"In my world, a lot of it came down to religion. And certain dominating religions not being too interested in discoveries that could undermine their position." A simplified summary, obviously, but Nadine stands by it.

She finishes up cleaning the wound and moves to pulling out her suture kit.

"And higher education in my world isn't exactly available to everyone, not like here. I don't even pay to attend the academy. I mean I'd have to if I was living there, and when I need to rent equipment outside of class, but just attending doesn't cost anything." Which is amazing, to her. She'd been prepared to argue her way into some kind of scholarship, but it hadn't been necessary.

She just had to pass her classes.