Isabel Was a Little Happy

After class, the group walked along the road.

They were all classmates who had become close to Iver in the past few days, and they were also eager to attend the medal awarding ceremony. They hoped that Iver could take them to see the excitement and broaden their horizons.

And Iver readily agreed.

"To be honest, Iver, I actually have some doubts..."

Aiden, who was walking ahead, turned around and complained, "Did the Bureau of Supervision shut down the White Shoes Club because they wanted to use it for Commendation Ceremony for free?"

"You never know."

Angela, who was standing next to him, said with a smile, "After all, it's the end of the year, and the Bureau of Supervision's budget has been quite tight lately."

"My mother told me that the funds approved by the Bureau of Supervision every year must be used up, but not too much. So at the end of each year, we are either trying to spend money or trying to save money... Anyway, last year's budget is definitely inaccurate."

What she said was quite significant.

Because this girl with long, dark blue hair and a constant smile, her mother works at the Second Bureau of Supervision in the Metropolitan District.

The Metropolitan District is located northwest of Red Queen District, mirroring Lloyd District southeast of White Queen District. It extends further inland than Lloyd District, which is adjacent to the harbor. Continuing northwest from the Metropolitan District leads out of Glass Island and into Garden City.

That was the largest district on Glass Island, and also the most populous and bustling. It required three Bureau of Supervision to ensure basic coverage. In contrast to the notoriously unsafe Lloyd District, the Metropolitan District boasted excellent security, abundant resources, stable prices, and comprehensive and well-developed public facilities. Furthermore, its proximity to Garden City contributed to its pleasant environment.

In a sense, this is the main area where ordinary citizens of Avalon, who live in the capital, conduct their production and daily life—it is neither as chaotic and busy as the port area, nor as quiet and solemn as the Red White Queen District near the island within an island.

Recently, public horse-drawn carriages have been introduced there, each capable of carrying nearly thirty people. This has made travel much more convenient.

Occasionally, students would venture into the Metropolitan District to have fun—of course, it wasn't as exciting as Lloyd District's Lloyd District, the prices were significantly higher, and there were far fewer shady activities. But there were always some timid students who were afraid of the Lloyd District's Strangulation Gang.

"This year, the Bureau of Supervision's budget has been basically allocated to the Lloyd District. Supervisors who are willing to transfer to the Lloyd District will receive an 80% raise on their original salary, with a guaranteed 30% raise within a year."

Angela exclaimed, "Although Lloyd District's is quite dangerous, they give us so much."

"It's mainly because the Strangulation Gang in Lloyd District have become increasingly frenzied lately."

Another male student from the seminary sighed and said, "I heard they've started attacking the surveillance teams now, but I don't know if it's true."

"It's highly likely to be true."

Angela shook her head. "To be precise, they actually found the body of an observer who had been 'strangled'. All his clothes had been stripped off, and all his belongings had been stolen. Even his eyes and tongue had been taken away."

At this point, the blue-haired girl blushed slightly. "And the corpse that was discovered this time was quite serious... His genitals had even been cut off while he was still alive."

She turned to look at Iver behind her. "What do you think, Professor Iver?"

"This shows that Pelican Bar is not the only place that sells ritual materials."

Iver's calm voice came from not far behind them, explaining in as elegant a manner as possible, "This is a superior alternative to ritual materials. Generally speaking, materials from male goats should be used, especially black male goats. Some Demon Scholar smoke and dry them with dried sage, and then consume them to restore their life force and Dark Attribute Mana. Using extraordinary beings as materials can restore even more magic power..."

Although Iver tried to be tactful, everyone present fell silent for a moment.

After a while, Aiden hissed softly. It seemed he was experiencing some kind of phantom pain.

"Where did you see that, Iver?"

Angela blushed slightly and asked curiously, "Did you see it when you went to the library?"

"—This is knowledge from ' Ordinary Ritual Studies,' students."

A very familiar voice came from behind them, causing them to instinctively shrink their necks and look in the direction of the voice.

The person who suddenly spoke from the front was Ms. Maya, who had just left the classroom immediately after class. Compared to her previous attire, she had only added a silver crown with three small candles on her head and put down her small handbag carrying lesson plans and textbooks.

After class, Iver did not go to the White Shoes Club immediately, but went back to his dormitory first and took the "Key Sword" that Bishop Mathers had lent him.

The assassin wasn't killed. With the vitality she Path of Adaptation, she should recover by now.

Iver couldn't use the Shadow Fiend's power while surrounded by people. If she came for revenge, it would be troublesome.

So Iver. took the key.

He can now pay 33 Fire Attribute mana to use the monthly Holy Sword Art. At least he should be able to survive—there have to be some important figures attending the commendation ceremony, right?

This is the Holy Sword Medal! It ranks among the top three of all the orders in Avalon. It's even rarer in peacetime. Not to mention, Iver's surname is Moriarty ... surely a few of the Old Knight of the Round Table Hall should be here?

In that case, as long as Iver can hold on, someone will definitely come to rescue him.

It was precisely because Iver took a slight detour that Ms. Maya was also going back to get something, was able to get ahead of them.

"—Ms. Ms. Maya."

The students greeted the kind and gentle lecturer with politeness and respect.

Meiya smiled amiably and stretched out her right hand, making a grasping motion in the air. It looked more like a cat waving its paw than waving.

"If it's for a superhuman and the length is sufficient, then drying isn't necessary. The fresh version is fine and can be used as a medium to summon demons. However, in that case, the required quantity would be quite large—at least one or two pieces wouldn't be enough; it would need to be coiled into a circle, and there would need to be space inside the circle to place offerings and write incantations. Conservatively speaking, the length would need to be close to one meter to be sufficient."

