The Soul Reborn: From Silence to Sovereignty Chapter 55

Chapter 55: Show Me Substance

“Oh yeah, Livia,” I said suddenly, spinning in my chair and pointing at her like I’d just remembered something critically important. “You’re going to be my child’s godmother, right?”

Livia, who had been quietly sorting through construction guild applications, froze mid-motion and looked up at me slowly, “I… what?”

 “You know,” I said casually, “if Noah or I ever can’t take care of Lyra, or if something were to happen to us, I’m not leaving her with anyone else. I trust you to treat her well. Noah’s never spoken about his family, so I don’t even know if any of them are still alive.”

Then I grinned wickedly before she could respond. “Think about it… a much smaller, cuter version of me, toddling around with a dagger in one hand, clutching a book in the other.”

Livia narrowed her eyes. “I think I’m going to have nightmares.”

“Haha,” I laughed, waving her off. “I’m not that scary. You’ve already endured all of my drama, emotional speeches, plus a few spontaneous declarations of social revolution. How much harder could my child be?”

“You’re forgetting she’s also half Archduke.”

I blinked in realization.

Livia continued with a neutral expression. “The original owner of that body was, if I recall correctly, sweet, timid, and kind.”

“Yes,” I nodded slowly, “but now she’s mixed with both of us.”

There was a moment of silence in recognition of how amazing Lyra will be in the future; at least that’s how I felt, hehe.

She sighed and looked at me. “Your child will probably be very intimidating, whether physically or emotionally. If Lyra takes after your way of thinking but has Noah’s strength… that’s a disaster waiting to happen.”

“What… have I done?” I said in the most sarcastic way possible. Then I burst out laughing, thinking just how amazing my daughter will be, and I can't wait to hug her. She will take up the mantle we leave her, but on the other hand, why would she even need to leave us?

I already know I’m going to be extremely protective over her, and if she has my appearance, Noah would probably kill the one who tries to court her. Hopefully Lyra can handle us in the future, hehe.

Livia laughed at my response, probably understanding my sarcasm.

“But seriously,” I said, calming down a bit, “I trust you more than anyone else, Livia. You’ve always been there for me since you became my personal maid. I don’t say it often, but… thank you.”

She gave me a look. “It’s my honor, Seraphina.”

My eyes widened! “You actually called me by my name for once!” I couldn’t help but brighten up at her compliance in using my first name.

“Don’t get used to it, Archduchess.” Livia smirked.

“You’re so cruel!” I huffed at her and turned the other way while crossing my arms. Of course I still had a smile on my face, but I wasn’t going to show her that.

A few days later, the construction guild I had summoned finally arrived… tall men with calloused hands, rolled-up sleeves, and a look in their eyes that said, 'We’ve built castles before breakfast.' Good, that’s the kind of energy I wanted.

I led them through the fortress grounds with Livia by my side while Bor and Kellan followed just behind. We showed them the location we wanted the first school to be built.

“Right here,” I said, gesturing to a large area off to the side of the main gate. "It’s still inside the fortress walls, having its own special space. There’s enough distance from any homes, so residents close by won’t have to hear children being too loud. It’s also close enough that if something goes wrong, help is only a sprint away.”

One of the foremen scratched his beard thoughtfully. “It’s an unusual spot, milady. Most schools are built further from the seat of power.”

I raise an eyebrow. “How many of those schools are going to change the world?”

He wisely said nothing else and scribbled into his notepad.

I stepped back, hands on my hips, visualizing it all. “This first edition of The Light of Seraphina Academy has to serve as an example for all those that will come after it. There is no room for mistakes, and everything must work perfectly.”

Livia was already drafting a rough layout behind me. She’d learned well from watching me go off on wild, brilliant tangents.

“Most importantly, putting it here improves security. There’s no way I’m letting strangers enter the school without going through scrutiny. Inside the fortress walls, this is much easier to control. If we put it outside, it would’ve been harder to manage. Only those who teach and children who want to learn will be granted entry from outside these walls.”

“You’re thinking about those gossipers who showed up at the gates last week again, aren’t you?” Livia commented.

“Absolutely,” I replied without hesitation. “I’m going to ask Noah to reinforce the gates near this area. I want guards, checkpoints, magic wards… whatever it takes. This school is going to be the heart of Coldmere’s future. I won’t let it be exposed.”

One of the workers looked up from his blueprint. “You’re serious about this, aren’t you?

I turned to him and smiled, “Deadly serious. Now get to work because the world is watching, and I don’t intend to let them down.”

Now that the school is being built, it’s time to go see just how smart the most intelligent people in this world truly are. I have my doubts, but I hope to be proven wrong. This world is over two hundred years behind my old reality, so… my expectations aren’t high.

I've gone through some books on certain subjects that are similar to what I know. I plan to ask questions related to whatever their best subjects are.

“Hey, Livia,” I said as sweet as honey, getting an immediate rise out of her. “You want to come watch me school some scholars?”

She raised an eyebrow. “So you’re planning on testing them now?”

“No,” I said, still grinning, “I mean school them; there’s a difference.”

The confidence pouring off me could have been seen from orbit. I was practically glowing with it. Maybe my head was a little too high in the clouds, but I didn’t care. I was proud of what I was building. Honestly, I was hoping at least one of these so-called experts would surprise me. Because if they didn’t…

I sighed dramatically. “I’ll be so disappointed if they all turn out to be frauds, at least up to my standards. If none of them know anything beyond how to flatter a noble’s ego, there will be no choice but to write all those damn textbooks myself… all of them!”

