Chapter LX: The Inspection
The university does not sleep. Even when classes end, even when the corridors fall silent, and even when the night sky stretches wide above its twelve districts. The preparation continues. The Starlight Festival draws near, and with it comes not only celebration, but vigilance.
Across the sprawling grounds of the University of the Constellations, activity moves in layers. Students rehearse dances beneath covered walkways. Choir voices echo inside lecture halls. Criminology cadets march in formation beneath the fading afternoon light. Art students string blue and gold banners from lamppost to lamppost. But beyond the visible celebration, something far more formidable rises quietly.
Along the perimeter fences of the university, cranes and transport vehicles hum with calculated precision. Sparks flash like artificial stars as welders fuse reinforced panels into place. Technicians move with tablets in hand, calibrating sensors embedded within the walls. The outer defenses are not merely being repaired rather, they are being reborn.
A security dome, once theoretical masterplan, now tangible and takes it eventual form. The fences are reinforced with titanium alloy beams. Along the top edges, cylindrical nodes are installed; each one containing energy cores capable of emitting protective fields. At measured intervals, pillars rise from the earth like metallic sentinels, connected by cables that pulse faintly with restrained power.
The dome is not visible yet, but it waits. And overseeing this transformation stands the University President himself, Dr. Yoshida. His posture is straight, his gaze sharp but composed. He walks slowly along the perimeter with faculties from the College of Engineering and the College of Architecture which both under the Gemini Department.
They arrive at a section where the structural engineers are conducting stress simulations. Engr. Nobara adjusts her helmet and approaches respectfully.
"President Dr. Yoshida," she greets.
"Engineer Nobara," he replies, nodding. "Do update me on our new security fence and dome."
She gestures toward a large digital display showing simulations of impact pressure.
"The walls are constructed primarily from high-grade titanium alloy," she explains. "Internally layered with reinforced polymer composites to absorb shockwaves. Externally coated with a modified form of Roman concrete."
Dr. Yoshida raises an eyebrow slightly.
"Roman concrete?"
"Yes, sir," she answers confidently. "Specifically, the geopolymer binding principles that made ancient Roman structures endure for millennia."
She taps the tablet, enlarging a cross-section diagram.
"However," she continues, "instead of Italian volcanic pumice, we are using Japanese volcanic pumice sourced from Mount Aso and Sakurajima."
Dr. Yoshida folds his hands behind his back.
"Would that not be a defect?" he asks calmly. "Roman durability depended on Mediterranean volcanic composition."
Engr. Nobara shakes her head gently.
"No, sir. Volcanic pumice does not depend on regional origin for its strengthening properties. What matters is its pozzolanic reaction. The silica and alumina within pumice react with lime to create calcium-aluminum-silicate hydrates. This reaction enhances elasticity, self-healing properties, and long-term durability."
She points to the simulation.
"The Japanese pumice has similar chemical properties. In fact, our tests show it improves resistance to temperature fluctuations."
Dr. Yoshida studies the data.
"And what about pressure from outside forces?" he asks.
"Like both physical and magical," he adds deliberately.
Nobara's voice does not waver.
"The titanium base absorbs kinetic impact. The geopolymer coating disperses microfractures. Combined with the energy field nodes, the structure should withstand both conventional pressure and non-conventional energy interference."
Dr. Yoshida nods slowly.
"Should?"
She meets his gaze.
"With high probability, sir."
Satisfied, but not entirely at easel, as any responsible leader should be. Dr. Yoshida turns toward the architectural team. Arch. Nagano steps forward, adjusting his glasses.
"The dome's design is based on geometric symmetry," he begins. "The university grounds form a twelve-sided layout—one side for each district."
He gestures upward.
"When activated, the energy nodes along each side emit intersecting shields that converge at calculated focal points. Stress is evenly distributed along the perimeter and directed inward toward the central anchor."
"And the anchor?" Dr. Yoshida asks.
"The Administration Building," Nagano answers. "It serves as the core stabilizer. All energy lines are directed there. The dome forms not as a rigid shell, but as a pressure-balanced membrane."
Dr. Yoshida tilts his head slightly.
"No stress concentration?"
"Minimal," Nagano says confidently. "Each district's geometry has been measured to millimeter precision. Load transfer is evenly distributed until it converges symmetrically at the focal axis."
He pauses.
"It will be magnificent when activated."
Behind him, Engr. Miyamoto mutters just loudly enough to be heard.
"Yeah. Something like that, you building make-up artists."
The air tightens. Arch. Nagano turns sharply.
"What did you say?"
Engr. Miyamoto shrugs casually.
