David's Promise

David did not come directly with the Grand Guardian, which was within Iver's expectations.

That child is quite sensible and knows what's important. He can't just come to an interrogation about such a significant matter whenever he wants.

The Grand Guardian suggested that Aleister meet David because he had already confirmed that Aleister Crowley could be their friend. Only then did he feel comfortable allowing David to come and see her.

Although Aleister will remain in Avalon, they won't directly expel her—but they have, after all, stripped her of the "Royal Agent" title they arbitrarily bestowed upon her. Whether Aleister cares about this identity or not, it's still a lack of decorum on their part.

They wouldn't rush to bring her back, nor would they have the audacity to beg Iver to call her back.

In other words, although they maintained a friendly relationship, there is also the possibility that... this was the last time they would contact Aleister.

It was from this perspective that the Grand Guardian remembered David's desire to see Miss Aleister.

Considering this might be David's last time seeing Aleister... George made that somewhat unconventional request so as not to leave him with irreparable regret.

More than an hour after he left, there was a very soft knock on the door of the Arbitration Hall Side Hall Interrogation Room.

Three knocks. It sounded like a shy student knocking on the homeroom teacher's door.

Seeing no response from inside, the person outside seemed to hesitate even more, knocking three times more slowly and softly. If Aleister hadn't been the only one inside, dozing with her eyes half-closed... she probably wouldn't have heard this overly polite knocking if she had been chatting with someone else.

"You can just come in."

Aleister couldn't help but say, "I can't go over and open the door for you."

"I'm... sorry..."

A flustered yet childish voice came from the doorway. "I just wanted to..."

David Barton pushed open the heavy door and saw Aleister in the dimly lit room, his hands and feet bound.

There were no other light sources in the room, and the corridor was also pitch black. Even opening the door didn't let in much light.

While this met the normal standards for imprisonment, it effectively gave Aleister a chance to escape—in this environment, despite sealing her personal supernatural powers, the Shadow Fiend could break her shackles at any time and take her away.

In the dimly lit room, only the silver triangles binding Aleister's hands and feet shimmered. Her hands were clasped in front of her, and her feet were tightly pressed together.

The silvery-white light spread outward rhythmically. Ripples, like reflections on a lake, shone on her face, and her serene and noble beauty made David instinctively hold his breath.

Aleister's lowered gaze lifted slightly, looking at David in the doorway, a slight smile playing on his lips. That crimson gaze made him instinctively take a half-step back, but he quickly felt a strange, irresistible attraction.

Miss Aleister looked at David, who was standing in the doorway, staring blankly at her. After waiting for more than an hour, she tilted her head slightly and sighed softly, "You've been so slow."

"Ah... I'm sorry!"

David suddenly realized his mistake and immediately apologized respectfully and earnestly. "It was my fault."

He didn't explain why he was so late, nor did he try to make excuses; instead, he readily admitted his mistake. He just looked somewhat frightened, cowering like Little Cat or puppy that had done something wrong, too afraid to approach.

"Come sit over here, there's a chair across from you."

Aleister said leisurely, "Or do you just want to come and see me for a moment and then leave... right, Mr. 'Knight'?"

Seeing Aleister's ambiguous smile, David quickly moved closer.

He sat upright in the seat before the Grand Guardian, his expression serious and earnest.

From Aleister's perspective, it was as if, in a daze, the father and son were superimposed on each other in a hallucination.

"... Miss Aleister."

He nodded politely and respectfully. "Nice to meet you."

"You can just call me Aleister."

Aleister chuckled. "After all, this isn't our first meeting, is it? ' Restless Barton '?"

This was the self-designation David used during his Promotion Ritual. But when Aleister read it now, it carried a hint of mockery.

Now that Aleister had read it aloud, David's face turned bright red. He felt a burning sensation in his face and neck, and a strong sense of shame washed over him.

"If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have used that title in the first place!" "... Yes."

David said softly, "I'm sorry, I didn't keep my word."

"What?"

Aleister was somewhat surprised.

Did you say anything?

"I told you before that you didn't need to worry about being arrested; even if you were arrested, I could release you directly."

David looked visibly ashamed, with a hint of sadness at having broken his promise, "But I couldn't do it. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry."

As he spoke, he looked up again and said seriously, "I also asked my father, but he said that only Ligeia can make the decision on this matter... I will ask Ligeia for help later!"

Aleister hissed softly, and after a long pause, he finally remembered the sentence.

That happened during the Promotion Ritual.

It was a promise David made to her when he still thought she was "Mr. Aleister".

David naively asked Iver how he could switch to the Path of Transcendence... which startled Iver.

Putting aside the question of whether Path of Transcendence is legal or not, ordinary people can't meet the requirements to become Ritual Mage, and Demons mainly depend on talent and aptitude. The only job they can become is Demon Scholar. And to become a Demon Scholar, one has to join the Noble Red —this is outrageous! So Iver patiently persuaded him for a while.

Even if you have the adaptability to Path of Transcendence, you don't necessarily have to embark on this path right away, my child!

This is similar to a child wanting to study environmental engineering or bioengineering. They may want to, but they still need to consider employment prospects after graduation.

Not to mention that David was having a major life consultation with a "netizen" he was meeting for the first time, and even had the intention of avoiding his parents and secretly changing his path... As a mature and reliable adult, it was perfectly normal for Iver to help stop him.

It's not that I necessarily want to stop you, but you must think things through carefully before making a decision. You absolutely cannot make a decision on your own in a moment of impulse.

When Iver learned that David was only fifteen years old, he suddenly realized what was going on.

Ah, no wonder. That makes perfect sense.

Moreover, one's path in life is even harder to reverse than their university major—if you choose the wrong major, you can switch majors, take classes to learn on your own, or even work in a different field.

But once you've chosen a path, there's no going back.

Once a person reaches level two in Extraordinary Profession, enters the First Level, and obtains the Path Trait of Pillar God, there is no turning back. If one chooses a second path at a young age, it will be too late to regret it later.

Iver felt he had only done what he was supposed to do—it would have been too unethical to trick someone into becoming Demon Scholar. Not to mention, he was an enemy of the Noble Red to begin with, so there was no way he would send someone there.

Fortunately, David was one of the few children who wasn't too unruly and could listen to reason. He clearly listened attentively to Iver's words, understood and accepted Iver advice, and recognized Mr. Aleister's kindness towards him.

So he extended an invitation to "Mr. Aleister," saying that if he ever came to Glass Island, he could seek refuge with him, and his parents would host his benefactor. He also assured him that if he were arrested, his parents could help get him released, and there was no need to worry about him Path of Transcendence.

—Because it was a conversation in a dream, Aleister couldn't remember it very well anymore.

It was only when David brought it up again that she remembered that this had indeed happened.

... But to be honest, Aleister wasn't really that serious at the time.

This sounds like the kind of polite remark you'd make to "I'll treat you to a meal sometime." After all, this is their first meeting, and neither of them knows the other's age, gender, identity, appearance, or name... It's like they've only known each other for less than 24 hours as online friends.

Who would have thought David was actually serious! The fact that he remembered such details from the Promotion Ritual shows that after being promoted, David immediately found a notebook and wrote down his promises, stroke by stroke. He then reviewed them repeatedly to ensure he remembered them firmly.

At that moment, Aleister was moved, but also somewhat worried.

David's earnest and naive nature makes me feel like he could be easily deceived by other smooth-talking bad people...

Aleister had originally intended to tease the child, but now he felt a little reluctant.

Because even if it's just a joke, he might take it seriously and remember it for a long time.

Don't bully these kinds of kids too much...