Livia gave me a side-eye. “How many subjects are we talking about?”

“Well… basic arithmetic, language, writing, geography, critical thinking, and so on. I could probably throw in a few chapters on hygiene and definitely a full volume on how not to be a douche bag.”

She let out a sound that might have been a laugh; if you’ve known her for long enough, you’d recognize it.

“You’re enjoying this far too much,” she slightly laughed under a covered mouth.

“Correction,” I looped my arms around hers. “I’m enjoying the thought of revolutionizing an entire continent through well-funded education and petty revenge disguised as good policy. That’s very different.”

Livia shook her head. “What happens if you terrify them so much, causing them to run?”

I rolled my shoulders. “That won’t happen. Why wouldn’t they want to be part of this? Sitting around all day can’t be that fulfilling. I’m offering them a chance to learn things that will completely change the way they see the world.”

Right now, I was sitting in front of five people wearing obnoxious robes, so gaudy and over-embroidered they looked like they belonged to a tapestry, not human beings. Every single one of them had a receding hairline; does that come with the position?”

I squinted.

One had a comb-over so dramatic I could’ve used it as a blanket. Not that I ever would, yuck.

From my right side, I heard Livia muttering quietly. “You know everything you’re saying is out loud, right?”

I blinked at her in disbelief, my mouth slightly opened to say something, and then I just thought… Oh well, just roll with it.

Clearing my throat, I gave them my best I’m trying to be patient, smile, which wasn’t very convincing, I’ll admit.

"Alright, let’s begin. Now… one at a time, define what a scholar is… And tell me your primary subject of study. Because if you want to be paid well...” I leaned forward, resting my chin on my hand, “…you’d better show me that you can actually back up your claims.”

The man on the far left, who had enough beard to rival Gandalf, straightened his back like he was preparing for battle.

“Ahem… I am Master Berthon of House Althra. A scholar is one who accumulates knowledge, preserves it, and passes it down to the next generation. My subject is political philosophy and noble history.”

The former could be useful, but the latter is something I have no interest in.

I nodded slowly and then gave him a stern look. “Define ‘accumulate’ without using the word ‘book’ or ‘scroll.’”

He opened his mouth, closing it literally a second later… Then he blinked as if he was at a loss.

Livia covered her mouth with a perfectly timed cough that sounded suspiciously like a laugh.

“Next,” I commanded with a sigh.

The second man pushed his spectacles higher up his nose, posture rigid. I don’t know why, but whenever I read about someone pushing their glasses up in any novel I’ve ever read, I always felt annoyed.

“I am Master Emerus, Archduchess, and I study advanced arithmetic and merchant economics. A scholar is one who pursues the truth through theory and application.”

This man intrigued me with both of his main subjects being helpful for students to grow and have fulfilling careers in the future.

“Alright, Emerus,” I said, my voice crisp. “What’s compound interest?”

He perked up. “Compound interest is when earnings are added to the original amount, and future gains are then calculated on that growing total, allowing it to increase more quickly over time.”

Okay… Color me mildly impressed, but I still wasn’t smiling just yet.

“Do you think any child growing up in a market town will understand that?”

He flinched. “Well… not without proper instruction.”

“Exactly,” I turned to the third man, “Your turn.”

He floundered for a few seconds. “My name is Master Alaric Thornewell, and I specialize in theology and divine language. I believe a scholar is one who seeks divine truths in all things.”

I couldn’t help but stare at him dumbfounded.

“So… You study fairy tales and say it’s divine?”

He blushed. “That’s not…”

“I don’t care,“ I cut in. “Next.”

The fourth man was quiet and nervous. Younger than the others, he looked like he was trying not to disappear into his robes.

“I’m Master Edmund Valecroft; I study biology and medicine,” he said quickly. “I think a scholar is someone who applies what they learn to improve the world around them.”

That was a very good answer!

I leaned forward. “Alright, Edmund, what’s the leading theory on why people get fevers?”

He hesitated… then spoke. “There’s debate on that; some say it’s due to an imbalance of the humors, but I believe it’s the body fighting off illness from external contamination.”

I snapped my fingers with a grin. “That’s it, nicely done. You’ve got a bright future ahead of you.”

The last man was broad-shouldered, with rings on every finger. I was already annoyed by the way he carried himself, so full of arrogance. Honestly, this is how I expected most of them to be.

“My lady,” he said, “I’m not here to impress you; what I want is the pay you’ve promised for those with skills.”

Since this man was one of the top scholars, I decided not to throw him out but to reform his disgusting attitude.

“Well… you just volunteered for a new special program I just came up with.” He tilted his head slightly. “Bors, take this man to the training yard, beat him within an inch of his life, and then bring him back. Don’t kill him. Just make sure he understands exactly who’s in charge.”

Bors, who had been silently standing nearby, cracked his knuckles. The man paled in fright instantly.

“Wait, wait, wait… I teach geography! I know all the major trade routes! Please…” Before he could say another word, Bors grabbed him, threw his body over his shoulder, and walked out the door with the man screaming.

Normally, I’d toss them out without a second thought, but I don’t know how many more like them are out there. Sometimes it’s better to break someone down and rebuild them into something loyal, especially when they carry themselves like that.

When the doors slammed shut behind them, I sighed and looked at the remaining four, who had started sweating for some reason.