Chapter 57

Let's go back a little.

In the temporary school, there are five of us on inspection: me, Kyle, Mina, Persia, and the maid, Ryuko.

We are here to meet the people who will become teachers.

To set up a school in Golden Dawn, we were introduced to several teachers through the good offices of the Margrave of Vale Road, Orthros Gandar von Bairelroad, who is the lord of the region.

One of those intended to be in charge of the school is the noble, Oblion Rellen.

"Nice to meet you, I am Oblion Rellen, the third son of Baron Rellen, and I am 28 years old. Thanks to the special consideration of the Margrave of Vale Road, I have come here as a teacher."

"Yes, please take care of us."

Kyle responded with a smile to Oblion's courteous attitude.

"Once the school building is completed... we plan to change its name to an academy, and I would like you, Oblion, to serve as the principal and a teacher for advanced classes."

"May I ask a question, Lord Kyle?"

"Yes, please."

"What exactly is this school... or rather, this academy? I thought I was called here to be a teacher for Lord Kyle."

Oblion's question was valid. The academy system itself is still in the experimental stage.

"Let me explain the basic structure of the academy."

"Please do."

Kyle started talking about the academy with enthusiasm.

"First, children who live in Golden Dawn, from the age of six to sixteen, have an obligation to attend the academy for ten years."

"Wait, that includes commoners as well?"

"Of course."

Oblion's eyes widened, and he was speechless.

Of course, it's understandable; the idea of commoners receiving education is unheard of.

I grew up in an orphanage, where reading the church's holy scriptures was mandatory. Thanks to that, I learned basic reading, writing, and arithmetic.

After becoming an adventurer at the age of sixteen, I realized how important these skills were.

That's why I fully support Kyle's idea for the academy.

"In the morning, we will teach a balanced curriculum of academics and self-defense, and then dismiss the students after lunch."

"Lunch?"

"Yes. To reduce the burden on parents, we provide meals."

Oblion was speechless again.

He was even more stunned when he heard that Kyle gives money to parents who ensure their children attend the academy regularly.

"Right now, we only have the morning session, but once the proper academy is completed, we will add afternoon sessions for advanced classes, a short-term reading and writing course, and a short-term arithmetic course."

"What are these three courses?"

"Sure. First, the short-term reading and writing course and the arithmetic course are open to anyone. Each cycle lasts three months, and we aim to teach basic reading and writing. The arithmetic course aims to teach basic addition and subtraction within three months."

"Open to anyone...?"

"Yes. It's aimed at people who are already working, so we consider three months to be the limit. If they can't learn everything in three months, they can retake the course from the beginning."

"No, I didn't mean that, but... 'anyone'...?"

"Ah, I see. These courses are open to anyone—merchants, adventurers, and residents alike."

"Even adventurers!?"

"Yes. ...Is there a problem with that?"

"N-no, I see. But can adventurers afford the tuition?"

"Huh? Tuition? Everything is free."

"Free!? Even for commoners and the homeless!?"

The term "homeless" refers to people like adventurers and traveling merchants who do not have citizenship.

"Yes. That is the purpose of this academy."

All the nobility in Oblion's expression vanished, and he looked completely dumbfounded.

"Regarding the advanced classes, we will hold an exam once a year, and only those who pass will be eligible to attend. Oblion, I would like you to teach these classes."

"I see. Of course, these are for nobles or wealthy merchants, right?"

"No, anyone who passes the exam can attend. Those who pass the graduation exam will receive a certificate from me. If possible, I would like to offer graduates positions as my aides or in key roles in Golden Dawn."

"Then, commoners could become Lord Kyle's aides!"

"Yes, that's possible."

"Th-That's not fitting for the son of a margrave, Lord Kyle!"

"Not exactly aides, but I trust Craft, a former adventurer and a member of the production guild who grew up in an orphanage."

"Wh-What!?"

Oblion glared at me.

"Isn't your name Craft?"

"Yes, that's right."

Since he is a noble, I use the minimum polite language.

I practiced using more formal language, but Persia and Alphard gave up. As a commoner, it seems that using the minimum polite language is enough.

"Hmm... I'll test if you are suitable to be Lord Kyle's aide. This is a paper I recently submitted to the academy. Can you understand it?"

Oblion snapped his fingers, and his attendant handed me a stack of papers.

Flipping through the documents, it seems to be a historical paper, but I can't understand half of it. I think I would understand more if it were about magic.

"Hehehe... Of course, someone of low birth like you wouldn't understand the great history built by the Margrave of Vale Road."

Oblion puffed out his chest with a triumphant expression.

At that moment, Ryuko, who was standing next to me, stepped forward.

"Excuse me for interrupting. Oblion-sama, the year in this document is incorrect."

"What!?"

Oblion hurriedly checked the year Ryuko pointed out.

"These events and incidents are in the wrong chronological order. Also, the name of the former Margrave of Vale Road's aide is incorrect."

"W-What!?"

"The reference material you used has been discredited by the academy. Also, this..."

"Wait, wait! Hold on a moment!"

Oblion snatched the documents from my hands and checked each part Ryuko pointed out, gradually turning pale.

"T-This... Indeed, it is..."

Being embarrassed in front of Kyle, Oblion must be in a terrible state.

"Ryuko, you're quite knowledgeable."

"I am a maid."

So, maids are knowledgeable.

"Master, Oblion-sama seems to lack the knowledge required to teach advanced classes."

"I don't really understand... but..."

"If you wish, I can educate him before the advanced classes start."

"Can you do that?"

"Yes. If Master commands it, I can do it in a short time."

"Hmm..."

I turned to Kyle.

"Lord Kyle, our maid says this. Can we have your permission?"

"Yes, given Oblion's performance, it's clear that Ryuko is excellent. If Ryuko and Craft are willing, I would like to ask them to help."

"Understood. Ryuko, it's up to you."

"Understood."

For a moment, I felt a chill from Ryuko's composed smile, but it was probably just my imagination.

"Let's all work hard to open the academy!"

Thus, the educational institution evolved from a morning school to an academy.

Some time later, we met again with the academy staff, but Oblion, who had received Ryuko's short-term education, was completely white.

It's strange.

Ryuko: "We need to properly educate who is of low birth."

After much deliberation, I decided to make this the third chapter.

Thank you.