647 A Corner of the Age (1/2)

At the end of the Month of Scorch (August), in the civilian district of Rentato…

After his parents went to work in a seafood company and a workshop of lamps respectively, Longman read the books that he bought recently alone at home, while he thanked the God of Truth and the arcanists from the bottom of his heart.

Ever since the wicked, radical clerics were banished by the Congress of Magic and the moderates came into power, the previously expensive books were much cheaper. Even the boy of a common household like himself could afford one or two books every couple of months. That was an unimaginable luxury in the past. As a lover of books, he felt that even the sun was brilliant and warm nowadays.

From Arcana Voice, Longman learnt that paper had been invented hundreds of years ago. After a long time of modifications, their price had been significantly lowered, and so was the printing technology. However, to monopolize knowledge and the channel of communication with the Lord, the radical clerics blocked the printing technology and encouraged hand-written copies, thereby keeping books at an extremely high price. Apart from the nobles and the great merchants, it was terribly difficult for the common civilians to learn words and knowledge. It was thanks to the secret dissemination of the Congress of Magic that the average knowledge level of Rentato reached this standard.

Now, times had changed. While knowledge was precious, it was not entirely unaffordable anymore, because the workshops and the major nobles are in dire need of laborers who had basic knowledge.

He browsed his books. It was a book that described the common creatures in nature with life-like illustrations. Longman, who had learnt to read from his father, was quite interested. His father had been promoted to be a middle-level manager of his company from a common worker. After that, his father had been taught how to read as well as the knowledge about the fishing industry.

”Werewolves, kobolds, goblins, giants, barbarians, Dudu birds…” Reading the book, Longman felt that he was now in the great outdoors appreciating different creatures who shared similar parts but had their own fascinating idiosyncrasies. ”It's totally worth it to buy this book with my months of savings!”

Dum, dum, dum. Somebody knocked on the door, waking Longman up from the ocean of knowledge.

”Who is it?” He asked loudly, sitting straight and feeling rather anxious. I'm a boy alone at home. If it was a burglar, a thief, or a brutal 'night watcher' as described by 'Arcana Voice'…

Dum, dum, dum. A male voice echoed as he continued knocking the door. ”Open the door. I'm a mailman of the kingdom. You have a letter!”

Longman was immediately relieved, laughing at himself for listening to so many horror stories from Arcana Voice that he was apprehensive even during the day. Didn't burglars, thieves and night watchers only appear at night?

Opening the gate, Longman saw a young man who was smiling gently. He was wearing a dark green suit and carrying a heavy bag. There were two letters in his hands.

”Your letters.” The mailman said with a smile.

Longman took the letters. He saw the delicate stamp on the envelope first. Those were among the first batch of stamps that the kingdom issued, on which the images of Her Majesty and Mr. Evans, as well as the amount, were painted.

”This stamp is beautiful. I need to cut it out for collection…” Thought Longman subconsciously. Then, he saw the sender, realizing that the letter was written by his aunt who was married in Paphos County. He immediately felt very happy. His aunt had always been closest to him before she was married. However, her husband worked in Paphos County. Although it was not very far away from Rentato, correspondence hadn't been easy because they had few trustworthy friends who were willing to carry the letters for them. They often communicated on a yearly basis.

Now, everything was different. Longman saw the amount on the stamp on the envelope and discovered that he could afford one letter every month with his allowance.

Thank the Lord, thank Her Majesty, thank Mr. Evans, thank Prime Minister Russell, and thank the postal department of the kingdom… He drew crosses on his chest and read the second letter. His eyes were immediately widened. ”Admission notification? The First Generic School of Rentato?”

Ah? Ah! I've been admitted!

Longman felt such enormous ecstasy that something seemed to have exploded inside his heart. He kept saying thank you to the mailman, his eyes turning blurry.

Since it was only experimental, the royal family and the Congress of Magic had established merely two generic schools in Rentato, which were named as 'First' and 'Second'. Therefore, since the tuition fees were affordable for civilians, too many people were dreaming to go to the two schools. The rate of enrollment was probably less than one percent!

Thankfully, Her Majesty had set up the fairest way of admission: the College Entrance Exam. That was how he could distinguish himself.

”I can finally study the real knowledge and learn the real arcana and magic…” Stunned, Longman found it impossible to calm himself down. Too many thoughts were rolling inside his head.

”Please sign here as confirmation. Leave your fingerprint if you can't write.” Having delivered many admission letters today, the mailman had already been used to the situation.

Longman was finally back to himself. He took over the fountain pen, which was said to have been invented for the general public, from the mailman's hands and signed his name on the receipt solemnly.

”Thank you, uncle, for bringing such a great surprise today.” Longman thanked the mailman sincerely when he returned the fountain pen.

The mailman smiled. ”I feel happy that you are happy. After I have enough savings, I would like to go to the general schools, too. Chances are that we will be schoolmates in the future.”

His face flushing in excitement, Longman asked, ”May the Lord grant your wish. Uncle, is it a tiresome job to be a mailman? You need to carry many letters and packages every day.”

The mailman replied with a smile, ”It is a bit exhausting, but things will be better soon. We're told that we will be given a vehicle named bicycle.”