Chapter 49: Aftermath (2)

On a clear, sunny afternoon in mid-spring, I found myself secluded in my room, immersed in a newfound pastime of reading. It was a hobby I had only recently embraced due to being grounded. Unsurprisingly, I took to reading quicker than my peers, prompting Layla to consistently supply me with a variety of literature. 

This trend intensified during my punishment. However, it's worth noting that the majority of the books I received were fantastical children's stories, brimming with the exaggerated adventures of Karlman Addams, the Great Hero.

But there are some books that provide, despite how little, some elements of information giving me deeper insight and broadening my knowledge of the common sense, taste, and societal norms of this world.

And very recently, I've developed a subtle interest in the folklore and mythology of this world. I began to wonder, in a world like this, what exactly do they consider as... fantasy and... fairytales?

Regardless, reading the exaggerated tales of the hero, Karlman and his travails have brought me a sufficient understanding of this world's literature.

Since I had nothing else to do, I spent my days stuffing my face in books and books growing more fond of the general ideas and thoughts of my new society. This was a fine chance to get to learn a little about this world.

Though, unfortunately, throughout all of the numerous books Layla has provided for me, none of them were exactly about magic. 

I was kind of expecting something like a grimoire to slip in.

Eventually, I took note of Layla's steady supply of new books, and from what I've been able to gather throughout these past few weeks, books are not exactly things that are common in this world. They are freakishly expensive, like so.

They aren't something one could leisurely go ahead and buy any time they wish. Especially depending on the book, it might cost quite a small fortune, and in a world where books are very uncommon, this was in most cases.

Which brings me to wonder, just how was Layla getting me this many? Did I underestimate our family's budget a little too much?

The price, scarcity, and status of books, also go to show the level of illiteracy in this world. From what I've grabbed from a certain particular news article from one of Cliff's news magazines, the ratio between the educated and underprivileged is startling, even more than most countries back on earth.

Not everyone was privileged enough to learn.

And the few many that are, in their way also, aren't too common or rare either, treading the thin line just between. Most of these privileged are mostly found in the upper echelon of society, holding some high or significant standing of power and or status

 Those who fell Into this class were the nobles, aristocrats, royalties, and even merchants. And this is only for the most part.

All literates don't necessarily fall into any of the above categories. There exist numerous cases where normal commoners and peasant climb their way up the societal ladder and possess maybe a more than decent amount of education.

Grass to grace...one could say?

But also not quite.

In such cases, such people could be said to only have been able to make it higher into the top echelon of society for the simple fact they had at least a decent education, more than those who had not a single shred. So this point only goes further to support the fact that only those at the top are and were privileged to education, in the other way round.

But those who do have education, aside from the aforementioned group, have a certain degree of power and status in society.

Well, at least some of them do. I'm not sure how to put it, but the literates are in a different league than those who aren't. And of course, I don't mean that in a discriminative way.

But of course, there also exist cases where some uneducated possess a higher standing than others and others educated. I mean, even if you do go to school, it's not assured you'll succeed and make it in life.

That's something that seems to be similar in both worlds.

But despite all this, the situation of education and literature in this world doesn't seem to be an exact problem, so far, from what I've come to understand. The concepts of schools and education institutions aren't really widespread, and this, in no way how doesn't seem to affect the current economy.

Sure there a certain jobs with certain requirements to fulfill, such as a certain degree of education, but so far the world has been able to progress and make it, especially in the agriculture department. A significant number of the world's population is mostly into farming, whether it's part-time, or full-time, or perhaps even a hobby.

And despite lacking even some of the most basic knowledge needed for a successful agricultural establishment, they've successfully managed to integrate the whole process with magic.

Magic: this is my main guess as to why education doesn't seem to be highly sought after.

Magic is a very common term used intricately in today's economy. All life possesses mana, and as such anyone and everyone can have the capability and potential to use magic.

All that said, if a less privileged one is poised with the opportunity and chance to be educated, it'll be crazy if any thought twice about receiving it.

The reason why the majority of the population in the world isn't educated isn't because they don't want to, but because they aren't privileged to be educated. It seems like as long one's good enough to speak, then they've mostly cut.

As for nobles, royalties, and merchants, it's only a given you're educated. If anything, you must be.

Education is not for everyone. It's high priced and since many can't afford it, they just give up on it. Since jobs like farming are at large in this world plus, there's magic.

Studying the educational status of the world was an interesting means to pass the time. But reading wasn't the only thing I spent my time at home for the past few days doing.

Lately, I've become more conscious of this world. As if the incident was a means to clear the soap out of my eyes, I've always felt on guard ever since. The initial view and outlook I had on my second life took a significant change before me.

It's a dangerous world we live in. Something unfortunately familiar with Earth. If you're careless and let your guard down, people die. If you're weak and naive the world takes from you. So far, I've been lucky, throughout my past life, and until now at this very moment, I've had nothing of significant value to me taking away. Yet.

I haven't exactly watched anyone close to me die, or see anyone I care about leave me. But I've only begun to realize, how long until then? And when it happens, when I finally lose something, what happens?

It was an answer I wasn't dying to find out.

Life is a bitch, and the only way to deal with a bitch, is to be a worse bitch.

So I've decided to get stronger. Strong enough to bitch life around instead. 

I'll protect my family and those who I care about. And never watch anyone I've vowed to protect die before my eyes again.

It was only until the very moment the incident came to an end I realized, for the sake of the slow life I plan to live, I'll get as strong as I need to be to protect it.

I never had any intention of becoming some powerful character when I reincarnated. I just desired peace and a more fruitful life this time around. Ah, but I was naive.

If I can't protect what's mine, would it be a life worth living?

After weeks of nonstop brooding, I've decided to pick up a sword. 

"Alright, Son! Are you ready to begin your exclusive training with yours truly? Don't expect I'll be going easy on you just cuz you're my kid," Cliff was all cheery bursting in through the door with a smug grin on his face.

I placed my book down and spared a glance at my exuberant father with still stoic eyes filled with resolution and nodded.

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

But before that, looking at Cliff, there was something on my mind.