Chapter 75: School Opening (V).
Kein's POV
Everyone was in place, the deep arbor of silence took over and I took a deep breath gathering the strength of my voice. "My name is Kein Hills, the daughter of Baron Hills who stands before you to commemorate one of the greatest steps for progressing the education of [Puronia]."
Everyone looked excited with the mention of progress, I could see the crowd's expression smiling. "The first classroom we've ever made was at the orphanage. I've seen such conditions where children were not able to read and write their own name. Seeing this, I asked my father if we could build them one."
Memories flooded, the first time I've visited seeing Rose- a princess who wanted to bring change but not wanting to risk her identity could only do much.
She decided to teach the children with resources that they have, kneeling into the floor and writing. It pained me seeing her kneel in pain just to teach the children, yet I admired her dedication.
"Someone important to me... inspired me to devote myself to making a place where children of our kingdom may be able to learn how to read and write- control their magic and make a better future for our people."
I wish my words would reach her. "Our children will be the next generation of strength, they are our treasures! And thus we will give them the best we can."
Knowing she's somewhere in the palace right now, one day I'll bring her here.
"Many years I have fought to bring that promise to life and now it's coming true." I turn around to look at the red ribbon being held, Lenard comes up to me and takes a pair of huge scissors from his [Storage Ring] giving it to me.
"To cut the ribbon will be the start, I hereby open the public Academy for the people of [Puronia]. Dovenrosa Academy!" I hold the scissors and cut the red ribbon with a wide smile on my face. With the satisfying sound of a snip, the ribbon fell into the ground and the teachers that were holding it clapped their hands together.
The crowd claps altogether as well, my heart felt light knowing that I've made a difference.
Lenard holds my shoulder looking proud, he takes the scissors and addresses the crowd.
"Everyone, those who would like to have a tour of the academy there will be teachers and professors who will be able to show you around. The children and parents would be able to see the school and thus assure your hearts that it's safe and secure." (Lenard) waves his hand to the other teachers who nod, they each take a little paper with a number on it and they start forming the crowd into groups.
"Each teacher would be able to contain fifteen people to tour, there are plenty of reliable staff members so please rest assured." The teachers walk up front rounding up many parents with their children either sulking or excited to be here.
"Mom! Mom! Can we go inside now please?!"
I could even see one little child about five years old dragging his mother wanting to quickly get inside. The scene made me happy and I would've wanted Rose to see this so badly too. "Alright, now now- hold your horses! The teachers will get us inside and make sure you stick close to me."
"..."
Looking at the mother and son pair, I suddenly missed Vivienne.
I decided to get back to my family and saw Vivienne's happy expression with her arms holding out as if asking that I carry her. "Moma! Moma! Hnghhh!"
She was trying to reach for me and I quickly got to her before she would fall down from Alfred's hands from squirming so much. "Hug!" she buried her head into my chest before putting her chin to my shoulder nuzzling there.
"I was only gone for twenty minutes, Vivienne." I patted her hair from the back and gave a little soft laugh. "Would you like to get inside and see what our school has to offer?"
"If you're planning on needing a new tour guide, I would happily serve you again milady." (Ellis) suddenly walks up towards us bowing his head.
"Lift your head up Ellis, you need not to do that anymore seeing that we'll become family so soon." I tell him with a chuckle walking up to him and giving his shoulder a slight pat. I looked around to see that my cousin was not beside him, we separated after the ribbon cutting. "Where's Lenard?"
"He's talking to some of the merchants that came to visit. Many well off merchants were thinking of sending some of their children here to learn, your cousin thought it would be a perfect chance to improve his diplomacy skills." (Ellis) slightly has a tinge of color on his face while he talked about my cousin planning to work so hard talking to people.
Lenard Yulien, my cousin who was always afraid of talking to people back at the parties hosted they would usually hold. He's growing and taking his time on improving himself.
