Chapter 54: The Five Pillars [II]

"The Five Pillars of the Lunoria Empire are, as most of you already know, the five great clans that stand at the foundation of our modern empire," Mr. Vargen began, his deep voice carrying effortlessly across the silent room. "But there were not always clans. There were only packs, countless and scattered across the lycan realm, each governed by its own Alpha, territory, customs, and laws, until the event historians now refer to as the Great Sundering, the moment the ancient veil between the human realm and the lycan realm was ruptured. Then came the eruption of mayhem." He stepped away from the podium, pacing slowly across the front platform.

"Humans, driven by fear of an unknown species, prepared for war, convinced the werewolves meant to conquer them." He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping across the room.

"Knowing that if a war were to break out, the humans would stand little chance of surviving it, as they would be facing a species that could easily overpower them physically, move faster than them, heal from injuries that would cripple a human, and possess abilities they could neither understand nor defend against, five of the most powerful Alpha leaders among the werewolf packs stepped forward to prevent the total annihilation of the human population.

"They bridged the gap between the two species and presented a peace pact to the human authorities, proving that coexistence was not only possible but mutually beneficial. They offered protection from external threats, shared resources, and military strength, and even encouraged intermarriage so humans could pass stronger genes down to future generations.

"In exchange, the humans would unite with them and recognize werewolves as fellow citizens rather than invaders, while the werewolves would recognize human communities as part of the same society. The humans, of course, agreed readily. After all, who wouldn’t agree to a peace deal when the alternative is absolute extinction?"

The last remark drew a sudden burst of laughter from the entire class. Starlight found nothing funny about it. Her expression remained flat as she stared at the lecturer, her thoughts drifting toward the uncomfortable reality behind his amusing little history lesson. From the way she saw it, the humans had not exactly been given much of a choice. He might phrase it as though the werewolves were merciful saviors who had simply offered humans a generous opportunity to coexist, but Starlight couldn’t help seeing the uncomfortable truth beneath all that polished history. When one side possessed overwhelming physical strength, superior abilities, and the power to wipe out the other, how much of a choice did the weaker side really have?

If they really meant well, why not stay in their own realm and let humans live peacefully in theirs? Just because the veil separating the two species had been torn didn’t automatically mean they had to merge their societies or live under the same rule. They could have coexisted without forcing themselves into human civilization and reshaping it around their presence. The whole thing seemed fishy.

Vargen went on to explain how both species eventually agreed to build a single society instead of destroying one another over their differences, merging their territories to form what was now known as the Lunoria Empire. The five leaders who made that union possible became the bedrock of their new civilization, while the numerous packs were gradually reorganized and integrated under the authority of one of the five leaders, their packs eventually becoming the five great clans. Their descendants remained among the most powerful bloodlines in the empire, the sole lineages from which the Emperor and Empress could be chosen.

His voice carried a quiet note of reverence whenever he spoke about the five leaders, as though their role in uniting the two species were nothing short of divine intervention. It did not escape Starlight that the werewolf students seemed particularly attentive now, several of them sitting a little straighter as Vargen spoke about the bloodlines that had shaped the empire. Of course they would be fully invested. This was their history, their heritage, and the foundation of the society they had grown up believing in.

Starlight, however, found herself increasingly skeptical. The entire narrative had been presented so neatly, with the five leaders appearing almost like benevolent heroes who had saved both species from destruction, while the details of how humans had supposedly agreed to such an arrangement were brushed aside as though they were completely insignificant. Vargen, seemingly indifferent to the skepticism lingering among some of the human students, continued explaining the formation of the five great clans with the same quiet reverence.

He walked back to the podium, turned to the students, and continued. "These five foundational packs evolved into the dominant houses that govern us today: the Eclipse Clan, from which our current Emperor descends and which is known for its supreme political dominance. The Umbra Clan, the empire’s great matriarchal bloodline, is deeply revered for its sacred connection to the Moon Goddess, with its members serving as spiritual custodians who oversee high rituals, lunar mating ceremonies, and sacred rites. The Perigee Clan is renowned for its military strength and strategic prowess. The Apogee Clan is known for its immense wealth and influence over commerce and trade. And the Solstice Clan is celebrated for its contributions to medicine, science, and technological advancement."

Vargen went on to elaborate that the five great clans had continued to play a central role in shaping the empire long after the original union between humans and lycans. They were the primary contributors behind the construction and continued funding of Asterion Academy, providing the resources necessary to create an institution where humans and werewolves could study together, interact, and gradually grow accustomed to living within the same society. In recognition of their contributions and their historical importance, the academy had named its five residential houses after the clans themselves, Eclipse, Umbra, Perigee, Apogee, and Solstice, ensuring that the legacy of the Five Pillars remained woven into the daily lives of every student who passed through its halls.

A human student in the front row shifted in his seat before raising his hand.

"Yes?" Vargen acknowledged, his gaze settling on him. "What is it?"

The student stood and cleared his throat.

"Do humans not contribute anything to the growth of this empire? You’re making it seem as though everything we have today was built entirely by the five great clans and werewolves, as if humans played no role in shaping the society we live in."

The entire class fell silent, including Starlight, though hers was from sheer anticipation. She would have kissed him if he had been sitting any closer to her. Finally, someone had asked the question that had been gnawing at her since the lecture began, and to say she was pleased would have been an understatement.

Alas, Mr. Vargen looked far from pleased. For a moment, Starlight thought he might actually gun the boy down with his laser-like glare for daring to challenge the version of history he had been presenting to the class.

"This is Lycanthropic Ethnology," Vargen said, his voice dropping into a razor-thin tone. "If you want to learn about human contributions, you should have enrolled in an institution that specializes in human history."

"But you just said Asterion Academy was built specifically for both species to study together," the student pushed back, his confusion evident in his voice. "So shouldn’t that mean both sides of our history are supposed to matter here?"

"Then wait for the course that covers human studies," Vargen replied bluntly. "Unfortunately, Asterion does not teach that subject."

"So basically, Asterion was actually built for werewolves alone, since the academy doesn’t even offer a single course where human history is taught as well." Starlight practically cheered internally. Damn, she really wanted to walk over and kiss that boy right on the mouth, preferably with a deep French kiss. He was saying everything she had been thinking since Vargen started his polished little history lesson, and he was doing every human in the room proud.

"Sit your ass down, mister," Vargen snapped, his patience finally wearing thin. "This class isn’t for species or historical debate. It’s a course on werewolf culture, history, and lineage. If some humans find the subject uncomfortable or disagree with the way our history is presented, then you’re free to leave the class and drop the course." The boy’s face tightened, but he clearly realized there was no point pushing the matter any further and lowered himself back into his seat, his expression caught somewhere between embarrassment and frustration.

Starlight turned slightly toward Elle and whispered, "He really fried your big bad crush."

"I’m beyond heartbroken," Elle whispered back, pressing a hand dramatically against her chest. "I can’t believe he let a young boy bully him like that in front of the entire class. Are we witnessing another David and Goliath situation?"

Starlight barely managed to suppress a chuckle when a sharp glance from Vargen landed directly on them. Her smile vanished instantly, and she straightened in her seat, while Elle immediately turned her attention to the digital whiteboard.

That man definitely had heightened hearing.