Prologue

"Life."

"What is Life?"

"..."

"A question, everyone, well, almost everyone, has encountered at least once in their brief time on this earth. Sometimes posed as a joke, other times, in earnest reflection. Naturally, each individual holds their perspective on such a question, and this may align or misalign with others."

"Common answers might include, 'Life is about having fun, earning money, enjoying good food, travelling the world and spending time with loved ones.'"

"While this may resonate with many, there are others, however, that pursue life in a way that society may deem, extreme."

"Yes."

"I am referring to, living indulgently."

"This includes..."

"Illicit behaviors."

"Engaging in promiscuity, multiple partners, sharing explicit contents, and promotion of degeneracy."

"It seems people have lost their sense of guilt and shame, allowing their impulses to override their better judge."

"They have become animals."

"Intoxication."

"Consuming alcohol, smoking, and using harmful substances."

"Even when aware of the harm, they indulge further, often until it consumes their very lives. "

"Juggelry."

"Stealing, deceit, and exploiting others for personal gain."

"People do not hesitate in depriving others of happiness just to fulfil one's own desires."

"Such lifestyles, though labelled 'extreme' by societal standards, are rather growing to be a common theme. Have you noticed?"

"Think about it. Despite wars, technological advances, and societal progress, the core conception of life remains largely, unchanged."

"And we continue, chasing this happiness, which we falsely believe that it exists in external things, yet we seem to remain unsatisfied, perpetually hollow."

"No matter how much we receive, the reservoir within us, is never full nor overflowing."

"Why is that?"

"Have you ever paused to question why we feel this way?"

"Or considered looking inward, instead of outward, questioning the nature of life itself?"

"What if what we think of 'life' isn't as real as we assume?"

"And what lies beyon-."

"!"

"Dr. Nilesh Radheshyama, I'm afraid we must cut you there," the Headmaster hastily interrupted, nervously dabbing at her forehead. "Students, wasn't that fascinating?"

The room remained silent. Not a single murmur nor a clap.

"..."

"Well, uhm... I suppose we are, short on time." She stammered, glancing at her silver watch. "Yes! Looks like it's nearly lunchtime, the students just must be feeling hungry, haha..."

"Anyway! Thank you so much, Dr. Radheshyama. Your lecture was... Uhm... Very... How do I describe it...?"

"It was very intriguing. Yes! Intriguing, that's the word!"

"Children! Why don't you give a round of applause for Dr. Nilesh Radheshyama?"

"Let's go! Woohoo!!"

"..."

There was nothing but tone-deafening silence, no applause, no acknowledgement of any kind. Yet, the wise speaker Dr. Radheshyama remained undettered. He smiled, warmly, his demeanour unshaken, as if their silence carried more meaning than a standing ovation ever could. With quiet dignity, he left the stage, exuding grace and wisdom, untainted by frustration or disappointment.

"..."

"I legit had no fricking clue what that guy was blabbering about. Like, I don't know what he's smoking, but I want some of that shit too lol, lol." One student jeered.

"Lol Leena you dumb b*mbo, you never understand sh*t haw haw," another mocked. "But to be fair, neither did I. I fell asleep halfway through the lecture, then suddenly woke up when he started talking about sleeping with multiple people. I thought the old man was calling me out or something. Heh."

"Oh right, speaking of that, are you still dating Johnny? Or did you finally dump his sorry ass?"

"Nah, I am dating Chris now.

"Wait, Chris? As in Patricia's boyfriend, Chris?"

"Who else, doofus? Lol."

"Like damn girl, you're wild. That's some risky business right there, but hey, screw it - I support you bestie. Slay, Queen!"

"Right? It's not my fault Johnny's too busy hanging out with his dumb 'boy' friends, instead of giving me attention. Like, priorities, hello?"

"I know right? Honestly, you deserve better girl."

The hall was buzzing with chatter after the wise speaker's departure. His words had barely the stage, yet they seemed to dissipate into the air like smoke, leaving behind no trace on the majority of the students. Conversations veered all directions, some mocking, some gossiping, and others scheming, oblivious to the wisdom they have been offered.

"..."

"Aye bro, what are we munching today?"

"I'm thinking chicken and rice from the canteen, you know. Gotta get that protein ting init."

"You always eat that dry shit, don't you ever feel like taking a dump after that? Why not just wait until after school and then we can go munch at the chicken shop? The boss man there is mad generous you know, gave me tons of fries last time."

