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5.94% The Sinful Life of The Emperor / Chapter 46: Standing Up For Yourself

Chapter 46: Standing Up For Yourself

Dream Rise House, Nature's Harmony Neighborhood.

Since Zed was at the academy, the villa was empty besides the humanoid droids that were carrying out miscellaneous chores.

The first floor of the underground section consisted of the high-tech laboratory where Kiba would often visit for his body check. The Cosmic Spark gave him unrivaled powers, but he was afraid there might be side effects of fusing with such a powerful cosmic entity. This was the reason he built the lab where even high-grade human experiments could be carried out.

The second floor of the underground section was also special, but its security arrangement was on a different scale. Hundreds of battle droids were constantly on guard while the walls and floor were embedded with sensors that could detect even the presence of a tiny particle.

Dozens of droids were always on a scout to detect any unusual activity while the laser guns were ready to tackle any disturbance. One can say that the security arrangement was no less than a high-grade military base.

The reason for such a security arrangement was simple: the floor was the lifeline of the villa!

And what was the lifeline of the villa? It was Claudia! The artificial intelligence system that was responsible for helping Kiba in all possible ways.

Thousands of high-processing units constantly collected and analyzed data they received through various means. All the processing units had one thing in common: they were all connected to a single data chord. The data chord, in turn, merged with a large floating orb.

The orb has a radius of ten meters with various types of wires connecting to it besides the data chord. There were green inscriptions on the orb, radiating glow resembling electronic circuits.

The orb was covered by a golden force field, and if one looked closely, the golden color slightly resembled the golden lightning that has appeared in the wasteland. It wouldn't be wrong to say that the orb enjoyed no less protection than the bunker reserved for the president of the World Government.

If the scientists from the World Government were to see this mechanical orb, they would be beyond shocked. They wouldn't be shocked by the advanced circuit diagrams or its ability to handle massive data but by the composition of the orb.

It was made of Divine Particles! It has to be known that those particles were largely responsible for the current mutation on Earth. The science community believed the Divine Particles carried the secret to eternal life but now god knows how much of the particles were used to make the orb.

Back when Hank found very small traces of Divine Particles inside the metallic biscuits, he was incomparably excited. 

Yet so many Divine Particles were used to form a metallic orb. If the news was leaked then it would lead to a large-scale war. World Government and other mystic organizations would launch an attack on Kiba to get their hands on this orb.

Kiba might compromise on some things but he would never agree on giving away this orb. Because this orb was the source of Claudia!

She was an advanced intelligence agency with no form or body. This orb was her brain. One can say this orb was her very source of existence!

Some distance away from the orb, there were dozens of virtual screens focusing on the important tasks she was carrying out. On one screen, there was the image of Kiba's 'caretaker'. Claudia was trying to track his origin so that Kiba can get his revenge on those who tried to kill him after he was born.

Another screen showed the live feed from the Royal Heart Academy's security network. It showed Kiba entering the building where his classroom was located.

Few of the other screens showed the activities of Agatha, Eva, Olivia, and many other women with whom Kiba had shared a physical relationship. Not only them but there were screens showing details about Meghan and Carole with whom Kiba planned to form a relationship!

If Kiba came to know of this then he would be shocked. He could never imagine Claudia would carry out surveillance on women without his permission. While Claudia wasn't able to spy 24*7 on these women, she was able to collect enough data for her to know that they didn't carry nefarious thoughts against her master.

[[Everything is for his protection]] Claudia said to herself.

Two new virtual screens appeared focusing on Sarah and Daniel.

[[It is much more difficult than I initially thought. I will need at least 3 days before I can activate the plan for reducing the mess my master created.]]

-------

Royal Heart Academy.

Zed stepped towards his classroom absent-mindedly when he suddenly bumped into someone.

"Ah!"

The sound of a female's exclamation brought Zed back to reality. He saw a woman, in her early twenties, on the floor, searching for her glasses. She was a brunette with a fair complexion. Her eyes were mesmerizing and there were traces of tears in them.

"My apologies," Zed helped the girl in collecting her glasses.

