27 - Chapter 25

Sa Bina woke up refreshed as usual. Today was the first day of school. She was looking forward to it. The last few weeks had become far too serious and political, and she knew when the news of the changes with the guilds and her involvement became public, then she would have to be ready to wade into it again. She wanted to take the time to get to know her new world, well more than a cursory view anyway. She was determined to make the most out of her down time as she was able.

She knew she would have to spend time after work looking over what her hires were doing with her ideas. They would no doubt have ideas of how to achieve her objectives. She would just want to provide direction, manage costs, and generally keep an eye on things. She knew she had set an ambitious deadline. In her old world, even five years would not have been enough for her team to achieve the results she had asked for. But if you could not set unrealistic and overly ambitious targets in a magical world, then where could you. If it was not possible, then she would look at what was possible. She had other ideas for how she could slowly introduce ideas in smaller locations.

If the fridge and freezer ideas turned out to be easy to implement, then she might just push to open a small ice cream and milkshakes shop near the school. There were so many directions she could take as alternatives. She wasn’t worried. However, she had not achieved her success in the old world by sitting back and taking it easy. So if she could find a way to push for her main project, then she would.

She got out of bed and got herself ready. At some point she would have to introduce showers in this world too. As nice as baths were, sometimes a shower was what she wanted.

She dressed in one of the new cheongsam and took a good look in the mirror. Did she want to do her hair up or keep it open? She had no idea what was normal here. Nor had she done her nails. She would decide after breakfast, she still had enough time.

She went down for breakfast and was greeted by Lou Sie. Everyone else was probably busy with their duties. “Lou Sie, I forgot to ask,” said Sa Bina. ”What is the noble fashion in regards to hair, especially for girls my age? Also the same question for nails.”

“Well my lady, the nails are usually shaped and lacquered.” replied Lou Sie. “As for the hair, you will see many different styles, all sporting different hair accessories.”

Sa Bina realised that she had not purchased neither nail lacquer, nor hair ornaments. She would have to go shopping after school. She also needed to go to the bank to make some withdrawals. She would do both on the way back from school she decided.

“On the way back from school we need to visit the bank, and go shopping,” said Sa Bina. “Also ask everyone to be available for a few minutes before dinner to provide updates and ask any questions for our project. Do you know if there is any nail lacquer available? Lastly, can you call Gao Ye for me.”

Lou Sie went off to make the arrangements Sa Bina had requested while Sa Bina enjoyed a lovely breakfast.

After breakfast, Sa Bina went up to her room with Lou Sie and Dian Fu. “So what did we find, and what are my options? I need to look at least semi-presentable.” said Sa Bina. She realised why the girl in the tailor’s shop had thought that she was a commoner. First impressions were impossible to change.

“We can do your nails, and have some nail lacquer that should be fine for today.” replied Dian Fu. “Depending on what you do, we would need to redo them for tomorrow, my lady.”

“And what can we do about my hair?” asked Sa Bina, annoyed at herself that she had forgotten such basic necessities. She would have to work harder to get herself into the noble mindset. She needed to create the right impressions, or she would find it difficult to be taken seriously. “Actually how long do we have before we are due at school, do we have time to visit a beauty parlour?”

“Not really, my lady, even a rush job would take at least a bell.” replied Lou Sie. “You would be late for your first day.”

“Ok, let’s go with a simple yet elegant look for today.” replied Sa Bina. Thankfully she did not need to don makeup, otherwise just the time to get ready each morning would become insane. She idly wondered if she could create the equivalent of acrylic nails in this world.

They spent some time getting her nails shaped properly, then coated it in a light pink lacquer. Sa Bina had Dian Fu create a simple pattern with white nail lacquer making it look like her nails had a wave pattern on them. Then they worked on her hair, she decided to go with pulling the top part of her hair into a topknot, tied with a pale pink ribbon. The nails and the ribbons fit well with the dark pink cheongsam that she had donned. The rest of the hair she left open, though Dian Fu did trim it slightly to ensure the fall was in line, after brushing the hair thoroughly.

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She was finally ready for school. Actually come to think of it, no one had mentioned if she needed to bring anything with her on her first day. She asked Lou Sie to pack some parchment, quills and ink, just in case she needed it. Then went down to the carriage.

The carriage was ready and waiting for her. She boarded with Lou Sie. Her protection detail took their usual position on the back stand with four more guards surrounding them on horseback. She was finally off to school.

Since the estate and the school were both in the same part of the inner city, it did not take long for them to arrive. They arrived in front of the main gates and were let in by the school guards and directed to the office of the deputy head. One of the guards escorted them. Her own guards were left at the gate with the carriage. They would wait for her instructions.