"Really? Aight, cool then, let's do that, init."

"Safe. See you after school then."

"..."

"Hey Eliza, did you finally get that titanium edition of Lewy Votton designer bag you were craving for?"

"Oh, that? Yes, yes I did. After what felt like a thousand attempts to convince my father. I simply told him 'Dearest father, if you would be so kind as to buy your sweet daughter, the latest Lewy Votton designer bag, I promise to perform exceptionally well on my examinations.' Surprisingly enough, this trick always seems to work like a charm."

"Ugh, lucky you. My dad acts so stingy with this stuff. He keeps getting me those off-brand ones, so I just give them away to those b*mbos on the other side. Honestly, they seem to love it. Guess beggars can't be choosers. Filthy monkeys. Tch."

"Now, now, Anna. No need to wrinkle that beautiful face of yours. How about I give you my old one?"

"Really? You'd do that for... Me?"

"Of course, darling. Besides, it'll probably just deteriorate in my closet if I don't."

"Oh my god, thank you Eliza! I love you! I really do. You're the best!"

"Hashtag Bestie."

"Hashtag Bestie!"

"..."

Elsewhere in the hall, another clique's laughter carried on an air of self-importance.

"A feeble old man dares to lecture us, the most educated elite of this generation? Who does he think he is? His nation is full of dirty peasants scraping the floor, yet he has the gall to question us about life. Pathetic!"

"Agreed," someone chimed in, nodding fervently.

"Honestly, very well said," another added.

"As expected from the man who scored the highest in the recent mock exams," one praised.

"You tell him, Andrew!"

"The Headmaster seriously needs to rethink inviting such random nobodies."

"She really does!"

"Oh, Andrew, speaking of which, how is your MVIDIA investment getting long? I heard UMD just secured the contract rights to build the next generation of KA12 Androids."

"!"

Andrew turned, his composed demeanour momentarily breaking at the mention of his financial endeavours.

"Oh, Dominic, didn't see you there. Apologies, I got carried away with this façade. Well, it's not going so great. Those sly weasels really hit MVIDIA where it hurts. I was planning to pivot towards UMD investment, though. Should balance out in the long term. What about you? When are you going to start investing?"

"I'm not sure Andrew, I'm a bit sceptical. I just don't know where to start."

"Oh Dominic, you poor jester. That's why I'm here. We are friends, are we not? Look at me. Have I ever betrayed your trust?"

"Well... No, I guess not."

"Exactly! You see, as a friend, I always want what is best for you. Just follow my advice and you'll find yourself rolling in profits in no time. Imagine yourself in a few years, living a life of luxury. Isn't that what you want? Or would you rather end up like those peasants on the other side?"

"Never! I want nothing to do with those peasants!"

"Good. I'll send you an invite via iVision. You'll need a decent amount of funds to start, but trust me, it'll all be worth it."

"Oh thank you, Andrew! I knew I could count on you."

"Oh please, no need to thank me, Dominic. That's what friends are for."

"Hey, Andrew, can we join too?"

"Me too, Andrew!"

"Same here - I want in on this as well!"

Andrew raised his hand, commanding silence with the ease of someone used to being the centre of attention.

"Now, now, gentlemen, and ladies, of course, you all know me very well. Do I seem like the type to exclude anyone? No, absolutely not. We are a family here, united in purpose, are we not? And what is stronger than a family?"

A murmur of agreement swept through the group.

"Exactly," Andrew continued with a practised smile. "So, rest assured, I shall send each and every one of you an invitation. This is an opportunity we will seize together, as one."

The crowd nodded eagerly, their excitement palpable.

"Life is about wealth," Andrew declared, his voice taking on the cadence of a sermon. "The more you earn, the better your life becomes. But it's not just about the money. It's the power you receive from wealth - to do as you please, to shape your destiny. And that, my friends, is called true freedom."

"Hear hear!" Someone shouted, spurring a ripple of applause.

"Well said Andrew!" Another chimed in.

"Precisely," Andrew concluded with a satisfied smirk. We cannot, will not, live like those peasants on the other side!"

"Agreed!"

The group erupted into cheers, their voices rising in a symphony of self-assured ambition. The students, boys and girls alike, spanning both high and low statuses, mocked the profound wisdom they had just been gifted. Their minds were seduced by the very ideals the wise speaker had cautioned against.

An endless cycle, destined to repeat itself - again and again.