"I-it is not your mistake. I was collecting my glasses on the floor..." The girl stopped in between as if she was afraid to continue.

Zed noticed her body was slightly trembling. He then looked around and saw a group of female students making warning gestures towards her. Some of them were even recording her actions through their mobiles.

"Bullying?" Zed wondered. He could pretty much guess what has happened.

He focused his attention on the brunette girl again and finally remembered details about her. He didn't have much impression of her but he knew she was in the same class as him. As far as he could recall, she was a scholarship student.

The academy was reserved for the children of rich and powerful but to create goodwill among the city residents, the academy offered few scholarships to people from the backward section.

"No wonder they were bullying her," Zed thought. The rich students were proud of their status so how could they stand to see a girl from a poor household enjoying the same benefits as them?

It was like how a prince would feel if he finds a beggar eating food on the same table as him. A prince might feel pity for a beggar and give him a few coins, but the prince absolutely couldn't stand to see the beggar enjoying the benefits of the royalty.

"Thank you," the girl said as Zed handed her the glasses.

"Jessica, right?" Zed asked.

"Ah...yes," Jessica nodded her head nervously. She was surprised that he knew her name.

"If you allow others to take advantage of you, even once, then this cycle would continue forever. The only person that can help you break this cycle is you."

He looked into her eyes as he said this.

"I..." Jessica didn't know how to reply. She knew Zed had realized her situation. This made her feel ashamed of her poor display.

The group of bullies also heard Zed's words, but they remained silent. They knew Zed was not someone they could afford to anger, even though he originally belonged to the slums. Now, not only was he rich but he was also one of the most talented mutants in the academy. The worst part was he had a good reputation in the academy. He was often referred to as the perfect youth.

"Let's go," Zed told her. He didn't give another glance to the bullies, nor did he care about the trouble they could create for him. If anything, he wanted them to create some trouble so that he could vent his frustration.

"Where?" Jessica asked in surprise.

"Obviously to our classroom unless you have an appointment elsewhere," Zed replied.

"I don't have any appointment but..." Jessica's gaze unconsciously moved towards the group of bullies. She was afraid they would bully her more severely if she left with him.

"If not, then let's go," Zed said with a smile.

Jessica noticed the group of bullies making threatening gestures, warning her not to go with him. She was extremely nervous and hesitant, but just then Zed extended a hand towards her.

She took a deep breath and made her decision!


Chapter 47: Winner is the king and loser is the villain

Zed and Jessica stepped into the classroom, hand in hand. Jessica blushed nervously. It was the first time she'd had such close contact with someone from the opposite sex, especially someone she'd just met. She knew he took her hand to give her courage, not for any other reason, but it still made her shy.

"We're here," Zed's words pulled Jessica from her thoughts. He let go of her hand now that they were at the entrance. He hadn't overthought offering it.
"Ah, yes," Jessica nodded.
The classroom was actually a large hall with study desks for three students each. The desks embedded with computers that doubled as notepads.
Zed walked towards the desk where Felicity sat.
"You're late," Felicity said, a hint of annoyance in her voice. Zed's display of "tears of joy" in the cafeteria earlier had disappointed her, and now this.
"My phone call ran longer than expected," Zed replied with a smile. He sat next to Felicity and placed his right hand on the desk. A green light scanned his fingerprints, and a virtual screen materialized.
"Attendance registered," a mechanical voice announced from the virtual screen.
"Isn't that the scholarship girl?" Felicity asked, spotting Jessica approaching their desk.
"Hm?" Zed was surprised too.
"Zed, thank you for helping me," Jessica said. Earlier, she'd been so nervous that she'd forgotten to thank him.
Felicity was confused, while Zed just smiled. He hadn't considered supporting her as any help at all, but seeing her serious face, he said, "You helped yourself, not me."
"Y-yes, but..." Jessica started, but Zed stopped her with a wave of his hand.
"If you still feel I helped, you can repay me with a cup of coffee," Zed added with a smile.
Jessica readily agreed. For some reason, Zed's way of doing things made her happy.
"I'll excuse myself," Jessica turned to leave.
"You can sit next to us. There's an empty seat," Felicity suddenly said, startling both Jessica and Zed.
While Felicity didn't know exactly how Zed had helped Jessica, she could make a good guess. She'd seen Jessica being bullied by classmates and assumed it was related.
Felicity wasn't one to pry, but once she considered something her business, she wouldn't back down. Since Jessica was now acquainted with Zed, Felicity felt she should help. His troubles were hers, in her mind.
"N-no, it's okay. I have a seat back there," Jessica nervously declined Felicity's kind offer. She'd heard rumors that Zed and Felicity were "close" and didn't want to intrude. No one else in the class dared to sit next to Felicity besides Zed.
"You have a seat at the back, but surely this one isn't worse," Felicity brushed aside Jessica's refusal.
Unaware of the rumors about her and Zed, Felicity would have laughed if she knew. To her, Zed was nothing more than an annoying younger brother she had to look after.
"Of course not, but," Jessica stammered, trying to think of an excuse.
"Good. Sit here," Felicity said firmly. This time Jessica didn't protest and sat down next to Felicity. She didn't want to anger the "demon queen" of Royal Heart Academy.

