Time slipped to late May, and the weather in Paris gradually began to heat up, which also meant that the university's end-of-year exams were approaching.
Lionel had missed nearly three weeks of classes previously, so he had been particularly diligent in his studies lately, especially not daring to slack off in boring Latin.
Being able to defeat Le Figaro single-handedly did not mean he could defeat the Sorbonne's annual grand examination.
He himself was not very interested in this, and if it weren't for the foundation laid by the original owner's diligent studies over the past two years, he would have surrendered by now.
Furthermore, the professors' impressions were also exceptionally important, as the end-of-year exam included not only written tests but also oral exams.
This was a tradition of "academic debate" and "defense" originating from the Middle Ages, not just a test, but also a public academic performance.
Students had to answer the examiner's questions on the spot, demonstrating their immediate thinking and argumentative abilities.
Higher education in this era emphasized memorizing classics and precise citation, and oral exams could directly verify whether students could accurately recall and explain without books.
Graduates from elite universities like the Sorbonne would mostly enter fields such as law, politics, academia, or the clergy, all of which required the ability to speak in public.
Oral exams were often semi-public, with other candidates, teaching assistants, auditing students, and even famous figures present to observe.
If one performed poorly, it was no different from a public execution.
Although Lionel was the "Conscience of the Sorbonne," professors generally wouldn't make things difficult for him, but if they were too lenient, a sensational headline might appear in the tabloids—"Doesn't the Conscience of the Sorbonne Ache?"
At noon that day, Lionel, as usual, pulled out his lunchbox from his bag. Today, Petty had prepared baguette slices with shredded duck meat, spread with fig jam, as his main course;
The meat was cold-roasted lamb leg slices, served with mustard seed sauce; the vegetable was a salad of mixed tender lettuce, sliced white mushrooms, and walnuts;
Dessert after the meal was plum pie, along with a small bottle of mint-flavored syrup.
His classmates were already used to it, but could only drool and go eat at the public tables outside or go home.
Albert came over to him, also holding a lunchbox, but it was larger and more exquisite than Lionel's, with porcelain portraits of Greek mythological figures inlaid on the lid.
Albert opened his lunchbox; inside, the main course was golden brioche rolls, served with duck breast slices, smoked salmon slices, roasted quail, and artichoke heart salad.
In addition, there was chocolate for dessert, and a small bottle of champagne water.
Lionel glanced at it, then laughed: "Which restaurant did you order this from?"
Albert's face reddened, and he complained indignantly: "This was prepared for me by our family's cook! You're jealous! Jealous that my dishes are more advanced!"
Lionel's smile remained unchanged: "I guess... this is 'Ledoyen'? Or perhaps 'Café Riche'?"
These two were well-known mid-to-high-end restaurants near the Sorbonne, and also Albert's preferred places when treating others.
Especially "Ledoyen," famous for its roasted quail, a dish that was in Albert's lunchbox.
Albert's face turned crimson, but he didn't get angry in the end. Seeing no one else around, he mumbled softly: "Ledoyen."
Lionel still smiled: "Not cheap, right? I guess at least 4 francs?"
Restaurants in Paris didn't have the custom of providing lunchbox meals, so Albert's special request for one would certainly be expensive.
Albert turned his head away, not wanting to deal with Lionel.
Lionel ate a piece of bread and took a sip of mint syrup before saying to Albert: "I will go to Count Rohan's ball!"
Albert turned his head in surprise: "Really? After so many days, I thought you would refuse..."
Lionel explained: "Count Rohan is assisting Minister Ferry in implementing the policy of free primary education—I think this is excellent! Everyone should receive an education, regardless of their family background, whether they are boys or girls.
Even children from poor families should not become apprentices at the age of 8, and then, under the exploitation of workshop owners, one-fifth will die or become disabled before the age of eighteen."
When Lionel said these words, his face felt a bit flushed, after all, he still had a 10-year-old child laborer in his home.
In this era, the education of girls mostly relied on convents, charity schools, or family tutors; public schools implemented gender-segregated classes, but there were very few places reserved for girls.
Getting Petty to go to school was not something he could accomplish by his personal will alone; she still had parents, and educational registration not only had to be completed by relatives, but also by a taxpayer registered in Paris.
So now, Lionel could only have Alice teach Petty some words every day and supervise her reading, in addition to her transcription work.
Albert actually didn't care whether children from poor families could go to school. He cared that his father had returned to the center of power in Paris, so he also loudly echoed: "Everyone should be educated! My father thinks so too!
The Rohan Family is the strongest supporter of free primary education! Let those bastards who look down on commoners and the poor go to hell!"
Lionel: "..."
Albert extended his hand to Lionel: "Welcome to the Rohan Family's ball! It will be on the first Saturday of June, at 10 PM, at 77 Champs-Élysées!
This will be the last grand ball in Paris before the height of summer! Leon, believe me, you will love the feeling!"
Balls in Paris were mostly held during the cooler winter and spring, usually starting at 10 PM and ending before 2 AM; an extension required reporting to the police.
Lionel nodded, indicating he understood.
Albert showed an ambiguous smile: "Remember to bring your dance partner!"
Lionel was stunned: "Do I have to bring a dance partner?"
Albert was surprised: "How can you dance without a partner? Quadrille, polka, waltz, all require partners."
Lionel had an even bigger headache: "Do I have to dance?"
The only ball he had attended before was the masquerade hosted by Baroness Alekseyevna, but that was more like a large COSPLAY party, and there was no mandatory requirement for a dance partner.
He thought this time he would only need to drink some champagne and red wine in the shadows and socialize a bit to get by.
Albert showed a look of sudden realization—due to his family background, Lionel had never attended such an upper-class ball, so he had no idea about these rules.
However, he wouldn't mock Lionel now; after all, he was his invited guest, and if he made a fool of himself at the ball, Albert would also be embarrassed.
Albert rubbed his forehead, looking very troubled: "Attending a ball and not dancing is very rude."
Lionel spread his hands: "I only know the simplest dance steps, the kind danced in public squares during festivals..."
Albert patted his chest: "Leave it to me! There are still two weeks! I can have Mademoiselle Odette Devillers, the Rohan Family's etiquette teacher, teach you basic dance steps and the flow of the ball.
She is the most elegant and patient etiquette teacher I have ever seen. In just two lessons, you can learn the 'Polka' or the 'Galop'. As for a dance partner..."
Albert's eyes twinkled, and he smiled mischievously: "That, you'll have to figure out yourself, Leon..."