When the plot-skips players into the game world

"...So it was that sentence."

Aleister sighed and changed the subject, "Speaking of which... Do you still feel the urge to pursue the Path of Transcendence?"

Watching as David's expression clearly became hesitant, Aleister added, "If you do, you can talk to me about it.

"After all, we're unlikely to see each other again in the future, and we don't move in the same social circles. You can treat me like a confidant, someone to vent to about those things you dare not say to those around you."

"...That still wouldn't be right."

Unexpectedly, David refused Aleister's suggestion.

"Why?"

"You and Mr. Aiwass are friends, and I respect him a lot. He's a remarkable person... kind, upright, and good-hearted."

"Knight" Sir hesitated for a moment, then spoke, "I don't want him to know that I'm someone with inclinations toward the Path of Transcendence."

...Wow.

You really know how to praise someone.

Aleister even felt choked by the praise for a moment, unsure how to respond.

But soon, she wore a gentle smile like one used to soothe a child, "How about this... We make a promise, David. I swear I won't tell Aiwass anything you've confided to me, how about that?"

"But would that really be okay?"

David said somewhat worriedly, "You are friends, right? By doing this, you're hiding things from a friend... I'm afraid it might lead to an argument between you two. I respect both of you, and if you were to argue over something like this, I would also feel responsible."

"...Then let's do this. If I ever want to tell Aiwass about your concerns, I'll seek your consent first. Is that acceptable?"

Aleister appeared to take a step back.

And David, clearly swayed, thought it over carefully, then slowly nodded, "That would be acceptable. If you're going to have an argument over this matter, remember to tell me... No, if it's an emergency, I'll give my consent by default."

"Honestly, I think you're more suited to the Path of Devotion."

Aleister sighed, "You truly are a good kid."

But upon hearing Aleister praise him as a good kid, David actually pursed his lips, visibly somewhat displeased.

He did not take the bait but instead put on a serious adult-like demeanor and said sternly, "Miss Aleister, I've given serious thought to the three questions you asked me."

"Just call me Aleister," Aleister said with a light laugh.

"Yes, Lady Aleister."

David was somewhat stubborn, or perhaps he just didn't dare to call Aleister by her name.

He said earnestly, "I believe that I can already reliably meet at least the first two points.

"—The courage to 'live with death in mind,' and the readiness to 'challenge an unbeatable opponent.'

"As for the third point... 'To forsake a victory already at hand to seek a greater one,' that's a bit difficult. I feel that I may be able to do it, that I have the resolution. But I've never truly faced such a painful choice... so I'm not sure if I would be able to make such a decision when the time comes..."

He had initially seemed reluctant to talk but, once he began, he couldn't stop.

Clearly, he had many worries and troubles he dared not share with anyone else.

Although Aiwass knew that the illegality of Avalon's Path of Transcendence came largely from the Noble Red, who monopolized the knowledge of Transcendence and acted unlawfully. And now that the Noble Red was eradicated, the Path of Transcendence would soon be decriminalized.

The restrictions on other paths were mostly occupational. For example, the Path of Dusk could be Preservers or Necromancers. From the common moral standpoint of Avalonians, the former were good, while the latter were bad.

But obviously, David, who was politically naive, was unaware of such ideological issues.

He simply felt he was touching upon the taboos of Avalon.

On one hand, he genuinely felt an affinity for the path, but on the other, his father's status made it impossible for him to share his feelings with anyone.

He feared disappointing his father and causing trouble for him.

Only "Miss Aleister"—a Transcendent who had kindly dissuaded him from taking that path, yet was a friendly predecessor—could make him boldly voice those inner troubles.

David sat across the table, talking nonstop to Aleister.

Initially, he talked about the "Three Principles of the Path of Transcendence" that Aiwass had once shown him, smoothly transitioning to talk about his classmates, and eventually began to vent to Aleister, his human confidant.

He thought his classmates were too childish. They had no principles, no dreams, no responsibilities. They seemed to just live day by day, casually squandering their time... and that made David uncomfortable. On the one hand, he was constantly pressured by his parents; but on the other, he truly felt exhausted.

That's why he skipped classes—not because he wanted to play, but because he believed "the teachers couldn't give him what he wanted." He wanted to learn something more useful, something deeper. But even his parents didn't know David's true thoughts.

Because David dared not voice these thoughts. He felt they were "too transcendent" and might cause people to doubt his path's suitability. So he still deliberately concealed his true thoughts.

Aleister just smiled, humoring him. As David talked, he gradually became more comfortable.

From his straight, formal seating posture, he eventually began to slouch over the table. At six feet tall, the interrogation chair, too large to accentuate the interrogator's imposing presence, was still too big for him, causing his legs to sway front and back naturally.