------------

Most of the male students leered enviously at Zed. How could they not? There he was, flanked by not one, but two gorgeous girls! Jessica, despite her commoner background, possessed a beauty that stopped hearts. It was no surprise she faced bullying from the jealous females.
Then there was Felicity, the undisputed queen of Royal Heart Academy. Her stunning looks were matched only by her incredible talent. She consistently reigned supreme in both academics and athletics.
"That lucky dog's streak just keeps getting hotter!" a handsome blonde student cursed under his breath. This was Alex, and Zed's current situation was burning a hole in his gut.
"Easy there, Alex," a plump student beside him named Jamie said, munching on a chocolate bar. "Remember, a star shines brightest before it burns out. Same goes for Zed."
Alex scoffed. "Yeah, right. That slum scumbag is nothing but a toad eyeing a swan's prize!" He clenched his fists. "Still, seeing that gutter rat cozying up to Felicity makes my blood boil!"
Jamie sighed, sensing the fury radiating from his friend. Alex had always believed he deserved Felicity. Sure, Felicity came from a powerful family – her father was a senator, after all – but Alex considered his own background as the son of Delta City's police chief to be equally impressive.
Felicity, however, never even spared him a glance. Instead, she seemed to gravitate towards Zed. True, Zed had money, but that was all. No pedigree, no family history. Just a lucky slum rat. A leopard doesn't change its spots, no matter how much it preens! How dare a nobody like Zed even think about stealing what rightfully belonged to Alex?
"Hey, Alex," Jamie said with a sly grin, "how about another hunt today?"
"Hunting those slum scum again?" Alex asked, a flicker of interest sparking in his eyes.
"Exactly! And this time," Jamie continued, his grin widening, "let's invite Zed along for the ride."
Alex's initial surprise morphed into a cruel laugh. He understood Jamie's plan perfectly. "Brilliant! I can't wait to see the look on that bastard's face."
Meanwhile, the female students were a swirling vortex of jealousy aimed squarely at Felicity and Jessica. The sight of these flawless beauties flanking Zed was simply unbearable. How could they, the self-proclaimed elite, tolerate such a perfect trio?

