Chapter 5 – Adaptation (Part 6)
The luncheon was scheduled to last about three hours, including the meal and the time for tea and dessert. An hour into the meal, Elysia felt like the remaining two hours would stretch on forever.
‘There are still two hours left…’
The probing questions and scrutinizing gazes trying to find fault with her were relentless. On top of that, while Cassius’s expression seemed indifferent, there was something oddly off about him. Most of all, Elysia was nearly drained by King Clois’s attitude, as he seemed to enjoy the luncheon immensely, smiling broadly and observing the attendees closely.
Fortunately, with many people dining, Earl Kumaran, Minister of Foreign Affairs Septimum, Minister of Defense Lance, and the King were discussing some agenda among themselves. Taking advantage of this, Elysia quickly spoke to Emilliano to avoid another verbal attack from Sera.
“Marquis Gottree, you’re a professor at the Royal Academy of Advanced Studies, right? May I ask you a few questions?”
“Of course. Are you interested in the Academy?”
“Ah… Not me, but my younger brother is very interested in attending the Academy. He plans to take the entrance exam for the regular Academy soon.”
Emilliano was partly responsible for submitting questions for the regular Academy entrance exam. Both Cassius and Emilliano assumed Elysia was curious about the exam content.
The Academy followed a strict merit-based admission system, selecting students solely through exams, regardless of their status. However, some wealthy or noble families attempted to obtain past exam questions or contact the professors submitting the questions to understand the exam trends, using all possible connections.
However, Emilliano was the kind of person who wouldn’t leak exam-related information, even if the King asked. Cassius hoped Elysia wouldn’t inquire about the exam content.
“I may be close to Duke Grendel, but I cannot disclose exam-related details to you, his fiancé or even to Cassius himself.”
“I’m not interested in that. Even if you were to tell me, my sister wants to prove her skills honestly and wouldn’t attempt to take the exam by unfair means.”
“Ah… I apologize for jumping to conclusions. What would you like to know?”
“What is the average working time for research students at the Royal Academy of Advanced Studies?”
“What?”
Emilliano was taken aback by the unexpected question, and even Isis, who had been sitting idly without a conversation partner, looked at Elysia with interest.
“I’m curious about how many days off they have per week, the level of research and living allowances, and the conditions within the research labs.”
“Uh, well…”
Emilliano thought of the research students in his lab who rarely went home, sleeping briefly there and looking emaciated.
‘I can’t describe it exactly as it is.’
“The research labs are very comfortable. There are beds available for rest when tired, and bathing facilities within the Academy. All three meals are provided. And the living allowances are generously given to allow focus on research.”
Emilliano selectively shared the positive aspects with a social smile.
Cassius knew that Emilliano’s answer wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t entirely truthful either. He wondered if it was his duty to inform his fiancée about the reality if her sister intended to become a researcher.
<< What are you selling? The fact that there are beds means they work overtime regularly, the presence of bathing facilities means they rarely go home, and the provision of three meals implies they must eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner there, indicating they don’t even have time to go out. Do you think I wouldn’t catch on to your roundabout way of speaking? >>
Cassius was inwardly surprised by Elysia’s accurate understanding of the research lab’s conditions. He found it remarkable that she could grasp the situation so well, despite not having attended even the regular Academy.
Elysia sent Emilliano a smile that seemed to say “don’t spout nonsense,” and the quick-witted Emilliano hurriedly changed the subject.
“Is your sister interested in the Alchemy Department?”
“Yes. She finds the process of transforming materials imbued with magic through alchemy to be very appealing. Marquis Gottree, you are an authority in that field, aren’t you?”
“Indeed. Perhaps your sister might become my research student someday.”
<< I’ll make sure that never happens, so don’t even dream of it. Just by looking at you, I can tell you’d work your research students like slaves. No matter what Marion says, I’ll never send her! >>
Hearing Elysia’s inner words, Cassius’s lips curled up slightly without him realizing it. Emilliano felt a chill seeing Cassius, who rarely showed expressions, momentarily wear something akin to a smile.
‘What was that, did he just smile?’
“Well, then…”
At that moment, Earl Kumaran suddenly asked the Duke a question, interrupting Elysia and Emilliano’s conversation.
