In the elegant meeting hall of Chuta Mansion.
An atmosphere of expectation was palpable in the air. "How can we help?", those present asked in unison.
"First of all, I would like to share with you some thoughts about our progress", I began, introducing the central theme of this internal kingdom meeting. "The growth of our territory is due to several resources that the gods have revealed to me. Thanks to them, we have improved our lives significantly; if it weren't for these teachings, it would surely have taken us much longer to achieve the achievements we celebrate today. Do you understand?", I asked after explaining the connection between technology and progress.
"Yes, we understand", everyone responded, including Simte.
"So, given that we are on the verge of a new phase of growth, it is imperative that it be driven by technological innovations", I continued, seeing that they were absorbing my message. "For this reason, and so that the general population feels part of this progress, I will establish an academy dedicated to research in technology and other areas that will help us advance. Previously, I had a development office under my charge, but its capacity was limited, and we need more hands to accelerate the emergence of these new technologies", I shared enthusiastically, envisioning the possibility of creating a space where I could bring together the brightest minds of our people.
"Will advanced divine knowledge be imparted to the people?", one of the chiefs inquired.
"Yes, from the beginning I have told you that the gods have sent me to transmit my knowledge to everyone, but since I am only one person, it is impossible to do so individually. At first, we have the development office; then will come the construction of schools and the training of their teachers; and from now on, we will establish academies throughout the kingdom", I replied in a tone full of dreams and hopes.
"Unfortunately, we can only start with one academy, and after a few years, when a considerable number of skilled people, whom we will call scholars, manage to surpass a certain threshold, we can establish new academies in other regions of the kingdom", I explained before someone suggested building one in every major city.
"I understand", Simte commented with an air of mystery.
"What is it, High Priest?", one of the chieftains asked, intrigued.
"The Son of Heaven mentioned a few years ago that more geniuses would contribute to the progress of our people. All that was needed was for certain conditions to be met for our people to advance significantly", Simte replied after a moment of reflection.
"Incredible", everyone exclaimed.
"There is nothing extraordinary about it; it is the destiny of our people", I said in an enigmatic tone. "Back to the point... For this academy, I need you to find the most capable people from your entire district and send them here before the summer. There will be no age requirement, and recruitment must be voluntary. You can receive assistance relocating the families of those who choose to come, and we will also cover your expenses", I explained, mentioning the characteristics I was looking for and the benefits they could access.
"We will", they all responded in unison.
"The building is already under construction, and we will be able to welcome you without inconvenience starting next month. There is also the possibility for you to learn, though you will have to wait a couple of years, as I need you to lead our kingdom", I told them, feeling a pang of guilt for limiting their access to knowledge.
"We understand, young Chuta", they all said, with expressions of gratitude for being considered and for the value I placed on them as leaders of our community.
"That's all for today. I don't want to be a burden... Besides, I understand you're having a party with a lot of drinking. I just ask that you take care of yourselves; I need you by my side for many years to come", I concluded, closing the meeting.
Everyone left, including Simte. Some of the caretakers began tidying up the place while I headed to the kitchen to find something to eat.
"Mom?", I asked, surprised to find her in the kitchen.
"Is your meeting over?", she inquired in a warm tone.
"Yes, it's all over", I replied, noticing my voice sounded tired.
"Are you okay?", she asked, sensing my condition.
"Same as always", I replied with a hint of irony.
"I've told you. You should rest. You don't have to do everything alone... You're just a kid", she insisted, looking worried.
"Mom, I'm all grown up now", I replied, pouting. "I know you look a little older than other kids your age, but you're still a five-year-old boy... A very special boy", he said, maintaining his concerned tone.
"I know", I replied, resigned. "But I have good news... I won't have to be as involved in the districts' decisions, since they'll have a degree of independence. Also, we'll focus on getting more people to acquire advanced knowledge at the new academy", I tried to amuse the conversation.
"Academy? Do you mean the new building they're building?", she asked, somewhat confused.
"Yes, exactly. This will work similarly to your cooking school", I explained with an example.
"I understand", she said, her tone now more cheerful.
Two years had passed since I proposed learning how to prepare new dishes, and together we began developing a cooking school. Over time, we also opened our first restaurants in the kingdom's largest cities. Each had a building that served as a hotel and restaurant, serving the delicious dishes perfected by my mother.
