As the setup for the graduation venue continued, Martin found himself helping Sarah hang a long banner across the main entrance of the hall.
The physical labor wasn't too demanding, but it felt good to immerse himself in a task that didn't require strategic planning or careful manipulation.
He was halfway through adjusting one end of the banner when he noticed an older man, neatly dressed in a gray suit, approaching Sarah from across the courtyard.
The man in question had a scholarly air about him, with silvering hair combed neatly to the side and a pair of spectacles perched on the bridge of his nose.
He carried a clipboard under his arm and had the slightly worn yet warm demeanor of someone who had spent years in academia. His eyes briefly flickered toward Martin, the hint of curiosity in them unmistakable.
"Sarah," the professor greeted her, his voice carrying a rich, deep tone. "I see the preparations are coming along nicely."
