Chaoter 760.1: Scientific Committee In The Wandering Marsh, Changes In The Southern Sea

In Site 721, there were no cafes or restaurants. There was, however, a library. Not only that, but it housed an impressive collection of books and was built rather grandly. Their library was easily the largest concrete building in town.

In the mornings, school-age children were in class while the workers were out with the drilling teams. As such, the three Academy members who had returned home on family leave gathered there, along with Night Ten from the New Alliance.

Jiang Xuezhou had intended to make everyone a cup of coffee, but the moment she took out the coffee pot, Wu Xiaoxiao gently took it from her.

"I'll do it," the shy young woman said with a smile, a pair of faint dimples appearing on her cheeks.

Jiang Xuezhou didn't insist. She simply thanked her politely before pulling out a chair and sitting down.

Soon, four cups of coffee were placed on the table.

Seeing everyone staring at him expectantly, Night Ten, who had just taken a sip, immediately understood what they wanted. He cleared his throat and asked, "So... where did I leave off last time?"

Li Xiang's eyes lit up. "The Battle of Baker Street!"

"Oh, right..." Night Ten suddenly remembered, and with it, a flood of old memories returned.

Though... Did that really count as a battle?

Since he was the one telling the story anyway, Night Ten cleared his throat again and resumed the tale, putting himself back into the emotions of that time.

Everyone listened with rapt attention, even Wu Xiaoxiao, who was still a Prospector, found herself completely engrossed.

However, just as he reached the beginning of the New Alliance's industrialization, Li Xiang suddenly raised a hand and interrupted. "Wait a second. There's something I don't understand... You said the New Alliance's earliest residents were mostly wastelanders and freed slaves. They had virtually no education, and many couldn't even read. How did they develop an industrial system?"

Wu Xiaoxiao nodded in agreement. "I've heard that people on the wasteland couldn't even do basic arithmetic..."

Night Ten nodded seriously and explained, "That part really was difficult. Even our wise and mighty administrator found it troublesome. However, he chose not to give up. On one hand, he called upon knowledgeable shelter residents to throw themselves into frontline construction. On the other hand, he established night schools in the industrial district, teaching production techniques, practical methods, and experience to the newly liberated people."

"He even personally worked as a tutor."

Li Xiang frowned slightly. "Night school? Is that a type of school?"

"Pretty much," Night Ten answered simply. "But unlike Baker Street's schools, night schools were mainly for adult literacy. The workers still had to work during the day, so they could only study at night."

He was a Combat Profession player. Although he had participated in construction during the early days, he had spent far more time fighting afterward. Compared to him, the New Alliance’s Lifestyle Profession players probably knew those early days much better.

Many of the stories he knew had come from reading the forums.

"So they worked during the day and studied at night..." Wu Xiaoxiao gently held her warm coffee cup and sighed. "They barely had any free time."

"They were studying for themselves," Night Ten replied. "If one person wants an easier life, they need better tools. If everyone wants an easier life, then most people need better tools. You can’t build the New Alliance of today with nothing but wood-powered generators. Though back then, they were absolutely indispensable."

After a pause, he continued, "And their hardships were only temporary. Later, we gave them back the time that belonged to them, along with everything else we had borrowed."

Li Xiang asked with interest, "For example?"

Night Ten thought for a moment before he answered. "Power and responsibility. In the future, we stopped teaching them hand-in-hand how to make better products. Now, they have their own industry representatives and organizations. They get to define their standards and what they consider is good. Not just for products either. Their lifestyles, too."

"After all, every version..." He coughed awkwardly. "... I mean, the world keeps changing."

"We must move ahead of the change. To start, we will liberate even more people."

The eyes of all three listeners sparkled, utterly captivated by the world he described.

Strictly speaking, it wasn't even a story. Everything he spoke of had happened on the wasteland. And was still happening.

The tiny flame itself wasn't remarkable. What was remarkable, was that it had been born amid absolute ruins. There had been no god-tier technology like the Scientific Committee possessed, no iron-fisted rule like the Army, and no immense resources like the Enterprise.

There had only been the survivors themselves.

If only a miracle like that could happen in the Wandering Swamp...

Though harsh and frozen, its conditions were actually far better than River Valley Province had once been.

Seeing the longing in their eyes, Night Ten coughed lightly. "Still, I should point something out. Our way isn't the only way. I actually think you're already doing pretty well. After all, the people here already live better than most survivors on the wasteland. There’s no need to copy us from the very beginning, otherwise you would just be missing the forest just to find some trees."

Li Xiang bowed his head slightly and asked sincerely, "Then what do you think we should do?"

"How would I know?" Night Ten laughed helplessly, scratching his head. "I'm not one of you! Well, maybe you guys can continue treating the search for a new homeland as your long-term goal."

"But... Be a little kinder to the people who'll never make it to that new world."

At those words, Wu Xiaoxiao's expression suddenly grew uneasy and she lowered her voice. "Only Dr. Conclucions can decide something like that..."

"Then don't aim so high, start with the little things around you. Treat ordinary people a little better. Use your knowledge to improve their lives. The things you can exchange GP for aren't limited to food, are they?"

"Oh..." Jiang Xuezhou's expression brightened with realization. "I could bring back tools that the drilling teams could use."

"It's not just tools," Night Ten said patiently. "It's the methods that matter even more."

"I know that's a bit abstract, but your perspective is far broader than that of the people living in Site 721. I'm sure there are plenty of other ways you could help them."

Li Xiang stroked his chin thoughtfully. "You mean... knowledge? But the Academy already has schools. The people here have been studying since birth. I'm not sure they need us."

Jiang Xuezhou shook her head. "The Academy's schools only teach what the Academy needs them to know. They teach very little of what people themselves need. We can teach them that as well, just like New Alliance schools."

"We should teach scientific methods, and the logic used to explore the objective laws governing the world... At the very least, we shouldn't let them grow into selfish people like Su Qiming."

"Su Qiming?" Night Ten asked.

Li Xiang smiled. "Oh. The E-class Researcher who argued with you on the train. He’s a rather refined selfish individual."

His tone when saying the last phrase was unmistakably one of mockery.

"Ohhh..." Night Ten thought back to the train ride and chuckled, "I completely forgotten about him."

Though... Did that polite exchange really count as an argument? The Academy folks really do have thin skin...

Wu Xiaoxiao hesitated before mumbling softly, "But we can't take up the children's time. They still have examinations to prepare for."

Jiang Xuezhou rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "I agree... Then how about after-school tutoring? We’ll only teach children between twelve and fourteen, and young adults between 18 and 20! The younger group has only just become eligible for the entrance examinations, so the pressure isn't too intense. As for the older group, most of them probably don't have much of a chance anymore."

"If we can influence enough people, maybe the Scientific Committee will eventually reform itself from within."

Li Xiang's eyes lit up. "That's an excellent idea! I support it!"

Seeing that both of them approved, Wu Xiaoxiao hesitated for a while before finally saying nothing further.

Encouraged by the support, Jiang Xuezhou's eyes shone even brighter. She clenched a fist on the tabletop and enthusiastically continued, "We need to give this organization a name... How about the Student Union?"

Up until then, Night Ten had been happily watching them brainstorm. The moment he heard that terrible name, he nearly spat out his coffee. After coughing twice, he quickly interjected, "Let's call it the Research Society instead."

"That sounds much nicer."