Since returning to school with Moli yesterday, Fisher had found many outsiders at the university.
"Clean up the road outside the main building—over here, we need to set up a platform; otherwise, how are those press agencies going to take photos?"
"And, label all the school signage with Schwali text under the Nali text! How are foreign scholars supposed to understand if it’s all in Nali?"
"Have the police reinforcements been arranged? Yes, that’s right, the entire academic conference must be managed in a secure lockdown. It wouldn’t be good if any Tom, Dick, or Harry got in."
Next Monday, the Forbidden Magic Academic Visit Group led by Prince Schwali will commence its scholarly activities at Saint Nali University. It’s likely that the Schwali visitation group will arrive at Saint Nali via airship in the next few days.
Since this is an academic conference and not an official visit, they will come directly to Saint Nali University, then hold a five-day-long meeting here. After the conference, the Golden Palace will then extend an invitation on behalf of the King of Nali to the visiting prince and scholar group to be guests at the palace.
So, before Schwali arrives, the New Party, which is responsible for this visit, is naturally very proactive. They came to Saint Nali University as early as this Thursday, pointing around at the furnishings and instructing their subordinates to replace them, to ensure the visit is impeccably managed.
No wonder, with the crucial midterm elections coming up, this visit must be executed flawlessly. Any issues would give the Griffin Party ammunition to attack the New Party in the Council, which could affect their support.
Fisher couldn’t care less about the New Party’s mess, but since the people from Schwali would be coming next week and the school would be under martial law, he decided to arrange for that guy Carlo to come in today, considering he had sent several letters last night urging Fisher after Moli was sent home.
"Next week, that formidable group of Schwali scholars will be here; how do you feel, any pressure?"
On Friday afternoon, Fisher stood at the entrance of the office building, observing the ongoing construction at Saint Nali University. Roger, who had no other pressing tasks, came over with a cup of coffee to Fisher’s side, looking at the New Party officials who were giving orders outside.
Roger was someone who stayed out of politics. He had worked at Nali Exploration Company before resigning to go solo, and then Ken had invited him to teach a course at this university.
He was just coming out to ask Fisher about his state of mind, considering the conference’s theme would be Fisher’s Magic Power and soul origin theories. These theories disrupted the traditional concepts upheld by Schwali scholars for centuries, so of course, they wouldn’t let it go without a fight.
Fisher felt fine, and he would have been even more at ease if Mr. Helsen were here. He had written to invite Helsen earlier, but the teacher had recently gone on a business trip to the Northern Realm and couldn’t return promptly, so Fisher was on his own.
He shook his head and said,
"No pressure. Besides, the academic conference is just a ruse; the real purpose is the post-conference meeting at the Golden Palace."
"That may be so, but the conference will still finish its course completely..."
"Mr. Fischer, I’ve finished my homework!"
As they were talking, Moli, who had just come out of the office holding a sheet of paper filled with writing and Magic symbols, eagerly handed her completed work to Fischer.
Moli was a student teaching assistant; she was responsible for grading her peers’ homework, so Fischer would give her the week’s homework to complete in advance, and then he would individually mark them.
"Ah, I just saw that student working on her homework. It seems she has a great talent for Magic."
Hearing Roger’s praise, Moli blushed slightly, and then, while Fischer was reading her homework, she also stole a glance at the workers outside who were transporting goods.
She roughly knew something important was happening next week, and that the school would be heavily guarded, so she planned to go out this weekend to look for her demi-human partners from the Sea Floor. Last night, she had confirmed at the swimming pool with Fragrance Soul that the demi-humans it had sent to land had indeed arrived in Saint Nali.
"Very well, it’s mostly correct, though there are a few minor issues. I’ll note them on your paper later. When you’re grading, you can use the remarks I’ve made to point out similar issues to the students."
"Yes, Professor Fisher!"
As Fisher was about to head back and start writing some comments, a university postman came from behind, carrying a large stack of letters towards them,
"Professor Fisher Benavides, you have mail."
Fisher reached out to accept the letters handed over by the worker, examining a particular envelope engraved with intricate, classical patterns. In the center was an emblem featuring a crescent cradled within a circle—the symbol of the Mother Goddess-worshipping Nali Church.
He opened the envelope, and written inside in formal language was,
"Respected Professor Fisher Benavides, you have successfully registered for the volunteer teaching event organized by the Church. The Church is immensely grateful for your robust support for public welfare in Nali Kingdom. You have been assigned to the ’Full Moon Church’ classroom. The first volunteer teaching session will be held this evening. Please arrive at the church on time and coordinate with the responsible bishop. Once again, we thank you for your contribution to public welfare. May the merciful Mother Goddess bless every child with pure faith."