Chapter 19: The School Under the Tree and the Birth of a New Education

In the heart of Ebonwood, beneath the sprawling branches of the ancient oak, the first school of the village took shape. It began as a gathering of curious minds, with Lord Simha, once known as Satoru, sharing the knowledge of a world far beyond the villagers' wildest dreams.

"**Under this tree, we plant the seeds of knowledge,**" Simha declared, his eyes alight with the fire of education. "**Here, we will build not just a school, but a future.**"

The curriculum was a tapestry of old and new, woven from the threads of traditional wisdom and the innovative concepts Satoru brought from his past life. Mathematics, science, history, and literature formed the core of the learning, enriched by the practical skills of agriculture, craftsmanship, and trade.

Sir Gareth, along with the knights of Lycanth, found a new calling as educators. Their knowledge of strategy and leadership became lessons in critical thinking and problem-solving. The children of Ebonwood, once destined for a life of mere survival, now faced a horizon brimming with possibilities.

As the days passed, the school under the tree grew. The need for a proper building became apparent, and the villagers, grateful for the education of their young, came together to construct it. The schoolhouse rose from the ground, its walls a testament to the village's commitment to progress.

Simha, however, was troubled by a deeper concern. The villagers had offered their labor freely, driven by communal spirit, but he knew that such generosity was not sustainable. "**It is time for Ebonwood to adopt a modern salary system,**" he mused. "**No longer shall our people work without fair compensation.**"

With the wealth flowing from the Merchant Union's trade, Simha introduced a system of wages. Every villager's contribution, be it in the fields, the market, or the school, was valued and rewarded. The knights, too, received salaries, their service to the village now recognized not just in honor, but in coin.

"**Let this be the way of Ebonwood,**" Simha announced. "**A village where every hand that toils receives its due, where every mind that learns can dream of a brighter tomorrow.**"

The chapter closes with the ringing of the school bell, calling the children to their lessons. The school under the tree had blossomed into a beacon of enlightenment, and with it, Ebonwood stepped boldly into an era of education and equitable labor.