Haina's Commission

Although Iver took leave, he only didn't plan to go to class this morning.

He had previously gotten a note from his advisor while working as a teaching assistant, allowing him to borrow a book called "Ordinary Ritual Studies" from the school library. Now he has some free time to read it in his dorm room.

It has to be said that the level of knowledge in universities is indeed high.

The "Secret Knowledge" that the Noble Red Society had previously taught Iver in their letters is merely common sense in this book. The knowledge in this book includes various common rituals up to the Second Level. Although the book's original intention was to enable priests to identify and counteract various evil rituals used Path of Transcendence ...

But it's also fine for Iver to learn how to use ritual magic in reverse.

After having breakfast, Iver focused on reading in his study on the second floor.

Until an unexpected yet perfectly logical guest came to visit.

"Hai Na?"

Iver put down the book in his hand and teased the girl who had been invited into the study and was sitting on the sofa, "You see, this time you didn't make an appointment in advance, so the time of your visit is just right."

It is 10 a. m. outside.

She was finally able to find Iver in the mortal realm... which made Iver very happy.

"Actually, I wasn't always late for class. I don't know why..."

Hai Na sighed somewhat helplessly and casually changed the subject, "Never mind, let's not talk about that. I have three things to tell you this time."

Three items?

This surprised Iver somewhat. "Is it related to the club yesterday?"

"Yes, it's related to one of them."

Hai Na nodded and replied, "Director Kent said he would give you another copy of the Grimoire as a token of his gratitude for this incident."

As she spoke, she glanced at the book "Ordinary Ritual Studies" on Iver's desk, paused slightly, and added, "Even those Path of Transcendence are acceptable. This book will be properly disposed of... If you intend to give it to someone, it's best to provide that person's name as well; the Bureau of Supervision will vouch for you. Foreigners are also welcome."

"In this way, if that person has not broken the law, he will not be arrested by the Bureau of Supervision for studying the knowledge in the Grimoire... even if it is Grimoire from an illegal path."

"Thank you?"

Iver raised an eyebrow. "I thought it would be an 'award' or a 'reassurance.' I was prepared to attend another awards ceremony."

Hai Na an awkward laugh, unsure how to respond, "You can also consider it a gift..."

The Bureau of Supervision dared not invite Iver to the "Commendation Ceremony" again.

Logically speaking, the Commendation Ceremony shouldn't have much to do with Iver, who wasn't part of the three major agencies or a soldier.

The previous Commendation Ceremony was actually a cover-up for the Bureau of Supervision's incompetence, an attempt to share some of Iver's honor and credit with the Bureau of Supervision. And the previous Grimoire was used to bribe Iver to keep quiet.

—There's no need for Iver to say anything; he just needs to remain silent once he's on the podium.

We were very lucky this time; no one died. What was supposed to be a major disaster turned into a resounding victory by sheer chance.

However, the royal family is not stupid, especially since Princess Isabel was personally involved in the incident... Although the outcome was good, it does not mean that the process was correct.

Therefore, the Bureau of Supervision will be publicly praised this time, and may even be featured in the newspapers with high praise.

In reality, every minister even remotely connected to this matter was summoned by Her Majesty the Queen last night. Even now, an emergency meeting is still being held in the Round Table Hall —they don't usually hold meetings on Friday mornings, this is a special case.

Under these circumstances, the Bureau of Supervision certainly wouldn't dare to cause any more trouble. They would rather the public forget about it quickly.

Director Kent had already told Hai Na about this, but she didn't feel comfortable telling Iver directly.

—But in fact, Iver knew that this was indeed a very sincere "thank you".

Perhaps Hai Na didn't understand what Director Kent meant, but Iver did.

The true sincerity of the Bureau of Supervision is not as simple as sending out a Grimoire —that is, after all, something that can be bought with money and favors, and is completely inconsistent with Iver's achievements.

What they really meant was that they would allow Iver to privately recruit a superhuman as a subordinate. No exams were required, and it didn't even need to be through legal channels. The Bureau of Supervision could even provide Iver with identification... If something happened to Iver's subordinate, the Bureau of Supervision wouldn't come after him; they would take responsibility themselves.

The Bureau of Supervision's intention was that since Iver had helped them solve a problem this time, the Bureau of Supervision would also help Iver solve a problem in the future.

This is quite a good reward.

This calm and composed style... is clearly not a promise that Director Kent would dare to make.

Did this alarm the higher-ups?

The highest-ranking official in the Bureau of Supervision is the Grand Guardian, one of the few Fifth Level powerhouses in Avalon. He's probably the only one who would dare offer such a guarantee, one that clearly violates the kingdom's laws.

Iver felt certain that Lily's identity could now be officially cleared—she no longer needed to hide it even after embarking on the Path of Adaptation.

Relaxed, Iver chuckled and teased casually, his deep voice like a seductive devil. "But, senior... since you immediately connected it to the Grimoire that Path of Transcendence, does that mean you are actually instinctively curious about it and want to come into contact with it?"

"Don't talk nonsense! I didn't! I didn't!"

Hai Na said in a panic, her bottom seeming to have been burned by the sofa, and she stood up instantly. "I'm only slightly interested in alchemy at most..."

