When the plot-skips players into the game world

```

Aiwass obtained unexpected information from Ibn.

He still hadn't fully believed… the notion that Aziz was an assassin sent by his foster father.

But with the triple affirmation from the Hook Demon, Jack the Ripper, and Ibn, it was now basically certain that the Cursing Sorcerer Aziz Ben Abdul who appeared during the promotion ceremony was indeed the person in question and was highly likely to be the murderer of Aiwass's parents.

This also solidified into a clear clue.

However, the more clues there were, the more confused Aiwass felt.

At first, he merely wanted to know who killed his biological parents and whether his foster father was really the murderer. Since the information from the dreams might not all be true, Aiwass planned to verify the intel he had obtained.

But the more he verified, the more complex and extensive the matter seemed to become.

Why did his grandfather Jacob choose to live incognito in Eagle Cape Village? What exactly was the manuscript he wrote? Why did Aziz suddenly come to Avalon? What was it that his foster father was willing to fake his own death for in the Holy Nation in search for? Why did Noble Red insist on cursing Jacob to death? And what was the "Holy Entity" they were searching for in Avalon?

These seemingly unrelated matters were entwined around him like vines he couldn't shake off.

Worried that he would forget later, Aiwass recorded all his doubts in a notebook.

After learning the name Aziz from Aiwass's side, Aiwass distinctly felt that Ibn's mentoring became much more earnest.

If before he was merely teaching casually on account of Princess Isabel's face… now it seemed like he somewhat intended to pass on his cloak to Aiwass.

Aiwass was very clear on Ibn's intention—he was now too old to cross the deserts again, simply with a name to seek out foes of the past. Moreover, he no longer wished to return to the Parthian Ancient Country.

—But Aiwass also had a grudge against Aziz, and perhaps in the future, he might even have a chance to avenge him.

Under the instruction of this experienced Curse Ritual Magician, Aiwass quickly mastered the art of cursing.

Of course, it was through the fast track of paying with experience. Ibn's understanding of cursing was profound, and Aiwass only used five experience points to grasp this mystical skill. It would be a loss not to learn from such a cost-effective offer.

Now, the panel for Aiwass's Demon Scholar profession had become as follows:

Demon Scholar LV17: [Basic Ritual – Level 4 (0%)],[Demonic Pact – Level 4 (90%)],[Curse – Level 3 (14%)],[Shepherd's Nurturing (Essence) – Level 3 (0%)],[Demonology Knowledge – Level 3 (5%)]

Demonology Knowledge could no longer provide levels to the Demon Scholar profession, while the level of Shepherd's Nurturing (Essence) was simply due to lack of practice.

On the other hand, the level of Shepherd's Nurturing (Flesh) had been raised quite high:

Priest LV19: [Basic Prayer – Level 3 (3%)],[Rite of Fire – Level 4 (5%)],[Illumination – Level 4 (15%)],[Blessing – Level 2 (0%)],[Shepherd's Nurturing (Flesh) – Level 6 (5%)].

Once Aiwass completes the professional promotion of the Priest and raises the Priest profession to the third energy level, the levels in his two paths will become unbalanced again. By then, he would no longer be able to use the Nurturing Skill to feed experience to Little Butterfly and the Shadow Demon.

Taking advantage of the time before his promotion, Aiwass had been feeding his blood to them almost daily. He would exhaust himself completely, falling into a deep sleep each day—after all, he was living in the Hall of Silver and Tin, which was safe enough with the protection of the watchful spirits. And since Ligeia lived right next door to Aiwass, there was no need to reserve mana points for his own safety.

Therefore, Aiwass directly fed all his mana every day… even including the mana restored after prayer, and the resulting anemia also trained Aiwass's "Rite of Fire" skill.

