Chapter 41

Three days after I entered the castle.

A round table council with the establishment of the academy as its agenda was held in the council chamber within the royal castle.

The soft light streaming in from the high windows faintly illuminated the polished stone floor. Tapestries woven with the Royal Family‘s crest hung on the walls, and a profound atmosphere that had watched over government affairs for many years drifted about.

In the center of the room, a large round table was placed. The smoothly polished wood surface carried a calm luster, and the equally spaced chairs symbolized the equality of those gathered there.

Representatives and key retainers quietly took their seats around the table.

The stir eventually settled down, and at the same time the door closed, the round table council officially began.

It is not glamorous. But it is not a light setting either.

It is not a banquet, but a seat to decide what comes next.

What was presented from the great power’s side was a bundle of documents.

“One academy will be newly established in our country.”

A quiet, resonant voice fell upon the room.

“We will not use the existing Royal Academy. We will treat this treaty as a new framework.”

Blueprints were spread out.

Orderly lines drawn on white parchment. An auditorium, research building, dormitories, chapel, and gardens. A layout without waste.

“The blueprints, budget plan, and general outline are as we provided in advance. I trust you have verified them.”

The one explaining was the First Princess, Elysia.

Under her jet-black hair, golden eyes shone calmly. In her gaze dwelt nobility and unwavering intelligence.

I had received prior notice that she was the person in charge of this matter. I listened quietly.

There is no wavering in her voice. Her words are concise, stripped of unnecessary decoration. Her presentation is polite, but she has not relinquished the initiative.

She is young.

But there are no openings in that youth.

“Furthermore, regarding the selection of the teaching staff, initially we will dispatch them from our country, but—”

She paused for a beat.

“Within three years, we will establish a quota to accept recommendations for an equal number from your country. Let us readjust at that point regarding concerns that the educational content will be biased towards one side.”

She pointed to another corner of the blueprints.

“The dormitories will be separate buildings for men and women. For daily discipline, we have documented clauses respecting the customs of both sides in an attached sheet. Regarding religious rites as well, the chapel will not be shared; it is structured so it can be adjusted by schedule.”

Religious issues. The part most prone to becoming a spark of conflict.

“Regarding the budget, our country will bear seventy percent of the initial investment. However, operating costs will be split evenly after five years. We will not take a form where the burden becomes fixed.”

She plucked the buds of counterarguments one by one.

“The academy’s lectures are also scheduled to include tactical studies.”

Her voice was calm, but she left no escape routes.

“Furthermore, regarding the qualifications for admission—”

Her gaze grew slightly stronger.

“Qualifications for admission will be limited to the children of nobles. This academy is a place to nurture the children of the families who bear the nation. Bloodline is proof of responsibility.”

The air pulled taut.

I traced the table with my fingertips and slowly opened my mouth.

“…I see. Thoughts befitting a great power.”

First, I acknowledge it.

“However, with that, talent will only be sucked away to one side.”

I raised my gaze.

“If the academy is established only in the great power, all the excellent young people of the small country will head there. Under the name of learning, power will become biased.”

A stir ran through the room.

“Therefore, I propose this. That a sister academy also be established in the small country. We place two academies under the same philosophy and the same general outline. We permit coming and going, and exchange teachers as well. If we make it a structure that shares knowledge, no bias will be born.”

The Chancellor’s brow twitched, and the Knight Commander re-crossed his arms.

“And regarding the qualifications for admission—the standard should be ability, not status.”

I declared it head-on.

“It is not only blood that bears the nation. Talent is also the foundation of a country.”

The air in the room changed.

“Of course, I understand the concerns of the House of Nobles. That the appointment of commoners shakes the order.”

The Chancellor’s eyes narrowed.

“Therefore, it should be done in stages. Ten percent of the total in the first year. We use both recommendations and examinations, and make the guarantors clear. Those whose grades are poor are immediately expelled. We will not expand it if they cannot show results.”

I show numbers. I show conditions. I clarify responsibility.

“—If you close the gates out of fear, excellent talent will flow to other countries. Closing them is also a path to losing order.”

I declared it quietly.

“It is not about choosing, but managing. Incorporating talent while protecting the bloodline. That structure is compatible.”

I quietly surveyed the room.

“I believe cultural exchange should not be a decoration, but a two-way traffic.”

Silence fell. I bowed my head.

Elysia’s Perspective

Across the table, Elysia’s fingers stopped slightly.

—The House of Nobles will not stay silent. The backlash from the lords who value bloodlines is obvious.

They will loudly shout things like, Letting commoners into a place of learning?! It is still too early. This country is not light enough to be moved by ideals alone.

However. The Third Prince said:

“As for our country, we position this academy as a symbol of cultural exchange. However, its operation shall be developed in stages upon mutual consultation.”

Symbol.

Does he truly understand the weight of that word? The concessions, limitations, and political equilibrium we presented. The backlash of the nobles. The sparks of religion. Doesn’t he not understand?

—No. That’s wrong. He is saying it with full understanding.

Stages. Numbers. Guarantors. Expulsion regulations.

A structure that even factored in the target of the backlash.

It is not ideals. It is management. Meaning, he has no intention of compromising. The prince of a small country. In this setting.

The nerve.

Elysia slowly raised her gaze.

Is he testing us? Or is he thrusting it in our faces implicitly that we are equals?

He is not a dreamer.

That is exactly why he is troublesome. He was beyond expectations.

Without moving her expression in the slightest, Elysia looked straight back at the Third Prince.