第１２３２堀：準備の準備を開始 (Part2)
"Back in my academy days, I would have certainly fumbled this, but now, it feels as though time itself has slowed to a crawl."
I popped the cap off the bottle I’d been handed, planted a hand on my hip, and took a long, refreshing gulp. Ah, there’s nothing quite like chilled fruit milk to soothe a body flushed with heat.
"Phew. Now, to continue our discussion. This initiative isn't about accepting specific individuals for specialized study, like we did with Naya or Wazfi. The goal is to accept a wide, diverse group of exchange students to deepen the mutual understanding between the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance and Weed."
"Oh, so it’s not just for mages, then?"
"Precisely. Magic is certainly part of it—and we are considering issuing qualifications and licenses recognized by the Alliance—but we are looking at other fields as well. Medicine, combat training, and so on."
"Ahaha... combat."
*People are going to be dropping like flies.*
I think I deserve some credit for keeping that thought from slipping past my lips.
"I see. But why is this something to be so troubled about?"
"Because the obstacles are mountainous. The curriculum itself is currently nothing more than a collection of rough ideas. That is precisely why I need to hear the opinions of the viscounts from the Zufia Kingdom, as well as students like you two from the Lancer Magic Academy."
"Ah, I see. But I’m only really familiar with a limited scope of magical research. I don't have much knowledge beyond that..."
"I-I’m the same... just research into magic tools..."
Exactly. I don't know the first thing about 'education.' Besides, I’ve always been terrible at teaching others. I suppose people like Narjia or Comet might be fine with it, but they’re both so incredibly eccentric in their own right.
When I voiced this, Deryu-san wore a troubled expression.
"Hmm, I understand that. But what I am asking for is not academic theory, but 'common sense.'"
"Common sense?"
"Indeed. Creating an exchange student program in Weed means gathering students from a multitude of nations."
"Well, that’s true. Oh, so that’s where the 'common sense' comes in..."
"If students are coming from so many different countries, their versions of common sense are bound to clash, aren't they?"
"Exactly. We need to extract that 'common sense' to draft rules that minimize friction. There are things that are simply impossible or unacceptable depending on one's cultural background. For instance, if an exchange student from a Goblin village were to arrive, how do you think they would react to a class that uses the monster 'Goblin' as a subject for combat training or study?"
"Ah..."
That would be nothing short of picking a fight with the people from the Goblin village, wouldn't it? Yet, there is no denying that in the Rogali and If continents, Goblins are undeniably dangerous monsters. Failing to communicate that would only lead to further trouble.
"..."
Wazfi and I fell silent, overwhelmed by the sheer labor required to navigate such a minefield. I couldn't even begin to imagine how many conversations it would take to get this right.
Seeing our reaction, Deryu-san nodded slowly.
"Now you understand my predicament. However, you two will be assisting me in resolving this. I will, of course, make sure to reduce your training hours accordingly."
*Oh, so she isn't going to cancel the training entirely, then.*
Well, that sounds exactly like Deryu-san.
"But are we really the right people to be putting this together?"
"Y-yeah. As Wazfi said, shouldn't this be discussed by the various nations?"
"Even if we were to hold such discussions, we need a 'base proposal' to start from. We cannot simply hold a conference on everyone's individual common sense on the fly."
"That... is certainly true."
"I’m starting to understand why being a king must be so exhausting."
I hadn't really paid much attention to it before, but since coming to Weed and watching Seraria and Yuki, I’ve come to realize that those at the top don't have it easy. If only everyone in power were like them, the people below could live in peace.
"That is why those of us who support Yuki must help build this 'Exchange Student System.' It is a simple task, yet a difficult one. Now, do you understand why I called it a nuisance?"
When she asked again, I nodded firmly. Honestly, I couldn't think of a more troublesome undertaking.
"For now, before Yuki returns, I want you both to compile the 'common sense' of your respective hometowns and nations. Also, tell me what surprised you or seemed strange when you first arrived in Weed."
"Understood."
"Y-yeah. I’ll give it a try."
And just like that, our daily lives became infinitely more chaotic with this preposterous new assignment. Well, at least it won't be boring.
*Headmaster, isn't this place called Weed just a bit too incredible? Actually, why don't you just get in touch with the Headmaster yourself!*
To achieve a grand goal, one must clear a multitude of small ones. We have no choice but to keep working at it, one step at a time.