Chapter 444
Building an academy.
That was originally scheduled for much later in my plans.
Back when I first reincarnated into this world, I thought I'd wait for my body to grow, enter the academy in the royal capital, get permission to travel to other continents, then expand my circle of acquaintances within the academy, secure promising personnel, and from there, operate broadly in this world.
But to think I'd end up building an academy first... Life's plans really don't go as expected, do they?
"It was so spacious!"
"Yeah, it was even bigger than the Duke's mansion where I lived before."
After finishing our tour of the academy's various facilities—the school building, cafeteria, café terrace, pool, gymnasium—the first impression from Nell and Amina was simply: spacious.
That summed it up.
Well, that's only natural.
It's not designed for people to live in; it's a place for many people to learn together.
The system that maximizes the efficiency of this was, even in Japan, the school.
It continued to evolve as an environment for teaching academics to large numbers of people.
When recreating that environment in this other world, it's inevitable that it looks like an enormous facility to the inhabitants of this world.
"Having looked around, there are no problems with the facilities. As expected of Don. You did excellent work."
"Thank you very much."
"Ingrid, do we still have that stock of alcohol purchased from the royal capital?"
"Yes, we have wine, ale, and distilled spirits. A variety is in stock."
"Don, I'll speak to Zink-san about this, but could you hold a banquet this weekend to reward the workers? No restrictions on alcohol and food."
"Really, sir!?"
"Yeah. Everyone's been working non-stop lately, right? I want you to take a break here. Take the two days after the banquet off as well to recover your energy."
To express gratitude to the craftsmen who built these facilities, I decide to release the stocked alcohol and food.
If Don and all the craftsmen drink together, I have a feeling more than half of our alcohol stock will disappear, but proper work deserves proper rewards.
"Thank you very much! I'll let everyone know after work today! They'll be thrilled!"
We'll need to replenish the consumed alcohol and food, but with the vertical farms operational, we have a stable supply of vegetables and grains, so we can cover those.
We haven't built a brewery yet, so that will be the main concern, but we still have plenty of assets, so it shouldn't be a problem.
"Okay, continue to prioritize safety."
"Righto! Man, Lord Liberta really understands us! You make it easy for us to work!"
"I think I make some pretty unreasonable demands, though?"
"Not at all!! When I worked on the western continent, it was nothing but pressure—demands to move deadlines up, make material costs cheaper, and despite that, they'd make selfish requests like don't cut corners, make it look more luxurious... Remembering it now makes me angry."
I was thinking I'd consult with Zink-san about replenishing supplies, but Don starts recalling the past and stares into the distance with an expression about to fall to the dark side.
"Well, that's all in the past. Here, it's different—you properly prepare materials, deadlines aren't that tight, you even raise our levels and provide skills. Plus, the alcohol and food are delicious! With good sleeping quarters too, there's no doubt other craftsmen would envy us and flock here!!"
But that expression only lasts a moment.
In no time, he's back to his usual slightly tough-looking smile, declaring that he's satisfied with his current life.
Hearing that puts my mind at ease as an employer.
"If we were hiring anyone and everyone, that might be fine. But if we're to maintain order in this city, we need to select carefully."
Operations are running smoothly, and security is fine for now.
"Otherwise, things would get chaotic on the ground, right?"
"Indeed. We'd also prefer to avoid clueless people throwing their weight around."
"What's your take on that, Gato-san?"
The plan is to use the academy's first batch of students as a draw to secure various talents and solidify our foundation.
This will serve as a foothold for expansion onto other continents.
This academy city is the result of thinking about eliminating future worries.
"Letting anyone and everyone in might seem good for securing labor at first glance. But considering the kind of environment Liberta-kun is aiming for, selecting the residents we welcome is necessary."
Gato's words are crucial as we cultivate these talents.
"However, be careful not to discriminate. Because someone is a beastman, a commoner, or has a single parent—people, influenced by such history and society, often put down perfectly good talents based on baseless reasons, and sometimes let emotions cloud their judgment. I want you to be mindful of that."
"I am well aware."
"Good. I think you're solid in that regard, so it should be fine."
Having taught others for a long time and cultivated a discerning eye for people, his words carry weight.
Behind his gentle gaze lies an eye that seems to be sizing me up.
"First, the initial students."
"Yes, indeed."
I must act to meet those expectations.
Attracting people to this academy is easy.
Given the current attention from various quarters, if we simply announce we're recruiting students, people will gather from all directions.
But the intentions of those who respond to such a call would likely contain many ideologies incompatible with my ideals.
Imagining what would happen if we let them in makes me sigh.
"It would be great if lots of kids like Nell and Amina came, you know."
"You mean in terms of talent?"
"No, more like their straightforwardness in believing and pursuing their dreams."
