The Soul Reborn: From Silence to Sovereignty Chapter 56

Chapter 56: A War on Ignorance

The room was thick with tension from the last scholar’s dramatic exit. But I didn’t let the air cool for long.

I sat up as straight as a pregnant woman could manage and stared down at the remaining four. Three looked nervous, and the fourth, a young doctor, seemed intrigued.

“Alright,” I said while stretching my arms like I was about to begin a good show. “Now it’s time for a real test. I’m going to ask a few general knowledge questions… covering a wide range of topics. If you know the answer, raise your hand. This isn’t about noble etiquette or church politics, but actual information a person should know. Understood?”

They all nodded without hesitation. I’m glad they’re excited about this opportunity. I mean, it only makes sense because I offered such a high amount of gold for a salary. So they better earn it!

“Great, let’s begin.” I smiled sweetly, lacing my fingers beneath my chin.

“What’s twelve times twelve?” I asked, curious to gauge how well they knew their times tables.

They all glanced at one another in silence. I wasn’t sure if the question was too simple or unexpectedly difficult.

Then Emerus, who had experience in mathematics, raised his hand. I still couldn’t bring myself to call some old guy "Master." We were definitely going to change their way of thinking and start using "Professor" in the future.

“One hundred and forty-four,” he answered without much issue, as if it was the easiest question in the world. Well, okay… I’m happy this world is well versed in their times tables.

“Correct,” I said as I looked at Livia, who gave me a smirk.

At least I can be confident in this man to probably teach a class, but this isn’t over yet. After that I asked about ten more that were all answered without issue.

“What does gravity do to the world?”

The silence was deafening as no one was talking or moving, as most were deep in thought.

Edmund was the first to take a crack at it. “I… believe gravity is the force that keeps us grounded. Though, in most books, it’s considered more of a divine pressure or aether force rather than a law of nature.”

I tilted my head. “Close enough… you’re at least on the right path, but it has nothing to do with the divine.”

They looked uneasy as I easily dismissed something they had likely believed in their entire lives. I could understand their perspective. After all, I was probably brought to this world by a higher being myself. But science doesn't work that way.

“Alright, next question. Is the world flat or round? Explain why.”

No one was brave enough to attempt that question at first. I mean, I guess with no real way to actually see the planet from high above, it would be hard to truly know, “Really… no one?”

Berthon, the history buff, cleared his throat. “There are debates, Archduchess. The church maintains the world is flat, as the scriptures speak of corners in the world. However, some foreign texts suggest it may be round based on sailing patterns and the way ships vanish from the bottom up.”

I was pretty happy with that attempt, with trying to think outside the box and not just listen to something being force-fed.

“Its round,” I said firmly. “Ships disappear over the horizon bottom first because of the curvature of the planet, next question.”

I took a deep breath before reading the next one; it will be interesting to see if they understand it. Since we already touched on gravity earlier, let’s expand on that.

“How does the moon affect waves in the ocean?”

Silence… once again.

Finally, Edmund, the young doctor, raised his hand. “I’ve read theories that the moon’s divine aura influences the water. But I’ve never seen a proper explanation.”

“It’s gravity again,” I said with a sigh. “The moon’s pull creates the tides. It moves oceans, like it’s dancing with the planet. You know what… next.”

I looked down at the next question and knew no one would know what this was, most likely.

“What is photosynthesis?” My gaze went from one man to the other, with none of them really making any attempt to answer the question, “Anyone?”

Emerus raised a hesitant hand. “That… sounds like a healing term?”

I had to stop myself from slamming my head against the table.

Edmund took a tentative guess. “I assume it has something to do with plants?”

“Yes…” I replied, “Its how they eat. Taking in the sunlight is then converted into energy. That’s why light is so important for crops. Not divine blessings or soil prayers… sunlight. Write that down.”

Livia was scribbling notes behind me with a smirk that wouldn’t leave her face.

“Next question,” I let that hang for a few seconds. “Are we moving around the sun, or is the sun moving around us?”

As expected, Berthon raised his hand. "The sun moves around Elarion, just as the Holy Scripture says. We are, after all, the center of everything."

His words caught my attention, not because of the Holy Scripture, but because I finally had an answer for what this world was called, “Elarion.” I never truly cared before, but it's great to know now.

I squinted at him. “Do you believe that as well?”

He hesitated, lost in thought for a moment, and then shook his head. “I think we revolve around the sun. It explains the seasons and the shifting position of the stars.”

That’s great! It shows their beliefs don’t affect the way they learn. It seems that they’re open to a new way of thinking, something I’m going to instill in them.

“You’re surprisingly tolerable, Berthon.” I gave a slight smile in his direction.

“It’s my honor, Archduchess.” He looked both personally offended and flattered by my words.

I glanced across all four of them.

“Well, I guess I’m not writing all the textbooks after all. But let’s be clear.” I leaned forward, eyes narrowing. “I won’t tolerate puffed-up idiots who recite scripture instead of scientific facts. We’re not making brainwashed sheep here. We’re building a much brighter future for everyone in Coldmere.”

Earn your damn paychecks! Would be the oversimplified version of what I just said.

Livia murmured dryly, “You say that like you’re declaring war.”

I grinned. “I am… a war on ignorance.”

I leaned forward, eyes gleaming with determination. “Alright, next round. Let’s see if you can surprise me with knowledge I’m not even sure exists in this world yet.”

Tapping the table once for emphasis, “What are the primary components of blood?”

A few of them shifted awkwardly in their chairs. One took a gamble that probably should have just stayed quiet. “Umm… red fluid, and uh… spirit?”

I blinked in complete surprise that he would actually say something like that after what I had just said.

