Chapter 528
I didn’t even notice my fists were clenching. I mean, come on, it’s just an honorary teaching certificate and a graduation certificate. Why was I feeling this nervous?
…No, let’s be honest with myself now. This isn’t just a trivial matter; it’s a pretty significant deal. It’s not light enough to joke about.
‘I used to tap dance on the threshold of grad school.’
I bit my lip subtly, confronting the hidden feelings I buried deep within.
People are always more despondent when they lose something they once had rather than having never had anything at all. Before I got here, I was a somewhat well-known intellectual who graduated from a prestigious university without any noise after four years of study. Sure, there were moments when it almost turned into a prolonged struggle, but still, I had a university diploma.
But now, since coming to this world, I’ve become a preschool-aged adult without a diploma, a civil servant symbolizing that you can succeed even without knowledge. It’s quite unfair when I think about the group projects and the thesis I had to agonize over in the past.
Honestly, I was just a public servant in my twenties who had to give up on entering the academy late in the game.
‘If I can have it, I should grab it.’
But then, the Principal dropped some hopeful news. This was my golden opportunity to erase the only blemish in my life, to avoid hearing Feddy say, “Dad didn’t graduate from the Academy, so I don’t have to study either!”
“To get to the point, we’ve decided to award the Minister an honorary teaching degree.”
‘Alright!’
I let out a sigh of relief at the straightforward information, without any unnecessary fluff.
“An honorary teacher of the Imperial Academy. What a title I could have never imagined!”
And I opened my mouth with a genuine smile.
Whether it was a graduation certificate or a teaching certificate didn’t matter. If it proves my knowledge and connection to the Academy, it’s all the same—graduation or teaching certification, it amounts to the same thing—
“What’s being given to the Minister isn’t just a teaching certificate; it’s a teaching degree!”
…?
I stared blankly at the Principal after the correction. Aren’t they basically the same? Teaching certificate or teaching degree, it’s all just a title, right?
‘Is it actually different?’
Of course, it must be, since the Principal corrected me, but without any connection to the educational sector, I couldn’t tell the difference.
Darn it. This just revealed how clueless I actually am.
This is what happens when you’re not studying when you should be.
*
Seeing the Minister blink in confusion made my lips twitch upward. He looked like he had no clue what I was saying.
And understandably so. The Minister doesn’t even have a decade of bureaucratic experience, and all of it has been focused on auditing. If he were skilled in another field, that would be stranger than strange.
“A teaching degree, huh?”
I stroked my beard for a moment to collect my thoughts. The Minister was just as bewildered by my words as I was by the implications.
‘The Education Ministry is really pulling some big strings.’
An honorary teaching certificate or graduation degree from the Academy is like a gift the Academy can bestow upon distinguished guests, mere decorations to flaunt authority.
But an honorary teaching degree is an entirely different gift. It’s an honor that can be showcased across the continent, not just the Academy’s authority.
An honorary teacher is just an honorary teacher, but the teaching degree certified by the Empire is recognized throughout the academic world.
“I’ve heard you greatly contributed to Mr. Gerhardt’s research.”
So, I opened my mouth to clarify for the Minister. This wasn’t breaking news that could harm him; it was something that would only benefit.
“Thanks to your assistance, there have been significant advancements in Northern studies. It’s left a distinct mark on the continental historical academia, so the Education Ministry believes it’s only fitting that you receive an honorary teaching degree.”
“Really?”
The Minister seemed a bit dazed by my words, but then he brightened up, as if recognizing the difference between a teaching certificate and a teaching degree.
Indeed, as the Minister said, this was a fabulous gift. Aside from material goods, it’s the best gift the Imperial Academy and the Ministry of Education could give.
The path of an aspiring teacher is pursued by many who seek knowledge, yet only a select few with effort, talent, and favorable fortune can achieve a formal teaching degree.
The Minister skipped that entire process and found himself at the finish line. He now holds an honor recognized by the Empire.
‘An honorary teacher with no formal education.’
I nearly burst out laughing at that moment. The Minister lacks knowledge that he was supposed to gain at the Academy, but that doesn’t mean he lacks wisdom. So, despite not graduating from the Academy, he can still be called a wise person.
Still, it’s incredible that someone with no experience in an educational institution holds an honorary teaching degree. After living long enough, you see all sorts of fascinating things in the world.
“Your formal degree will be awarded at the graduation ceremony, so congratulations in advance. You’ve now become a scholar representing the continent.”
