answer, Stare had already risen from his seat.

Stare quickly looked toward the seat Y-204 had been on but his expression immediately contorted the moment he did.

There wasn't any trace of a white haired kid on the seat anymore.