Chapter 271

After hearing this familiar yet strange term from Anna’s mouth, Leon couldn’t help but feel a bit bewildered.

During this time, he had participated in a bunch of weird events, not only outsmarting enemies with all sorts of abilities but also landing on an asteroid over 70,000 kilometers above the ground. In front of dozens of bureau directors whose status was equivalent to that of the True God, he had faced off against the Aquarius Director in a one-on-one battle.

To be honest, although his strength wasn’t very strong yet, he certainly wasn’t just an ordinary person anymore. With the added identity of a nominal duke, he now had the ability to subtly influence the world… or at least a small part of it.

And he, who had just thwarted the Aquarius Director’s conspiracy a few days ago and indirectly protected the world, was now going to his younger siblings’ school to attend a parents’ meeting organized by the Community Public School. He would also discuss as the decision-making parent the issue of those two little rascals’ further education…

It was quite bizarre.

“What’s wrong?”

After waiting for a while and seeing no response from Leon, and noticing his somewhat dazed expression, Anna couldn’t help but look at him worriedly before quietly asking:

“Are you still feeling dizzy? If you’re still not feeling well, you should stay home and rest for the day. I can go to the parents’ meeting instead.”

“Hmm… no, I’m sober now.”

Noticing the concern in his sister’s eyes, Leon felt warmth in his heart after regaining his senses. Smiling, he shook his head and said: “I was just reminiscing about some interesting things and got lost in thought. Moreover, my work is too busy, so it’s rare to have time to spend with you guys… The carriage has arrived, let’s get on!”

…

When the public carriage pulled up and stopped by the roadside, Leon covered Anna’s head with his hand as she bent down and climbed into the carriage. He followed suit and sat down next to her by the window.

“Oh, right.”

Seemingly remembering something, Leon asked curiously:

“As far as I remember, the elementary division of Naval Bridge Public School requires six years of study, right? William and the others entered late, more than half a year behind schedule, and they’ll only reach second grade in two months. Isn’t discussing their future education plans a bit premature?”

“It’s not too early.”

Hearing this, Anna shook her head, looking both happy and a bit troubled as she said:

“It’s different from the public school I attended; Naval Bridge Public School is among the top tier of public schools. Arrangements regarding students’ future paths must be made early.

Generally, the first year is spent teaching basic knowledge while assessing potential in various areas. The second and third years involve trying to cultivate them in corresponding directions while testing for direction mismatches.

If the determined direction shows limited talent, other directions are explored. Once the academic goals are basically confirmed, the fourth, fifth, and sixth years focus specifically on intensive learning.

During these three years, besides targeted subjects, communication with corresponding high schools, participation in activities of those schools, building relationships with teachers, and striving for admission without exams or recommendation letters from teachers of those schools…”

Wow, it’s really competitive, isn’t it? Not knowing much about this aspect, Leon couldn’t help but exclaim after listening to Anna:

“William and the others haven’t even reached seven years old yet. Isn’t thinking about all this a bit too early?”

“It’s really not too early.”

Anna couldn’t help but glare at Leon upon hearing this, then explained:

“They enter school at over six years old and graduate when they’re nearly thirteen, which is when they need to choose their future middle schools. More than 90% of students can only attend regular middle schools to learn a skill to make a living, graduating at sixteen years old and entering the workforce directly. Even jobs like typesetters at newspapers or furnace operators at factories are considered good opportunities.

Only less than 10% of students can enter those top middle schools, striving for three years to try and obtain recommendation letters and exam qualifications, hoping to continue studying at famous universities. How could we not start early?”

“…”

So, despite still being “children,” the significance of the last three years of community school is almost equivalent to what I perceive as “high school.” It’s normal for it to be fiercely competitive and start early.

Thinking about this, Leon mulled over what Anna had just said, roughly understanding the underlying logic of the school’s system.

Considering the kingdom’s method of higher education admissions, which isn’t a relatively fair unified examination but rather individual schools conducting their own recruitment with interviews and written tests, there are many more ways to “pull strings.”

Even if participating in exams and interviews has no barriers—just providing proof of graduation from community school and passing grades in foundational subjects theoretically allows anyone to enroll—anyone can theoretically pass the dual trials and enter.

But with Naval Bridge Public School conducting “career surveys” in second grade and subsequently engaging in years of intensive learning targeting specific schools, occasionally participating in activities at corresponding high schools, becoming extremely familiar with the teachers responsible for interviews, and perhaps even getting a glimpse of the exam scope, children from average families and schools without exceptional talents definitely can’t compete.

So, while it seems equal opportunity with everyone running the same race to the same finish line, in reality, while you’re still practicing running, others are already installing cybernetic legs or even building teleportation gates straight to the finish line.

It’s ridiculous…

Shaking his head slightly, Leon looked at Anna beside him, who seemed a bit tense, patted her hand, and consoled her softly: “Don’t worry, William and Melanie are just mischievous, but they’re not dumb. They’re both smart. As long as they follow the curriculum step by step, they’ll generally have bright futures. Besides, my salary isn’t low, and… um…

In short, even if they can’t attend the best schools in the future, helping them find good jobs won’t be too difficult. If necessary, supporting them for a few more years isn’t a problem either.”

“This is exactly what worries me the most!”

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Upon hearing Leon’s words, Anna couldn’t help but scold: “A few days ago, the teacher at the public school gave the students a survey form, asking them to fill in their expectations for the future. Do you know what Melanie wrote?”

“Uh… what did she write?”

“She wants to find a handsome and wealthy husband to support and pamper her! Then she plans to eat and drink happily for the rest of her life!”

“…”

This… the form she filled out truly fits my perception of Melanie…

“This… I told you it’s too early!”

After being thoroughly shocked, Leon remained silent for a moment before trying to console her:

“Ask kids what they want to do in the future; naturally, they won’t understand, so giving such immature answers is normal. You don’t need to get too upset… By the way, what about William? What did he write?”

“He wrote something… very mature.”

Hearing this, Anna took a deep breath and said despairingly: “He plans to rebel, overthrow the royal family, and become king himself. Then he will lead a great army from west to east, conquering the Twelve Kingdoms and ruling the entire world.”

“…”

6.

(End of Chapter)