The King Goes To School

This World was called Ginaia.

It was a Lower World with a small amount of World Essence, in comparison to Higher Worlds at least.

World Essence was an extraordinary energy. It wasn't simply a unique form of energy, it was revolutionary. While continued exposure to it had varying effects, harnessing it in the correct way would produce a great deal of fantastical results.

This was true for all Essences in general. World Essence spawned from a World's core. It's source. It was not the matter used to create life on a World. It was a by product of continuous production of organic matter by a World over a long period of time. The longer a World existed, the more World Essence it would produce. It was something of a remuneration for service, giving the life on the World a chance for evolution.

Ginaia was not too old of a World, but it had its own history and legends.

On it, humans grew and created civilizations, cultivating with World Essence as time went on to become powerful individuals. Animals also evolved over the years, earning special traits to protect themselves in their habitats.

There were three continents on Ginaia. Asha to the North, Erosa to the West and Loshia to the South East.

There were no additional countries, with each continent treating itself as a nation in and of itself.

The systems adopted in each continent were quite similar, politically and economically.

In Erosa, status was an especially important part of society. To have a say in any matter, thousands of eyes would look at your shadow for your background. If there was none, there was no difference from you having no voice.

The overall layout was also a testament to how deeply rooted into the world this system was.

Erosa was divided into six provinces, each with their own segregated areas called Integral Districts.

Those with greater backgrounds resided in High value Districts where their pockets, education and histories determined where exactly they would live. Nevertheless, luxury and comfort were guaranteed. Each District had a number as an identity.

High value Districts were Districts with lower numbers, while the opposite was true for Low value Districts.

Those of lesser backgrounds, with nothing to their name; limited horizons in their education and no grand history, lived in the Low value Districts.

At this particular moment in time, a certain trio were walking briskly through the streets as they headed for school.

Denva gnashed his teeth stealthily as he felt the pain in his soul.

'Right. I did not think a good meal and an average night sleep would make me feel like what I experienced was a dream. I have the pain in my soul to remind me otherwise,' thought Denva.

He still an insurmountable amount of rage and blood lust building up in his soul, but he couldn't bring himself to let it all out on the sweet Charlie and his mother who despite her smiley facade was carrying a great deal of stress.

Denva was surprised by how much a mortal life such as this had already started to impact his mentality. Not by a great deal, but he had lost sight of his rage for a few minutes.

Was it because life was the same but with different iterations between the Mortis and Immortis boundary?

He could not tell.

As they walked, Denva now had the time to really look at the poor state of the neighbourhood he lived in as he had been unable to last night. Being literary blinded by rage had caused him to see nothing on his way home until he was confronted with a frightened Charlie.

The houses barely had breathing room between them, meaning no lawns or excess touches that could make the small cottages feel more like homes. The colours were all dreary with little to no room for renovation...literally.

The road was made of old tar, potholes quite evident across its build. Several old cars would stroll on it, swerving continuously to avoid brutalising their tyres.

From the looks of the designs of several constructs he had seen, Denva concluded that this world was a quite behind technology-wise. The fact that the use of World Essence was not integrated into the World for most activities further elaborated that this was a Lower World.

"So, might as well ask now? What do you want to do after school?" asked Jase. "That question is not directed at you, Denva."

Denva gave a short laugh at Jase's words. Everyone already knew what he wanted to do. It  was this piece of information that he had stumbled upon in Denva's memory that made him sigh in relief as he discovered that this world had opportunities for him to grow back his cultivation.

"Well... I'm not really sure," said Sellina with a sigh. "I used to have the same dream as you Denva, but... let's just say that dreams don't always come true. Not because you can't achieve them, but because you're forced to let them go for the sake of family."

"Your dad, huh?" said Jase. "He'd let you waste your talents because of his pride?"

"He'd prefer that actually," said Sellina with a forlorn expression. "That's why since I can't do what I want. I'll do what needs to be done for the time being. Maybe you'll get a head start, Denva. But I'll definitely follow after you."

Sellina looked at Denva. She had the same dream as him, but couldn't follow on as she wished.

