Birthright

“No,” said Belore thoughtfully, “I don't think I would go so far as to say that you have offended me.”

“Then could it be that you don't agree with our assessment of the thesis?” persisted Brannot. “Oh, I'm sure that the student in question and the thesis in question are equally brilliant,” said Belore. “I detect a note of distaste there,” said Brannot. “Could I prevail upon you to clarify your statement?” “If you insist, Professor Brannot,” said Belore with a sigh. “Insist is too strong a word,” said Brannot. “Let us say that I earnestly request it. After all, when a philosopher of your stature does our humble university the singular honor of sitting in on our examination board, it behooves us to learn everything we can about ourselves and our school from the viewpoint of such a distinguished outsider.”

“It's too bad I gave up blushing when I was still a young girl,” said Belore wryly, “or you would quite turn my head, Professor.” There was a general chuckling among the learned men, and Belore continued: “When I was asked to come here, I was only too happy to accept your invitation. After all, the planet Aristotle is a pretty fascinating concept, and I had never been here before. “And I must say that, physically, Aristotle has even surpassed my expectations. I suppose the thought of a university world, a planet the size of old Earth being turned into a garden ofacademia, has to be seen to be appreciated. Your libraries alone would be the envy of any system in the galaxy, and the architects of your buildings have undoubtedly secured themselves that special corner of heaven reserved for artistic geniuses. Furthermore, from what I've been told of your entrance requirements, there isn't a dullard on the whole planet, if you exclude such so-called dignitaries as myself. Aristotle draws only the cream of the Commonwealth's young intellectuals, and it obviously treats them as befits their potential. “So much for the physical aspects. As for the curricula, certainly there is no more thorough or varied course of studies available anywhere. The students, or at least those few I've spoken with, seem relatively well-balanced and incredibly quick-witted. The faculty, it goes without saying, is the finest that could be assembled.

“Having said this much, I will now go one step further. I cannot, of course, speak for other fields of study, but in my own specialty, philosophy, I think you unquestionably have the most able minds the race of Man has yet been able to produce.”

“Then you approve of what we're doing here?” said Brannot smugly. “On the contrary,” said Belore with a smile. “I find it stifling and irrelevant.” “What!” The four men were on their feet at once, more in surprise than outrage. “I have never seen such potential for good so flagrantly wasted,” said Belore. “It seems almost inconceivable that a race of sentient beings capable of creating such a world as Aristotle could so blatantly misuse and misdirect it.”

“Professor Theriole,” said Brannot, struggling to regain his composure, “would you care to explain yourself?”