I Can See Evolution Paths

Arthur looked across the crowded King’s Arena, his eyes slowly moving from student to student. Sun already knew that expression.

"Arthur," he said.

Arthur looked at him. "Hm?"

"Whatever you’re thinking," Sun said, pointing at him, "don’t."

Arthur blinked. "I haven’t even said anything."

"That’s why I’m worried."

Vedas looked between them. "What are you planning?"

Arthur smiled. "I’m going to help everyone choose the Secret Realm," he said.

Sun stared. "How?"

Arthur thought for a moment. "I’ll tell them why it’s better."

Sun relaxed slightly. "Oh."

Arthur continued. "And if they still don’t understand, I’ll explain it again."

Sun’s expression immediately changed. "That’s your plan?"

"Yes."

"You’re going to explain it?"

"Yes."

Vedas sighed. "We’re doomed."

Eden giggled from Arthur’s shoulder. "I think it’ll be fun!"

Sun looked at her. "You’re supposed to stop him."

Eden blinked. "Why?"

Sun opened his mouth, then closed it. "Never mind."

Arthur spotted a group of first-years discussing the field trip. "I’m voting for the capital," one said.

Another leaned back. "Same. Seven days, everything covered, and we get to see Sefriot."

A third said, "I’m taking the beach."

Arthur stopped. He looked at them. "Really?"

The student looked over. "Arthur?"

Arthur pointed toward the voting options. "Why the beach?"

The student shrugged. "Because I want to relax."

Arthur nodded. "That’s fair."

The student visibly relaxed.

Then Arthur continued. "But won’t you be curious about the Secret Realm?"

The student frowned. "Nobody even knows what’s inside."

Arthur’s eyes immediately brightened. "Exactly." He pointed toward the Secret Realm option. "The beach will still be there later." Then he pointed toward the capital. "The capital isn’t going anywhere either." Finally, he pointed toward the Secret Realm. "But this? We only get to discover it if we choose it."

The group went quiet.

One student laughed. "You’re seriously choosing something dangerous without even knowing what’s inside?"

Arthur tilted his head. "Aren’t you all first-years? The only time you’re allowed to explore the Secret Realm would be next year." His words made all of them freeze. He smiled. "Do you really want to wait an entire year? Do you really enjoy hearing those second and third years talk about their own adventure?"

The students exchanged looks.

Arthur waved casually. "Anyway, I’m voting Secret Realm."

He walked away.

One student watched him leave. "He actually made a point," he said.

Another looked toward the voting board. "I hate that he’s right," he said.

They stood there a moment longer, neither one immediately moving to change their vote, but the seed had clearly been planted.

Arthur didn’t realize it yet, but the conversation had already started spreading.

One student told another.

Then another group heard about it.

Within an hour, the Secret Realm had become the most discussed option among the first-years.

And Arthur hadn’t even started trying to convince anyone.

...

The conversation spread, one group carrying it to the next the way conversations do when nobody’s forcing it.

Not because Arthur had insulted anyone. Not yet. Just because he’d given them something to want.

Later another group stopped Arthur. "Arthur!"

He turned. "Hm?"

"Are you really voting for the Secret Realm?"

Arthur nodded. "Of course."

"Even though nobody knows what it is?"

"Especially because nobody knows."

One student frowned. "What if it’s terrible?"

Arthur shrugged. "Then we’ll know."

"And what if it’s dangerous?"

"Then we’ll be careful."

The student stared. "And what if the beach is better?"

Arthur thought for a moment. "Then we’ll know that too." He smiled. "But if the Secret Realm turns out to be amazing, I’d hate to find out everyone else went there without us."

The students went quiet. One slowly looked toward the voting board. "That’s actually a good point," he said.

The group walked away. Arthur watched them go. "I think they’re voting for it," he said.

Sun, who had been standing behind him, sighed. "You realize you’re not even trying to convince them anymore."

Arthur looked at him. "I’m not?"

"No." Sun shook his head. "You’re just making the Secret Realm sound exciting."

Arthur smiled. "That’s because it is."

Vedas nodded. "That might actually work."

Eden raised both hands. "Secret Realm!"

Arthur laughed. "See?"

...

It didn’t take long for what Arthur had actually said to stop mattering, the conversation reshaping itself every time it changed hands.

Arthur’s actual words didn’t survive the afternoon.

At first: "Arthur thinks the beach is boring."

Then: "He thinks people who choose the capital don’t want to challenge themselves."

Then: "He said the first-years aren’t confident enough to enter a Secret Realm."

By the time the rumor reached another group: "Arthur challenged the entire first-year class."

"Seriously?"

"Apparently."

Nobody bothered checking with Arthur.

