CHAPTER 49: TORTOISE AND SNAIL

Is there truly anyone in this world with no desires?

How can that be?

People are inherently selfish, are they not? That means I need to have some urges that will surface once I possess the power to act on them. Children are especially unable to hide these impulses and will reveal them in due time.

But, so far... there has been no sign of such from me when it comes to the J-Tutorial Club.

It’s almost as if I have none.

Like I am not human.

’But, that isn’t the case at all...’ I smile at the young man beside me and sigh. ’I have simply outgrown most of those childish impulses. My ambitions and goals far exceed my current status, so there really is no need for immediate gratification.’

My vision is broad, and my sight is set on things that are still very far.

For now, the J-Tutorial Club cannot give me what I desire, so why would I ruin my investment in it by indulging in unnecessary things?

Instead, I’d rather stack up the benefits and reap much greater rewards in the future.

Of course, I can’t tell any of this to Seth.

He wouldn’t understand anyway, and his perception of me will also change. That isn’t something I want to see.

So, I simply disguise my intentions with a parable.

"I heard a story a long time ago... about the Tortoise and Snail." With a broad smile on my face, I show a hint of glimmer in my eyes and proceed.

"There was a wedding ceremony in the Animal Kingdom, and everyone was invited. It was the biggest wedding, and the host was the Lion, King of the Jungle. All the important figures would be there, and the entire Animal Kingdom was dead set on attending. Naturally, the Snail wanted to go as well. However, his home was considerably far away from the Lion’s residence, so he set off early in the morning—long before anyone woke up and began his journey. Hours passed, and daybreak arrived. Other animals began to wake up, yet the Snail had not even crossed one-tenth of the distance. More hours passed, and the animals began to prepare for the wedding, but the Snail had not even crossed two-tenths of the distance. Eventually, the rest of the animals began to make their way to the wedding. The glorious Eagle spread his mighty wings and soared into the sky, charging towards the Lion’s residence. The mighty Ox charged ahead unhindered, making his way to the wedding. The powerful Elephant marched with his massive body, covering the distance with ease. The quick Hare and Rabbit dashed with their unmatched speed and moved to the Lion’s residence. Yet... where was the Snail?"

I pause and look at Seth for a moment before responding. "The Snail had not even crossed one-third of the journey."

"At some point, the Snail despaired. He realized he would never make it in time for the wedding. In fact, by the time he arrived, the entire ceremony would have been over, and he would miss out on everything. At this point, the tortoise walked past the Snail and stopped beside him to ask what the matter was. The Snail cried:

’Tortoise, oh Tortoise, what am I to do? I will never make it in time for the wedding at this pace. I have been awake since the previous night, and I have made all my preparations. I woke up before anyone and did my best, but all the other animals have overtaken me. Some of them have even arrived already. It seems, despite all my hard work, I am not fated to attend this wedding. All my efforts are in vain.’

The Tortoise smiled and told the Snail not to worry too much. His own situation was not as bad as the Snail’s, but it wasn’t too different. To offer some comfort to the miserable Snail, the Tortoise offered to carry the Snail on his back, and together they would make it to the Wedding Ceremony. The Snail, relieved by this offer, felt a spark of hope in his heart.

’The Tortoise is a slow animal, but it is much faster than I,’ The Snail thought. ’If I stay on his back, I still have a chance to attend the wedding!’

And so, the Snail climbed the back of the Tortoise, and they began their journey.

As the Tortoise walked, covering more distance, the Snail realized that the Tortoise’s house was even further than the Snail’s, and he had actually covered a lot more distance than him. Yet, despite his hurry, the Tortoise still helped the Snail. After learning of this, the Snail could not help but remark in another loud cry:

’Tortoise, oh Tortoise! You are truly different from other animals. Before you arrived, I saw Eagle and called for him to help, but he was too high up and didn’t hear my voice, so he flew past me. I saw Elephant marching forward and called for him to help, but he was too large and could not hear my tiny voice, so he marched past me. I saw Hare and Rabbit and called for them to help, but they were too fast and raced past me. All of these glorious, mighty, and quick animals could not help me despite their strength, but you were able to.’

