Chapter 44: Chain of Responsability
"To reduce it to a concept that will be easier for you to understand, imagine that you are going out for shopping, and that you see that their an article missing in your favourite shop. The problem is that this missing article never existed in the first place, in fact, you were the only one who thought about it. Of course, you want that object even if it mean ignoring the law of reality. However, going against the law means you need to have a punishment, and the reality itself being the judge. And like any crime, they vary in intensity, so the lesser the crime, the lesser the consequence, so you could pay the fine yourself with some of your own energy." Volo started to explain what these rules even were, but I couldn't notice that he didn't change the visual for the illusion at all.
"But it starts to get complicated when you don't the energy to pay your fine, so as your punishment, reality will create the opposite of your creation, which often ends up going against you, especially because you don't choose how it made." He made the visual of the earth even bigger as he made sure we could all see it. "So for this example, Arceus needed to borrow energy from the universe to create this planet and its core concept. So, for this creation of matter, he had to create the inverse of matter."
The picture he showed us quickly changed to a full portrait of Giratina in its full horror. "This payment was thus fulfilled by the creation of Giratina. But this is where things change from other beings, as most of the other god on the other planet made the mistake of not preparing for the creation of their inverse, which either caused their death, or the destruction of their creation. The best case scenario was often that they managed to seal it away, by creating another dimension to hold it down, but once more, this needed a price." Volo's smile turned into a frown as he looked at us.
"Of course even I don't know anything else, all this information comes from Arceus himself, so my only knowledge came from his mood. This is why I can assure you that the lie isn't there. But also that I don't have any more details about these other god, not even their appearance, or what type of pokemon they have, so don't bother asking, focus first on our own planet." Volo simply dismissed all of our worry with a simple sentence, but most were still weirded out by the revelation that other beings were created around us.
Personally, I just barely got exposed to the common sense of this world, so my current situation was probably as alien as these other civilizations, so it didn't bother me that much.
And from what I could see, most other student quickly rationalized their thought, after all, nobody here was ambitious enough to make anything out of this information, which was probably why Volo even revealed it to us in the first place.
"Anyway, so contrary to other gods who could only react to this cost, Arceus already prepared a countermeasure by creating the sealing place first, and as he filled it with anti-matter, he paid the price…by being forced to do exactly what he wanted from the start."
The picture this time changed to the figure of Dialga and Palkia, making us easily understand that they were also created to pay the cost for the necessary energy…except that it seems this was exactly what Arceus wanted in the first place.
"I know what you're all thinking, and you would be right, indeed, Arceus succeeded where many failed simply because he was smarter than most and played around the rules. As even now, Arceus is bound by this law, and for each action he wants to make necessitates a price, yet he always finds a way to make it for his advantage."
Suddenly, I had a chill on my spine, which was even weirder considering that I did absolutely nothing to make it move. But in the end, I could assume that it was Volo who did something to me, as I detected absolutely nothing around me that could cause this feeling.
"So remember kids, for every tragedy you were forced to witness, for every harm caused to humanity and pokemon, remember that this was something Arceus could have stopped." The heretic said grandly, with his arm wide open, but clearly the content of his message didn't match his attitude, nor the reaction of the class.
…so he could have helped me stop the pain?
As I thought that, I suddenly felt my fist tightening as my teeth started to crush against themselves.
…but as fast as this sensation happened, it disappeared even faster.
…it doesn't matter if he didn't save me, it was to him to decide to not help me…even if I wasn't born to be cursed…so of course if he just wanted to tell them that…my life would have been better…but that not his job his job is it…even if he is powerful enough to create our planet, so giving me just a little help would have been pretty easy for him…but it not like he is a benefactor or something.
"Oh, did I forget to mention that he is often referred to as someone who simply loves everyone and everything he created, to the smallest of rock the the biggest dynamax pokemon, all deserve is love." Volo added with a snicker.
…I suppose those people he loves more than others then.
