When the plot-skips players into the game world

David had not come over directly with the Guardian, which was within Aiwass's expectations.

The boy was quite sensible and knew what was important. An interrogation of such significance was not something he could attend whenever he wished.

The Guardian had proactively suggested letting "Aleister" meet David because he had confirmed that Aleister Crowley could be their friend. It was only then that he felt reassured about letting David come to see her.

Although Aleister would still be in Avalon, they would not outright expel her—they had, after all, stripped her of the self-proclaimed title "Royal Secret Agent". Regardless of whether Aleister cared about this identity, it was somewhat ungracious of them.

They would not eagerly reinvite her, nor did they have the face to ask Aiwass to call her back.

In other words, while they maintained a friendly relationship, there was also a possibility… this might be their last contact with Aleister.

It was with this in mind that the Guardian thought of David's wish to meet Miss Aleister.

Considering this might be David's last opportunity to see Aleister… To spare him from an irremediable regret, George made that somewhat improper request.

More than an hour after he left, very light knocks came from the door of the Arbitration Hall's Side Court Interrogation Room.

Three soft taps. Like a shy student knocking on the homeroom teacher's door.

Seeing no response from inside, the person outside became more hesitant, knocking three times again, slower and lighter. If it wasn't for the fact that Aleister was the only person in the room, seemingly dozing off with her eyes slightly closed… had she been chatting with someone else, the overly polite knocking might have gone unheard.

"You can just come in,"

Aleister couldn't help but say, "I can't exactly get up to open the door for you."

"Sor-sorry..."

A flustered, youthful voice came from the doorway, "I just wanted to..."

David Barton pushed open the heavy door vigorously and saw Aleister, bound hand and foot, in the dimly lit room.

There were no other sources of light in the room, and the hallway was also pitch-black. Even with the door ajar, little light came through.

Although this conformed to the standard for confinement, it effectively gave Aleister a chance to escape—under these conditions, even though her personal transcendent powers were sealed, the Shadow Demon could tear apart the shackles on her at any moment and take her away.

In the dim, unlit room, the only thing that glimmered was the silvery-white triangle on Aleister's wrists and ankles. Her hands were crossed in front of her, and her legs were tightly together.

The silvery-white light rhythmically pulsed outward. As the ripples of lake water reflected onto her face, that serene and noble beauty took David's breath away.

Aleister, looking down, lifted her gaze slightly towards David at the door, her lips curving into a small smile. The crimson color of her eyes made him instinctively step back, but soon he felt a peculiar allure.

Watching David, who stood at the doorway staring blankly at her, Miss Aleister, who had waited for over an hour, tilted her head slightly and sighed softly, "You're really late."

"Ah… sorry!"

David jolted back to reality and immediately apologized respectfully and earnestly, "It's my fault."

He didn't explain why he was so late, nor did he make excuses, but simply acknowledged his mistake. He just seemed a bit scared, shrunken like a cat or dog that had done something wrong, not daring to approach.

"Come sit closer, there's a chair opposite,"

Aleister said leisurely, "Or were you just planning to take a glance at me and leave… right, 'Knight' sir?"

Observing Aleister's somewhat teasing expression, David quickly moved closer.

He sat down properly in the position where the Guardian had sat before, his expression serious and intent.

From Aleister's perspective, it briefly seemed as though the figures of father and son overlapped in an illusion.

"…Miss Aleister."

He nodded politely and reverently, "This is our first meeting, greetings."

"You can just call me Aleister."

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

This was how David had referred to himself during his promotion ceremony. But now that Aleister repeated it, it carried a teasing tone.

Now, repeated by Aleister, it only made David's cheeks flush red. He felt his face and neck burn up as if he had a fever, a strong sense of shame washing over him.

—Had he known, he would never have claimed such a title in the first place!

"...Yes."

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

"What?"

Miss Aleister was somewhat surprised.

Did you say something?