The Tortoise smiled wryly and replied. ’This is simply because, among other animals, I am not very swift, neither am I very large, and I certainly cannot fly. Because I am the closest to you in terms of ability, I heard your cry and was moved to help you.’

With this realization creating a strong impression in the heart of the Snail, the two continued their journey together and became friends along the way."

Upon reaching the end of the story, I give Seth a meaningful look, my gaze as calm as my face.

"W-what happened at the end?" Before I can even say anything more, Seth quickly bursts out with a question. "Did they at least make it in time for the wedding?"

I laugh.

It is normal for someone to ask this same question after hearing such a story.

I was also the same after hearing it.

But—

"The story doesn’t say. That is where it stops," I respond calmly.

"No way..." Seth’s eyes flicker with dissatisfaction. I can see why he would feel this way, especially since most people prefer closure in one way or the other.

But this is how life is many times.

"The moral of the story doesn’t have anything to do with the end. It is all about the journey, rather than the destination. That is where the story truly happens. " I tell Seth with a soft disposition. "That is what life is all about."

Many people get so obsessed with the end that they fail to recognize the lesson in the journey.

... The true meaning of their story.

"I think I understand what you mean..." After staying silent for some time, Seth finally speaks up, his eyes sparkling even more under the evening light.

"Tell me."

"About the Tortoise and Snail..." Seth beams brightly. "As the Tortoise, since you are a Knight Student who enjoys some privilege due to your Scholarship status, you can help weaker and less-privileged students like those in the Bronze Wing."

"...."

"The Tortoise helps the Snail in the story by carrying him on his back. It’s the same way you created the J-Tutorial Club and facilitated a system where students from Knight Households and the Clergy can thrive. This way, we can all advance to our destination a lot more easily. Just like those other animals, the Nobles—particularly the High Nobility—won’t pay us any mind. Only those who share our predicaments to an extent can understand our pains. That is why you are helping the students and keep on fighting for the J-Tutorial Club, isn’t that right?"

I maintain my smile at Seth, though my heart sinks a little.

’No, you are wrong...’ My gaze flickers for a moment, turning darker. ’You people are the Tortoise in this story, and I am the Snail. No matter my hard work and effort, I won’t be able to achieve my goals and obtain the results I desire, so I have no choice but to use your collective efforts to get what I want.’

Despite thinking this, I make no efforts to correct Seth’s line of reasoning.

It’s a good thing he thinks this way.

This shows how highly he thinks of me. I have no intention of changing that narrative in his mind and in the minds of others.

The honest truth is that, although things have gotten far more stressful for me in this Academy, life has also become far easier and more enjoyable. I can see myself approaching my destination much faster compared to when I operated alone.

I suppose it is true what they say: humans are indeed social animals.

***********

The Summer Term has come and gone.

So has the Winter Term.

Believe it or not, but my grades actually improved in all the Departments... all of them except the Department of Administration & Statecraft.

Even after giving it my all in both terms, I only scored a Cs in the Core Courses, while the Electives granted me Bs. Of course, I had to appeal these nonsensical results, especially since most of my other grades were As. I only scored a few Bs, and the only Cs I received were from this problematic Department.

My confidence soared this time, unlike before.

After all, I am no longer the same person I used to be. I now possess sufficient authority and a very high reputation among students. Many Professors know of me and cannot ignore me any longer.

The ones who used to dodge meetings with me or simply deny me audience now happily receive me. I have a status akin to a member of High Nobility despite my humble status.

Thanks to this, my appeal was not ignored or rejected.

Instead, it was pushed forward, and the Department had no choice but to review my work.

But my results remained the same.

"Damnit!"

I slam my hand on the desk after receiving an official letter of notice from the Department of Administration & Statecraft. Reading the letter has awoken me to the reality of the situation, showing me yet another hurdle I am yet to overcome

Even after all my efforts, the Department refuses to overturn its decision and stop its blatant prejudice. It seems like it will never budge on this matter.

"I’ve tried to resolve this amicably, but it seems they do not want peace. They shouldn’t blame me for escalating this matter and resorting to more forceful means!" I grit my teeth and steel my mind, prepared to resort to my trump card.

My last-ditch plan to ensure I remove the blockade that halts my progress in this Academy.

"It’s time to protest!"