A mage? A spell engineer!

Chapter 207 Night School

Led by Pascal, Rorschach entered the textile factory night school. "Professor Pascal," the two people at the door first saw their senior brother, and then were pleasantly surprised to see Rorschach.

"Hey, how many times have I told you, you have to call me Thor here." His senior also suggested Rorschach choose an alias. "Then call me Heisenberg," Rorschach replied.

"Is this a place name?" the two asked, somewhat confused.

The senior student explained on Heisenberg's behalf: "He's an imperialist, that's normal."

Rorschach observed the surroundings. The factory had a high vaulted ceiling, with wooden beams supporting the main structure. Numerous looms were lined up until they disappeared into the darkness. After the factory stopped, the unconnected waterwheels spun outside the wall, and the sound of the Seine River's waves could be faintly heard.

The "night school" he attended was just a corner of the factory, with three kerosene lamps hanging down to illuminate all the blackboards and desks as much as possible, along with the motto "For the progress of human wisdom and well-being," which was adapted from the motto of the École Normale Supérieure de Valois.

Due to limited light, the desks were arranged in a circle, bringing students of all ages and backgrounds much closer together. They had all sorts of faces and ages. The large porters sat awkwardly at the small desks and low chairs, but still tried their best to sit upright.

The content was nothing special; the current classes taught basic letter-writing formats, instructing the textile workers and porters on written vocabulary while also teaching them writing and grammar. The instructor was a girl named Madeline, a former student of Rorschach's.

Rorschach didn't have much of an impression of her because she rarely took the initiative to participate in class interactions, and was obviously a little shy. But now, although Madeline was blushing, she was still standing in front of students older than her to teach.

"Very well said." Roheisenberg and Thor listened from the back of the classroom, at the boundary between light and darkness, communicating using [telecommunications] so as not to disturb the class.

"Madeline comes from a well-off family and has now transferred to a grammar school in Valuana, but she still insists on participating in our activities."

"'We'?" Rorschach activated [Dark Vision] and surveyed the entire factory: "The Friends of Love and Equality Club?"

Thor crossed his arms: "The owner of this textile factory is a member of the club and also sponsored the Valuwana Normal School. After the suspension of classes, this member was very indignant and offered his factory as a temporary school at night. Most of the female workers here also came from his own workshop."

So open-minded? Rorschach had only known one similar factory owner in his previous life, who was hailed as the "second violinist".

The senior continued, "There are also disagreements among the club members regarding this Night School. Some feel that our current students only need to be represented by virtuous and wise people, while others believe that citizens of all professions and social classes should have an equal right to express their reasonable demands. Fortunately, the club president supports us."

He mimicked Maxim's resolute speech at the time, clenching a fist: "Gentlemen, during this period, my work in providing legal aid to the public has made me realize that it is an extremely important first step to make those suffering from poverty and injustice aware of their rights and to teach them how to express them."

Then, with piercing eyes, he met Robert Heisenberg's gaze and placed his hands on his shoulders: "So let's do it! Isn't it much better to start with a small first step than to talk about it?" After ending his "Maxim's possession" speech, the senior continued to explain that the club had initiated an internal donation to launch the initiative, and the night school students would only need to contribute a few copper coins each month as a symbolic gesture of sexual intercourse.

"But don't involve the students of the Higher Normal School." Luo Xia knew that the "clubs" of all sizes in the capital were not just free school organizations.

"Don't worry, with that in mind, we've established an independent 'Intellectual Aid Organization' separate from the club. It's run by me, Caron, and the factory owner here—three clean-cut members who take turns."

If your feet are clean, then whatever you say goes.

The lesson lasted for a standard 45-minute class, with the remaining time dedicated to reading the newspaper. This segment pleased Rorschach greatly, as it allowed these people, who were engrossed in their work, to gain more information, and listening to the newspaper served as a break.

Even the newspaper readings were carefully prepared. The organizers selected simple short articles and asked students who were fast learners and had a large vocabulary to read them aloud, while students from normal schools read the more complex news articles. There were also annotations to match the level of the audience.

Half an hour later, the activity ended, and everyone stood up to thank the young teacher before leaving the classroom. According to Pascal, the lessons consisted of roughly three parts: first and foremost, literacy and writing; then there were lessons on arithmetic and knowledge of workplace safety and emergency treatment for minor illnesses and injuries.

After the "university students" left, the night school didn't close. At 8:30, more students familiar to Luo Xia came in, and they all greeted him. There were also some he didn't recognize, but Luo Xia guessed they were still students from the Higher Normal School.

"The first basic class is currently being attended by students from higher normal colleges. We plan to invite a few of these students to be 'little teachers' to open a second advanced class for the basic class students who are progressing quickly, but that would take too long, so we need to set up a new classroom." After the senior student finished speaking, the teacher for the second class of the day took the stage.

"Huh?" Rorschach was taken aback for a moment. The one who walked in was Drouot, an engineering teacher from the Artillery Academy. Although he wasn't wearing a military uniform, his demeanor remained unchanged. He meticulously took out his lecture notes from his leather pouch and asked the students in the front row to distribute paper and pens to everyone.

Drouot and Roscia looked at each other and surprisingly revealed a subtle smile.

So this guy can laugh too. Luo Xia nodded in response and continued talking to his senior brother: "I found Andrei today. He also knows some students who have dropped out of school. Do you think they could come here too? About six people."

Andrei works the night shift, but if he can join the Alchemy Department, he might have a chance to participate.

This put Thor in a difficult position: "There's already limited space here, and we were planning to add an advanced class, but Rorschach, you have to understand that for those masters, receiving the current education is a huge improvement, but for the original students of these advanced teachers, the current classes are just a temporary measure to ensure that they don't lose their previous knowledge."

The senior student spread his hands: "They have few class hours here, and they won't have proof of completing their studies after graduation. Do they really have to stay here indefinitely? We're just suggesting that those who can should prepare for interviews at other schools. Our classes right now are more like cram schools."

Luo Xia knew perfectly well that this place could not replace the Higher Normal School. It was like a spark in the embers, temporarily providing these students from disadvantaged backgrounds with a chance to change their fate.

Pascal finally agreed, on the condition that Rorschach also join the ranks of the instructors. Pascal's list included mages, teachers from the artillery academy, and even a priest.

With organizers and a venue, these people were willing to return to the podium, even though the wages were so low they were almost voluntary, and the conditions were much harsher.

"Many teachers are reluctant to part with their students, so we should find a way to rebuild higher normal schools."

"Don't be ridiculous! With the current situation, the manpower and resources are already at the limit of spontaneous organization. Do you think it's that easy to resume classes?"

"It's all up to people, so it won't happen overnight." Rorschach made up his mind to talk to Mr. Pierre.

After class, since it was late, the teachers, Drouot and Thor, each carried a lantern, and the students split into two groups to escort them home one by one. The routes were fixed, and even with Rorschach joining them today, they could only follow the original routes.

"Goodbye, teachers!" After seeing off the last student and returning home, Rorschach took out his pocket watch and saw that it was almost 10 p.m.

Thank you to reader "Shangu Valley" for the generous donation!

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I spent a lot of time traveling today, so I only had two updates. I'll see if I can manage two or three updates tomorrow. Thank you all for reading.

(End of this chapter)