Mark finished reading over the outpost completion message and opened up the interface. He added the three of them as members of the outpost.
Mark said, “I will now create the school. It will take a few minutes to do so. If the two of you want to talk about next steps while I do that, we can then go over the completed school interface when I am done.”
[Institution Creation Requested]
Institution Type: School
Settlement: Twin Streams
Checking Requirements...
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[Teaching Skill Recognized]
Certified teacher detected
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[System-Sanctioned School Created]
Settlement: Twin Streams
Institution Level: 1
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[Core Subjects]
Basic EducationTeaching
Select 5 Elective Subjects
Choose 5
SurvivalGatheringCraftingHerbalismAlchemyBuildingForestryHuntingCookingFishingExplorationFarmingLeatherworkingTailoringMedicine
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Mark looked over the list of available subjects. Beaver Crossing had focused on helping a growing settlement. Wayrest had specialized in herbs and medicine. Twin Streams needed something different. Looking down the list, he picked Survival because everyone who would be showing up soon would need this skill. He then picked crafting because new people in the System will need to be able to make things to be useful to themselves and others.
Next he picked Herbalism with Fiona and the marsh nearby; this would become a focus for the area they lived in. Next, he picked alchemy, as he felt it would be a good investment for their future. Then going down the list one more time, his eyes settled on Gathering. None of the rest really mattered if you couldn’t recognize useful resources.
His school now had an identity of its own. Now he could look over the options he had received.
[Basic Education]
Unlocked Skills
Reading Level 1Writing Level 1
Locked Skills
MathematicsRecord KeepingPublic SpeakingResearch
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[Teaching]
Unlocked Skills
Teaching Level 1Lesson Planning Level 1
Locked Skills
Student AssessmentClassroom ManagementCurriculum DesignMentorship
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[Survival]
Unlocked Skills
Survival Level 1Fire Starting Level 1
Locked Skills
Shelter BuildingWater PurificationCamp SafetyWilderness Navigation
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[Gathering]
Unlocked Skills
Foraging Level 1Resource Identification Level 1
Locked Skills
Fiber GatheringMushroom IdentificationReed HarvestingWild Seed Collection
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[Crafting]
Unlocked Skills
Primitive Crafting Level 1Tool Maintenance Level 1
Locked Skills
Rope MakingBasket WeavingFurniture MakingPottery
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[Herbalism]
Unlocked Skills
Herbalism Level 1Herb Identification Level 1
Locked Skills
Medicinal PreparationHerb CultivationPoison RecognitionHerbal Extraction
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[Alchemy]
Unlocked Skills
Alchemy Level 1Reagent Preparation Level 1
Locked Skills
Healing InfusionsThis tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.Oil DistillationAcid PreparationCatalyst Mixing
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Mark was pleased by the list of skills available; they would be a good start on educating those who would be showing up soon, giving them a huge kickstart. When he was finally finished and back to paying attention to the world, he could see Malcolm going through the huge saddlebags that Mark had brought with him, and Fiona had pulled out the carefully wrapped saplings and was reading through the notes about them. Those needed to get planted today, so that would be up next after he invited his two students to his school.
Mark then sent invites to Fiona and Malcolm to join the school, and they both accepted. Fiona walked over to talk to Mark while Malcolm continued to sort supplies.
Fiona said, “I see the invite and opened the interface. I know you talked a little about this already, but give me a recap, please.”
Mark said, “All schools have Basic Education and teaching pathways, and then they can select five choices from a list that is uniquely generated by the System based on environment and specific situations. For our five electives, I chose Survival, Gathering, Crafting, Herbalism, and Alchemy. Each student can work on up to three lessons at a time. I would suggest you go through the list and find three lessons that interest you.”
Mark just sat and waited while Fiona looked through the lists and reviewed her choices. Fiona finally looked up. "Why can't I take the two Herbalism lessons, and what's with all the locked skills?”
Mark said, “If a skill is locked, you can click on it and get more details, but to answer the real question, you have the skill already at a higher level than the school can teach. And to unlock the next locked skill, five people have to earn one of the two currently. But we have a small problem; as of today there are only three of us, so there is no way we will be unlocking new skills until the Pioneer Candidates arrive.”
Fiona said, "Cool, that means I will just teach Herbalism since I have the skills already.”
Mark said, “Sadly that is not how System schools work; you may be a subject matter expert, but you are not a System-certified teacher.”
Fiona said, “While that's silly, how do I get certified?"
Mark said, “Through the school, of course. If you look in the Teaching category, you will find the Teaching skill. Gaining that certifies you to be a teacher in the System.”
Fiona said, "Fine, I will take that skill first. Can't let you teach everyone the subject I know best.” Fiona selected Teaching and showed him the generated lesson.
