Learning about the world

As Nike had no idea where his class was, he followed his roommates to the building beside their dormitory. At first glance, the school appeared to be a typical high school, one that was similar to modern-day Earth. However, the surroundings told a different story.

To the left of the school stood a massive stadium, enclosed by blue, glass-like hexagons that faintly reflected the sunlight. Behind the school was a wall made from an unknown alloy spanning as tall as the eye can see.

After taking his time to absorb his surroundings, he entered the unknown. A metallic figure greeted Nike with an uncanny voice. Walls were covered with the same strange alloy as the walls behind the compound. Hallways span out similarly to a labyrinth, with classrooms filled as empty as the abyss.

He entered his designated classroom, which resembled a lecture hall. As he takes a seat, a translucent screen pops out of thin air. On it was the map of this vast world. Right when he was about to analyse the map, a tall, dapper man walked into the room with elegance. He looked like an old veteran—with his shiny white hair, well-kept beard and scars across his face.

“Welcome to your first day at Luma Fero Military High. I am Sargent Major Prae Ceptor, your lecturer in military tactics and artificial intelligence for this year. Becoming a military tactician is no easy feat, even with the aid of AI. Knowing how to create effective prompts and understanding how to communicate with your team is key to success. Before we begin class, do you have any questions?” As Prae stopped speaking, the air went still.

Seeing that no one spoke up, he continued with his lecture, “As you can see, the screen in front of you has the map of our world, Tellus. Our country, Luma Fero, is located on the continent of Fruges. Our country is regarded as the trading capital of the world. 2 countries border Luma Fero, Saint Yuta and Classe Regia. To the west of Luma Fero is Classe Regia, which is known for its war technology being similar to magic and one of the major superpowers. To the east of Luma Fero is Saint Yuta, which is known for being very religious.

Across the ocean in the continent of Palos, there are 2 countries, Nexstar Hive and Astra Mine. The west of Palos is Nexstar Hive, which is also one of the major superpowers regarded as having the most advanced technology in Astra. To the east of Palos lies Astra Mine, considered the mining capital of the world.

Lastly, we have Ruber Sol. It is an archipelago of scattered islands, and little is known about it as it is only seen from an ancient text. There were once many nations there, but most have since been conquered or absorbed into larger powers.

If you want to know more about a particular country or city, simply click on the country or city that piques your interest, and it will then display all the details we have on our database. Your classwork for today is to explore our database and write a 1000-word essay about any country. You are not allowed to use AI in this essay; anyone caught using it will fail this class.”

Then a deep, firm voice said, “Sargent Major Prae, why can’t we use AI as we are using it for battle and all our reports?”

Prae then answered, “It is key to learn about every country in military tactics, even if you are not the one creating strategies. As our AI is not as advanced as that of other countries, human creativity is key to surpassing them. Does anyone else have any other questions?”

No one responded for a few moments. Soon, everyone finished their assignment.

Nike then used the screen to find information about all countries in the world. The moment his finger touched the screen, it vanished. In its place, streams of floating text materialised out of nowhere, swirling and orbiting around him like living data.

“Wow, this is really cool. I wonder if I can find something about the regional politics of the whole country.”

As soon as he muttered those words, the floating text shifted toward him and rearranged itself to present information based on his speech. He scanned through the flood of data and extracted a few key points.

First, the AI controls everything in Nexstar Hive—from politics to people’s day-to-day lives. People simply ask the system what they should do, and it generates a personalised plan. They can accept or decline; if they reject, the AI instantly creates a more suitable alternative. This process is similar for all the other countries, except Luma Fero and Ruber Sol.

This system is mostly the same across the other nations, with two exceptions: Luma Fero and Ruber Sol. Ruber Sol’s government system remains a complete mystery. Almost no data exists about the country, only that it is an archipelago of islands. Even its exact location is still unknown to this day. As for Luma Fero, its AI is less advanced than that of the other countries, which is why humans still play a significant role in decision-making here.

Secondly, Nexstar Hive and Astra Mine are the only nations where the AI holds absolute authority over all governmental policies and political decisions. The AI governing Nexstar Hive is known as Noimo Syni, with Arkouda Bech serving as its human representative. Meanwhile, Astra Mine is ruled by the AI Jinko Chino, whose human representative is Legatus Gero.

In contrast, Luma Fero and Classe Regia operate under monarchical systems supported by AI in all kingdom affairs. Luma Fero elects its monarch through a public voting process, and its current king is Energeias Posotis.

Classe Regia, however, follows a very different method. Its AI identifies several promising individuals from across the nation and puts them through a series of rigorous tests. The candidate who performs best is crowned the next monarch. Their current ruler is Megal Teros.

On the other hand, Saint Yuta follows a theocratic system, where the Summis Pontificibus presides over the nation with the guidance of an AI. When a Summis Pontificibus dies, an Episcopus is chosen to succeed them and adopts the name of a past Pontificibus. The current supreme leader of Saint Yuta is Pontificibus Giouta VI.

Lastly, all political discussions involving multiple nations are held in Saint Yuta, as it is a neutral state where most major religions originated. Saint Yuta also possesses a secret technology lost to time—an ancient system capable of locating anyone in the universe and destroying them instantly. It is called Aequitas, a name given by Pontificibus I when it was gifted to him by Dikaio Sune, the God of Justice. However, it only activates if a person commits a crime within Saint Yuta’s territory. All parties involved in the offence are eliminated as well. As a result, any attempt to cause trouble within their borders is swiftly and decisively punished. This is what makes Saint Yuta so safe.

As he was about to leave the terminal, the coin slipped free from his pocket and floated into the air, drawn toward the device. The moment it made contact, every word around him began to glitch and shift, turning into English he could understand. The text swirled together and shaped itself into strings of words:

“Dear reader, read words as you learn more about the ancient coin of justice. Only those who approach it with an unclouded mind may glimpse its true nature. No treasure forged by mortal hand can rival its worth, for its value lies not in gold but in the gravity of your choice. Though its form may shift at a mere thought, it can only be used by one.

Thus may one steal it, it shall not work. Regardless of the shape it wears, nothing in this world can break or bend it. Under its judgment, the worthy find refuge and use it until death. Should this relic linger in your presence, know that it has not done so by accident. Trust it not as a servant, but respect it as an equal bound to ancient laws.

Do not let desire distort your vision, for the coin sees deeper than longing. Even so, it grants aid to those whose hearts remain steadfast and sincere. Upon the dusk of your own journey, pass it onward to one whose spirit rings true. So shall the coin endure, remembering each hand that dared to hold it.”

Just as he read this, the school bell rang. It was time for him to submit his classwork and go for lunch.