Another beautiful fall day came to the city of Vinedenne, perhaps the only major city in the kingdom that its goddess enjoyed visiting. That was of course due to its leader Lord Quarely, a man who's moral character placed him above all the other high society members in my eyes. It was his city that first welcomed a young goddess and assisted in my pursuits. This wasn't a secret in the kingdom either and had caused no small amount of jealousy in the other province's lords.

All these things weren't for me to worry about today though. No today I was here in Vinedenne in order to finalize preparations for the first ever public school in regards to personnel. The construction would soon begin at the nation's capital of the official building but it would mean nothing without teachers to educate there. It was Quarely and his council that I had trusted with selecting people for this task and it was finally time to come gather them up.

Right now I was heading into the large meeting hall attached to the city's local university. It wasn't anything too fancy as it was a small city, but it certainly did serve its local province well. The people to be my teachers were chosen from this place by Quarely and interviewed by him in order to see their moral character, something I had pointed out that was important to me. I had briefly met them myself once they were selected of course and found them to be genuine.

Picking them from a university was a smart idea. This meant they were already educated people and likely had a passion for learning. So all I had to do was give them copies of my curriculum books and have them be educated in the specific topics inside them. Some of the basic things like math and reading were of course already known to them from their education here at the university, but the more unknown things like geology and biology were things they had to learn.

Thus they were sequestered away to study with occasional inputs from me on specific questions until they were ready to be full on teachers themselves. This wasn't a quick process which is why it had taken several months. Honestly they still might need a bit more time for full comprehension and thankfully we did some due to the first school not being build yet. I couldn't help giving myself a pat on the back for planning ahead so well.

I walked into the room and looked around. Everyone inside it were already known to me because I could see them on my map of course, but now I was seeing them in person. There were three men altogether and one woman. Not many people for a kingdom wide spanning public school system of course, but these were just the most promising and trusted individuals that would teach more teachers. All of them were pretty old for this world's standards which is to be expected of those in the education system.

Bachous was a man of forty-eight who had short orange brown hair, blue eyes, and pinkish skin. He wore glasses and always dressed sharply. Overall a pretty easy going man, if not a stickler for details.

Favio is a man who is more flamboyant in his dress, something that also proved true for his personality. He was thirty-seven and had neck length reddish brown hair, light green eyes, and pale skin.

Caston was a certified old geezer as a man of fifty-one. He had short black hair, orange eyes, and creme skin. Perhaps due to his “old” age he was more laid back then any of the others, though he had a temper when it came to how he thought things should be done.

Last but not least there was the thirty-six year old woman Adva. She had long blue-green hair that reached her back, pink eye, and fair skin. She also wears glasses and has accepted being childless in life in exchange for the dedication she has towards learning.

All four teachers to be were sitting down on the same side of a large wooden table in the rather extravagant room. If it weren't for all the movies I'd seen it would've been more impressive the sheer amount of educational paraphernalia filling the place. From books to paintings, maps and statuettes, this place had it all. The décor was ignored by the four humans as well since they were too distracted by the literal goddess walking into the room.

As I walked up to the table I smiled with closed lips. I was in serious mode at the moment as I was thinking and so didn't appear very cheery.

“Hello everyone. Thanks for being here today.”

The humans all stood up and bowed to me respectfully. They seemed nervous which was understandable since they hadn't been around me very much. My current more uptight attitude also contributed to that. It was Caston, the eldest of them, who spoke first.

Caston stood back up and cleared his throat.

“It's you who deserve all the thanks great Goddess Jenna. Thank you for choosing us for your personal designs!”

I let out a small chuckle which also caused me to crack a smile. Then I shook my head as I hopped up onto the chair across from them. The chair then raised up with my magic into the air so I was more at head level with them.

“You're welcome you silly guy!” I said somewhat happier.

Seeing four educated adults acting all stuffy and terrified of me just reminded me how ridiculous the whole situation was. This made it impossible for me not to cheer up and break out of serious mode, if even just a little. My attitude shift also eased the tension in the room enough for the four of them to relax somewhat. I could hear their deep exhalations.

I motioned with my hands. “Ya'll can sit down now.”

Favio spoke next while the other three sat down. The energetic man wasn't one to let the mood of a room drop if there was any chance of raising it. He did another small flourishing bow before seating himself.

“I must say you're just as wonderful as I remember first meeting you goddess!” He smiled. “I still find it hard to believe what happened that day Lord Quarely came to me and told me I was selected.”

Sitting beside him was Bachous who was fumbling with his glasses while adjusting them. He seemed a bit nervous around me and really gave off that nerdy vibe despite being in his late fourties. He was nodding in agreement with Favio's statement.