“Oh, you’re too kind. I received such undue honor just for a bit of help.”
Though he said that, his expression was quite bright.
I’m just glad it turned out to be a satisfying gift for the Minister, who had worked hard for three grueling years.
*
Ever since hearing about the shining decision from the Ministry of Education, the world seemed a bit prettier.
Of course, the Ministry, responsible for the future of the nation, is different in every way. How can they make such wise and rational decisions so quickly? The title of the eighth rank in the Empire’s administrative department is no mere coincidence.
‘It’s blinding.’
Then, I accidentally caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror.
I felt like my eyes would go blind. Because the mirror contained a great scholar recognized by both the Empire and the continent. It was a brilliance that one mere human’s eyes couldn’t handle.
“Who am I?”
As I stared into the mirror, I muttered as if possessed.
“An honorary teaching degree holder of the Empire.”
Ha.
Just hearing it sent a shiver of excitement through me, and I couldn’t help but smile. Fortunately, no one was around to think I was crazy while I conversed with myself.
‘Awesome.’
Of course, I know that it’s a bit embarrassing once I regain my senses. But right now, I just want to fully immerse myself in this happiness.
After all, we’re talking about an honorary teaching degree. This degree is equivalent to or even surpasses a Ph.D. from my previous world. Not to mention, it’s not some diploma awarded by a simple educational institution—it’s a national level diploma acknowledged by the Empire.
Even though the word “honorary” is attached, I don’t care. The important thing is the degree itself.
‘I’m no longer uneducated.’
I felt so moved that I was on the verge of tears.
Objectively and subjectively, this is worth much more than an actual graduation certificate. Among the elite who graduated with flying colors from the Academy, only a handful achieve this teaching degree.
Now, when Feddy says, “Did Dad study well?” I can just show him the honorary teaching degree certificate. This dad excels in both martial arts and academics!
‘I should send a present for the New Year.’
I decided. Next New Year, I’ll send a heartfelt gift to the Minister of Education. After all, he’s the one who helped me erase my only blemish and gave me a glorious title. That’s the least I can do.
“Master, it’s time to eat!”
Not long after, I heard Yuris’s voice from beyond the door.
Tonight’s dinner is bound to be even more delicious than usual.
*
The next day at lunch, the Minister’s familiar provocation pinged in.
– What’s with that face?
And just like that, out of nowhere came a jab.
But I didn’t flinch. The old me, the ill-educated Carl, would have reacted rashly to such a lowly provocation, but now, the great scholar of the continent, Carl Krasius of Tailglehen, could respond with style and grace.
“That’s just my usual expression. If you find it strange, then maybe your heart is feeling a little different today.”
I could see the Minister almost opening his mouth to reply but holding back.
Yes, this is the power of intellect. Even the Minister, who usually seemed like a wild beast, couldn’t manage to refute the irrefutable logic.
‘Can you feel the difference in status?’
This is the gap between an average graduate and a holder of a teaching degree. An ordinary graduate could struggle for a hundred years and never bridge such a divide.
*
Watching the thoughts and tone of my speech, I realized something.
‘He’s really losing it.’
And in a different way than before. Usually, he would escape from reality due to an overwhelming workload and sudden accidents. Now, he seemed a bit tipsy with excessive happiness.
‘Did he really keep this much bottled up inside?’
It was quite irksome. I agreed with the Minister as a nod to his opinions, but if I had known his insecurity ran this deep, I probably would have teased him relentlessly. It’s against human nature to give up such precious teasing material.
But what can I do? What’s past is past.
“The Minister’s worked hard for three years and helped advance the study of Northern culture, so that’s why we’re bestowing him the honorary teaching degree.”
“Hmm, I’m not trying to belittle the Minister’s contributions, but… is it really okay for somebody uneducated to have a teaching degree? An honorary graduation certificate should suffice, don’t you think?”
“Even an orphan can become a Minister, so what’s the big deal about an uneducated person getting a teaching degree? Just give him it.”
But thanks to a remark from the Minister of Welfare, I found it tough to speak up on the spot. How could I oppose by bringing up his background?
– What if Feddy ends up saying he wants to be a great teacher like Dad? I hope our Feddy takes the easy path.
‘What a lunatic.’
In any case, I quietly brought the cup of water on my desk to my lips while looking at the still rambling Carl.
A great teacher? More like a plunderer who snatched a degree with power.
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