At the very least, there's no doubt that many nobles' children, anti-social elements from Heretic Church subcontractors, and others with ill intentions would respond to our call.
Some might also come seeking help, unable to bear poverty.
If it were just the latter, maybe, but I'd rather not have a flood of the former types.
If possible, having many kids like Nell and Amina—who tilt their heads when I glance their way—would make training them rewarding and ensure stability, I think.
"Yes. If the academy ends up with lots of kids like you two, I'd think that's great too."
While there's a talent aspect to it, I'm reminded that these two, who simply enjoy things and work hard, are truly precious existences.
Well, I don't know how many children possess talent and a willingness to work hard on par with Nell and Amina.
But I suspect many are still sleeping.
"If there were a bunch of kids like Lord Liberta, you could probably rule not just this country but the whole world, couldn't you?"
"A bunch of Libertass?"
"That might be a bit much, don't you think?"
As I'm thinking this, Don imagines the academy overflowing with kids like me and laughs while painting a future picture. But Nell and Amina's reactions are surprisingly hesitant.
"A bunch of Libertass who come up with strange ideas about everything would be tough."
"Yeah. Before you know it, they'd probably do something outrageous."
"Hmm, it's hard to deny since I'm aware of it."
And my own reaction to Don's words is closer to Nell and Amina's opinion.
A bunch of me.
In other words, a large influx of hardcore FBO players.
There are hardcore fans of various genres.
Among them, those at my level of dedication tend to be eccentric.
Imagining what would happen if they formed a group, I'm convinced a terrifying future awaits.
What comes to mind is the scene from a school trip (a prank) where we all jokingly unified our equipment in school uniforms and sailor outfits to挑战 the evil god.
We'd probably achieve the world's biggest goal easily, but things would definitely spiral out of control.
Nell's concern, Amina's anxiety, and my certainty.
That future probably won't come, but while hoping it doesn't...
"But having Nell and Amina become students might actually work."
Suddenly, I imagined what they'd look like in the uniforms I'd remembered.
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. Having reliable seniors gives juniors something to aim for. The kids from the shopping district group and the Garden Guards' children will also enroll, but I thought having seniors with real ability would be good."
The short answer was that I thought it was quite viable.
I can't enroll in this academy myself, but age-wise, Nell and Amina would have no problem.
As for whether there's anything for them to learn, there actually is.
If I stand at the podium or let them attend Gato's classes, I can teach them knowledge in the form of experience.
Also, interacting with kids their own age outside of me would be a good experience.
"Hmm, but I'd kind of not like being apart from Liberta-kun."
"Yeah."
That was my thought behind the suggestion, but Nell and Amina's reactions were surprisingly negative.
I had expected them to simply nod and enroll as students.
But hearing their reason—that they wouldn't like being separated from me—I was surprised to find myself unexpectedly pleased.
"Ho ho ho, in that case, how about the two of you participating in the academy as teachers?"
"Us, teachers?"
"But we're kids, you know?"
While I was surprised, Gato raised one finger and proposed making Nell and Amina teachers.
"Certainly, you two are children, but there's no doubt you're among the most capable individuals in Freihait. Nell-san is good at calculations, so she can teach arithmetic. Amina-san is good at singing, so she can teach singing to children who want to learn."
I thought this idea had merit.
Being homeroom teachers would restrict their freedom to move around, but having them teach special classes as guest lecturers is viable.
The same applies to Ingrid, Esmeralda, and Claudia.
"Also, isn't there something to be learned from teaching?"
"Indeed, that's true."
By utilizing their areas of expertise and teaching them, they can reaffirm their own knowledge.
Wouldn't that become a valuable asset for them too?
"Can we do it?"
"Hmm..."
Suddenly becoming a teacher is difficult. But isn't this a pretty good opportunity to learn how to teach?
"It's worth a try."
Thinking that, I start to consider positively having Nell and Amina, who have relatively flexible schedules, try teaching.
Nell and Amina seem anxious, but given their track records, I can't imagine they wouldn't be able to do it.
"As Gato-san says. Amina could teach singing and music in general, Nell could teach arithmetic and item knowledge."
The experiences they've had with me are full of valuable knowledge that others would give their right arm for.
Even in the short period before teachers are trained, they could impart that knowledge, and if people grow, it would be a good experience for Nell and them.
"Liberta, do you think we could become teachers?"
"I still make mistakes in calculations sometimes, you know?"
"I'm not forcing you, but I think you can."
And then, those who have grown can serve as a draw, nurturing even more new talent.
A foothold for that cycle.
I won't force them.
They can refuse if they don't want to.
Prefacing with those words, I nod seriously at them.
"If you'll do it with us, Liberta, maybe we could try?"
"I'm in too, if Liberta-kun is doing it."
"Then, let's give it a try."
They nodded, saying they'd do it if I did.
So I nod back, agreeing to do it together.