Vol. 1 - Ch. 318 - The Duty of a Private Tutor (5)

"Your father's job is to ensure the development and maintenance of sewers to improvise the  condition for people like them, even if at a snail's pace." Allen-sensei explained in this way.

Of course, the development also required a cost, and often they'd to chase away people living on the places to kickstart the construction project. It's natural that people would be indignant. 

But, to bring the wind of change, someone had to take the step first, or they would remain in their eternal cycle of misery. 

Well, the project would have the approval of His Majesty, so it wasn't a necessity for your father to bow his head. This was just the different flavour of different people. I know some would've chosen a heavy-handed measure, or the other would've sent a notice and considered it a done deal. 

However, your father chose to bow his head while it was unnecessary. Because he took his work seriously. If it was just about status and knowledge, your father would undoubtedly be on par with them, but he didn't do it. It was impossible to achieve unless one had absolute conviction in themselves. 

The teacher explained the situation to me. 

I am sorry, father. I had thought you looked too bad then, but I do not think so now.

Later, we researched about the sewers in the Royal Library. It was mostly about their history, network, and diffusion rate throughout the kingdom. 

Amidst the research, teacher would often pose a question to me—Why do you think there's such difference between sewer planning of two different nations?  What would be the diffusion rate of sewers in the rural side from your perspective? Each one was incredibly hard to answer. 

'I don't know,' I said, asking the teacher to explain to me the answers. But then he said 'I don't know either. So, let's find the answers together.' I had never met a teacher like him.

I was taken aback, and he must have noticed that too. He explained there were many things he didn't have answers for either. But that's what they're supposed to do, to find the answer ourselves, in our own way. This holds true for everyone; whether you work in an udon shop, a carpenter, or an explorer. This was what made it fun.

I asked 'If so, then aren't tests or studies meaningless?' He replied with a shake of his head. You always need a lot of tools to create something new. And knowledge is one of them, an important one.

I should've been dead tired that day, but I didn't fall asleep at all. It's quite hard to put into words, but... I felt like I had crossed into another world when I woke up in the morning.

The next, and also his last day, the teacher took his time to visit, at 9:00 AM. 

He looked at my face, and remarked I must've slept well. I guess he must have known it would be hard for me to fall asleep that day. 

We visited the Civil Institute that day. 

A glimpse might not be enough to untangle all the queries, but he wanted me to see if I could imagine myself attending it in reality. It wasn't just about school, but also the roads, the canteen, or the vibes from students among other things.

Take in the smell of summer breeze, and imagine yourself attending the school starting next spring. Maybe, at this time next year I would be with my girlfriend, studying together in the library. 

The old building could be where your father and mother had studied once. 

This was how the tour went, with the teacher giving a meaning to the building to expand my imagination. 

It was summer vacation, so there wasn't a complete crowd, but the seniors I saw appeared to be understanding types, and mature. I would like to try studying here... they're my honest impression. 

Well, hearing me, the teacher's face strained for some reason.  "You do not have to decide everything immediately. You ought to expand your horizon, Cain." He said.

 ◆◆◆

"It was quite a rush after that. ...Teacher panicked that we had spent too much time just in the Civil School. He hurriedly dragged me to other places, and in just one day, we'd visited all the NOKM schools, alongside Explorer Training Institute. ...I was left dead tired after all the physical activities in the last few days."

Cain brought the conclusion with a wry smile.

"I—what should I do... All I gave was empty words in return....."

Felia's face was pale white. 

Having heard about the exploits of Allen as a walking unprecedented, Felia had ended up with certain pre-conceived notions. She didn't think a kid barely older than her son would be able to give guidance to Cain. 

And the notion only turned into conviction when she saw Allen dragging Cain all day long with himself to outside for what seemed to be some hangout. 

How she had hoped Cain wouldn't stray from the path due to the toomfoolery... She had wanted to refuse Allen already, but the terms were already discussed, so she could only pray he would leave soon.

However... the more she listened to Cain's depiction, the vividly she felt Allen's concern for Cain's future and how he managed to find out his heart. And now, recalling back her facade she put to offer mere empty words, not even looking into his eyes, the last evening made her feel deeply ashamed.

"......We will write a letter. A letter of apology and gratitude. Would you be so kind as to deliver it?"

Yubaru clenched his fist over the table tightly, and gazed at Duid.

"Of course, I can. But if I may... I don't think you should beat yourself over it. I know him, and his response would only be 'I just followed my whims only.' He often stumbles on how to handle praise or gratitude. A shy person, if you may. ...So, Cain-kun, have you found your direction?"

Duid then turned to Cain, the latter reaching out his hand for the notes.

He pulled the notes—truly worthy of being called the one-of-a-kind—closer to his chest, and shook his head. 

"I have not... though it's more that I have too many to decide on one path. Even then, what I perceive now is still a corner of the whole picture the world has to offer, and much more complicated. There are things that would make me sad, or happy, that I understand. I can't say anything concrete..... but I will take the first step nonetheless.  If there's anything I am sure of, I think this is what Allen-sensei had wanted me to do."

A wistful smile tugged on Duid's lips when he saw Cain's eyes burning with new-found will as he iterated his conclusion. Allen would always end up rekindling a fire in everyone around him, intentionally or unintentionally. He knew that because he had been through the same once.

"Life is anything but a one-way road. However, I will put my effort to clear the entrance exam first. I decided so."

Duid chuckled at Cain's remark.

"Well then, I will be taking care of the matter starting today, Cain-kun. I am more of the type to stick to regular indoor study sessions, so don't count much out..."

Cain returned a smile at that. 

"Allen-sensei told me how Duid-sensei has the gift to keep himself focused on what piqued his interest no matter the situation. And that if I ever feel a study session is turning boring, I should bring out the topic of mana vehicles. The day would turn night into a blink once caught in that, so he said."

Felia's face turned pale again when she heard Cain's words.

"If it piqued my interest, Duid-sensei would surely not hesitate in taking me for extracurricular studies. To be honest, I am truly grateful for Allen-sensei to give me an experience of bike! The breeze brushing by us... and the beating of the engine was truly marvelous exprience..."

"Huh?! T-the beating of the engine?!"

Duid leaned forward, unconsciously lured by the words. Felia felt like the world spinning in front of her once again as she rubbed her forehead. 

"......Please, Duid-sensei. Just... just keep the focus on study only for the remaining days. Please promise me that."

However, with the flat out refusal from Felia, Duid gradually came out of the initial excitement and nodded slowly. Cain clicked his tongue as he saw his attempt blocked immediately. 

As he watched the exchange from the sideline in silence, the feelings to write a letter strengthened once again inside Yubaru. 

—A letter of gratitude from their heart. 

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