The sky over Eltheria that morning was veiled with thin clouds drifting slowly, as if covering the sunlight with a delicate gray shroud. A gentle breeze swept through the courtyard of Sancta Fidelis Academy, rustling the leaves that had begun to fall along the stone-paved paths.
Amid the bustling classroom, a middle-aged man in a white robe walked in, instantly silencing everyone. In unison, the students stood and bowed to show their respect.
He was Preceptor Rozen, a priest of the Holy Order, who would be our instructor today.
The sound of pages turning and pens scratching against old wooden desks filled the room. At the front of the class, Preceptor Rozen stood calmly, his gaze sharp as if piercing through each student before him.
"All humans are created equal before The Eternal God."
I stared straight at him, but my mind was filled with something else.
Equal?
If all humans were truly equal, why has the world never reflected that?
Although equality was often preached, I saw that everyone in Eltheria was always treated differently based on their status and power.
In Eltheria, we lived under the rule of someone called the Grand Lector of the Holy Order—a title bestowed upon the supreme religious leader and the head of the Eltherian nation. It was said that he was chosen directly by The Eternal God, the only human believed to receive divine revelation. Yet strangely, no one outside the Holy Order had ever seen him. His identity was kept secret, as if he existed only in doctrine, not in reality.
Beneath him were the Lectors of the Holy Order, a group responsible for ensuring that the sacred laws were upheld. They were the Grand Lector's extended hand, overseeing every aspect of life, from religious rules to governance. If anything strayed from the teachings, they were the ones who would restore "truth" in accordance with the Holy Order's doctrine.
Then there were the Preceptors of the Holy Order, the priests who led worship and religious ceremonies. They also acted as educators, spreading sacred teachings to the people, ensuring that everyone lived according to The Eternal God's will.
Below the clergy were the nobles—the rulers of regions who governed under the Holy Order's supervision. They held power over land, people, and resources. Yet despite their place in the governmental hierarchy, they still had to abide by religious laws.
And lastly... there was us.
The common folk.
Those who stood beneath all others. Those who had no power to decide the course of their own lives. Especially the poor, who were often treated as less than human by those above them. As if a person's worth wasn't determined by their existence as a human being, but by the status they were born into.
I always wondered.
If The Eternal God taught that all humans were equal, then why did reality say otherwise?
I remembered the journey to the academy. A grand building with marble pillars was reserved only for nobles, while commoners like me could only study in an old structure—its stone walls left unpainted, its chalkboards faded, and its wooden desks covered in old scribbles.
It wasn't just the facilities. Even the lessons were different. The nobles were taught how to become leaders, diplomats, or military commanders. Meanwhile, we commoners were only taught how to fight and labor. As if from birth, our fates had already been decided.
"To The Eternal God, every soul holds the same value," Preceptor Rozen's voice echoed again.
I clenched my fists.
Then why, after the war ended, were the frontline soldiers—commoners like us—so easily forgotten? While the noble commanders, who remained safe in the rear, were honored and granted titles?
"Does anyone have any questions?" Preceptor Rozen's voice pulled me back to reality.
At that moment, I felt an overwhelming urge to speak. I tried to suppress it, but I failed. My hand shot up, and I stood with a confidence that came from nowhere. All eyes turned toward me.
Gathering my courage, I spoke:
"If all humans are truly equal before The Eternal God," my voice was steadier than I expected, "then why is there such a vast difference in the way we are treated?"
Preceptor Rozen raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
I took a deep breath.
"Nobles study in grand buildings, while commoners receive only the bare minimum. They are taught how to lead, while we are only taught how to serve or fight at the front lines. Even in war, our contributions are often overlooked, while noble commanders who remain in safety are glorified. If our lives truly hold the same value, why does reality suggest otherwise?"
The room fell silent. Some students began whispering.
Preceptor Rozen stared at me for a long moment before finally speaking. "That is the fate that has been ordained. Every human has their own role in this world. Nobles bear the responsibility of leadership, while commoners keep the world turning. It is all part of The Eternal God's will."
Fate?
So if I was born a commoner, does that mean I am destined to spend my entire life as a laborer or a soldier who dies unnoticed?
I clenched my fists on the desk. "But... if true justice is giving everyone the same opportunities, and equality means that all people have the same worth regardless of status, doesn't this system actually create injustice and degrade those beneath? From birth, we are forced to accept that our lives will always be harder just because we are commoners, with no chance to change it."