And under Aleister's gentle guidance, David easily transitioned to talking about his feelings.

There was indeed a girl in his class that he liked.

She was the child of a bishop, their same age. Her mother, like Bishop Mathers, was also a member of the Round Table Hall Clergy Council. Perhaps that was why they were able to attend the same school.

In the beginning, David fell for her because of her kindness and goodness.

Because he felt that she had a certain "maturity" about her—or rather, a different vibe than those thirteen or fourteen-year-old kids around him. It was a caring kind of feeling, like that of an older sister. With the carefree children around to contrast, she appeared much more precocious than the others.

But David didn't confess to her; instead, he watched her from afar.

Soon enough, he felt the sting of disappointment again when he realized she wasn't as mature as he thought... She too could be whimsical and noisy and liked the same things those kids liked.

What shocked him the most was seeing the girl arguing loudly with her mother at a social event, insisting on going home and even bursting into tears—a side of her that was completely different from the gentle and generous character she displayed at school.

David never argued with his parents.

He greatly admired his parents, dreaming of becoming as remarkable as they were, protecting others with his own life.

"Is that so?"

Aleister said softly, "So you don't like her anymore?"

"Yeah."

David nodded but felt a tinge of loss, "Or rather, I never truly knew the real her. I fell in love with just a silhouette of her, mistaking it for her entirety."

"Not bad, you can even say some pretty philosophical things."

Aleister smiled, "It's good that you can figure it out on your own."

"Yes, that's why I have decided never to fall in love or get married in the future."

David puffed up his chest and spoke earnestly, "I will devote my entire life to guarding Avalon."

"Then you're going to get a beating from your dad," Aleister joked lightly.

Hearing this, David shrank his neck and kept silent. Stay connected with My Virtual Library Empire

He did indeed want to become a "hero." And indeed, he had been punished by his father before.

In fact, his initial dream was to become a "Sacrificial Hero" admired and mourned by people—a dream which changed to simply "Hero" after a good beating from George.

"But I still... want to fight to the end, sacrificing myself for others."

David softly expressed his true thoughts, "If I had a wife and kids, they would surely be sad over my death... just as I would be very sad if my father were to die. And if I died, it would probably affect their lives... So, I think it's better not to get too close to other people."

These were the thoughts hidden deep in his heart.

He would never have confessed such thoughts if he wasn't so happy talking with Aleister.

—Because it seemed like an admission that his sacrifice was "ulterior." That would mean he was no longer a pure hero, but rather a death-seeker.

Aleister was reflective.

She too sensed that rather than David wanting to be a hero... he was actually yearning for a spectacular death like fireworks in the sky.

This was determined by the Affinity for the Path of Transcendence.

Or rather, the fact that his parents lacked any Affinity for the Path of Transcendence, yet he harbored such a clear desire for Transcendence at such a young age, indicated he was extraordinary. It was just that the education from the Great Guardian was so excellent, it had masked his issue.

—Then perhaps, it really was possible to entrust the Ascension Sorcerer to him.

This profession, born out of a dance with death, was undoubtedly the most suitable for David.

"How about this, David?"

Aleister began softly, "Do you trust me?"

"I trust you very much, Lady Aleister!"

David said with conviction, his eyes alight with eagerness, "Is there a mission you wish to entrust to me?"

Although Aleister was different from the mature female image he had imagined... her gentle and knowledgeable demeanor, much like that of a sister, also truly made him want to get closer.

He also believed Aleister was not a bad person.

Or rather, Aleister, whom his own father approved of and was willing to let him interact with... was without a doubt a good person!

But seeing Miss Aleister bound to a chair in the interrogation room of deep winter, wearing only a sweater, made him feel uncomfortable.

If he could do something for her...

"In that case, once you are promoted again... you can go seek out Miss Ligeia,"

Aleister whispered, "Tell her you come recommended by Aleister, with permission from Aiwass. You wish to seek the 'Secret of Shedding and Rebirth'. Tell her you are in search of seven memories for a ritual..."

Upon hearing this, David unwittingly widened his eyes and straightened up.

He suddenly realized that this was not a task. It was an opportunity.

He listened intently as Aleister conveyed the mysteries, a faint blur of purple haze swirling in the depths of his eyes.

Ligeia, holding Aleister's skirt and ready to enter the room, stopped at the doorway.

She listened for a while with her eyes closed, then shook her head silently.

After Aleister had finished explaining everything to David and David had confirmed the details, Ligeia waited a little longer before she knocked on the door.

"Miss Crowley," Ligeia said, her voice young yet oddly commanding, "the interrogation is complete. You are now free to leave."

Then, she pushed open the door of the interrogation room.