I smirked. "Hehe... It's nothing, Karlos. You can learn from me."
I could already feel the unadulterated expression of dumbfoundedness on Mimir's face, which sounds absurd.
Ignoring that I asked...
"Ok, Karlos, what are we lacking now?"
Karlos nodded thoughtfully beside me, arms crossed and eyes half-lidded as if scanning a list in his head.
"My lord," he said, "with Elira as Health Minister and Thalor as Historian, you've covered healing, preservation of knowledge, and infrastructure through Belmor."
He then added, "By my calculations what we lack now is education. We need someone who understands both magical and non-magical education, preferably."
I nodded with a thoughtful expression. 'Yea, education is a big deal; it's the foundation of any nation or kingdom.
I scratched my chin. "Alright. We need someone for the department of education, got it."
'Mimir, remind me later.'
'Okay.'
Karlos nodded. "Also, we still lack key positions—such as diplomacy, internal affairs, agricultural development, and possibly magical research."
I leaned back in my chair. "Alright. For now let's see who comes next."
The heavy wooden door creaked open, and in walked a tall, silver-haired man with a long blue coat and calm eyes that sparkled with quiet intellect. He gave a respectful bow before standing straight, his hands folded neatly in front of him.
"My name is Vann Dumbeldore, formerly a royal tutor of Glora," he introduced himself. "I specialize in educational reform, curriculum development, and magical pedagogy. It's an honor to meet you, Lord Velsun." He bowed
I glanced at Karlos, who looked back at me, and we both blinked.
'Is it just a coincidence that we were searching for someone with an educational background, and he is walking right to us with the name Dumbledore at that.'
I glanced back at Dumbledore and began questioning
"Dumbledore." I said, tapping my quill, "What would be your vision if I put you in charge of education across Solara?"
Vann was taken aback by this question but replied firmly.
"I would unify the systems of Bermud and Glora, train new instructors, and make sure the education is the best quality."
I leaned back, unimpressed. "So... Will everyone get this education you speak of?"
Vann looked puzzled. "Pardon me, my lord, but I didn't understand the question."
Then I explained what I meant. "Vann, what I meant was, will this education be for everyone, be they commoner, noble, or anybody? What is your view on merit-based? Everyone should have the right to education in my view."
Dumbledore paused, gathering his thoughts before answering.
"Lord, I would be delighted if everyone got equal opportunities, but it has never been done before, and I believe it would cause a stir in nobility."
I raised my hand for him to stop and asked.
"Did I ask what would happen if we adopted a merit-based policy? I asked your opinion."
Then he exhaled.
"My opinion, my lord?" he said slowly. "It is the only system that makes sense."
He lifted his gaze, meeting mine directly now.
"Talent does not choose its birthplace. I can tell there are many prodigies born in stables and idiots raised in palaces. If education is limited by blood, then the realm cripples itself by design. We all have seen the condition of Glora."
Karlos smirked, amused.
Vann continued, his voice firm but measured.
"Merit-based education can do wonders, my lord. It would create capable administrators, disciplined mages, and soldiers who understand their work."
Then—carefully—
"But I would be dishonest if I did not warn you," he said. "The nobility will resist it. They will see it as an attack on their privilege, not an improvement to the realm."
I nodded once.
Then dismissed it.
"The nobility do not own intelligence," I said flatly. "And they do not own the future."
I leaned forward.
"Every child in Solara is equal in its eyes. Those who prove capable will be taught. Those who excel will rise."
Vann's eyes widened.
"You are not worried at all?" he asked quietly.
"No," I replied.
Silence filled the chamber.
Then Vann bowed—deep and deliberate.
"In that case, my lord," he said, "I would be honored to build such a system."
"Alright." I jotted his name down.
Vann Dumbledore—Education minister.
"Ok, Dumbledore. We'll be in touch soon; you may go now."
He gave a respectful bow again before exiting.
The doors opened once more, and in stepped a man in his mid-forties—clean tunic, upright posture, and a scar over his left brow that told me he wasn't always behind a desk. His eyes didn't waver, but neither did they carry greed or arrogance. He looked… grounded.
