He understands the concept of investing in a society's future, but he's still skeptical as it relates to the Summoned. They may be among the local citizens, but they are not of them, and there is no guarantee whatever they might learn will be put to use to benefit the Free Cities. Unless the academics, all of them, know something the Summoned don't.

But even Altaïr recognizes that's an excessively paranoid thought, and Nadine surely knows more about the matter than he does. He may have to change that.

"An economic advantage as well," he acknowledges. "Perhaps I will look into this myself. I would like to learn while I am here."

And if he ever leaves. If Altaïr has his way, he will only stop learning when he dies.