episode_0010

Although I asked Priest Pippin a few questions, the answer ultimately boiled down to this.

“There’s nothing for you to worry about.”

“Me?”

“He’s not the type to get into trouble, not the kind to cry over a scraped knee, and he’ll manage just fine on his own.”

Parenting… maybe it’s not such a big deal after all?

I had some concerns, but oh well.

“He seems to be the type who can handle things on his own.”

“Yes, I actually think it’s a relief as long as he doesn’t stray too far from your influence.”

That’s a bit hurtful.

Of course, I can understand why he would have those worries.

So, it was about ten years ago when I realized the secret of my birth and arrived at this church.

I dug up a few memories from my childhood with the priest. It was my first birthday celebration at the church.

“Laven! I heard it’s your birthday today. Does that mean you’re ten now?”

“Age.”

“Huh?”

“Don’t raise my age.”

“……”

I’ll just say that this cheeky side of me from my childhood is… inevitable.

Honestly, I think I should be grateful for enduring a difficult childhood. And becoming a knight instead of remaining a lazy bum with such a past is a kind of human triumph, isn’t it?

And even though my past self was quite worn out, I don’t think my current self would be detrimental to Lycia’s mental health.

If it were really so, Priest Pippin wouldn’t have allowed it, knowing that I had a gentle side. Just the thought of it fills me with morality.

Anyway, I decided that there wasn’t much to worry about regarding Lycia.

It seemed more beneficial to focus on the preparations needed to leave.

I can’t survive on brick-like bread or rubbery jerky for the rest of my life, so I’ll just pack a reasonable amount.

Since we’ll be passing through villages along the way, we can replenish our supplies there. And we can enjoy some good food at an inn.

It’s already spring, but the mornings are still chilly, so I should bring an extra leather blanket for Lycia.

And although I may not need it, it seems that the girl’s shoes are not suitable for long distances, so I should visit a tailor. I can cover the cost of that. It’s not a lot of money, and I’m not exactly poor right now.

It’s not like it’s a huge expense; it’s just for basic necessities like food and shelter, so there’s no need to be stingy.

But this isn’t the 21st century, and we don’t need things like tuition fees… or do we…?

Wait.

Tuition fees?

“Ah.”

“Huh? What’s wrong, Laven?”

Do we need that?

*****

Of course, universities are not charity organizations.

Professors also need to make a living. Of course, there are those who prioritize honor and research over money, but they are not non-profit organizations.

There were scholarships in the form of imperial grants, but who knows what the Empire is up to with the Papacy.

“The Emperor acknowledges the Papacy’s appointment of authority and requests clemency. If he does so, he will surely lift the ban. We do not wish for innocent believers to shed blood.”

“We have held this right for generations. Why are you so greedy for authority that has never belonged to you?”

“Is it right to take something so easily from the rightful owner? Can you truly stand before God with a clear conscience?”

“It was never yours to begin with! Why do secular rulers interfere with the priesthood?”

Actually, they may express themselves in a refined manner, but when you really break it down, it’s not much different from saying this.

“Scared?”

“Scared?!”

Although the Papacy and the Emperor were still exchanging spam emails and quarreling with each other, it was clear to everyone, including the sky, the earth, and the girl next to me, that it wouldn’t be long before holding onto someone’s hair turned into a fistfight.

When you see how loudly they proclaim their righteousness to the world and diligently build their case, the answer becomes clear.

Money will flow generously from a place like this. It would be fortunate if they don’t collect more taxes.

“Licia.”

“Yes.”

“By the way, how do you plan to cover your tuition?”

Licia, who had anticipated such a situation, had obviously thought about what to do next. I trust in her intelligence.

She looked up at me, blinked a few times, and then scratched her head stylishly before saying, “Well, I guess I need to think about it now?”

Today, my faith crumbled.

“When I asked Father Pippin, he said that even poor students go to college. They usually find work nearby to pay for tuition.”

“Isn’t it a bit early for you to work?”

“Even someone like me can find something to do, right? I know how to write, so I can do things like copywriting.”

It was still speculation. Well, no one around here has crossed the threshold of university, so details are hard to come by.

Working.

Thinking again, it bothered me to make a choice that would make this child work to earn tuition. Is this too modern a sensibility?

The conscience triangle that had been idle for a while began to spin around looking for work after being restored.

“And you never know, right? If the professors like you, tuition won’t be an issue.”

“That’s… true.”

Here’s another piece of common knowledge.

This medieval-university organization is not as systematic as its modern counterpart. There is no bright, wholesome, and refreshing campus life for young people.

Rather, it’s more like a market where education is sold in roughly large buildings.

Entrance exams don’t involve measuring applicants by catching a few monsters in a space where they crawl around, nor do they have a system where students fight each other to make the winner of a tournament pass.

In a world where there are no blonde, curly-haired villainesses, there are no academies. And even if there were… such academies would be worthless.

So, it’s unlikely that there would be such a spectacular entrance exam.

Students had to twist themselves in different ways to get into the university.

“I have heard about your esteemed reputation and research achievements. I was deeply impressed by your theological accomplishments, so I humbly request your guidance!”

“I am a busy man. I already have many students to teach. Well then…”

“Even if you fail, please give me a chance!”

The only way to get into the university was to please the professors.

The process didn’t matter. Whether you bow or lick their toes, as long as they like you, that’s all that matters.

The professors who received requests would assess the student’s level by taking exams or having conversations, and then decide whether to take them as disciples. Of course, the exam doesn’t involve catching monsters. There’s no such thing here. There are medieval-monster treatment heretics who don’t treat people like humans, though.

Anyway, if you pass, you can start attending classes the next day, and if not, a predictable outcome awaited.

“Please, just one more time… just one more chance…!”

“Disappointing. It’s over, you incompetent fool.”

I packed my bags and headed home, a long way to go.

At this point, tuition is at the discretion of the professors.

It’s a rare occurrence, but there’s a story that if a student kneels down to gain momentum, they might be able to get free lessons. Perhaps this is what Licia had in mind.

But still, it’s not a common thing.

The girl is smart, but it’s not an easy goal to achieve.

“Who are you taking lessons from?”

“Well, from the Holy Maiden.”

“The Holy Maiden.”

Especially if she’s the idol of theology. It might not be easy.

There were many subjects taught at the university, but among them, theology was always considered the best.

In the current world, it was the foundation of various theories like magic and philosophy, and graduating from it opened the shortcut to a high-ranking career path.

And naturally, the top professor teaching theology was the Holy Maiden.

One of the three existing saints at the moment. Of course, the most popular professor in the most popular subject would be difficult to enroll in.

“But I believe in myself.”

However, it was a subtly confident voice. Licia had a look of belief in her eyes, as if she had seen it before.

She said she wanted to learn from the Holy Maiden.

And Licia mentioned that she wanted to go to university to find answers to salvation. Indeed, the best way to solve that question was to visit the Holy Maiden.

And Licia was smarter than any other kids I had seen. So, there might be a chance. I nodded and said,

“Well, who knows? I think it’s entirely possible.”

“Exactly, right? I’m confident it will happen. Because she’s the Holy Maiden.”

The girl smiled knowingly yet mysteriously.