He gave a proper bow. "My lord Velsun, I am Garron. Born Gilbert and raised in Bermud. I served under King Darius as an assistant to the old internal affairs head. I was never promoted."
I raised an eyebrow. So you're one of the quiet gears in the machine, huh?
Karlos tilted his head slightly, then gave me a discreet nod. Loyal. Capable.
"What are your thoughts on Bermud's current internal structure, Garron?" I asked.
He didn't hesitate. "Outdated. Corruption crept in at every level over the years. Officials turned blind eyes, and systems were never modernized. The guards aren't coordinated. But the people—they still believe. With the right hands guiding them, we can rebuild something far stronger."
I smirked. "Confident. I like that."
I glanced toward Karlos. He mouthed, "Solid pick."
I scribbled his name on the parchment. Garron Gilbert—Head of Internal Affairs or Law & Order. Potential Advisor. Then looked up.
"Next."
A young woman stepped in next—no older than twenty-five. She wore a worn scholar's robe patched at the seams, but her eyes were sharp and observant, darting around the room and taking in every detail like a hawk. She clutched a few scrolls to her chest as if they were more precious than gold.
She bowed, a little nervously. "I… I am Mira Talwen, my lord. Graduate of Bermuda's Central Academy—top of my class in political philosophy and economic theory. I was teaching at the academy before… well, the invasion."
I leaned forward, intrigued. "And what makes you stand here, Mira? What do you seek?"
"I want to help shape a better system. One where knowledge and merit matter more than birthright or wealth. I believe education reform is the key to rebuilding our kingdom from the inside out."
"Loyal?" I asked softly to Karlos.
He nodded. "And genuine."
"Interesting…" I murmured, jotting down her name. Mira Talwen—Candidate for Minister of Education.
Then I looked up with a slight smirk. "Let's keep this going."
"Karlos, bring someone who is efficient in agriculture."
Karlos gave a slight bow and exited the chamber for a brief moment. Within a few minutes, he returned, escorting in a sturdy middle-aged man with calloused hands, sun-kissed skin, and the kind of presence only decades of working the land could build. Despite the worn look, he had a calm, collected demeanor—and surprisingly clean handwriting on the documents tucked under his arm.
He bowed, not too low, but respectfully.
"Name's Garren Holt, my lord. Born in a small village outside Bermuda. Grew up plowing', planting', harvesting'... then studied crop rotation, irrigation, and soil alchemy at the regional guild hall."
"You're a farmer… and educated?"
"Just enough to stop the land from dying'," he said with a modest shrug. "I may not wear silk or shine in debates, but I know how to feed people—and how to make others do the same."
Zalario leaned in with interest. Karlos was grinning like he found a rare jewel.
I chuckled, nodding slowly. "Well, Garren Holt, welcome. You just might be what we need."
I quickly wrote his name: Garren Holt—Candidate for Minister of Agriculture.
I leaned back in my chair. "Alright then… Next."
Karlos gave a respectful nod and left the room again. Moments later, he returned with a peculiar figure.
The woman who stepped in looked like she'd walked out of a swirling cauldron—her robes were dark green with golden trims, lightly singed at the edges, and her fingers were stained with strange hues of purple and blue. Her sharp eyes scanned the room like she could see the components of our souls. A small satchel hung at her hip, and it clinked with glass and metal.
She bowed low. "Salutations, your majesty. I am Myra Elfenhart, alchemist by trade, chaos by nature."
"Chaos by nature?" I raised an eyebrow.
She grinned. "Well, no great breakthrough ever came from playing it safe, my lord."
Karlos whispered, "She's eccentric… but the best in her field. Has made potions that can heal a dying man in seconds—and explode a castle wall if you mix the wrong bottle."
I smirked. "You had me at explode a castle wall."
I jotted down her name:
Myra Elfenhart—Candidate for Royal Alchemist/Head of Magical Research.
I leaned back, satisfied. "Alright, Myra, you'll be called soon."
"Karlos, send them away. Tell them to come tomorrow.
He nodded and departed.
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