Progress 2

In school, Linus spent most of his time teaching, and with his improved ability <Art of Teaching Lv.3>, the students didn't have to spend much time learning basic literacies. Just recently, a wave of students passed the exams on the three Rs also known as reading, 'riting, and 'rithmetic. Most of the students were satisfied with what they learned, and some even already left the school after getting jobs in the market.

The students were highly sought after as many, many merchants valued their literacy skills, especially arithmetic. How the students computed large numbers and made use of new accounting methods the school taught seemed magical to them. It made accounting and inventory far easier compared to the old methods they used. Some of the merchants themselves attended the classes in their free time, learning the Arabic numeral system. It didn't take long for all the Solusian merchants to adopt the system.

To the students, learning to read and write the weird Latin scripts initially seemed esoteric because it lacked the application in real life, but when the Solus Times started being circulated in town, the demand for the skill also grew. The merchants were also the first to utilize the newspapers, sending their advertising requests at the White School for a substantial sum. Eventually, everybody wanted to know the latest news brought by the newspaper, so there wasn't any shortage of jobs for the part timer newsboys to do.

The more days passed, the more positively the Solusians received the school as a pillar of the community. Enjoying the popularity of the school, Linus deemed the time ripe to add new electives that students can choose to learn. He added the courses chemistry, journalistic writing, lore, and geography and civics, requiring that the students passed the special three Rs assessment test with an average score of 75%. He promised to give qualified students jobs and benefits as new 3R teachers, now also known as elementary teachers, setting them apart from the three founding schoolmasters, Nina, Linus, and Gordon.

"Linus, these are the list of applicants qualified for the elementary teacher positions we promised. Out of the applicants, this particular student, Lily, stood out. This winter, she just joined the school with Gordon's endorsement and she already outperformed most of the students with an average score of 90% across all areas. She is a natural talent." Nina reported.

"Right, my flower. This student of Gordon really caught my eye. I've never seen a student asked more questions in arithmetic than you did the first time you came to school. I know it may not sound fair for our old students to hire her and give her an elective course, but her talent speaks for itself. To avoid jealousy, I suggest letting merit do the talking. My flower, please, post all the scores of the students om the bulletin, ranked from top to bottom." Linus asked Nina.

"Yes, my love." Nina replied, giving Linus a kiss on the cheek. Ever since announcing their relationship, Gordon never objected. In fact, the old timer was very supportive of her niece, slapping her on the back in approval after he learned of it. Nina quickly became the target of envious gazes of the townswomen after the news spread far and wide.

"Thank you, my flower!" Linus kissed her hand, smiling.

The announcement was promptly posted at the school bulletin outside, causing students and even onlookers to gather around it. At the sight of the rankings, Lily's hands trembled after finding her name at the top of the list. She only came to the school to join the newsboys for profit, but she qualified to join her teachers and to study a higher field of learning. Warm tears flowed down her cheeks as she started sobbing.

A large hand grabbed her shoulder, comforting her. "Job well done, my girl. The first time Larry brought you to me, I saw potential in your eyes. I knew you'd make it big here in school." Gordon consoled the student.

Lily bowed down. "Thank you, Master Gordon. I wouldn't have made it this far if it weren't for your teachings." Lily wiped her tears as she spoke.

"Have you decided on your elective? Which one do you want to learn?" Gordon asked Lily in earnest, hoping she would take lore.

"Chemistry. I wanted lore too, but I can only take one, right?" Lily told the schoolmaster.

"Figures. You liked maths better than my stories, just like my niece. Well, once you finished, maybe the Young Master would allow you to do that." Gordon said, his shoulders fell.

Linus overheard their conversation, saying "There's no need to wait to finish the elective. For the top three students, I'll make the exception of taking two electives."

Lily jumped for joy, learning the news from the founding master's mouth itself. "Thank you, Young Master!"

"No worries. But be prepared for sleepless nights concocting chemicals. You'll soon join your seniors Robert, Jude, and Philip as members of the chemistry class." Linus told Lily, patting her on the shoulder.

"Yes, Young Master. I'll work as hard as I could." Lily bowed down again.

"Ouch!" Linus felt pain in his hand as Nina pinched it, forcing him to let go of the student's shoulder.

"There! Keep your dirty paws off. Hmp!" Nina turned her face away from Linus and walked out.

"Oh, come on. My flower!" Linus chased after her.

"HAHAHAHAHA! The troubles of youth!" Gordon laughed heartily watching the couple, while Lily stood there dumbfounded.

The next few weeks, the chemistry class received new members, increasing the number of available cadet chemists to six. Their output doubled, allowing for the production of gunpowder, acid syntheses, and rare metals refinement. The new students didn't put any less effort than their seniors did, allowing for a harmonious work environment. With the help of unskilled laborers, they were able to meet their quotas for production.

