In Kogan's house.
"Hmm, well then, how will we communicate?" Mi Lan looked at him and smiled.
If this was the case, it would be best to build a good relationship with Kogan.
Kogan looked at her but remained silent as usual.
Mi Lan had not reached the first rank yet, so she couldn't communicate with him internally. However, he could communicate with her.
First-rank individuals could listen and speak, whereas those of a lower rank could only listen.
Kogan was unaware of this. The captain had previously told him that their ability to communicate was due to his treatment or, at the very least, required some complicated conditions that he didn't need to understand at the moment.
The less Kogan communicated with others, the better—especially in such a sensitive time.
Mi Lan sighed and began inspecting the rest of the house.
"A first-rank's house…" She felt an indescribable joy.
This house wasn't among the best; in fact, it was modest compared to the other first-rank houses.
For example, the house of captain Ray Kang had two floors.
Because he was a trusted figure among the higher authorities, he was granted such a reward as a sign of appreciation for loyal workers.
Excessive appreciation shouldn't be given. If a leader were treated the same as a mere laborer, then what would be the point of being a leader?
****
Over the next seven days, he went out with the captain to familiarize himself with the place and its way of life.
"This is the educational school. All children from six to seventeen years old study here."
Ray Kang pointed toward a group of interconnected buildings surrounded by a stone wall decorated with cute cartoon characters.
Kogan had never seen anything like this before.
Captain Ray Kang looked at him and said, "This is the creation of a visitor from another world. Everyone here appreciates him. Although we never met him in person, he left his mark here."
The person Ray Kang was referring to was a transmigrant like Kogan. He had arrived more than two hundred years ago.
He shared all his knowledge with them and collaborated with the ruler at the time to develop the city into what it is today.
The reason Ray Kang was telling this story now was to subtly hint to Kogan that he should do his best and share his knowledge to earn appreciation and praise.
Of course, without being forced into it through violence.
But what knowledge did Kogan even have from his world?
Offering sacrifices?
Or the legendary toilet with advanced cleaning technology that used rats to wipe one's butt?
Captain Ray Kang and Kogan continued walking until they reached another building, which looked slightly more luxurious.
"This place is called the university. Anyone over the age of seventeen can come here to study."
Ray Kang turned to Kogan. "Since you don't know how to read, you can come here to learn."
But Kogan shook his head. "It's too late for me to study. I'd rather learn some practical skills that I can contribute with here."
"Learning is a form of contribution. Without knowledge, you wouldn't be much different from a horse," Ray Kang explained to him.
Kogan sighed. "Alright, if you're that insistent, I'll come to learn."
"You won't regret it," Ray Kang nodded in satisfaction.
If Kogan started attending university and learned to read and write, he would inevitably begin reading the books available there.
Over time, he would feel that the library was lacking—that something was missing from its collection.
Why would he feel that way?
Because it lacked the knowledge he had acquired in his own world.
A place where one cannot find what they are accustomed to, will always feel incomplete in their eyes.
As a result, they would suggest that he write his own book to be placed in the library.
In this way, he would subconsciously feel that he had brought a piece of his world with him—that he was not alone.
This, in a way, would create a sense of nostalgia.
And this is a form of contribution to this world.
***
Captain Ray Kang and Kogan continued strolling through the city.
"Look, it's that transmigrant from another world."
"But they say he's deaf."
"Hahaha, what do you think? Should we make fun of him?"
"Are you crazy? He's with the captain."
"I meant when he's alone, you idiot."
A group of young men and women whispered among themselves upon seeing Kogan with the captain.
If this had happened on Earth, everyone would have been shocked and started observing the transmigrant's appearance with curiosity.
But here, people were taught from a young age that there was no real difference between them and transmigrants—except for perhaps a slight difference in knowledge.
Just as this world had its own knowledge, other worlds had theirs.
Over time, people began treating transmigration as something as natural as birth.
No one questions a newborn.
No one asks which world they came from, how they gained awareness, or what they know.
And no one forces a child to share their knowledge or teach others what they might know.
On the contrary, it was the people who took the initiative to educate and nurture the child.
That way, in the future, they might return that knowledge with deeper understanding and greater discoveries.
Or perhaps… they might grow into someone dangerous and criminal.
***
After walking for a while longer, they arrived at a location.
It was slightly farther from the residential districts in the city center and also a bit away from the city's borders.
"This is where all our animals are taken care of. There are six in total," Ray Kang said as he looked toward the large barn.
It was a sturdy wooden structure stretching across a vast area, enclosed by a metal fence.
Several windows were scattered across the barn's walls, and its roof was designed to be removable.
Despite standing close to it, Kogan didn't catch any scent that indicated this was an animal barn.
Instead, the air was fragrant and refreshing.
The reason for placing the barn away from the city's center was because of the noise the animals made—
Horses, goats, cows, chickens, and deer.
"We'll be doing some work here from time to time," Ray Kang explained.
Kogan nodded.