"As Mrs. Korwa said, they are considered noble because the Solus Empire honors them. So..." The male student took a deep breath. He puffed out his chest slightly, then asked loudly, "Why should they be honored? Is it because the Messiah Bahtera we revere is a Pure Human, or is it just a conspiracy by parliament to maintain their power?"
"There are many opinions discussing the nobility of Pure Humans..." Korwa picked up the microphone again, then turned to face the projector screen and changed the presentation page. While showing illustrations of the subject they were discussing, she continued firmly, "Some groups consider it a conspiracy, while others continue to honor them. However, all of that is just opinion. We don't really know why Pure Humans must be revered to this day."
"We don't really know, do we…" The student sat back down, lowering his head in disappointment and deep thought. As a man of the Turtur race, he had a fairly high level of curiosity. Though it sometimes deviated from the teachings of Altair Almiah. "It's a pity, I was hoping to get the answer in this class," he muttered softly.
"However, unfortunately, Mother does not agree with their ideas!" Korwa had not finished answering. She enlarged the image of the Pure Human on the head, then pointed toward the audience while continuing, "What makes them noble is not their lineage or leadership history, but their intelligence and adaptability!"
"Intelligence and adaptability?" The Turtur race student raised his head again, stood up, and looked at her with enthusiasm. Though he came from the wise Al-Miah Moa tribe, he couldn't reach such a conclusion. "Why is that, Mother Korwa? Isn't our race, the Halv, superior to them?" he asked to confirm.
"That's true, we are far superior to Pure Humans…" Korwa did not deny it. Turning back to the audience, she continued clearly, "Our adaptability is superior to theirs. In terms of intelligence, the Oracles can surpass them! Then, why should we honor Pure Humans?"
"That…" The male student was confused, averting his gaze hesitantly and answering, "Shouldn't we honor them?"
"An interesting opinion! However, unfortunately, that's not the answer I was looking for!" Korwa chuckled slightly, flashing a warm smile, and continued explaining, "They should indeed be revered, but in a very different aspect! Not for their history or lineage, but for something more fundamental, such as their existence…"
That statement left the entire audience confused, even some of the teachers attending the large class were puzzled. They began to question Korwa's capabilities as a teacher, then mocked the woman in hushed tones.
"She's lost her mind, answers are starting to make no sense."
"That's right, it's illogical. Why bring up existence at all?"
"Tch! If you can't answer, just say so! No need to be so arrogant…"
"Do you know why our ancestors implemented genetic manipulation?" Ignoring their mockery, Korwa continued her statement. She walked to the edge of the stage, looked at the audience, and said, "The implementation of genetic engineering was done to enhance our adaptive capabilities!"
"I know that too! Do you think we're stupid?!" A teacher supervising a large class began to lose his temper. She banged on the wall, then walked down the stairs and climbed onto the presentation stage. "Your words don't make sense! Get down! The academy is a place for learning, not for imagining!" he shouted loudly.
"This isn't imagination; it's a strong, logical speculation." Korwa remained unfazed. While gazing back, the purple-haired woman continued, "If our ancestors did indeed use evolutionary manipulation to enhance adaptability, why does the existence of Pure Humans still persist to this day?"
"Huh?" The teacher from the Piscium race startled. He briefly turned his face away, then lowered his gaze and replied, "Of course, because they are revered and protected by the Solus Empire. What else could be the reason?"
"The Empire does honor Pure Humans, but it doesn't protect them. In fact…" Korwa sharpened his gaze, then walked closer and added, "They protect us with knowledge and belief. You should understand that, right?"
"Then why do you doubt their honor?" The teacher did not back down. She began to glare, then pointed closely and continued to assert, "That is clearly forbidden by the teachings of Altair Almiah and Imperial Policy!"
"I don't doubt the nobility of Pure Humans, but I question the way you honor them..." Korwa shook her head, then climbed onto the podium and turned back to face the audience. After returning the microphone to the stand, the purple-haired woman loudly clarified, "They are noble because of their abilities, not because of their lineage or leadership history!"
"Nonsense!" The protesting teacher immediately became angry. However, she could not argue further. Unable to refute the opinion, he quickly descended from the stage and left the classroom. "You must be crazy to dare to oppose Imperial Policy!" she said as she slammed the door.
"You old fool..." Korwa sighed deeply, then showed a sad expression. It was as if she felt sorry for the teacher. Turning back to the audience, the purple-haired woman quickly offered, "All right! Let's continue the class! We still have two hours before lunch break! Does anyone have any questions?"
As a teacher, Korwa continued the class with an open mind. She accepted the negative arguments from the participants, listened to them carefully, then clarified them with answers from a very different perspective.
Unbound by the ideas of the Solus Empire or the beliefs of Altair Almiah, purely from the individual's perspective free from doctrine. He answered their questions openly and logically, without fear of the major factions controlling the Almah Solar System.
After the presentation ended, a lengthy discussion immediately filled the classroom. They debated with their teacher, expressing their opinions freely without fear of pressure. As long as it made sense and wasn't disseminated outside the academy, they were given the right to speak their minds as freely as possible. .
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The lunch break bell rang, signaling the end of the large class and dispersing the participants who had been engaged in heated debate. They filed out of the classroom and headed to the cafeteria, continuing to discuss the material presented by Korwa. Engaging in independent discussion even after the lesson had ended.
After the large class ended, Korwa quickly tidied up his documents. He removed the data storage cube from the projector, then prepared to return to the teachers' room.
