stakes - gambling with gods.

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In the subsequent days, time seemed to slip away rapidly. My days were primarily filled with attending classes and dedicating time to understanding and harnessing my ability. However, despite my efforts, I had yet to fully comprehend the inner workings of my power. In the midst of this learning process, I found solace in engaging in conversations with Charlotte and Ayaan. Yet, it was predominantly with Charlotte that I found myself engrossed, though our interactions consisted mainly of me listening intently to her words.

In our conversations, Charlotte would often share fascinating insights and knowledge she had gained from her magic classes. She spoke passionately about the intricacies of spellcasting, the various elements and their interactions, and the fundamental principles of magical theory. She would recount her experiences in the practice room, honing her skills and experimenting with different spells. These conversations provided me with a deeper understanding of the magical realm, complementing the knowledge I gained in my regular classes.

Speaking of classes, our focus shifted to studying the intricate hierarchy that governed the empire, a crucial aspect for comprehending the inner workings of our society. While the emperor and the church held considerable power, it was the royal court that truly governed the empire. The royal court consisted of seven members: three admirals representing the church and three generals chosen by the emperor, all led by the empress herself. On the surface, the royal court was meant to exemplify a balanced power structure, but in reality, it was the empress who wielded the ultimate authority through her veto power. The royal court, therefore, served as a mere facade, concealing the fact that the empress held true control over the empire. As I delved deeper into the workings of the royal court, I realized that understanding its dynamics was vital for comprehending the empire's governance and the forces that shaped our world.

Another significant aspect of our studies revolved around the concept of nobility. Unlike the conventional notion of hereditary nobility based on family lineage, the determination of nobility in our empire was entrusted to the remaining members of the royal court. This was the sole power they possessed in terms of ruling. Each member of the royal court had three slots that they could allocate to individuals, granting them noble titles. Each slot held a distinct value: allocating all three slots to a single person would bestow the title of archduke, while assigning two slots would confer the title of duke, and designating one slot would grant the title of marquis.

This system of bestowing nobility through slot allocation added an element of fluidity and deliberation. It allowed the royal court to influence and shape the hierarchy, considering various factors such as merit, loyalty, and political alliances. It was a mechanism that reflected the complex dynamics of power and influence within our society, where noble titles held significance and could open doors to privilege and authority.

Devon provided a comprehensive overview of the empire's geographical structure, unveiling the distinctive features of its seven regions. Among them, six regions were governed by influential regional families, while the seventh region housed the capital city. The authority of each regional family derived from the membership of six individuals within the royal court, consolidating their power and influence. Notably, three regions were situated along the coastlines, while the remaining regions spanned diverse mainland territories encompassing snowy, desert, and forested landscapes.

Talking about the six regional families. The three families situated near the sea were the Mariner family, overseeing the coastal regions and naval affairs, the Steele family, known for their control over trade and maritime routes, and the Nkosi family, whose influence extended across the coastal cities and fishing communities.

In the snowy regions, the Frosthaven family held sway, commanding the frozen landscapes with their expertise in ice magic and resilience in harsh climates. The Delgado family, renowned for their mastery of fire magic, governed the desert regions, where their control over precious resources and trade routes was paramount. Lastly, the Kingsley family, deeply connected to nature and skilled in earth and plant magic, presided over the lush forests and ensured the harmony between civilization and the natural world.

An equally fascinating aspect was the hierarchical organization of settlements throughout the empire. These settlements were classified into six types based on population size and the governing figures responsible for their administration. Villages stood at the foundational level, inhabited by a minimum of 10,000 residents and led by a mid-tier-3 individual or higher. Notably, villages operated beyond the direct jurisdiction of the empire. Towns, on the other hand, were ten times larger than villages and exclusively owned by tier-4 individuals. The empire frequently deployed its forces to safeguard towns due to their strategic importance.

Advancing up the settlement hierarchy, we encountered counties, cities, metropolises, and ultimately, regions. Each ascending level witnessed an increase in population and the degree of empire involvement. Metropolises and regions were under the sole ownership of the empire. To provide a glimpse of the staggering population residing in metropolises, even the smallest of these urban centres boasted a population in the quadrillions. Additionally, it required the existence of hundreds of these significant metropolises to form a single region, underscoring the vast scale and grandeur of the empire.

Next were strategic classes, where the focus shifted towards understanding the strengths and weaknesses of various beasts in tiers 1 and 2. We delved into detailed studies of these creatures, learning about their names, appearances, powers, and strengths, as well as their vulnerabilities. The study of beasts extended beyond their physical attributes and abilities. We also examined their behaviour and characteristics.

For instance, the normal-ranked goblin, whose powers were akin to low tier-1, was notorious for its sneaky and cunning nature. These goblins were adept at launching surprise attacks and exploiting weaknesses in their opponents. Understanding their behaviour and tactics was crucial in formulating effective strategies to counter them.

Since public skill classes were held only once a week, there had only been two sessions since the start. In the previous session, Professor Reed delved into the cultural aspects of our society. He highlighted the prevalence of devotion to the water goddess, which held great significance for the majority of the population. This deep-rooted reverence for the water goddess shaped various aspects of our society, including rituals, customs, and beliefs.

Another topic covered by Professor Reed was the judiciary system. Given the high population density, it was not uncommon for crimes to occur. However, the empire had a strong presence and influence, extending its reach to every corner of society. As a result, the crime rate was significantly reduced, thanks to the empire's effective enforcement of laws and the swift administration of justice. This robust judicial system played a vital role in maintaining order and security throughout the empire, instilling a sense of safety and stability among the populace.

Days passed by in a repetitive fashion until one day, after the conclusion of our class, Devon shared an exciting announcement with us. "Oh, yeah, we can't just keep providing you with theoretical knowledge, can we?" he exclaimed. "So, tomorrow we will be conducting a practical exercise. Normally, we would assign you to your respective group mates, but since the two of you are from the same group, you get to decide which of them you want in your team. The rest will be assigned by me. All other classes will be put on hold until the conclusion of the practice. Now, who would you like to have on your team?"

"I pick Charlotte," I declared, eager to have her on my team.

"You can take Charlotte," Elsie said simultaneously, as if we were on the same wavelength.

"I'll take Ignatius in my team. You can have Ayaan and that little chatterbox," Elsie responded, her decision firm. I simply nodded in agreement.

"Alright, now that it's settled, let me explain the format of this competition. It's actually quite simple. All you have to do is battle against some beasts. However, be aware that there is a risk of death in this exercise, so make your moves wisely. There will be a total of 10 teams, each consisting of 5 members, and we will have 3 winners. I expect the three of you to emerge victorious; otherwise, the consequences won't be pleasant to hear," Devon emphasized, setting high expectations for us.

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