Chapter Text
"Well, that's all for today," Han says, closing the presentation in his laptop before disconnecting the HDMI attached to it. "I’ll see you next meeting." He dismisses.
Students begin packing up. Some leaves quickly, others linger to chat. While Han stacks his papers, his hands moving on their own while he hums a quiet tune under his breath.
He just finished his lecture on Classical Studies, a subject he knows by heart without even reciting the pages of their reference book. They just finished discussing a particular society and how their beliefs on religion and mythology affected their government. It's one of the things that Han loves talking about.
He's never been fond of what happened in history and how cruel it has been. But he always love talking about its effects on both humanity and society. Some things stick like gum on one's shoe, it will constantly remind you of its existence and when you try to remove it, it's almost impossible to do so. There are also ones that were passed down like clothes, worn repeatedly—altered just to fit the modern society.
And if there's one thing that Han learned about all of this is that, humans were inevitably bound towards a cycle of poverty and prosperity—both in the economy and humanity itself. Moral decay followed by enlightenment. Enlightenment will then be followed by blind faith. And blind faith that will once again lead to a moral cliff. They will always try to break free from the cycle, only to find themselves on another wheel of fate. And Han loves talking about it.
So, getting a license to teach this particular subject is equal to him getting a license to nerd himself out to his students. Oh how he loves teaching.
"Sir?"
Han pauses, interrupted mid-cleaning as a person approaches his desk. It’s Daisuke, one of his star students.
"Yes?"
"I have a concern regarding the paper you've graded, Sir."
Ah, Han really adores this kid. He always exceeds excellence in his class—never fails to ask for direction when he needs one. And Han will always be happy to guide him.
However, this is a new one.
"What is it?" He asks, putting the stack of papers aside then turning his full attention to Daisuke.
Daisuke hands him his paper, on the right corner was a mark that says 88. An excellent grade for an essay but probably not enough for a kid like Daisuke.
"I want to know why I've got such a low score on this essay."
Han glances at Daisuke, the kid's brows are knitted together, his eyes are fixed on the paper in Han's hand while he absentmindedly plays with his fingernail. Concern and worry evident on his face that Han can't help but sigh at the sight.
Han scans the paper in his hands, flipping through it, jogging his memory for any recollection on the contents of the essay.
"Oh, I remember this one, you got the highest score among all of my students who did this essay you know?" He says, glancing at Daisuke once again. The tension on his student's shoulder eases a little. "Do you remember what the topic was about?" Han asks.
"Yes, it's about Shavriel of Ennéa mythology and his duties." Daisuke answers, his sight flickering at Han for a moment before looking down at his paper that Han had put on the table.
The confusion is apparent on his face, he doesn't understand how he could've gotten a low score on such an easy essay. It's basically writing about a doctor and his duties—how could anyone get it wrong?
"Well to start with, your essay is excellent. You articulated really well what Shavriel's duties were. Explained what is within his power and his limits. But if I were to look closely.." Han trails off, scanning Daisuke's paper once more.
"You misunderstood a few details about his duty, and there is also information about his history that you included which are already proven to not be true." He adds, handing the paper back to Daisuke.
"Sir?" Daisuke is visibly confused while receiving his paper from Han.
Han smiles at him, "Although Shavriel is regarded as the God of Beauty and Judgement, his full title is God of Asymmetry and Pattern, the Ratio of the Universe. His duty to uphold is to maintain the balance of the world while never neglecting the asymmetry born from it."
"That seems contradictory."
"It is, but that is beauty in its essence." Han sits on his desk, his body angled to face Daisuke, "He is born from the imperfections of humanity, the asymmetry that people tried to remove. He is made as a reminder that beauty has always been there, within the imbalance and impurity humans tried to erase."
"Then why is he called God of Beauty and Judgement? Where did the Judgement come from?"
"He is the ratio of the universe, the idea that he keeps things balanced by sanctioning consequences and punishment on wrongdoings is interesting but that is not his job," Han looks around as some of the students who are still in the room also start gathering near their mini discussion.
"It's simpler than you think. For example," Han stands up from the desk, picking up a marker and starts drawing circles on the board.
"If this balloon dies, Shavriel's job is to bring it back in the same timeline." He says, drawing lines on the board. "But if someone is killed, karma would come running back on the murderer either carrying the price of his deeds or the trophy of his justice."
"This," Han points at the first drawing, "is Shavriel's duty. While this," he adds while pointing on the other drawing of two circles that are directed by circling arrows. "Is Hanorael's obligation to uphold."
"Hanorael? Shavriel's friend?" Daisuke asks, his eyes focused on the board.
"That's another thing you misunderstood, Hanorael is not Shavriel's friend, but he was Jeovahn's."
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Hanorael shakes his head as another chorus of curses echoes in his ears. Spitting his name with hatred, filling his head with a round of prayers filled with misery. He can’t help but sigh, shaking his head once more, watching Jeovahn pluck the stars and collect them in his palms.
"Do you think Shavriel will like them?" He asks, picking Sirius from its place.
Hanorael groans at his friend. Jeovhan has been on a mission to win the heart of another god that is watching over the Earth. Its name is Shavriel, the one responsible for maintaining the balance of life across the universe.
"You're acting how a human does." Hanorael comments, grabbing a cloud looming around a certain part of the Earth resulting in the Sun directly shining on the land causing drought and cracks on the floor. And as if on cue, vexes echo in his ear.
Hanorael pays them no mind. He lumps the cloud into a ball, before scrunching it and letting its water fall on a burning forest on the other side of the world.
"Shavriel loves watching them, I figured I might as well pick up a thing or two to get Its attention." Jeovahn replies, taking Polaris from its nest.
"How did you figure that out?" Hanorael muses, clearing a part of the sky, hovering just above where humanity lies.
"It just feels.." Jeovahn trails off, marvelling at Polaris before blowing into it making it glow brighter "right." He adds, returning Polaris back to its place.
Hanorael didn't miss the shift, "Shavriel might've liked that," he says, looking up at where Polaris resides.
"He would," Jeovhan replies, patting the little bear on the head, "but humans needed it better than I, and Shavriel prefers that."