The Sharshar Kingdom.
To the west and north, its neighboring countries are in a state of deadlock, with the west having lost territory and a ceasefire, and the north in a standoff.
The country to the east is a friendly nation.
Currently, there is a civil war over the throne dispute.
To the south lies the sea, though its waters are shallow.
If the depth were artificially increased and aquaculture implemented, colossal disasters based on sea snakes and whales would crawl ashore.
“Ah~~, refugees fleeing to other countries to escape the reign of the new king. Merchants fleeing economic collapse.”
This world is heartless.
“Uwaaaa…”
This is a town located east of the Royal Capital.
In the town square, I, a bard, play my instrument and tell stories to earn money for meals and lodging from passersby.
*Shang shang shang♪*
*Sharara ran♪*
Five important figures serving the new kingdom.
The first is a man who has frequently achieved merit by gathering information for the new king. His nickname is Information Officer. His name is Patch.
The second is a man recognized for his skills by the new king, capable of opening any lock as long as there is a keyhole. His nickname is Lockpicker. His name is Tōyashi.
The third is also recognized for his skills and has collected numerous spoils of war. His nickname is Pickpocket. His name is Gira.
The fourth is a man whose gaze misses nothing. His nickname is Watcher. His name is Zappa.
The fifth is a man whose speed is like that of an Idaten. His nickname is Decoy. His name is Suurl.
“These five are loyal vassals of His Majesty, King Nine, the new king.”
“They are amazing people! But their nicknames…”
“Shhh, children. Don’t touch upon that, or you won’t live long ☆”
*Jaan, jajajajaan♪!*
These five individuals are currently working tirelessly to ensure domestic security, recovery, and the launch of new businesses to develop the country. They travel to various towns across the country every month, rocked in carriages. They work overtime, their hips and stomachs aching from the carriage rides. Their workload is even more intense than that of a low-ranking soldier. Ah, truly, this country…
“What will become of it~~?”
*Shan, sharan♪*
“We want to hear about the neighboring countries too!”
“As you wish…!”
“You, come with us for a moment ♪”
“P-P-Please let me go!? I am a traveling bard. My job is simply to convey the state of the country to the people. I do not tell falsehoods!”
“Ah, none of that matters.”
*Goton.*
The bard drops his instrument and is taken away by patrolling soldiers.
The children say they never saw that bard in their town again.
“This instrument…”
“What should we do with it?”
“Should we entrust it to someone?”
“To whom? The soldiers didn’t take it.”
“There’s a merchant’s apprentice brother who lives near me.”
The children entrust the instrument to the older brother, and since they still have time, they play tag on the Great Street.
This scene is quite common in large towns.
Parents do not return from the war in the west.
War orphans.
The kingdom paid large donations to orphanages and churches.
“Take care of the children, and we’ll provide the money.”
The clergy understood the new king’s intentions.
They interacted with people carrying funds from the country with smiles.
In their hearts, they repeated words of resignation and excuses, knowing they could do nothing with their powerlessness, and vowed not to forget this humiliation.
Several months later.
In a town with a well-constructed outer wall, the new king established a school.
There are already specialized schools for training adventurers and merchants.
This new school allows students to learn both curricula simultaneously.
The economy is exhausted from the war, yet such a large structure is being erected.
Even when recruiting teachers, the only remaining qualified individuals are those from other schools.
Moreover, the creation of new textbooks.
What will the content be? Will children who can read and write gather?
There are mountains of problems.
Still, as it is a royal command, a school, textbooks, and facilities for adventurers were prepared.
All that remains are teachers and students.
One wonders if the money spent will be recouped in a few decades…
The citizens looked at the newly built school with apprehension.
A few days later.
“It is a royal command. Children between the ages of 10 and 15 who are not attending specialized schools for training adventurers or merchants are to attend the newly established school.”
After breakfast, gather on the grounds of the school facility.
