2.church of blazekien

It was a calm Sunday morning. James woke up to the gentle light filtering through the window and greeted his mother. Today was yet another church visit, part of his weekly routine. Though James wasn't a firm believer in any divine being, the church he attended didn't worship a traditional god but instead revered the Fire King, a mythical figure central to their beliefs.

Today's session was a special one, focusing on a structural lesson for children aged 8 to 15, where the preachers would explain the hierarchy within the continent.

"Be safe," his mother called out for the umpteenth time as he bid her farewell, eliciting a tired smile from James.

As he approached the church's front gate, his eyes took in its vivid and dramatic appearance. Despite its size and grandeur, the building was considered a beginner-level structure in James's knowledge. The church was painted in striking shades of orange and golden yellow, with enormous fireplaces and torches scattered around. Small fire spirits roamed freely beneath the high, cavernous ceiling, which was intricately painted to resemble molten magma from the depths of hellfire.

By now, this sight was commonplace for James, yet it still carried an air of otherworldly beauty.

"You're just on time, James!" called out Nathan, his classmate and one of the few friends he usually spent time with.

"Good morning, Nathan," James greeted as he walked over to his friend.

"I wonder who today's lecturer will be," James asked curiously.

"Well, I think it'll be the Third Preacher, Donal Duck," Nathan replied, shrugging. "He's ranked seventh in the church hierarchy and is known to be quite knowledgeable. I've seen him twice before; he's… different."

As they chatted, they moved toward an empty bench, finding a spot amidst the gathering children.

The auditorium soon filled with kids from various backgrounds and ages. Though they sat on the same wooden benches, the stark differences in their statuses were glaringly apparent. The wealthier children, dressed in refined clothes and adorned with small trinkets, looked down on the poorer ones, their disdain visible in their sneers and whispered comments. Conversely, the less privileged children harbored quiet resentment toward the rich, their expressions laced with bitterness at the disparity of birth privilege.

James settled somewhere in the middle row, away from the tension and gossip that buzzed around him. He preferred the relative calm of this spot, though he couldn't help but observe the unspoken divide between his peers.

Suddenly, the sharp clang of a knight's spear striking the floor reverberated through the auditorium, silencing the crowd of around 200 children. The knight, part of the church's religious order, stood tall and imposing.

"Silence!" the knight commanded, his voice ringing out with authority.

The energy in the room shifted as the knight made an announcement.

"The Third Preacher of the great Blazekien Order of Oklahoma City is entering," he declared.

The room fell completely silent as a man clad entirely in black robes entered the auditorium. His attire was devoid of any decoration, the simplicity of the dark robes symbolizing his unwavering faith in the Fire Master.

"May the Sun God bless the Fire Master," the preacher, Donal Duck, greeted the assembly, his voice calm yet firm.

In unison, the children echoed his words, their voices filling the hall:

"May the Sun God bless the Fire Master."

As everyone settled back into their seats, the preacher began the session by reading a series of verses aloud. The children, in unison, recited after him. These were poems and legends about the Fire King and the other members of his divine retinue. For half an hour, their voices filled the hall, recounting tales of bravery, power, and devotion, etching the mythos of the Fire King deeper into their young minds.

Once the recitations concluded, the preacher placed his book aside and spoke with a clear, commanding voice:

"Well, children, today we are here to learn about the geopolitical situation of the Fire Master's continent. Let's start with a simple question: what is the name of our world?"

"Elsiyere!" replied the children in unison, their voices firm and confident.

"Good. And how many continents does Elsiyere have?"

"Seventy-two!" they chorused.

"Correct," the preacher affirmed, his tone approving. "Now tell me, how much of our world is made up of land?"

"Only one-fourth!"

"Good. And the remaining three-fourths?"

"Oceans and dangerous territories," the children replied.

"Indeed." The preacher's expression turned serious. "But do you know what lies within those dangerous territories?"

A few children hesitantly nodded, but the majority looked puzzled.

"Well," the preacher continued, his voice taking on a slightly ominous tone, "those areas are filled with mysterious creatures, ancient ruins, and realms that connect us to the spiritual world. While they may sound fascinating, dear children, they are perilous. Humans—especially lesser ones like us—are not suitable or qualified to enter such areas. To do so would mean certain death within seconds."

The children exchanged uneasy glances. Some appeared frightened, others indifferent, while a few seemed intrigued, their eyes glinting with curiosity and ambition.

"But," the preacher said, his tone softening, "do not let this discourage you. One day, if you work hard and become high-ranked adventurers, you may have the chance to explore these lands of mystery. But that is a dream for the distant future."

The children settled down, processing his words with a mix of fear and excitement.

The preacher moved on. "Now, let's test your knowledge. How many kingdoms and empires exist within the Fire Master's continent?"

A brave girl raised her hand and answered confidently, "There are 143 small kingdoms, 29 large kingdoms, 17 empires, and 3 great empires. And there are also 14 countries ruled by non-human species."

