Scottish Highlands, shores of Loch Lomond, small town of Lass.
Most of the townspeople are elderly people. As the only church in the town, Sunday morning is always the busiest of the week. During busy times, the usually empty church will be filled with four or five rows at this time.
people.
However, most of the townspeople ignored the middle-aged priest during worship, and instead prayed quietly alone.
The sect to which Benitez belongs is Roman Catholicism, which is strictly speaking two completely different branches of Christianity from the English Puritanism prevalent in the UK. There may be some differences in the understanding of doctrine, but in real life, regardless of
Protestant saints or Catholic saints often visit each other during worship gatherings.
This is in line with the simple stance of most believers——
They approve whatever God approves, and do not add human conditions to God’s judgment.
In the eyes of the old people on the shores of Loch Lomond, the place where Protestants gather is a Protestant church. Regardless of the actual owner of the church, the priest of this church believes in Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy.
A church is a place of prayer. As for Father Benitez?
Just a respectable tool man.
People came over one after another, said hello to each other, finished the service alone and left silently. During the whole process, except for nodding and greeting Benitez between arrival and departure, there was almost no more verbal communication.
.
However, as Father Benitez, he has long been accustomed to this.
"...Thank you Lord Jesus for listening to the prayers of the children in front of you. In the name of the Lord Christ Jesus, I ask, Amen!"
Benitez softly recited the concluding remarks of the service prayer, closed the Bible in his hand, and walked off the prayer platform.
Along with the voice of the middle-aged priest, the few remaining elderly people who came late in the church also completed their prayers one after another. After standing up and waving friendly goodbye to Benitez, they took their hats and walked out with a calm smile.
The church.
In less than half a minute, the huge church became empty again.
Apart from Father Jose Benitez, there was only an old man wearing a light gray robe.
"You Muggles are really interesting. Especially after learning about the magical world, I didn't expect that you could still persist in praying so calmly as usual... The most interesting thing is that the things you pray for are somewhat different."
The old man said with a grin, closed the newspaper in his hand, and looked at the middle-aged man who walked beside him.
"I really don't understand. You would rather believe in gods than believe in the existence of magic."
"Wizards will not give us bread, but if you express your piety in the church, when the church's financial situation allows, we clergy will give bread to those in need... Of course, there are many reasons..."
Benitez shrugged, sat down next to the old man, looked at the stained glass of the church, and continued.
"Some people want to seek spiritual sustenance, some people want to get help, and some people want to have an evaluation of the trajectory of their lives... But for me, this is just a job - at the worst time in my life
, the brotherhood took in me, a guy who had been kicked out by the church priests, and sent me to study, and finally I was admitted to the priesthood."
"If there really is a god, then he must be a person around us, not a statue in a certain doctrine. It's not that we don't believe in magic, but that we believe that it has no power for those of us who have no talent.
significance."
Benitez looked at the old wizard sitting next to him, scratched his cheek, and sighed helplessly.
"Okay, Mr. Apokalis, what trouble did Elena get into again? You didn't just come to chat with me, right?"
"Elena? She has been very obedient recently. Now... well, she should be playing Quidditch on the field."
Grindelwald took out his pocket watch from his breast pocket, took a look at it, and answered casually.
Then, before Benitez could speak again, the old wizard raised the newspaper in his hand.
"I'm actually here to see you this time. Mr. Benitez, do you plan to find a new job?"
"Hmm? Find another job?"
Benitez took the newspaper from the old wizard's hand and took a look.
"English Premier League - Pay TV, Greed? Innovation?"
This is the most eye-catching title on the home page, and Benitez knows what he is talking about without turning to the back.
With the official start of the Premier League last month, this controversial and bold paid TV broadcast event has been in the newspapers for almost a month, whether it is a league-oriented behavior or an unprecedented TV broadcast... people
While watching critics criticize the greedy league, they excitedly discussed those exciting and high-quality football games.
Amid such social enthusiasm, the Premier League and Sky TV have stepped up a lot of marketing while the iron is hot.
