"With Me"
Neither Iver nor Isabel stopped Yanis from leaving.
This was a farewell that had been foreseen, a separation that was destined to happen. To try and force the other person to stay at this point would be impolite and unseemly.
Moreover, Iver knew another hidden reason. Only by leaving at this time could Yanis have a chance to change her future tragedy.
Yanis is a standard painter whose main magical power is Water Attribute.
Based on her understanding of the Equilibrium Path, in addition to Water Attribute magic, Yanis also possesses wind, earth, and fire-attribute magic in a ratio of exactly 8:5:5:5.
Because of this peculiar proportion, Yanis was ridiculed by players as the "Golden Ratio Shaomai Person"... Therefore, Iver remembers it very clearly.
This is also similar to Yanis's personality.
Her usual personality is very similar to that of an ordinary person; she is quite cheerful and shows no signs of the obsession that comes with delving deeper into the Fifth Level of spiritual practice. However, her deeper personality is like a handful of invisible water.
Sometimes gentle as a trickle, sometimes violent as a tsunami.
Sometimes it's ice, sometimes it's fog, sometimes it's snow, and sometimes it's a spring.
But only that which is elusive and ever-changing is the water of balance.
If it remains still for a long time and gradually comes to a standstill, it will turn into ice because it is attached to the concept of "eternity".
By then, the Path of Twilight.
Although strictly speaking, the Path of Twilight is not the wrong path... but now, Yanis can no longer turn back.
The principles of the Path of Beauty are fluidity and eternity. Although there are many professions on the Path of Beauty, they can be broadly divided into two schools: one leans towards the Equilibrium Path, emphasizing the "Beauty of the Mirror," maintaining the artist's rationality and conservatism, and using balanced rationality and rules to guide one's sensibility—this is fluidity; the other leans towards the Path of Twilight, emphasizing the "Beauty of the Extreme," attempting to pursue that eternal yet fleeting Beauty of the Extreme —this is eternity.
Balance and twilight share similarities. One Sacred Number is 5, which is the middle number both from front to back and from back to front among the nine numbers, and its guardian gem is topaz; the other Sacred Number is 9, which is the ultimate Sacred Number, and its guardian gem is amber.
Just as the path to beauty and adaptation is close to green, the color of balance and twilight is close to yellow.
After all, the Pillar God of the Path of Beauty is the Twin Mirrors... and a mirror cannot reflect itself out of thin air. Just as beauty must be sought from the outside world.
Therefore, those who transcend the Path of Beauty, once they reach the limits of pure art, will inevitably embark on a second path. Although some may pursue other paths, those are unrelated to the Path of Beauty itself.
As a classically trained superhuman, Yanis naturally chose the Equilibrium Path back then.
The so-called "magic painting," a dynamic painting imbued with special power, is a miracle created by integrating techniques into the Equilibrium Path. Its essence can also be regarded as an Alchemy Creation, thus naturally possessing power and capable of mass production.
But after Yanis reached a certain level, she began to question the path she had initially chosen.
This is quite normal... Every artist, once they reach a certain level, finds it hard to resist the call of "twilight." And painters and sculptors are the ones who receive the strongest call.
Yanis herself did not possess the power of the Path of Twilight.
Therefore, she sought out the Angel Shard on the Path of Twilight, attempting to turn them into pigments and use their power to complete a masterpiece of still painting.
If she was wrong, then there are only two possible outcomes: either she wasted the Angel Shard and merely created a demonic painting, or she died because she could not withstand the conflict on her path.
But the most terrifying thing is that Yanis has indeed proven that she chose the wrong path back then—she does indeed have the talent for the Path of Twilight, and far more so than the Equilibrium Path. But it's too late for her to regret it.
All she could do was exhaust her strength, consume her entire past life, and use all her obsession to create her final work.
In the static painting "Skull in Amber" that she painted in the future, the skull that glows with a dim yellow light is none other than Yanis ' own skull.
This is why those who transcend the Path of Beauty only begin to choose their second path after reaching a certain level. At least for those who transcend the Path of Beauty, balance and twilight are two completely contradictory paths. Choosing one means negating the other.
The idea she taught Isabel, "what is real is real, and what is fake is fake," belongs to the philosophy of the Equilibrium Path; while the philosophy of the Path of Twilight is that "what is fake can become real, and what is real can become fake."
Therefore, when Yanis strays onto the Path of Twilight, loses control, and transforms into a phantom, she can easily switch between reality and illusion.
That was precisely what "Beauty," blessed by the Path of Twilight, could achieve. And at that moment, her mana pool became purely and singularly Water Attribute.
In retrospect, the death of Queen Sophia was probably a very important turning point.
As an immortal being, she forged friendships with countless humans. Through repeated encounters of forming bonds and experiencing separations, her spirit eventually veered towards the Twilight Path.
She wanted to freeze the past, refused to acknowledge Sofia's death, and wanted to paint on the Glass Island for a long time, painting more and more slowly... This was precisely because her spirit was tilting towards twilight.
On the original Timeline, it's likely that Master Agnes began to deviate from this point.
Even if you prevent Yanis from obtaining the Angel Shard of the Amber Angel, it won't make a difference—her heart was already twisted at that time, and you can only stop her for a while, not forever.
