47 Winner is the king and loser is the villain

Zed and Jessica stepped into the classroom, hand in hand. Jessica was nervous with a tinge of red on her face. It was the first time she had made such close contact with someone from the opposite sex, and that too with someone she has formally met for the first time. She knew he took her hand so that she could get the courage to step up for herself, and not because he had other intentions, but still, the act made her feel shy.

"We have arrived," Zed's words awakened Jessica from her thoughts. He let go of her hand now that they have reached the entrance of the classroom. He didn't think much when he offered her his hand. 

"Ah yes," Jessica nodded.

The classroom was actually a large hall with each study desk having a capacity for three students. The desks were embedded with computers that also served as a notepad.

Zed walked towards the study desk where Felicity was.

"You are late," Felicity said, sounding a bit annoyed. She was disappointed with Zed after how he shed 'tears of joy' in the cafeteria earlier. Now he even arrived late.

"My phone call took more time then I thought," Zed replied with a smile. He sat next to Felicity and put his right hand on the desk. A burst of green light from the desk scanned his fingerprints, and afterward, a virtual screen appeared.

"Attendance registered," a mechanical voice came out from the virtual screen.

"Isn't she the scholarship girl?" Felicity asked as she saw Jessica walking towards their desk.

"Hm?" Zed was surprised as well.

"Zed, thank you for helping me," Jessica said. Earlier she was so nervous that she has forgotten to thank him.

Felicity was confused while Zed just smiled. He didn't consider supporting her as any help at all but seeing her serious face, he said," You helped yourself and not me."

"Y-yes but..." Jessica wanted to continue but Zed stopped her by waving his hand.

"If you still feel I helped you then you can repay me with a cup of coffee," Zed added with a smile.

Jessica readily agreed to the proposal. She didn't know why but she felt happy by Zed's way of doing things.

"I will take my leave," Jessica turned around.

"You can sit next to us. A seat is empty," Felicity suddenly said, startling both Jessica and Zed.

While Felicity didn't know what help Zed gave Jessica, she could pretty much guess it. She has seen Jessica being given a hard time by fellow classmates so she was sure it was related to that.

Felicity wasn't someone who will barge in others' business but if she made something as her business, then she will never back off. She believed she should help Jessica since she was now acquainted with Zed.

His troubles were her troubles!

"N-no, it is fine. I have a seat back," Jessica nervously denied her kind intentions. She has heard rumors that Zed and Felicity were 'close' and thought it would be wrong to disturb them. No one in the class has dared to sit next to Felicity besides Zed, so, how could she?

"You have a seat at the end of the classroom, but surely the seat here isn't worse than your seat," Felicity ignored Jessica's refusal.

She didn't know about rumors regarding her and Zed, and if she knew, she would laugh after beating those spreading the rumors. For her, Zed was nothing but an annoying younger brother she has to take care of.

"Of course not but," Jessica tried to think of an excuse.

"Good. Sit here," Felicity said. This time Jessica didn't protest and sat next to Felicity. She didn't want to anger the demon queen of Royal Heart Academy.

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Most of the male students cast envious gazes at Zed. How could they not be envious of seeing Zed sitting with not one but two beauties!? Jessica might be from a common background but her beauty was breathtaking. This was the main reason she was bullied by the female students.

Then there was Felicity! The number one beauty of Royal Heart Academy! Not only was she beautiful but she was extremely talented as well! She has been the number one student in both sport and academics.

"That bastard's luck is only getting better!" a young handsome blonde man cursed.

"Alex, calm down. A star is brightest before its fall and the same applies to Zed!" a fat student next to him remarked while eating a bar of chocolate.

"Jamie, you are right. That bastard is nothing but a toad lusting after a swan's flesh," Alex said while clenching his teeth, "Still, it's extremely frustrating to see that slum bastard so close to Felicity!"

Jamie sighed as he felt his friend's hate. He knew Alex has always believed he deserved Felicity. While Felicity's background was super powerful due to her being a daughter of a senator but Alex thought his background was also extraordinary. He was the son of the police chief of Delta City.

Yet Felicity never gave him a single glance. On the other hand, she would always hang out with Zed. Sure Zed was rich but he had no background. He was just a slum insect who got lucky. An insect was an insect, no matter how pretty it gets! How can a slum insect dare to snatch what belonged to Alex?

"Alex, let us go for another hunt today," Jamie said.

"You mean hunting those slum insects?" Alex asked.

"Yes! We shall invite Zed as well with us," Jamie replied with a smirk.

Alex was surprised but then he laughed after understanding what Jamie had planned.

"Good! I can't wait to see how that bastard will react," Alex said with a cruel smile on his face.

The female students, on the other hand were jealous of Felicity and Jessica. They couldn't stand to see the perfect youth sitting with them.

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"Sir George is here!" A female student shouted, forcing everyone to look at the entrance.

A middle-aged man entered the classroom carrying a tablet in his hands. The students offered their respect by standing up.

"Sit down," George said while pressing a few panels on his tablet screen. The lights turned off and a holographic image of Earth appeared.

"In today's history class, we will revisit our past to remember what our society was back then and what our society is now," George directly started the topic, "Let us remember the sacrifices of our fallen heroes by going back in the past."

"Not interested!" Many students shouted together. The room was dark but George could point out the culprits. He didn't take any action for he knew what type of students studied here.

With a sigh, he said, "Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it. A person without the knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots. So are you still not interested in the past?"

