CHAPTER 378: CHAPTER 262: FREEDOM_1

"Some things are too dangerous to explore on your own. I’ll have a few instructors take turns coming over to teach the students some basic training when they have time. As for Joan, tell her to find Boudica for instruction," Lance said. He knew Boudica was idly whiling away her days and needed something to do. But as he finished speaking, his expression became somewhat helpless.

Why are there no unworthy progeny under illustrious fathers? Why, among humans, do some shine like stars while others are as lowly as dust? The disparities in talent play a role, no doubt, but what’s more critical are the differences in the resources they enjoy. In this era, information itself is a precious resource. Without external aid, the average person can’t even learn to read, let alone receive systematic, methodical development. Even with Joan’s considerable talent, training on her own wouldn’t necessarily yield results, even if given several more years. But with the guidance of someone experienced, the time spent fumbling around could be greatly reduced. Boudica might seem boisterous, but her exceptional talent marks her as an undeniable genius, her skills honed through blood and sweat within her tribe. Reynard will teach his son swordsmanship; this isn’t the one-to-many instruction found in the military but personalized, hands-on training, yielding decidedly different results. Such teachers—do you think ordinary children could hope to receive similar treatment? Different classes enjoy different resources. If this didn’t create a significant gap, it would only mean such advantages were pointless.

Lance was well aware of what he was doing, but he considered it a necessary evil. All resources came at a price, and he had to maximize the impact of his limited assets. These individuals had to either display exceptional talent worthy of cultivation or possess a special status that warranted winning over. Otherwise, they could only accept the basic education Lance provided and then contribute to building Hamlet. Even this opportunity to learn was a privilege they had once only dared to dream of.

After saying this, Lance left the school. There were many other matters in town requiring his attention.

「...」

Sleep? How could she possibly sleep in this situation?

After Lance left, Catherine lay tossing and turning in bed. The exhilaration from the Wizard’s death, coupled with the man’s words, had thrown her into a strange state, making it impossible to sleep.

She knew of a type of monster that liked to construct a realistic dreamscape, allowing people to experience bliss within it, only to expose the harsh reality just as they were fully immersed, thereby tormenting the victim’s soul.

Finally, she sat up in bed and walked to the door. Her hand, just raised to open it, froze as if wrestling with some unseen force, and her arm gradually began to tremble. Finally, gritting her teeth, she pushed the door open and stepped out, buoyed by a surge of courage. But after only two or three steps, her elation was abruptly cut short. She sensed something and cautiously looked up to see a white Giant Wolf, the size of a calf, lying in the front yard.

Clearly, her appearance had disturbed it, and its cold, wolfish eyes immediately locked onto her. A sudden chill shot through Catherine. Her hand instinctively fumbled at her side but failed to find the familiar Ritual Dagger, and with it, her faint sense of security vanished.

If she hadn’t been too scared to make a sudden move, she would have already fled back to her room. Damn it, that man had lied to me...

But Wang Cai showed little interest in her. He merely glanced up briefly before lying back down, his gaze lazy and indifferent. This left Catherine feeling somewhat embarrassed. After all, she had been cursing him inwardly just moments ago, only to find that the Giant Wolf bore no hostility; it merely seemed annoyed at being awakened.

Watching the Giant Wolf lie back down, Catherine hesitated before taking another step. Seeing no reaction from Wang Cai, her steps quickened until she broke into a run, rushing towards the exit. She burst out into the sunlight. Looking back and seeing that the Giant Wolf hadn’t pursued her, she finally stopped, her feet rooted to the spot. Feeling the warmth spill over her, she couldn’t help but relax, and the breath she had been holding was finally released.

Her gaze naturally swept over the bustling town, observing the townspeople moving about, most of whom wore smiles.

It’s real! I’ve really escaped that Wizard!

Intense emotions welled up and boiled inside her.

However, the strange way she had rushed out drew the attention of some townsfolk. Noticing this, Catherine quickly composed herself, trying to be inconspicuous, though her gaze continued to intently scan her surroundings. Unlike Geralt or the Nuns, Catherine had run an antique shop in Totnes and had experience with management and operations. Thus, she was better able to discern the burgeoning ambition hidden within this town.

As she slowly walked through the town, although her clothes were different, her complexion and facial features clearly marked her as not one of the Imperial People. In this small town where everyone seemed to know each other, she was still quite conspicuous. Fortunately, the townsfolk’s gazes showed no hostility, only curiosity. This was strange. Even in Totnes, considered one of the most open cities in the Empire, she would still encounter unfriendly stares and unspoken discrimination.

What a strange little town...

What Catherine didn’t know was that she wasn’t the only member of an Alien Race in town—Boudica and Grendel held positions of considerable status here. Catherine adapted quickly. It had to be said, the more she observed, the more her curiosity about the town—or rather, about the man behind it—grew.

Just then, an inexplicable commotion interrupted Catherine’s observations, as news of what had transpired at the school slowly began to spread through the town.