Unlike the teenagers who were only eighteen or nineteen, Ms. Maya real age was unknown, was clearly not shy about the topic and even showed a tendency to be lewd at times. "This course is an elective, and you can start taking it as early as next semester. Not only you guys, I think students who intend to become observers should also take this course, as it will help them identify the Demon Scholar hidden among the crowd."

"By then, you will have to repeatedly touch and verify all sorts of ritual materials. There will be parts specific to men and women, as well as organs such as the heart, brain, and liver. You will have to determine what constitutes a specimen, what is merely an organ, what is a ritual material—and which are human and which are animal. All of this will be tested."

"Oh, don't be shy... It's just like being a doctor. After touching many things, you'll be able to tell what kind of animals the materials come from just by reaching out and touching them through the black box. Pastors are a profession with a wide range of knowledge and fields, and you'll understand this sooner or later."

"Did Ms. Maya study this back then?" Aiden asked curiously.

"Of course," Ms. Maya smiled and walked into the crowd. "I also graduated from here. My father, mother and grandfather were all pastors. My parents met through the Illuminator, and they had a wonderful love story. So they decided to let us all follow this path."

"What if the teacher has children later?" Angela suddenly asked.

"I already have a child, a little cutie."

Ms. Maya looked to be in her early twenties, ruffled her hair and said something surprising quite naturally, "She's already eight years old and attends primary school in the Red Queen District."

"Ah, I know about that!"

Aiden was quite pleased when the topic came up. "Ms. Maya visited my family's antique shop before, and she was holding a little girl's hand at the time."

"Her name is Vivian. I'll take you to see her if we have the chance."

When this topic was brought up, a gentle look appeared on Ms. Maya's face, as if it were shining.

Iver remained among the crowd, silently watching this scene.

... For some reason, he suddenly thought of Isabel.

He could no longer remember what his biological mother, Anne Alexander, was like. Now, when he recalled his mother, the first image that came to mind was the one portrayed by Lu Lu. That was the clearest memory he had of her.

He didn't know what path Annie took to become a superhuman, or if she wasn't a superhuman at all. But she did indeed sacrifice her life to lure away the Iron Hook Demon so that Iver could survive.

Iver was very grateful to her. It was a mother's sincere, resolute, and selfless love for her child.

They soon arrived at the White Shoes Club.

The area remains under lockdown, with inspectors guarding the entrance. Occasionally, one can see adults in suits walking in and heading straight for the White Shoes Club.

Today, the club only allowed a few important figures to enter, along with media reporters and foreign guests. But Iver quietly explained to the doorman who approached him that these people were his own friends and family... and he planned to bring them all in.

"... Wait, Iver! Wait for me!"

As Iver's wheelchair was making its way up the ramp, almost inside the door...

Suddenly, Isabel's seemingly aggrieved voice came from behind him. "What about me!"

Lily stopped pushing the wheelchair and turned Iver slightly around halfway.

Iver raised an eyebrow and saw Isabel he hadn't seen for two days, running over, lifting her skirt.

She wasn't wearing her school uniform today, but a white evening gown. While not as elaborately dressed as she had been for the banquet at Iver's, she had still incorporated as many accessories as possible for ease of movement. Around her neck was her favorite pearl necklace with a rose carved from citrine.

She arrived somewhat anxiously, her long, light golden hair shimmering in the setting sun.

Iver's lips curled up as he glanced at Isabel, unable to suppress a soft chuckle, "I mean... for a small occasion like this, Princess Highness should be able to come in without my invitation, right?"

Isabel choked for a moment.

Her jogging pace slowed down, until she finally stopped right in front of Iver.

"... because I want to sit with them."

As if finally finding an excuse, Isabel's eyes lit up. "I'm your friend too, just like them—so I'm their friend too! I want to sit with my friends, I don't want to sit in the front row!"

"Then come on, Isabel."

Iver chuckled, and Lily deftly turned her wheelchair back. She had become so skilled that she could understand Iver's intentions without even needing his commands.

Isabel quickly caught up, just in time to hear the next sentence. "Today you are no longer Princess Avalon, you are just a personal friend I invited. I've reserved the closest seat to you... If any danger arises again, I will protect you."

... And what about me?

Aiden, standing to the side, widened his eyes.

—Didn't you say it was for me? I was hoping to get a shot of it!

But after glancing at Iver and then at Isabel, he wisely chose to remain silent.

Iver turned his head slightly and whispered to Isabel beside him in a voice only they could hear, "You see, our initial agreement has finally been fulfilled. We've returned to the White Shoes Club, which was shut down, and I've also helped you find friends who share your love of music and dance."

"Compared to the unknown and mixed-up people in the club, these prospective pastors should be more trustworthy friends, right?"

Upon hearing this, Isabel suddenly blinked and tilted her head slightly to look at Iver.

What he meant by that... could it be that he didn't want me to become friends with strangers? Or did I misunderstand? For some reason, Isabel, who used to always long for friends, is now inexplicably happy.

A new month, still 7,000 words of update, please give me some guaranteed monthly votes!

This month, I'll continue to work hard on updates. Let's see how long this continuous update streak can last!

Next, I'd like to thank the Alliance Leader for the generous donation from Morning Breeze Bell!

Thank you so much, Mafa Liao, for the Silver Alliance donation!! Thank you so much, I'm bowing my head in gratitude! (bang bang bang)