Blackstone Code-Chapter 430: The City of Glass

“I need to get your permission first. Your speech might be recorded and then circulated among some middle and high schools,” Anna tilted her head. “You know, we’re always role models—and targets. People are watching us.”

The freshman orientation at the Society’s schools always drew a lot of attention. If there was someone special among the new students, even TV stations would broadcast the whole event.

Many viewed the orientation as a barometer for education during that period and as guidance for high schoolers facing crucial life choices. It was a way to promote positive values throughout society.

This happened every year. Lynch had seen it before, when they were organized to watch orientations from two southern Society’s colleges in the school’s screening room.

Back then, they were excited. The speeches were stirring, as if hard work could overcome every difficulty, as if effort guaranteed success.

Until Lynch and Katherine faced reality.

Now, his own words had become part of that influence. It felt strange, but he had no reason to refuse.

Just as Anna was about to say more, the principal approached.

In front of everyone, Anna remained tactful, not too assertive, even showing some restraint. She gently reminded Lynch and then moved aside to attend to other matters.

“Shall we talk?” The principal was friendly. Lynch had no choice but to respond warmly, especially after just receiving a business card from a congressman.

Lynch nodded slightly, and they stepped aside. “Your speech was excellent. The most powerful I’ve heard…”

Lynch pulled out a pack of cigarettes, handed one to the principal, and they smoked quietly in the corner. No one else dared interrupt.

“We all know stained glass is beautiful, but glass is still glass—it will never become a jewel,” Lynch said, his words carrying hidden meaning as he exhaled smoke and flicked ash.

The principal understood and laughed heartily. “A jewel may be precious, but there’s only one small gem. Glass can fill the entire Federation!”

They were actually discussing education. Besides resonating with some students, Lynch’s speech wasn’t rebellious but very much aligned with the main narrative.

The spirit of freedom, youth’s yearning for freedom—this was the true ideological compass of the Federation.

This orientation would definitely be publicized. The principal had initially worried that if Lynch’s speech was poor, some parts might be cut out from the footage and re-edited.

After all, young people—especially those rising from society’s bottom—might want to act out sometimes. That was normal.

But surprisingly, Lynch’s words fit perfectly with society’s needs.

The Federation’s education system was interesting. To some extent, it truly achieved top-down unity.

From elementary school, teachers focused mostly on nurturing students’ interests rather than just academics.

Even famous educators would tell the public that interest is the best teacher.

From that day on, most children lived happily. The first half of elementary school was mainly toys, drawing, and a few core subjects.

Even if students didn’t perform well, teachers encouraged them not to lose heart, citing examples that success doesn’t always come from being the best academically. This was an age of miracles; with ideals, success was possible.

In middle school, things tightened up a bit, but not much. New courses like household chores or handicrafts were added.

Students with borderline grades and a specialty hobby received invitations to high school.

At this point, they realized interest mattered—a lot—because schools admitted them not based on worthless grades but for their healthy, lively personalities, motivation, and solid hobbies.

Grades didn’t guarantee school admission; a hobby could.

That’s why many high school students, especially in their final years, dove deep into their interests, unable to pull away. They suddenly understood that, compared to the near-impossible task of catching up academically, their hobbies were the only real ticket to college. ɽÁ𝐍ȱᛒĚṠ

Some universities even offered two admission spots to outstanding high school athletes: one for the athlete, another for their close girlfriend—if the athlete was truly exceptional.

College was similar. The learning atmosphere was relaxed. What students studied wasn’t dictated by the school but by their preferences.

Did that make studying unimportant?

Some said yes, but many knew better—they just had no choice.

Compared to buying expensive materials and hiring pricey tutors, having a hobby was cheaper.

The social elite seemed to encourage this approach—the process mattered more than the result.

They never saw the true reality here or imagined what these kids went through to get this far.

Like Anna and other students, from early on—even before elementary school—they received a different, elite education.

Their families hired tutors with numerous credentials, covering both standard subjects and interests.

They could even sense the tutors’ disdain and ridicule toward public education.

But no one spoke openly. Students were silent, those who knew the truth remained quiet. At its core, this was a terrifying education monopoly.

This couldn’t be publicized, or it would cause a huge scandal. So those aware worked hard to maintain the façade.

A few lucky idols and the Federation dream quietly numbed society. Many knew some facts but felt powerless.

That’s why whenever election candidates talked about education or healthcare reform, they received strong public support.

Healthcare reform was different in form but similar in essence.

Lynch didn’t expose anything. Everything remained as beautiful as ever.

Colored glass may be cheap, but for most people, it was enough.

After the orientation, Lynch didn’t leave immediately. He planned to stay for a day before departing.

The student dormitory area in Saint Seccha was almost as nice as the middle-class neighborhoods in Eminence. The school didn’t require students to live on campus.

Each two-story standalone house accommodated six students. They lived upstairs, each with 25 square meters, large independent glass windows, four bathrooms (two upstairs, two downstairs), plus a kitchen and study room, with a grassy yard over 20 square meters.

The dorms were too luxurious to seem like student housing. The environment was better than 80% of Federation families.

Yet 90% of the students living there were dissatisfied.

The seemingly comfortable environment was actually painfully inadequate.This world is just so interesting!

“This is where you’ll be living at school,” Anna said as she stood beside a standalone house near the exit, showing Lynch the dorm he might stay in.

“There are currently three students living here. You’ll be the fourth. I think they’re ready to say hello,” she added, leading Lynch inside.

As they entered, two young girls warmly greeted Lynch. He was a little surprised but also felt it was quite normal.

Since everyone had their own rooms, whether your neighbors were boys or girls didn’t really matter. Plus, they could choose their roommates, so it wasn’t a big deal.

One of the girls had freckles, a lively personality, a decent height, long blonde hair, and expressive eyes—very much fitting the Federation’s image of youth.

At some point, blonde, freckled girls had become increasingly popular.

The other girl had short brown hair and wore glasses. She spoke little but was attractive and well-built.

Lynch glanced around, curious. “You said three people live here, but…”

Right now, only two were present—and both girls. The third might also be a girl. Without proper introductions, unexpected encounters could lead to misunderstandings.

After all, with the feminist movement nowadays, some women insisted on equal rights with men, including the right to be naked in private spaces.

What if his new roommate turned out to be that kind of person…

Clearly, Lynch was overthinking. Anna stepped in front of him, smiling warmly as she held out her hand. “Meet Anna, your roommate…”