Arthur, meanwhile, had no idea any of this was happening.

...

Arthur eventually returned to the Evolution Archive. Athena was already aware of what was happening. She looked up from her book. "Arthur."

"Yes?"

"Why are half the first-years suddenly talking about their courage?"

Arthur smiled. "I encouraged them."

Athena slowly lowered her book. "How?"

"I told them the Secret Realm would be more fun."

Athena nodded. "That sounds reasonable."

"And I told them I’d be embarrassed if I was too weak to choose it."

Athena stopped. "You said that?"

"Yes."

"To everyone?"

"Mostly."

Athena closed her eyes. "Arthur."

"What?"

"You realize that sounds like you’re calling them weak."

Arthur looked genuinely surprised. "But I said I’d be embarrassed."

Athena stared at him. "That doesn’t make it better."

Arthur thought. "I don’t understand."

Athena sighed. "I know."

Athy quietly added, "The rumors are already worse."

Arthur turned. "What rumors?"

Athy smiled. "Some people think you challenged the entire first-year class."

Arthur blinked. "I did?"

Athena looked at him. "No."

"Oh." Arthur thought. "That sounds kind of fun, though."

Athena immediately returned to her book. "Don’t."

...

The rumors spread to Beast Courtyard.

A student told another, "Arthur says anyone who chooses the beach doesn’t trust their Beast."

Another student’s Beast growled. "What?" He looked down. "You heard him." The Beast growled again. The student sighed. "Alright. Secret Realm."

Another student laughed. "Your Beast just decided your vote?"

"Apparently."

Even Iron Hall heard about it.

An apprentice laughed. "Arthur’s making the first-years angry again?"

Another shook his head. "Apparently he’s telling everyone to prove they’re strong."

An older student chuckled. "That’s very Arthur."

Someone asked, "What Secret Realm is it?"

The others shrugged. "Nobody knows."

A student grinned. "Then that makes it more interesting."

...

Arthur returned to the Arena.

A massive crowd was gathered, far bigger than the one he’d left behind that morning, and the noise hit him before he’d even fully stepped inside.

Someone pointed. "There he is!"

Another shouted, "We’re choosing the Secret Realm!"

Arthur smiled. "Really?"

A student yelled, "We’re not scared!"

Another, "We’re going to prove ourselves!"

Another, "I’m going because I want to see what’s inside!"

Another, "I just don’t want to spend my first field trip sitting around!"

Arthur looked around, his eyes brightening. "That’s great."

A student pointed at him. "Don’t think we’re doing this because of you!"

Arthur nodded. "I know."

Someone shouted, "We’re choosing the Secret Realm!"

Arthur smiled. "Really?"

"Yeah!"

"Why?"

The student clenched his fist. "Because we’re not scared!"

Arthur paused. "Oh." He smiled. "Then I guess you weren’t as weak as I thought."

One of the first years immediately shouted. "THAT’S NOT WHAT WE WERE TRYING TO PROVE!"

"Oh." Arthur tilted his head. "But you’re still choosing it, right?"

The student grits his teeth. "...YES!"

Arthur gave them a beaming smile. "Great."

...

The Academy voting system opened and three options appeared.

Aldshore Coast for one week.

Capital of Sefriot for seven days.

A supervised Secret Realm exploration.

The votes began.

Some students still chose the beach because they genuinely wanted relaxation. Some chose Sefriot because they wanted to experience the capital.

Some chose the Secret Realm because they were angry. Some wanted to prove themselves. Some wanted adventure. Some wanted rare resources. Some were curious. Some simply didn’t want to look weak.

Some were inspired by Arthur’s words.

The voting period closed.

...

Arthur stood beside Sun, Vedas, Eden, and Athena, all five of them watching the display in silence as the numbers slowly began to fill in one at a time.

Aldshore Coast, 27%.

Capital of Sefriot, 21%.

The final number flickered. Arthur leaned closer.

Secret Realm, 52%.

The Arena erupted. Students cheered. Some raised their fists. Others immediately began discussing what kind of Secret Realm it could be.

Arthur’s eyes shone. "We did it," he said.

Athena looked at him. "You seem very pleased."

"Of course."

Sun sighed. "You know this means we’re actually going into it, right?"

Arthur nodded. "That’s the point."

Vedas smiled. "I’m looking forward to it."

Eden raised both hands. "Me too!"

Then the Academy display changed.

[Field Trip Destination Confirmed.]

[Restricted Secret Realm.]

Arthur stared at the final notification.

[Detailed Information Will Be Released Tomorrow.]

His smile slowly widened.

He already knew the answer.

Nobody else did.

Tomorrow, the entire Academy would find out.

Arthur looked genuinely excited. "I can’t wait to see their faces."

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