The Ultimate Challenge

The excitement in the air was palpable as I prepared to take my next step in proving my worth. I had made a bold claim about the nature of knowledge, and now it was time to demonstrate just how profound my understanding could be. With the king's attention firmly on me and the gathered nobles and commoners eagerly awaiting my next move, I took a deep breath and began.

I addressed the assembly, my voice steady and clear. "Ladies and gentlemen, I will now pose a question to test your knowledge. If anyone among you can answer it correctly, I will grant them a favor of their choice. Let us see who truly possesses wisdom."

The crowd buzzed with anticipation, and the king's eyes sparkled with interest. I decided to start with a question that would challenge their understanding of the world.

"How do we see things around us, and why is it that we can only see when there is light and not in darkness?"

The crowd shifted uncomfortably, their faces showing a mix of confusion and curiosity. Even the king seemed contemplative. Several people stepped forward, attempting to answer the question, but their responses were far from accurate. One person suggested, "We see because our eyes have special powers that work only when there is light." Another guessed, "It's because the darkness covers our vision." Other guesses were even more outlandish, attributing our sight to magical forces or deities.

I listened patiently to each response, noting their inaccuracies. When it became clear that no one had the correct answer, I decided to explain it in the simplest way possible.

"Think of how you can only see things when there is light. Light comes from objects and enters our eyes. Our eyes then send this light to our brain, which helps us understand what we are looking at. When it is dark, there is no light coming from the objects, so our eyes don't get any signals, and we cannot see."

I gestured to the setting sun and the shadows it cast. "When the sun sets and it becomes dark, there is no light coming from the objects we want to see, so our eyes can't pick up the signals, and that's why we cannot see in the dark."

The crowd's confusion turned into understanding. The king's expression shifted from curiosity to admiration as he absorbed the clarity of my explanation. The simplicity of the answer made the concept accessible to everyone.

With the first question addressed, I turned to the king and proposed, "Your Majesty, I would like to test my knowledge further. I am willing to risk everything to prove my worth. If you allow me to ask a question, I will accept any punishment if I fail. However, if I succeed, I request a position of high respect within your court."

The crowd gasped at my boldness. The king's eyes sparkled with intrigue as he considered my proposal. After a moment, he responded, "Your daring is commendable. I will judge the challenge myself. If you succeed, you shall be given a prestigious position and live a life of luxury. If you fail, you will serve as a servant in the royal castle for fifty-nine years. Are you prepared to accept these terms?"

I nodded firmly. "I am ready."

With the terms set, I began my challenge. "My question is simple: Is the Earth flat or round?"

The question drew laughter from the crowd. The idea that the Earth could be round was so unfamiliar to them that it seemed absurd. Even the king's expression showed a hint of disappointment. However, I remained undeterred.

I took a deep breath and began to present my case using straightforward observations. I decided to make it as simple as possible.

"Imagine you are standing on the edge of a large field. If you were to draw a line on the ground and watch as someone walks away from you, you would notice that they seem to disappear from the bottom up. They don't just get smaller; it's as if they are sinking below the horizon. This happens because the Earth is curved. If it were flat, you would be able to see them all the way to the horizon."

I continued, "Another simple way to see this is to look at the moon during a lunar eclipse. The Earth's shadow on the moon is always round. If the Earth were flat, the shadow would be different, but it's always round."

I then demonstrated by drawing a simple circle on the ground with a stick. "If you have a circle and you walk away from it, you would eventually disappear from sight because the circle is curved. The same principle applies to the Earth. It's round, and that's why you see people and objects disappearing from the bottom up as they move away from you."

As I spoke, the crowd's laughter diminished. The king's expression changed from skepticism to astonishment. He appeared to reconsider the validity of my claims, and the amazement in his eyes was evident.

After I finished explaining, there was a moment of silence. The king's reaction was one of admiration and amusement. "Hahaha! Your knowledge is indeed remarkable. You have presented your case clearly and convincingly. I must commend you for your insight."

The crowd's reactions were a mix of surprise and admiration. The ministers, who had initially been disheartened, now felt honored to have witnessed such an exceptional display of intellect. The king addressed me with a smile. "Alex Ravensight, you have proven yourself to be a scholar of extraordinary knowledge. As a reward for your impressive demonstration, I appoint you to the position of Chief Secretary in my court. You shall reside in the royal castle and enjoy a life of luxury."

The applause from the crowd was thunderous, their skepticism replaced by genuine admiration. The king's endorsement marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life. As I was escorted to the royal castle, I felt a deep sense of accomplishment and excitement for the future. My journey from a commoner to a revered scholar had reached its first major milestone, and I was eager to embrace the opportunities and challenges that lay ahead.