The Soul Reborn: From Silence to Sovereignty Chapter 54

Chapter 54: The Light of Seraphina Academy

My dearest Noah,

I’ve finally figured out how to help this world! Something desperately needs to be done!

Do you have any idea what I’m talking about? Probably not…

“I’m going to build a school. Just near the entrance of the fortress, where it will be easy to access for those who want to grow, learn, and become something more.”

Today, I held a meeting between nobles and commoners. What I learned was that neither side had any intention of backing down, and their constant bickering made that painfully clear.

My revelation was… THEY’RE ALL MORONS!

Seriously, the education in this world is abysmal. It’s no wonder everything feels so far behind compared to where I came from. I was telling Livia earlier about my last life, how we had to spend twelve full years in school before we were even considered ready to step out into the real world.

It started at the age of five and covered everything you would need to truly build a future. We were taught subjects that actually mattered, things that could shape a life, not pointless lessons like etiquette.

Even the nobles I saw today struggled with the simplest form of critical thinking. All they seem to learn is how to speak in circles, gossip, and trade their daughters like livestock. It’s all just so painfully stupid, Noah.

I could probably write a whole math textbook myself. Even when it comes to science, I excelled in that category as well in school. History… well, I don’t know crap about this world’s history. But hey… we’re the rulers of this area!

Can’t we just hire some intelligent people to write those for us?

Anyway, just imagine if every single person in this world had access to that level of education. Maybe we’d get geniuses from places no one ever expected, and the world would finally stop tripping over its own stupidity.

I’m calling it The Light of Seraphina Academy. People have already begun to see me that way, so I’ve chosen to embrace it. I considered adding Saintess to the name, but I won’t claim a title like that until I’ve earned it through some kind of real power. Maybe if I live as one, those powers will come to me in time.

I can only hope!

In her wisdom, we rise; a gift of truth, given to all. Knowledge is her blessing; growth is our vow.

What do you think? That could be our school's motto!

Maybe I’ll even take over the world with it, hehe. Well… at least all of the north. We can become the most educated people to have ever existed.

So to come back to the beginning, with this we can correct a lot of Coldmere’s shortcomings in the future.

Praise me, Noah. I know it will work!

I love you so much, and I really… really hope to see you soon.

Always yours,

Seraphina

***

Noah didn’t miss a beat because the very next day the butler entered my chambers and handed over his most recent letter.

The second I held it in my hand, I couldn’t help but get super excited at how he took my new direction for the North.

I tore it open with zero grace, nearly ripping the enchanted letter in my haste. My eyes scanned the first line, and I immediately gasped.

***

My ever-brilliant, always-energetic wife, Seraphina!

You’ve outdone yourself again.

I fully support your vision for The Light of Seraphina Academy. I couldn’t stop smiling at the thought of you trying to change the world while nearly five months pregnant. It’s such a perfectly you thing to do.

After our conversations about your world and the state of this one, it’s obvious we need a serious reality check when it comes to education. The tutors who come to teach young noble children aren’t actually well educated themselves; they just spew out all the information they were ever told.

Textbooks… we’ll commission them.

Teachers… We’ll hire the best or train them ourselves. I should say you’ll train them because I’m not nearly as intelligent.

Buildings… You name the location, and I’ll have the stone and timber there as soon as possible.

The people don’t even know what’s coming. You’re going to light a serious fire under this entire nation, and I’m honored to be the man standing beside you when it happens.

Now, the most important news: I’m coming home!

It’ll take a little over a week from when you read this, assuming no delays. There’s still some cleanup to do out here; I can’t leave a mess behind. But the main threat is over, and my men can handle the rest on their own.

I can’t wait to hug you and take in the scent I’ve missed for so long. To feel your hand in mine and touch your growing belly. Lie beside you and listen to your rants about nobles or the next educational revolution.

Words can’t express how I’m feeling right now, but on the bright side, my heart feels a little less empty knowing it’s about to be full very soon.

Hold on just a little longer.

With all my heart… the devoted Archduke of Coldmere and the proud husband of the most incredible woman I’ve ever known.

Love always,

Noah

***

I clutched the letter to my chest, a grin spreading across my face.

“He’s coming home…” I whispered, barely able to contain the joy in my voice. “He’s really coming home!” My voice rising.

“Good news?” Livia asked with curiosity written all over her face.

My body practically floating with the high of such great news, I chuckled. “The best, we’ve got just over a week before Noah arrives, so let’s make sure everything is ready.

I looked back up at Livia after reading Noah’s letter for the fourth time… Each read made my heart swell with joy.

“Livia,” I shouted. “He agreed! He’ll help make it all come true.” Was there even a doubt? No!

She blinked, only mildly startled because of my outburst, not because of the content. “Of course he did.” Livia said calmly. “How could he ever say no to you?”

I grinned and spun in place, glancing around the room as if blueprints were already taking shape on the walls. “It’s time to start planning for the first school. Livia, do you think just inside the fortress walls would make sense?”

Even though I was confident in my decision, I still liked getting her opinion. It just made me feel a lot better.

“Sounds good to me,” I watched as she jumped up from her seat to stand next to me as I started pacing the room.

“I mean, the gates aren’t usually closed unless there’s an emergency, and it’d be convenient for commoners in Coldmere to attend. It’s also a lot safer being inside these walls than outside, thinking about Lyra in the future.”

