The day was peaceful. Eve breathed relief as she could finally enjoy her time without the servants pleading for her help every now and then.
Her brother and sister had returned to the academy for the new term. Her parents were busy, as usual.
After the library incident, the servant Hinnan was thankfully able to drag the uprising mage to help fix Reon’s book. Perhaps because his life depended on it, he didn’t even bother using normal ways to request the mage for help. He just straight up kidnapped the mage.
Odd you might think, given that the mage is well known to be powerful enough to sprint up the magical hierarchy. But the servants in the Gavrech household are by no means weak, insane would be the perfect word to describe them. If the owners are insane, of course only people who are not quite right in their mind would be bold enough to even try to apply for the job.
Hinnan was the kind of person who holds the mindset of “as long as it is done, it doesn’t matter how,” so… even if he had to cripple the mage using inhumane means, he would do so. Perhaps his determination was what made the mage terrified of him before he could even do anything.
Now, just as how Eve’s brother and sister must study in their academy, the youngest must also do so. But, different from her siblings, she was homeschooled.
Currently, Eve was studying analysis and strategy, specifically the probability of a war emerging from the relationship of the countries nearby. It is a discussion session that her teacher added in order to exercise her knowledge of history, politics and economy.
Knowing is not enough according to her teacher, Sir Atlea. In his eyes, a study can only be deemed successful when one is able to produce something out of the knowledge they’ve attained, be it a simple prediction or a grand accomplishment. If Eve can do that, she can move on to the next level of her study.
“The president of Regom (a neighboring country), I think he’s the biggest key to the possibility of war,”
There were other minor aspects Eve thought would also contribute in this matter, but since she was asked what would have such a significant influence, enough to cause a war in a blink of an eye, that was her answer.
“Why do you think so?”
“His accomplishments throughout his reign. It does seem like an effort to strengthen the relationship between the countries of the east. But it kind of looks like he’s spreading his influence in a way that most people would not notice unless they pay close attention to him… as if he is trying to control the public’s opinion and other leaders by presenting himself in a way where they can’t help but sympathize and care for him… so, if what I think he is actually aiming for is right, then wouldn’t there be a power struggle between those who suspect the same as me and the people on his side?”
“Why do you think so, though? He might just actually be a caring leader who truly has the heart for peace upon all?”
“But then why does everyone who openly disagree him depicted as evil, despite some of their reason of why they do not stand with his leadership making sense. If he were truly pure hearted, would he not listen to those against him and open a discussion about the best way to tackle the problem in question?
Instead, if they are not already sentenced to death, then they’re living a miserable life being rejected by everyone around them. Does that not seem odd?”
Sir Atlea remained quiet as he waited for Eve who was opening one of the books on their table.
“Even the judge pillar of our country consists of many families. And the King and Queen always listens to the judge pillar before ever voicing their thoughts and closing a discussion, be it regarding economics or even the justice system...” Eve continued as she pointed at the records of the laws and justice system of their kingdom. It consisted of the main points of the meetings, each family’s standing, reasons, and the final decision regarding the matter. It is a fun book to read since there are many heated debates recorded, further strengthening Eve’s thoughts of how allowing one person/group to hold power over the people to be dangerous.
There is one record which seemed like it is actually the best option for the nation, a very old record, but Eve concluded that it was a special case because of who the Ruler of the nation was.
So instead...
“This too,” she brought up a different book. It was a book about another neighboring Kingdom, Levath, specifically about what happened there 700 years ago.
Sir Atlea’s eyes widen in amazement, the book she showed was not an easy one to read for a child her age. Especially because that book was written in more than one language. It was a compilation of writings of people at that time who lived in Levath 700 years ago. The book was closer to witnesses record of a certain person who was allegedly deemed the enemy of the world and sentenced to death by the majority of the people living in that Kingdom.
Sir Atlea has never used a book from other countries which has yet to be translated into their native language when teaching the young lady. So, for Eve to bring out a book that does not have a single drop of their language in it, meant that she did a lot of reading and studying on her own outside of the many books she was already assigned to. And the ones she was assigned to alone were already difficult subjects for a child her age.
“You understand what I’m trying to say, right?” Eve asked, knowing that she does not need to further waste her breath to make her teacher understand her perspective. And of course, sir Atlea understood well what Eve meant the moment she showed that book to him. He just didn’t expect the child to read the old histories of other countries for this particular discussion.
At most, he just wanted the child to observe the current events happening in all countries (of the east, where their kingdom is located) and their change or progress compared to a few decades before, just to help her build a habit of prudency.
If one were to do this, they would somewhat have a similar opinion like Eve, but not as strong as hers. Unless the person is very knowledgeable of even the current events that are not recorded openly, they would most likely think that what the child had stated to be foolish thoughts, or worse, ill intentioned.