"I once told you that you didn't have to worry about being arrested; even if you were apprehended, I could get you released directly."

David looked clearly ashamed and somewhat upset about breaking his word, "But I couldn't do it, I'm sorry. I'm really sorry."

As he spoke, he looked up again and earnestly said, "I also asked my father, but he said that this matter can only be decided by Her Excellency Ligeia... I will go and plead with Her Excellency Ligeia!"

Aleister hissed softly, and after reflecting for a while, she finally remembered that statement.

It was something from the promotion ceremony.

It was the promise David made to her when he still thought she was 'Mr. Alistair'.

At the time, in his naivety, David had asked Aiwass how he could embark on the Path of Transcendence... and ended up startling Aiwass.

Setting aside the legality of the Path of Transcendence, the conditions for changing to the profession of a Curse Ritual Magician are generally inaccessible, Demons mainly depend on talent and aptitude, and the only position available was that of a Demon Scholar. To become a Demon Scholar, one had to join the Noble Red—what a dreadful thought!

And so, Aiwass spent some time earnestly persuading him.

—Even if you have the adaptability for the Path of Transcendence, you don't necessarily have to embark on it right away, child!

It's like a child wanting to major in Environmental Engineering or Biotechnology. While it's fine to have those aspirations, you must still consider the employment prospects after graduation.

Not to mention that David was engaging in a significant life consultation with a 'net friend' he had just met for the first time, and even entertained the idea of bypassing his own parents to change his path in secret... It was only natural for Aiwass, as a mature and reliable adult, to step in and prevent such a rash decision.

It's not that I necessarily want to stop you, but you must think through such a significant choice. You definitely cannot decide something like this on a whim.

Later, when Aiwass discovered that David was only just fifteen years old, he finally realized the reason behind David's innocence.

...Ah, that makes sense. It's quite reasonable.

After all, choosing a Path is even harder to reverse than selecting a university major—mistakes in majors can be rectified by switching fields or by taking extra classes, and even working across disciplines is possible.

But a Path, once chosen, is irreversible.

As soon as one's rank in an Extraordinary Profession reaches two levels, achieving the first Energy Level, and obtaining the trait of a Pillar God's Path, there's no turning back. Deciding on a second Path at such a young age means there's no room for regret later on.

Aiwass felt that he had simply done what he was supposed to do—if he had tricked someone into becoming a Demon Scholar, that would have been dishonest. Besides, he was already an enemy of Noble Red and couldn't possibly send someone their way.

Fortunately, David was one of those rare kids who could listen and take advice well. He paid serious attention to what Aiwass had to say, understood it, and accepted his suggestions. And he recognized the kindness 'Mr. Alistair' had shown him.

So, at that moment, he extended an invitation to 'Mr. Alistair'. He said that if he ever came to Glass Island, he could seek refuge with him; he would ask his parents to extend hospitality to his benefactor. If he were arrested, he would ask his parents to help get him released, eliminating worries about the illegality of the Path of Transcendence.

—That conversation took place in Dreamland, and Aleister had long since forgotten the details.

It was only when David mentioned it again that she recalled there was indeed such a matter.

...But to be honest, at that time, Aleister hadn't taken it very seriously. Stay tuned with My Virtual Library Empire

It seemed like one of those polite phrases like "I'll treat you to a meal sometime." After all, this was the first time they met, and they did not know each other's age, gender, identity, appearance, or name... They were like net friends who had met for less than twenty-four hours.

—Who would have thought that David was actually serious!

The fact that he could remember such a detail during the promotion ceremony meant that David had taken notes of his promises immediately after getting promoted. By repeatedly reviewing them, he was able to keep them firmly in mind.

In that moment, in addition to feeling touched, Aleister also felt a hint of worry.

David's serious and innocent nature left her concerned that he might be easily deceived by someone's smooth talk...

Initially, Aleister had intended to tease the child. But now, she couldn't bear to do so.

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

It seems best not to be too harsh on such a child...