Not a single student replied to the question.

"Your silence speaks much more than your words do," George said.

Every single student has a serious expression on their face as they waited for the class to start but there was one student who was scoffing inside!

Zed!

"History is nothing but a mixture of facts and fiction written by the vested interest for the purpose of subtle brainwashing. I will rather be a tree without roots than a slave to the thoughts of others."

Zed mused in his heart while outside he pretended to be interested in history.

George clicked a panel on his tablet and said," Let us begin the class!"

[[Virtual Simulation Activated]] A mechanical voice sounded inside the classroom.

The holographic image of Earth started expanding, and in no time, it covered the entire classroom. The students felt as if they were inside the real Earth instead of a hologram.

[[Before the 19th century, our planet was divided into countries. The countries were mainly ruled by the dynasties and royal families]]

The students 'saw' different types of imperial and royal palaces around the world that served as the home to different powers.

[[While the kings and their families lived a pleasant life, the condition of the general population was very poor.]]

The students now saw the general populace being harmed by the policies of nobility and royalty. People starved during famines and other disasters while those of royal blood enjoyed the best delicacies the money has to offer.

[[That was an era full of sufferings and cruelty. That was an era full of oppression.]]

The students witnessed various political struggles around the world, leading to wars, and ultimately deaths. Even during the wars, it was the general populace who suffered the most as they made the forces. The financial burden of the wars was also ultimately born by them.

[[In such chaotic times, the Evolution Comet appeared. It resulted in changes no one could ever predict!]]

At the start of 1900, a strange comet passed by Earth. This comet was visible from every corner of the planet and many believed it was an omen of world-altering changes. As soon as the comet disappeared, thousands of mystic meteorites appeared in the solar system, as if they have arrived after shattering the void.

Many of these mystic meteorites landed on Earth, creating a miracle. Various species started developing extraordinary superpowers. Humans, beasts, plants, and other species took their first leap towards evolution!

Not every meteorite created a miracle land though. Some places turned into a wasteland where millions died due to the shockwaves from impact.

[[Further destruction was caused by the dynasties. The governments started taking common people for experiments as they tried to study the mutation. Conditions of people got worse now that the entire resources were spent on decoding the secrets of Evolution.]]

The virtual simulation made the students feel as if they were experiencing the tragedy. They felt a deep hatred for the dynasties who would do such cruel things to the members of their own race.

[[Just when the world was on brink of insanity, the hope arrived!]]

"The Nine Sovereigns!" Everyone exclaimed.

[[Indeed. The Nine Sovereigns became the hope of the world!]]

From different corners of the planet, nine extraordinary mutants acted in defiance against the cruelties of the dynasties. The Nine Sovereigns lead their respective families and together they defeated the cruel tyrants.

[[In the year 1935, the nine aristocratic families met at what today is known as the Holy City. It was there the World Government was established. The nine aristocratic families acted on behalf of Nine Sovereigns and made an impartial government for all.]]

The students witnessed an age of prosperity. The oppression was stopped and true development started. Rights were given to common citizens, regardless if they were mutant or not. The focus was now on developing technology and helping everyone, regardless of background. The world government was founded on the principle of democracy with the nine aristocratic families only acting as the permanent members of the World Council.

[[In the year 1971, the king of Atlantis joined World Council! The harmony between humans and sea race showed just how successful the world government was in its aim of peace and development.]]

The sea race occupied most of the resources on this planet since around 71% of the earth's surface was water-covered. Yet the powerful sea race joined the world government founded by humans. The students marveled at the might of the human race.

"Fools can't even realize that this class is not focused on history but propaganda," Zed thought with disappointment. He marveled at the ability of government to fool people by inciting pride, patriotism, and racial sentiments.

While Zed didn't know the true history, he knew enough for him to judge that world government was anything but kind!

"World Government is good in selling itself," Zed thought. He has lived in the slums for most of his life so he knew the extent of development the government has done.

"Heck, slavery is continued even in developed parts of the world but no one ever speaks of it," Zed thought of the things he has heard from Eva.

She has told him that the nine aristocratic families have legal rights to take slaves. Yet, now the world government pretended to be champion of human rights.

The virtual simulation continued with students seeing the various developments the world government has done.

[[In the current era, the biggest enemy of our peaceful civilization is 'Nation of Terror'. The Nine Sovereigns spared the lives of a few people from those evil dynasties but they didn't appreciate the kindness.]]

The remnants of the past dynasties and tyrants escaped to the southern hemisphere and established a 'nation'. Even after the formation of the World Government, this 'nation' survived.

[[This nation has carried out various terrorist attacks around the world. Everything in the hope of bringing chaos but we would never let them succeed! They call themselves freedom fighters but they are only cowards!]]

"Yes!" The students shouted in unison.

Zed remained silent throughout the simulation. He didn't know if the Nation of Terror was truly as evil as the news claimed.

He has experienced first hand as to how the media outlets have been manipulating the news so how could he judge this 'nation' based on views of others? Most people didn't even know that the World Government enforced strict guidelines on reporting any matter related to the 'Nation of Terror'.

"The Nine Sovereigns and the world government won the war so they become the heroes everyone rever. The past dynasties lost so they have become the heinous sinner everyone hate. History is nothing but a fiction written by the winner to glorify his deeds while demonizing the loser!" Zed mused with a smile.

"Winner is the king and the loser is the villain."