The first day will involve class assignments and a brief explanation of the curriculum.
Later, those with reasons such as being sick or absent from the town should come to the classroom or the staff room.
“This is a royal command. Citizens have a duty to obey His Majesty’s orders.”
Those who do not understand even this are not true citizens.
Those who harbor or ignore them are sinners.
Forced labor is imposed on the west, where reconstruction is still facing difficulties.
“If you do not wish for it, be sure to send your children to school. That is all.”
The clergy.
They feel anxious and weep at the departure of the children they are protecting.
On the first day, the children return in the afternoon.
From the next day onwards, their return time is uncertain.
Furthermore, it is a school.
Will children with low academic rankings be expelled? Will there be some punishment…?
Children were not taught academic knowledge.
There was time to teach them, but the children didn’t listen to the lessons seriously.
Such excuses will not be accepted by His Majesty, King Nine.
At the new school in the Royal Capital.
First day.
By the time general people have breakfast, most children… the new students have gathered on the grounds.
Given the distance, tens of children arrived after their usual breakfast.
*Zawazawa, zawazawa.*
The gathered children, forming groups of acquaintances, confirm their anxieties and expectations about school life.
“My father told me…”
“Ah, my father too…”
Everyone speaks only of their anxieties.
The future of this country is dark.
The new Sharshar Kingdom is perceived by children who have not yet become adults.
“Silence! Quiet! The principal’s speech! And the orientation meeting will commence!”
*Zawazawa… shiiiiii… n.*
Unlike the information the children heard second-hand, the principal is a somewhat medieval figure.
It’s hard to determine the gender of his voice.
“Therefore, new students, please endeavor in your studies ♪ Now, this long talk ends here ♪ Let’s have a fun class assignment~ ♪!”
“……Yes.”
Moreover, I can’t keep up with the teacher’s energy.
School life starting tomorrow.
I’m even more anxious, aren’t I?
They move closer to the adults playing the role of teachers and undergo a brief physical check.
Pushing and shoving.
Losing means taking your feet off the ground.
The teachers stand rigidly.
They measure the children’s strength through experience.
Next is the knowledge check. Riddles and personality tests.
Example one.
There is a person in trouble in front of you.
Who is it?
Example two.
You put a ball into a box.
You look away from the box for a moment.
When you look again, the box has increased.
What is the number of boxes? Which box contains the ball?
The aim is to see what kind of answers they arrive at, or if they simply parrot the answers of the person before them. Repeating an answer is not prohibited; it is also considered an answer. Children who want to be in the same class as someone will tend to give similar answers. They likely consulted with each other before taking the test.
*Pan! Pan!*
The teachers, having secured the children to be tested… and reached the required number of test-takers, clap and loudly declare the test finished.
“Gyo!! Huh, what!?”
Students who decided to observe or take the test at the last minute scramble in panic.
The adults assisting with the test clap to calm the scene and instruct the students to gather according to the badges they were given.
Those without badges loiter behind, grumbling complaints.
Intense gazes are cast upon those with badges.
The students were not informed that a specific number of test-takers were required.
“Alright, alright, have you all gathered ♪? Those without badges, please wait a moment~ ♪!”
*Gaya gaya, gaya gaya.*
Children with badges are dismissed.
The remaining children answer questions with yes or no.
First question.
Do you prefer physical training over academic study?
A simple question to divide them into adventurers, merchants, or perhaps mages.
Next question.
Is your ultimate goal to reach the top?
This is a question asking if they prefer more rigorous classes than those assigned in the first test.
*Zawazawa, zawazawa.*
It starts to take time.
After about five or six more questions, the grouping into 14 groups is complete.
The remaining children wonder if the school has many classrooms.
“I will distribute badges to each of you, one by one. Do not push.”
After distributing badges to all students, the children are dismissed.
Classes will begin tomorrow.
Nine’s school reform.
Nine intends to actively participate in the school.
How will the students’ school life unfold?
