319 A different sort of schooling (1/2)

That same day, two months after the Sealing of the Rift, Mindy completed her shipments of Wasp A's to Ashdale, fully earning her 60 million lir.

Some of them looked rather worn due to 'extensive quality testing', but due to speedy delivery, Commander James Eddings decided to accept them anyway. ”We need them, and we need them now.”

”How come? I thought the World War was over.” Mindy blinked.

”So did I. Tell that to the raiders showing up on our shores.”

”Raiders? Where are they from?”

”Where are they NOT from? We're getting raids from all sides! Even the Wilds are trying to cross the channel to take a bite out of us!”

As Mindy concluded her deals with Ashdale, Remian and Phoebe watched from the side.

”You look proud.” Phoebe mentioned, seeing Remian's expression.

”I am proud. Of her.” Remian admitted it freely.

”She's come a long way. I hear she was just a scared orphan waitress hiding in a tavern, too afraid to set foot on the street.”

”She was, at first.” Remian nodded.

”But you taught her. You raised her. And now…” Phoebe shook her head. ”Whatever did you feed that girl?!”

”Roast meat, usually. Whatever the hunters brought back.” Remian thought back. ”Then we went around to see the world and we ate all sorts of stuff from wherever we landed. I think she has a thing for La Vivan cheese and Germati sausage.”

”So is that the secrets to her success? The cheese and sausage?” Phoebe chuckled. ”Come on, Remian. Spill it. What did you teach that girl?”

”Teach her?” Remian thought back. ”I taught her to read and write properly. I taught her math. And I taught her to go learn how to do whatever she wanted to do. All of that is just a starting point. The rest of her success… is hers.”

”Not entirely, I think. You understate your role in her success.” Phoebe rolled her eyes. ”Who was it who gave her the materials for her first airship? Who was it who had Arnold teach her engineering and mechanics? Who was it who brought her around the world, introducing people and ports and routes to her? Who was it who gave her the money to start trading and build her own business?”

”Who, indeed, I wonder?” Remian put on an innocent look as if all that had nothing to do with him.

”You gave Mindy advantages the likes of which most children in this world could never even dream of having.” Phoebe paused. ”Except perhaps for George and Tim.”

”Hey, all I did with Tim was put him in charge of the cheese.”

”But in George's case, you gave him everything. You gave him Kara-Goth. And what about Darian? And Eriane?”

”I… actually didn't do anything for them.” Remian suddenly had a guilty look on his face. ”All I did was bring them here and let them free. In Darian's case, you should look to Doom, not me. Even if I wanted to do anything for them now, it's too late. Their needs and interests are beyond my ability to provide. They're already stepping out on their own paths by themselves. It's best I just let them grow.”

”Still, I bet they'd love to have some guidance from you. Despite all your downplaying, I suspect every kid in the Wildlands would love to have a mentor like you.”

Remian looked at her sideways. ”You're talking about that new school I'm planning, aren't you?”

”Well, yes.” Phoebe admitted it frankly.

”Do you want to join me in teaching the young ones?” Remian offered straight out.

”You want me to take a class? Or lecture on a subject?” Phoebe mused. ”I could teach first-aid…”

”No. There will be no classes. No lectures.” Remian told her. ”We're going to teach in an entirely different manner. Think about it, Phoebe. The entire school design is based on one thing; the need for factory workers. All their education is mainly for the sake of filling in a workforce. Schools like that are all over the world. That isn't the kind of school I want to run. Any school can raise factory workers. I want my students to do something different. To be something different.”

Phoebe faltered. ”George, Tim and Mindy?”

”Exactly.” Remian nodded. ”And none of them has ever received a single lecture from me.”

”An elite academy…” Phoebe muttered. For an instant, a bare instant, a dark shadow seemed to cross her face, with her eyes seeming to gaze into a scene far away and long ago. ”How young do you intend to start them learning?”

Remian straightened. ”No younger than age five. Any child below that should stay with their parents.”

”Learning letters at age five, huh?” Phoebe frowned, seeming half-distracted with her own thoughts.