That's not how you use a witch!

Chapter 60: The Meaning Lies in Not Being Unique

New machinery creates new jobs, so when Ronan and Maddie started building the machines, they also put operator training on the agenda.

If the goal is simply to learn how to operate a machine, it can be done in just two or three days, or even a single day, of intensive study. After all, the biggest advantage of machines over manual labor is their simplicity and the ability to operate in large quantities.

But those are at best temporary workers; they might become skilled workers after working there for a while.

What Ronan needs are true mechanical talents—those who are not only proficient in operating machines, but also understand the underlying principles and knowledge, so as to promote the continuous emergence of more and better machines.

It's impossible for him or Meadow to handle everything alone.

The so-called belief in the power of the common people does not mean keeping them ignorant for the sake of convenience, but rather improving our work by learning from them.

Given the high difficulty and dense knowledge required for mechanic training, Ronan did not include it in the compulsory education system, and even set a requirement to pay a certain number of work points as tuition for enrollment.

The course will be taught by him and Maddale themselves, who are currently the most knowledgeable about machines in Thorn Territory and even in this land.

Ronan originally thought that it would be good if about twenty people signed up, but he didn't expect that as many as fifty-five people would sign up in the end!

He reasonably suspected that these guys were there to see celebrities...

Fortunately, the school classrooms were quite large, and there was enough room for fifty people. This was an unexpected bonus for Ronan; even if they didn't have many machines to operate right now, the reserve of technical personnel would be beneficial for the future application and promotion of the machines.

They don't all have to become skilled workers; they can also transition into roles such as technicians, teachers, or engineers.

"Wait, what are you three doing here?"

Seeing Li Yan and the others' names on the registration form, Ronan asked, half-laughing and half-crying, "Do witches have to screw things in too?"

"Is that not allowed? We've done so much work for the Thorn Territory, we should have enough work points to register!"

Li Yan declared righteously, "If our Witch's Eye had one of these amazing machines, our lives would definitely be so much more interesting!"

"I wouldn't mind gifting you a Witch's Eye, but how will your sister receive it under the rebel blockade? Besides, one machine won't change anything; behind it lies the unique Thorn Territory."

Seeing Li Yan's thoughtful expression, Ronan continued, "You are guests of Thorn Territory, so you are welcome to attend the class, and you don't need work points. However, please don't use magic in class. Not only will you break the desks and chairs, but you'll also scare the children. Also, we will be teachers and students in the classroom, so you must abide by classroom rules and not do whatever you want as usual."

"Don't worry. I know how to maintain discipline."

Li Yan patted her chest, indicating that she had already experienced the discipline of the militia, so the school's discipline was of course no problem.

Ronan nodded. He knew that Li Yan was actually quite composed; otherwise, she wouldn't be the second-in-command of the Witch's Eye. These words were actually meant for Scarlett.

However, he was surprised to find that Scarlett, who was usually the most cheerful and carefree, was actually looking very serious at this moment.

"Actually, I have a question—why didn't you just have Maddie build the machines Vance ordered for you? She could have built them faster and better; wasn't she the one who built the original machines?"

Haiyue speculated expressionlessly, "Because we don't want to bring her any more pollution, right?"

Madonna also glanced at Ronan silently, as this was also her question.

"That's certainly part of the reason. We won't just need one or two machines, and the machines we'll need in the future won't be that simple either. We can't put all these burdens on Madonna's shoulders."

Unaware of the girl's upturned lips, Ronan answered seriously.

"The existence of magical energy makes the impossible possible, but it can also cause that possibility to dissipate in stagnation."

If we rely solely on witches to accomplish everything, we are essentially no different from the old aristocracy, because all innovations will remain confined to a small scope, and the land will not change as a result. This is not only a constraint on witches, but also a constraint on all of humanity.

Therefore, the most crucial value of a witch lies in making 0 into 1, not 1 into 100. Only when machines are no longer rare creations dependent on witches to exist, only when they break free from witches and enter every household, becoming ordinary items readily available to ordinary people, can the breakthrough from 0 to 1 be considered a true success.

Scarlett couldn't help but ask, "But according to you, if the witch-making machines are no longer needed, won't the witches lose their meaning? Will they be abandoned then?"

"It's normal for you to think that way. Witches suffer because of their uniqueness, yet they fear losing everything by losing that uniqueness—but as long as we're on the right path, that will never happen."

Looking at the neatly arranged machines in front of him, Ronan shook his head.

"Because innovation is limitless, so too is the breakthrough from 0 to 1. Today we use steam to power machinery, tomorrow we can tame thunder, and one day we will even traverse the heavens and reach the other side of the stars. This process cannot be separated from the witch, nor from the millions of mortals. The former brings infinite possibilities, the latter makes them a tangible reality. Our destinies will be intertwined like pomegranate seeds, inseparable from each other. De-witchment is not about making anyone lose their meaning, but about constantly giving each other new meaning, until we reshape the future of this land!"

Scarlett remained silent for a long time.

Looking at Ronan, who was speaking with great enthusiasm and raising his arms, and at the machines that were gleaming in the morning light, she looked at Li Yan and nodded slightly.

……

The following evening, Ronan delivered the machine to the mountain territory.

Also traveling to the mountain territory were two of his farmhands, a blacksmith, and more than ten apprentices from a mechanics training course.

Both blacksmith servants were loyal to Ronan and participated in the assembly and trial operation of the machines. They were quite adept at operating and maintaining the machines.

The dozen or so apprentices accompanying them were also carefully selected: while they weren't the most quick learners in the class, they were the fastest at mastering the various operations, enough to guide the craftsmen of the mountain region to learn how to use these machines in the shortest amount of time.

During their journey to the mountain territory, Vance will not only provide them with food and lodging, but also offer them generous compensation.

The other students were so envious they cried, and they all lamented that knowing a lot is not as good as being able to do it.

Ronan encouraged everyone not to worry about temporary gains or losses, as everyone has a bright future—this might have been a joke in his past life, but it is quite fitting in the current Thornlands.

Because the process of technological development requires not only technical personnel, but also a large number of officials who understand technology.

These people don't need to be extremely skilled at screwing things in, but they do need to have insight into cutting-edge technologies and their corresponding social impacts in order to maximize the power of advanced technologies.

"So, you plan to include these as part of the exam content, and then use the exam to select... 'civil servants' for the Government Administration?"

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