"Then if he's busy, I suppose we'll be going with you again today. Isn't that right Vivienne? I hope you don't mind Uncle Ellis touring us today?" I ask the little blonde girl who smiles with her perfect set of white teeth.
"Hehehe Unwcle!" points at Ellis and his gaze immediately softens, coughing a little.
"I have prepared secret cookies and milk for the little one on our trip, I hope you don't mind milady." (Ellis) asks for consent and I nod, putting a hand on my waist.
"I certainly don't mind here, please just be careful not to give her too much..." I tell him an expression of worry on my face. Memories of my father spoiling her too much with sweets made me think she'll be having a trip to the dentist so soon at her age. "You know how children are with sugar rush, Vivienne will be running around the estate and it will be hard to get her to sleep."
Ellis laughs a little, reaching out to pat Vivienne's soft blonde hair. "Well then please follow me, we have added many things after your last visit."
Alfred, Vivienne and I followed Ellis inside of the school. Inside were pillars, stairs and walls of mahogany wood. Marbled floors that looked so shiny you could even stare at your own reflection.
"Whoa!"
"M-My this place is certainly luxurious looking... is this really for free?" One mother asked looking so shocked to see the interior. She glances at her clothes, uncomfortable feeling out of place. "Mom! Isn't it all cool?!"
One of the teachers heard the mother's worry and replied to her question with a friendly smile. "This is all made possible by Milady Hills! It has been said that she managed to convince the royal court to uphold a budget that would get the academy afloat for a decade."
"She's really giving all of this- for free?" the mother asks, looking like she's not believing it all. I wouldn't believe it if I was in her shoes either.
In their perspective it would sound too good to be true.
"Certainly! The only thing you need to worry about is your children's allowance and items for school, there are scholarships offered here at the school and if you need any more information regarding the matter- at the end of the tour if you have any questions I will answer with the best I can!" The teacher who was a lady right in her twenties made everyone smile in delight for the lovely service.
"Mom! I can't wait to go to school! They have so many coloring pencils in one classroom!"
"Really now?"
They all looked at one of the classrooms that was dedicated to be an art room. Canvases were placed with so many paints and brushes in the corner.
The teacher who was leading a different set of tours smiled, giving them more information. "Some of these materials you're seeing inside have been donated by artists! As you all know [Puronia] is well affiliated with the passion for arts- we have the budget to get enough materials for one of the subjects for [Art Class 101]."
"I'm actually an artist myself. I got hired after I saw that they needed a job opening! Business was a little slow... no one is buying portraits in this season so this really helped!"
Seeing so many groups of crowds having their own tour of the school made me comfortable. Another old teacher who was buff and missing an arm led another set of tours. "I'm actually an adventurer originally... I've heard that they need a teacher when it comes to one of their subjects [Adventurer Training]."
"I may have lost an arm on one of my adventures but I still have decades of experience I can pass down to your children if they ever would like to take on my class."
The parents all saw the missing arm and grimaced thinking of the worst but the teacher saw their expression and didn't really take it to heart and just laughed. "I know what you're all thinking- but I assure you the life of an adventurer is just like any other job there is. All dangerous!"
"This class will help them be prepared for danger and even score some glory for your family even! Hahaha!"
His laughter was intoxicating and immediately won the crowd.
The fathers who were on that part of the tour nodded in agreement and immediately asked if they could sign in their sons immediately into training.
Walking around and seeing other people's tours made me think they certainly hired the best staff that they could. "Ellis, who hired the staff? They all seem perfect for this and I'm impressed."
"That would be me, Milady. I've already instructed them and even practiced some run-in questions that they might encounter so everything would be perfect."
All that preparedness- he must've gotten some experience in being prepared after being stuck in Aunt Haren's much hell of a household.
She was certainly demanding and would often have mood swings announcing that she wants something then a few seconds later change that order into something else then complain why it was taken so long.
"I have to say... well done cousin-in-law."
Hearing my compliment, Ellis looks forward, not holding back a smile.
"I am flattered by your words, milady."
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