Livia sighed, tilting her head. “Your daughter will probably be the most spoiled girl in the world.” She followed it with a slight chuckle.

I stuck out my tongue. “Let me dream!”

After a while I stopped pacing and looked at her seriously.

“What do you think, Livia? Would you want to be in on this with me? I can’t do it alone.”

She folded her arms and gave me one of her patented unreadable expressions, though I caught the faint flicker of amusement on her face.

“You’re asking if I’ll help build a revolutionary education system to uplift the future of Coldmere and redefine noble-commoner relationships for generations to come.”

I nodded eagerly.

Her smirk and sigh were so obvious. “Fine… It’s not like I have a choice anyway.”

“Oh please… Livia, I know for a fact you’re more excited about this than you let on.”

“Who knows?” She looked at me with affectionate eyes, something she does on occasion. I wonder what's on her mind.

We both laughed after a brief silence, a genuine moment shared between two people who understood each other well. She was my favorite person to simply talk with for hours. I enjoyed my conversations with Noah too, but he usually just let me speak while he listened.

Soon Noah would see what I started; I had no plans to wait for him to arrive. I wanted to surprise him before he got here, already putting my plan into motion.

I clapped my hands together with a sudden burst of excitement.

“Alright, tomorrow, first thing… I want you to get in touch with the best construction company in Coldmere,” I told Livia, already pacing once again like a general preparing for war. “We’re going to get this school off the ground before he arrives.”

Livia looked at me seriously as she took down notes of what I wanted.

“Also,” I added, pointing a finger as if issuing a royal decree, “we need to start scouting the best scholars in every field: language, mathematics, science, philosophy, and history. Then we’ll test them thoroughly to make sure they actually know what they’re talking about.”

I walked over to my favorite couch and threw myself onto it, one hand resting over my forehead like a swooning noble lady from a play.

 “Honestly, Livia… I have my doubts.”

Livia simply folded her arms, waiting for the inevitable monologue that I’m so known for among the people who knew me. The only two individuals with whom I allow myself to be completely open.

“Do you think anyone here even knows whether the world is round or flat?" I highly doubt it. "How do the tides work? Will they give me some stupid answer that I’ve heard in the past about how the gods are the answer to anything they can’t explain?”

I sat up, hands flailing like I was lecturing a crowd.

“What about how the body circulates blood or the speed of light? Do they have the capacity to understand how a combustion engine works? Okay, fine… Maybe that’s pushing it because I don’t really know either, but still.”

I paused, watching Livia’s increasingly blank stare at all the foreign information I was dropping on her.

She finally broke and said flatly, “You’re making me feel stupid.”

My body couldn’t help but burst into laughter, falling back against the cushions.

“No! That’s not the point!” I wheezed between giggles. “You’re not stupid. It’s just the product of a world that’s so behind the times of everything I’ve ever learned. But that’s exactly why this school needs to happen. We’re going to build something new… transformational.”

Livia rolled her eyes, obviously accepting her fate.

“Fine… But I refuse to teach anyone anything; on the other hand, I do wish to learn so I don’t feel so incompetent.”

“Deal,” I grinned. “I have no problem teaching you because you’re going to be with me anyway, so how could you not learn?” my face provocative.

She shook her head. “We’re doomed.”

Livia likes to be overly dramatic with me for some reason, even though it never really has much effect. I always end up embarrassing her with a hug or a kiss on the cheek. Sometimes I wonder if she does it on purpose.

While I look at her, I wink and blow a kiss. She instantly turns away, hehe.

The next morning, Livia and I got straight to work… No lounging, no complaining, just determination at every step.

“Today we lay the first stone for a better tomorrow,” I said grandly, raising my cup of morning tea like it was a kind of holy relic. Livia, seated across from me with her usually calm demeanor, simply nodded as if she had already predicted my melodrama.

By midday, we had already summoned several messengers and scribes. I ordered them to spread notices throughout Coldmere, calling for the finest architects, the most trusted builders, and, most importantly, truly qualified scholars across every major subject.

“By the way,” I said between giving orders, turning to Livia as she catalogued everything with precision, “this school is going to be initially paid for by the Archduke. But that’s just to get it off the ground.”

She looked up at me, “And after?”

“Taxes… For all those that live in Coldmere. That way, once it’s up and running, it becomes self-sustaining, and education itself remains completely free to the people.”

Livia gave off an expression, not completely understanding my words. “So… the people pay taxes, and those taxes go to fund the school?” She asked, unsure of herself.

“Exactly,” I grinned. “That’s how it worked in my world. The city or government paid for all public education. Since everyone is already paying taxes for roads, guards, and now sanitation. The city is much cleaner ever since Noah started implementing my ideas all those months ago. It’s about making knowledge a right, not a luxury.”

She gave a slow nod, eyes sharpening with thought. “That would make it harder for nobles to hoard education through their private tutors, giving commoners a real chance to succeed.”

“Bingo!” I snapped my fingers. “The more you invest in the minds of your people, the stronger your entire region becomes. It’s not charity, but strategy.”

Livia tapped her pen thoughtfully. “You mentioned expanding later. Wouldn’t that end up costing the taxpayers even more?”

I leaned forward with a confident smirk. “We can just do it by area. Like spreading out the schools every fifteen to twenty miles and only having those within a certain area pay for the school near them.”

She snorted. “This is why people think you’re terrifying.”

I just shrugged. “I’m adorable and terrifying. That’s the secret to my success.”