Promotion Ritual

Iver obtained unexpected information from Ibn.

He still doesn't fully believe... that Aziz was an assassin sent by his adoptive father.

However, based on the triple corroboration of the Iron Hook Demon, the Ripper, and Ibn, it can now be basically confirmed that the Curse Master Aziz Ben Abdul who appeared in the Promotion Ritual is a real person, and is most likely the murderer who cursed and killed Iver's parents.

This has led to a clear line of clues.

But the more clues Iver found, the more confused he became.

His initial goal was simply to find out who killed his biological parents and whether his adoptive father was the murderer. Since information from dreams isn't always accurate, Iver decided to verify the information he received.

But the more we verify it, the more complicated and far-reaching the matter seems to become.

Why did Grandfather Jacob hide his identity and live in seclusion in Eagle Cape Village? What exactly is the manuscript he wrote? Why did Aziz suddenly come to Avalon? What was it that his adoptive father was willing to fake his death to find in the Theocracy? Why did the Noble Red insist on cursing Jacob to death? What is the "Sacred Entity" they came to Avalon to find? These seemingly unrelated events are intertwined with clues that seem to be wrapped around one's body, impossible to break free from.

Worried that he would forget later, Iver wrote down all his doubts in a notebook.

After learning the name Aziz from Iver, Iver clearly sensed that Ibn's professor had become more attentive.

If before he was just casually teaching her out of respect for Isabel... now he seems to be considering passing on his mantle to Iver.

Iver understood Ibn's meaning perfectly—he was now too old to cross the desert and seek out his old enemies by a mere name. And he no longer wished to return to the Parthian Ancient Kingdom.

—But Iver also has a grudge against Aziz, and perhaps he will have a chance to avenge him in the future.

Under the tutelage of this experienced Ritual Mage, Iver quickly mastered the Spellcasting.

Of course, it was learned quickly by paying experience points. Ibn was extremely proficient in Spellcasting, Iver mastered this mysterious art with just five experience points. It would be a waste not to learn something so cost-effective.

The current stats for the Demon Scholar class in Iver are as follows: Demon Scholar LV17: [Basic Ritual - Level 4 (0%)], [Demon Contract - Level 4 (90%)], [Curse - Level 3 (14%)], [Shepherding) - Level 3 (0%)], [Demon Knowledge- Level 3 (5%)

Demon Knowledge no longer provides levels for the Demon Scholar class, and Priest Essence simply means less training.

In contrast, the level of Shepherding Flesh and Blood is already quite high: Priest LV19: [Basic Prayer - Level 3 (3%)], [Fire Offering - Level 4 (5%)], [Illumination - Level 4 (15%)], [Blessing - Level 2 (0%)], [Shepherding) - Level 6 (5%)].

Once Iver completes his priest career advancement and raises his priest class to the Third Level, his two path levels will become unbalanced again. At that point, he will no longer be able to use the Shepherding Method to feed experience to Little Butterfly and Shadow Demon.

Before his promotion, Iver spent almost every day feeding his blood to the two of them, draining himself completely and sleeping soundly every night—after all, he usually lived in the Silver and Tin Palace, protected by the camera spirits, so it was safe enough. Besides, Ligeia lived next door to Iver, so he didn't need to save any mana for his own safety.

So Iver directly fed all his mana every day... even the mana he recovered after praying, and the anemia also helped him train Iver "fire worship" magic.

This makes it relatively easier to level up Iver's Sacred Four Skills, which are at a lower level. Except for Prayer, which is steadily leveled up through "Daily Quests," the other skills can be leveled up slowly by healing yourself occasionally.

To Iver's surprise, Lily had actually grasped the basics of the "witch" profession in just a few days. She had even mastered a rudimentary form of Transfiguration, able to turn her clothes into mice—something that requires at least level three Transfiguration to do. This meant that Lily had very likely raised her Path of Love to level 9 in just a few days.

Considering that she used Grimoire to change her Path of Adaptation, while the Path of Love only used an ordinary occult book mixed with a lot of erotic pictures to change her class... Lily's adaptability to the Path of Love seems to be higher than that of the Path of Adaptation, right?

The day of the Promotion Ritual is fast approaching. Iver isn't particularly nervous, but Yulia is quite anxious.

However, in Iver's opinion, Yulia had absolutely no need to panic.

The reason is simple.

Besides Lily has already been promoted once, being able to team up with her as a "witch" on the Path of Love... the former Meg and the newly reborn Ligeia will also participate in Yulia's next round of Promotion Ritual.

It's like a world champion descending to earth to play in a silver-level game.

Lily, Yulia, Ligeia — Iver couldn't imagine how this combination could possibly lose.

The newcomers who were promoted to the First Level probably never expected that there was a Fifth Level Avalon's strongest alt account among them.

