Death has always kept everything at bay. The weakness every living creature that walks the earth shares. Everyone’s fate, in the end, is always in line with leaving for the afterlife. Despite this fact, humans rise from wherever they fell and continue with life stronger than ever. Building houses over fallen kingdoms in hopes of one day rebuilding the empire they had lost over disastrous calamities thrown at them by Mother Nature who sides with no one.

Humans will forever continue to evolve as times change. Evolving from being hunted to the apex predators of the planet through perseverance. And when another plague spread across the globe on an alarming scale, taking the lives of millions of people with every step it took, the same creatures were forced to adapt with the sole purpose of surviving.

A boy not older than eleven raised his hand, diverting everyone’s attention from the board to him alone. The professor adjusted his spectacles and gestured to him. Having the younger people learn about their history is crucial, especially for the nobility.

“Yes, Lord Takero? Is there anything that is not clear to you?”

“Yes. How do we discern the old generation from the new ones?”

“Well, after the great plague Noire, the old generation of human beings were scarce, and thus the people who went beyond human capacity are now known as the new generation, whose calling before then was to save humanity from the brink of extinction. We call them, the Alphas and Omegas.”

“And the old generation are the Betas?”

“Precisely.” The professor nodded with a smile, drawing the symbols on the board. “Betas are the remnants of the old times. The secondary gender didn’t exist back then, there were only men and women. Only women could give birth. But due to evolution and our pride in reaching the top, the Goddess Amaterasu has given us a second chance to repopulate the earth. This time, as a new nation. And as our numbers increase, so as our strength.”

Another boy raised his hand to which the professor addressed. “Yes? Is there something you want to share with the class?” The student stood up with a look of interest in his eyes. Nothing gave the professor more joy than to see his students craving for more knowledge.

“Sir, my elder brother is an alpha and I want to be one as well. I was told by my father that I would know if I’m one once I reach the age of seventeen, is that true?”

The man nodded, affirming the boy’s thoughts. “Yes, it is true. Once you are seventeen, you will either present as an alpha, an omega, or a beta. This would heavily rely on your family’s lineage. If you’re from a purely alpha family, there is a huge chance you would be an alpha as well.”

“Will betas be able to give birth?”

“They can if they were a woman. Male betas can’t produce children, even if their partner is a dominant alpha. They are part of the old generation so they don’t have the capacity to or the uterus to have a baby.”

“What about omegas? Would they be able to produce if their partner is a beta?”

“Omegas can have children as long as their partner is a male beta. Beta women lack the proper genitals to impregnate an omega.”

“Then what about an alpha? Can an alpha couple produce children?” Seeing that the class had erupted in a loud boisterous discussion, the professor quickly began to calm the children down. They have gone off-topic, but the professor knew this would happen. However, the group ceased and slowly fell into silence when they heard heavy sounds of footsteps and armor clanking in unison. Being inside one of the palace’s private rooms for education, they shouldn’t even be hearing the soldiers who are often stationed outside. Unless someone of great importance was passing by along with their entourage.

As hurriedly as he could, the professor gestured for them to be on their best behavior when the footsteps stopped. Two voices could be heard outside the door, one was quite booming while the other was meek. Watching in trepidation, the door handle twisted at a slow pace. At the slight opening, a sweet aroma mimicking freshly baked goods wafted into the room, surprising the professor. He didn’t know any omega who had this scent, only sealing the fact that this was someone of nobility he hadn’t had the chance to speak to.

“I apologize if we interrupted you.” The door was finally opened widely and in came a beautiful man. A crown sat on his long dark hair that was tied neatly on the side with a bow. Pale skin nicely contrasts the indigo coat hugging his petite form. His thin lips upturned in a smile at the sight of the children. Yet, it was his eyes that captured everyone’s attention. His blue eyes were as calm as the Pacific Ocean under the afternoon light. Seeing his face in paintings and sculptures, everyone in the room immediately bowed in the presence of the prince. Even the professor, who was processing it all, knelt.

“Prince Akemi! T-this is a surprise to us, we didn’t know you were coming to grace us with your presence.”

Prince Akemi took the old man’s hand, helping him rise. “There’s no need to make any commotion, I’m just escorting Duke Donovan around the castle.” The duke made his presence known and addressed them with a wave. Turning to the children who were quite amazed to see them, Prince Akemi smiled. “I’m glad to know these young children are listening well and are participating in class. You all seemed quite engaged in a debate.”

“You heard us?”

One of them asked, fearing that they might have made too much noise. The prince laughed and gestured to their teacher. “Your professor is very wise. And noise is part of learning. Sharing your opinions and thoughts isn’t something to be scared about, right Sir?”

“Y-you’re most certainly correct, Your Highness!”

“Well then, we must be on our way. Please continue with your lessons and have fun.”

“We will, Prince Akemi. May the Goddess Amaterasu continue to shine down upon your grace.”

With a wave of goodbye, Prince Akemi closed the door behind him. The march of the soldiers continued, fainting as they went further and further down the hall. The children then sat down quietly, the look of awe still on their faces. Their kingdom’s prince, Prince Akemi of Soleil, also known as the beauty of the dawn, visited them. This was a lot to take in for the young nobles.

“He’s very handsome.”

“I want to marry him one day!”

“Marry him? Aren’t your parents both betas?”

“And what’s wrong with that?”

Sensing a fight about to happen between two of his students, the professor intervened as soon as possible with a gentle approach. “What’s the matter? Why are you two arguing?”

“Sir, Ryu is being mean to me! He said I can’t marry Prince Akemi.” The boy exclaimed, tears welling up in his eyes.

“Well, it’s true! If you were to marry Prince Akemi, you would be king and no beta has ever been King of Soleil.” Lord Ryu countered with a huff, causing the other boy to cry.

“I don’t even know if I’m a beta!”

“That’s enough, both of you.” The professor sighed, taking the weeping boy with him to a corner and giving him a cloth to wipe the snot off his nose. “Don’t mind what Lord Ryu said, Lord Akihiko.”

“Is it true, Sir? Is it true that a beta would never become king?”

Staring intently at the child, the professor bent down and softly asked. “Let me ask you, Lord Akihiko… do you want to become king?” When the boy nodded, he smiled. Torn between telling him the truth or a comforting statement, he continued. “Are you aware of how the rules were made here in Soleil?”

The boy shook his head.

“They were made under the guidance of our Goddess Amaterasu. This means these rules are to be followed strictly. And… to tell you honestly, Lord Akihiko, only an alpha is allowed to become king. This rule has been followed for almost a hundred years.”

“S-so… you mean to say…”

“Yes,” the professor gravely stated. Not wanting to feed his student a lie. “A beta would never have the crown. That is the law of this land and forever shall be honored.”