1 Chapter 1 : The Citadel
Suggestion from the Author: Read the Fanfic slowly, don't speed read. The fun is in the world written.
AI prompts in Bold
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[Order in Citadel: Novices→Acolytes→ Maester →Archmaester
Grand Maester: Outside the chain, working for King's small council as an advisor.]
-----Oldtown, Reach-----
I am Kerith. It means Archer in the native language of Westeros. Funnily, my first life's name has the same meaning.
Anyway, in my second chance at life, I ended up in an orphanage under the patronage of the Faith. Here, Those with talent in writing and language find themselves drafted into the Citadel, while the rest are immediately sworn in as prospective Septons in training.
I find myself as a 5-year-old drafted into the Citadel as a novice. I believe the Citadel itself is competent and, in a manner of speaking, quite scary in the context of medieval Westeros.
They emphasize that an average child establishes their mentality by five years old, a fact proved in modern paediatrics studies. It is the age at which a child can do their work and chores, and start to understand the meaning of words.
Until then, the child's mind is more of a foundation built on brain development and social exposure. In basic terms, a baby.
-------------Citadel---------
CLACK CLACK CLACK
Walking through the Citadel's maze-like halls, I handed out quills and parchment to the studying bunch. Some were deep into scribbling, others messing with some weird-smelling herb pastes.
Every step of mine echoed with the low hum of gossip.
"Did you hear? Lord Corlys resigned," one acolyte said, sharing his piece of gossip.
"Yeah, It is because Prince Baleon is the new heir," another one chimed in, eager to share his info. Seems like colleges are the same everywhere. Even, the medieval college like Citadel.
"Petty nobles on the narrow sea are causing a ruckus," someone muttered, from another side.
"Well, it is kind of obvious considering the narrow sea nobles got richer due to the increased trade to Spicetown and Driftmark under Lord Corlys. So, They will no doubt support Princess Rhaenys's claim."
ACHOO
A sneeze interrupted the gossip. I saw the sneeze coming from an acolyte with a history link-Copper. History Brandon, who said, "So what?"
With my cute and squeaky voice, I chimed in, "What do you mean, big brother Brandon?"
The 25-year-old brunette explained, "It doesn't matter what they want. The only opinion that's worth something is the king's. Especially if it's the greatest king in current times like King Jaehaerys."
Money Daemon, replied, "Isn't the greatest king, the conqueror?"
The medieval history grad showed his knowledge of history by saying, "The Conqueror only threatened Westeros into submission but didn't rule it at all. He left a succession crisis, a religious crisis and half broken continent. Our current king, on the other hand, forged the kingdoms into a single entity."
Though, I have a feeling that he wanted to call Aegon, a madman. He restrained himself. Let's say he did such a foolish thing in this medieval society, his link is a matter of luck.
Trust me, studying is only half the job of acquiring the link. The other half of the job is attaching yourself to the right Maester or Acolyte group in the citadel.
So, History Brandon is a smart and resourceful one for becoming an acolyte at a young age. And I agree with his opinion.
While the nearby acolytes might not grasp how Aegon the Conqueror isn't universally seen as the greatest, I did.
Aegon was a conqueror and a decent ruler at best.
The truth of the matter is that the Old King being the greatest was only recognized by the Circle Copper Link – the Current history students.
Ironically the only other part of society who recognized it is smallfolk, for them, it's simple as he brought the longest peace ever seen.
Nobles, except the real players in the Game of Thrones, just gave lip service, entangled in their power struggles.
The words "succession crisis" snapped my attention back to the present.
As Jaehareys rejected Rhaneys, her chances at the Iron throne slipped away. After all, the lords with the brains know not to offend him now, when the house of dragons is at its peak.
The talk of resignations and new heirs spread around the realm like wildfire, but the real juicy info was in the hushed whispers and exchanged glances between acolytes.
For the reborn me, It was like being stuck in the middle of a Westerosi soap opera on a tight budget.
"Did you catch wind of the Ambrose debacle?" one of them muttered, glancing around to ensure no one was prying too closely.
"Ambrose? Those vineyard Lords right? Spit it out," the other replied, leaning in with a conspiratorial grin.
"Patience, as the Maester says, Patience is virtue child."
After multiple eye-rolls, snorts and laughs, he achieved his joke on the teacher, he continued by saying, "Lord Ambrose was supposedly caught in a compromising situation with the daughter of a well-known Dornish merchant. You know how touchy the Reach lords are about their images."
The second acolyte's eyes widened, "You're saying he got caught red-handed having a love affair with a Dornish girl? That's quite the scandal, especially for the marcher lords."
"Whether it's bold or just plain foolish depends on your perspective. But the rumour mill is working overtime. They say it's causing quite a ruckus at Ambrose Keep."
Even though I was just the quill-and-parchment guy, it felt as if I were delivering bribes for gossip instead.
Moving through the corridors, I couldn't shake the feeling that the Citadel, with all its scholarly vibes, hoarded more than just dusty scrolls – it had the inside scoop on Westeros's backstage drama.
One quill at a time, Kerith.
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I had two advantages in this life- Metaknowledge and My AI.
[TING]
[ Database addition: Lorence book of Human behaviour.]
The idea of filing away information in the AI database was both a blessing and a question mark for me.
On one hand, it was handy for storing a treasure trove of knowledge.
On the other hand, if abused, there was this peculiar sense of bloating, like having too much on a plate without a big enough appetite – a feeling that left me scratching my head whenever it reached a certain limit. It's like my senses got overloaded.
I could vividly recall the one time it happened, on my very first day of Novice duty. I tried to cram behaviour studies into the database.
