Civics — Vladimir Duran

Without knowing where we come from, how can we know where we're supposed to go? Since becoming a wizard Vlad has worked himself to the bone to learn everything he can. To be the best there is. He's fought demons and ridden storms. But on the eve of his education's end a question had occurred to him. What's the point of any of it? Power without purpose is nothing. What is Vlad's purpose?ExcerptThat may be true Mr. Franz, Mr. Melnick was shortly, pudgy, balding and never seemed to feel anything for his students but contempt. Ethan would have been appalled. But the history I am teaching has the benefit of being factual. The story of Romulus and Remus maybe interesting, but it's only bearing on history isn't how it might have affected Roman self-perception. Which is, incidentally, not the subject of this class. Now, I will thank you to keep your comments to yourself. If your scores are anything to go by you should spend more time studying facts and less time daydreaming about pointless myths.Jason slouched down in his seat and pretended not to care. He didn't pretend very well. Idiots like this had been making classes hell for Vlad since he was a kid. They didn't seem to understand arguing that something was boring didn't help. Just drags out the whole sordid thing. Some subjects you had to get through only because they got you to the next thing. Everyone knew they were boring. Still, loathed though he was to admit it, Vlad felt sorry for him. Melnick had come down on him hard and he'd done it in front of the whole class. And, speaking realistically, the wizard thought he was right. Rome's foundation myth was far more interesting than the reality. Myths usually were. That's why they were invented in the first place. Briefly, Vlad considered evening the score. Giving Melnick a spot of narcolepsy seemed particularly amusing. Considered and discarded the thought. Since Togilivich and especially after the marine thing he had avoided meddling with the humans. They were more than capable of digging themselves into and out of their own messes. His job wasn't to play fairy godmother to every fool human he came across.