A Well-Timed Piece of Good News

Iver is not the kind of person who likes to procrastinate.

Therefore, he took Lily with him, in her wheelchair, and followed Mycroft to the Wooden Barrel Club.

It's not far from the bishop's house; you don't even need a carriage. It's less than two blocks away.

"Don't you need to go back and ask for leave?"

On the way, Mycroft, wearing a black top hat, casually asked.

"Final Exam next week, and most courses have already ended."

Iver shook his head. "There are only three classes left this week... I didn't have any classes today, which is why I came directly to Sherlock."

"I see. Are you confident about the exam?"

"That should still be fine."

Iver chuckled, brimming with confidence.

He hadn't missed many classes to begin with, and with Hai Na and Isabel helping him catch up, and his tutor issuing him library cards, Iver quickly caught up. He even had the energy to start preparing for next year's courses.

Getting a perfect score like Hai Na might be a bit risky, but if he only gets a "good" or above in all subjects, he doesn't even need to study.

"Even the lowest-scoring subject should get Five Petal Flower," Iver thought for a moment and gave a clear expected goal.

The Royal Law University does not have a fixed grade for its exams. Instead, professors give different stamps after reviewing the exam content.

The stamp representing a passing grade is Three Petal Flower, and below that are a crying face representing "poor" and an angry face representing "very poor".

Once you receive the flower, it means you've passed the course and don't need to retake it or repeat the course.

Four petals is considered average, five petals is beyond expectations, six petals is excellent, and seven petals is flawless. Hai Na was included in the Talent List because she graduated with Seven Petal Flower across all subjects. Generally, over 60% of students receive Three Petal Flower or Four Petal Flower. Failing grades are as rare as five petals, and students who achieve five or higher—at least once in each subject—comprise less than 5%.

If Iver can get at least Five Petal Flower in all subjects, and at least a six-petal flower in the others... that means he's at least in the top twenty of the department. Maybe even in the top five.

"That's really amazing."

Mycroft exclaimed, "You've only been enrolled for about a month. To be able to master a semester's worth of knowledge in just one month, and even achieve a near-top grade... If you had enrolled normally, you would definitely be the top student in your class next year."

"That kind of thing doesn't matter."

Iver looked up at Mycroft and smiled, "Even if I could get first place, I would control the score and let them have it."

"... Oh? Why?"

"Because I don't need it."

Iver shrugged. "I am the heir to the Moriarty Family and currently the Minister of Everything... Basically, I've already reached the end of my career before I even graduated."

"This shows that Her Majesty the Queen a keen eye for talent."

Mycroft bowed his head and flattered, "You can spot real talent at a glance without needing to take an exam."

He certainly knows how to talk. With just one sentence, he praised both the Queen and Iver simultaneously. And it didn't seem forced—because it was indeed true.

"... You certainly know how to compliment people, Mycroft," Iver chuckled.

"That's true," Mycroft said calmly.

That's true.

The current Minister of Royal Affairs was quite adept at praising people with facts, making it difficult for Iver to even be humble. Every word he spoke was the truth, without a trace of exaggeration. To be too humble at this point would seem hypocritical; he could only accept his praise directly.

In this respect, Mycroft is completely different from his brother Sherlock.

If Sherlock heard Iver say that, he definitely wouldn't be able to resist arguing with him. That's just the kind of person he is; he can't stand not arguing.

"Thanks to Her Majesty the Queen's trust in me, I don't need to rely on external achievements to prove my own excellence. In this case—for the sake of Avalon —I think I should help the kingdom find more talented people."

"Just as Hai Na Haina was able to change her destiny by becoming the top student, perhaps there are Children also need to change their destiny? No, it should be said that... everyone hopes to change their destiny, to walk into a warmer breeze, to walk into a brighter sun and a more open meadow."

Iver said gently, "I can't possibly compete with these Children for opportunities. That would be icing on the cake for me, but a lifeline for them."

"Iver also knows the Primordial Language?" Mycroft, somewhat surprised.

"Didn't you understand it too?"

Iver turned around and laughed, "Sherlock was just as surprised back then."

"Yes, I know a little bit of Primordial Language. Besides that, I also know some Elven Language... at least enough for normal communication. I also want to find a mentor to learn Ancient Horus Language next year."

In a world where occult texts are written in different languages and the advancement of extraordinary abilities relies primarily on learning, the importance of linguistics is self-evident. Not to mention that archaeological work also requires a certain level of linguistic expertise.

Mycroft exclaimed in admiration, seamlessly switching to Primordial Language: "When I taught Sherlock Primordial Language, he was very resistant. He said the script was too difficult to pronounce, like some kind of ritual script... somewhat like Ancient Horus Language."

"Ancient Horus Language is said to be quite difficult. But I don't think it should be a big problem." Iver nodded.

"So, you're saying your Elven Language is pretty good... right? Then I'm relieved."

"How?"

Iver somewhat surprised. "Do you need a translator?"

What surprised Iver even more than that was that Mycroft didn't Elven Language.

"No, no, no..."

Mycroft smiled helplessly and switched back to Elven Language: "In fact, quite the opposite. It's like this: if you have a certain level of Elven Language, I think it will make your studies next year much easier."

"I was going to remind you that if your Elven Language listening and speaking skills are lacking, then this holiday is a good opportunity to catch up."

"... Further studies?"

Iver also switched to Elven Language, though his delivery was slightly stiff and not as fluent as Mycroft's. "What kind of further education?"

"You didn't know about this? Oh, then I must have overstepped my bounds... I thought Professor Bard had already told you."

Mycroft said with a smile, "By the end of April next year, the Theocracy has allocated nine places to Avalon, three of which are for current students and the remaining six for outstanding bishops. The Long-Eared ones plan to teach you some more advanced divine spells."

"Since it's through official channels, it's specifically designated for graduates of Royal Law University. If nothing unexpected happens, you should be one of them."

... The matter of Advanced Divine Arts? This was the first time Iver had heard of this.

In his memory, the Theocracy had clearly recruited nine bishops... Why did they change the list this time, specifically recruiting three students? It couldn't possibly be that they changed the plan for their own benefit, could it?

Iver shook his head. How could that be?

Don't overestimate yourself—although he's already quite famous in Avalon, he's still far from being a significant figure in the Eternal Theocracy.

That's a nation of immortals. To them, Queen Sophia's ascension to the throne was "just a short time ago." Iver's fame has only come in the last month.

Although it may be impolite to say it like this, the elves are somewhat Martian.

They would treat things that were popular in human kingdoms twenty or thirty years ago as things that are still popular now... Even Yanis often treats the rules she learned and heard when she met the young girl Sofia as things that are still valid now.

These things, in fact, have been changed by Sofia decades ago.

Given this level of information lag, how could they possibly know Iver? However, the fact that he could directly learn Advanced Divine Arts did make Iver quite happy.

He originally wanted to ask Ligeia for help. However, he felt that after helping Ligeia, immediately asking her to help him and the Theocracy discuss the matter would be somewhat like taking advantage of her kindness.

Mycroft's news came at just the right time, relieving Iver.

"Thank you so much."

Iver expressed his gratitude.

"It's nothing," Mycroft said with a smile. "I'm just giving you the good news first."

"I'll be satisfied if you can give me less trouble after you've seen these relics."

As they talked, they arrived at the Wooden Barrel Club.

Mycroft held out his hand, gesturing for Iver and Lily to be quiet. Iver nodded solemnly.

Even though Mycroft himself was the founder, he still had to respect the rules he set.

Chapter Two, around 2 PM, meow~