Listening to Grego's words, Dorothy scratched her head, which was still a bit groggy from just waking up. After thinking carefully, she realized that Grego had indeed been talking about sending her to school before.
Perhaps, it was precisely so that Dorothy could attend school that Grego specifically wrote a letter to bring his sister from the countryside to the city. Attending school was originally Dorothy's main purpose for coming to Igwinte.
I didn't expect to experience school life again in this different world... If I go to school, will I still have time to study mysticism later?
Thinking of this, Dorothy, still in her pajamas, rubbed her eyes, and then said, still a bit groggy.
"Do I have to go, Grego?"
I've had enough school in my previous life... Can I do something else in this life...?
Listening to Dorothy's words, Grego couldn't help but furrow his brows slightly. He put down some documents in his hand, then looked at Dorothy and said seriously.
"Listen, Dorothy, we are not children of nobles or big bosses. If we from the countryside want a good future, we must receive an education, otherwise, we'll have to toil our whole lives. The path your brother is on now is a very special case, not everyone can do it, and it's very dangerous. Furthermore, Dorothy, you are a girl, so it's even more impossible for you to be like me."
"So, Dorothy, listen to me, study hard at school. In the city, just being literate is not enough; you need a higher level of culture to find a more respectable job in the future! Say goodbye to rough and heavy work forever. Believe me, this is the experience I've summarized from what I've seen and heard while working hard in the city these past few years."
Grego educated Dorothy with the earnest tone of a parent. Listening to Grego's words, Dorothy's reaction in her heart was.
'Going to school and studying... How many 'Qi' (Awakening/Enlightenment) can he give me?'
To be honest, Dorothy thought Grego's words were indeed good, but after learning about the existence of the hidden world, she, who already lacked a sense of security in her heart, always believed that exploring mysteries and gaining stronger power for herself was the most important thing.
However, she couldn't possibly confess to Grego, this small Captain living in peace, that she had been studying those forbidden things. He would probably jump up in fright, confiscate all her occult items, and then strictly order her never to touch such things again, right?
"Ugh ahh~ Alright, alright, we'll go check out the school tomorrow..." Knowing it was impossible to refuse Grego on this matter, Dorothy agreed with a yawn. Seeing Dorothy's reaction, Grego's serious expression softened, and then he also smiled.
"Okay, this afternoon we'll just go buy some stationery you'll need for school. By the way, Dorothy, here is the school's brochure, and also your personal information for tomorrow's registration. You'd better sign your name here; remember to write your full name."
Listening to Grego's words, Dorothy was slightly startled. Then she walked over and sat on the sofa. After taking the documents Grego said needed signing, she thought carefully for a moment, then picked up a fountain pen from the coffee table and signed her full name on the documents.
Dorothy Mesi Horse
After signing, Dorothy squinted her eyes and looked at her full name on the paper for a while, then asked Grego, who was beside her, with some confusion.
"I say, Grego, don't you think our names are a bit strange sometimes?"
"Yeah, they're long and strange, and feel a bit out of place with the people around us, like foreigners. Like in the factory where I used to work, there were three Jacks, four Thomases, and I was the only one called Gregorius."
As he spoke, Grego looked out the window, his expression seemingly lost in memory.
"In my memory, our names seem to have been given by that cruel old mother. Our dad was an uncultured hunter and couldn't come up with these fancy names. And since she gave the names, I guess the surname is probably also hers, because I've never seen anyone else use this surname."
"Old mother..." Listening to Grego's words, Dorothy murmured, saying that in her memory, there was absolutely no information about this mother.
"Yeah, I don't have much of an impression either. I was only seven when she ran off. The biggest impression she gives me now is probably her hair. Yes, just like yours, Dorothy, a head of rare white hair."
'So my hair is inherited from my mom...'
While listening to Grego's words, Dorothy picked up a strand of her white hair, held it in front of her eyes, and murmured slowly.
...
In the Preet Kingdom and even the entire continent, education and religion have always been linked. Primary education throughout society has always been undertaken by the classes opened by Churches in various places. Many people, including Dorothy, learned to read and write in the Church.
Due to the demand for knowledgeable talents brought about by industrialization, many countries, including Prit, began implementing the "Primary Education Act" a few years ago, promoting the establishment of more and more public primary schools. Free compulsory primary education is now slowly becoming widespread, while secondary education is still difficult for the lower classes to access, remaining the domain of nobles, the bourgeoisie, and the middle class.
Saint Amanda School is located in the western suburbs of the city of Igwinte, adjacent to the upper reaches of the Iron Mud River that flows through the city. Its location is far from the bustling river transport dock area and the pungent industrial zone, making it a rare good place in Igwinte.
Saint Amanda School was donated and built by the Shining Light Church Saint, Saint Amanda, over three hundred years ago, and is therefore named after her. For three hundred years, this school has served the children of various nobles in Igwinte. In recent years, due to the social changes brought about by industrialization, the school is also undergoing changes, with the children of the bourgeoisie and some wealthy citizens beginning to enter here to study and receive secondary education, relying on their good economic status.
And the secondary school Grego enrolled Dorothy in was here.
In the morning, bright sunlight streamed through the large glass windows onto the clean and tidy school corridor paved with marble slabs. Dorothy, dressed in a black blouse and skirt and carrying a suitcase, walked alongside Grego, who was wearing a neat suit. The two of them had just finished all the admission procedures.
"Alright, everything is ready. You can go to class this afternoon, Dorothy. Saint Amanda has a long history and a good reputation. Once you graduate from here, you'll definitely be able to find a good job. I think being a lawyer, a teacher, or a civil servant are all very good. Believe me, finding these jobs will definitely be easy once you graduate from here."
Walking beside Dorothy, Grego said with a clearly happy expression, while Dorothy, who was next to him, glanced at him and then spoke calmly.
"Isn't the purpose of going to secondary school to prepare for university?"
"University?!" Listening to Dorothy's words, Grego was clearly a bit surprised. Finally, he said with a smile.
"I didn't expect you to have such ambition, Dorothy. We are originally from the countryside, and that is university! I support you, Dorothy. If you really get into university, we can hold a feast for the whole village!"
'In this society... secondary education is already out of reach for the lower classes... they wouldn't even dare to think about higher education...'
Listening to Grego's words, Dorothy thought this way.
And at this moment, in front of them, an old school worker covered in white dust, carrying several white Stone statues, walked towards them.
Suddenly, the old school worker slipped, and the two Stone statues he was carrying fell forward. An expression of shock appeared on the old school worker's face.
Seeing this situation, Dorothy and Grego quickly stepped forward. Grego grabbed one in each hand, saving the two Stone statues before they could shatter, while Dorothy stepped forward to help the old man who was about to fall.
"Are you alright, Mr....?"
Supporting the old school worker, Dorothy said with concern. After the school worker stood up, he squinted his grayish-white eyes and then said with a smile.
"I'm fine, thank you, young people. I'm getting old, and my legs aren't as good anymore."
"It's alright, old Mr., this is what we should do..."
Grego smiled, then returned the Stone statues in his hands to the old school worker. After the old school worker took the Stone statues, he smiled and left. As he did so, he turned his head and spoke to Dorothy and her brother with a smile.
"The young man has good reflexes, and the young lady has a good heart... You are both good people. I wish you good luck..."
Saying this, the school worker leisurely walked into the distance, holding the Stone statues. Looking at his back, Dorothy thoughtfully stroked her chin.