“Spirit… What the hell does that even mean?” I turned to Livia, who tried not to snort at my outburst. “Did you hear that?”

“I’m trying not to judge because I honestly have no idea either.” She muttered.

Of course they wouldn’t know. It’s something that has come a long way in science where I come from, but here it’s practically a newborn.

“Okay, for the record,” I sighed, already feeling the weight of how much work lay ahead. “Blood is made up of different components—red cells, white cells, platelets, and plasma. Each one has a job: carrying oxygen, fighting infection, clotting wounds, and keeping everything flowing properly.” I gestured with emphasis, “Basic biology… gentlemen.”

My eyes drifted to Edmund, the one in this field. He turned away slightly, avoiding my gaze.

Alaric raised his hand, eager to recover from his earlier embarrassment. “What about a question from my field? I study theology and divine language, and I’m also well-versed in astrology. It connects to my work, since the gods are believed to have created everything, including the stars.”

“Sure,” I said, folding my hands under my chin. “Explain how eclipses work.”

He perked up. “It’s when the sun becomes angry and hides.”

I stared at him for a long… long… long moment before I started bursting out in laughter.

“Haha…” After a few minutes I finally looked up at his bewildered face and said, “You’re fired.”

“NO, wait…” He scrambled, attempting to take back his words.

“Calm down, I was just kidding.” I watched on as he took a deep breath. “Eclipses happen when either the moon passes in front of the sun, which is called a solar eclipse, or when Elarion’s shadow covers the moon, that being a lunar eclipse. It doesn’t have anything to do with the sun’s tantrums.”

My mouth parted with a few more laughs escaping at the ridiculous thought.

He nodded rapidly, scribbling down like a guilty schoolboy, along with the other three.

I clapped once. “Next! Chemistry, what’s the difference between a gas, a liquid, and a solid?”

Emerus perked up at that. “Solids are strong, liquids are… wet, and gases are… invisible?” He said with an unsure atmosphere around him.

Livia looked over at me with question marks written all over her face. I guess she was curious as well.

A small smile tugged at my lips. “Gases expand to fill their container. Liquids maintain volume but take the shape of that container. Solids maintain both volume and shape. You need to understand why things are the way they are, not just describe them like a drunken poet.”

I rose to my feet and paced slowly in front of them. “The four of you are being given a rare opportunity. You will help me build something this world has never known before… a true school. It will offer lessons that prepare students to build real futures. Education will be available for all. If you don't understand something, ask. If you're wrong, be willing to learn.”

One of the older scholars adjusted his spectacles and gave a humble nod. “Then… teach us, Archduchess. We’ll write what you speak and learn.”

A wave of excitement passed through me, especially since not one of them questioned how I knew more than the scholars themselves.

“See that?” I glanced at Livia. “They’re willing to learn; none of them seem close-minded, so that’s a great start.”

She nodded in my direction. “Looks like you’ll still be doing those textbooks you wanted to get out of, though.”

I sighed, “Yeah, probably.”

A thrill ran through me. Today marked a turning point; real change was no longer a distant fantasy but a future within reach.

It was happening one confused scholar at a time.

I clasped my hands behind my back, surveying them like a general inspecting her troops. Though still a bit shaken from the earlier round of questions, they now seemed sharper, more focused.

“Alright,” I said firmly. “Starting now, you’ll be learning from me every day for the next week. I’ll teach you everything I can. Your job is to listen, learn, and speak up when something isn’t clear. I’d rather deal with confusion than false confidence.”

One of them nodded slowly, another already scribbling something into a leather-bound notebook.

“Now listen closely, because this next part is important.”

I walked over to the table and tapped the top gently with my knuckles. “Once the school is completed, your teaching won’t just be lectures because the likelihood of it sinking in will be low. We’re going to structure everything like a proper learning program.”

With a raised hand, I began listing instructions while counting on my fingers. “Monday through Thursday, explain your subject as clearly as possible. Break it into manageable pieces. Don’t overwhelm your students all at once. Then, every Friday, test them to see if it’s sinking in.”

The oldest among them squinted, “Tests… weekly?”

“Yes,” I said, locking eyes with him, “for two reasons. One: to see how much your students are actually learning. And two: to identify what they don’t understand. Because if most of the class fails a question or concept, guess what? That’s not on the student. It’s on you.”

Livia leaned against the wall with a small, impressed smirk. I could tell she was enjoying this new side of me, or at least how serious I was about changing Coldmere.

I turned back to the men. “We’re not just making an elite academy. We’re building the foundation of knowledge for the North. So I want you to start thinking long-term.”

“By the end of the week, I expect you to understand the basics and propose ideas for your own subject’s curriculum. What should a five-year-old learn? What about a ten-year-old? Know what’s too early for abstract ideas, and make sure they can think critically about any question they’re given.”

I crossed my arms, my voice sharpening. “We’re not going to shove knowledge down their throats but help them digest it.”

One of them suddenly spoke up. “Archduchess… Do you truly believe this model will work?”

A firm nod answered him. “Yes, because I’ve seen it. Knowledge is powerful, and education shouldn’t be limited to nobles or the wealthy. A shepherd’s daughter could be a math genius, or a blacksmith’s son might be the world’s greatest engineer. But without the basics, we’ll never know.”

They were quiet after that. Even Livia didn’t have a response to my words.

At last, one of the middle-aged men gave a respectful nod. “We’ll follow your model and do our best to carry it forward.” The others quickly voiced their agreement.

“Good,” I said, with satisfaction. “Coldmere is about to become the smartest city in the world.”

I sat back down and smiled. “Now then… Who’s ready for some more science?”