This is such a good point! I remember finding it really odd that Ryoka would give him that information. Seems very out of character for her

They likely weren’t “snuffed out” so much as people just gravitated towards the easiest method, relying on skills to get by.

A society based on scientific progress wouldn’t only have to develop that science, but also instill a desire for continued education – without allowing it to get corrupted in some way like Wistram was.

Possibly more importantly, imagine a high level [Scientist] and/or [Researcher] class, based on all our knowledge of science from Earth.

Not only would they be able to actually perform the testing required for real scientific progress, but they’d have skills to help them out.

The biggest issue I’d have with Laken’s idea, is that is has all the potential of going the same way as a typical kingdom in Innworld: as soon as Laken dies, much of the enthusiasm for a dedicated system of education would die alongside him. It might last a few extra generations, but eventually, the easy mode that is skills would likely win out again.

He needs to not only create his education system, but also get to work on making future emperors-to-be and getting them extremely invested in education themselves.

That’s right, it feels like he will be stepping on the toes of whoever manages this physically impossible experiment of a world. Yes, this might be the start of a conflict that will transcend dimensions and timelines…. the spark being a blind man who sees what is important.

Here’s some music rec to listen to while reading Emperor Laken’s epiphany on the stagnation of this world

“Not because I think she’ll steer me the wrong way. I think she might do it by accident.”

This doesn’t make sense. Possible “steer me” should be “intentionally steer me”.