A DIFFERENT KIND OF CLASS

Several months earlier, in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil, July 5, 2112.

Anyone in the city at this time of year could feel the predominantly cold weather settling over Porto Alegre. The leafless trees and gray sky made it clear that it was going to be a rainy day.

The school term had begun, and the students of the College for the Development of Exceptional Minds, located in the eastern part of the city, already had to attend their classes.

This was where Professor Klaus taught History.

— Class, our subject this semester will be World War II, the greatest armed conflict in history. It is estimated to have claimed forty-five million lives and left another thirty-five million wounded. It was a massacre that began in 1939 and forever marked human history.

At that moment, a student raised his hand, breaking the silence in the classroom.

— Go ahead, Brian — Klaus said calmly.

— So, I know the war killed a lot of people. I just don't understand why a war veteran decided to become a teacher — especially a History teacher, since I think it's kind of a useless subject.

A murmur of surprise spread through the classroom.

Klaus simply gave a faint smile, showing patience.

— That's where you're mistaken, Brian. I chose teaching because it's the field I identify with the most. I passed every subject on the competency test. In fact, I scored 998 points in Logical Reasoning — the highest score ever recorded among the teachers who have passed through this school.

Brian smiled and raised his hands in surrender.

— Easy, Klaus — he said with a laugh. — I'm not questioning your abilities.

Klaus adjusted his glasses, taking a calm breath.

— Did the war influence your decision? — Brian asked.

— Mathematics taught me to be a strategist and to think logically. Those skills were also essential during the war. History, on the other hand, taught me that by understanding the past, we can change the future. That's why I'm here. I want to educate conscious citizens, people capable of forming their own opinions. I don't want to see any of you becoming alienated.

A faint, impatient sigh came from the back of the classroom.

— What a ridiculous question... — Emily muttered under her breath.

Brian turned around with a sarcastic look.

— Oh, come on. At least I'm trying to learn something, Mily.

At eighteen years old, Brian naturally drew attention. He was five feet ten inches tall, with an athletic build from practicing sports, especially soccer. He moved with the carefree confidence of someone who knew he was good at what he did.

His short black hair was always in a state of controlled disarray, as if he'd hurriedly run a little gel through it before leaving home.

His blue eyes were lively and expressive, seeming to carry sparks within them — sometimes mocking and provocative, sometimes strangely deep, as if they concealed more than he was willing to reveal.

His casual, rebellious appearance matched his personality perfectly. He was competitive, stubborn, and seemed to overflow with energy whenever he opened his mouth.

Emily rolled her eyes before firing back:

— Then go ahead and ask Professor Klaus about the possibility of another war. From what people have been saying, some countries are developing increasingly dangerous weapons.

The classroom was no longer very quiet. Everyone was whispering about Klaus's speech.

— Does that sound like the kind of question I'd ask? Soccer is my thing, Mily. Speaking of which, when are you going to solve that whole “ball thrown into the air” problem? I need the answer and the solution for the Math assignment.

— It describes a parabola. It's a function. Way too easy. You just have to differentiate it to find the vertex. Then I'll give you the solved problem.

— Okay, sweetheart. Your only problem is that you study too much. Other than that, you're a genius.

Brian gave her a slight smile before turning back toward the front.

— But, Brian, don't forget that this week at Hot Snack is on you. Oh, and seriously, do me a favor and don't buy anything with chicken.

— Yes, ma'am! — he shot back.

— If I didn't actually study, I wouldn't be here. And neither would you. Last year, you passed because of me, idiot!

— Brian and Emily must have something interesting to share with the class, right? — Klaus asked.

— No, Professor. I mean... we just have a question about all the military revolution that's been happening around the world in recent years. Is there a possibility of another war?

Klaus slowly walked toward the board as he considered the question.

— The possibility of another war, Emily, unfortunately, will always exist — he said, writing the word “Cycles” on the board in large letters. — Humanity tends to repeat patterns. When greed, fear, and power take precedence over reason, conflicts become inevitable.

He placed the chalk on the desk and turned back toward the class.

— In recent years, many countries have invested heavily in new military technologies. Autonomous weapons, nuclear bombs, hypersonic missiles... We're entering a new arms race, one just as dangerous as the one that led to the Third World War.

Emily frowned thoughtfully.

— But, Professor, if everyone knows that, why do they keep creating new weapons?

Klaus looked up at the ceiling sadly.

— Because greed blinds mankind. And accepting that we are wrong is not an inherent human virtue.

Klaus paused, looking at everyone. Silence once again filled the classroom, interrupted only by the sound of a pencil hitting the floor.

— But that's why studying History matters. Only conscious citizens, like I hope you will become, can break this cycle.

For a moment, the classroom remained silent, digesting his words.

Even Brian, who was always impatient, now seemed genuinely attentive.