```

```

Thus, Aiwass's levels in the four holy skills were relatively low, making it easier to raise their levels—aside from the steady increase of the prayer skill, which was akin to a "daily quest," the levels of other skills could slowly climb just by occasionally healing for a bit of blood and then self-healing for the same amount.

To Aiwass's surprise, Lily had even managed to dabble in the profession of a "witch" in just a few days' time. She had even grasped a rudimentary transformation spell, capable of turning clothing into a mouse—at least a level three transformation spell was required to do that, which meant that Lily had very likely elevated her Path of Love to level nine in just a few days.

Considering she switched her profession through the Codex Book for her Path of Adaptation, while the Path of Love was converted through just a mundane mysticism book filled with a large number of erotic illustrations... Lily's adaptability for the Path of Love seemed to be even higher than that of the Path of Adaptation, wasn't it?

The day of the promotion ceremony was quickly approaching. Aiwass didn't feel particularly anxious, but Yulia seemed quite nervous.

However, in Aiwass's view, there was no need for Yulia to panic—

The reason was simple.

Aside from Lily, who had already advanced once and could team up with her as a "witch" on the Path of Love... the former Meg, now reborn as Ligeia, would also participate in Yulia's promotion ceremony this round.

It was as if the world champion had descended to play in the silver league.

Lily, Yulia, Ligeia—Aiwass really couldn't see how such a combination could lose.

The first energy level newbies in this promotion probably couldn't have imagined that among them was a small account opened by Avalon's strongest fifth energy level player.

This time, Isabel had become much calmer than before. According to Yanis, during the last promotion ceremony, Ibn had set up the ceremony for Isabel, who increasingly grew nervous while watching and started pacing the room like a millstone. In the end, she couldn't bear it and personally came down to complete the latter half of the ceremony herself.

Sherlock too was all set.

Given that after the ceremony, he and Aiwass were scheduled to investigate Shepherd Bay County's Eagle Cape Village... It wasn't much of an issue for him himself, but for Aiwass, this promotion was critical.

If before Aiwass was just a peer that Moriarty and Princess Isabel took some interest in, now he was the very heart of the kingdom's power—as someone about to be appointed as a high-ranking officer, any problems during his and Sherlock's rural adventure could lead to big trouble.

So, for this occasion, Sherlock had resolved that even if he didn't advance this round, he must ensure that Aiwass did.

A third energy level priest had some ability to defend himself. Even if he failed to advance, he could still join Aiwass and Isabel for their further advancements using his Legal Mage profession... There shouldn't be much of a problem.

Lily, Yulia, Ligeia.

Aiwass, Isabel, Sherlock.

As the sun set, they began to set up their individual promotions.

"—All nine are complete."

Aiwass switched into his clerical robes.

He recited in a low voice, as the Flame Butterfly on his shoulder descended, stepped onto the herb rod, and began to light it slowly.

Following that, Aiwass placed the smoldering herb rod at the very center of the hexagram.

Sherlock's fingertips were soaked with holy water, which he then flicked away. Intoning solemnly and reverently, "Let go of the three..."

```

"—Eternal Self, Lord of Scalefeather, Amber."

Princess Isabel murmured softly.

These three names were those of the Pillar Gods of the Path of Love, Path of Adaptation, and Path of Dusk.

This time, after discussion, the three of them chose to reject the same Paths.

By maintaining consistency as much as possible, there wouldn't be a situation where one could cooperate with a certain Path, but the other teammates could not.

Since Lily was not participating this time, it was fine even if they rejected both the Path of Love and the Path of Adaptation.

"Six bless me."

Aiwass pointed the herb stick successively at the six silver ornaments while chanting the names of the remaining six Pillar Gods:

"Hourglass. Candle Master. Great Sage. Silver-Crowned Dragon. Gemini Mirror. Serpent Father."

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

And I...

"—Pursue, the Way of the Candle Master."

Aiwass declared as such.

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

Unlike the sensation from the New Moon Ritual, the Full Moon Ritual always gave off a sense of tranquility and calm, filled with peace. It was like returning to a mother's embrace... or relaxing in a hot spring and slowly drifting off to sleep.

His consciousness slowly sank into the dark depths of the sea, falling into the Dream Realm while still awake.

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

He paused for a moment.

—Because this time, there was no one on Aiwass's left.

"...Am I the first?" Aiwass frowned.

This didn't seem too good, it appeared to be another kind of predicament—

As if in a PvP match where all the opponents are low-level accounts, this time in a PvE match all his teammates seem to be beginners...

But even so, he shouldn't be the first one to come in, right?

At this moment.

Aiwass saw a bright flame light up in the pitch-black space.

A Flame Butterfly slowly fluttered overhead, circled around, and then landed on the tip of his finger, meeting Aiwass's gaze.

...Defiant Flame Butterfly?

Isn't that the power of the Great Sin Scholar...

Aiwass was taken aback for a moment, but quickly realized.

It must be like when the Bone Sculptor creates a Bone Staff, using skills as a sculptor... Aiwass, when creating the Phantom Card, used the skills of the Great Sin Scholar. But because of its power attribute, it was still classified as equipment of the Path of Devotion.

—That seemed fairly reasonable.

Aiwass breathed a sigh of relief.

This time he happened to have an equipment advantage, maybe even coming in earlier than other players who might have higher level accounts... it might not only be new players this time.

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

Aiwass thought, looking up to prepare to see the huge statue in the middle.

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

"What are you looking for?"

A frivolous young voice came from behind Aiwass, "Looking for... me?"

Aiwass turned around and saw a young man in his early twenties leaning on the back of his chair, resting his face in his hand with a smile that was friendly yet somewhat insidious, appraising him.

He had messy short black hair, with a monocle over his left eye. His demeanor was unusually beautiful.

The young man wore a deep blue robe, holding a staff in his right hand, and had a short sword at his right hip.

Although the person was not a giant.

Since he could leave his seat… that meant he was not a "candidate" for this session.

"...Who might you be?"

Aiwass inquired politely.

"A pleasure to meet you."

The young man said with a smile: "You may have heard of my name. I am called Merlin."