Chapter 103: 39. Confession
The Tuesday class was not for the first-year students, but for the second-year students taking an advanced magic course. Although the course title was “Advanced Magic,” it still fell within the basic category for Fisher, making it quite easy for him to teach.
His rules were similar to those of the first-year course, but the second-year students had no objections and dared not voice their discontent. Even though some were a bit uncomfortable, they could only grit their teeth and carry on.
Firstly, there was no princess-level standout like Isabel in their class.
Secondly, they were the first class of the Magic Academy and were well aware of the situation at Saint Nali University. They were eager to have classes, and as long as there were classes, anything was negotiable.
Now not only was there a class, but it was also taught by Fisher Benavides, a direct disciple of Master Heilson. Others couldn’t even get in, so of course, they cherished the opportunity, enduring any minor grievances.
The class ended quickly under Fisher’s guidance, and many students lingered around his podium, preventing him from leaving as they asked about questions raised during class.
By the time Fisher answered them one by one, it was almost half past twelve.
Fisher rubbed his shoulder and returned to his office to make a small messenger, intended for the artificial sorceress Carlo.
The so-called messenger was actually a directional magic item, essentially locking in the information medium for both parties, functioning at just the right level for this group of students to graduate.
By the time they graduated, they would probably be able to make a less refined messenger. For simplicity and speed, a paper airplane could be used, but for frequent use, more complex magic materials would be necessary.
This messenger was meant for Carlo, and since it would not be used often, Fisher simply tore a piece of paper into a paper airplane, inscribed it with magic, and called it a messenger.
After giving the messenger to the Hart Bird, he finally prepared to have lunch.
The school had a designated cafeteria, and Fisher casually found a table to enjoy his meal. Just as he sat down, he saw a middle-aged man wearing a large black hat walk in. That was his colleague, Roger, whom he had met in the office yesterday.
“Hey! Mr. Fisher, are you also having lunch this late?”
Seeing Fisher, he walked over and sat down, ordering a chicken noodle dish from the waiter, sitting friendly across from Fisher.
The weather outside was hot, and after entering the cafeteria, he hurriedly took off his large black hat, symbolic of a magician, and started waving it as a fan.
“Yeah, I was held up by students. Why are you dressed like this today?”
“Ah, I was just about to tell you about that.” Roger glanced down at his magician’s robe and smiled at Fisher, “Isn’t the Godlin Festival just around the corner? The school will hold a celebration event from the afternoon to the evening since we’ll all be off during the Godlin Festival.”
“I see.”
Fisher’s lunch arrived, and he just listened, having no desire to participate at all.
The Godlin Festival marks the birthday of Godlin the First and the day he founded the kingdom. The people celebrate that day every year to commemorate the king whose renown spread across the continent. Traditional activities generally include horseback jousting, poetry gatherings, and culinary delights, making it one of the few grand festivals in Nali.
On that day, members of the royal family also attend the biggest festival venue in Saint Nali to celebrate with the people.
In the past two years, the king himself had attended, but due to his deteriorating health in recent years, the prince gradually took on the role of celebrating the festival with the populace.
“Our school is a place that the king values highly, and this year the Eldest Princess will also come to celebrate the festival! It was decided just this morning, which is quite unexpected; last year it was only a royal spokesperson who came. Mr. Fisher, you should join me for the afternoon event.”
Actually, Isabel was the princess, but when common people mentioned “the princess,” they usually referred to Her Highness, Elizabeth.
Isabel was still young and rarely appeared in public. In her childhood, she would often be carried by the king for New Year’s addresses, but now she seemed to appear less frequently as she grew older.
So, Elizabeth would be coming here this afternoon?
Hearing Roger’s words, Fisher did not respond; instead, his eating momentarily paused as he suddenly looked up and scanned the surroundings of the cafeteria, seemingly searching for the figures of certain people with a knowing expression.
Sure enough, he soon saw several soldiers dressed in white royal guard uniforms outside the cafeteria, surveying the room. After their eyes met Fisher’s, they saluted him and then waited at the entrance.
Fisher turned to face Roger, speaking somewhat speechlessly, “Let me guess, you didn’t encounter me here by chance. You were sent by the soldiers of Her Highness Elizabeth to find me, with the purpose of taking me to the afternoon event?”
Roger wiped his nose and evidently understood Fisher’s perceptiveness. He smiled wryly and replied, “The soldiers of Her Highness Elizabeth found me early this morning, saying that you must be invited to the event this afternoon. Since the princess has other matters to attend to this morning, she said if you weren’t there, you would run away, so she asked me to come chat with you first. She will arrive soon.”
Realizing he couldn’t escape, Fisher sighed and took a spoonful of food. Roger glanced at the soldiers outside and whispered, “I’ve known for a long time that you have a close relationship with Her Highness Elizabeth; she’s personally coming probably just for you. Honestly, she is indeed a very good marriage candidate. Although His Majesty’s health is declining, while it’s unlikely that Her Highness Elizabeth will inherit the throne, her status will only rise from now on.”
