第１６５７堀：教育は難しい (Part1)
Chapter 1657: Education is Difficult
Education is difficult.
Side: Schans
We took a few detours, but thanks to that, we successfully secured the generators.
Judging by Comet’s demeanor, they are still very much in the prototype stage, but the fact that she lent them to us suggests she intends to be involved in their maintenance as well.
It is likely part of the preparation for scattering the cores.
Even if we provide the facilities to build vehicles and medical equipment, we must generate the electricity ourselves.
I don’t expect the fools to think that everything can be solved with the push of a button, but they seem to think exactly that.
That is precisely why Yuki-sama has been warning them in advance that this is no simple task.
While I was lost in such thoughts, we finally arrived in front of the classroom where the target lesson was being held.
"This is the class currently in session."
Inside, the young people who survived the rigorous selection process to enter this school were studying diligently, desperate not to miss a single word of their teacher’s instruction.
I had been worried about what to do if I found them dozing off, but thankfully, that was not the case.
"Ho ho. It is good to see them all working so hard."
"Well, that is the duty of a student, after all."
His Majesty and Yuki-sama nodded in approval as they watched the scene.
"And how have you divided the three classes?"
"We have mixed students from the Zurable side, the Hein side, and the general public."
"Initially, there was talk of separating them into three distinct groups, but we feared that if they clashed while over there, it would tarnish the name of Zurable. That is why we settled on this arrangement."
"I see. A wise composition, looking toward the future. If you look at it from the top down, that is."
"My, that is a rather loaded way of putting it."
"Problems of this nature are always kept beneath the surface; that is common sense. No one goes out of their way to make their own misconduct obvious, do they?"
Indeed, as Yuki-sama says, even among the elite, while I wouldn't go so far as to call it bullying, it is common for those in positions of power to strive to prove their own superiority—even if it means pulling the legs out from under their peers.
However, that matter has already been addressed.
"Indeed. I understand that much. I have governed this Zurable, after all. I am well aware of the petty squabbles of children, and if they were to crumble over something of this magnitude, they would not be fit to be representatives."
"Well, that is your policy. It is not my place to say otherwise."
"We considered it as well, but we cannot be there to help them at every turn. We concluded that if we intervene, it would only highlight the very disparities we are trying to bridge."
"That’s the difficult part of it, isn't it?"
Indeed, such maneuvering is always done where the superiors cannot see it.
And, as disgusting as it is to say, such manipulative ability is also a subject of evaluation; learning to counter such tactics is part of one's true strength.
"Well, we have been clever about it. When selecting students for study abroad, we haven't just chosen the top performers; we have also included those in the middle and lower tiers."
"Did you tell the students that?"
"No, we certainly haven't disclosed the selection criteria. That would only invite the very problems we wish to avoid. Though, I have no idea how they intend to maintain the grades of the middle and lower tiers."
"It would require collusion among all the students, which is practically impossible."
It is effectively impossible, and even if the students and teachers were to collude, it would still be futile.
Ultimately, we are the ones who make the final choice.
"So, what are they studying right now?"
"Hmm. What was it again?"
At His Majesty’s gaze, I answered.
"At this hour, it is International Common Sense. They are being taught the 'norms' of Weed."
"In that case, those generators we got earlier should come in handy."
"Yes. I shall explain it to the teachers immediately and have them incorporate it into their guidance... In that case, would you mind explaining it to Yuki-sama and the others?"
"Ah, the teachers are more important than the students right now, aren't they? How much experience do the current teachers have with Weed?"
"Half of them do not. Three of them, about a third, have experience. There are ten in total."
"You’re running it with ten people? That’s quite generous, six students per teacher."
"In this instance, some lack the necessary knowledge. And this also serves as training for the teachers themselves."
That is correct; not only the students but the teachers themselves are far from perfect in their knowledge.
Of course, there is no such thing as perfection in these matters, but we have staffed them this way in hopes of improving the situation as much as possible.
"Well, this will also serve as their escort duty when they go to Weed, so the number will decrease by that much."
"Considering that, is the ratio appropriate?"
"That is what we believe. Now, if you would follow me."
We began to move. After showing them the classroom setting, we proceeded to the outdoor lesson.
"Magic is not something you simply release. It is only when distance, precision, and power are in harmony that it becomes effective. You must be able to unleash all of them appropriately to make it useful. Having only power, only precision, or only distance is useless. Especially with power—if you have too much, you may end up obscuring your own vision. Do not misunderstand that."
"Yes, sir!"
The teacher was providing strict instruction during the magic lesson.
"Surprising. It’s like a military unit. I thought that if you were a student, you’d focus on polishing whichever talent you had."
"That is necessary, but unfortunately, we were at war until quite recently."
"There have been quite a few cases where young people, full of confidence, rushed out—and not only did they endanger themselves, but they caused their entire unit to be wiped out..."
Yes, while the talent of the youth is something to be celebrated, it is a different story when it comes to group combat and warfare.
They must act with consideration for platoon coordination, unit maneuvers, and the overall strategy of the army.
Individual actions can cause a mission to collapse.
Yuki-sama seemed to understand this as well...
"Ah, I see. So there was actual damage done."
"On both the Zurable and Hein sides. And because of their parents' status, they had some influence, which made them truly troublesome. Of course, there were those who refused to acknowledge them, but still."
"The worst part is when a situation arises where such actions are recognized as 'war achievements.' Once that happens, they start to believe that they can act however they please as long as they produce results."
If that happens, the army ceases to function as a cohesive body.
Naturally, we have taken steps to ensure that does not happen.
"So that’s the reason. Education really is difficult."
"Indeed. It truly is. Oh, and looking at it now, do you have any thoughts on the magic?"
"No, there’s little I can say regarding magic. It’s fine for me to show off my skills, but that won’t necessarily increase the students' abilities. Well, perhaps I can offer some help by teaching them natural sciences. And Riel can handle the medical side."
"Oh, that knowledge would be most welcome. We are currently conducting research at the laboratory, but we are struggling with how to convey it to the students. The same goes for medicine."
"It inevitably ends up ignoring the domestic theories of magic and the intentions of the Church, so..."
The drastic improvements in magic brought forth by Yuki-sama and the others.