I hadn’t expected the discussion about MARS before the meeting to lead to the redevelopment of Glacian, let alone its decision.
It’s true that starting the redevelopment will take time since it was so sudden, but Emperor Glisina welcomed it with open arms, so I’ll have to go to Glacian in the near future.
Alegria will also need time for preparations and adjustments, so even if I go, it will probably be about a month from now.
The meeting also covered the curriculum, as well as the issue of how to handle the Dragonians.
Regarding the admission of Dragonians, Grand Dragoner’s Master Lord Harut, whose Dragonian wife’s pregnancy was revealed, and Dragon King Folias, who is engaged to a Dragonian, were particularly enthusiastic.
I am married to Athena, and Eos wishes to become a single mother and bear my child, so my feelings are similar to those of Emperor Folias and Lord Harut.
Currently, there are six Dragonians between the ages of 10 and 69 who are minors.
The age of adulthood for Dragonians is 85, and one year is added to their human age every five years. Therefore, in human years, they would be between 2 and 13 years old.
So, there’s no problem with them enrolling, but since the General Academy’s duration is four years, they wouldn’t age in human years.
In other words, even if theyEnroll at 50 years old, they would be 54 upon graduation, meaning they would graduate without even reaching 11 years old in human age.
In reality, Dragonians register with guilds around the age of 80 to 100, which is shortly after they descend the mountain to broaden their horizons. Even if they graduate, they won’t be able to leave Mount Wilness for nearly 30 years.
This leads to the idea of having them graduate at the age of 80. However, this would mean they would be 76 upon enrollment, or equivalent to 15 in human years. This creates a significant physical disparity compared to other races who enroll at 10 years old.
While their academic studies are fine, the difference is obvious in practical training, especially combat exercises. This is another troublesome issue.
Besides, even though we talk about human age, they actually live five times longer and receive thorough education on Mount Wilness. So, even if they appear young, they are not as immature as they look.
They also tend to take things easy, and their sense of time seems to be slightly different. For Dragonians, several decades pass in what feels like a blink of an eye.
“In that case, how about allowing a certain number of adult Dragonians to enroll and form a separate class, not necessarily to accommodate them, but rather as an option?”
As I was racking my brain, Grand Duke Liar raised his hand.
“Grand Duke Liar, what do you mean by that?”
“Yes. I understand that you intend to open General Academies in the Three Kingdoms in the future, but even then, it’s impossible for all children to enroll.”
“It wouldn’t be very meaningful for those who have already decided which guild they will register with in the future.”
“Parents might not see the point of enrolling, and some children might have to give up due to family circumstances.”
It’s not that you can’t register with a guild without enrolling in the General Academy.
The reason for opening the General Academy in the first place is to present children with a wide range of options.
Many children are undecided about which guild to register with, and some even switch to a different guild after realizing it’s not what they expected.
The General Academy not only teaches guild-specific subjects but also reading, writing, and arithmetic. Students can also learn general knowledge and etiquette.
Furthermore, school fees can be repaid by deducting a portion of their guild commissions after graduation, making the enrollment fee minimal.
However, some nobles might not want to be in the same classroom as commoners, and some families might not be able to afford the enrollment fee.
While I don’t care about the former, we want to help the latter. Therefore, I believe Grand Duke Liar’s proposal to allow enrollment even after reaching adulthood as a form of relief, and to group them in a single class, including Dragonians, is a viable option.
“Hmm, not a bad idea. Grand Scholar’s Master, is that possible?”
“We are currently stretched thin, but we can accommodate it if it’s within a few years.”
The first-year intake is already at full capacity. However, parents of children who haven’t reached the required age are already requesting enrollment for the second year. Also, about ten adults have already decided to enroll. If that’s the case, people who are now requesting enrollment for the second year are also emerging.
On top of that, we have to consider the curriculum of the General Academy, so it’s understandable that the Scholar’s Guild is stretched thin.
“Understood. Any other opinions?”
“I think it’s good to enroll Dragonians in the adult class, but other races grow significantly in four years. Therefore, if they remain in the adult class, wouldn’t it be too much of a burden for the Dragonians?”
“Indeed. Also, considering their age, fostering interaction with those children would be beneficial for the Dragonians. Therefore, from the third year onwards, Dragonians should be allowed to leave the adult class and be transferred to a normal class.”
Emperor Folias, who is engaged to Athena’s twin sister, and Miss Neige, who will become a single mother to bear my child like Eos, raised their hands to offer further suggestions.
Both have a deep connection with Dragonians, which is evident in their proposals.
“That’s certainly true.”
“I’ve heard that Dragonians descend the mountain with marriage in mind. If that’s the case, depending on their age, interaction with children of the same generation will be necessary.”
Grand Duke Liar and Grand Beastmaster Flugel also agreed with the opinions of Emperor Folias and Miss Neige.
Looking around the room, it seems everyone agrees.
Although the issue of Dragonians prompted this discussion, it’s undeniable that not everyone can enroll. If enrollment is permitted even after reaching adulthood, it could alleviate financial problems and issues with arrogant nobles to some extent.
The problem is that the adult class will have a different curriculum, which will require new planning.
“In that case, the minimum requirement for adults to enroll will be to be registered with a guild.”
“Indeed. Also, since they are adults, attending for four years would be quite difficult. It would be safer for them to study for two, or perhaps three, years.”
