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    Champion

    by Lu, Marie
    “Champion” by Marie Lu is the gripping conclusion to the Legend trilogy, a dystopian series set in a divided future America. The story follows prodigy June Iparis and former criminal Day as they navigate political turmoil, war, and personal sacrifices. Key themes include loyalty, power, and the cost of revolution. As tensions escalate between the Republic and its enemies, June and Day must confront their pasts and make difficult choices to save their nation. The novel explores the complexities of leadership and the blurred lines between right and wrong, delivering a thought-provoking and action-packed finale. Lu’s world-building and character development shine, making “Champion” a standout in young adult dystopian literature.
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    Champion

    Chapter 25: Day 13

    by Lu, Marie

    The chap­ter opens with the pro­tag­o­nist, Day, recall­ing a dar­ing bank heist he exe­cut­ed at fif­teen, show­cas­ing his strate­gic mind and agili­ty. This mem­o­ry resur­faces as he approach­es a Colonies air­ship, feel­ing exposed but mask­ing his unease. Despite being escort­ed by sol­diers, he remains com­posed, secret­ly car­ry­ing record­ing devices and explo­sives in his boots. His allies, the Patri­ots, are posi­tioned near­by, ready to act on his sig­nal. The airship’s inte­ri­or, devoid of Repub­lic sym­bols and filled with adver­tise­ments, feels alien, height­en­ing his dis­com­fort as he pre­pares for a piv­otal meet­ing.

    Day is led to an obser­va­tion deck where he meets the Chan­cel­lor, a frail-look­ing man with unset­tling mechan­i­cal eyes. The Chancellor’s demeanor is decep­tive­ly friend­ly as he prais­es Day’s deci­sion to join the Colonies, promis­ing lenien­cy for June and the Patri­ots. How­ev­er, his tone shifts when dis­cussing the Republic’s lead­ers, cold­ly stat­ing that the Elec­tor and oth­er Prin­ceps-Elects will be exe­cut­ed. Day hides his dis­gust, focus­ing on gath­er­ing evi­dence via his hid­den recorder while sub­tly prob­ing the Chancellor’s plans for the Republic’s cit­i­zens.

    The Chan­cel­lor reveals his cyn­i­cal world­view, argu­ing that peo­ple are inher­ent­ly self­ish and inca­pable of self-gov­er­nance. He dis­miss­es egal­i­tar­i­an ideals, assert­ing that con­trol and manip­u­la­tion are nec­es­sary to main­tain order. Day chal­lenges him, advo­cat­ing for the people’s right to par­tic­i­pate in deci­sions affect­ing them, but the Chan­cel­lor remains unmoved. The con­ver­sa­tion under­scores the stark con­trast between Day’s belief in indi­vid­ual agency and the Chancellor’s author­i­tar­i­an prag­ma­tism.

    As the chap­ter con­cludes, Day grap­ples with the Chancellor’s chill­ing vision for the Republic’s future. The encounter leaves him unset­tled, rein­forc­ing his resolve to resist the Colonies’ tyran­ny. His inter­nal ten­sion is pal­pa­ble as he bal­ances the need to appear com­pli­ant with his deter­mi­na­tion to expose the Chancellor’s ruth­less­ness. The stage is set for a high-stakes con­fronta­tion, with Day’s hid­den explo­sives and allies wait­ing in the wings, hint­ing at an impend­ing rebel­lion.

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    FAQs

    • 1. How does Day’s past experience breaking into a bank relate to his current situation aboard the Colonies airship?

      Answer:
      Day’s recollection of his bank heist demonstrates his strategic mindset and ability to plan intricate operations under pressure. Just as he meticulously mapped the bank’s layout and timed his entry to exploit security weaknesses, he now scans the airship for escape routes and hiding spots, feeling vulnerable walking openly into the Chancellor’s presence. This parallel highlights his natural inclination toward stealth and rebellion, as well as his discomfort with direct confrontation. The bank story also foreshadows his current hidden preparations—like the explosives sewn into his boots—showing he’s again operating with concealed advantages against a powerful institution.

      2. What is significant about the Chancellor’s physical appearance and demeanor, and how does it contrast with his reputation?

