Listening to Gregor’s words, Dorothy scratched her head, still somewhat groggy from just waking up. After carefully recalling the details, she realized that Gregor had indeed mentioned sending her to school before.
In fact, it seemed that Gregor had specifically written to bring his sister from the countryside to the city so she could attend school. That was the main purpose of Dorothy coming to Igwynt.
To think I have to experience school life again in this other world... If I go to school, will I still have time to study the mystic?
With that thought, Dorothy, still in her pajamas, rubbed her eyes and spoke in a slightly dazed voice, “Do I really have to go, Gregor?”
I’ve had enough of school in my previous life... Can’t I do something else in this one?
Hearing Dorothy’s words, Gregor frowned slightly.
He put down the documents he was holding, looked at Dorothy seriously, and said, “Listen, Dorothy. We’re not the children of nobles or wealthy magnates. Coming from the countryside, if we want a decent future, we must get an education. Otherwise, we’ll be stuck working hard labor our whole lives. Your older brother took a very unconventional path, but not everyone can do what I’ve done. It’s dangerous, and besides, you’re a girl—you can’t live the same way I do.”
“So, listen to me, Dorothy. Study hard. In the city, just being literate isn’t enough. You need a higher level of education to find a respectable job. That way, you can avoid heavy and menial labor for good. Trust me, this is the experience I’ve gained from struggling in the city over the years.”
Gregor spoke to Dorothy with the tone of a concerned guardian. Listening to his words, Dorothy’s internal reaction was, Go to school and study... How many ‘Revelation’ can I get from that?
To be fair, Dorothy thought Gregor had a point. But after discovering the existence of the realm of beyond, her already fragile sense of security led her to believe that exploring the mystic and gaining personal power was far more critical.However, she couldn’t exactly confess to Gregor—this captain of a small hunter squad living a peaceful life—that she had been researching forbidden practices. He’d probably jump out of his skin, confiscate all her mystical items, and forbid her from touching anything like that ever again.
“Ugh, fine, fine. We’ll check out the school tomorrow...” Knowing there was no way to refuse Gregor on this matter, Dorothy yawned and reluctantly agreed.
Seeing her response, Gregor’s stern expression softened, and he smiled.
“Great. This afternoon, we’ll buy some school supplies for you. Oh, by the way, Dorothy, here’s a brochure about the school, along with your enrollment papers. You’ll need to sign here with your full name.”
Hearing this, Dorothy paused briefly, then walked over to the sofa, sat down, and picked up the papers Gregor had mentioned. After thinking for a moment, she grabbed a fountain pen from the coffee table and signed her full name on the form.
Dorothea Mayschoss
After signing, Dorothy squinted at her full name on the paper for a while, then asked Gregor curiously.
“Hey, Gregor, don’t you think our names sound a little... weird sometimes?”
“Yeah, they’re long and odd—don’t quite fit in around here. Feels like we’re foreigners or something. Back when I worked at the factory, there were three Jack and four Thomas, but I was the only Gregorius.”
As he spoke, Gregor gazed out the window, seemingly reminiscing about the past.
“In my memory, our names were all given by that heartless mother of ours. Our father was just an uneducated hunter and couldn’t come up with fancy names like these. And since she named us, I figure our surname probably comes from her too, because I’ve never seen anyone else with it.”
“Mother...”
Dorothy murmured in response. In her memories, there was no information about this mother.
“Yeah, I don’t have much memory of her either. She left when I was only seven. The clearest image I have of her is her hair—just like yours, Dorothy, a rare head of white hair.”
So, my hair is inherited from my mother... Dorothy thought as she picked up a strand of her white hair and stared at it.
…
In the Pritt Kingdom and across the continent, education and religion have always been intertwined. Basic education has traditionally been provided by classes held in local churches, where many people, including Dorothy, first learned to read and write.
With the rise of industrialization and the need for knowledgeable workers, many countries, including Pritt, began implementing compulsory primary education laws a few years ago. This led to the establishment of more public elementary schools. Free elementary education was gradually becoming widespread. However, secondary education remained largely out of reach for the lower classes, still reserved for the nobility, the bourgeoisie, and the middle class.
Saint Amanda School is located in the western suburbs of Igwynt, near the upper reaches of the Ironclay River. Its location, far from the bustling docks and the smoky industrial zones, is one of the rare serene spots in Igwynt.
The school was built over three centuries ago by Saint Amanda of the Radiance Church, who donated funds for its construction. Named after the saint, it has served the children of Igwynt’s nobility for 300 years. In recent times, due to societal changes brought about by industrialization, the school has also started admitting the children of wealthy bourgeois families and some affluent citizens.
Gregor had enrolled Dorothy in this very school.
…
In the morning, bright sunlight streamed through large glass windows into the clean, marble-floored corridors of the school. Wearing a black blouse and skirt and carrying a suitcase, Dorothy walked alongside Gregor, who was dressed in a neat suit. The two of them had just completed all the enrollment formalities.
“Everything’s set, Dorothy. You can start classes this afternoon. Saint Amanda has a long history and a great reputation. Once you graduate from here, you’ll definitely find a good job. I think being a lawyer, teacher, or civil servant would be excellent. Trust me, with a diploma from here, getting those jobs will be a breeze.”
Walking beside Dorothy, Gregor spoke with evident pride. Dorothy glanced at him and responded coolly, “Isn’t the point of going to high school to get into college?”
“College?!” Gregor was clearly surprised by Dorothy’s remark.
Finally, he laughed and said, “I never thought you’d have such ambitions, Dorothy. Remember, we’re just from the countryside, and that’s college! I support you, though. If you get into college, we’ll throw a feast for the whole village!”
In this society... secondary education is already out of reach for the lower classes. Higher education is something they don’t even dare to dream of... Hearing Gregor’s words, Dorothy thought to herself.
At that moment, an elderly janitor covered in white dust came walking toward them, carrying several white plaster busts. Suddenly, the janitor slipped, and two of the busts he was carrying started falling forward. His face was filled with panic.
Seeing this, Dorothy and Gregor rushed forward. Gregor caught the two falling busts before they hit the ground, while Dorothy stepped forward to help steady the janitor.
“Are you alright, sir?” Dorothy asked with concern.
The janitor stood up, squinting his grayish-white eyes, then smiled and said, “I’m fine, thank you, young folks. I’m just getting old, my legs don’t work as well as they used to.”
“No problem, sir. It’s what we should do...”
Gregor smiled and handed the busts back to the janitor, who accepted them with gratitude and walked away with a smile.
As he departed, he turned back and said, “Young man, you’ve got good reflexes. Young lady, you’ve got a kind heart... Both of you are good kids. Best of luck to you.”
With that, the janitor carried the busts off into the distance. Watching his retreating figure, Dorothy touched her chin thoughtfully.