As Grand Duke Liar and Grand Beastmaster Tigre Basilius Blume say, federal law requires adults to register with a guild.
This is partly for taxation purposes, and also because it serves as a citizen registration.
Of course, there are also adults who haven’t decided which guild to register with, so a two-year grace period is provided. However, reaching adulthood generally means leaving the protection of one’s parents.
But enrolling in the General Academy requires not only tuition but also enrollment fees, which would be very difficult to prepare for without registering with a guild.
Tuition can be covered by deducting from guild commissions, but the enrollment fee is a hurdle.
Or, perhaps the enrollment fee for the adult class only could be deducted from commissions?
“Indeed, the enrollment fee is set at 200,000 El, which is a large sum for a new registrant. Therefore, deducting it from commissions only for the adult class is certainly necessary.”
“If they wish to enroll but cannot afford the enrollment fee, they cannot enroll in the first place. However, if we extend that to all other children, the number of applicants will increase further. The Scholar’s Guild is already under a great burden, so we cannot treat the normal and adult classes equally.”
When I proposed this, Grand Scholar’s Master and Grand Duke Isabella Acquario were the first to agree.
“That’s true. However, if the enrollment period is two years, the tuition will also be less. Since enrollment fees and tuition also contribute to facility maintenance and staff compensation, will there be any problems with that?”
“Regarding that, I plan to provide a certain amount of subsidy as the Lord.”
Miss Rika answered Grand Beastmaster Riviere S. Rodpeace’s question. The enrollment fee alone amounts to nearly 40 million El, and with close to 100 faculty members and considerable facility maintenance costs, it wouldn’t be enough.
The annual tuition is 2 million El, but even with that added, there are lingering concerns. Therefore, Miss Rika is considering having the Amatista family bear the academy’s maintenance costs.
Including facility maintenance, repair costs, and miscellaneous expenses, about 10 million El per year will be needed. Fortunately, the Marquis’s public funds amount to 70 million El, and with the addition of tax revenue from the territory, it would not be a significant burden for the Amatista family to cover up to 30 million El.
I considered contributing some of my own funds, but even if it’s acceptable now, it could cause problems for future generations. Both Miss Rika and Mana, Yuri, and Miss Mako rejected the idea.
“The General Academy is an educational institution, and in consideration of the future, it holds significant meaning for the Federation Heavenly Empire. Therefore, the Celestial Emperor’s Family also plans to provide subsidies.”
Furthermore, Emperor Reinhardt stated that he would make a fixed annual donation, although the amount has not yet been decided. He also mentioned that donations would be made not only to Memoria but also to Float and the academies to be opened in the capitals of the Three Kingdoms.
“Subsidies from the Celestial Emperor’s Family as well? In that case, perhaps we should also make donations.”
“That will be up to each individual. However, I apologize to the three dukes, but considering the population of the Philia Continent, it’s likely that only six locations – Float, Memoria, Bestia, Glacian, Dragunia, and the Fraydlancia Baronetcy – will be able to accommodate the full capacity. There’s even a possibility that some may not reach capacity, so there might be cities where construction won’t be necessary.”
I understand Float, the capitals of the Three Kingdoms, and Memoria, which is waiting to open. Considering the population of the Philia Continent, I can see that five or six schools are probably the limit.
But why am I included in that, Emperor Reinhardt?
I don’t know which territory it will be, but I had thought about developing it into an academy city, and actually planned to build a General Academy if I were to develop a city.
“The Fraydlancia Baronetcy as well? However, Yamato Tenshaku has not yet been granted a territory.”
“Ah. Mana and Marquis Frederica are currently pregnant, and Yuri will be attending school from spring. At the very least, granting a territory to Yamato will likely be after Yuri graduates.”
Oh, so I won’t receive my territory until Yuri graduates at the earliest.
They said it would be a few years, but since Yuri will be attending school, I’ll be forced to act as Esmeralda Tenshaku’s fiancé, and the same applies to the Marquisate of Amatista now that Miss Rika is pregnant.
It’s obvious I won’t be able to do anything with a territory under these circumstances, so even without thinking too deeply, I know I can’t manage a territory until Yuri graduates.
I don’t know what will happen with Mana’s territory, but at this rate, I think I’ll receive mine sooner.
“Is the reason for including Yamato Tenshaku’s territory, which he hasn’t received yet, because he is the developer of MARS, and it’s easier to create a city centered around an academy for new development?”
“That’s the biggest reason. We considered the Lapis Lazuli Heavenly Baronetcy as well, but we want to encourage the development of existing territories for one of them. Also, Yamato is a guest, and it would be better for him to utilize his ideas in his own territory.”
So that’s another reason.
Besides, I haven’t told my wives, let alone Emperor Reinhardt, about my academy city concept.
It’s just a vague idea like, “This kind of city might be nice,” so it’s not even at the planning stage.
Yet, His Majesty and the others seem to think an academy city should be built.
For Float, Bestia, and Dragunia, we’ll have to start with urban planning. While Memoria and Glacian don’t require urban planning, some adjustments will still be necessary.
That’s why it’s such a major undertaking. However, if I were to be granted a territory, it’s highly likely to be a completely new development, so there will be more flexibility.
Regardless of where my territory will be, I really need to think about a proper city plan.
When I have some free time, I should think about it, perhaps by referencing a city on Earth.
I wonder if there was a city that would be easy to reference, and understandable to me.
