10 years later

The NUF. The National United Federation. A government that came to existence about 100 years ago. Originally composed of many countries, the NUF sprang up out of nowhere and announced its presence. The NUF consist of several powerful individuals strong enough to silence most protest any countries had. Two orbiting rings around the world were set up on the same day. Military might and outstanding firepower silence remaining dissent. The planet was then separated into numerous regions, each govern by two people. One for the administration. One for military and protection against any threats.

At a certain high school, a certain student had dozed off during class.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.

“ALRIGHT POP QUIZ GUYS!”

Groans could be heard from all over the classroom, waking up all the sleepy heads who had doze off due to the dull historical lesson they had been taking.

“ Don’t give me that! If you boys and girls can’t keep yourselves awake, then I'll give you a reason to stay awake. My god, I know it’s a week before summer break, but this is a still a classroom. And in a classroom, we learn things! I’m not afraid to fail someone and keep them for summer school this last minute!”

“But Mr. Rodriguez! It’s only five minutes before we’re all released out of here! You can’t do this to us! This is cruel and unusual punishment!” A brave student protested.

“I can and I will! The road of learning is eternal! You never know when what kind of information you need in life. Besides let’s keep those gears spinning in those young minds. Just because summer vacation is just around the corner is no reason for you to forget the things you learn this year. Let’s us review even if it’s just the basics. I can’t let you guys walk out of here not knowing any common sense. Otherwise, this class will be a laughingstock! All right, enough delaying! Now who can tell me the purpose of the two rings around our planet? Mr. Colls since you were the one sleeping, you can answer my question.”

“ The two rings? Uuuhhh. They’re transportation stations that help supply goods across the planet?” Seth answered as a few students were glaring at him as the person responsible for their current predicament.

“ Are you questioning me or answering my question? What made these planetary rings so special when they first appear? If you know the answer, don’t be afraid to call out the answer if you know it.”

“They’re an engineering feat when they first appeared. It was a project put together by many cities. They also contained advance scientific military equipment never seen before.” A squeaky voice rang out in the classroom.

“Very good! What made the outstanding people so outstanding that day when the NUF was announced?”

“They were awakened. People whose bodies have gone beyond the limit. Every awaken has powers.”

RRRIIINNNGGGGG!

“Alright boys and girls. Look like the bell saved you guys from having an official quiz. Mr. Coll, a word before you leave.”

Seth Coll groaned as he packed his books into a grey backpack and walked to the teacher’s desk with a sinking feeling in his gut. Mr. Rodriguez was a middle age man. Half balding and a bit on the hefty side. He tended to be flamboyant in nature when teaching. Now, he was leaning on his desk, waiting for a certain student.

“Before I say anything else, I must ask if you have any pressing business to attend to Mr. Coll?”

“No Mr. Roriguez. This is my last class for the day, "Seth replied.

“Very well then. Mr. Colls. I can’t help but noticing a drop in your academic behavior lately and I must say I'm a bit concerned. Small careless mistakes have been observed on your recent assignments and essays. I've also noticed you nodding off more often. You’re not part of any athletic clubs as far as I know, so I can’t imagine the cause of your recent behavior. I hope there isn’t anything in particular that has you distracted?”

“Nope, everything is fine Mr. Rodriguez. ” Seth replied quickly.

“Hmmmm. Very well Mr. Colls. One last thing before you rush off. I’ve just finished reading the final research essay that was assigned for the class. Unfortunately, your essay was not found when I was grading. You do understand that this takes up a good 40% of your grades”

Seth blinked as he his brain processed those words. It was if his heart dropped all the way to his feet and he could begin to feel the cold sweat on his back beginning to form. He stayed up all night just for this essay. How could it have gone missing? Maybe he was a bit sleep deprived the next day, but he was quite sure he had handed in the assignment. "I-I don’t know what you mean sir. I know I handed my essay on the day it was due along with everyone else.” he stammered. “ I did all the work and-”

Mr. Rodriguez cleared his throat, stopping Seth from continuing. He took out a sheet of paper filled with text. “I don’t doubt your words Mr. Colls. Fortunately for you, I have learned to differentiate between my students works. Also fortunately for you, only one person was missing a grade when I was inputting the grades into my gradebook and there just happen to something that was submitted. It was unnamed and full of notes, but nothing on it suggested final essay material. Usually when I see this kind of work I would have put it in the trash bin, but I realized that this was accidentally submitted.”

Seth let out a breath of release while also feeling his cheek burning from embarrassment. This paper full of random notes was definitely his, just as his teacher stated. There was no name written anywhere on it. This was research done by Seth for his paper and he never had any intention of showing it to anyone else. In Seth’s defense, he had been working on the final paper quite late into the night. He must have mixed up the file name when he submitted it online.

“Quite sloppy of you young man. Never forget to double check your work. Before and after you submit it. Now since this your first time committing such an offence, I'm willing to look the other way if you submit the actual essay by the tonight so I can give you a grade next time we meet. Normally I'll throw such a paper to the trash bin, but I had a feeling it was yours's, so I decided to take a gander at it. And I must say I was impressed and at the same time surprised on the topic you were researching. Tell me please Mr. Colls, why did you choose such a topic for your essay? Most of your fellow compatriots aren’t interested in researching such ancient history. You chose to research the Huotie empire. A very difficult topic to research since not much has been found about this ancient civilization.”

“Oh! Thanks Mr. Rodriguez. I guess I was always interested in ancient history. The Huotie empire was probably one of the most recent things I look into.”

“A personal interest? I must say I'm impressed! Based on what I can see, You can make quite the convincing paper based on what little was discovered of the ancient civilization. I gain an interest in history myself at a young age, hence the reason I stand here before you today. However, I traveled to quite a few places due to this interest as a history researcher before finally settling down in my current position. Have you ever considered such a thing as a future career?”

“No I haven’t. I haven’t thought about what I want to do in the future yet. If I may ask why did you stop travelling sir?”

“Alias, the job as a teacher is much more secure then the job of an history researcher. Anyways you’re still young so you have plenty of time to ponder upon your decisions for the future. Think, struggle, and persist! A gift that all youth share. I’ll be happy to answer any more question you happen to come upon, but for now I believe it is time to wrap up this little chat. Remember I want the completed essay next time we meet or you won’t be getting a grade at all.”

At the sound of his teacher dismissal, Seth rushed out of the classroom making a mental note to double check next time when submitting an important assignment.