      Answer:
      The Chancellor’s frail, unassuming physique—with paper-thin skin and a hunched posture—defies expectations of a ruthless leader, initially causing Day to underestimate him. However, his mechanical eyes reveal his true nature: cold, calculating, and technologically enhanced for control. This juxtaposition between his harmless exterior and predatory gaze mirrors the Colonies’ deceptive facade of benevolence masking authoritarianism. His friendly tone (“son,” back-patting) further contrasts with his chilling statements about executing political rivals, illustrating how he weaponizes charm to manipulate, much like his regime’s propaganda.

      3. Analyze how Day’s hidden recording device and explosives symbolize his dual role in this confrontation.

      Answer:
      The concealed recorder represents Day’s intent to expose the Chancellor’s tyranny to the public, aligning with his revolutionary identity as a truth-bringer for the people. Meanwhile, the explosives signify his readiness for direct action if diplomacy fails, echoing his past as a fugitive. These hidden tools reflect his precarious position as both a negotiator (playing along with the Colonies’ demands) and a saboteur (prepared to destabilize their power). They also underscore the chapter’s tension between performance and authenticity—Day outwardly complies while secretly advancing his own agenda.

      4. How does the Chancellor’s justification for authoritarian rule reveal his ideological differences with Day?

      Answer:
      The Chancellor argues that people are inherently selfish and incapable of self-governance, claiming equality-based systems fail because they ignore human nature. This elitist worldview justifies his control as “practical” rather than cruel. Day counters by asserting that laws affecting individuals should involve their input, reflecting his belief in collective agency. Their debate encapsulates the novel’s central conflict: the Colonies’ manufactured order versus the Republic’s (and Patriots’) push for autonomy. The Chancellor’s dismissal of fairness as impractical also hints at his willingness to betray promises, foreshadowing potential double-dealing.

      5. Why might the author have chosen an observation deck as the setting for this pivotal conversation?

      Answer:
      The observation deck’s panoramic view of Los Angeles visually reinforces the stakes of their negotiation—control over the city and its people. The Chancellor’s framing of the vista as a “vantage point” mirrors his ideological perspective: he sees citizens as subjects to be managed from above. Meanwhile, Day’s awareness of the drop below hints at his grounded connection to those streets and his potential fall from grace if his ruse fails. The glass window also creates symbolic vulnerability; though Day appears exposed, his hidden tools suggest transparency is an illusion in this political theater.

    Quotes

    • 1. “When I was fifteen, I broke into a bank in Los Angeles after guards standing at its back entrance didn’t believe I could do it in ten seconds.”

      This quote introduces Day’s audacious and strategic nature, showcasing his confidence and skill in high-stakes situations. It sets the tone for his character and foreshadows the daring actions he takes later in the chapter.

      2. “If the Chancellor wants to see me intimidated, he might be disappointed.”

      This line highlights Day’s defiance and composure under pressure, even when facing a powerful adversary. It underscores his resilience and refusal to be cowed, a recurring theme in his interactions with the Colonies.

      3. “His eyes calculate, analyze, and deduce me in a way that chills me to the bone. Something is incredibly wrong about them. Then I realize why. His eyes are mechanical.”

      This quote reveals the unsettling nature of the Chancellor, blending human cunning with artificial elements. It symbolizes the cold, calculating ethos of the Colonies and serves as a pivotal moment in Day’s realization of the Chancellor’s true nature.

      4. “People by nature are unjust, unfair, and conniving. You have to be careful with them—you have to find a way to make them think that you are catering to their every whim.”

      The Chancellor’s cynical worldview is laid bare here, reflecting the manipulative governance of the Colonies. This quote encapsulates the ideological clash between the Colonies’ authoritarian pragmatism and Day’s belief in the people’s agency.

      5. “The people as a whole will be thrilled to be integrated into our system. They will know everything that they need to k…”

      This truncated quote hints at the Colonies’ propaganda and control mechanisms, emphasizing their belief in manufactured consent. It sets up the tension between the Colonies’ promises and the harsh reality Day suspects lies beneath.

    Quotes

    1. “When I was fifteen, I broke into a bank in Los Angeles after guards standing at its back entrance didn’t believe I could do it in ten seconds.”

    This quote introduces Day’s audacious and strategic nature, showcasing his confidence and skill in high-stakes situations. It sets the tone for his character and foreshadows the daring actions he takes later in the chapter.

    2. “If the Chancellor wants to see me intimidated, he might be disappointed.”