Advertising placement, league managers, scouts, venue security team...
In this terrible period of the global economic depression, this emerging league is like a meteor flying backwards, rapidly expanding visibly to the naked eye. The booming employment opportunities have greatly relieved the previously anxious British government.
"Sorry, Mr. Apokalis, I don't intend to apply for these positions..."
Benitez shook his head, folded the newspaper and returned it to the old wizard, smiling.
"Perhaps the salary of these jobs will be slightly higher than that of being a priest, and the prospects will be much better, but in this case, I will not be able to take care of the children. Besides, a guy like me is still suitable to be a priest. If the job is too complicated, I
It can’t be done either.”
"Oh, but I heard that girl say before, don't you really like watching that... um, football games?"
Grindelwald did not extend his hand, but looked at Benitez curiously.
"Young man, don't be too hasty to refuse. You haven't even heard me finish what I said. How do you know what my suggestion is? If you are reluctant to give up your current job as a priest, wouldn't it be good to have a legitimate part-time job?
Is it? For example..."
"Mr. Apokalis, it's really no need. You don't know much about the Muggle world..."
Benitez sighed helplessly, rubbed his forehead, and explained patiently.
During the month of summer vacation, he encountered similar problems too many times. This old wizard from the "opposite world" obviously lacked a lot of basic social common sense. In the eyes of the old man, magic seemed to be omnipotent.
The same thing that can't be done.
"...For example, chairman of the English Premier League, what do you think of this position?"
“…job requirements and—huh?”
Before Benitez could finish his words, he looked at the old man next to him with some confusion.
"Doesn't it sound good? I also think it's a bit too simple. So, CEO - does this have to be in public?"
Grindelwald took out a document and looked at it, thinking to himself.
"By the way, Jose, which position name do you personally prefer? You see, we wizards alone can't figure out the twists and turns in your Muggle company. But the group and the bank have invested so much money in it.
, someone has to be watching, right?"
"Uh, you don't mean to say-"
Benitez's eyes twitched, and his eyes quickly scanned a certain subtitle in the newspaper.
"Who is the number one mysterious investor in the Premier League?"
Something that was extremely absurd, but seemed to be gradually reflected in reality, emerged in the middle-aged man's mind little by little, and his eyes began to uncontrollably move towards the contract filled with words in the old man's hand.
Float up.
"Oh, I seem to have forgotten to tell you that Gringotts Wizarding Bank is now the absolute controlling shareholder of this football league."
Grindelwald glanced at the middle-aged priest beside him, a glint flashed in his eyes, and he said easily.
"And our lovely Miss Elena Kaslana is the current queen of Gringotts Wizarding Bank... In the true sense, she can mobilize funds at any time, conduct various investments and financial transactions, and is the absolute controller.
"
"Sorry, ahem...Mr. Apokalis, your story is a bit too - um -"
Benitez patted his cheek, smiled bitterly and shook his head.
"Anyway, think about it, Mr. Benitez."
Grindelwald put down the documents in his hands, stood up and patted Jose Benitez on the shoulder.
"If nothing else, those Muggle managers and officials are almost on their way here. You still have about a day to think about it. There is their contact information at the back. I believe you should be able to use that... Well,
Telephone."
"Uh, no, this..."
Benitez looked at the pile of documents in his hand with some confusion.
Except for a blank signature, it looks decent, just like a real letter of appointment and authorization.
"This is just the beginning, Mr. Benitez, watch and study hard."
Grindelwald grinned and said with a meaningful smile.
"In our world, Elena is also planning to form a 'Quidditch League' alliance, but due to the lack of relevant experience and professional talents, it can only be shelved for the time being - you don't always want to see it
Do you want to see that world? I think after having this current work experience, the review by the Ministry of Magic will be much easier..."
"Oh, by the way, a young man named Frange will come over later. He is the personal assistant that the girl has arranged for you."
Grindelwald blinked flexibly and added casually.
