Planet Ignis | Chapter 4

...the results of the poll were quite revealing. We found that the Ninth Truth—”Better not to Burst than to Burst twice blindly”—was one of the most frequently cited in the Collegium.

Although we encourage our tribe members to think carefully before they Burst, hesitation can be challenging to overcome and even dangerous to the tribe. To instill a more decisive mindset, I propose rephrasing this truth to “Better to Burst once true than twice blindly.”

From “A Proposal for the Review of the Nine Truths” by Trother, the Wise

“Why can’t we just make more nanites, sir?”

“We simply don’t have enough materials,” Trother explained. “It’s impossible to replace metals suited for advanced electronics with ignium, so we make do with what we brought from Earth. Tell me, Bryner—what would you do if you could have a nanite just for yourself?”

“Give it to the tribe, sir,” Bryner answered cheerfully. Trother nodded, pleased by the giddiness in his voice; it hinted that Bryner took joy in giving to others. Good, Trother thought. Selflessness is a rare treasure.

Next was Zawa. “Sir, why can’t we do more transmutations, like in Midas’ reign? Wouldn’t that help us make more nanites?”

Trother appreciated her question; she was building on Bryner’s response, showing a thoughtful approach. Intelligence alone wasn’t what Trother sought in these interviews—he was looking for insight, genuine curiosity, and the desire to learn. Often, a child’s questions, or even their reaction to a peer’s response, revealed more than their answers ever could.

“Turning ignium into other metals isn’t usually viable. A Blue flame is the only fuel powerful enough for transmutation. As you know, Blues are rare, even across all four settlements. The Midas reign was exceptional because all three Midas triplets had Blue grades. Since it was an uneventful reign, two of them were able to terminate in the mines, transmuting ignium to create metals suited for electronics. Statistically, such an event is unlikely to happen again soon.”

Zawa looked thoughtful. She’d asked not to impress but out of genuine interest—another good sign. Curiosity without vanity, Trother thought. She will grow well.

He paused, glancing around the room before posing a new question. “Imagine there are ten children in a chamber, all in peril. Two are Blues, three are Yellows, and five are Oranges. You can save only two. Which two would you choose?”

“A Blue and a Yellow, sir.”

“Why not the two Blues?”

“Because if I’m the only one who can save two, I’d have to save myself first to help anyone else. I think the nanite indicated I’m a Yellow, right? So saving the two Blues might mean no one gets saved.” She added, “I’d need more details to be sure, though.”

Trother smiled, satisfied. Strategic and realistic, he thought. A mind that values practicality will be useful.

When it was finally Eli’s turn, Trother leaned forward with interest. “Your question, Eli?”

“Sir, may I ask my next two questions after everyone else has gone?”

The children murmured, exchanging looks. Trother examined Eli thoughtfully. Asking last meant knowing if other students had asked questions he was considering, maximizing the answers he could gain. No other student had thought of this. Great Hearth, what an interesting brat, he mused.

“Yes, you may, provided I ask you some extra tough questions on your next turn. Deal?”

Eli nodded. Trother continued, “Eli, is ignium the only edible metal?”

“No. It’s the only nourishing one,” Eli replied, giving just enough of an answer without any unnecessary details. Trother nodded approvingly. Efficiency, he thought. He says much with little.

Trother let his gaze drift back to his list. “Good answer, boy! Let us continue. Cret, your question, please.”

“Can I ask my questions after Eli?” Cret asked cheekily.

Trother shook his head, smirking. “Nice try, but no. Remember, it’s always wise to know the limits before making a move.” He moved on to the next student.

As the questions continued, the children covered topics ranging from Celeria’s biology to the history of Earth, the Nine Truths, and tales of Ignian monarchs. Finally, it was Eli’s turn again.

“You’ve heard everyone’s questions and now know if any of yours have already been asked. That was a smart move, sacrificing one question to gain two answers. Ask away, little Red.”

“Sir, other than this one, what’s the best question I could ask today?”

The brat! Trother thought with a grin. He had foresight, patience, and a strategic mind—proof of his Blue IQ. The question also showed he had learned from Cret’s mistake, as he left no loopholes.

“I told you there would be a price for your choice. I’ll answer you with a question of my own: Eli, which of these would be the best question you could ask me? ‘What is the most important Truth?’ or ‘Who was the greatest of the Ignian monarchs?’”

Trother watched Eli carefully, noting the quiet intensity in his eyes as he considered the choice. At last, Eli spoke.

“I see. Both questions together answer mine and yours. No truth is less important than another. There can be no second truth without a first, just as there can be no current Blue King without his predecessor. Each truth and each king has a role, just like every member of the tribe.”

A murmur of awe spread among the children, and Trother watched them closely. The child loves his tribe, he noted. Good. Knowledge means little without a loyalty that burns bright.

“Well said, boy. You’ve earned a direct answer to your last question.” Without breaking eye contact with Eli, Trother reached for the report from Sylar, who handed it to him with a nod.

Eli’s voice was steady. “What does the gray in my evaluation mean?”

Of course, Trother thought, he waited to see if any other child would ask it for him. Now, confident he wouldn’t get an answer otherwise, Eli finally asked.

Trother’s expression softened. “Gray grades appear when small changes in a person’s life could lead to vastly different outcomes. For example, a child with a predisposition to be tall could end up stunted if malnourished. Someone with the potential for wisdom and self-sacrifice could become bitter and selfish if unguided. Gray indicates that your path is undetermined—small choices will shape your future more than most.”

He scanned the report, frowning slightly as he read Eli’s parameters.

“Eli, you have an unusual metabolism. If you don’t eat enough, your body mass won’t develop fully. Yet you’re also predisposed to gluttony, meaning an unending craving will always press on you. After your first Burst during Initiation, this latent tendency awakened.”

Eli swallowed hard, his face reflecting both understanding and fear.

Trother continued gently, “This means that if you resist this craving, you could become a Yellow, perhaps even a Blue. But if you fail to control it, your potential will diminish, possibly making you an Orange. This is why the AI assigned your predicted EQ a gray grade: how you handle this eternal hunger will determine whether it shapes you into a brilliant, selfless leader or a bitter, self-centered man. Yours will not be an easy life.”

Eli’s expression grew pensive, his eyes shadowed with a new weight. The room was silent as the other children looked on, sensing the gravity of Trother’s words.

“May the Hearth strengthen you, boy,” Trother thought quietly, watching the shadows flicker in Eli’s eyes. You will need every flame within you to withstand this burden.

Chapter 5