"That class was really interesting, I'm impressed..." A man approached him with good intentions; he was Korwa's colleague and fellow teacher at the academy. "How about we have lunch together? There are many things I'd like to discuss with Miss Korwa," he said casually, widening his smile slightly and teasingly.
The man was from the Al-Miah Nor tribe, the Marinus Rapax race. He had several genetic markers of a predatory fish, such as sharp teeth and vertically shaped pupils.
Bright blue hair was a characteristic of the Sean people, while exotic brown skin was a trait of the Marinus Rapax as warriors, and emerald green eyes were inherited from his father. Though he looked very young, the man had lived for over five decades.
Additionally, he had a sturdy build and was slightly taller than Korwa. He looked as strong as a young marine.
"Hmm? Mr. Shamar is asking me out on a date, is he?" Korwa responded to the joke casually, flashing a sweet smile and saying, "I don't mind, as long as you're treating. Where do you want to eat?"
"A date? You're…" Shamar startled, furrowing his brow slightly and sighing. As a newlywed, the joke sounded a bit alarming. Especially if it reached his wife's ears. "Please don't talk like that; Irina might get angry…"
"Ah, sorry. I guess I overreacted. You two just got married last week, right?" Korwa smirked, puffing out her chest slightly and snorting roughly. 'How was your first night? Smooth?' she asked teasingly.
"You! Do you want me to punch you?" Shamar clenched his fist, then frowned slightly and prepared to hit the woman. "Seriously! Please don't joke like that! Even though we've known each other for a long time, Irina is a jealous person! If she hears—!"
"Hear what?" The woman they were talking about suddenly appeared, having been standing behind Shamar while listening to half of the conversation. "Oh, my dear. What are you talking about with Korwa? You're not going on another date with him, are you?"
"Eh?!" Shamar slowly turned around, trembling with fear until his face turned slightly pale. 'No, I wasn't! I just wanted to talk to him about the presentation material earlier…'
Irina was no stranger to Korwa; they had been close friends during their college days. In fact, the two had once lived under the same roof, renting the same apartment and sharing a room while pursuing their education.
Though they had once been as close as family, many issues had driven them apart. One of them was matters of men, especially romantic relationships.
Irina Irama was the youngest child of the Elder of the Al-Miah Hua Tribe, a Piscium with pure lineage. She had long, straight, shiny blue hair that turned slightly greenish when exposed to light.
Additionally, Irina has pale skin with scales in certain areas, fish-like fins for ears, and golden-yellow eyes. These are signs that she comes from a pure lineage, untouched by genetic elements from other races.
Despite coming from a prominent family, Irina tends to avoid political matters and prefers to focus on her psychology education. As a result, she lost her family inheritance and ended up becoming a teacher at an academy.
After becoming independent and free from her family's social status, Irina married Shamar without hesitation. He was the man she had been in a romantic relationship with for a long time.
"Want to eat together, Ina? Your husband invited me!" After putting the documents and Data Cube into her handbag, Korwa walked over to her. She briefly lowered her eyebrows and looked at him blankly, then gave a wry smile and said, "Do I need to give you a wedding gift? Ah, that's right! You didn't have a wedding party, did you? I don't know where to put the gift…"
"Thanks, but no thanks!" Irina frowned briefly, began to grind her teeth and glare. She immediately grabbed her husband's hand and pulled him away from Korwa. "We don't need anything like that. Even if there is a wedding party, we won't invite annoying people like you!"
"Alright! Coincidentally, I'm broke this week!" Korwa showed an indifferent expression, briefly turning away and sighing anxiously. 'I'll go first, then! I still have a meeting with the principal after this!' he said as he walked past them.
"Aren't you going to eat lunch first?" Shamar was a little worried. He took a step forward and intended to grab the woman's shoulder, but stopped and only said, 'Please don't push yourself! I know this is a crucial time for your career—!'
"Sham…" Korwa stopped, then turned and gave him a sharp look. Pointing at them, the purple-haired woman angrily asserted, "Mind your own business! Don't you have enough problems of your own?"
"What's with your attitude?" Irina was immediately annoyed. She quickly approached the woman and snapped, "We're worried about you, you know! Lately, you've been working overtime all the time! You rarely come home to the apartment—!"
"Ah, I moved out last week…" Korwa gave a wry smile. Holding her breath for a moment, she tried to hide the mix of fear and anxiety in her heart. "Isn't it unsettling to live so close to your husband's ex-girlfriend? I felt uncomfortable, so I moved…"
"Korwa, you…" Shamar was speechless. Though he no longer had romantic feelings for the woman, her words still made him feel guilty. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable around us."
"Why are you apologizing? You might get bitten by a piranha next to you!" Korwa stopped pointing, then laughed lightly and reminded him, "Take care of your wife first, then resolve your issues. Once it's settled, we'll talk properly. Your marriage hasn't been approved yet, has it? You've only registered at the Civil Registry Office, right?"
"That's so harsh to say…" Irina could only stare in shock. She shook her head briefly, then quickly pointed at him and retorted, 'You too! Go find a partner! Don't stay single forever!'
"Shut up!" Korwa couldn't respond. She turned around and walked out of the room, saying, "Alright, then! May you two stay together and be happy."
Korwa wanted to sincerely congratulate them. However, her pride prevented her from expressing it properly. She chose to evade and act rudely, without taking the initiative to improve the relationship.
She had once fallen in love, longing for a romantic relationship and the warmth of a family. However, those dreams were shattered when she heard that her friend also loved the same man. She gave up before doing anything, suppressing her feelings and choosing to retreat. Becoming a coward with a big mouth to protect his fragile heart.