“Teacher? Me?”

The old man pointed at himself, eyes wide with surprise.

“My Lord, I’ve never received formal higher education. I began working after learning just basic reading and arithmetic. I’m afraid I’m not qualified for such a position.”

“I already feel deeply honored to be a tutor, looking after and teaching the children the most fundamental knowledge. As for more advanced subjects and skills, you may need to find someone else…”

“Don’t be in such a rush to refuse.”

Garrett interrupted the old man and said, “There are many wise people in this world who are so humble that even they themselves believe they’re just some average person who knows nothing.”

“Humility is good, but if you’re humble for too long, your wisdom ends up buried.”

“Sometimes, whether or not you’re suited for something isn’t for you to decide by words alone, it must be tested in practice.”

“I know a fair bit about history, languages, mathematics, and various crafts as well.”

During his time studying at the tower of Orthanc, he had read no shortage of books on these subjects.

“So, I believe I’m capable of judging whether someone is qualified to take on educational duties.”

“How about this, let’s do an assessment.”

That morning, due to Garrett’s unexpected visit and sudden decision to conduct a teacher qualification test, the children were given a half-day holiday. They returned home, excitedly sharing what had happened in class with their families.

The child who had received a pat on the head from Garrett walked into his house with his back straight, chest puffed out.

He looked like he might burst with pride right through the doorway.

Inside the makeshift classroom, after the children had gone home, Garrett quickly drafted an examination and handed paper and quill to the elderly scholar.

The old scholar, slightly nervous, took the test and began reading through the questions.

It was a comprehensive examination, covering mathematics, history, lore, literature, grammar, and some basic laws of the realm.

Except for one or two mathematical problems that made him question what he’d been doing with his past few decades, the rest of the test was relatively easy, practically straightforward.

Looking over the answer sheet, Garrett could tell: all the books he had read during those weeks at the tower of Orthanc paled in comparison to the decades of knowledge this elderly man had accumulated.

“Very insightful answers.”

Not just qualified to teach, he could indeed be the headmaster.

“It’s decided, then.”

Garrett made the decision and asked, “What’s your name?”

“Taber,” the elderly scholar replied.

“Good. Taber, you’ve proven your knowledge. What you’ve learned all these years was not useless.”

“The children of Wayfort are now in your care.”

“Though when it comes to the specifics, we’ll still need to think things through carefully.”

After the impromptu examination, an impromptu meeting followed in the same room.

They discussed the specific methods and structure of education.

After some discussion between Garrett and Taber, they decided to model the system directly after Gondor’s approach. However, unlike Gondor, where higher education was a privilege only a few had the resources or status to pursue, in Wayfort, it would be something everyone would receive.

If things went well, it would create a community where all members had exceptionally high levels of education and literacy…

There were, in fact, peoples in Middle-earth that had already achieved something like this, like their northern neighbors.

The Dúnedain Rangers.

Of course, they had their reasons for being able to achieve such a thing.

After all, the Rangers were all Dúnedain, descendants of the royal bloodline of Númenor, said to be the noblest among Men, with lifespans three times that of ordinary folk. And they all originated from the Kingdom of Númenor, a powerful realm whose people, like Garrett, could build great works of engineering as if they were minor projects.

Though perhaps not quite as efficiently as him. Númenor was once the mightiest kingdom in the world, at least before its last king tried to conquer Valinor by force in pursuit of immortality. Up to that point, it had been a flourishing realm.

As for what happened after they marched on the Undying Lands…

Well, take a look at the ocean, that’s where Númenor rests now, sunken beneath the waves.

The reason it sank? When Eru Ilúvatar changed the world from flat to round, Númenor was swallowed by the sea as punishment for their hubris.

Before Númenor was destroyed, only a small number of the Faithful escaped. They founded two kingdoms: one was Arnor, which fought the Witch-king for over six hundred years until it collapsed; the other was Gondor, which is currently locked in conflict with Mordor.

The Dúnedain Rangers formed as a people after the fall and dissolution of the Kingdom of Arnor, and all the Dúnedain within this group can be considered the most legitimate heirs of Númenórean royalty.

Back to the point: one reason the Rangers are so highly educated and capable in both warfare and learning is because their numbers are extremely few, fewer even than Elves in some regions. Give them a whole season to gather, and they might still not number more than a few hundred souls.

With so few people, it’s easier to train everyone well, and it raises the standard.

“Perhaps we could invite some Rangers to become instructors,”

After confirming the plans for building the school, Garrett thought of the Rangers. Those who were more experienced among them would be more than capable of becoming teachers, whether in history, languages, or even physical training.

Though whether they would agree to it was another matter entirely.

A few days later, the first school in Wayfort was built, with Taber from Gondor appointed as its first headmaster, managing all educational affairs.

Garrett, meanwhile, was responsible for providing guidance and support.

This hastily assembled institution left Taber thoroughly overwhelmed.

Too many people enrolled, including numerous adults. Because Garrett had said that anyone who was illiterate or had never attended school but now wanted to learn should be taught as much as possible. If needed, just open more classes.

Taber had no idea how far “as much as possible” was supposed to extend, so he could only try his best to accommodate everyone.

“Why is everyone so eager to attend school?”

“I’ve never seen farmers and craftsmen in any other place so passionate about learning.”

He couldn’t help but wonder.

“That’s because people elsewhere simply don’t have the opportunity. Everyone’s too busy just trying to survive, who has the energy to think about studying?”

“And also, there’s another reason, because the lord supports this.”

Wade gave this answer while enrolling.

“Even I want to make sure my reports are written clearly enough for the lord to understand. You’re not going to turn me away, are you?”

Looking at Wade, who was nearly as old as himself, Taber sighed helplessly.

“Very well. Just make sure you’re not late for lessons.”

“Don’t worry. I don’t have overwhelming duties, I’ll make time.”

“Sigh…”

Despite the many challenges, one encouraging fact remained: over time, the Garrett’s reputation and influence gradually spread, and the population within the territory was steadily increasing.

Even if not everyone was exceptional, there were still enough capable people to keep the school functioning.

As for those who were qualified but shy, nervous, or simply reluctant… Just mention that Garrett was the honorary headmaster, and they would immediately act as if possessed, willingly stepping forward to take on some role.

As for the question many asked, when they could see the lord himself give a lecture…

Taber could only reply, “I don’t know.”

Because Garrett had departed again on another journey.

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