    This line highlights Day’s defiance and composure under pressure, even when facing a powerful adversary. It underscores his resilience and refusal to be cowed, a recurring theme in his interactions with the Colonies.

    3. “His eyes calculate, analyze, and deduce me in a way that chills me to the bone. Something is incredibly wrong about them. Then I realize why. His eyes are mechanical.”

    This quote reveals the unsettling nature of the Chancellor, blending human cunning with artificial elements. It symbolizes the cold, calculating ethos of the Colonies and serves as a pivotal moment in Day’s realization of the Chancellor’s true nature.

    4. “People by nature are unjust, unfair, and conniving. You have to be careful with them—you have to find a way to make them think that you are catering to their every whim.”

    The Chancellor’s cynical worldview is laid bare here, reflecting the manipulative governance of the Colonies. This quote encapsulates the ideological clash between the Colonies’ authoritarian pragmatism and Day’s belief in the people’s agency.

    5. “The people as a whole will be thrilled to be integrated into our system. They will know everything that they need to k…”

    This truncated quote hints at the Colonies’ propaganda and control mechanisms, emphasizing their belief in manufactured consent. It sets up the tension between the Colonies’ promises and the harsh reality Day suspects lies beneath.

    FAQs

    1. How does Day’s past experience breaking into a bank relate to his current situation aboard the Colonies airship?

    Answer:
    Day’s recollection of his bank heist demonstrates his strategic mindset and ability to plan intricate operations under pressure. Just as he meticulously mapped the bank’s layout and timed his entry to exploit security weaknesses, he now scans the airship for escape routes and hiding spots, feeling vulnerable walking openly into the Chancellor’s presence. This parallel highlights his natural inclination toward stealth and rebellion, as well as his discomfort with direct confrontation. The bank story also foreshadows his current hidden preparations—like the explosives sewn into his boots—showing he’s again operating with concealed advantages against a powerful institution.

    2. What is significant about the Chancellor’s physical appearance and demeanor, and how does it contrast with his reputation?

    Answer:
    The Chancellor’s frail, unassuming physique—with paper-thin skin and a hunched posture—defies expectations of a ruthless leader, initially causing Day to underestimate him. However, his mechanical eyes reveal his true nature: cold, calculating, and technologically enhanced for control. This juxtaposition between his harmless exterior and predatory gaze mirrors the Colonies’ deceptive facade of benevolence masking authoritarianism. His friendly tone (“son,” back-patting) further contrasts with his chilling statements about executing political rivals, illustrating how he weaponizes charm to manipulate, much like his regime’s propaganda.

    3. Analyze how Day’s hidden recording device and explosives symbolize his dual role in this confrontation.

    Answer:
    The concealed recorder represents Day’s intent to expose the Chancellor’s tyranny to the public, aligning with his revolutionary identity as a truth-bringer for the people. Meanwhile, the explosives signify his readiness for direct action if diplomacy fails, echoing his past as a fugitive. These hidden tools reflect his precarious position as both a negotiator (playing along with the Colonies’ demands) and a saboteur (prepared to destabilize their power). They also underscore the chapter’s tension between performance and authenticity—Day outwardly complies while secretly advancing his own agenda.

    4. How does the Chancellor’s justification for authoritarian rule reveal his ideological differences with Day?

    Answer:
    The Chancellor argues that people are inherently selfish and incapable of self-governance, claiming equality-based systems fail because they ignore human nature. This elitist worldview justifies his control as “practical” rather than cruel. Day counters by asserting that laws affecting individuals should involve their input, reflecting his belief in collective agency. Their debate encapsulates the novel’s central conflict: the Colonies’ manufactured order versus the Republic’s (and Patriots’) push for autonomy. The Chancellor’s dismissal of fairness as impractical also hints at his willingness to betray promises, foreshadowing potential double-dealing.

    5. Why might the author have chosen an observation deck as the setting for this pivotal conversation?

    Answer:
    The observation deck’s panoramic view of Los Angeles visually reinforces the stakes of their negotiation—control over the city and its people. The Chancellor’s framing of the vista as a “vantage point” mirrors his ideological perspective: he sees citizens as subjects to be managed from above. Meanwhile, Day’s awareness of the drop below hints at his grounded connection to those streets and his potential fall from grace if his ruse fails. The glass window also creates symbolic vulnerability; though Day appears exposed, his hidden tools suggest transparency is an illusion in this political theater.

    Note