“Yes indeed. When I heard what he- er you were planning goddess I didn't see why I was chosen. There are many much more intelligent scholars in the kingdom than we four.”

Adva continued sitting there in silence. She was the youngest of the group and a woman in addition. Perhaps she didn't feel it her place to speak or maybe her nerves were too much for her to overcome. Regardless of the case it was important for her to feel accepted.

I put my hands out on the table in front of me and turned to the woman. My gaze made her jump and I let her settle down again.

“You know I was the one who had the final say in who was ultimately selected. That means I chose each one of you for a reason.” I paused for a moment while looking at each of them. “The primary reason being your strength of character.”I raised my left hand with index finger extended. “That is to say your morality. That is the most important thing for a teacher, perhaps even more than intelligence.”

Caston sat back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest, a slight frown on his face from his thoughts.

“Its in those kinds of comments that you truly prove you're wisdom is well beyond your appearance goddess.” He nodded. “I know full well you speak to the truth and while not knowing these others personally I trust you. I'd not assume a goddess a poor judge of moral character.”

Finally it was Adva's turn to speak up and she was blushing quite red. At first she looked to her compatriots and then to me across the table. After only a moment of looking in her goddess's face she lowered her head to hide her face.

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“I'd like to thank you additionally goddess.” She said shyly. “For choosing me even though I'm a woman.

I nodded and gave her a small smile.

“I chose you because of who you are Adva, not because of any other reason. Where I came from both men and women were considered equally important to the world. Though the application of this principle slanted in favor of one or the other in various places.” I then shrugged. “Nothing is entirely perfect I suppose.”

Caston lowered his arms and sat up in his chair again, a serious look still his face.

“I'm sure in the heavens even such perceived inequalities don't effect things in negative ways. After all both goddesses and apparent male gods rule.” For a moment he bowed his head. “With all due respect you were very young when you lived there and perhaps things were not entirely how you perceived them.” He then looked at me with deep curiosity. “Its fascinating to hear about this other realm truly.”

None of the men had anything to say about my comment on Adva or about her in general. Either they were deeply hiding their true thoughts or had nothing negative to say at all, as even a cursory reading of their minds showed nothing terrible. The comment about my age was totally fair honestly and I didn't have any retort for it. I mean even as much as I knew about my previous world there were always layered complications to things.

I just gave him a slightly annoyed look which I couldn't really help doing even if I didn't fault him for his observation. The others looked a bit nervous like I was going to be angry but to their relief nothing ever came of it. Instead I simply slid my hands in front of me on the table and put them together.

“Well if re-introductions are finished we should get this meeting officially started. There's one important piece of news I wanted to share with you all first.” I waited for a moment to keep them in anticipation before continuing. I then slapped my hands down on the table which made them jump. “I've decided to build the first school of mine here in Vindenne instead of the capital Norlov!”

They all looked at me in surprise and shock. This was contrary to what they'd heard about it being made in the capital of the kingdom Norlov. As they looked among each other to begin questioning my decision I decided to save them the trouble by explaining myself.

“You see I don't actually like the capital much.” I said leaning back in my chair. “Yeah I know its important and all and my big temple is there. But really the whole royal family and court of the castle and all that sits poorly in my mind. If I built my first school there it'd get corrupted and ruined by evil people.”

Caston put his right hand to his chin and rubbed his short beard in thought before commenting.

“You must trust Lord Quarely profusely. That is the reason I suspect you've chosen to move the school to Vindenne instead goddess?”

I sat back up straight in the chair and nodded with my eyes closed. I then opened them and looked to each of them.

“Yes that's why. This city just feels better to me.” I shrugged. “I dunno. Quarely is just one of those few actually good people in government. I can read minds remember so if he had arterial motives I'd know about them by now.”

Favio let out rather rambunctious laugh.

“The highest of praise coming directly from the goddess herself! My own trust in our lord only increases after hearing this!”

I lifted my hands to settle him and the others down before they continued this. It was already embarrassing enough that I put so much faith in a human and my face was starting to flush.

“Yes yes that's enough about that. I just wanted to tell ya'll about it.” I lowered my hands and recovered my more serious expression. “This also means you wont have to move all the way across the kingdom and can stay living here.”

Adva smiled warmly and bowed her head to me.

“Thank you for such kind consideration goddess. You really are caring.”

A little smirk came across my face for a moment. “I know I am.” I then put my hands out on the table again. “Now on to the rest of the meeting. Were there any pressing questions you guys had for me?”

Bachous readjusted himself in his seat and sat up straighter.

