Saintess? Not Anymore! I'd Rather be a Destroyer-Chapter 389 - 326: class for royalty

Aurianna sat in class, absently twirling the pen between her fingers as her gaze wandered across the strict-looking woman at the front. Gloria, the Academy’s Royalty teacher, pointed to the board. A middle-aged ogre woman, she stood nearly nine feet tall, with long brown hair cascading neatly down her back. Her bright green eyes, marked by a strange golden cross within each iris a mark mostly visible on staff of this school.

"So, Madam Gloria, are you really trying to claim it was humans who incited the First World War, even before the war of the heroes?" asked a fierce-looking young woman, her tone curious but at the same time having doubt.

Gloria didn’t falter. She tapped the board, which was crowded with maps and images of historical documents. "I said what I had to say. First, the humans attacked the elven race. Then the beastkin, then the fishrace. And so the cycle began, each race turning upon the other until war spread across the entire continent, and seeing the conflict on other continents also wanted to gain power from this. So humanity isn’t fully at fault but it ignited it. With every country and race weakened by wars caused by their own hatred, the dungeons overflowed. Monsters poured out in endless waves, and so the heroes were summoned to repel them. That is the truth of history."

She gestured firmly at the board. "And I hope each of you remembers what came next. The betrayal of the heroes. However that betrayal finally made the races have a trice and fight together but once the war was over the trice wasn’t being upheld by a lot of countries."

"That’s why the Mystical Academy was created!" a young man exclaimed eagerly, leaning forward in his seat. "To restore peace between the races, so that when another catastrophe comes, we can stand united and face it together!"

Aurianna’s eyes slid toward him. And she recognized him instantly, spiky red hair, bright orange eyes, and fair skin. She remembered him from her birthday party. Vestious Zhinakos. He attended this class frequently, and his voice was way too passionate and loud.

"Oh?" Aurianna tilted her head, her voice calm. "So you believe the deep-rooted hatred between races will just... vanish? Just because they suddenly go to school together? The centuries of bloodshed, torture and chains can be undone with goodwill?"

"Yes. I believe that," Vestious declared firmly, his eyes unwavering.

Aurianna chuckled, low and cold. "How laughable. Though I admit, there are exceptions."

"What do you mean by that?" Vestious asked, narrowing his eyes, intrigued yet defensive.

Around the room, students shifted uncomfortably. Whispers rippled in the air, some nervous, some exasperated. ’Is he really going to argue with her?’ Most had learned by now that debates with Aurianna rarely ended in their favor. Her reputation had spread through the Academy: she was sharp, relentless, and terrifyingly good at cornering others in an argument. Even the arrogant princes and princesses who strutted into the Royalty class had been humbled after clashing with her and her close group, Peter, Juvin, and Batholem.

Peter, calm as always, spoke before Aurianna could answer, making her give him the side eye but she decided to let him continue. "Those who haven’t experienced cruelty or the other races can live in peace and get along well, like the people of Nervon City. But in lands where slavery thrives? Hatred festers there. And that hatred only grows until one day, the oppressed can strangle their masters with their own hands."

"And what would you suggest, then?" Vestious pressed, lifting an eyebrow.

"Wipe out their memories," Batholem muttered, resting his chin on his hand.

"Or," Aurianna interjected sharply, "place a mark upon every citizen. A slave mark rebranded as a citizen’s mark. One that prevents them from ever harming each other."

The room froze at her words.

"Aurianna," Batholem frowned, "that’s dangerous. Especially under a dictator’s rule."

She met his gaze coldly. "And yet, I’d say that’s your family’s responsibility, isn’t it? handling awful rulers."

He sighed, frustration creeping into his tone. "Perhaps. But we can’t always get information in time."

A young noblewoman sneered from across the room. "And what commoner would dare riot? If they did, they would be executed on the spot." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"And that," Peter cut in firmly, "is exactly why they will hate you. Hatred feeds on cruelty. Aurianna’s idea is flawed, but so is blind arrogance. If you want people to loyally serve you trust and freedom must be established and keeping an eye out for good people to avoid betrayal." His words were calm, but his smile carried an edge.

Aurianna turned to him, her expression suddenly shifting into exaggerated sorrow as she dabbed at imaginary tears. "Peter, are you even my friend? To say such things to me?"

"I’m being serious," he replied flatly, unimpressed by her theatrics.

"Then so am I." She leaned back in her chair, eyes sharp. "If I were ruler, my point would still stand. Especially for those closest to me. Trust is fleeting. You may think someone close to you is loyal, just to be backstabbed by them because of their own selfish desires and it doesn’t matter how long you’ve known them. Everyone has a bit of selfishness in them. With a mark or collar similar to the slavery mark or collar I can be assured that if they ever betray me they can die the most brutal death ever and their death would serve as a warning to others."

Peter’s gaze hardened. "If you cannot trust those closest to you, why keep them near at all?"

"Because," Aurianna smiled, "They have their usefulness. And some are invaluable, but they can be someone who can kill me so I need that for my own safety. Most Royalty do that for their subordinates anyway. I see no reason why that can’t be applied to citizens."

Gloria boomed, interrupting their conversation, "Enough!" She stomped a heel against the floor, the sound echoing through the lecture room. Her eyes blazed with fury. "I let you discuss because debate sharpens the mind, but you, especially you, Aurianna, are spouting ridiculous notions! You think ruling is about shackling people? About turning them into your slaves? Do you believe that’s how to fix the hatred of races against each other? Do you think my Royalty class is just for show?"

The students stiffened as she paced at the front.

"Now then back to my lesson. The system that divides a highborn from lowborn is a stupid! You were born into privilege, so you don’t see how foolish your answers sound. Peter made one valid point, slavery breeds nothing but hatred. The only solution is its abolishment of slavery on every continent. That is why countries under the Church of Peace and Light have outlawed it entirely."

"That’s unfair! Why must we give up our right to own slaves? It’s a privilege for them to even be allowed into the castle to serve us and what’s more, be atleast useful." a girl whined from the back.

"Unfair?" Juvin’s voice was angry as he stared at her with a glare. "Unfair that you don’t get someone to torture for amusement? To kill for fun? Is that what you’re whining about?" he askes and the girl shrank back, unable to meet his eyes.

Gloria nodded approvingly at him before continuing. "Next would be to punish the slavery traders. Former slaves must be allowed to vent their anger on their captors. Next would be creating a reformation program for former slaves to help them get on their feet, so they grow not as victims, but as citizens. Do this, and you will earn not just loyalty, but the devotion of people willing to defend their land when there are troubled times."

The room fell silent, while others scribbled into their notes

She turned sharply, her eyes narrowing on the students. "Since the discussion has shifted to ruling over newly freed slaves and the citizen population as a whole, then I’ll teach you how true leaders deal with it. Take notes. And remember, your title does not make you a ruler. Your actions do."

A snide young man scoffed. "As if you’re qualified to teach us. You aren’t even Royal."

The class stiffened at the insult. But before Gloria could respond, Vestious stood, his loud, "Watch your tongue. Do you even know who you’re speaking to? Our teacher Gloria is no mere instructor. She is the leader of the Keepers, the King , the ruler of the Promised Land Lahore itself."

A hush fell. Even the arrogant prince who had mocked her paled, his confidence crumbling.

Gloria smirked faintly. "Thank you, child. At least some of you have sense. Unlike the rest of these pampered fools."