However, what no one knew was that this group of male and female chefs was part of the kingdom's intelligence network. It was made up of retired warriors, widows of combatants, and orphans from various parts of the kingdom. Although their influence did not extend across the entire territory, their presence in the main cities gave me access to valuable information about what was happening among the people, about visits from foreigners, and about suspicious situations involving officials.
"It bothers me a little that they're so devoted to the gods and that their loyalty to the kingdom is so high", I reflected, considering how useless an internal spy agency was when there were no political machinations at play.
Like this spy agency, an external intelligence agency had also formed in the last year with the best warriors from the Explorers division. They had been responsible for mapping and researching the neighboring towns.
"Thanks to them, I now know I'm in what one day Colombia would be", I thought, recalling the map in the mansion's meeting room.
"This makes things much easier for me", I thought, recalling the first routes the ships sent by Castile would take.
One month later.
"Welcome everyone. You are the first members of this new Simte Academy", I greeted everyone loudly from the stage of the academy's presentation hall. "Today we will begin this journey together, and in the future, you will guide others just as I am doing now", I said with an excited tone, seeing the hopeful faces of the people sitting in front of me.
"The first two weeks will be for remedial classes, where a group of volunteer teachers and priests will teach you or review the knowledge necessary to begin your new studies", I informed everyone about the first classes they would be taking.
"After two weeks, you will be given vocational aptitude tests. These tests will be optional depending on your knowledge needs", I announced loudly. "For example, if someone here wants to learn about agriculture, they can choose to take the 'Nature' aptitude test, which incorporates knowledge such as livestock, fish farming, forestry, and other specific topics, but its main measure would be agriculture. This test will measure general knowledge of the chosen topic, with a focus on the desired knowledge", I continued.
"And if their desired aptitude isn't adequate, and the thematic test reveals they have talents in another area, they can choose to pursue dual studies with the desired knowledge and identified talent, or choose to only take the required desired talent, with the option of studying the desired knowledge after a few years", I explained in one of the cases where they didn't perform well on their tests. "Ultimately, if the subject test doesn't reveal any talents found in that subject, you'll have to take a general test of the remaining subjects until you find your aptitude, and you can choose from the previous options: double study or focusing on the aptitude found with the possibility of studying the desired subject years later", I continued, explaining the third option they might face.
"In any case, you'll have time to read the document on your desks, and on the last day, the person in charge of your placement will answer your questions", I clarified. "Now I'll go on to name the study subjects for this academy", I announced to everyone.
Spend the next hour naming the topics, providing sample questions, and notifying them that they could access these topics in the building's library.
The topics to be assessed are as follows:
Nature >>> Agriculture / Fish Farming / Livestock and Veterinary Medicine / Forestry.
Metals >>> Extraction and Processing / Smelting, Refining, and Alloys.
Construction >>> Civil Works / Military Construction / Naval Construction / Large Construction.
Advanced Crafts >>> Civil and Military / Naval / Applied Goldsmithing / Glass Crafts.
Basic Sciences >>> Physics / Chemistry / Biology.
Advanced Mathematics >>> Algebra / Simple Calculus / Geometry / Applied Mathematics.
Language Arts >>> Text Production / National Language / Foreign Language.
Arts >>> Painting / Drawing / Sculpture / Ornamental Goldsmithing.
Geography >>> Maps / Plans / Exploration.
"In the library, you'll find materials related to all the subjects. Take good care of them, as some elements are still missing for mass production of this teaching material", I emphasized to everyone. "This is where today's meeting ends. Tomorrow, you can start your remedial courses… I wish you all the best of luck", I told everyone with a broad smile.
"I hope I can find some born genius in this group of people", I thought as I watched everyone start to leave the room, murmuring among themselves about which subjects they would choose and how difficult the tests would be.
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[A/N: CHAPTER COMPLETED
Hello everyone.
New chapter, and we're starting to make progress.
Chuta will form an academy, in which courses belonging to a research area will be taught
Unnecessary fact of the day, Christopher Columbus arrived on his first trip to some Caribbean islands, and the first time that a European arrived on the continent was in Venezuelan lands. (Although I'm not sure, hahaha.)
Read my other novel called The Walking Dead: Vision of the Future.
You can find it on my profile.]