Several students gasped. Preceptor Rozen's gaze darkened, and he spoke in a firm voice. "Are you questioning the teachings of The Eternal God, Yohan?"
I met his eyes. "With all due respect, Preceptor Rozen, I am not questioning the teachings of the Divine—I am questioning the system that governs us."
Preceptor Rozen stormed toward me, his hand swinging hard against my face.
The force sent me tumbling to the ground.
"Do you realize what you have just done, Yohan!?" he finally roared. "The system in Eltheria is built upon the Holy Order's teachings, which are none other than The Eternal God's will. We have prospered under His guidance, and humanity has been created with their own destinies. Everyone must accept it."
I fell silent.
His answer was nothing but a circular argument, never truly addressing my real question: "If human worth is equal, why are people judged and treated based on their status and power?" Just because someone is noble, does that mean they must be treated better than those below them? But I dared not speak further.
"You must be careful with your words, Yohan. Many have been imprisoned—or worse, executed—for dishonoring the Divine. You are only spared now because you are still a child," Preceptor Rozen warned. "Questions like yours lead only to darkness. Do you wish to live like those godless wretches outside our lands?"
The class was silent. I felt the weight of many gazes—some curious, some disapproving, and some... seemed to share my thoughts but dared not voice them.
The lesson ended. Preceptor Rozen left without another word. The room felt quieter than usual, and I remained on the floor, my cheek stinging from the slap.
"Hey, are you okay?" A hand reached out to me. I looked up to see Wilhelm standing there, his eyes filled with concern rather than judgment.
I took his hand. "Yeah... I'm fine. Thanks."
We walked together, leaving the classroom. The air outside felt colder than usual, or maybe it was just my imagination.
At the crossroads leading to the noble building and ours, our steps slowed.
I was still thinking about what had happened in class. Preceptor Rozen's words, everyone's gaze, and that slap… they all left a mark, but none of them were what bothered me the most.
I wondered… am I the only one who feels this way?
"Do you think I went too far?" I finally asked, staring straight ahead.
Wilhelm was silent for a moment, then sighed. "You only said what many people think… but don't dare to say."
I turned to look at him.
"I often think the same thing," he continued quietly. "We've always been taught that all humans are equal before the God. But the reality in Eltheria… has never reflected that. It's as if we are just parts of a great machine… whose only purpose is to work, to fight, and to die without ever being remembered."
I stared at the ground beneath my feet. His words… sounded like something I had long wanted to hear from someone else. Proof that I was not alone.
"I often wonder," I murmured, "if I had been born a noble, maybe I would be considered more valuable. But because I was born as a commoner… I'm just seen as a tool. What measures our worth? Status? Lineage?"
Wilhelm turned to me, his eyes serious. "And they call that… the will of God."
A gentle breeze passed between us. The evening sky was beginning to fade into orange, and the academy building's shadow stretched long across the cobbled street where we stood.
Wilhelm sighed. "Sometimes I wonder… is this truly what God intended, or are humans just misusing His name to maintain their power?"
I fell silent. That question… was one I hadn't even dared to voice myself.
"Aren't you afraid to talk like that?" I finally asked in a hushed tone.
He gave a faint smile. "Heh… well, it's just the two of us here, so I guess it's fine."
I looked at him for a long time. Maybe Wilhelm wasn't just a friend… maybe he was one of the few people who could truly understand what I felt.
Our steps halted right in front of the gate. I turned back, where I could see the crossroads—one leading to the grand noble class building, the other to our aging, worn-down one. At this moment, I realized that it wasn't just the roads that were divided, but our fates as well.
I gazed ahead, then whispered, "I don't know if this world can ever change…"
Wilhelm patted my shoulder. "But maybe… that change can start with the question you asked today."
"Pfftt… Hahahaha." I suddenly let out a small laugh.
"!!!" Wilhelm's expression turned slightly irritated. "Hey, why are you laughing all of a sudden?"
"Ahh… it's nothing. I'm just surprised that even someone as pathetic as you can have thoughts like this."
"What? You bastard!" Wilhelm scowled.
I immediately ran before he could chase after me. My steps felt lighter, as if that small laugh had lifted the weight on my chest… even if just for a moment.
Yet, amid my running, my thoughts sank once more.
Equality might just be a story created so that everyone would accept their place. So that we wouldn't question, wouldn't rebel, and would believe that life is fair. When in truth, a person's worth… has always been measured by status, wealth, and power.