Real Gold and Silver

Being constantly called "Ancestor" seemed to have subtly pushed him into the mindset of an elder as well.

But looking at it from another angle... seeing the ever-calm and elegant Heti make such a dazed expression was rather entertaining in its own way.

Watching Heti go from dumbfounded to flustered, Gawain found his mood inexplicably improving, and more than half the stress brought on by the mountain of documents instantly vanished. Before his eldest granddaughter's expression could collapse any further, he waved a hand. "It's nothing. I was just saying—what are these documents?"

Though Heti had no idea what had happened, she felt as if she had narrowly escaped some sort of disaster. Secretly relieved, she placed the documents on her ancestor's desk. "They are preliminary reports on establishing the Imperial Academy and building new-style schools on the Holy Spirit Plain, along with documents related to the railway project in the Western Region. The Administrative Hall has processed them according to procedure, but the critical sections still require your personal review."

Gawain thought for a moment and suddenly felt like asking about Heti's lifelong prospects again...

Two seconds later, he gathered those somewhat scattered thoughts, reached for the thick stack of documents, and casually asked, "Have the mages and scholars who moved from Saint Suniel last week all been settled in? What do you think of them?"

"They have all been properly settled," Heti replied with a nod. "As for my assessment... in terms of personal knowledge and ability, those who could serve the royal family or enter the Scholar Association in the royal capital were all the finest masters. Their capabilities are beyond doubt. But if they wish to integrate into Cecil's New Order, every one of them still has a long road ahead, and quite a few will