In the era of memory implantation, Neil was the odd one. While no one ever studied anything, he had decided to pursue a career in Academia. Kids would simply get the knowledge they needed for their everyday lives transferred, and be left to test how it worked. When they became adults they would be given a career choice, whether it was hairdresser, chef, or doctor, and be implanted with the information.
Neil had always refused this path. Since he was a child, he had been curious, exploring the outside world, discovering old books in the only library left in the capital, a relic. His parents tried to convince him that studying was hard, but he would have none of it. He remained stubborn, until his parents gave up and took him to one of the few traditional-teaching schools. As he grew old, he was reaffirmed on his decision. His parents were already used to his rarities, and weren't surprised when he decided to go to the university. Yet, with that new technology, universities had become redundant, and only few around the world had prevailed, none of them in their home country. Neil wouldn't only be going to the university, he would be doing so in a foreign place.
Needless to say, Neil felt at home at the university. There was people from all around the world, book-heads like him, against the general trend of comfort. Because there were so little students, the professors were extremely approachable, and would gladly discuss any topic the students considered. Because they were devoted to Academia, and they were learning for the pleasure of doing so, they didn't need to pick up a major. During his first year, Neil attended lessons on physics, biochemistry, Roman history, social rights, and basically any class he found interesting.
His thirst of knowledge was never quenched, he needed more the more he learnt. And, despite his parents telling him to go back home, find a job, and start a family, and the society ostracizing him, he prevailed on his desire of knowledge and stayed in the Academia.
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