“I’d like to hear Duke Grendel’s opinion on the mandatory education initiative. Isn’t it something that should be pursued swiftly, considering it’s about nurturing Brunchia’s talents?”
Earl Kumaran had been advocating for the need to implement compulsory education for all children in the Kingdom during court meetings. The proposal involved providing state-led education in schools, mixing children of all statuses based on age in each region.
Elysia was vaguely aware of the proposal, as the Earl had widely disseminated it among the nobility to lead public opinion.
“I think the intention is good. However, to implement it throughout the Kingdom, more preliminary research and preparation might be necessary.”
Earl Kumaran seemed displeased with Cassius’s general response.
“It seems Duke Grendel has no interest in nurturing the talent responsible for Brunchia’s future. This initiative can certainly awaken the uneducated across the regions, fostering loyalty to the Kingdom and greatly aiding in discovering untapped talent.”
Princess Karinsa, hearing this topic for the first time, spoke up.
“Oh, does that mean commoners and lower-class people will also receive quality education alongside the nobility? It sounds like a wonderful policy.”
King Clois gave a subtle bitter smile at the Princess’s words.
‘If it goes as the Earl claims on the surface, it would be. But the problem is that they plan to compile the curriculum under the supervision of the aristocratic supremacists…’
Sera boasted.
“Yes, my father is always concerned about the prosperity of the lower classes and the future of the Kingdom.”
Elysia found it laughable that those who were aristocratic supremacists to the core claimed to care about the education of commoners.
In Elysia’s memory, public education for the entire nation hadn’t perfectly achieved integration between classes even in democratic countries of her past life. There were many incidents where students from powerful families dominated schools and bullied weaker children.
Currently, in Brunchia, even those of lower class could learn through private tutors, apprenticeship learning, or small educational gatherings in each area, so access to education wasn’t bad. She was curious about the Earl’s ulterior motives for suddenly wanting to make commoner education completely compulsory and have them learn in the same facilities as the nobility.
“Elysia, don’t you think a nationwide education system is urgently needed for the lower classes?”
“Sera, I don’t think Lady Serenze is particularly interested in such matters. Even Duke Grendel, who attends court meetings, seems lukewarm, so it might be a rather difficult question for a lady who hasn’t even received Academy education.”
Elysia began to feel increasingly angry at the attacks from Sera and Earl Kumaran. Cassius was secretly curious about what kind of curses Elysia might utter in her mind.
<< The reason I didn’t go to the Academy, you idiots… >>
“I didn’t attend the Academy because I didn’t intend to become a scholar, and I could receive the level of education I desired elsewhere. The Kingdom of Brunchia’s educational system may have its shortcomings, but I think the current educational approaches tailored to individuals aren’t so bad. In my opinion, if you suddenly put all classes into one school, commoners might end up just serving the nobles and painfully realizing their limitations. It might be better to expand systems for those in the blind spots.”
As Elysia finished speaking, an icy silence descended over the luncheon table. She regretted her overly strong response, having intended to point out Earl Kumaran’s transparent ulterior motives. She wondered if the King also supported compulsory education for all children in the Kingdom. If so, she had just criticized a policy the King supported right in front of him.
Glancing at King Clois, she saw he was looking at her with a cold expression, not even a ceremonial smile on his face.
<< Your Majesty, please let it not be a policy you support. Please… >>
While Elysia was racking her brain to resolve the situation, King Clois burst into a broad smile.
“Even a daughter of a quasi-Baron family who didn’t attend the Academy can see the pros and cons of this policy. It seems prudent to gather as many opinions from all walks of life and approach this cautiously, Earl Kumaran.”
Elysia, sweating nervously, vented her anger inwardly at the Earl and Sera, who had put her in this predicament.
<< Since when did you care about the lower classes to push such a transparent policy? Do you need to feel the fiery fist of the common people to come to your senses? >>
For Elysia, the luncheon continued to be distressing, while for Cassius, it was more enjoyable than usual.
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helloworld15
She’s gonna be so mad when she finds out he’s been listening to her thoughts at events! (And I predict she’ll find out by him accidentally switching the pills one time, but only time will tell.) Thank you for the translation!