I Become a Landlady in the Game World
Chapter 214 - 136: We are Building a School, Not a College

Chapter 214: Chapter 136: We are Building a School, Not a College

Afterward, Zhou Bai and Bayer visited the stalls in the trading area together.

The most popular items today were the magic items from Bengala Town, and the stalls selling magic items were crowded with people, some even stacked up like Arhats.

Zhou Bai approached the busiest stall.

She was curious, what could attract so many people?

"Magic Book rental, one view only costs 1 copper coin, 5 minutes per view, and 1 copper coin can teach you a spell."

"What kinds of Magic Books are there?"

"The one I recommend you learn from is the ’Magic Life Guide’, the spells in there are easier to learn and quite practical. Of course, if you have the talent, you can also check out ’Basic Spells’ and ’Magic Theory’..."

"Do spells need to be learned?"

"Yes, our previous magic involved invoking elements from the air, but spells have a broader range of use."

"Are spells easy to learn?"

"They’re similar to phonetics, practice more, and you’ll be able to learn them. The basic alphabet and phonetics are all in this booklet, 1 silver coin each, want one?"

"Yes, yes, yes."

"I’ll take one too."

At this point, Zhou Bai had understood.

She thought about what she had heard, a thoughtful look in her eyes.

Then she turned to Bayer and asked, "Bayer, have you ever been to school?"

School? Bayer pondered for a while and, piecing together what had happened before and after, guessed that Zhou Bai was talking about an academy.

Then he shook his head directly, "No, the fees for the academy are too high, my family can’t afford it."

"Can you tell me about the academy?" Zhou Bai asked.

As she asked, Zhou Bai also glanced at the buildings that could be unlocked in the territory. She looked around again and didn’t see any trace of an academy, which only proved one thing, with the current level of the territory, it didn’t qualify to unlock an academy in the system’s view.

Hence, she wanted to find out from Bayer.

"Only cities are qualified to establish Magic Academies and Physical Martial Arts Academies, accepting students aged 12. Magic Academies look for magic talent while Physical Martial Arts Academies look at physical conditioning; one needs to pass the academy’s assessment... Whether it’s either type of academy, the price to enter for studies is very expensive, beyond what ordinary families can afford. At the same time, the admissions standards vary by academy; higher talent is more desirable, and even if a family is struggling, there are plenty of forces willing to sponsor," but obtaining sponsorship also comes with certain costs.

As Bayer spoke, his expression was somewhat reflective; he had also envied such opportunities as a child, but he had tested and found he had no magic talent. He had some talent in martial arts, but it wasn’t enough to attract sponsorship, so he grew up as a wild professional.

On the Stan Continent, professionals like him were the norm.

Professionals graduating from academies basically had their own careers laid out, a clear path ahead.

The reason he had made it this far was largely thanks to a mercenary who had put him on this path, helping him avoid many detours.

"Since only cities? What about the children from villages and small towns? How is their magic talent tested?"

"The lords of these villages and small towns will conduct tests for children over 12 years of age regularly before academy recruitment to send those with talent to city academies, where they receive bonuses from higher-level lords." Bayer replied.

After all, if children with talent enter an academy and perform well, they are more likely to stay in that academy’s territory. These professionally trained mages from a young age have a strong foundation in magic and powerful magical capabilities, forming the backbone of a territory.

Some students do return to their original territories after graduation, but they are the minority.

For both parties, it’s a worthwhile transaction.

"Then aren’t there any schools specifically teaching knowledge, like literacy for kids?"

Bayer paused, glanced at Zhou Bai, "No! How much a child can read depends on what they can learn from the people around them; after all, for most people, enough is enough."

In the view of many, what use was deeper learning to them? Could it enable them to fend off demon beasts? Or help them earn more money?

Zhou Bai listened and sighed softly to herself.

Evidently, the system in this world still favored feudalism.

It wasn’t that they couldn’t make it widespread, but rather that they were unwilling. Only when the lower classes lacked ambitions could the upper echelons better control the territory.

Although this stabilized the territories, it also undoubtedly suppressed the entire society’s development.

Hence, this world possessed advanced magic, yet still harbored the feudal nobility and slavery systems.

She lacked the power to alter the situation across the Stan Continent, but she could decide the development path for her own territory.

She needed people, specifically talented individuals.

Since talent was rare, she would cultivate it herself.

Additionally, this might also attract individuals from other territories who wished to learn.

While contemplating this, Zhou Bai asked Bayer, "If our territory were to open a school to teach, and the prices were very low, do you think it would attract people?"

After visiting Gla Town, she realized that to attract more natives to Hope Village, the current level of development was insufficient; she had to take a different approach to enhance Hope Village’s competitiveness.

Lower prices, abundant goods, excellent benefits... Surely all these buffs combined could lure a surge in population?

"Villages might not have the qualifications to construct school buildings," Bayer hesitated but spoke his mind nonetheless.

"We can build it ourselves, and what I’m creating is not an academy but a school," countered Zhou Bai, switching concepts deftly.

Bayer, "..."—It does seem... possible?

"The construction team from before should prove useful, and since there’s plenty of vacant land in the territory now, we can build a factory next, and after that, we can construct the school," Zhou Bai remarked, her plans already firm.

Despite being an impromptu inspiration, it perfectly aligned with the subsequent developmental direction of the territory—couldn’t be more fitting.

Seeing Zhou Bai making the decision, Bayer’s heartbeat quickened.

Every time he thought Hope Village was already exceptional, something even more unique would happen.

Till just then, he hadn’t imagined that a simple few exchanges would decide such a significant matter.

"Do you see any problems?" Zhou Bai inquired.

"None," Bayer instantly shook his head.

It was beneficial for the territory, beneficial for the people; how could there be any problem?

But...

"Schools need teaching staff, and without high-level professionals, it might be hard to command respect," Bayer couldn’t help questioning, as the number of high-level professionals was a criterion for assessing the academic level.

"We can recruit them gradually, school subjects can’t be complete all at once."

Listening to Zhou Bai, Bayer knew she had ideas and refrained from saying more.

Including the Lord herself, many residents of Hope Village had a vast reserve of knowledge. Even if it differed from his, it was still useful.

The variety of exotic foods now appearing in the territory was all previously unseen and unheard of to him!

Other territories might not succeed if they attempted this, but Hope Village definitely would!

"Let’s go! To the Lord Mansion," Zhou Bai said promptly, her expression somewhat impatient.

Today was the day to manage factory matters, and later they would also finalize the location for the school.

"Okay," Bayer nodded, following behind Zhou Bai.

Behind them, the bustling trading area continued.

Magic scrolls, magic wands, magic potions, magic robes... Each stall’s merchandise was continuously being traded.

A scene of prosperity!