After the excitement of the physical games, the arena was transformed. The "Liquid Logic" tiles flattened into a sleek, professional stage with two podiums. This was the History and Finance Debate, the part of the Pentathlon that most kids dreaded. At five and six years old, they weren't just expected to know dates and names; they had to explain how the galaxy stayed rich and stable.
The audience was silent. Even the kids from the other houses—Yellow and Silver—leaned in to watch. This was the final showdown between the "Brute Force" of House Ignis and the "Ice Logic" of House Ventus.
The Opening Argument
Jax stood at the blue podium, looking as confident as ever. He had a stack of digital notes, and his blue uniform was crisp. Across from him, Kaelen stood with nothing but his hands in his pockets, looking relaxed.
The judge for the debate was Professor Marcus, the head of Finance. He adjusted his glasses and tapped the microphone.
"The topic is: The Necessity of the Federation. House Ventus, you have the floor."
Jax stepped forward. "It's simple math, Professor. Before the UCC Federation, the galaxy was a mess. Families fought over the Ribbon, resources were wasted, and the Artificial Sun was falling apart. The Federation saved us by putting everyone into a system. We give up some freedom, and in return, we get safety, levels, and a sun that doesn't burn out. Logic says the system is perfect because the system works."
A murmur of agreement went through the crowd. It was the standard answer everyone was taught in their first-year textbooks.
Kaelen's Turn
Professor Marcus turned to the red podium. "House Ignis? Your rebuttal."
Kaelen stepped up. He didn't look at his notes. He looked at the students in the stands—the thousands of kids who spent every day trying to level up.
"Jax is right about the history," Kaelen began, his voice surprisingly deep and calm for a five-year-old. "The Federation stopped the wars. But he's wrong about the 'Finance' of it. He says the system is perfect because it works. But a machine that works isn't always a good machine."
Jax scoffed. "Oh? And what's your better idea, Veyron? Chaos?"
"No," Kaelen said, looking Jax in the eye. "The problem isn't the system. The problem is that we've stopped asking why it works. We treat our levels like bank accounts. We think reaching Level 100 makes us 'valuable.' But the Federation didn't build this to make us rich. They built it to keep us as batteries."
The Stir
The arena went deathly quiet. Even Professor Marcus looked uncomfortable. This was a "dangerous" line of thinking for a primary student.
"Explain yourself," Marcus said, leaning forward.
"History shows that every time the Federation faces a threat at the Edge, they raise the 'tax' on our energy," Kaelen explained. "They aren't just managing money; they're managing our potential. If we only follow the logic Jax likes, we're just numbers on a screen. True history shows that the Great Families didn't just follow orders—they created new paths. If we don't learn to see past the levels, we aren't leaders. We're just high-level tools."
The Trap
Jax saw his opening. He smirked. "That sounds like treason, Kaelen. Are you saying the Sovereign Families—your own ancestors—were wrong to build the Federation? Are you saying the system that feeds you and keeps you safe is a mistake?"
Mina, sitting in the front row, held her breath. Jax had set a trap. If Kaelen said yes, he looked like a rebel. If he said no, he lost the debate.
Kaelen didn't blink. "I'm saying my ancestors built a shield, not a coffin. A shield is meant to be used while you fight. A coffin is where you go to stay safe and never move again. Finance is about investment, Jax. And the best investment the Federation can make isn't in obedient students—it's in students who know how to break the rules to save the world."
The Verdict
Professor Marcus sat back, stunned. The crowd of students, who had been taught to just "follow instructions" all year, started to whisper excitedly. For the first time, they weren't just hearing a lecture; they were hearing a challenge.
Marcus looked at the other judges. After a long minute, he stood up.
"House Ventus provided the textbook answer," Marcus announced. "But House Ignis provided... perspective. In the world of Finance and History, perspective is what creates value. The winner of the debate..."