第５８９堀：学院を知ろう (Part2)
"Simply put, this magic academy was established, and other countries began to imitate it. It is said that the academy's founding purpose was to gather talented students in one place for instruction and education, thereby promoting efficient human resource development and magical research.
Well, that's the official story. Labyris and the others know this, but the founder—the First Generation—was from Japan. I believe they understood the significance of education, but I suspect their actions were driven by a longing for their homeland. As proof, the motto passed down from the First Generation at this academy is: 'Study hard, play hard.' I truly believe they created this place out of a pure desire to care for the children.
Of course, the other two of the Three Great Houses—the Haiden Royal Family and the Priestess of the Spirits—were involved as well. Though, the Kamishiro family took the lead, naturally.
Because of this, a groundbreaking method was born: taking magic, which had previously been taught only through secret, direct transmission, and teaching it widely, researching it, and incorporating it into the nation's strength. Before this, there were schools for nobles, but beginning with this magic academy, institutions like knight schools and schools for commoners were established.
Well, the ones for commoners didn't go as well as expected, so now they only exist in the Haiden Royal Capital. In the countryside, there's a lack of personnel, and more importantly, children who should be in class are valuable laborers. Even so, the general schools in the Haiden Royal Capital are popular. If you study there, it's somewhat easier to find employment, and you can broaden your connections... but I've digressed.
Anyway, like this, thanks to the Haiden Magic Academy, Haiden is known as a great magical power, which brings us to the present. ...Well, that's about all I can tell you."
"Thank you. Here. It's tea. Darjeeling, I hope that's alright?"
"Thank you. It's my favorite."
As Kagura finished speaking, I took a thermos containing tea out of my item box and handed it to her. I had heard about this from Yuki—or, to be precise, from Amanda and Eoid, who were following his instructions and providing support. Yuki would only find it stressful to listen to her directly.
This is how we use a mix of carrots and sticks to have her serve as a diplomat for Weed. If we were dealing with someone highly skilled in negotiation, they would be difficult to control, so in a sense, Kagura is the perfect fit. Yuki has warned me to be careful about that.
While I was thinking about this, Aslin and Firia were sharing their impressions of Kagura's story.
"I knew it. People from Big Brother's homeland are kind, aren't they?"
"Big Brother said there were many bad people there too, but I just can't believe that."
"Ahaha... I wonder about that."
Kagura gave a troubled laugh and chimed in at their conversation. These kinds of nuances are still a bit difficult for Aslin and Firia to grasp. Well, their ability to perceive a person's inner nature when they actually meet them is quite remarkable, so I'm not too worried. When the Agricultural God came, they were the first to realize there was no hostility.
Ah, perhaps that's why Yuki permitted us to explore the academy. If there were people plotting something against us, they would likely make a move against us while we were wandering around the school on a weekday. In that case, we really should keep wandering the academy. If we're going to attract those kinds of gazes...
"Say, according to what you said earlier, your ancestor is held in very high regard, isn't he?"
"Of course. Someone not of royal blood obtaining a dukedom and remaining here to this day—that's how trusted, no, how reliable a friend he was."
"Then, isn't there some kind of commemorative monument?"
"Ah, that's at the entrance of the academy. A stone monument where the First Generation and the others gathered when they founded the academy and carved a message for it. But haven't you seen it?"
"I'm sure I've seen it, but I hadn't heard that story, so I think it will look different if I see it again. Let's head there first."
With that, we headed to the school gate, and sure enough, a stone monument about two meters tall stood directly in front of us as we entered the academy. It was so clean that it didn't look like it had been there for many years.
"The year I enrolled, there was a terrible storm. It fell over and cracked. So they rebuilt it. I think this is the fifth one?"
...It was just brand new. Or rather, it gets destroyed once every hundred years, apparently.
"Well, it's because of the First Generation's instructions to replace it before the writing on the monument fades."
Oh, so it wasn't broken, but replaced according to instructions. I took a look at the contents of the monument.
*'Study hard, play hard, and may your life here become the nourishment that carves out your future.'*
Yeah. It's a normal monument. The content is just a bit longer at the end than what I heard earlier. I was thinking that was about it, when Aslin and Firia slipped behind the monument.
The area where the monument is placed is well-maintained and pruned, even if it's small, so stepping into it is a bit improper. I was about to call out to them because Yuki would get angry at me, but...
"Oh, there's something written on the back."
"It's true. Is it the author's name or something?"
"No, that's not it. This is Hiragana and Kanji."
"Japanese!?"
What!? What does this mean? Kagura and I exchanged looks and went behind the monument, and sure enough, these words were carved there:
*'To those who can read these characters: Go to the library. Let's talk more there.'*
Things are going to get more interesting than I thought.
I'll be honest. I don't remember the school songs of any of the elementary, middle, high schools, or universities I graduated from. As far as my fading memories go, I don't remember the words written on any school founding monuments either. In fact, I've never even paid attention to them. I suspect most people are the same as me.
As I've said before, you can't remember things you aren't interested in. They just fade away immediately.
And so, the story shifts to the mysteries of the academy. Now then, when it comes to the mysteries of an academy or a school... even if you aren't a particularly perceptive person, I think any Japanese person would know, wouldn't they?