Will You Die If You Don’t Study? Yes!

(Also known as: Childhood Revolution.) (This story is entirely fictional, an imagining by the author of another parallel world. It does not refer to anything in particular. The situation described is global, meaning it is the same everywhere. Please don't read too much into it. The author is grateful.) “Today, when resources are insufficient to meet the needs of all humanity, the quality of life of every family outside the elite class will be tied to their children's academic performance. At the end of each year, the bottom third of children by test ranking will be destroyed, and their parents will all be relocated to the poor district until they raise a more successful child.” “To ensure students' better development, all children's books must avoid any kind of fantasy and, where necessary, be realistic, entirely practical, and educational.” “Animated productions must be educational and help students learn. To ensure students' healthy development and personal safety, animation must depict reality in full and reject all fantasy. Feelings, recreation, and related content must be conscientiously kept out of animation, helping students learn and develop more effectively.” A lie that deceived the whole world, a future that cannot stop accelerating. A group of children struggling to survive, a revolution with everything on the line. “How can you be sure the people who created our childhood would choose to save us?” “I can't be sure. I just believe that people who could create those things might really have children in their hearts.” Meng Xue raised a hand to shield her eyes from the starry sky, watching the stars twinkle through her fingers. “What if you're wrong?” “Then we die.”