Fisher shot him a glance and said, “Is that also what she sent you to tell me?”
“How dare I! Matters involving such prominent figures are beyond my scope. This is just a suggestion on gentlemanly conduct.”
Fisher did not respond. At this moment, he was somewhat grateful that he had arranged for Renee to stay at home and rest. Hopefully, she would obediently listen and not go out.
Lunch passed quickly. Fisher wiped his lips and, after bidding farewell to Roger, walked toward the soldiers. He didn’t harbor any resentment toward Roger since he knew that if given a choice, Roger wouldn’t have done such a thing.
“Mr. Benavides, Her Highness has already arrived at the school and is waiting for you in the school hall. She has asked us to bring you over to talk.”
Fisher nodded, signaling for them to lead the way.
The so-called hall was deep inside the school. The Mother God’s hall existed in many places and occasions, meant for devotees with pure faith to worship.
However, Elizabeth’s whereabouts were indeed concealed. If it weren’t for the soldiers appearing here, Fisher wouldn’t even have known she had arrived at the school.
“The princess is inside, please.”
The hall was a standard small chapel. On ordinary days, there were students responsible for cleaning it, but today, only royal soldiers stood outside.
After bringing Fisher in, they remained quietly at the door, clearly under orders that only Fisher could enter.
Fisher pushed open the door and walked into the small chapel.
The familiar scent of incense wafted in. Under a shaft of sunlight filtered through stained glass, a lady sat quietly in the front row of the chapel, directly in front of a benevolent Mother God statue, which gazed gently at the guests in front.
Elizabeth was not wearing a hat, and her long golden hair cascaded down like a waterfall. At that moment, she had her hands clasped together, making a serious prayer gesture.
Her eyes were tightly closed, as if she were confessing her original sins to the Mother God, much like the devout followers of Cardu.
However, just as Fisher approached her side, her movements ceased. Her light golden eyes opened, and she looked at the gentleman beside her with a serene smile.
“Mr. Fisher, you’ve come.”
“Her Highness Elizabeth.”
Fisher performed a gentlemanly gesture, but this time, Elizabeth maintained her smile and suddenly extended the back of her right hand towards him.
This was an ancient royal gesture of hand-kissing, signifying a royal member’s affection for their subjects and citizens, allowing him to kiss her hand.
Fisher understood Elizabeth’s intentions perfectly; since she loved performing rituals, he would let her complete the standard royal greeting in full, allowing her to indulge.
However, this gesture also contained a hint of affection for Fisher, as only a few were qualified to kiss the royal hand.
According to legend, the only one allowed to kiss Godlin the First’s right hand was the Grand Pope of Cardu.
Fisher looked at Elizabeth’s outstretched hand, paused for a second, then half-knelt before her, gently holding her soft, fair right hand.
Elizabeth lightly cupped his wrist, waiting for him to bring her hand to his lips. After a light kiss, she smiled brightly as she withdrew her hand.
“Please, no need for such formalities, Mr. Fisher.”
She sat gracefully, gesturing to the seat next to her, and Fisher, no longer polite, took a seat directly.
“I thought Her Highness would go directly to the principal’s office to discuss the Godlin Festival, but I didn’t expect you to come secretly to the Mother God’s hall.”
Elizabeth gazed at the benevolent statue before her, her expression unchanged, but her words seemed to carry deeper meaning, “Everyone has original sins that need to be confessed, and I am no exception. Besides that, there’s an important matter I need to discuss with you that cannot be overheard by others.”
“I’m all ears.”
Elizabeth glanced sideways at the distance between her and Fisher’s seat, and a subtle yet unnoticeable look of terror flickered in her gentle eyes. But that meaning lasted only an instant before she resumed her tender demeanor.
“The visit time of Shivali has been set; it’s about twenty days from now, in early next month.”
“I see. What is the nominal purpose?”
Everything was becoming clear. Elizabeth evidently knew Fisher understood the game rules of politics well, so she was straightforward. She turned to look at Fisher and pointed at him with her finger, “The nominal purpose is you.”
“Me?”
“Yes, your theory on the source of magic souls that you published has caused quite a stir not only in the academic circles of Nali but also in Shivali. Don’t forget; a large part of their magical academic community belongs to the ‘Anti-Magic School.’ Your theory is undoubtedly a slap in their face, and I believe they are eager to come and debate with you.”
Fisher sighed, not expecting that the reason for Shivali’s visit would be his paper, and it was evident he would be involved throughout the visit.
But from the information he had from Carlo, this visit was not simple; he really did not want to participate unless absolutely necessary.
“Not only are there academics involved; their queen is also showing her importance by sending their prince to accompany the scholars on their visit to Nali, marking a thaw in the relationship between Shivali and Nali.”