“Well there was the issue of moving we were originally going to bring up, though that seems to be a moot point now.” He looked to Caston. “There are those among us who aren't as young as we used to be and the thought of moving across the kingdom would've proven quite challenging.”

“That would've been taken care of don't worry.” I said waving my left hand. “I would've carried you myself if that's what it would've taken.”

Adva sat up a bit excited and looked eagerly at me.

“You said we'll be teaching other adults at first right goddess? That does mean we'll be teaching children eventually yes?”

Her excitement at teaching children was understandable. I didn't know that much about her but from what I'd gleaned from her prayers and thoughts she had given up on having children of her own. Just another thing she had sacrificed in pursuit of her education. In my eyes the future wasn't so decided but I wasn't one to interfere in this particular issue.

I nodded and smiled warmly at her.

“Mhm! You'll be teaching children at some point.” I then looked along the line of adults. “The education system will need to be able to teach people of all ages and walks of life. From the young children, the teenagers, the fully grown, and even the elderly!” I shrugged again with a small smirk. “Maybe this is the knowledge part of me obsessing over things but I truly see education as the cornerstone of civilization.”

They all nodded in agreement to various degrees. These four were chosen in part due to their own dedication to the art of learning after all. Education was important to each of them in their own ways and to their own degrees. Truly I was blessed to be able to have such trustworthy people as the beginnings of my public school system.

Caston was thinking about something again and his posture reflected that. He spoke up with a serious tone.

“Lord Quarely briefly mentioned this when he selected us but I'd like to ask this of you personally goddess. Its a quite serious question that I only trust you to answer.”

I nodded and motioned to him with my left hand.

“Go ahead.”

Everyone else also looked at the old man in curiosity as he spoke. He leaned forward and put his hands together on the table.

“I've been told you're aware of what mass public education would mean for the kingdom and that you've spoken to even the king about its effects.” He looked me right in the eye without flinching. “You've no doubt planned for the unrest and culture shift this will accrue. However the pressing question on my mind is if you will guarantee our personal safety.”

The others looked between each other clearly not understanding what he was talking about at first. Bachous seemed to be starting to get it but the other two were still lost.

Favio crossed his arms on the table.

“What do you mean Caston?”

I decided to pull the bandaid off and explain it while answering the question. With a huff I sat back in my chair and crossed my arms over my chest.

“He's talking about the mass civil unrest and possible peasant uprising against the crown and government as a whole.”

While Bachous closed his eyes in seeming vindication the other two looked utterly shocked. Favio almost leapt to his feet as he stood up.

“What?” He exclaimed. “You can't be serious!”

I small grim smile came to my face as I looked up at the worried man and then to the others.

“Oh we're serious. There's nothing for ya'll to worry about though. All you have to do is pray to me in times of danger and I'll protect you. I won't let my first teachers fall victim to violence from either the poor or the rich.” I sat forward and leaned on the table. “And believe me the rich are definitely going to try and stop both me and you. The education of the masses will lead to the betterment of their lives.” I leaned back again with another smirk. “And what do the rich hate more than a happy lower class?”

With this explanation they all seemed to relax somewhat. They were smart enough to understand where I was coming from with my perception of the situation and they trusted me enough that my plan would be a good one. They also believed me when I said I could protect them as they had no reason to doubt me. There were enough stories already about what I've done and what I'm capable of. Favio returned to his seat and the others settled down in their chairs again.

Caston let out a small sigh and sat back in his chair. He too had a look of relief on his face.

“Thank you goddess. I'll put my trust fully in your protection.”

I nodded and sat forward again.

“No problem. Now if there aren't any other pressing questions I'd like to explain a few things to you. Just a general idea of what the typical teaching day will look like and what to expect. Those kinds of things.”

Caston as the eldest of the group seemed to be acting as the sort of leader for the moment, something the others were clearly not opposed to. It was he who replied to me as they others sat in silent agreement.

“Of course goddess.” Caston said holding out his hands. “Please go ahead.”

So it went that I explained to them what they would be doing and the kinds of things they would need to expect. After all there were many kinds of learners that learned in different ways, and while they couldn't be expected to perfectly accommodate all of them they at least needed to be aware of them. There were also the issues of problem students and the like as well.

The other topics I would bring up to them were things such as a meal break and how curriculum actually worked. They would have permission to do some changes but would typically be sticking pretty closely to what they were given. I would be making it directly after all. An mentally draining task I had no choice but to do for the time being.

The mass education of an entire kingdom was no small feat and I had a newfound appreciation for the people of the past who took on such monumental tasks as this. Me and my starting teachers had quite the task before us and I could only hope to my father that I'd be able to live up to even my own expectations.