[Lesson Generated]
Teaching Level 1
Requirements
Explain the medicinal use of three different herbs to three different students. (0/3)Successfully answer five student questions demonstrating understanding. (0/5)Assist a certified teacher during one complete lesson.
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Mark said, "Great, that will be a useful skill for you and a real asset for our outpost. Now what are you going to pick for your next lesson?”
Fiona took a few more minutes looking through the interface and then sent him two more lessons that she had generated.
[Lesson Generated]
Alchemy Level 1
Requirements
Prepare three different basic natural reagents (0/3)Record the ingredients and preparation process for each reagent. (0/3)Successfully recreate one reagent using only your written notes
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[Lesson Generated]
Foraging Level 1
Requirements
Correctly identify ten naturally occurring useful resources. (0/10)Gather five different useful resources without damaging future growth. (0/10)Explain one practical use for each gathered resource. (0/10)
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Fiona said, “So now that I have an Alchemy lesson, who is going to teach it to me?"
Mark said, “I will teach it to you.”
Fiona said, "Wait, you know Alchemy?”
Mark said, "Nope, I know nothing about it.”
Fiona said, "Well, that sucks, so I can't learn Alchemy?”
Mark looked through his interface for a few minutes, going through the teacher tab options. He had been told about this but never tried it before. Mark started to smile.
Mark said, “Looks like the System thought of that. Teaching is different from being a subject matter expert. It's the skill of taking a subject, known or unknown, and sharing it with others. The System, once a student picks a skill, will allow the teacher to generate a lesson plan so they can prepare to teach their student. Here is the one I generated for your Alchemy lesson. Needless to say, it will take me some time to prep for our lesson, but the two of us could learn together, as I am also interested in Alchemy.”
Mark then shared with her the lesson plan so she could get an idea of how they worked.
[Lesson Plan Generated]
Alchemy Level 1
Teacher: Mark
Student: Fiona
Estimated Lesson Time: 2 Hours
Prerequisites
Student enrolled in Alchemy Level 1Basic fire availableClean workspace
Lesson Objective
Introduce students to the purpose of alchemy and the careful preparation of simple natural reagents
Instructor Background
Alchemy is the process of transforming natural resources into stable and repeatable compounds.
Unlike Herbalism, which teaches the identification and natural properties of plants, Alchemy teaches the preparation of those materials into consistent products.
Accuracy and repeatability are more important than speed
Materials Required
Mortar and pestleSmall cooking potStirring rodThree empty containersClean waterHeat source
Recommended Materials
Clean clothMeasuring spoonNotebook
Preparation
Before beginning the lesson:
Verify all tools are clean.Gather fresh plant material.Fill one container with clean waterPrepare a low, steady fire.
Lesson Outline
Part One: Introduction
Explain:
What Alchemy is.The difference between Herbalism and Alchemy.Why accurate measurements matter.Why every preparation should be recorded.
Estimated Time: 15 Minutes
Questions to Ask
Why should two people following the same recipe produce similar results?What happens if ingredients are measured differently each time?
Part Two: Demonstration
Demonstrate preparation of one simple natural reagent.
Step 1
Wash the gathered herbs
Explain that dirt and contamination change results
Step 2
Separate usable plant material.
Remove damaged portions
Explain why consistency matters
Step 3
Crush plant material using a mortar and pestle until a uniform paste is produced.
Demonstrate proper pressure
Allow student observation
Step 4
Combine crushed material with clean water
Heat slowly
Do not boil
Explain the difference between warming and boiling
Step 5
Continue stirring until the mixture becomes uniform
Point out color, smell, and texture changes
Step 6
Remove from heat
Allow mixture to cool naturally
Transfer to storage container
Student Exercise
Student prepares three different simple natural reagents using instructor guidance.
Encourage written notes
Do not correct mistakes immediately unless safety is involved
Allow student observation and discussion
Common Mistakes
Heating mixture too quickly.Uneven grinding.Poor measurements.Forgetting preparation notesCross-contaminating ingredients.
Discussion
Ask the student:
What changed during preparation?Which step was easiest?Which step was most difficult?What would you do differently next time?
Assessment
Student successfully demonstrates:
Safe preparation techniques.Careful observationAccurate note taking.Ability to prepare simple reagents independently.
Lesson Complete
Recommended Homework
Encourage the student to gather additional useful plants and compare preparation methods using their own observations
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Fiona just stared at the screen Mark was sharing with her. Mark just stood there patiently waiting for her to complete reading it. When done, she looked at him.
Fiona said, “You mean to tell me this thing just handed you a textbook?"
Mark said, “More like the teacher's edition. Okay, let’s worry about Alchemy another day; we have some trees to plant.”