Our Family Has Fallen

As for the slightly less privileged middle class, they can only teach by themselves, or pay to send their children to some family teachers, which means a few students learn with one teacher.

The curriculum is also quite limited, focusing on literacy, and any other subjects require additional fees or the purchase of books by oneself.

What’s considered a threshold? This is the threshold — ordinary people simply can’t afford such education, let alone furthering their studies at a university.

It can be said that those in the academies are all sons and daughters of wealthy families, or like Lance’s original self, those who have certain educational inheritance within the system.

Even if a commoner has strong talent, it’s still difficult to cross the threshold.

Of course, there are also church schools, which are the most accessible to ordinary people. Reynard came from such a place, but as for the results... if it were truly effective, there wouldn’t be so many illiterates.

They only focus on reciting ceremonies, not teaching literacy, and the frequent corporal punishment and abuse aren’t educational but more like domesticating a sheep.

And although it costs less, there are still fees involved. But how could the church’s affairs be considered charging? They claim it’s a donation.

Also, commoners like Barton have to thank those nobles who dislike firearms. The newly established Gun and Cannon Academy can only recruit some commoners for training, and the headmaster, who comes from a commoner background, gives him a chance.

But his ability to climb step by step is absolutely due to his top-notch learning ability and talent.

So large-scale enlightenment schools like Lance’s are very rare. The reason is simple: these ordinary students can’t provide much tuition.

Those students might be able to pick a couple of crabs by the sea for you, but asking them for money is challenging.

The reason why students’ families here can bear the tuition is because of the Lord’s subsidies.

One must know there is also a group of orphans without families and those who belong to heroes’ families; they can’t afford money and have to subsidize.

It’s safe to say that without Lance’s funding, this place would shut down tomorrow.

There are people who are willing to risk their lives for profit, but none willing to do unprofitable business.

No one would fail to understand such a simple truth, let alone the fact that monopolizing knowledge is a means to maintain their advantage. They even intentionally raise the threshold, creating intricate routines.

Lance doesn’t care about them; Hamlet has his own peculiarities here.

That’s why schools, apart from the military, are the most fervently supported by Lance. Once they enter the school, they are under the Lord’s favor.

Similarly, those children from the Barbarian Tribes are sent to school for education under such a background.

Lance is considered merciful, integrating children into Hamlet through education. At least they get the same treatment as other students, with no specific targeting or suppression. As long as they are smart, they can stand out.

Back then, after the Eagle Nation’s massacre, they liked capturing native children and throwing them into closed racially-segregated schools similar to concentration camps, where bullying, suppression, and abuse were as common as having a meal. Those that came out of such places were so damaged they were barely human, and many never made it out.

Some schools are built on cemeteries, while some cemeteries are built on schools.

Lance walked silently through the school, and many people did not understand the school, but he knew these young people were Hamlet’s heritage.

It’s also the best time to shape their thoughts, removing those ideological tumors and building scientific social concepts.

Arriving at the headmaster’s office, he met Mrs. Rosa. Years of managing the school had given her an authoritative aura without anger, necessary to manage such a place.

However, in front of the Lord, she was humble, keeping the school well-organized and executing tasks well, proving her loyalty.

"No matter how much work you have, you must take care of your health. If you collapse, it would be a loss for Hamlet."

Lance took out a bottle of Panacea for her, directly performed Flesh Reconstruction to eliminate accumulated pain, and spent Spiritual Essence to bless her, slightly enhancing her constitution.

Such a good worker shouldn’t be allowed to collapse. She can only be effective at her work post.

Rosa drank the potion, blinking her suddenly somewhat sore eyes. When they opened, she felt a shift, and as it stabilized, she realized the once-blurry vision had become clear.

This myopia existed even before she came to Hamlet, as did the stomach trouble left during the escape, and now she felt the pain had disappeared.

The neck and spine pressure caused by long hours of desk work also suddenly eased up, much like having a hanging iron block taken off her neck, granting relief.

The previously numbed brain also suddenly cleared up, and the emerging vitality gave her an unusual vigor.

As one of Hamlet’s high-level members, Rosa didn’t participate in matters outside the school, but she understood the supernatural power, knowing its greatness only made her realize its strength.

"Such precious medicine should be given to those warriors; how could it be given to someone sitting here...?"

"Everyone contributes to Hamlet; no one is nobler. Your task for the school is very important, so you need to take care of your body to put more effort into the school."

Lance didn’t bother discussing such trivial matters, as he came to understand the school’s situation, addressing current issues and future directions directly.

In this regard, Rosa could answer nearly all the Lord’s questions, executing orders according to his instructions. She had no personal interests, only fulfilling tasks assigned by the Lord.

Lance was satisfied with her work; examining reports gave one insight, but face-to-face interactions revealing her abilities was another.

With work matters resolved, Lance habitually inquired about employees’ family situations to comfort them.

"How’s Joan’s recent study?"

"She’s serving as a teaching assistant in the specialty class..."

Talking about her daughter, Rosa was quite proud, seeing her daughter grow up as proof her efforts had not been in vain.

After a brief discussion, Lance didn’t disturb her work further, proceeding alone to the previously mentioned [specialty class].

Lance had long intended to collect those children with extraordinary talents or even potential spellcaster abilities.

Back then, during a tour of the Totnes refugee camp, he found less than ten — a testament to the church’s harsh exploitation.

However, as more refugees arrived and urban churches faced subtle resistance, Lance finally gathered enough people, launching a systematic training plan.

Lance, like a patrolling teacher, quietly arrived at the specialty class for an inspection.

An independent class outside the school, attending students varied greatly in age, but were mainly minors.

Today’s class was unexpectedly taught by Amanda.

The subject she taught was intricate and complex: ancient scripts commonly used among the Transcendent.

Transcendents, especially Spellcasters, must master these; without it, they can’t even get started.

Many people awaken inexplicably or step into the Supernormal Realm, yet struggle futilely due to a weak foundation, wasting their talent.

Originally, it was Antique Expert Catherine who taught them foundational knowledge like ancient scripts, but since Catherine had gone to the town to oversee an appraisal task, Amanda was called to substitute.

Amanda’s background ensured her extensive knowledge. Though her occult research wasn’t as deep as Alhazred’s, thanks to the Romani intelligence network, her breadth of knowledge was assured — she knew a bit of everything; otherwise, Lance wouldn’t retain her as an advisor.

However, her character was somewhat dark and petty, like another Tamara.

This isn’t a coincidence; such a mold quite resembles the abstractly entrenched Romani environment.

Growing up in a twisted environment, character is sometimes the best reflection.

Thus, she only wished to teach foundational ancient scripts without sharing her vast knowledge, an opinion Lance respected, as he always respected others’ choices.