Chapter 740 — The Young People of the Empire
Blade of Dawn · Page 2 of 4
Ferm jolted awake from his astonishment. The words "Princess Frostbloom" instantly diverted his attention from the phrase "heir of the Northern Duke." The blond young man unconsciously touched the case he had been carrying all along—inside it was the fruit of his heart's blood, the hope of his family troupe's revival, every chip and every expectation he had staked on this all-or-nothing journey to the South. All of it quickly steadied his mind.
Beside them, Eriwen looked at Fendir with some curiosity: "You mentioned the Shadowplay earlier... what is that?"
"Ha, it's a novel and interesting idea. If you're interested, why not come along?"
……
Amid fervent cheers and the thunder of ceremonial cannons, Gaoyang left the speaking platform.
Behind him, on the grand classical archway of the Imperial College, hundreds of runes glimmered faintly; the heavy shield covering the gate was gradually receding. As a symbol, the first batch of teachers and students were walking through the gate. The college's headmaster, the tall and lean Santis Saide, stood at the entrance, watching the students enter with excitement in his eyes.
Around the plaza, several large holographic projections were looping—short, easy-to-understand films introducing the Imperial College's main subjects, the circumstances of its four divisions, the method by which imperial citizens could apply, and the basic requirements for admission.
The citizens gathered in the plaza were dispersing one after another, but a considerable number remained, clustering around those holographic projections and watching the content with curiosity. Some shook their heads regretfully, but in others' eyes gleamed an indefinable light.
Gaoyang did not disturb any of it. He returned to the arcane vehicle parked at the plaza's flank.
He had barely taken his seat when a petite figure abruptly materialized in the seat beside him. Amber sat there, craning her head to gaze toward the Imperial College.
"What a beautiful place... even prettier than that shabby palace of yours..." the half-elf lady muttered. "You really aren't stingy with money in this regard."
"This is the foundation of the nation. Whatever grand plans I have, in the end they must be carried out by people—and people... need these colleges to cultivate them," Gaoyang said. "What, are you interested in going back for some 'retraining' yourself?"
"Not in the slightest," Amber said at once, turning her head and glaring. "The dignified director of the Imperial Intelligence Bureau, failing the literacy requirement and running off to college for remedial classes—how would I keep any authority over those little brats after that?"
"...I didn't say anything about your literacy..."
"Isn't it obvious? Don't I know my own measure?"
Gaoyang: "..."
After a helpless laugh, he shook his head: "What are those two young people doing?"
"Seeing the city, experiencing life. They seem quite interested in mingling among commoners and casting off rules and propriety... but how should I put it, there's probably also some intent to observe the 'Cecil Order' on behalf of their respective families. They haven't done anything out of line, though."
"Let the young relax a little," Gaoyang said. "The curiosity and passion of the young are the most precious things."
"You're sounding rather old-fashioned there," Amber said, pursing her lips. "And since when have you been so lenient toward young people? Don't you always say the old forces—especially the young people among the old forces—are particularly in need of strict reform and re-education?"
Gaoyang did not answer at once, but turned to look out the vehicle window at the figures walking into the college.
"I can afford some leniency now," he said mildly. "After all, they're about to start school."
……
To Ferm's surprise, the Arcane Technology Research Institute was not hard to find—and indeed... not too hard to enter.