As the coldest week came to Solus, snow started to fall, painting the town white. For most businesses, activities recessed to allow their workers to rest, while the company of Linus, Julius, Ray, and Simon busily gathered in the shipyard, talking about the new batch of ships ready for delivery.

"Master, with the addition of 5 new ships, we now have 20 caravels ready for service." Simon reported.

"Wow, that's quick. Good job, Simon." Julius approved of Simon's work. Then he asked Ray, "How about you, Ray? Have you gotten used sailing with the new ships?"

"Yes, my chief. The caravel is a phenomenal ship. It is faster and more maneuverable than the old galleys. With the help of the deputy's revelation, I was able to perfect sailing as soon as I took the ship's wheel. The enlightenment worked on the crewmen as well, allowing them to catch on pretty quickly. By the end of winter, we may have fully trained forces in the sea." Ray puffed his chest, reporting the progress.

"Son, everything is going according to your plans. Say, do you have a name to call this new force you established?" Julius asked Linus.

"Let's call them the Navy. Uncle Ray will take charge as the leader of ships. We'll call him the Navark." Linus said.

"Navy… Navark… these names are catchy and easy to remember. So there you go, congratulations Navark Ray on your promotion as the Navark of the Stoneaxe Bay." Julius slapped Ray in the back.

"Thank you chief. But since we're talking about titles, shouldn't the Young Deputy also have a title at war? He contributed the stratagems we used in the past." Ray inquired.

"Makes sense. Son, what do you wish to call your self as?" Julius asked Linus.

"Is there a need? I'm no fond of titles, Deputy is fine." Linus replied.

"Then Deputy it is, my son. Spring is coming, what about the new weapons?" Julius further inquired.

"It is coming as we speak. Simon's disciples, carpenter Paul and Leon, led the construction of the new water powered lathes by the river, while Raymond and his men outfitted the machines with new cutting tools that can cut through bronze. At the moment, bronzemen are working tirelessly to bore the tubes. The process is slow, but steadfast. We'll have the cannons before the winter ends." Linus reported.

"Good, I wanted to see these new weapons in action by the end of winter. Any additional thoughts?" Julius asked the men.

Simon fidgeted, saying "Chief, we're really lacking in manpower. We already utilized the immigrant force, but we need more men. Samir also had troubles recruiting workmen."

Julius replied, "Ahh… that really seems to be a big issue. What do you say, son?"

Linus placed a box on the table and opened it. It's luster reflected on the faces of his companion. "In the old east they had the saying that if you had the money, you could make the devil turn the millstone. I suggest we raise bonuses for recruitment with this amount of silver. Any thoughts?"

"The answer was just right under my nose all along. Yes, why not use money. I'll send messengers to Sean and Blake, they are very likely to help with a little coaxing." Julius played with his beard.

"Then that settles it." Linus concluded the meeting.

The winter's coldest nights didn't seem to matter much in the Solus dominion as most residents busied themselves in whatever industry they belonged to. To the eyes of Old Vincent, people were like ants, busily working together thanklessly, towing things in and out of the town even in the dead of winter. He couldn't help but sigh seeing the craziness that was Solus. How he wished for his old silent days to come back.

Cold as it may be, the people's hearts were warmed by the hope of new life they were given. It wasn't only the chief's house who was busy, the townsfolk were busily spending their resources too, improving their living, bit by bit. Furniture was no longer a rarity as carpenters happily worked for the dominion's denizens, furnishing their homes with the new comforts of life.

As the onlookers saw their neighbors put new furniture in their house, a fire of hope burned in their chests, wishing work would bring them those conveniences too. They packed up early in the morning and attended to their duties. For the first time, winter didn't seem cold at all.

Spring came and Simon's crew never stopped at all, outfitting their new ships with the new cannons. Hauling the tubes in the ships was no easy task that the workers themselves even questioned the purpose the hefty things would serve. For them, the tubes were just weighty expensive metal articles just like many bronzewares were, serving no other function, just mere decoration. They got the meaning of nobles wanting to show off, but this didn't make sense.

On the contrary, Linus watched with great expectation from the side as the tubes were hoisted up and loaded to the ship. Julius was curious and didn't see the meaning, but he trusted his son's judgement more than his doubts. He also had great hopes for the new weapons turning the tides of battle. He couldn't wait to free himself of the pirate menace that infested the sea for as long as he lived.

"Soon, the nightmares of shipping things by sea will end. Just wait, pirate scum. These proud little babies will sink you to the bottom of Stoneaxe Bay." Linus said to himself, caressing the barrel of the bronze cannon.