Chapter 138: A School for Althoff

The morning after Raymond arranged his private meeting with Boris and Jonathan, he found himself considering another responsibility that had remained neglected throughout Althoff’s remarkable transformation.

Education.

His discussion with the two military commanders had been productive, although establishing a proper Knight training program would require additional preparation.

Boris had agreed to examine potential candidates among the conventional soldiers, while Jonathan would begin outlining the facilities and instruction necessary for men learning to cultivate Mana.

For the moment, Raymond had instructed them to keep their preliminary discussions confidential.

Now, seated alone in his study, he turned his attention toward a different institution.

With a thought, he opened the Infinite Clan Treasury System and navigated to his inventory.

Among the various resources accumulated during Althoff’s development was an item he had possessed for some time but had never found an appropriate opportunity to use.

[ELEMENTARY ACADEMY BLUEPRINT]

[Type: Educational Construction Blueprint]

[Status: Unused]

[Description: A comprehensive construction blueprint for an elementary educational institution, including classrooms, administrative facilities, instructional spaces, and supporting infrastructure.]

[Requirements: Suitable construction site, building materials, qualified workers, and educational personnel.]

Raymond studied the description thoughtfully.

He had spent months improving agriculture, developing industries, expanding roads, strengthening the military, and attracting merchants. Yet despite all that progress, Althoff still lacked a proper school where ordinary children could receive a basic education.

The more he considered it, the more troubling the omission became.

A growing city required administrators capable of maintaining records, merchants who understood arithmetic, craftsmen who could interpret measurements, and workers who could read instructions without depending upon someone else.

Those abilities could not remain privileges reserved for noble households and wealthy families.

Raymond closed the System window and leaned back in his chair.

"We’re building a city for the future," he murmured. "It would be ridiculous if the next generation couldn’t even read the notices posted outside their own homes."

He summoned Alaric shortly afterward.

The Chief Administrator arrived carrying the latest construction reports, apparently expecting another discussion concerning expenditure.

"Your Excellency, if this concerns the military facilities, I’ve already instructed Treasury to prepare the preliminary estimates," Alaric explained while taking his seat. "We should have the figures within several days."

"That’s good, but today’s subject is education," Raymond replied. "I want to begin construction of a proper Elementary Academy."

Alaric paused with his ledger half-open.

"An Academy, Your Excellency?" he repeated, looking up. "You mentioned establishing one during our development meetings, but I wasn’t aware you intended to begin immediately."

Raymond smiled. "I’ve been putting it off long enough. We’re attracting families from across Zulor, and many of those families have children. What opportunities do those children currently possess?"

Alaric considered the question before answering. "Some receive instruction from their parents or relatives, my Lord. Wealthier households occasionally employ tutors, while a few craftsmen teach their apprentices basic arithmetic and recordkeeping. However, we have no organized public educational institution."

"Exactly," Raymond replied. "And that needs to change. I don’t want Althoff’s children growing up believing education is something only nobles and merchants can afford."

Alaric nodded slowly, although his expression remained thoughtful.

"The benefits would certainly be considerable, Your Excellency," he acknowledged. "But establishing an Academy involves more than constructing classrooms. We’ll need teachers, administrative staff, teaching materials, maintenance arrangements, and a reliable source of funding."

"I’m aware," Raymond answered. "That’s why I want the Administration involved from the beginning. We should treat education as a permanent public service rather than another building project."

Alaric began taking notes immediately.

Raymond continued explaining his intentions. The Academy would initially provide elementary instruction in reading, writing, arithmetic, and practical knowledge appropriate for children. He also wanted lessons covering basic hygiene, civic responsibilities, and an introduction to the occupations that supported Althoff’s economy.

The institution would not be an exclusive school reserved for noble descendants.

It would serve ordinary families throughout the city.

"How do you intend to handle tuition, Your Excellency?" Alaric asked after recording the proposed subjects. "A completely privately funded institution would be beyond the means of many residents."

Raymond considered the matter carefully.

"Basic education should be supported by the County," he replied. "We can establish reasonable admission arrangements and provide assistance to families who cannot afford supplies. I don’t want children excluded simply because their parents work as laborers or farmers."

Alaric looked impressed, although he immediately began calculating the financial implications.

"That will require a continuing allocation from Treasury," he observed. "Nevertheless, our growing commercial revenues should make a modest educational budget manageable, provided we establish proper oversight."

"Then prepare the necessary framework," Raymond instructed. "And ask Talia to join us. We need to select a suitable location before Mara starts complaining that I’ve added another construction project without warning her."

