Chapter 31

Chapter 31: The School

Listening to Gregor’s words, Dorothy scratched her head, still somewhat dazed from just waking up. After careful recollection, she realized that Gregor had indeed been telling her to go to school for some time.

Or perhaps, it was specifically for Dorothy to have the opportunity to study that Gregor wrote a letter to bring his sister from the countryside to the city. Coming to Igewent to attend school was originally Dorothy’s main purpose.

She did not expect that in this world, she would have to experience school life again… If I start attending school, will I still have time to study mysticism?

Thinking of this, Dorothy, who was still wearing her pajamas, rubbed her eyes and said with a dazed tone.

“Do I have to go, Gregor?”

In my past life, I’ve had enough schooling… Can’t I do something else in this life…

Hearing Dorothy’s words, Gregor couldn’t help but furrow his brows. He put down some documents in his hand and looked at Dorothy seriously as he spoke.

“Listen, Dorothy, we are not the children of nobles or big bosses. Coming from the countryside, if we want a good future, we must receive education. Otherwise, we’ll have to work hard our entire lives. My current path is an extremely special case, not everyone can do it, and it’s very dangerous. Besides, you’re a girl, it’s impossible for you to be like me.”

“So, Dorothy, listen to me. Study diligently and read books. In the city, just knowing how to read is not enough; you need a higher level of culture. This way, you can find more respectable jobs in the future! You can say goodbye to manual labor forever. Believe me, this is the experience I’ve gained from years of struggling in the city.”

Gregor lectured Dorothy in a parental manner. Hearing Gregor’s words, Dorothy thought inwardly:

‘Going to school and reading books… How many ‘Enlightenments’ can he give me?’

To be honest, Dorothy thought Gregor’s words were indeed correct. However, after learning about the existence of the secret world, she always believed that exploring mysteries and mastering stronger powers were the most important things.

But, she couldn’t tell Gregor, the squad leader who preferred to stay hidden, about her ongoing research into those forbidden things. He might jump out of fear and confiscate all her secret religious items, then strictly order her never to touch such things again.

“Ugh… Alright, alright, tomorrow we’ll go check out the school…” Knowing that she couldn’t refuse Gregor on this matter, Dorothy yawned and agreed. Seeing Dorothy’s reaction, Gregor’s serious expression softened, and he smiled.

“Sure, this afternoon we can buy some stationery for you to use at school. By the way, Dorothy, here’s the school’s introduction, and there’s also your personal data for registration tomorrow. You should sign your name here, remember to write your full name.”

Hearing Gregor’s words, Dorothy was slightly stunned, then walked over and sat on the sofa. After taking the document that needed signing, she thought carefully, picked up a fountain pen from the coffee table, and signed her full name on the document.

Dorothya Meyshos

After signing, Dorothy squinted at the paper and her full name for a while, then asked with some confusion beside Gregor.

“Say, Gregor, don’t you think sometimes our names are a bit strange?”

“Yes, they are long and odd, making us feel out of place among others, like foreigners. Like in my old factory, there were three Jacks and four Thomases, and I was the only one named Gregor Ous.”

As he spoke, Gregor looked out the window, as if recalling the past.

“In my memory, our names seem to have been given by our heartless mother. Our father was a hunter with little education and couldn’t come up with fancy names. Since the name was given by her, I guess our surname is probably the same as hers, because no one else uses it.”

“Mother…” Listening to Gregor’s words, Dorothy muttered. In her memory, there was no information about this mother at all.

“Yes, I don’t have much impression either. She left when I was seven, and now, the biggest impression she has left on me is her hair, yes, just like yours, a rare white hair.”

‘So my hair is inherited from my mother…’

As she listened to Gregor’s words, Dorothy held a strand of her own white hair in front of her eyes and murmured.

…

In the Prit Kingdom and throughout the continent, education and religion have always been closely linked. Primary education has historically been provided by classes run by churches in various regions. Many people, including Dorothy, learned to read and write in these churches.

Due to the demand for educated talent brought about by industrialization, many countries, including Prit, began implementing the Elementary Education Act in recent years. This promoted the establishment of more public primary schools, and free compulsory elementary education is gradually becoming widespread. However, secondary education remains largely inaccessible to lower-class individuals and is still primarily reserved for the nobility, bourgeoisie, and middle class.

St. Amanda School is located in the western suburbs of Igewent City, next to the Iron Mud River upstream, which runs through the city. Its location is far from the noisy dock area and the smelly industrial zone, making it a rare good place in Igewent.

St. Amanda School was donated and built by the saint of the Radiant Church, Saint Amanda, over three hundred years ago, hence its name. For three hundred years, this school has served the noble children of Igewent. In recent years, due to social changes brought about by industrialization, the school has also undergone changes. The children of the bourgeoisie and some wealthy citizens have started to enter here to study and receive secondary education with their good economic conditions.

The high school that Gregor enrolled Dorothy in is here.

In the morning, bright sunlight shone through the large glass windows onto the clean, tidy corridor paved with marble slabs. Dorothy, dressed in a black blouse and skirt, carrying a suitcase, and Gregor, dressed in neat suits, walked in it. They had just completed all the enrollment procedures.

“Alright, everything is ready. You can start classes this afternoon, Dorothy. St. Amanda School has a long history and a good reputation. Once you graduate from here, you’ll definitely find a good job. I think lawyers, teachers, civil servants, and so on are all great choices. Believe me, once you graduate from here, finding these jobs will be easy.”

Walking beside Dorothy, Gregor said happily, while Dorothy glanced at him and said indifferently.

“Isn’t going to high school mainly for getting into college?”

“College?!” Hearing Dorothy’s words, Gregor was clearly surprised. Finally, he laughed and said.

“I didn’t expect you to have such ambitions, Dorothy. We originally came from the countryside, and that’s college! I support you, Dorothy. If you really get into college, we can invite the whole village to a banquet!”

‘In this society… Secondary education is already unattainable for the lower class… Higher education is something they can’t even dream of…’

Hearing Gregor’s words, Dorothy thought.

At this moment, an old janitor covered in white plaster, carrying several white plaster statues, approached them from ahead.

Suddenly, the old janitor slipped, and the two plaster statues he was carrying fell forward. An astonished expression appeared on his face.

Seeing this situation, Dorothy and Gregor quickly stepped forward. Gregor caught both statues before they could break, and Dorothy supported the elderly janitor who was about to fall.

“Are you okay, sir…”

Supporting the old janitor, Dorothy asked with concern. After the janitor stood up, he squinted his grayish eyes and smiled.

“It’s fine, thank you young people. I’m just old, my legs aren’t working well anymore.”

“It’s nothing, sir. It’s what we should do…”

Gregor smiled, then returned the plaster statues to the janitor. After taking the statues, the janitor smiled and left. During this process, he turned his head and smiled at the siblings.

“Young man, you have good skills, young lady, you have a kind heart… Both of you are excellent. Good luck to you…”

Saying this, the janitor carried the plaster statues and slowly walked away. Watching his back, Dorothy stroked her chin thoughtfully.