Ultimately, it's because Sofia in that timeline didn't have a good ending.
She did not die of old age, but of betrayal—which was followed by an incredibly ugly power grab.
Yanis had no chance to say goodbye to Sofia, and she was not in the mood to paint this first and last painting properly.
She could only shoulder her easel and leave Avalon in disappointment. But she didn't forget this feeling; it remained buried deep within her heart, eventually becoming a demon that consumed Yanis's humanity.
However, Iver changed that future.
She eventually finished the painting quietly and left it with Iver and the others instead of taking it with her.
This is what it means to give up.
She finally let go of her obsession, released the pent-up frustration in her heart, and calmly acknowledged her friend's death.
Therefore, the still, almost icy water will flow again, turning into an elusive mist, drifting with the wind to the unknown distance.
Yanis's departure at this moment marks the beginning of her redemption.
Her fate was changed from that moment on.
That phrase, "Life is short, cherish it," is precisely her regret and lament for her dear friend Sofia's life.
In this life, Iver grew quite fond of Master Agnes, this gentle and free-spirited elder. Iver was very happy to have the opportunity to change her fate and save her future.
The only regret is that... interrupted by Yanis, Iver and Isabel had to hurry back to the Silver and Tin Palace.
The two had originally planned to spend the entire afternoon shopping on the last day of 1898, during Queen Isabel's rare holiday, but they had to end their trip early.
—It would be heartbreaking if such an important thing got dirty or torn outside.
This painting is undoubtedly one of the masterpieces of the Master Agnes, a precious gift containing her intense emotions and memories, and also a testament to how Iver changed Yanis's fate.
Isabel could feel a "resonance of beauty" with just a glance, thereby enhancing the strength of her Path Power.
She even felt that she had vaguely touched the threshold of the Fourth Level.
This is the primary path to advancement for those who transcend the ordinary in the Path of Beauty.
Just as a priest, in addition to daily prayer, also heals others as an important way to improve his spiritual level, the most important means of improving Path of Beauty, besides daily basic practice, is "aesthetic appreciation".
Whether it's listening to songs, watching plays, or appreciating paintings and sculptures, as long as you can resonate with them, gain insights and be moved by them, and immediately improve your level in the corresponding field, it represents an improvement in the power of your spiritual path.
It is precisely because of her long-accumulated knowledge and experience that Isabel was able to advance in sync with Sherlock's Path of Wisdom after embarking on the extraordinary path, and even surpass him now.
Sherlock is still far from the Fourth Level, but Isabel has already gotten close.
This is precisely the aesthetic experience she has accumulated over so many years, which has enabled her to finally unleash her full potential.
Of course, if one's skill and talent are too poor, it is difficult to appreciate the beauty of a painting or an opera.
If it weren't Isabel, but any other student in the school, they probably wouldn't have gotten any benefit from this painting...
This painting can inspire artists who have been stuck at the third or even Fourth Level for a long time, and they are likely to gain insights.
It can be considered a national treasure—with this painting, Avalon has the inheritance of the Fifth Level of the Path of Beauty.
This is undoubtedly a generous gift.
... But if he only let Iver send it back, he wouldn't feel at ease about Isabel's safety.
They went out shopping this time to hide their identities and relax, and naturally did not bring any attendants, servants, or guards.
Only at this moment do I miss the surveillance of the camera Master Agnes.
But she's already gone. Unless she suddenly misses her friends in Avalon, she might not be able to come back for a look through those portraits.
Given Yanis's carefree personality, she probably won't be back for a very long time.
Seeing Isabel looking somewhat disappointed because she couldn't go shopping, Iver felt a pang of sympathy.
Especially since Isabel is currently using Yulia's appearance, with that Little Cat- like face, it makes Iver feel even more reluctant.
He suddenly spoke up, trying to distract Isabel: "Have you thought of a name for it? It seems that Master Agnes hasn't named this painting yet."
Should I come?
Isabel was somewhat surprised.
"Of course," Iver laughed, holding the painting. "You can't expect me to name it, can you? You're a true ' All-rounder.'"
Suddenly, as if struck by a sudden thought, Isabel's previously somewhat dejected mood brightened, and she exclaimed enthusiastically, "Then I'll do it! Let me think about it carefully..."
Iver's plan was successful.
Isabel, who was using the appearance of "Yulia", remained deep in thought with a furrowed brow until she returned to the Silver and Tin Palace.
Isabel's disguise is really good.
Iver stared at her profile, unable to stop thinking to himself.
I probably won't have a chance to go for a walk today... but tomorrow is the Candle Holder Festival, which is quite lively. I can still go out for a stroll to clear my head.
If Isabel can skillfully use the "Painted Skin" that Master Agnes remade for her, then even if she goes out to play by herself, Iver won't have to worry about her having any accidents.
"Got it!"
Isabel suddenly tugged at Iver's sleeve and leaned closer.
She said earnestly, word by word, "Let's call it... ' 《With Me》 '."
Iver paused for a moment upon hearing this.
He quickly realized why Isabel had chosen that name, and then laughed helplessly.
Besides the friendship between Yanis and Sofia... it was also because Iver had said something to her this morning that Isabel remembered so vividly and could never forget.
"—I am with you."