Talia Voss arrived less than an hour later, carrying the approved City Master Development Plan.

After hearing Raymond’s proposal, the urban planner spread the drawings across the conference table and examined several potential locations.

"Your Excellency, the original development plan already reserves space for future public institutions," Talia explained, indicating a section between the established Residential District and a planned neighborhood expansion. "This location would be particularly suitable for an Elementary Academy."

Raymond leaned forward to examine the marked area.

The proposed site occupied relatively level ground near an important residential route. It was sufficiently removed from the Industrial District to avoid excessive noise and heavy freight traffic, while remaining accessible to families living in several surrounding neighborhoods.

"How much land is available?" Raymond asked.

"Enough for the initial Academy buildings and future expansion, my Lord," Talia answered. "We can reserve additional space for outdoor activities, gardens, and supporting facilities. More importantly, the surrounding streets are already included in our current infrastructure improvements."

Alaric studied the map before raising another concern.

"What about children traveling from the Historical Core or more distant residential areas?" he asked. "We should avoid selecting a location that becomes inconvenient for most families."

Talia nodded. "The Academy would be accessible through two principal routes once the scheduled roadworks are completed. We should also ensure that pedestrian access receives particular attention. Children shouldn’t have to navigate heavy construction traffic merely to attend lessons."

Raymond approved of the suggestion immediately.

"Then we’ll include safe approaches in the construction requirements," he instructed. "And I want the Academy grounds separated from the busiest wagon routes."

Talia marked the necessary adjustments upon the map.

Once the location had been provisionally selected, Raymond presented the architectural requirements he had prepared using information from the System Blueprint. He described the proposed arrangement of classrooms, administrative rooms, storage spaces, and supporting facilities without revealing the Blueprint’s supernatural origin.

Lucan Veyr was subsequently invited to review the specifications.

The Master Architect examined the drawings with considerable interest.

"These arrangements are practical, Your Excellency," Lucan remarked after studying the proposed classroom layout. "The buildings can be constructed in stages, allowing the essential teaching facilities to open before every supporting structure is completed."

Raymond nodded approvingly. "That’s precisely what I want. We don’t need an extravagant institution. We need a safe, comfortable school that can accommodate children and expand as the population grows."

Lucan recommended durable materials, adequate ventilation, reliable water access, and sufficient natural lighting throughout the classrooms.

He also suggested using locally manufactured bricks for suitable sections of the buildings, provided the materials passed the necessary inspections.

"That would support our new brickmaking industry as well," Raymond observed. "Coordinate with Mara and Roderic to determine where those materials can be used safely."

By afternoon, the proposal had reached the Construction and Public Works Department.

Mara examined the approved site and preliminary requirements before looking toward Raymond with an expression of resignation.

"Your Excellency, I was beginning to wonder how long it would take before you found another building for us to construct," she remarked.

Raymond smiled innocently. "Surely one small Academy won’t cause too much trouble?"

Mara glanced toward the extensive plans in Lucan’s hands.

"Your definition of small continues to concern me, my Lord," she replied. "Nevertheless, we can assign a dedicated team once the site preparations are complete. The location is convenient, and several nearby infrastructure projects are already underway."

Raymond accepted the assessment and authorized the initial construction arrangements.

Before evening, the Administration issued an official announcement confirming the establishment of Althoff Elementary Academy.

The notice explained that the institution would provide organized elementary education for children residing within the city, with further details concerning enrollment to be announced once preparations advanced.

The response was immediate.

Parents gathered around public noticeboards, discussing the possibility of sending their children to school. Some were delighted, while others wondered whether their families could afford the necessary supplies or spare their children from household responsibilities.

Raymond understood that those concerns would require careful attention.

Building an Academy was only the beginning.

It needed capable teachers, sensible instruction, and the trust of the families it intended to serve.

That evening, Alaric returned with the first administrative recommendations.

"Your Excellency, we’ve begun preparing the educational framework," he reported. "The Administration will need to recruit qualified instructors, establish admission procedures, and develop an appropriate curriculum before the Academy can open."

Raymond looked over the documents with satisfaction.

"Then let’s find people who know how to teach," he replied. "A beautiful school won’t accomplish much if we fill it with empty classrooms."

Alaric nodded and added another instruction to his ledger.

By the following morning, notices seeking experienced teachers would begin circulating through Althoff and its neighboring territories.

Construction of Althoff Elementary Academy had been authorized.

Now the Administration faced the equally important task of finding the people who would bring its classrooms to life.