[Knowledge point for revision: Behaviour studies a sub-subject under the greater subject of silver healing written by the masters of the past.
The medieval equivalent of psychology is represented by the circled design of silver.]
Yes, the links have different designs regarding the minor subjects under the bigger subjects- like languages in economy and Behavior in Healing.
Although Behaviour has a small amount of thousand books, it is crucial for me.
Believe me, that's a small number compared to major subjects. For example for history section, has chambers spanning miles about the 8000-year-old history of the known world.
Anyway, back to the point. In my need to master Behaviour. Yes, I needed to do that because I am in Westeros. That is enough explanation.
The sheer volume of information stored by me turning the pages was enough to trigger this strange sensation. It was like trying to fit an entire library into a small room, a bit cramped but functional.
Since then, I'd learned to manage it. Bit by bit, over the last three months, I carefully filed away the insights, ensuring I didn't overwhelm the database.
Though I must say, the Citadel is worth its name. The books even had info on body changes when lying or angry or horny.
There were studies by one named Lorence, 1000 years back about lie detecting while checking the pupil, sweating even facial expression but unfortunately, it takes talent, is impractical and most importantly, it is costly to popularize.
The last point is moot for me, and I have no problems like the initial ones. So, my first task as a Medieval mentalist is a go.
ヾ(≧▽≦*)o
Just like I said now. Citadel is quite scary in the context of Medieval society.
In mathematics, they've mastered High schooling-level concepts.
In Physics, concepts including motion and gravity calculations, have been explored. Theories like the solar system and a spherical world were proposed but ultimately rejected and left to collect dust, as if to mirror Earth's History.
These concepts have existed for centuries, some even millennia. It's as if the world is trapped in a technological bubble.
SLAM
I close the book, having enough studying for the day.
I walked back to the dorms but simultaneously I did some exploring and noting the Citadel's blueprint in the AI.
[Citadel: Corridor no #342 added.
Location: 3rd floor, Silver section]
CLANG CLANG
Looking at the heavily locked door, I turned back.
[Citadel update: Seal at the end of #342 corridor]
Unfortunately, most areas in the citadel are sealed, and accessible only to selected Maesters.
Disregarding the special designs for the minor subjects, each major subject to show the completion of the subject regarding the Citadel library shows increasing numbers of links- to a maximum of 7.
The first link is the most important as it is the base of the entire subject.
For the Maester certification, the acolyte needs to complete at least 1 link in astronomy, history, healing, economics/trade, and Raven craft.
Then comes the Archmaesters; these guys completed all 7 links in a particular subject, completely mastering it based on all the knowledge in the Citadel. These super geniuses then reforge the 7 links it into a bigger single link.
The grand maester is a position representing the Citadel in the small council, a recent addition by Aegon the Conqueror.
AI, show the simple meaning of links regarding healing –
[1 link: Competent healer: Recognize and cure common diseases.
2-7 links: Additional competency in related subjects such as plants, poisons, zoology, etc. in any order.
7 links: complete mastery in healing, represented by a single large link the size of an adult fist.]
With enough time, I can become an Archmaester in healing if I familiarize myself with the terms local to Westeros and stupid mystical plants and magical animals.
But, there are multiple problems with that plan.
1- I don't want to swear off women, wealth, and family.
2- I don't like to be cooped up in this library till death.
3- I don't want to be in a position where any noble can kill me and I am expected to understand my killer can at best get a slap on the wrist.
4- Most importantly, it has a very good chance of death considering the civil war in the future.
Of course, there is the fact I am prideful and ambitious.
In my previous life, I didn't burst my ass off to become a doctor for nothing. It was a prestigious and good profession.
In this world even more so, and the fact I have the means to be even more, makes me want to find a way to escape this Citadel and achieve more.
Ideally, I would like to forge a large link in Healing, a link in other subjects, and make myself a genius in front of others. Then I would move away from here. Of course, no oath is a requirement.
In this society, reputation is the biggest guarantee, unlike the modern world. So, I must move away from the citadel without causing a blow to my reputation. Doable, considering some nobles and a few merchants have done the same in the past.
AI.
[TING]
Note the following aims.
[ 1-Political backing: To leave the Citadel without consequences- needs a reputation.
2- Forge the links: For the reputation as the greatest healer, in an age where common diseases can be life-threatening- silver link opens many doors.
3. Companions/followers: This is a medieval society, and it is tough to live alone, especially if you want to achieve something. This is Westeros, so they must be loyal to me in some way, no matter how extreme.
4. A long-term goal in life: God, I have a burning desire to be a king. Each day I spend here and hearing the sheer power held by Iron Throne makes me want to do more every day. King Kerith. KK. Sounds good.]
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[Culture of Citadel:
At the Citadel, novices are those who begin their education. Once they earn a link for their chain, they become acolytes.
Most acolytes treat novices as if they are slow-witted. Acolytes train at letters at the Scribe's Hearth and can be hired by Oldtowners to read letters or write wills.
When an acolyte is prepared to take vows after they complete the necessary studies, they are placed in a completely dark room with one of the Citadel's glass candles, made of razor-sharp obsidian.
They must stay in that room for the entire night in darkness unless they can light the candle. The tradition serves as a lesson about truth and learning.
After that, the acolyte becomes a Maester.
However, students who violate the rules of the Citadel can be ordered confined to their rooms by the maesters. They can also receive more physical punishments. For example, for stealing from the kitchens, rectors might place them in stocks at the Seneschal's Court, where acolytes may throw rotten vegetables at them.]
