Chapter 6: Ronamos

Peter smiled and then said, “I have many different subjects of knowledge here. Over the next year, you can borrow books from the library, audit my weekly public lectures in the front courtyard, and choose a subject you are passionate about to major in. Now, go find Joan; Morton, stay here.”

“Yes, Teacher Peter,” Ace and Morton said in unison.

Ace then found Joan, who was the attendant at the door when he first came to the villa.

“You have already paid 90 Silver Thales, and you have been studying for almost one and a half months. I will count that as 40 Silver Thales, and the remainder is exactly enough for one month’s tuition as a disciple. If you plan to borrow on interest-free credit, you can register it in this ledger,” Joan said politely and methodically.

“Thank you, Uncle Joan. I will discuss it with my parents tonight and then decide how to pay the remaining tuition,” Ace replied politely.

“Good. Take this small calfskin card. Sign your name on the back, and then you can go to the library to borrow books,” Joan said.

Ace took the card. On the front, Peter had written “Borrowing Permit” in beautiful Bird Script. Ace signed his name on the back and then went to the library.

The duty administrator in the library today was a middle-aged man with blonde hair. He looked at Ace’s card and said enthusiastically:

“Junior, you are truly promising. I was born in Milne City State in the north. My name is Carter. Drawn by the openness of Medimus, I came here at the age of 20 to make my way. In the north, it is impossible for a Freeman to gain Citizenship, but here it is different. As long as you work hard, there is hope of becoming a Citizen. I only need one year of low-level public office to become a Citizen. I love this city-state.”

“Congratulations, Senior Carter. We share a common goal. I will have to ask you for guidance often,” Ace said politely, implicitly pointing out their shared Freeman status to bridge the distance.

“No problem, ask me anytime. I serve as a scribe in the city-state’s jury court. You can find me there from Monday to Thursday,” Carter said readily, waving his hand.

Ace thanked Carter and quietly walked into the library, beginning to browse the books on the shelves.

In the evening, he returned to the Eighth District. His mother, Marina, had prepared a sumptuous dinner for their family: half a lamb leg roasted to a crisp outside and tender inside, emitting an enticing aroma, a pot of lettuce soup, and soft, delicious white bread and cheese.

It must be said that many foods in this world were similar to those of his past life, but the cuisine was too monotonous.

Romon took out some cloudy wheat wine and was drinking with high spirits.

He already knew that his son had passed the literacy exam. In his view, the path to Citizenship was now unobstructed.

“Ace, since you have passed the exam, why don’t you focus on training your fighting skills starting tomorrow? When you come of age, join the army, cut off 10 barbarian heads, and then come back and take over my job for three years, and you can become a qualified Citizen.”

“Father, I was just about to discuss this with you. I hope to continue studying under Teacher Peter. Knowledge is very important. Even if I become a Citizen, if I want to have major development and hold a high-level public office, I must have more professional and advanced knowledge. Don’t worry about the tuition. Teacher Peter allows credit, and I can pay it back slowly after I take public office.”

Romon fell silent. He knew his son was right. Without knowledge, even becoming a Citizen would only give him the right to vote. Many specific public offices require passing a specialized proficiency exam, and higher-level public offices require having served in the relevant lower-level public office for a minimum of two full years.

Taking the Grand Judge as an example, it requires Noble or Citizen status, and having served as a judge for two years. A judge requires Noble or Citizen status, and having served as an assistant judge for two years. An assistant judge requires Noble or Citizen status, and having served as a scribe for two years. A scribe, in turn, requires passing the law professional qualification exam.

Of course, for high-level public offices like the Grand Judge, the election must be proposed by the Council of Five Hundred and approved and appointed by the King.

“You have grown up and have your own views. I have been neglectful in caring for you, but I will fully support you in this matter. Don’t worry about the money. I sold the full body heavy armor. Now our family has money. It’s all with your mother. You can ask her directly for the tuition when you need to pay.”

Ace was surprised that Romon was being so responsible toward the family. He said somewhat excitedly, “When I gain Citizenship and earn money in the future, I will definitely buy our family another set of full body heavy armor and move back to the First District.”

“Come, a toast to a wonderful tomorrow for our family!”

“Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

“By the way, we must hurry and go to the City Hall Square.”

Romon suddenly remembered something and hurriedly pulled Marina and Ace out the door.

Marina quickly stuffed a rag into her pocket, stumbling as she followed Romon running toward the City Hall Square, asking, “What’s the matter? Why are you running so fast?”

“No time to explain,” Romon replied. “Let’s rush to the City Hall Square. You’ll know when we get there. It’s definitely a rare sight to see in a lifetime. We’d regret missing it for who knows how long.”

Ace was pulled along by Romon’s tower-like arm and trotted along. He didn’t struggle. Romon was just that kind of person, who generally wouldn’t consider other people’s thoughts.

So, he just followed along to the City Hall Square to see what scene was not to be missed.

When the family breathlessly arrived at the City Hall Square, they found that most of the city-state’s residents had gathered there.

A huge torch was burning approximately every 10 meters in the square. In the very center was the temple of the Goddess of Elegance, with a high platform made of marble below it, surrounded by eight huge, milky-white stone pillars. Illuminated by the torches and moonlight at night, it looked even more mysterious and sacred.

A burst of somewhat messy, heavy footsteps sounded. Nobles in white robes and purple ribbons, and Citizens in white robes and red ribbons, arrived one after another. Other residents consciously cleared the open space near the temple, yielding it to this most distinguished group of people in the city-state.

Romon stared enviously at the white robe and red ribbon formal wear of the Citizens, his eyes slightly red. Ace sensed Romon’s unusual state, looked up at him, and saw that he proudly closed his eyes.

Ace felt helpless. Citizenship was a knot Romon could not untie. The status gained by his ancestors through great effort was lost in his hands, and this pain had been tormenting him.

Only when Ace secured Citizenship one day would Romon perhaps truly find peace.

When the Nobles and Citizens were all gathered under the temple, Ronamos Medea , the city-state founder and ruler of Medimus City-State and son of the Goddess of Elegance , and the Crown Prince Talon Medea, descended onto the high platform below the temple in a flying shuttle pulled by a Celestial Horse.

After the two descended, the Celestial Horses pulled the flying shuttle to circle twice, then flew into the sky and disappeared.

Ace looked at the Celestial Horse with some surprise, but his eyes quickly became firm again. As long as he employed the scientific research spirit of his previous life, through dissection and research, he would sooner or later find the secrets of the supernatural power of these supernatural creatures.

“My people, I am Ronamos, your King!”

Ronamos was dressed in the same white robe and purple ribbon. The only difference was that he wore a pure gold olive branch crown on his head. His voice was not loud when it reached the ear; it was like someone whispering softly close to you, carrying a reassuring power.

(End of this chapter)