But after having his fun, Volo seemed annoyed for the next part, as he started to speak with way less enthusiasm. "But enough about this hypocrite, let's talk about the creation of a better race than him, us. Now you probably know the refrain, we live in a world populated by pokemon, they live in tall grass, in the sea or in our city. Some people call them their friend, others use them to fight each other, yadayada. You know, the propaganda used to convince everyone to use pokemon for their war…but it seems that now they want to reuse that phrase…so I guess I need to give a little context to help their endeavour…I still pay to do that after all."
"So, pokemon and humans always existed together for a long time, of course they were very often terrified of each other and only saw them as enemies. But multiple legends started from some lone human befriending a pokemon and achieving a great miracle together. The most known example is evidently the Sacred Knight of the Galar, with his two pokemon were able to show light to a world governed by darkness." Volo basically revealed, as he projected a man in a fully golden armour on the screen fighting a dark cloud with two strange pokemon at his side.
"What?!" A student suddenly stood up from her seat in pure confusion, as I easily recognized her as one of the students who had made a commotion during dinner time.
She seemed extremely surprised at the sight to the point that she even looked at Volo in wonder. "Is this the true face of the knight in the legend?! And that how does pokemon look?! It wasn't just his sword and shield?!"
Even Volo was surprised at her enthusiasm, but he still nodded. "Yes indeed, he did have the opportunity to meet me once…" But he was only momentarily bewildered before he regained his calm. "Now little girl, I do appreciate your captivation for history, but do not interrupt me again."
As if she just remembered to whom she was talking to, the ginger girl's skin paled a lot as she immediately sat down in her chair.
"So, as you can see, when humans and pokemon are working together, they can create miracle that would never have been possible if they stood opposite to each other. Yet there is still a sense of distrust despite a plethora of historical events that show that the cooperation between the two only brings advantage. I named you the sacred knight from the legend, but there was also a small kingdom of Aurora that used to fight together with their pokemon to achieve the great conquest of their neighbour. Their conquest soon developed to the region of Kanto as some of you probably know."
"Yet despite being the origin of their success, they still decided to change their relationship with their pokemon, from ally to slave. Where most of them decided to force their pokemon to work for them, and forced them to wear collars around themselves to ensure their loyalty." Soon, Volo casually diffused a pretty horrifying image of pokemon being whipped, some even being almost covered by blood of their own friend, yet were still forced to carry the carriage of their master."
…poor them.
So they also never deserved that fate.
"Now the good news is that this state stopped after a careless owner made their magikarp evolve into a gyrados, causing massive destruction inside the empire, as a lot of enslaved pokemon were released by the avoke it caused. In fact, their great empire had almost completely fallen if not for me." Volo mentioned as he took out one of his weird balls on his belt. His one was clearly less modern than ours, as it looked like it was made out of wood instead of the plastic the other had. Which also made that it was impossible to see inside it.
But with what he just narrated, it was pretty easy to guess what who was inside, and the number of student who almost fell from their seat in fright was enough for Volo to see the result of his victory.
"Yes, this is indeed the gyrados that almost made Kanto fall, I would love to show to you how cute he is, but sadly he doesn't do well with humans… he has a little hatred for them you see…his master wasn't really the best." He smirked as he put back his ball onto his belt, satisfied by the fright he created. "So you see, their also a disadvantage to treating your pokemon badly. In fact, after his little rampage, Kanto almost banned the existence of pokemon inside their city, which caused them to be really far behind the technology of other nations, and they are still trying to catch up. Yet despite their new hatred for pokemon, they were often more filled with fear. People coming from there know the famous saying to not walk in tall grass. Even if they barely had weak ratata inside of them." Volo jokingly said.
"Another example from history of human cooperation with pokemon is from the region of Sinnoh, or called Hisiu before. They had a whole group dedicated to simply survive in the wild…and they didn't have what I would call success…until a professor named Laventon started to document about pokemon to better understand them."