"Don't worry, don't worry. It's just a joke, I know."

Iver comforted Hai Na.

This slightly goofy senior is really funny; she bounces around when you poke her.

Given her almost complete lack of guile, the fact that she became the student council president... aside from her excellent grades, is probably because she has far more supporters than opponents.

Now that their relationship has become more familiar, Iver's occasional jokes no longer upset Hai Na. However, she reacts strongly to even the slightest fright, which only makes Iver enjoy teasing her more and more.

To appease Hai Na, Iver casually pulled a dark red book from beside his desk and handed it to Hai Na with a smile, "Look, what's this?"

Hai Na sat up straight on the sofa and took the book, discovering that it was the ""Alchemical Cipher"" she had been longing for.

"We made a promise before—see, I kept my promise. Senior, you don't have class today, right? Why don't you watch it here?"

Iver invited, "You can sit next to me, and you can ask me anything you don't understand."

Hai Na was clearly tempted.

Holding ""Alchemical Cipher"," she subconsciously sat down next to Iver.

Iver casually asked, "Speaking of which, when can I go pick up my 'gifts'?"

"Tonight or tomorrow is fine. You can come and pick it up after you get home. Just set a time, and I'll take you there."

Hai Na spoke frankly, sharing all her knowledge and even adding, "Because you're going to the White Queen District to get it. The Red Queen District is still in a state of chaos; Gordon and the new director are both in the Round Table Hall meeting."

"... Let's not set a time, I'm scared."

"What's there to be afraid of! I definitely won't be late this time!" Hai Na, somewhat embarrassed and annoyed.

"How about this, senior? After your afternoon class, come home with me."

Iver invited, "After Lily drops me off at home, let her go with you to the bureau to choose the Grimoire."

"Do you want to give it to Miss Lily? That's fine... I'll take you home and bring Miss Lily back after she's finished choosing her books."

Hai Na thought for a moment and said, "I'll just stay by your side and protect you the whole time. Otherwise, if you get hurt, Inspector Edward will definitely blame me."

"No need, is it? Those Demon Scholar already failed once yesterday. Even if they were to make another move, they probably wouldn't choose now," Iver laughed.

"This relates to the remaining two things..."

Hai Na became serious, turned around and bowed her head earnestly to Iver: "Please help me, Mr. Iver!"

"What's wrong?"

Iver turned around with some surprise. "Just say what you need. If I can help, I definitely will."

This wasn't just polite social niceties; he was serious. This was Iver's way of doing things.

Since his friend had come to him for help and was so serious about it, Iver would help, no matter how troublesome or dangerous it might be, as long as it was something he could do.

So Hai Na then told Iver the whole story of the test that Dean Meg had given her, as well as the "Portable Alchemy Bomb".

"Dean Meg?"

Iver was somewhat surprised. "She wants to take you as her disciple? She's the strongest in Avalon!"

"... Is the department head really that strong?"

Hai Na's eyes widened as well.

She knew that Dean Meg was very strong, having single-handedly quelled a war, and that the next Headmaster would also be Meg's student. But she truly hadn't expected that Meg would actually be Avalon's strongest! "Of course," Iver nodded.

... Not only that, the old lady was also known for her sharp eye. She also possessed the arrogance characteristic of Path of Authority.

Although the old woman appeared kind and cheerful, Meg smiled at everyone. Her smile didn't signify friendliness—those whom Meg disliked would never gain anything from flattery. Her heart was as fierce as a lion or tiger.

The Meg could take a liking to Hai Na means that Hai Na at least has the talent to reach the Fifth Level of the Dao... which is the same level as that Assassin Miss.

Of course, the advancement ritual is highly random, and even those with talent may not be able to realize it... but those without the corresponding talent will definitely not be able to advance. Some people, even after studying extraordinary knowledge for ten years, still find it difficult to obtain their first professional level. For example, the "King" that Iver encountered in his first advancement ritual was already in his thirties or forties and was still trying to advance to the Second Level.

—And he even failed! Judging from how skillfully Mr. King advertised, it's probably not the first time he's failed.

"Since Dean Meg has such a high opinion of you, we can't let her down."

Iver readily replied, "I'll help you with this."

Helping others is helping yourself. This is also a kind of investment, and a sure thing.

After all, he was going to resolve this incident anyway; he was just sharing some of the credit with Hai Na. Reputation is something that makes a big difference whether you have a little or none, but too much can be a burden... it also has diminishing marginal utility.

If Hai Na could become Meg's apprentice, then he might be able to get some influence with Meg.

After all, one of the direct causes of Avalon's destruction was Meg's death.

If Iver can persuade that stubborn old woman to postpone the advancement ceremony, then history can be truly considered changed. This would give Iver more time to develop.

"... But what about Mr. Sherlock?"

Iver was interested in another point. "Didn't Dean Meg say you should also invite him?"

Last time in the ritual instance, Sherlock didn't have enough information and couldn't play a significant role. Now that it's Sherlock's home turf, Iver is quite eager to see just how sharp Sherlock's mind really is when he's at full power.

Unfortunately, his wish probably won't be fulfilled in the short term.

"That's the third thing," Hai Na replied somberly, "Mr. Sherlock was attacked last night."