Sir Atlea laughed in amazement as if he had finally been revived from the dead. “Such a wondrous mind!” he stated as he grabbed Eve’s shoulder in enthusiasm. Eve seemed shocked, and a bit disgusted since she does not like being touched, but Sir Atlea had already entered his own world as he talks to himself as if he had found a new challenge to tackle. He seemed to be thinking of retiring from the academy to travel the world with Eve and let her learn more about the world through her own eyes, first, to see whether what she suspected of the president to be sound or not. Hearing his ambitious rambling made Eve’s face twist even more, she already felt tired just from hearing the schedule sir Atlea was coming up for their studies. He becomes like a madman when his desire to learn is lit up.
“Teacher,” Eve called, but Sir Atlea did not hear her.
“Teacher!” Eve called again as she pulled her teacher by the sleeve.
“? Yes?”
“Instead of that (the plans Sir Atlea had for Eve), I want to try attending the academy,” Eve said,
Sir Atlea paused for a moment, “I guess having a young fellow researcher would also be interesting,” he blurted, still thinking that it wouldn’t be as exciting as if they were to travel.
“No... I mean I’d like to attend the academy like a normal child,”
This word made sir Atlea frown, “surely you’re not talking about attending the Junior Department?” he said hoping that he heard her wrong. Based on the year she was born; it was the perfect time for kids Eve’s age to enroll the Junior Department of the Academy of Gemma, an academy established by the few members of the pillar of Judge to help nurture the minds of the people and give birth to many promising leaders.
“… would it not be boring for you to listen to lectures you’ve already mastered many years ago? Your current knowledge is high enough for you to enter the research department with ease,” sir Atlea said. The research department is the highest department within the academy where he is also working as a mentor for the researchers.
Normally, after graduating from the senior department, students who wish to pursue deeper knowledge would present the topic they wish to study to the head mentors of the department along with which mentors they wish to learn from to help their quest.
These mentors will later have a discussion whether to take in such research or not and what would be the best subjects for the potential researcher to learn outside what they’ve mentioned in their presentation. If one has an interesting research topic, they might even have other mentors come up to them personally to offer themselves to become a lead mentor of that researcher.
Having outstanding academic records helps immensely to enroll the research department, but other than that, if you have a recommendation letter from one or more mentor, along with another recommendation letter from a high profiled person, you’d be able to enroll the department with a scholarship from the country.
Eve also knew that she was at a level beyond what her brother and sister were studying, but the lectures were not the reason why she voiced her wish.
“I want to experience a normal lifestyle,”
Sir Atlea pondered for a while. Finally sitting down in front of Eve as if he was about to start a serious talk.
“I still think it will be wasteful for you to enroll in the junior department like others,” he said.
Eve was about to open her mouth when Sir Atlea lifted his hand to stop her.
“So... I have a suggestion, if you don’t like what you hear, then I won't press any further,”
Eve kept her eyes on Sir Atlea for a while, making sure that he was not in his insane mode.
Sure that he is sane, Eve gave a small nod.
“You are a child with a very bright mind, surrounded by people who don’t think or conduct themselves like how most would. Correct?”
“I guess that’s what others would think when they look at us... why?”
“Why don’t you study about this in the research department? You can use this topic as an excuse to join and observe the Junior Department whilst also having the freedom to exit the department whenever you want,” Sir Atlea stated, knowing that Eve was the kind of child who gets easily bored at random times. It will paint a bad image of her if she happens to decide to leave the department before graduation, which Sir Atlea does not want to see as Eve is his favorite student.
“Moreover, with this, if you present your topic well, you will be able to officially observe places where it would be difficult for those other than authorized to enter, for example The Castle,”
Eve’s eyes widened to this; she did think that it would be interesting if she could see the discussions of the leaders of the country in person. The Castle is where the four Pillars of the country all come together to discuss agendas that require all of them to be involved in.
The four pillars are: Ruler, Judge, Sword and Shield.
The House of Gavrech is part of the Sword Pillar, so Eve would also be able to observe her father when he is at work… which is a rare opportunity to experience (his work does not allow for visitors most of the times).
“And you can officially travel to other countries with the Ruler’s recommendation letter,” Sir Atlea sneaked in his little desire, though Eve’s mind seemed to only catch the Ruler’s recommendation letter part. There are many things one can do with the Ruler’s recommendation letter other than to travel. There was something else that Eve also wished to do but thought it would be impossible for her, the recommendation letter can help make that wish possible.
“Okay!” Eve said cheerfully,
“You’ll be a researcher?!” Sir Atlea seemed even more excited,
“Mhm,” Eve said as she took a bite of the snacks the servants had prepared for her and her teacher. Sir Atlea seemed to be burning with ambition once more, so the little girl decided to take a short break and enjoy her favorite sweets while she waits for him to calm down.
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