Volo diffused a new image, representing a burly man with dark skin and a round face. Sincerely, if it wasn't for his hat made out of wool, and his white coat, it would have been easy for me to mistook him for a random civilian from the Sanctuary, who just wanted to say how unimpressive he looked.
"Now, for the chance of my answering one of your questions, can anybody here tell me more about Professor Laventon that I didn't already mention?" Volo suddenly asked as he gazed upon the class as the student suddenly found the wall to look extremely beautiful with how intensely they looked at it.
Of course I couldn't answer this question, as I never even heard of this name before, nor did I read anything about it…there weren't a lot of books talking about history when I was in the sanctuary.
But the same ginger girl did they try to answer to it as she raised her hand with a nervous look on her face.
"Yes you interrupter, you can try to redeem yourself." Volo joked, which made her gulp loudly before continuing.
"He…hurm…he was also known for leading the main expedition that helped to calm the guardian of the region…but…but his work is the main reference for any professor that respect themselves…and he was also the first one to prove the existence of legendary pokemon…with Dialga and Palkia…and even some mythical pokemon like Phione…the difference between these category were also established by him."
Volo looked actually surprised that she was even able to answer, but he ended up congratulating her. "Good answer Sonia. You raised only a good point. As indeed, most of our current progress with pokemon came from him and…sorry, do you need something?" Volo stopped talking as he saw the intense look of Sonia gave him.
At this mention, she immediately nodded. "Yes, you told us that if we gave you the right answer we could ask you a question…right?"
Volo looked at her silently before responding. "I do remember saying that indeed. I was just not expecting to someone to actually respond…you have good base, I can tell you that, you might also not be as trash as the other."
Sonia grew embarrassed by his remark, but she still held on the force to ask the question she wanted. "So…I was just wondering…could you explain more about…"
But Volo suddenly raised his finger, which interrupted her. "I already answered your question, you asked me if you could ask one, and I told you yes. So no more please, I have a reputation that I would wish to keep."
Sonia had a gaping mouth at his audacity, but like usual, Volo ignored it to change the picture inside the cloud of mist to a picture of the modern Sinnoh…or so I believe from the murmurs of the class.
"Now if we look back at the future, Sinnoh used all of these resources and information about how to befriend pokemon to use them as a military advantage. The most polemic one was of course the case of invasive species into other regions, with Galar and Alola suffering the worst fate from their attack. As they used these various documents to deduce what species of pokemon would be the most problematic for each ecosystem, and send them in batches to make sure to aggravate their city the most. As far as I remember, the reason why they even started it was because of a stupid debate between some old rich people who had nothing better to do with their finite lives about who as the best flora in their region. And instead of finding an argument, they forced the problem onto another region."
"These regions were so devastated that Galar established a law called dexit, which forced every pokemon to be carefully screened for their degree of evasiveness, and be barred from entry if they were considered as too problematic. So anyone coming over with a pokemon not authorized won't be able to come to their lovely country…of course, they made an exception for me because deep down they are kind person at heart…and deep down they know they would be wiser to not refuse me." Volo smirked evilly as he said that, and as if by pure coincidence, the next image he showed us was one of a bright cloud hovering right above their capital.
"So, do you understand better now why it's better to cooperate with pokemon with all of these examples coming from history, I'm sure you're all excited for the future!"
"Is…is that the lie?" A student timidly asked with a raised hand, before immediately lowering it in fear as Volo looked toward him.
"Of course not, it's not a lie if I sincerely believe that all of you should die of excitation for what destiny has in reserve for you! I mean, I saw so many people being ready to make the worst decision with a smile on their face, so I can only attribute it to everyone." Volo's eye grew cold for an instant, but at this point, his crown could not be more terrorized than they already were, so it went unnoticed.
But I did…and I really didn't understand his point. I also saw people making the worst decision for their own benefit…which immediately got sent back to them, like when someone pitied me and gave me a berry, just to get hungry a second later, but he was certainly not smiling.
