The Citadel could be considered a unique form of school, training physicians, scholars, and teachers who were then dispatched to serve the king, major nobles, and other powers. It operated as a neutral organization.
Pycelle, Grand Maester and Royal Advisor to the king; Maester Luwin of Winterfell; and Maester Aemon of the Night's Watch all hailed from the Citadel. Their scholars were ranked by their depth of knowledge into Grand Maesters, Doctors, Maesters, Maester's Assistants, and Apprentices.
However, the Citadel's curriculum was somewhat narrow. A proper school could cultivate more versatile talents, including not only physicians, scholars, and teachers, but also administrative personnel skilled in statecraft, future treasury ministers to manage the Dragon Mother's finances, and agricultural experts to improve the lives of commoners.
As Drogon envisioned the framework of such a school, he increasingly felt it was an excellent idea. But how could he convey this to the Dragon Mother? Should he write another letter?
"I... I've heard there's a Citadel in Westeros that teaches medicine, history, and other subjects. Couldn't we establish a similar institution to train people skilled in administration and logistics?" Daenerys said after a moment's hesitation.
"!? "
*How can she be so in sync with me? I'm not even her contracted divine beast, am I?* Drogon hadn't expected to think of the Citadel at almost the same time as the Dragon Mother.
When Daenerys finished speaking, Missandei, Jorah, and the others all turned to her, their eyes bright with anticipation, approval, and admiration.
"The Citadel is under the purview of House Hightower. It primarily trains physicians, scholars, and teachers who serve various noble houses and factions. It remains strictly neutral, favoring no side," Barristan explained to Missandei and Grey Worm, who were unfamiliar with the Citadel.
"If Your Majesty establishes a Citadel, it could teach not only medicine and scholarship but also administration and languages. We could train any talent we require."
Hearing the concept of a Citadel, Missandei immediately grasped its potential beyond medicine and scholarship.
"Maesters swear to remain unmarried, childless, and unrewarded," Jorah suggested. "You could require those who join your Citadel to swear loyalty to you alone, serving only you."
Grey Worm and Daario offered no suggestions, but their approval of Daenerys's proposal was evident. Daario's gaze, filled with adoration and admiration, was so obvious that even a fool could see it.
*They're all brilliant minds!* Drogon thought inwardly, observing the council members brainstorming in the war room. *Their minds are no less sharp than modern people's, and they're exceptionally intelligent. They just need a little guidance.*
*No need for oaths! That would limit the number of people who can enter the Citadel, hindering its influence in this world. The Dragon Mother is destined to rule the Seven Kingdoms. Why should she fear that those who study at the Citadel won't come to serve her afterward?*
Hearing Jorah's suggestion, Drogon inwardly disagreed. Yet Jorah was right about the limitations of this world. Who could truly cultivate talent selflessly for others?
House Hightower likely had its own agenda, seeking to maintain its neutrality and avoid the ravages of war.
Seeing the fervent admiration in her subordinates' eyes, Daenerys's cheeks flushed slightly. These were Drogon's ideas, yet she was taking the credit.
She was desperately short of talent and had taken the risk of voicing his suggestions, even if it meant risking discovery by Drogon.
After hearing all the proposals, Daenerys intended to adopt them all. But then she heard Drogon's Heart's Whisper opposing Jorah's suggestion.
Having liberated the slaves of Astapor and Yunkai, her thinking naturally differed. She immediately realized that if they didn't require oaths from Citadel students, not only the people of Slaver's Bay but also those from the neighboring Bay of Grief, the Land of the Long Summer, and even Westeros might seek to study there.
If the Citadel were successfully established, scholars from other continents would flock to it, and its reputation would spread across the world. Its students would be found in every corner of the globe, and she, its founder, would be known to all. The mere thought of such a future made Daenerys's cheeks flush with excitement.
After composing herself, she boldly declared, "I freed the slaves of Astapor and Yunkai, and I will free Meereen. In the future, I will cross the Narrow Sea to claim the Iron Throne. Should I fear those who learn at the Citadel turning against me?"
"As long as they wish to learn and meet the Citadel's requirements, they may study without taking any oaths!"
Jorah was about to object to this lack of restrictions, but when he saw Barristan's approving gaze and the eager eyes of Missandei and Grey Worm, the words died on his lips. It was as if he saw the birth of a new queen in their eyes—a monarch unlike any the four continents had ever seen.
After Daenerys finished speaking, Drogon truly looked at her with new eyes. Could the Dragon Mother truly be the True Dragon Daughter? How could she be the City Burner who once set King's Landing ablaze in a fit of rage? The previous screenwriter had truly been spinning wild tales.
Daenerys grew restless. Avoiding Drogon's steady gaze, she turned to Missandei and said, "We'll discuss the founding of the Academy in detail later. Jorah and Grey Worm, lead your armies to Astapor immediately and quell the rebellion as swiftly as possible."
"Yes! Your Majesty!" Jorah and Grey Worm bowed in unison, their voices firmer than ever as they addressed Daenerys.
Back at their quarters, Daenerys and Missandei eagerly began discussing the establishment of the Academy.
First came the name. Westeros already had the Citadel, so they couldn't use that. The school Drogon had mentioned earlier was also out of the question. They settled on "Academy" as the official name.
Next was the location. Daenerys naturally wanted to build the Academy in Westeros, but that was impossible in the near future.
Drawing upon Drogon's Heart's Whisper, she realized the Academy didn't have to be singular; future branch campuses could be established.
Therefore, she decided to wait until Astapor was stabilized and Meereen was secured before choosing the Academy's final location.
For now, they would establish a temporary branch in Yunkai to build the foundation and cultivate talent.
The initial curriculum would tentatively include governance, languages, medicine, and history, with other subjects to be added gradually.
The basic requirement for entering the Academy was literacy. The Academy was not a literacy program and could not start teaching from the most basic characters. Unless the applicant possessed exceptional talent, exceptions would not be made.
Regardless of gender, age, or social status—whether noble or commoner—anyone with a certain level of education and no history of misconduct could enter the Academy.
Students were responsible for their own tuition, though waivers could be granted to those in extreme poverty.
The most pressing need was for talented individuals. Daenerys planned to hold public examinations to identify various talents, hiring the most learned as teachers and recruiting others as students.
Most knowledge in Westeros was held by the Citadel, as were most books. Only nobles kept private collections.
Shireen, born into an imperial family, naturally had access to books. Stannis could easily provide for her needs, but even literate children from ordinary families struggled to find reading material.
Moreover, books in this world were bound on parchment, making them prohibitively expensive, regardless of the value of the knowledge they contained.
While establishing the Academy, Daenerys also planned to invest heavily in acquiring various books to expand the library, laying the groundwork for the future institution.
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