"Don't worry, he is a well-trained negotiator. With his help, I believe you should be able to successfully complete the dialogue with those Muggle managers and adapt to your new identity in a short period of time -
Even if there is a problem that cannot be solved, he will probably ask for help - of course, you can also write to the girl to ask for more details."
The old wizard picked up the hat with his left hand, raised it gracefully, and said with a smile.
"So, happy weekend? My son."
Snapped.
The next moment, Grindelwald apparated directly and left the church.
"Huh? Wait - I didn't agree to this!"
Benitez looked at the empty church and shouted angrily.
It's been so long, why hasn't this stubborn old wizard given up on this matter?!
but……
Benitez looked at the pile of documents piled beside the old man's seat and rubbed his temples with complicated emotions.
Didn’t that little girl Elena go to a magic school? Why did she only study for a year and quietly become the owner of some wizard bank, and even invested in a company in the Premier League... This is simply
…
It seems that he will have to have a good chat with the kid this Christmas.
…………
At the same time, the Great Hall of Hogwarts School.
"Hey, Dany, you need to eat more - flying in the sky is quite exhausting."
Hannah spread a thick layer of strawberry jam on the slice of bread and handed it to the plate in front of Danilova.
The Quidditch test at Hogwarts is not an easy matter. Since everyone has different positions and talents, in order to maximize their potential, they are usually tested in all relevant flying positions.
For example, as Hufflepuff's star rookie this year, Hannah will have to participate in all tests except Seeker.
"That's it, Hannah, do you want Dani to puke on the broom?"
Luna gave Hannah a rare look and said angrily.
"Besides, our freshman team is ranked first among all the teams. If we eat less, we might be able to be more flexible in the sky. Not everyone will eat more like you and Elena.
The better you perform."
"If I suggest, it's best to pack some food and go to the stadium. They will be very tired today -"
Hermione put down the "Quidditch Weekly" and said somewhat seriously.
"After the formation of all the teams is completed, the freshman representative team will have a qualifying match. The opponent will be a temporary team randomly formed by the returning graduates. Although it is said to be for instruction, it does not rule out that the team will be eliminated due to poor performance.
Disqualified."
"Qualifying competition? Why haven't I heard about this?"
Hannah frowned, her sausage hanging in the air, and looked at Hermione suspiciously.
There is a shining silver "A" pinned on the girl's chest, which is the emblem of the Hogwarts freshman team.
Compared to the other wizards who are still waiting to be tested, Hermione Granger is the first student to determine the team, but her identity is the head coach of the Hogwarts freshman team, not flying on the court.
player of.
"It's normal, because this was a temporary decision just this morning...Ravenclaw House has withdrawn from the competition, haven't you heard?"
Elena said casually, put down the half-eaten honey bread, and took a big sip of hot milk.
"They seem to be unable to gather the minimum number of participants. In this case, this year's freshman team will not have an extra quota like last year, but will participate in the Quidditch Academy Cup as a formal team... Therefore
, Mrs. Hooch and Professor Dumbledore seem to be considering whether to open up free teams in Hogwarts."
"Of course, the premise is that the performance of the freshmen is really bad... then maybe the graduates will be allowed to fill the vacancies temporarily."
As Elena spoke, she nodded towards the Gryffindor table next door.
"Charlie Weasley of Gryffindor, if nothing else goes wrong, Luna, your opponent today should be him... As for the positions of the other graduates, I don't know much about it. The only thing I know is that they are flying
Not bad. When I was in school, I was the main force of each college's Quidditch team... But don't worry, their team has more problems than you."
"Because the four courtyards are combined? I understand..."
Hermione nodded thoughtfully and said softly.
As the first designated head coach of the freshman team, or the entire Hogwarts, today's final qualifying match will not only test the freshmen - if she cannot hand in a qualified answer sheet, she will also
will be disqualified.
Ever since Elena heard the news, she has been thinking about how to fight against an opponent who looks like an all-star lineup.
However, now she seems to have some ideas.
The only thing left is to go to the Quidditch field later to see the performance of the other freshmen, as well as their ability to execute and understand tactics, and then make follow-up arrangements - Quidditch has never been a game.