Euclid nodded slowly.
He felt like he had a vague idea of what Erencia was worried about.
The nation always desires talented individuals who can contribute to state affairs. The public educational institution was a place established by the current Great Emperor to foster competent individuals, allowing commoners and nobles to study together.
However, contrary to the Emperor's intentions, the aristocrats turned their backs on public educational institutions.
They considered studying with commoners to be a disgrace.
On the other hand, commoners could not afford to pay tuition and study when they were struggling to make ends meet.
There was a scholarship system for commoners, but unless they were paid to attend, how many commoners, who had to work during that time, would send their children to educational institutions?
Even if they managed to graduate, it would be a problem.
Job opportunities for higher education graduates, including those in government offices, were limited, and even those were filled by the children of lower-ranking nobles.
Nobles who owned estates did not need to engage in economic activities, but countless nobles did not own estates.
Unable to survive on government subsidies alone, they had to find a way to make a living, so they chose education and employment.
Even the people working in Euclid's office were mostly those who had received at least temporary noble titles.
The empire's attempt to ambitiously push forward with educational reform failed.
The empire closed all but two public educational institutions.
Even that was barely being sustained entirely on subsidies and donations because there were no students.
Rumors soon circulated that the rest would also be shut down.
Traditional public education institutions that aimed for higher education have taken on the role of providing basic education to help young children avoid illiteracy.
"They are wasting their time right now."
Erencia spoke with a cold expression and tone. Her thinking is extremely realistic.
Euclid could not find any grounds for rebuttal in her thought process and conclusions.
However, he didn't like the conclusion.
"How do you know if it's a waste of time or not?"
"Of course. Do you think you can suddenly study when you haven't been doing it? It's obvious you're either dozing off or can't keep up because you don't understand it properly."
"Did you see it yourself?"
Euclid asked in a demanding tone.
Erencia closed her mouth.
She hadn't seen it, but it was obvious what it was like without even looking. But since he asked if she saw it, she had nothing to say.
“Let’s check."
Euclid pulled down the jacket hanging on the wall, put his arms through it, and spoke.
“What?”
"Let's go see if there is any hope since it's such a mess."
Erencia let out a sigh as she watched Euclid lead the way. She couldn't understand why he was getting so worked up. Nevertheless, she followed him in silence. Well, it wouldn't hurt to see it at least once.
***
"Are you going on horseback?"
Euclid asked. Today, Erencia was wearing clothes unsuitable for riding a horse.
"Yes?"
It seems like she likes horses more than carriages.
Actually, driving a horse suits his aptitude better than riding a carriage with a bad ride, but right now he had no other choice... it wasn’t that.
“Kyaaa.”
Euclid grabbed Erencia by the waist and lifted her up.
He put Erencia on the horse as if holding a light pillow.
Even though the weight of the dress added to her own body weight would be considerable, he lifted it effortlessly. He is strong.
"I'll take care of you today."
He climbed onto Erencia's back.
Euclid's sturdy arm shot out in front of Erencia.
As he tightened his grip on the reins, the leather gloves flattened out, and the horse snorted with a whooshing sound.
***
Just like in a newspaper article, a long line stretched out at the First Basic Academy, a public education institution located near downtown.
"I said take a number ticket. A number ticket!"
"I've seen all the new students this month! If anyone passes the promotion exam, I'll call them in order..."
Todd, who worked as a janitor and handled administrative duties at Basic Academy, was sweating profusely as he tidied up the line.
However, despite all his efforts, the line did not shorten. It even grew longer than it had been in the morning.
Todd wanted to cry.
He had passed the difficult administrative exam and volunteered for the position of janitor and administrative assistant at Basic Academy because he calculated that the work would be easy.
In fact, the past few months had been easy.
Basic Academy was a school on the verge of closure.
Donations were scarce, and there were few students to manage.
Since few people visited and the budget was small, Todd would finish all his work by morning and spend the afternoon leisurely.
But things changed starting yesterday.
He has been working overtime because he couldn't handle the office duties he was supposed to do during the day due to dealing with the swarming crowds.
"I said stand in line! No, I said just go back!"
It was no use raising his voice.
He couldn't get angry even if he wanted to, because the children of nobles with higher titles than Todd were mixed in the crowd.
People he had seen coming and going, and they were familiar faces.
He wanted to ignore them and hole up in the security office or the administrative office, but the director of Basic Academy ordered him to send the future students standing in line away safely.
The important thing here is 'well'.
It means to see them off with all your heart and soul so that no noise comes out.
But is that possible?
'I'm writing a request for a department transfer tomorrow.'
Todd gritted his teeth and wore a kind smile again.
"If you write your name on the waiting list here, I will... tomorrow."
"Wowww, it's Lady Erencia!"
He barely managed to get people to focus and explain the waiting tickets, but it started getting noisy from the back.
Todd let out a sigh.
"Again? Is someone coming again?"
He's really sick and tired of it.
***
A cool breeze scattered Erencia's hair.
Riding a horse given to you by someone else isn't so bad.
