Darkstone Code

Chapter 1077 - 1075: The Idea of Building a University

"Mr. Lynch and Mrs. Catherine are truly wonderful people!"

In the auditorium of Barrel School, Catherine handed over a magnified check to the school.

As for why the check was magnified, it was to make the sponsor and the specific amount of money visible to everyone.

Parents accompanied the students in the front row of the auditorium, excitedly watching the people on stage and repeatedly saying, "Mr. Lynch and Mrs. Catherine are truly wonderful people!"

Reporters kept pressing the shutter button, with flashes constantly going off. This will become the front-page headline of Sabin City’s newspaper tomorrow.

It’s been a long time since Sabin City has seen such great philanthropists.

Sometimes people wonder if Sabin City is too small, so small that no one notices it, leading to charitable acts passing it by!

Until this moment, they realized it wasn’t the case!

There are still people watching over them, and these people come from among them!

Both Lynch and Catherine have ordinary backgrounds, making it easier for people to accept their goodwill.

Sometimes some people are not so impressed with capitalist donations, always holding onto some foolish and blind persistence inside.

But Lynch and Catherine’s donations don’t provoke disgust, they’re free from haughty disdain, without unpleasant class oppression, only a warm return.

Catherine also chatted with Lynch and some student representatives who were helped. These individuals expressed that they would definitely study hard in the future and not waste the opportunity the Foundation provided them to continue their education.

The scene was very harmonious, with some children shedding tears of gratitude—there’s no better material than this!

After lunch, the two appeared in the mayor’s office at City Hall.

Looking at this brand-new mayor’s office, Lynch found it interesting.

Everything here has changed, totally different from before.

Previously, when Landon was still Mayor Landon, Lynch often had the chance to come here.

Each visit gave him a faint indescribable feeling, like some elderly figure sitting on a mountain overlooking their territory.

That feeling was neither positive nor sunny, and somewhat exhausting.

Mayor Landon didn’t have a good relationship with the Governor; everyone knew that, and thus during his tenure in Sabin City, he was very anxious inside.

Yes, Lynch recalled that although the former mayor’s office seemed properly decorated, for some unknown reason it exuded anxiety.

The current mayor is the Governor’s nephew. Of course, his election to the mayoral position had little to do with the Governor; he succeeded by his own merit.

And the room’s decoration has been completely transformed.

A minimalist style left fewer seemingly unnecessary items here, even the bookshelf was reduced.

There’s less of an overwhelming government style here, making it rather relaxing, but people won’t lose respect for the mayor just because it’s relaxed.

A mayor is, after all, a mayor, no matter how they outwardly appear.

"Supporting disadvantaged youth to attend school is a temporary solution. Without changes in education, it’s hard to change this situation."

"Every year, many children leave school due to unaffordable tuition or family labor needs. It’s actually irresponsible towards the Federation’s future."

"Children are the Federation’s future. If their level of education is too low, it’s clear our future won’t be very good either!"

At this moment, Lynch sat directly facing the mayor, Catherine next to him. Now Lynch was the protagonist.

The young mayor nodded; his Governor uncle had called him two days ago, telling him about the Federation Government’s determination for education reform.

As a young politician, he naturally knew what this meant.

Politicians and capitalists sometimes act similarly; they don’t fight against the tide but flow with it.

The trend of education reform is inevitable, so joining is better than being overwhelmed by it.

The mayor nodded in agreement, "Indeed, I believe primary and secondary education should be treated as the foundation of national education. We shouldn’t impose too much stress on students or their families, especially financial pressure."

He slightly increased the intensity of his tone, "If economic pressure results in students having to stop their education, that’s criminal!"

A good consensus, Lynch nodded, "So Catherine and I discussed founding some schools in Sabin City."

"Some?" The mayor shifted in his seat, unable to stay still, this was more than one—it was several.

Education is something the public cares deeply about; if they could get free or affordable education, public support for him would increase significantly.

The young mayor doesn’t have many ambitions; he just wants to solidify his current position before pursuing the role of state senator, then running for governor, and even becoming a Member of Parliament.

This path was planned from the start; it requires personal effort but also some people’s help, including capitalists’ and voters’ support.

Lynch nodded slightly, "Four primary schools, three middle schools, and one university."

The mayor’s breathing became rapid, "Are you saying, a university?"

"A university in Sabin City?"

Primary and secondary schools are meaningful and valuable, but not as much as a university.

If Sabin City could establish a university, at least culturally, Sabin would enter the state’s forefront.

Having their university helps enhance citizens’ sense of belonging and honor, even allowing for slightly lower admission standards for local students.

After all, the university’s most important aspect is the interview, not just test scores.

To the young mayor, this is irresistible; his résumé would greatly benefit, gaining more party resources.

Lynch nodded, "Yes, a formal university, and I’ve already got a name for it—Durin Academy."

"However, it’s just a concept, a plan for now, requiring time to actualize."

"Choosing a site is a problem; next, we also need to hire teachers, set up courses, etc. This isn’t solved just with money; we need a chance, proper preparation!"

The mayor might not know who "Durin" is, but he won’t miss this opportunity.

"Site selection is not a problem, Mr. Lynch, here in Sabin City, you can pick any unsold land!"

"As for teachers, I’ll try to help solve some for you!"

The young mayor was quite eager, but within normal range; education may not bring much money but can bring more social prestige and public support.

No matter where he goes in the future, these foundations ensure people will not strongly resist him.

Lynch appeared to agree, stating, "I’ll think carefully; maybe we should first build some supporting facilities."

Hearing this, the mayor knew Lynch was serious; he directly had his secretary bring over Sabin City’s map.

He eagerly looked at Lynch, "Mr. Lynch, we can start by finalizing the land, allowing me to manage some preliminary work; what do you think?"

Lynch smiled, "Why not?"

Soon a map was laid out on the table between them, and Lynch immediately saw his villa complex and the artificial lake.

He pointed to a place not far away, "Is there anything special about here?"

The mayor glanced, shaking his head, "It’s just a regular suburb, originally planned for a new residential area until the developer ran into trouble..."

He was talking about Hart, who fled after his funds broke off; to this day the man hasn’t been caught.

Even former Mayor Landon was a victim, scammed out of hundreds of thousands.

Until now, the doomed cheap apartment project hasn’t realized even one brick, only existing in designs and plans.

The new mayor didn’t know some of this; Landon wouldn’t loudly announce that he was scammed, so to him, this was a major blunder of the predecessor’s work!

Pausing, he continued, "I can give you the whole area, how much do you need?"

Lynch took out his pen from his pocket and drew a circle on the map.

The mayor was quite surprised by the circle’s size, "Do you need it so big?", he was at a loss, "It looks like it could house two, maybe three universities."

Lynch’s circle was large compared to the artificial lake nearby; it seemed enormous.

Lynch nodded, "We aim to establish the Federation’s top private university, where an exceptional campus environment is just one necessary part."

"I’ll excavate an artificial lake, including student residences, faculty accommodations, academic areas, laboratories, leisure zones, libraries, and cinemas..."

Lynch introduced many new concepts to the mayor; who would have thought a university might contain one or even multiple cinemas?

Who could imagine that?

Lynch did, and plans to implement it. The mayor didn’t think Lynch was being reckless but felt it was the best choice.

"A highly concentrated integrated campus environment can provide students with comfortable learning conditions; we can’t solely force them to study but must also offer relaxation opportunities."

"Sports halls, swimming pools, bowling alleys, cinemas..."

"Sabin will take pride in it!"