Isabel was much calmer this time than before. According to Yanis, during the last Promotion Ritual, Ibn set up the Promotion Ritual for Isabel, Isabel became increasingly nervous watching from the sidelines, pacing around the room like a millstone. In the end, she couldn't bear it any longer and personally completed the second half of the ceremony.

Sherlock's side is also ready.

Considering that he and Iver were going to Eagle Cape Village in Mubay County for an investigation... he himself was fine, but Iver's promotion this time could not be missed.

If before, Iver was merely a peer of Moriarty's, and at most, someone Princess Isabel cared about somewhat, then now he is truly at the heart of the kingdom's power—as the soon-to-be-appointed Minister of State, if something goes wrong during his rural adventure with Sherlock, it will be a major problem.

Therefore, Sherlock has made up his mind this time. Even if he doesn't advance this time, he will ensure that Iver advances.

Third Level priest has some self-preservation capabilities. Even if he fails to advance, he can use his Law Mage profession to accompany Iver and Isabel on their continued advancement... It shouldn't be a big problem.

Lily, Yulia, Ligeia.

Iver, Isabel, Sherlock.

As the sun set, they simultaneously began setting up their own Promotion Ritual.

"—All nine are present."

Iver changed into his Clerical Robe.

He chanted softly, and the flame butterfly on his shoulder fell, stepping on the vanilla stick and slowly igniting it.

Then, Iver pressed the smoky vanilla stick into the center of the six-pointed star.

Sherlock dipped his fingertips in holy water, then flicked it away. He solemnly chanted, "Discard three..."

" —Constant Self, Lord of Scales and Feathers, Amber."

Isabel prayed softly.

These three names are the names of the Pillar God of the Path of Love, the Path of Adaptation, and the Path of Twilight, respectively.

After discussion, the three of them chose the same path of rejection.

By maintaining consistency as much as possible, we can avoid situations where one person can cooperate with a certain path while other teammates cannot.

Since Lily wasn't involved this time, it didn't matter if we rejected the Path of Love and the Path of Adaptation.

"The six protect me."

Iver pointed the vanilla stick at the six silver ornaments in turn, while reciting the names of the remaining six Pillar God: "Hourglass. Candlekeeper. Great God. Silver Crowned Dragon. Twin Mirrors. Serpent Father."

As he clicked on them one by one, the six silver ornaments gradually turned black.

And I...

"—The way of offering sacrifices and lighting candles."

Iver declared.

He returned to his soft bed and fell into a deep sleep.

Unlike the feeling of the New Moon Ritual, the Full Moon Ritual always gives people a sense of peace, tranquility, and serenity. It's like returning to a mother's embrace... or relaxing in a hot spring and slowly falling asleep.

His consciousness slowly sank into the dark Deep Sea, falling into the Dream Realm while fully conscious.

When Iver woke up again, the first thing he did was look to his left.

He was stunned for a moment.

—Because this time, there was no one to Iver's left.

"... Am I the first one?" Iver frowned.

This doesn't seem good either; it appears to be another predicament.

Just like in the PvP dungeon where all his opponents were low-level characters, this time in the PvE dungeon, all his teammates were newbies...

Even so, shouldn't he have been the first one in line? And at this moment...

Iver saw a bright flame appear in the pitch-black space.

The flame butterfly slowly flew down from above her head, circled once, and landed on her fingertip, meeting Iver's gaze.

... The Paradox Flame Butterfly? Isn't this the power of the Great Sin Scholar...?

Iver paused for a moment, then quickly realized what was happening.

It's probably like when Bone Carver created the bone staff, he was actually using his skills as a sculptor... Although Iver used the skills of Great Sin Scholar when creating the Phantom Demon Card, it was still judged as equipment for the Dedication Path because of its power attribute.

—That makes sense.

Iver breathed a sigh of relief.

I have a rare equipment advantage this time, so I might be able to get in earlier than other people's alt accounts... This time, not everyone is a newbie.

So, let's see who the examiner is this time...

As Iver thought this, he looked up, preparing to gaze at the enormous statue in the center.

But to his surprise, there was no statue in the middle this time.

What are you looking for?

A flippant young voice came from behind Iver: "Looking for... me?"

Iver turned around and saw a young man in his early twenties leaning against the back of his chair, propping his face up with his left hand and looking him up and down with a smile.

He had short, messy black hair and wore a round monocle over his left eye. His smile was so warm it almost seemed sinister, and his features were exceptionally handsome.

The young man wore a dark blue robe, held a staff in his right hand, and had a short sword hanging from his right hip.

Although the other party was not a giant.

But since he was able to leave his seat... that means he wasn't one of the "examinees" this time.

"... And you are?"

Iver asked politely.

"Nice to meet you."

The young man smiled and said, "You may have heard of me. My name is Merlin."

Update complete!

The average Mu Xu" has reached 20,000! (Cheers) Although "The Shepherd" already has three books with 10,000 subscriptions each, it has never had an average daily subscription of 20,000!

This is the best result I've achieved in my book writing career. Thank you all for your support!