"Rain, you don't have to go to school if you don't want to; I also felt like such a place was a waste of time," Roan said when he noticed that Rain was more quiet than usual. "It is only a place to turn kids into easy-to-control subjects… I honestly thought that, and I ended up relying on my family in the end to survive, so you need to be smarter than me."
It was easy to look down on school, but one had to be even smarter to survive without it. In that world, those who didn't go to school ended up working as farmhands, workers of numerous companies, and similar things. Adventurers as well, but it was a lot riskier since they could be hired as mercenaries in times of war as well.
Regardless, Rain made his choice already, so he just had to wait for a while. While he waited for a couple of months, he asked his father more about how the school worked. All towns and cities had one, but they worked in the same manner. However, once they graduate from a number of courses, they have to head to the capital for a more specialized formation.
As to how the school worked, there were some basic subjects like History, Etiquette, Economy, Military, Arts, Sciences, Politics, and Magic. Roan, for example, was able to become a knight after graduating in the Etiquette, Military, and History subjects. Those had numerous branches after the students passed a test, Military branches into Basic Combat Training and Archery.
"Why would they need to teach kids around five years old how to use a bow? Are they really desperate for child soldiers?" Rain thought.
Still, at least the system was interesting; once the kids graduated from the second level, they could choose many other courses in the same subject. They had different ways to measure the kids' competence in those fields, though. Naturally, in the Military, the body would be tested more, while in Economics, the mind would be tested.
History:
Course 1: "World's History: Introduction and Overview"
Students delve into the major events, cultural developments, and societal changes that shaped the ancient years.
Course 2: "Ancient Civilizations: Rise and Fall"
This course explores the civilizations that influenced medieval society, focusing on their contributions and decline.
Course 3: "Kingdoms and Empires: Power and Conflict"
It was quite methodical and curious… Rain wanted to learn more about the world, and his father told him that such knowledge and information was in the hands of a few. Knowledge is power. It is even more powerful when only a handful of them have access to it.
Etiquette:
Course 1: "Etiquette and Manners: Basics of Polite Behavior"
Students learn the foundations of polite behavior, including greetings, introductions, body language, and courteous communication.
Course 2: "Formal Dining and Banquet Etiquette"
This course covers the intricacies of formal dining, including table settings, proper use of utensils, seating arrangements, and hosting skills.
Course 3: "Communication Skills: Verbal and Nonverbal"
Students develop effective communication skills, including verbal expression, active listening, nonverbal cues, and adapting communication styles.
"What the hell are they teaching kids?" Rain furrowed his eyebrows. "This seems like a spy program for children or something.
Military:
Course 1: "Basic Combat Training: Fundamentals and Techniques"
Learn the fundamental skills and techniques necessary for combat, including stance, footwork, striking, and defensive maneuvers.
Through rigorous training exercises and drills, develop physical strength, agility, and discipline.
Course 2: "Archery and Marksmanship: Precision and Accuracy"
Master the art of archery and marksmanship, including proper posture, aiming techniques, and effective use of bows, crossbows, and other ranged weapons.
Practice target shooting and enhance accuracy through consistent training.
Course 3: "Swordsmanship and Melee Combat: Close-quarters Skills"
Acquire the skills of swordsmanship, focusing on techniques for different types of swords, parrying, thrusting, and striking.
Explore close-quarters combat, including grappling, disarming, and defending against various melee weapons.
"I have no idea how is this basic stuff…" Rain thought. "Is there any point in teaching this to kids? I suppose humans are weaker agaisnt magic people and dragons, so they have to do this."
Magic:
Course 1: "Basic Principles of Magic: Energy and Manipulation"
Gain a foundational understanding of magic, exploring the fundamental principles of energy manipulation and spellcasting.
Learn about mana, magical sources, and how to channel and control magical energies.
Course 2: "Elemental Magic: Controlling and Harnessing Elements"
Dive into the study of elemental magic, focusing on the manipulation of natural elements such as fire, water, air, and earth.
Discover spells and techniques to summon and control elemental forces.
Course 3: "Divination and Prophecy: Insights and Future Sight"
Explore the realm of divination, learning techniques to gain insights into the past, present, and future.
Study various methods of divination, such as tarot cards, scrying, and interpreting signs and omens.
"Maybe School will be more interesting than I imagined… the fact that I will have to interact on a daily basis with brats is a downside, but I can't have my cake and eat it too," Rain thought.
Moreover, the tests could be done whenever the students wanted. Since the people of the human country wanted soldiers and talented individuals in numerous fields, they weren't planning to slow them down. Still, it was rare for kids to graduate in less than five years since failing was pretty embarrassing. They would rather take their time studying and preparing.