"Architecture decorates. Engineering supports. Without us, your 'magnificent dome' collapses."
Arch. Nagano's jaw tightens.
"And without us, your concrete blocks look like prisons."
A few faculty members exchange uneasy glances. Engr. Miyamoto smirks.
"Architecture and all other courses are lower disciplines. Romantic. Decorative. You rely on us to calculate everything. We are the builders of the building that you design."
Nagano steps closer.
"Take that back."
"Or what? Heh, I won't," Miyamoto replies coldly. "Engineering is the superior field."
The tension grows. Dr. Yoshida steps forward.
"That is enough."
His voice is calm. But it commands silence. He looks at Miyamoto first.
"Engineering provides structural foundation. That is undeniable."
Then he turns to Nagano.
"Architecture shapes structure into meaning."
He pauses, allowing the weight of his words to settle.
"A foundation without form is a bunker. Form without foundation is fantasy."
He looks back at Miyamoto.
"And as for your attitude..."
Miyamoto shifts slightly.
"I heard that your students need to approach the higher years in order to extract the lesson out of them. I also heard that you don't fear anyone. You said to your students, 'I don't care if your mother or father is the Mayor, Governor, The Diet, Prime Minister, or the Emperor or Empress. That is unjust because that doesn't showcase humanitarian consideration at all, and a disgrace to this institution, especially to your respective college. Making your students to work exactly on 8pm or later, and making them pass it the next day 8am. Do you think they understand your lessons very well? Do you think every student in your class understand it well? You may love downgrading your classes. You may enjoy being nonchalant as always. You may even take pleasure in watching your students struggle and suffer, even if they have bigger problems to deal with.."
The engineers around them go quiet.
"But if you continue this behavior," Dr. Yoshida continues evenly, "no student will enroll in the College of Engineering anymore."
His gaze sharpens.
"And if that happens, you will not remain employed here. I don't care if you are a part-time faculty, Engr. Kim Miyamoto, but unless you change the way how you teach your students, make it happen, and I will let you stay in this university."
Engr. Miyamoto stiffens. His voice silenced. Arch. Nagano exhales slowly.
"Thank you, President," he says quietly.
"You're welcome," Dr. Yoshida replies.
He turns toward both of them.
"Students require care. Toughness alone does not produce excellence. The generations that may come might not know the preexisting knowledge of unscrupulous teachings."
He gestures toward the campus beyond the walls.
"We are a university. What is the purpose of that title if a teacher cannot make a student understand the lesson?"
No one answers.
"One does not force knowledge into a student," he continues. "They must guide them to absorb it. You make them enjoy learning. Strictness without compassion produces fear, not wisdom. If you teach someone, it is with care and understanding. Intimidation is not congruent to communication, nor the absorption of knowledge. Students learn better with representations, if they also apply it on real life scenarios, allow them to imagine and understand. Knowledge cannot function better without wisdom. Knowledge without wisdom is just knowledge taken for granted. Wisdom is by the heart, thus learning by heart and mind is the sufficient perpetuation of one's understanding of a concept."
Miyamoto opens his mouth.
"I believe—"
Dr. Yoshida raises a hand.
"One more remark in that tone, and I will not repeat myself."
Silence follows. The inspection resumes.
Two days pass. Final calibrations are completed. The energy nodes hum faintly in readiness. The walls gleam under afternoon light. Blue and gold banners flutter along pathways. The Starlight Festival stands ready for reopening.
On the morning of the grand day, Dr. Yoshida personally inspects each district. He checks medic stations, ensuring stretchers, defibrillators, and medical kits are stocked. He inspects fireworks storage, confirming ignition sequences and emergency cutoffs. He tests emergency breakers linked to the security dome.
Every department reports readiness. Finally, he enters the Aquarius District. The Sadalmelik Building rises proudly, its polished glass reflecting the sky. He walks through its corridors until he reaches Dr. Aoshima's office. He knocks.
"Come in, President Dr. Yoshida." a familiar voice responds.
Dr. Aoshima stands and smiles warmly.
"President Yoshida. Please."
He gestures toward a chair.
"Green tea?"
"Gladly," Yoshida replies.
Steam rises gently between them as they sit. They discuss preparations such as security protocols, evacuation maps, and energy stabilization measures. Then Dr. Aoshima smiles slightly.
"My father will be arriving later."
Dr. Yoshida's eyes brighten.
"Dr. Hiroshi Aoshima?"
"Yes."
Yoshida nods with genuine pleasure.
"I am glad to hear it."
Outside the window, the campus glows. The dome waits. The festival prepares to begin.
And beneath the vast sky, the university stands united. Ready, for whatever comes.