Well, I suppose in this instance he was lucky, because the berry just happened to have been poisonous, if he had eaten it, he would have probably died an extremely painful death, as it was a poison that overloaded the brain with so much energy that it would blow up. But it didn't affect me because I just shut down my brain instead.
"Well, that's enough from me." I was suddenly distracted from my thoughts as Volo talked once more as he shut down the mist and stopped the projection of the image.
The other student also looked confused at first, but then they got excited that they would finally be able to leave, but their hope was immediately crushed by him. "Now that this portion is completed, it's time for you to do your homework. You have until next class to find what my lie was, and you will get the rest of the hour of class to do your research." Volo waved away at us as he sat down on his chair and started to turn around as if this amused him greatly…but it was just creepy as he had no expression of joy on his face.
After an instant, the student slowly registered what his order was and looked at each other in worry before looking back at Volo and gulping. "Say Mister Heaven…where could we find the real information?"
Volo stopped spinning on his chair for one instant before looking back at the one who asked the question. "There is a library here, and if the books are really up to the quality, then you should be able to find the right answer eventually. If not, well just spend more time studying to find the answer." Volo hunched his shoulder in disinterest.
"Wait…do you even know if there is an answer there?"
"Of course I don't know, I have better things to do than to read about a history I shaped with my own hand. Anyways, if you all fail, well that would mean less pain for each of you." Volo leaned back into his chair as he took pleasure in the growing unease from the student. "Oh, speaking of the next class, it will be how torture evolved through history, and I might need some volunteers…of course you don't have to volunteer yourself to be chosen."
The smirk he sent to the whole class was the signal for every student to run away from the class the fast as they could.
Even when I was calmly observing the situation, I was suddenly grabbed by my collar, and a quick look identified my new captor to be Iono, who grabbed me in panic as she led me out of the class.
But while she was grabbing me, I saw Volo still sitting on his chair calmly waving at us with a smile.
…so waved back…that was the polite thing to do.
***
'…this kid really was broken…if I truly intended to present the history of torture, then I would have been forced to look more into his own experience, cause there's a lot to learn.' Volo thought as he looked at Luciel waving at him innocently.
He was already disappointed that he was only able to make such a small impression on his student as none even fainted the moment he released them, so Luciel's antique was only the droplet that made the vase spill.
But it would be indignant if he were to react with too much aggressiveness to an act of naivety, so he didn't, instead, he planned to reserve his dissatisfaction for his next invite.
'Not like anything I could do to him right now would have any impact…well maybe I could try to harm his slave…but…'
Volo gazed at his hand while thinking so, revealing an extremely small scratch on his hand, one so insignificant that anyone would ignore it. But that was where the problem came from, as he would usually heal from any injury instantly…yet this one stayed.
He received it when he failed to completely dodge the counterattack of the Forgotten Sin when he tried to strangle the small ghost esper.
He wasn't to worried of course, as even an injury from him would eventually heal, he just needed to completely banish all the energy staying on his wood, but the simple fact that this creature was able to injure him was already a good enough reason to not bother angering the Bringer of Eclipse over such little thing. Especially that he was currently separated from Spiritomb momentarily, so he wasn't sure he could dominate him if he was too lost his mind while fighting him.
It was already surprising he still had one…but he could suppose that if he didn't, he would have long been forced to dispose of him for the better of the future or whatever puke-inducing thing Arceus would say to justify his murder. If only he could be as honest as he is.
*Clack*
Volo pushed a sigh as he heard the door of his room opening, but he still had to turn around to face her. Under his eye was Geeta, who, contrary to her earlier appearance, looked completely peaceful toward Volo. "So, was my performance to the level desired, miss stick in the…
"Yes it was to a satisfactory level, Volo. Continue as it is and I might not have to worry about getting any more headaches."
"Really? Guess I'm doing too much of a good job then, I should stop, I'm not paid enough to be your personal doctor after all." Volo said in derision, but Geeta only nodded
"If money is the only cost to keep you professional, then it is a rather low price." Volo stayed silent at her answer, before dismissing her with a wave of his hand.
