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墨書 Inktalez
When the student whom James despised spoke up, the usual coldness and impatience in his heart were instantly shattered. The student's voice was no longer the slightly timid, unpleasant high pitch it had been before; instead, it suddenly became deep and powerful, as if it came from some unfathomable place. This abrupt transformation left James momentarily stunned, a crack forming in his inner defenses.
This voice seemed to belong to someone other than the scruffy student before him, completely at odds with the greasy, clumsy image he had projected earlier. James felt an indescribable sense of pressure emanating from the student's voice, carrying a certain somber strength that sent an unusual chill deep into his core. The air around them seemed to thicken suddenly, as if time itself had come to a standstill.
"Professor," the student began in a low tone, his voice echoing as if from an abyss, calm yet grave, as if each word lingered in the air for a moment before reaching James's ears. "Who do you think is the greatest person in this world?"
This simple question made James's heart race, his fingers instinctively tightening beside him. He had intended to brush it off casually, but at that moment, the question felt like a challenge or a judgment, imbued with an undeniable weight. James tried to convince himself that it was just an ordinary question; however, a strange unease had already begun to rise within him.
He instinctively looked into the student's eyes, searching for some clue in his expression. But those eyes were no longer dull; they had become exceptionally sharp and focused, as if they were gazing deep into James's soul. That intense and unwavering gaze made it impossible for James to look away, as if this question had become an unavoidable proposition that he had to answer.
"What is happening?" James thought anxiously. He couldn't explain why this question gave him such an eerie feeling, but he knew he couldn't show any signs of discomfort in this situation. He had to remain calm and uphold the authority that came with being a professor.
He struggled to steady the turmoil within him; his throat tightened slightly, yet he tried to keep his voice sounding calm and confident. "Caesar," James said softly, his tone betraying a hint of hesitation. Then he quickly organized his thoughts and continued explaining, attempting to regain his usual tone. "Julius Caesar; I believe he is one of the greatest figures in history. Caesar was not only an exceptional military commander who conquered Gaul and expanded the Roman Empire's territory but also a remarkable politician and reformer. His influence is profound and has left an indelible mark on the development of both the Roman Empire and Western civilization."
As the words flowed out, James worked hard to return to his familiar academic lecturing state; he didn't want this sudden question to lead him into an unsettling place. However, he couldn't completely mask the inner turmoil. He sensed that his tone was not as confident and resolute as usual. The oppressive feeling still lingered around him like a shadow, enveloping him in an indescribable anxiety.
James's gaze returned to the student's face but found that the other's eyes remained fixed on him, seemingly waiting for more or even judging his answer. The calmness and strength in that gaze stood in stark contrast to the student's disheveled appearance. The strange sensation in James's heart grew stronger; he felt as though he were being controlled by some invisible force that pierced straight into his heart through that student's eyes.
"Why do I feel this way?" James thought restlessly. He was known for his composure and had never felt such pressure during academic discussions before. Yet this student's question felt like an unsolvable riddle, making it difficult for him to shake off the bizarre atmosphere.
After hearing James's response, the student showed no sign of agreement; instead, he frowned slightly as if dissatisfied with what James had said. James could feel the sharpness of the other's gaze intensifying, almost taunting him with a condescending scrutiny. The student paused for a moment as if digesting James's words before mercilessly rebutting his viewpoint.
"Caesar?" The student's voice grew steadier and more powerful, even carrying an undercurrent of threat. "Professor, I do not deny Caesar's great achievements, but do you really believe he is the greatest person in history? He was merely someone skilled at manipulating armies and political intrigue who rose to power by exploiting a political vacuum and a corrupt Senate. Though his reforms were far-reaching, what he truly left for future generations was nothing more than the foundation for dictatorship in the Roman Empire."
The student's tone grew increasingly sharp, his eyes filled with a certain disdain and contempt, as if James's viewpoint was utterly insignificant to him. He suddenly paused for a moment before continuing coldly, "If you really want to talk about the greatest figures in history, I believe Alexander the Great is the more fitting choice. His conquests not only expanded territories but also broke down the barriers between Eastern and Western cultures, spreading Greek civilization into Asia. His vision and ambition far surpassed Caesar's, and he didn't even need to rely on Rome's hypocritical republican system. Caesar's greatness is merely standing on the shoulders of those who came before him, while Alexander was the true hero who created a new world."
Upon hearing this, James felt a surge of anger rise within him, blood rushing to his head. Here he was, a professor from the Department of History, an authority in academia, being provoked by this greasy, disheveled student! A so-called "nerd," who he deemed utterly worthless, dared to question his perspective and even had the audacity to adopt a self-righteous attitude to refute his arguments? This left James feeling deeply insulted and furious.
"Alexander the Great?" James scoffed, a flicker of disdain crossing his eyes as his voice trembled with suppressed rage. "You think Alexander is greater than Caesar? Clearly, you have no understanding of what a true historical figure is! Alexander may have had his vision, but he was merely an adventurer driven by his own ambition. His empire collapsed swiftly after his death, and all his achievements crumbled along with it. The regions he conquered could never be sustainably integrated; they ultimately fragmented into several warring kingdoms. In contrast, Caesar laid the foundation for a millennium of stability and prosperity for the Roman Empire!"
James's voice grew louder as his uncontrollable anger spilled over into his words. He felt that his authority was being severely challenged by someone he could not tolerate—a student he despised from the bottom of his heart. He could not accept being challenged in his field of expertise by such a person; it felt profoundly humiliating.
"Alexander's empire lacked any enduring institutional support; his achievements are more about empty fame! Caesar was not only a military genius but also knew how to consolidate power and establish a stable government—that is true greatness!" James's tone became increasingly intense, and he showed no restraint in expressing his anger. His inner fury had ignited, leaving him unconcerned about his image or composure; all he wanted was to overpower this student before him and make him understand who the real academic authority was.
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