In short order they were in front of the offices of the deputy head, and after knocking were led in. The deputy head was a middle aged woman with sharp features and a severe look. She came across as a strict disciplinarian. She was dressed in a conservative style robes. Since no one had said anything, Sa Bina assumed her choice of cheongsam was acceptable.

“Greetings my lady.” said the deputy head. “I am Meng Fan. I would like to welcome you to the royal academy. If it is acceptable, I will go over the general rules, and then we can cover your schedule.”

“Please, go ahead.” replied Sa Bina courteously. The woman was being polite, but Sa Bina felt that getting on her bad side would be a terrible idea. “I am in your care.”

“First, guards are not allowed on school grounds for any students, no matter their status.” started Meng Fan. “Secondly any retainers can either wait in the staff area, or return when the day ends. Thirdly, fighting is strictly forbidden on academy grounds outside of the clubs where fighting is taught. Fourth, all students must act in a respectable manner towards the staff. Any effort to threaten or intimidate the staff will be met with suspension or expulsion.”

“Eminently sensible rules deputy head.” said Sa Bina once it was clear that Meng Fan had finished explaining the rules. “I do have a question, are the rules enforced fairly? For example if the crown prince or princess broke those rules, would the punishment be the same compared to if the rules were broken by a commoner. I would like to be clear if they really are rules, or suggestions depending on status?”

Meng Fan was taken aback by the direct question. Most students would not dare to be so direct as to ask if the academy’s rules were corrupt. She eyed this new student with interest. The headmaster had been very clear that she was to be treated with the utmost respect. He had not revealed her actual title, but had insinuated that she held very high status.

“Well, we try to enforce the rules equally.” replied Meng Fan, a bit more hesitantly. “However, everyone has to accept political realities.”

“Ok, so you mean they are not rules so much as suggestions that are enforced based on how much or little political pressure can be brought to bear on this institution.” replied Sa Bina. “Thank you for clarifying that.” While Sa Bina’s first impression had been of a strict teacher, Meng Fan’s response to her question had riled up Sa Bina. She hated places that did not enforce their rules equally. It was tantamount to saying the rules were made up when they felt like it. Due to Sa Bina’s real status, and the backing of the Green Mountain Sect, Sa Bina could probably get away with anything short of murder against any student who was not a Royal. So much for a safe environment.

“I would like to ask another question.” said Sa Bina. “Are there any direct royals enrolled in the academy at the current time?”

“No, there are no direct royals enrolled,” replied a nonplussed Meng Fan. “There are several from the branch families, and other high noble families.”

So no one Sa Bina absolutely could not upset. Though anyone she did upset, would cause her problems in other spheres. She had a reasonably free hand.

“Thank you for entertaining my question, deputy head.” replied Sa Bina.

“Right, to proceed with your schedule.” continued Meng Fan, not sure what to make of this new student who was both domineering and polite at the same time. “The day is broken into four classes, each lasting 1 and ¼ bells. We teach eight subjects, and you will have classes for each subject twice per five day cycle.. For a total of 16 classes across 4 days in every five day cycle. On the fifth day there are no classes.”

“Are you aware you are down to attend as a teaching assistant in mathematics and economics and in the advanced class on management,” continued Meng Fan. “and standard classes for all the rest of the subjects?”

“That is what the headmaster had said after he assessed my competency in the subjects.” replied Sa Bina.

“Well all materials, including quills, inks, parchment, books that you need will be provided in each class.” continued the nonplussed Meng Fan. Who had heard of a 13 year old girl acting as a teaching assistant in the advanced classes for 2 of the hardest subjects, and taking the advanced track in a third difficult subject, all the while entering the basic track for the easy subjects. She handed Sa Bina a parchment with a list of her class schedule. The back of the parchment had a map of the academy campus.

“You will have a ¼ bell between the morning classes, and the afternoon classes to make your way between the classrooms. Lunch is provided in the cafeteria between the second and third sessions. The lunch break lasts for 1 bell. Please ensure you leave in enough time to reach the third session of the day on time. The academy bell will ring to announce the start of the next session. You are expected to be seated and ready when the bell rings.”

“I think all that is clear.” replied Sa Bina. “Lou Sie, please inform my guards of my schedule, and please return with them at the end of the day.”

“Let me take you to your first session, economics and introduce you to your teacher,” said Meng Fan.

“Please lead the way, deputy head.” said Sa Bina.

Lou Sie made her way out of the academy as Sa Bina followed Meng Fan to her very first lesson.