Euclid's strong arms were protecting her body as it swayed back and forth every time the horse galloped.
Euclid was very gentlemanly even when riding a horse.
He ran fast where there were no people, and slowed down when there were people or when the horse might cause damage.
It was an attitude not usually seen among nobles or men.
Most of them just ride however they please.
Riding a horse and riding it properly are completely different things.
You could tell a person's character just by looking at how they rode a horse.
Euclid is a really good person.
So, Erencia's heart ached.
To think she would take advantage of such a good person.
'I really am a terrible person.'
But why don't people understand?
"We're almost there. Can you see it over there?"
Euclid slowed down and said.
Erencia completely erased the darkened expression from her face and lifted her head.
Her eyes widened and then returned to their original size.
She was tired of being surprised now.
The rumor was true.
People were gathered in front of Basic Academy.
"I will go straight without getting off."
Euclid recalled the people who had been standing in front of Andre's shop.
“Sure.”
Erencia also agreed with Euclid's words.
The two of them were moving forward slowly.
"Kyaaaa, it's Lady Erencia!"
People shouted.
Erencia smiled awkwardly and nodded.
It was a reflexive, animalistic reaction.
It wasn't easy to turn her head away haughtily when someone greeted her.
Realizing belatedly that she should have done so, she clenched her jaw.
She lifted her chin slightly and tried to look as haughty as possible.
However, not long after, the janitor spoke to her, so she had no choice but to lower her head again.
"Oh my. Look at the two of you; you look like a picture."
The back was still noisy.
"I apologize, but I would appreciate it if you could fill out the admission application and leave."
A stiff voice, an unpleasant gaze.
Out of all the people, only this person is looking at me properly! It was evident that he was annoyed.
Do you really like it?
Erencia smiled broadly at Todd.
“What’s your name?”
.***
Todd imagined a common situation when Erencia asked him for his name.
It was a situation he had experienced several times just today.
- Who are you? Do you know who I am?
- How do I know?
-I'm someone from the *** family!
- Ah. Yes. Is that so?
- Open the door right now. Can't you open it? Who are you and where do you belong? Reveal yourself!
He meant a situation where they think their parents' titles are theirs and that someday they will become theirs, but they are trying to obstruct the legitimate performance of official duties.
"I am Todd, a junior administrator at Basic Academy."
"Nice to meet you, Sir Todd. I am Erencia Novellita."
The honorific attached to the end of the name feels unfamiliar.
Todd cautiously raised his eyes out of curiosity and looked at Erencia.
'She's pretty.'
It was an indifferent but objective reaction.
"Yes, we have all exchanged greetings, so would you please write your name here and stand in line at the back?"
"I didn't come here to enroll."
"Yes?"
Todd asked back in a daze.
So, are you a field trip student?
The same goes for field trips.
Field trips were not possible during class unless applied for in advance.
"The purpose of the visit is..."
"That person must be crazy. Is he telling Lady Erencia to line up for us?"
"To think he would block Lady Erencia's path as she enters. I'm starting to really hate that person."
Todd merely stated the principles, but the criticism directed at him went too far.
'I can hear everything even if you cover your mouth.'
Anyway, what is Erencia that people are making such a fuss about?
I'm telling you, even if Erencia just flutters her dress, they gasp for breath.
"My purpose for visiting? I came to drive people out."
Erencia spoke very loudly.
"Yes?"
When Todd asked in a daze, Erencia waved her hands away and shouted.
"Does waiting here make the line get shorter? I tell you, they just have too much time on their hands."
It is annoying when people don't leave even when told to, but to pick a fight out of nowhere!
What does it have to do with you?
'This isn't normal. This person really needs training. Let's promote them to counselor.'
Counselors who appeared to be in particular need of education could enter the academy at any time.
Counseling is essential for the study of human nature, inquiry, and psychology, but since it is an obscure field and people are struggling to make a living, there has always been a shortage of counselors.
So, those who needed counseling could enter immediately without any special procedures.
Todd judged Erencia to be a dangerous individual after seeing her overly confident posture and her attempts to harm others.
Come to think of it, it's also strange that she appeared on horseback.
Seeing that she was accompanied by a guardian, it was clear that she had come to apply for counseling.
"Please go inside. You can go straight to Professor's Office 3."
The third professor's office was the research lab of a professor who studies human psychology and nature.
It is called human psychology and nature, but it is a field of study where only the well-fed and comfortable talk nonsense.
'I'm the only one who thinks so.'
Click, the door opened, and Todd took out the counselor visit form, looking too lazy to talk any further.
Erencia and Euclid rode past Todd and crossed the gates of the Academy.
Todd trembled at the thought of the people who would raise a fuss, asking why only Erencia was being let in.
But people are strange?
"Have a safe trip, Lady Erencia!"
Isn't this the reaction?
There's never been such a line-cutting rip!
Eventually, Todd asked the woman standing in front of him.
“Do you know that person?”
"Lady Erencia? Of course I know her! Don't you know her?"
The noble lady standing in front crossed her arms with a look of disbelief.
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