Shattered Sanity

(The Imperial Academy, Vice Principal Chadwick’s POV)

For a while, Chadwick remained silent, as he let the students process the information he had shared so far, before taking in a deep breath and continuing with his explanation.

"Now comes the part where most of you discover why the Imperial Academy is unlike whatever tutors or preparatory institutions educated you previously."

Chadwick said, as his voice hardened.

"Your Houses will receive equal resources at the start....."

He began, as several students nodded as though that sounded obvious.

However, Chadwick smiled cunningly watching their innocent reactions.

"But they will not receive equal resources in equal categories."

He clarified, as the confusion returned immediately.

"Let me provide you with a simple example."

Four stacks of books appeared behind him.

"Suppose that during your first academic cycle, all of you are studying Imperial Governance, Aether Theory, Military Strategy and Botanical Alchemy."

The four stacks separated.

"House Argent might receive complete Imperial Governance textbooks alongside incomplete material for the remaining subjects."

Another stack moved.

"House Sable might receive the complete Aether Theory curriculum."

Then another.

"Viridian receives Botanical Alchemy."

The final stack shifted towards Aureate.

"And Aureate receives Military Strategy."

Chadwick folded his hands behind his back.

"At the end of the cycle, however, every single one of you will sit the same examinations covering all four subjects."

Silence followed.

Someone eventually raised a hand.

"Sir?"

"Yes?"

"How are we supposed to study the subjects our House doesn’t receive?"

Chadwick smiled.

"That sounds like a ’you’ problem to me...."

Laughter immediately erupted throughout the hall, although the student who had asked the question did not appear particularly amused.

"Perhaps House Argent could approach Sable and negotiate an exchange between Governance and Aether Theory."

Chadwick suggested.

"Perhaps Viridian could sell copies of its Botanical material to both Houses in exchange for something else."

He shrugged.

"Perhaps someone particularly enterprising simply steals what they require."

The laughter gradually disappeared.

Chadwick’s expression remained perfectly serious.

"A noble never possesses everything required to govern successfully."

He continued.

"One territory has iron but insufficient farmland. Another produces grain but lacks timber. One lord commands excellent cavalry while his neighbour possesses skilled Forgers. Your responsibility is not to complain that somebody else possesses something you need."

He tapped the podium.

"Your responsibility is to obtain it."

That line immediately changed the atmosphere within the room.

"You may barter."

One finger rose.

"Negotiate."

Another.

"Form alliances."

Another.

"Sell services, exchange information, establish contracts, provide loans, hire tutors from other Houses or create whatever arrangements your fellow students are foolish enough to accept."

His smile returned.

"Provided, naturally, that you remain within Academy law."

The projection changed again, displaying several small metallic tokens bearing the Imperial crest.

"Your House will additionally possess a treasury measured through Merit Seals."

Chadwick explained.

"Merit Seals function as the internal currency of this institution. They purchase additional training time, superior meals, medicinal supplies, ingredients, equipment, private Aether chambers, library privileges and countless other luxuries."

The word luxuries seemed deliberately emphasized.

"You will earn them through academic achievement, combat performance, competitions, assignments and service to the Academy."

Chadwick looked around.

"You may spend those Merit Seals upon yourselves."

He paused.

"Or contribute them towards your House."

A few students exchanged glances.

"Suppose you desperately require three additional hours inside an Aether chamber to prepare yourself for a breakthrough, while your House desperately requires those same Merit Seals to purchase medicinal supplies before an upcoming competition."

Chadwick shrugged.

"What do you choose?"

Nobody answered.

"Good."

He smiled.

"Because there is no universally correct answer."

The projection disappeared.

"Leadership consists largely of choosing between several things you desperately need while possessing enough resources to afford only one."

Riven found himself becoming increasingly interested.

This was nothing like the Academy he had imagined.

"The professors will not govern your Houses either."

That announcement caused another wave of murmuring.

"You will."

Four organizational structures appeared behind Chadwick.

"Each House will establish its own internal leadership. House Lord, Treasurer, War Captain, Quartermaster, Diplomatic Envoy and whatever lesser positions its members determine are necessary."

Chadwick raised one eyebrow.

"How those positions are filled is your concern and those of your seniors."

Several students immediately began whispering.

"You may resolve it through a popular vote."

Chadwick continued.

"Choose through combat. Establish examinations. Negotiate coalitions. Perhaps one particularly influential individual will simply convince enough people that he should rule."

His shoulders rose slightly.

"We don’t care."

That statement surprised even Riven.

"We care about results."

Chadwick said.

"If your House selects an incompetent Treasurer who spends your entire treasury within the first month, the Academy will not replace him."

His expression became almost cheerful.

"You will simply be poor."

More laughter.

"If your House Lord manages diplomacy so badly that every other House refuses to trade with you, we will not intervene."

He spread his hands.

"You will simply lack resources."

"And if your Quartermaster somehow forgets to purchase enough food..."

Chadwick paused.

"Well, hunger is an excellent teacher."

Several students stopped smiling.

"The point is simple."

His voice became firmer.

"Every House is a miniature territory."

That sentence lingered throughout the hall.

"We give you citizens."

Chadwick gestured towards them.

"We give you resources, laws, competitors, opportunities and problems."

He leaned slightly towards the podium.

"And then we watch what you do with them."

Even Gary had stopped making comments now.

"Throughout every academic year, your performance contributes towards House Points."

A gigantic scoreboard appeared behind Chadwick.

"Examinations. Sparring tournaments. Aether development. Sporting competitions. Military exercises. Forging. Alchemy. Administration simulations. Special assignments. Attendance. Disciplinary performance."

Numbers began appearing beside each House.

"Nearly everything you accomplish here can strengthen or weaken the standing of your House."

Chadwick’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"And ranking matters."

Four doors appeared upon the projection, each leading towards increasingly impressive facilities.

"Higher-ranked Houses receive priority access to limited Academy resources throughout portions of the year."

The students immediately understood.

"Better Aether chambers."

A murmur.

"Additional library access."

Another.

"Superior training schedules."

Chadwick smiled.

"Occasionally, better food."

That one seemed to bother them considerably more than the others.

"Victory creates advantages, and advantages make future victories easier....."

His expression hardened.

"Welcome to the REAL WORLD, children."

Chadwick declared as Riven smiled faintly.

’This place is insane.’

He thought, as he felt his blood pumping, while Chadwick smiled and nodded as he took in the excited looks of the crowd.