"You know I don't give a ratata about money, just allow me to have the vacation day I asked. Do you know how troublesome it was for me to quit my new project just to do your little masquerade? At least this time I had the permission to torment some kids, so it made it worth it…But I know it's a one-time thing."
"If you didn't want to work, then you just had to not get involved, nobody here wants your presence in our establishment, we were just forced to accommodate you." Geeta responded without any emotion as she prepared to sit down in front of Volo. She still acted that confident despite having no chair below her, as the moment she lowered herself, the meltan conglomerate together to form the most comfortable chair they could in an instant. "Now, do you need any help to pursue this performance? Any resource, or maybe some assistance from the other teacher?"
But instead of responding to her question, Volo asked another as he turned around on his chair to face her. "Before anything else, do you truly believe this is your best idea? Wasn't your whole message about making everyone feel welcomed so they can become best friend and create a better society together? So why would you suddenly want them to feel unwelcome and useless? Personally, I have no problem doing that, I'm all out for being a hypocrite…but I'm against being stupid, so I want an explanation."
Volo searched for any change in expression on Geeta's face to gather any information, but he was disappointed at her lack of reaction. "On the contrary, I want them not to feel excluded from each other, but the problem is that this group separate itself automatically from the other by their lack of ambition. So I'm only wanting to help them gain this motivation, so they can connect better to the other."
"Yeah sure, and I guess asking me to hurt them and reduce them to a sense of weakness was done because you cared just that much for their well-being?"
"Of course not, I also wanted to solve this issue in the most inoffensive way possible, but from the report Colress gave me this morning, it was clear that this method wouldn't work on them, as their self-esteem is too low to care about being a failure. So I simply bring myself to teach them a new lesson that will help them for the rest of their life. Even if this lesson is to teach them about their weakness." Volo leaned on his arm as he listened to Volo's explanation as he didn't hide his judgment. Not out of her actions, but out of the lack of honesty in her words.
"If you know that I lie then you also know that you won't hear the truth either." Geeta simply added, which forced Volo to drop the issue.
"Keep your secret if you desire, they're only worth my curiosity." Volo said as he became nonchalant. "Anyways, as for your plan, I don't think we need another teacher to act as mean as I currently do, I alone am far more than enough to keep them motivated to leave their group. They are probably so terrified that they will try to meet your standard so they can leave this group, and thus being able to avoid me permanently."
"No, I prefer for this issue to be dealt with the fastest I can…before Luciel starts to gain more critical thinking." Geeta said with worry, surprising even Volo.
"The Bringer of Eclipse? How is he even a weight in your equation? He isn't even a weight on a balance!"
"…Luciel is now a member of the council as the representative of Danu." Volo acted surprised, but Geeta was sure he already knew about it way before that, so she didn't fall for his bluff.
She still didn't announce this news to the other members of the council…she preferred to do it at the same time for everyone…except Volo.
"Right now, only a select few know about my plan with the second class, and as he joins our conference, Luciel will probably learn about it too. This is the way I would prefer to finish this problem before he starts to form his own opinion on the topic and oppose my position."
Volo kept pressing his finger on his desk as he started to think, before deciding to ignore the issue. "Well, that seems like a big problem for you, but right now I couldn't care less…so do wish for, you're free after all. As for me…Well I have something to continue, as I was previously rudely interrupted!" Volo said as he stood up from his chair and looked at the hole in the roof, the very same one he had caused at his arrival.
But right before he could leave, Geeta asked a last question. "This is but my mere curiosity, but could you tell me what the lie was in your presentation? Even I can't identify it."
Volo stopped for a moment before looking back at her, then he smirked. "Lie? Why would an honest guy like me even lie? I'm a model citizen after all, just look how much my student listened to all of my world, they were even ready to go study immediately after! I could not ask for anything better!"