Ladi once again found herself in the classroom of Weiss Academy, a place she had recently grown fond of.
A few days earlier, she had returned to Lakeheart Town with her companions from the adventure group, following Paul and Queller from Port Fran. It was then that she stumbled upon this newly established school.
Named “Weiss Academy,” it was in reality a simple two-story building surrounded by a brick wall, forming a modest courtyard. Everything about it seemed rudimentary.
During the day, the academy was filled with children of all ages from Lakeheart Town and the nearby villages. Teachers were responsible for teaching them literacy. By five in the evening, the children would all return home.
But after dinner, the place would come alive again as adult townsfolk gathered for lessons, taught by teachers working the night shift. This was known as the “literacy night school.”
The teachers included young monks from nearby monasteries and individuals who had come from the capital seeking livelihood in the northwest. The lord’s only requirement for them was literacy.
Ladi was surprised that the local lord had established such a school for the common folk and even serfs.
Even in the south, only the urban poor had the opportunity to receive education, and it was a significant financial burden for their families.
Knowledge had its price. Ladi’s ability to become a scholar was inseparably linked to her family’s wealth.
She enjoyed spending time with the children, whose innocence allowed her to momentarily forget the various worries of life.
During classes, she would listen attentively with the children and play games with them in the courtyard afterwards.
In a few days, the children had become familiar with the tall, green-haired, beautiful “big sister” wearing a high hat.
Ladi found herself smiling more in these few days than she had in the entire previous month.
Her hat made it easy to identify her as a scholar. When a few teachers at the academy learned that she was a scholar from the south, they enthusiastically invited her to share about the customs and culture of the south with the students.
She gladly accepted, and after a few lectures, even the principal, Morrison, came to know of her and made it a point to attend her classes.
The eagerness and satisfaction in the children’s eyes as they absorbed new knowledge brought Ladi immense joy.
Morrison’s suggestion struck a chord with her:
“Miss Ladi, would you consider staying here as a teacher? I’m sure Lord Grayman would offer you a generous package.”
What moved her wasn’t the “generous package,” but the memory of her last visit to Lakeheart Town and the conversation with the lord.
Especially with the church in the south growing increasingly fanatic, returning could bring suspicion not only upon herself but also trouble for her family and friends.
Staying here might be a good choice.
“Ladi, why? Haven’t we been good to you?” Meru asked loudly.
Just moments ago, this comrade had approached her, the leader of the Lichman Adventure Team, with a shocking proposal: to leave the group.
She hung her head, looking remorseful, and said, “I feel the environment in the Northwestern Bay is very suitable for me, and I’d like to live here for a while.”
Of course, that was just an excuse. The real reason was obvious: her hidden identity.
Meru knew her too well. She was too kind, too considerate of others.
Meru hugged her tightly and whispered in her ear, “I’ve always said, we’ll protect you no matter what.”
Tears welled up in her companion’s eyes as she spoke with a sobbing voice, “Thank you all for taking care of me, and for not abandoning me even after knowing my secret.”
“I was happy with you all. But… but…”
Meru shook her head, “There are no buts. We will never abandon you, we will always take care of you, and we are happy to do so.”
“No! Meru…” Ladi looked intently at the leader, “We can’t continue . Please agree, Meru, it’s better for all of us.”
Knowing her companion for so many years, Meru could see the firm determination in her eyes.
“But leaving you here alone, wouldn’t your situation become even worse? How can we rest assured?”
Ladi reassured her, “The lord here is an enlightened person. I’ve ‘tested’ him, and you know I have my ‘ways’.”
“Also, I’ve talked with those teachers from the monastery. The church personnel here generally lean towards the Enlightened Society, not as fanatical as their southern counterparts.”
“In short, it’s safer for me to stay here.”
Meru, realizing she couldn’t persuade her friend any further, nodded reluctantly.
She hugged Ladi again, saying, “Take good care of yourself. You will always be part of our family.”
Ladi gratefully responded, “Thank you.”
Her tears could no longer be held back, streaming down her delicate face.
Meru touched her face, gently wiping away her tears, and said affectionately, “What are you thanking us for, silly girl?”
Ladi sat nervously in the reception room of the lord’s mansion, wondering what this so-called ‘interview’ would entail.
A while later, two people entered the room – one she recognized as the steward Ford, and the other, a scholarly-looking man who seemed to be an aide to the lord.
She stood up to greet the older Ford, “Hello, Steward Ford.”
Ford smiled and gestured for her to sit.
The two men sat opposite her, and the scholarly man introduced himself, “Hello, Miss Ladi, I am Bernard Francis, the secretary of Count Grayman. We met during the welcoming of the Foster Association.”
She responded, “Hello, Mr. Francis.”
Steward Ford got straight to the point, “Miss Ladi, we’ve read your introduction. A scholar from the independent territory of Messiah in the south, but you’re a member of the Lichman Adventure Team, aren’t you?”
Ladi nodded, “Yes, I joined the adventure group as a scholar to travel and broaden my knowledge.”
Ford nodded. Members of adventure groups, who travel far and wide, were known for their exceptional abilities, offering a high level of security.
“What are your areas of expertise?”
“My knowledge mainly focuses on history and natural history.”
“May we ask you a few questions in these areas?”
“Of course, Steward.”
The test was conducted by Bernard, who had accumulated considerable knowledge during his time copying books in the library.
After half an hour, he informed Steward Ford that, in his opinion, this green-haired girl was indeed a genuine scholar of history and natural history.
Steward Ford pondered for a moment and said, “Since you came with the Foster Association, you must know that we will soon establish trade relations with the Horn Bay Alliance and will be increasingly interacting with them.”
“Not just with the Horn Bay Alliance, but our interactions will expand to the entire south. Therefore, the lord’s mansion and the Administration Council urgently need an advisor familiar with the politics and economy of the southern countries. Would you be willing to take on this role?”
Ladi hesitated, “But my intention is to teach at Weiss Academy, as I’ve written in my introduction.”
Old Ford shook his head, “Have you seen our academy? At this stage, it’s merely teaching literacy. Placing a scholar of history and natural history there would be a waste of talent. Good steel should be used on the blade’s edge.” Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on novel·fire.net
He continued, “Of course, if you really like it there, you can volunteer to teach the children in your free time. It’s all in the same town anyway.”
“Alright, I accept your arrangement.” Ladi agreed, deciding to settle down first and see how things go.
“Welcome, Miss Ladi. You can start working at the lord’s mansion tomorrow.”
Old Ford was pleased. Recently, during negotiations with Christopher of the Foster Association, he had been troubled by his lack of understanding of the southern economic situation. The arrival of this scholarly lady was indeed timely.