Sellina was an excellent martial artist. Though she had no formal training, she had learned different styles by travelling through the Districts and participating in different local tournaments. It was her passion ever since she was young. She was first entranced by the beauty of the movements and having the ability to protect herself in the dark world of the Districts.

Then, as she grew, the added objective of fighting stronger opponents and learning new styles had been topped on to create an firm habit.

However, there was a giant obstacle in her way. Her father.

"You won't have to. We'll find a solution for that," Denva said. "What good is it to share your dream with someone, only for you to leave them behind?"

Sellina smiled and punched Denva's shoulder lightly.

"I'm open to all the help I can get. Even from someone as unreliable as you," she said.

"Oh I'm so touched," said Jase as he pretended to be touched. "I'll also add that desire on my ever-growing list of troubles to solve for my friends."

Denva shook his head.

As they walked, going down a road to the left, Denva turned his head to the right and saw something that he had already experienced in Denva's head. However, seeing it for himself brought on quite a lot of memories.

As the terrain rose down the road, the image of a terrifying level of destruction showed itself.

It was devastation left behind from one of the spontaneous attacks that this World experienced. Flattened buildings could be seen, darkened by the flame that had burnt bright a month ago when a World Titan appeared in this District. District 9.

Denva was jolted as he felt in his soul a familiar energy.

Realm Essence!

Sellina and Jase saw Denva in a daze as he looked at the place a distance away.

"It's things like this that make you want to be a Seeker too, huh?" asked Jase.

"Yeah," said Denva as his eyes narrowed.

***

Orlone College.

Many students were very excited to be finally leaving school.

The school itself was nothing special. While it certainly had the feeling of a school, with the large administration block being the first thing that you would see when you entered, the almost unending classroom rows built to accommodate the majority of the students for public education by the National Authority and the small fields behind the school buildings for the less appreciated sporting activities, the actually content that students learned was akin to the free information disseminated in an online game.

College went on for four years. After the learning duration, there was no grand ceremony to celebrate which was hosted by the schools as limited funding was provided by the National Authority. It was a norm for the students and they accepted the fact that they only had to accept their certificate of acknowledgement and go home.

Within one of the classrooms, several students sat down while listening to the words of their teacher. It was a final advice that he rendered to his students who had a very important choice ahead of them.

He was a short man with a stout figure, a full head of grey hair perked on the dome of his head.

"Now that you have finally finished your courses, you need to think carefully about your future. The rich are so for a reason. In our world, World Essence is becoming a lot more vital than most would have expected," he said with a sharp look in his eye.

"It's unfortunate that not all of us can wield it, making something of ourselves. This creates two paths where you can either go down the old road with a simple office job, or a unique art, sport among others. Or... you choose to join the Gallant Enforcers Association (GEA), helping to promote the law of Erosa or....to contribute in the fight against the World Titans."

Denva's ears were perked up the whole time. He and Jase were in the same class, while Sellina was in another.

He had been listening with rapt attention to find out if he could get more information about the thing he was most fascinated by.

The creatures that plagued Ginaia.

They were called World Titans. Behemoths that would spontaneously appear anywhere in the World and cause terror within the people's hearts.

None of them were to be trifled with as they carried insane amounts of strength that called for insanely powerful warriors to put them down.

The National Authorities within the three continents were akin to governments and they oversaw an organisation called the GEA. It was an organisation built to groom fighters who wielded World Essence in order to fight these monsters. It has sub programs as well for less talented people to make full force of human resources with World Essence compatibility.

The original Denva had wanted to join the Dawn Force and everyone knew, which is why when it came to his motivations, no one needed to ask twice.

"Regardless of which path you choose, I recommend that you give it your all. Life is too short to half ass through it. Understand that the world out there is for the wealthy and strong to enjoy. If you try to break the natural order those men and women have created, you'll become a casualty. Lower your head as far as it can go whenever you can. It'll save the lives of those back home and yours," the man said, a look of reminiscence flashing in his eyes for barely a second.

"Let me also remind you. For those that wish to become Seekers, two months from now the GEA will host a Selection for potential recruits to be nurtured. Your talent will speak for you and I hope it won't betray your dreams. Good luck."

'Hmm. Solid advice,' thought Denva.