"It's very sunny today," said one of the gardeners working among the flower beds of the School of Pearls.
"I heard orientation week starts today," said a female worker nearby. "Ah, those bright young faces and brilliant minds, coming from every region of the planet to study, serve the government, and help preserve the peace of Elder's world. Elder be praised."
"Elder be praised," another worker replied respectfully.
"It is truly fortunate that the school offers employment to the parents of students. Many common families struggle to afford the necessities of life, yet the school provides them with work and dignity while their children receive an education."
"Elder be praised," the others echoed.
What they spoke of was one of the most sacred principles established by Elder himself.
Education must be free, and it must reach everyone who seeks it.
It was the very first rule written in the first clause of the School of Pearls Rule Book.
Every year, professors and representatives of the school traveled across their planets, visiting cities, villages, and remote settlements to encourage children to enroll. Alongside education, the schools also offered employment opportunities to parents who wished to contribute to the institution.
Because of this, the School of Pearls earned an unmatched reputation throughout the known creation.
No noble family, business magnate, or influential house sought to create a rival institution. All respected the educational order established by Elder. More importantly, the schools consistently fulfilled the hopes of parents, guiding students toward paths where they could truly excel.
Those who passed the entrance examinations were free to pursue their chosen disciplines.
Those who failed were never rejected.
Instead, the school carefully studied their talents, strengths, and interests. Professors worked alongside them to discover where their potential truly lay and helped them pursue that path.
The School of Pearls never turned away a student who knocked upon its doors.
Its purpose was not to judge who deserved knowledge.
Its purpose was to ensure that knowledge reached everyone.
That was Elder's wish.
And for generations, the School of Pearls had honored it faithfully.
"Everyone, please take a break. It is lunchtime," called Miss Mary as she approached the school gardens carrying several baskets of food.
The workers immediately put down their tools and gathered around.
"It is always a delight to see you, Professor," one of them said with a smile. "We are all thankful for the meals you bring us. Thank you."
"It is nothing," Miss Mary replied warmly. "Rather, I should be thanking all of you for your hard work. The school would not be what it is without your efforts."
The workers smiled proudly and began enjoying their lunch.
After a moment of hesitation, one of the farmers stepped forward.
"Professor?" she asked.
Miss Mary turned toward her.
"Yes, Miss Rosaine?"
The woman looked slightly nervous.
"How is my son doing in his studies? I hope he isn't causing trouble for the school or the professors."
A gentle smile appeared on Miss Mary's face.
"No, not at all, Miss Rosaine."
The professor folded her arms and laughed softly.
"In fact, your son surprised every examiner in the school."
"He did?" Rosaine asked, blinking in confusion.
Miss Mary nodded.
"After passing the entrance examination with excellent results, he turned down his immediate acceptance and requested a complete assessment of his abilities—the same evaluation usually reserved for students who fail the exam."
The workers nearby exchanged surprised looks.
"Why would he do that?" one of them asked.
"Because," Miss Mary replied, "he wanted to understand his strengths and weaknesses completely before choosing his path. Most students simply follow the results they are given. Your son wanted to know exactly what he was capable of."
A look of pride slowly appeared on Rosaine's face.
Miss Mary continued,
"That child knows what he wants. More importantly, he understands that achieving a goal requires understanding himself first."
She placed a reassuring hand on Rosaine's shoulder.
"So please, do not worry. He is doing very well."
Rosaine lowered her head, relieved.
"Thank you, Professor."
Miss Mary smiled.
"One day, I think your son will accomplish great things."
Miss Mary smiled and continued speaking with the workers, but deep inside, her thoughts had already drifted elsewhere.
They drifted back to a day several years ago.
A day she still remembered clearly.
The day that boy had appeared before the examination council.
Most students celebrated when they received their acceptance letters into the School of Pearls. Some cried tears of joy. Others ran home to share the news with their families.
Yet that child had done something none of them expected.
He had calmly placed the acceptance letter back on the table.
Then he had looked directly at the professors and said,
"I refuse."
The entire room had fallen silent.
Even the examiners had stared at him in disbelief.
The acceptance he had received was one of the highest recommendations possible, yet he had rejected it without hesitation.
When the professors asked him why, he gave an answer that none of them had forgotten.
"I don't want to know what the test thinks I should become."
"I want to know what I can become."
The professors were speechless.
Then the boy had made another unusual request.
He asked for a complete skill inspection—the same comprehensive assessment normally reserved for students who failed the entrance examination.
The council had never received such a request from a successful candidate before.
Miss Mary still remembered the confidence in his eyes.
There was no arrogance.
No pride.
No desire to show off.
Only certainty.
As if he had already chosen a destination and simply wanted to know the best road to reach it.
Even now, years later, she could not fully understand him.
Why had he refused an acceptance that countless children dreamed of receiving?
Why had he insisted on meeting the professors personally?
And why did it feel as though that child knew something about his own future that no one else could see?
Miss Mary looked toward the enormous School of Pearls rising above the gardens.
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"Just what kind of person will you become, I wonder?"