“Wow! This looks fascinating! Uncle, can we go inside and take a look?”
“Right? It’s so intriguing! Can’t we go in?”
“You can, but you must not disturb the adults who are working.”
At Ian’s words, Edelmar snapped back to reality and looked up.
“Huh?”
Edelmar was startled as he looked at the academy building under construction.
“Is this… a building?”
Ian gazed contentedly at the half-completed academy building.
“Doesn’t it look nice?”
Ian smiled at Edelmar, who seemed too stunned to speak.
‘This must be the first time he’s seen a structure like this.’
Initially, Ian had based the design on elementary school buildings. However, the more he thought about it, the more the design seemed lackluster, especially since this was the first academy in the North designed for commoners.
After much contemplation, Ian blamed his lack of creativity once again and decided to borrow elements from the design of a traditional Korean house, hanok.
“Not only did this add a unique touch to his character, but Ian also had a personal dream of building and living in a hanok after retiring as the favored one (i.e., a hunter). His extensive knowledge of hanoks gave him confidence in the design.
Although the architects were initially confused by the unfamiliar structure, they quickly became fascinated by Ian’s explanations and grew eager to complete the building.
The half-completed hanok perfectly matched Ian’s imagination.
“This is an entirely new structure! Did you design this yourself?”
“Yes. After all, the northern region has an abundance of wood.”
The abundance of forests in the mountainous terrain meant there was no shortage of timber. While the North lacked many resources, they at least had an ample supply of firewood.
“Is it similar to a log cabin?”
“Not exactly. The framework is made with wood and straw, but the walls are built using loess.”
“Loess?”*
Ian nodded and explained about loess. Edelmar, hearing about it for the first time, found it quite fascinating.
Initially, Ian planned to use the soil commonly employed for building in this world, believing loess did not exist outside Earth. However, to his surprise, loess was available—and abundant—in the northern region.
Knowing that loess was superior to ordinary soil, Ian opted for it without hesitation. His decision turned out to be outstanding.
The reddish walls were deeply satisfying to look at.
“What is that?”
Edelmar pointed at the roof tiles.
“Those are tiles.”
“Tiles?”
Ian had to explain not only the tiles but also the roof ridge, eaves, and foundation stones to the curious Edelmar, who seemed even more inquisitive than the children.
“Fascinating.”
Edelmar, repeating the same words for what felt like the hundredth time, could not take his eyes off the hanok.
“Will all the buildings have the same design?”
“Yes. Each department will have its own building.”
“Oho.”
Edelmar exclaimed in awe.
Ian pointed toward the mountain range.
“That side will house the building for teaching magic, and the opposite side will be for the knights’ academy.”
Although the two academies were far apart, both were connected to the mountain range. The intent was clear: whatever mishaps occurred, they should be resolved in the mountains without affecting nearby civilian areas.
“And near the entrance, this side is for young students, and over there are the buildings for mathematics and law studies….”
Edelmar listened to Ian’s explanations of the buildings with admiration. The architecture was fascinating, but the thoughtful arrangement of the structures was even more remarkable.
Above all, it was clear that Ian had carefully considered even the smallest details.
“You truly care about this academy.”
“Since money has been spent, it’s only right to care,”
Ian replied, with a look that seemed to say,
“What a silly question.”
“What about the dormitories?”
“The dormitories will be built over there, where the land has already been leveled.”
“Hmm.”
Edelmar stroked his chin thoughtfully before asking,
“Is it exclusively for residents of the northern territory? What about people from other regions?”
“The Northern Academy is only for the people of the North. You seem to have forgotten, but we are planning to become independent. Why would we educate people to serve another territory?”
Edelmar chuckled softly.
“That’s true.”
Ian gazed at the buildings with a proud expression. The people who would graduate from this academy would all serve to support Rose.
The academy was yet another gift Ian could offer to Rose.
***
In front of the northernmost Kia Lord’s estate, the farthest from the duke’s domain, a notice was posted.
Both those who could read and those who couldn’t gathered around the notice.
“What does it say?”
“Is it about raising taxes?”
“No way, that can’t be it.”
“Hey, Carl. You know how to read, don’t you? Read it for us.”
“Gito, you can read too, can’t you? Go on, read it!”
The crowd murmured and urged those who could read to decipher the notice.
At that moment, the door of the estate opened, and the lord’s secretary, a burly man, stepped out.
“I will now read the proclamation from the Duke! Listen carefully, and if you have any questions, ask after I finish!”
All eyes turned to the secretary.
“A new academy for commoners will open in the Duke’s domain. Anyone between the ages of 5 and 30 who wishes to study is eligible. For those who do not reside within the domain, dormitories will be available. The academy will offer courses in subjects such as mathematics, magic, knighthood, law, and literature, allowing students to choose their preferred fields of study. Each year, exams will determine who continues. Those interested must apply at the academy in the Duke’s domain by X month, XX date.”
