Dunn quickly wrote Lynch a letter of introduction and stamped it with the official seal. Then he handed it to Lynch and told him to take it to the head of Tingen University, who would introduce him to a good tutor.
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Lynch thanked Dunn excitedly, took the letter, and headed out.
He didn't wait for Klein.
After the break began, Klein would want to attend the Tarot Club, so he would surely go home.
It was only nine in the morning. As long as Lynch got home by three that afternoon, he shouldn't miss him.
"Lynch, remember to tell me how it goes!"
Just before Lynch was about to leave, Rozanne hurried after him and called out excitedly.
Lynch gave her an "all good" gesture, then went to the street and found a public tram. He boarded and headed for Tingen University.
There went another four pence.
Lynch sighed, pained by the expense.
He knew he couldn't save that money. He couldn't show up at Tingen University drenched in sweat—who knew if they'd even let him through the door?
When he arrived at Tingen University, Lynch showed the guard his letter of introduction and asked where the head's office was. Then he hurried over.
The temperature had already climbed, and Lynch was starting to feel uncomfortable in his full suit.
He wished he could wander around here in short sleeves. That would feel wonderful.
Unfortunately, the young people at Tingen University were all dressed very properly. If he wore something inappropriate, he didn't know whether they might kick him out.
Imagining the scene, Lynch shook his head with a laugh.
Following the long street lined with greenery, Lynch finally reached the area near the administrative building.
Perhaps the guard had reported his arrival, because the head of Tingen University was already in her office.
She was a woman with sharply defined features. Her hair was graying at the temples, but she stood straight and carried herself with energy.
Lynch needed only one look to know that she wouldn't be easy to talk to.
Sure enough, when the woman saw him, she spoke in a businesslike tone:
"Even though Mr. Smith put in a word for you, Tingen University won't allow a student to enroll directly. You'll have to pass our entrance exam before we can admit you. I'll introduce you to a tutor and explain the situation to him."
After she finished, the woman gestured for Lynch to wait nearby. Her expression remained stern, leaving him awkwardly at a loss.
He felt like a well-connected man who'd tried and failed to pull strings.
But the thing was, all he wanted was some information. He hadn't meant to pull strings at all.
He'd wanted to explain, but seeing that the woman plainly didn't want to talk, he decided to keep quiet.
It didn't matter. He wouldn't have to deal with her again. This was probably the last time they'd meet.
"Ma'am, may I ask what I'm supposed to wait for?"
Now that Lynch had thought it through, he addressed the woman in a more indifferent tone.
If it didn't matter, then showing respect didn't matter either. Besides, he didn't feel she'd shown him any respect.
"I get the impression you're unhappy with me."
The woman raised an eyebrow. Instead of answering Lynch's question, she asked one of her own.
"Ma'am, you're right. But I think that, out of courtesy, you should answer my question before asking yours."
"Is that a worker's question?"
What kind of discrimination was this?
"Without us workers, I doubt you'd be sitting so high above everyone else, enjoying a higher education. That only means you're intelligent and have the wealth to match. It doesn't give you the right to look down on people. Everyone is born equal. There's no difference between you and me as human beings!"
Lynch's expression was solemn.
The woman paused, then said slowly, "Roselle was right. Everyone is born equal. It seems that saying really is famous—even you remember it."
Lynch...
What was she talking about?
And Roselle—he'd said everything there was to say. What were the rest of us transmigrators supposed to say?
Lynch held Roselle in deep contempt, but his expression barely changed. He looked at the woman before him and said coldly, "I respect your position and intelligence, but I can't respect your ideas. So I'm giving up on enrolling at Tingen University, even though this is a wonderful opportunity!"
After he finished, he put on his silk top hat and turned to leave.
He could become a Beyonder anyway. It didn't matter whether he went to Tingen University.
He refused to believe that, once he became a Beyonder, Dunn could still kick him out of the Nighthawks five years later.
Aside from the embarrassment, there wouldn't be any problem.
But just as he was about to walk out, the woman spoke again.
"I'm sorry. I still don't agree with you or Roselle about everyone being born equal, but I apologize for assuming you were trying to throw your weight around."
Lynch stopped.
She continued, "I thought you'd asked Mr. Smith to write a letter of introduction to pressure me into accepting you. But someone who can say what you just said probably isn't that kind of person. Tingen University would like you to come here, and so would I."
The woman stood and walked over to Lynch, holding out her well-kept right hand.
Lynch suddenly felt that, by comparison, he was the one acting unreasonable.
But...
He still reached out and shook her hand.
"Shaking hands doesn't mean I agree with you. It only means I have faith in Tingen University."
Lynch quickly added that, afraid she might think he'd thrown away his dignity just to get into university.
"Of course. Such a stubborn young man."
The woman shook her head with amusement, then finally answered Lynch's original question.
"You're waiting for a tutor. I've spoken to him and asked him to come as soon as possible. He'll tell you what books you need to buy, when Tingen University's entrance exams are, and what the admission requirements are. If you have any questions in the future, you can contact him privately."
Oh, he was waiting for a tutor!
Lynch had thought the woman was messing with him earlier.
He gave an awkward laugh without explaining what he'd been thinking, then hurried back to his seat and tried to act natural.
The other person in the office, however, wasn't thinking about Lynch's embarrassment at all. Instead, she eagerly began discussing with him what it meant for everyone to be born equal—and why some people were born to starve while others were born with everything.
Roselle, who had said those words, had been born a minor noble. Why hadn't the servants who looked after him been his equals?
Lynch could only emphasize that he meant equality of personhood, not status.
But the woman asked him to explain what personhood was good for.
Lynch was now incredibly grateful that Roselle had been the first to say those words in this world. Otherwise, the woman might have argued him into silence.
After all, people in this world truly didn't understand what use there was in bringing up something as intangible as personhood and saying everyone was equal.
Would anyone listen to you?
Would nobles split their wealth with you just because you said it?
Fortunately, the tutor finally arrived. Otherwise, Lynch suspected the woman would have argued him into speechlessness.
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