---------

"Sir George is here!" A shrill voice pierced the classroom, snapping everyone's attention to the entrance.
A middle-aged man, George, strolled in, clutching a tablet. The students grudgingly stood, a show of respect most couldn't be bothered with.
"Sit," George barked, tapping his tablet. The lights dimmed, replaced by a holographic Earth swirling in the center of the room.
"Today's history lesson," George announced, "is a trip down memory lane. We'll revisit who we were and who we've become." A dramatic pause. "Let's remember the sacrifices of our fallen heroes by reliving the past."
A chorus of groans erupted from the darkened room. George, unsurprised, identified the culprits in his mind's eye. But hey, he knew his audience – pampered rich kids who wouldn't know struggle if it bit them.
"Those who can't remember the past are doomed to repeat it," George sighed. "A person with no history is like a rootless tree, adrift and directionless. Still not interested?"
Silence. A heavy, pregnant silence that spoke volumes.
"Your silence speaks louder than words," George noted.
Serious faces filled the room, a facade of attentiveness.
Except for one.
Zed.
"History? A crock of biased lies spun by the powerful to control the masses!" Zed scoffed internally. "Better to be a rootless tree than a slave to someone else's narrative."
He feigned interest while George, with a flourish, initiated the virtual simulation.
A mechanical voice boomed: "[[Virtual Simulation Activated]]"
The holographic Earth expanded, engulfing the classroom. The students felt transported, immersed in a world both real and unreal.
Images flickered: Imperial palaces, symbols of absolute power. The students "saw" the opulent lives of royalty, a stark contrast to the harsh realities of the common folk. Famines ravaged the land, while the elite feasted.
The simulation shifted, depicting wars, political struggles, and unimaginable suffering. It was the masses who bore the brunt of these conflicts, forced to fight and die while the upper class profited.
The year 1900 arrived, marked by a strange comet visible from everywhere.
Theories swirled – a harbinger of change?
As the comet vanished, a shower of meteorites rained down, showering the planet with a touch of the extraordinary. Superpowers emerged, forever altering the human landscape.
Not all transformations were blessings. Some meteorites unleashed devastation, leaving wastelands in their wake.
The simulation intensified.
The ruling dynasties, blinded by greed, used the populace as lab rats in their quest to understand these mutations. Resources dwindled, funneled solely into unlocking the secrets of evolution. The students felt a surge of anger towards these callous leaders.
Just as despair threatened to consume the world, a beacon of hope emerged.
"The Nine Sovereigns!" the students exclaimed in unison.
These nine extraordinary mutants rose from the ashes, leading rebellions against the tyrannical dynasties. United, they toppled the corrupt regimes.
The year 1935 saw the birth of the World Government.
The Nine Sovereigns, through their aristocratic families, established a fair and impartial government for all. Democracy reigned, with the nine families acting as permanent members of the World Council.
The students witnessed an era of progress.
Oppression vanished, replaced by development and equality. Rights were granted regardless of mutant status. Technology flourished, and the world government became a champion of human rights. The alliance with the sea race in 1971 further solidified their success.
"What a farce!" Zed thought, rolling his eyes. "This propaganda parade disguised as history. Pride, patriotism, fear – they're playing all like a cheap fiddle."
He knew enough to recognize the holes in the narrative. The government was no saint.
Zed scoffed.
He'd lived in the slums for most of his life, a stark contrast to the government's rosy picture. Slavery, a well-kept secret, still thrived even in developed areas. Eva had told him about the legal right of the nine aristocratic families to own slaves.
The simulation continued, showcasing advancements under the World Government's rule.
The virtual simulation continued, showcasing the advancements ushered in by the World Government.
[[In the current era, the gravest threat to our peaceful world is the 'Nation of Terror'. The Nine Sovereigns, in their infinite mercy, spared a handful of these evil dynasty folk. But their kindness was met with nothing but malice.]]
These remnants of the past, these tyrants, fled south and formed their own rogue nation. Even after the rise of the World Government, this festering wound refused to heal.
[[This 'Nation of Terror' sows discord across the globe with their barbaric acts! They yearn for chaos, but their reign of terror will never prevail! They claim to be freedom fighters, but they are nothing more than craven cowards!]]
"Yes!" the students roared in unison.
Zed, however, remained silent throughout the presentation.
Was this nation truly the embodiment of evil the news portrayed?
He'd seen firsthand how the media twisted narratives to suit their agenda.
How could he judge this nation based on someone else's skewed viewpoint?
Most people were blissfully unaware that the World Government tightly controlled any information regarding the Nation of Terror.
"Victor becomes hero, vanquished becomes villain," Zed mused with a sardonic smile. "History's a play, isn't it? The victors write the script, painting themselves as noble heroes while demonizing the fallen."
"The winner is the king, and the loser is the villain!"

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