Palo wasn't very much of a hero.

  He wanted to be, of course, but he wasn’t nearly that powerful: not like the Knights in Shining Armor, or like the good kings in medieval times, he wasn’t even all that charismatic; Palo simply wasn’t that kind of person. And yet, a voice inside him still dreamed.

  Dreamed that he could be good.

  Dreamed that he could be powerful.

  Dreamed that he could be important.

  Dreamed that maybe, just maybe, he could be a hero.

  But he wasn’t powerful, rich, or well-connected, and he didn’t have any way to prove himself: no martyr’s war, no “damned fool idealistic crusade.”

  Also, most everyone disliked him.

  He was once rude to Jelan.

  Nobody knew why Kepe disliked him.

  In this manner, everyone in his school disliked him in one way or another. Only one person didn’t hate Palo, and that was Son. Son was incredibly intelligent; he knew everything about everything.

  “Palo, are you here?”

  That was the teacher. She talked a lot, and yet somehow said nothing at all. Palo hadn’t been listening to her geography lesson, as it was pretty boring.

  “Huh?”

  “Please, Palo, tell us. Where might Ireland be?”

  Ireland… That was the exotic land of YouTuber Jacksepticeye, where all they ate was potatoes, but that was really all that Palo knew about Ireland.

  “Um… Africa?”

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  Nearly everyone laughed at that. Son was simply gesturing, no! Not that!.

  The teacher scowled. “Can anyone else tell me where Ireland is?”

  Son’s hand immediately shot up. “Ireland is in western Europe, in the British isles.”

  “Thank you, Son. Palo, be more like Son. Paying attention, for example, would do you much good.”

  The teacher continued to teach the lesson. “Other countries in the British isles include the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man. The United Kingdom is quite large, with some of the highest populations and a lot of different cities…” Her ability to talk is quite impressive, considering the fact that she doesn’t really convey much information with each word…

  Son whispered to Palo, “Why aren’t you listening?”

  “Why aren’t you listening?”

  “I already know all of this. But answer my question: why aren’t you listening?”

  “I don’t really want to. In the future, I’m never gonna use this knowledge. Teach me about how to do my taxes, dammit!”

  Son smiled a little. “Well, this school is quite competitive… Someone who goes to this school and does well can get into a lot of colleges, such as Yale, Duke, or even Harvard. You, though, probably should be listening if you even want to pass.”

  “Don’t talk about colleges… that kind of talk is scary. And besides, now everyone is as smart as you are; you’re the only one here going to Harvard for any reason other than pure, unfiltered nepotism.”

  “This isn’t a joke, Palo, but I don’t control you, I guess.”

  The teacher smacked Palo’s desk. “Palo and Son! If what you’re saying is more important than European geography, maybe you should say it to everyone. Am I being clear?”

  Son looked chastised. “Yes, teacher. Sorry.” He kicked Palo under the desk.

  “Ow! What was that for?!” Palo looked at Son and at the teacher. “Oh. Sorry.”

  “I want this to be the last time I hear you talking to each other during class. Okay?”

  Both Son and Palo started, “Ye–”

  Boom!

  The ground shook furiously. People around him screamed, some even dropped to the floor and curled up out of fear of the loud sound.

  Palo gulped nervously. “What was that?”