Even after the secretary finished speaking, the crowd remained silent.
Commoners were traditionally not allowed to enter academies. While a few exceptionally talented commoners managed to gain entry through noble sponsorship, such cases were exceedingly rare.
In the duchy, the announcement was initially met with disbelief.
The idea of opening an academy for commoners and offering them education seemed like an absurd fantasy. However, the Duke had not only created such an academy but also promised to teach commoners free of charge.
The silence among the crowd was so intense that one could hear a pin drop, until someone loudly shouted,
“Is it true that education will be free?”
The lord’s secretary answered firmly,
“Yes! As per the Duke’s proclamation, anyone between the ages of 5 and 30 can study for free.”
The crowd immediately erupted into chaos.
Some cried tears of joy, others hurriedly searched for their sons, and a few knelt in gratitude, bowing in reverence to the Duke.
Graduating from the academy symbolized a chance to escape their current lives and strive for a better future.
Knowing how to read and write made a significant difference—it elevated a commoner’s status and allowed them to earn respect, even among their peers.
Mothers with children quickly became busy. They had to decide which child to send to the academy and how to manage the logistics.
Those who already knew how to read and write were also eager. They had abandoned their education in the past due to the harsh realities of life, knowing that self-learning had its limits. Despite their regrets, they had been unable to change their circumstances.
Now, the opportunity to study for free at the academy reignited their hopes. They rushed home, determined to persuade their families to let them attend.
The usually quiet Kia territory buzzed with activity following the announcement. This was not limited to Kia; the Duke had sent notifications to every region within the northern territory, and the news about the academy stirred excitement everywhere.
Meanwhile, unaware of the commotion, Ian read the letter in his hand over and over.
Although he could read the words, he still couldn’t quite process the content.
“Duke?”
Ian raised a hand to stop Fred from speaking.
The sage, who was Fred’s mentor, had kindly recommended several teachers for the academy. The letter stated that not only had their approval been secured, but arrangements had also been made for the teachers to arrive early to prepare for the opening of the academy.
The real surprise, however, came in the latter part of the letter.
“The sage himself is coming? And with the princess of the Karlin Kingdom?”
Fred nodded.
“Yes. It seems the sage wishes to settle down, given his age.”
“I understand that part, but why is the princess accompanying him?”
“…It says here that she wishes to become a teacher.”
“A teacher? Does she know she’ll be teaching commoners?”
“Yes.”
Ian put the letter down, puzzled.
The Karlin Kingdom was the largest neighboring kingdom to the empire and was known for its monarchy that worshipped a deity as their king.
A princess raised in such a country would surely have a strong sense of entitlement. Ian found it difficult to believe that someone like her would choose to become a teacher, especially for commoners.
“For now, we can’t tell them not to come, so let’s see how things go once they arrive. What about the teachers originally recommended?”
“They’ve departed.”
“Good.”
Ian nodded as Fred left the study.
The construction of the academy buildings was almost complete. Once the teachers and students arrived, the academy would officially begin functioning as a proper school.
And in that academy—
“Uncle!!”
The door swung open, and Rose ran toward Ian.
“Can I attend the academy too?”
Ian chuckled, scooping Rose up and seating her on his lap.
Her cheeks were flushed red, and she was panting heavily, evidence of how hurriedly she had rushed over upon hearing the news.
“Do you not want to go?”
Rose shook her head vigorously.
“No, I do! Really, really, can I attend the academy?”
“Yes, Rose. You’ll be going to the academy too.”
“Yay!!”
Rose clapped her hands in delight.
“Are you happy about attending the academy?”
“Yes! Fred said I could make lots of friends there.”
“You wanted to make friends, huh?”
Rose nodded enthusiastically.
“I was friends with Fenrex and Ber, but now only Fenrex is left.”
“Ah.”
Ian scratched his cheek awkwardly.
He hadn’t thought much of Bernaba not returning after speaking with Lord. Ian had assumed the conversation had taken longer than expected.
However, it seemed Rose, unaware of the details, believed that Bernaba had left her.
“Bernaba hasn’t left for good.”
“Then where is he?”
“He had something to take care of at home. He’ll come back once he’s finished.”
Rose stared intently at Ian, as if trying to determine whether he was lying.
Ian smiled softly as he looked into her vivid, rose-colored eyes.
“Really? He’s really coming back?”
“Of course! He’s your friend, isn’t he?”
Though they were technically like a great-grandfather and granddaughter, Ian chose to ignore such trivial details.
“Heehee.”
Rose giggled, seeming relieved by Ian’s reassurance.
She then looked up at him and asked,
“Uncle, what will I learn at the academy?”
🍓; *Loess is a type of fine, wind-deposited sediment made mostly of silt-sized particles. It is typically yellowish or brown and forms thick, soft deposits that can be highly fertile but also prone to erosion.