"Well done, child," the preacher praised, a slight smile breaking through his serious demeanor. "You are correct. However, remember that these numbers are not fixed. Conflicts and alliances between nations frequently alter them. But, as she said, there are three great empires that remain constant. These empires are under the direct rule of the Fire Master's chosen subordinates. You will learn more about them if you manage to enter the Magic Academy of Oklahoma."

The children murmured among themselves, some excited at the prospect of learning more, others feeling the weight of the task ahead.

"Now then," the preacher said, his tone lighter, "let's see who can tell me which country we live in."

A boy in the front row, unable to contain his enthusiasm, blurted out, "We live in Norea, sir! It's part of the Northeastern Small Union of Countries, which protect each other from the bigger nations!"

The preacher gave the boy a stern look but nodded. "That is correct, you naughty child. However, remember to ask for permission before speaking."

"Sorry, sir," the boy mumbled, looking down.

"As you heard," the preacher continued, addressing the room, "we live in the nation of Norea, a small country located in the middle part of the northeastern region of the continent. Norea is known for its neutrality in most matters, much like how it is average in many other things."

The children chuckled softly at the preacher's blunt assessment of their homeland.

"Norea is part of the Northeastern Union of Countries," he explained further. "This union was formed by small nations in this region to protect each other from the larger powers on the continent. Now, here's a quiz for you. Who can tell me the population of our country and its official currency?"

A boy suddenly stood up and blurted out, "Our official currency is pesos!"

The preacher frowned. "You naughty child, do not reply abruptly. Sit down."

The boy sat down, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. The preacher continued, his tone firm but patient. "Not just ours, but the entire continent follows the same currency: the Firey Pesos, or simply Pesos. In some parts, it is also called 'Paisa,' but rest assured, the contents are the same."

He paused, scanning the room. "Now, what about our population?"

This time, a girl quickly stood and answered, "It is said to be in the tens of billions, sir!"

"Bravo, child. Sit down." The preacher nodded approvingly. "The total population of our country is approximately 33 billion, including all officially recognized species. Of this, humans alone account for 12 billion."

The boy who had been scolded earlier sat in silence, biting his nails in frustration, feeling the unfairness of the treatment.

The preacher ignored him and glanced at the clock. "Well, as we only have ten minutes left, let me teach you about the internal geopolitical situation of our country, Norea.

"Norea has about 100 states, with its capital being Baiju. The economy of our country is estimated to be around 150 quadrillion pesos. I hope everyone here is familiar with the term 'quadrillion.'"

"Yes, sir," replied the children in unison.

"Good," the preacher said with a nod. "Now, every state in Norea has about 1,000 cities, and beneath each city are hundreds of thousands of villages to accommodate our population. The village we live in, Oklohama, has a population of about 25,300 people. It falls under the jurisdiction of Edmond, a developing city with a population of around 2 million people."

The children listened attentively as the preacher continued. "Our state, Nada, is the largest state in Norea, with a population of 2.9 billion people. It's a giant within the country. However, the capital state, Baiju, is the second-largest in population but the largest in terms of economy.

"While Nada is a powerhouse in its own right, Baiju's economy is unmatched, boasting a GDP of 45 quadrillion pesos, nearly three times that of our state. Do you know why Baiju leads?"

The children shook their heads.

"It is because of the abundance of magic stone mines and gold mines found in Baiju," the preacher explained. "These resources give them an edge. But don't feel disheartened; Nada has its own strengths."

The children nodded, their expressions a mix of pride and curiosity.

"Well," the preacher concluded, "that's all for today. Next month, we'll dive deeper into the geopolitical landscape of the continent. You still have much to learn. Goodbye, students."

"Goodbye, sir!" the children chorused, their voices filled with enthusiasm as the session came to an end.

Nathan and James got up, preparing to head home.

"Don't you think Baiju is truly powerful?" Nathan asked, his eyes gleaming with awe.

James shook his head slightly. "Not just because of money. Baiju has many qualitative advantages that cement its status as the country's capital. I heard the nobles of Baiju directly control a few states under them."

"Isn't that awesome? Imagine controlling the population of a few billion people and barely lifting a finger," Nathan replied, laughing heartily at the thought.

James smirked. "That's true. I heard the cost of a single cup of tea in Baiju is enough to purchase a small, underdeveloped village."

"Just imagine how much money that is!" Nathan exclaimed, his laughter echoing. "At least a few million pesos!"

Both of them laughed, their imaginations running wild at the sheer power and wealth of Baiju's nobles.

As they parted ways, James's thoughts shifted. The Oklohama Academy of Magic's entrance exam was just two months away. The academy, controlled by the church and funded by the government, was designed to give everyone a fair chance to learn and grow.

For James, getting into the academy wasn't just about education—it was his only way to start using the system. He clenched his fists. I'm not mentally strong enough to use the system yet, he admitted to himself, but with training, I can get there.

He wasn't alone in this struggle. Everyone who aspired for greatness had to endure rigorous training, but James was determined. For him, the academy was the first step toward unlocking his potential.

With resolve etched on his face, he headed home, preparing for the challenges ahead.