Thanks to Aiwass’ ticulous treatnt, Yulia’s complexion looked significantly better this ti when she awoke, compared to the previous ti she lost control.
She didn’t even need Aiwass to wake her up — she ca to on her own.
After getting up the next morning, Aiwass handed Yulia the incomplete [Sun] card — as a “protective charm.”
Even disregarding its significance in mysticism, this card was valuable as an accessory. It had four full points of Aiwass’ fire-attribute mana infused into it, along with high-quality Fla Essence that was both sourced and produced by Yulia herself. Even with charcoal and cotton cloth layered over it, just holding the card let one feel a tangible warmth.
The heat wasn’t scalding. It was more like a steam eye mask or a hand warr — just right for wearing close to the body in winter.
Yulia was clearly delighted by this gift and reacted with unrestrained enthusiasm. She even kissed Aiwass and gave him a warm, marshmallow-soft hug through her thick winter coat.
Watching Yulia joyfully tuck the card into her clothes, Aiwass absentmindedly tapped his right middle finger on the armrest of the wheelchair, falling into thought.
Co to think of it, Yulia still hadn’t had her first period. It could have been due to being slow-roasted at low temperatures by the Deviant Fla Butterfly, but Aiwass was almost done extracting that now.
She had turned fifteen just last month. Aiwass calculated the days and figured it should be soon. When the ti ca, he could make her a warming belt — using the sa formula he’d just tested, with his blood as the mana carrier, so store-bought imitation Fla Essence, and soft cotton and gauze. That should result in a hand warr with about seven days of diminishing heat output...
Even without alchemy, hand-crafting a heating pad wasn’t beyond him. Aiwass figured it was still pretty impressive. And this action clearly aligned with the Way of Offering… his blood wouldn’t be shed in vain, and he’d even earn so experience points in the process.
Though she said she’d accompany Aiwass to school, Edward had already left earlier, riding his griffin to the university.
Probably off to find that doctor who was doing the lab tests, Aiwass guessed.
Later, once Lily had also eaten breakfast, she helped push Aiwass’ wheelchair out the door. Edward’s personal valet had co along this ti, too.
Since the man usually lived with Edward outside the ho, Aiwass didn’t even know his na. But now wasn’t the ti to ask.
He was a burly, bear-like red-haired man, walking behind them carrying two suitcases.
This era didn’t yet have wheeled suitcases with pull handles. People used heavy, hand-carried cases made from hard leather over a wooden fra, with brass corner guards — much like the doctor’s bags used during house calls.
The cases were heavy, but the valet carried one in each hand, keeping pace briskly behind them.
He didn’t say anything in front of Aiwass, but it was obvious he found Lily’s slow pace pushing the wheelchair too leisurely — he would frequently stride past them, only to slow down a few steps later.
Hot-headed type, Aiwass concluded.
And judging by this kind of “impatient urging,” his relationship with Big Brother was probably pretty good. After all, Avalon’s dominant path was Authoritarianism, where etiquette and “propriety” were held in high regard. Aiwass himself didn’t mind such things, but he couldn’t say whether he should mind.
This, in turn, suggested that Edward treated his subordinates very kindly and wasn’t the type to throw his weight around.
That was surprising.
Soone like Edward — taciturn, secretive — being so gentle in private…
By the ti Aiwass’ group arrived at the university town in Red Queen District, Edward had seemingly finished his business and was standing there giving his griffin so water.
As Aiwass approached, Edward seed to sense him, turned around, and gave a slight nod to his valet.
Though Edward said nothing, the red-haired man imdiately understood: “Where should I deliver them?”
“14 Ronin Street.”
Edward replied simply.
Aiwass asked, “Is that our dormitory? I thought it was supposed to be inside the university?”
“The Royal Law University is enormous,” Edward shook his head. “Ronin Street is the road just outside the Theology Departnt’s main academic building. From the building’s front entrance, walk straight east — no turns. Walk about five hundred steps, cross a small park and bridge, and you’ll see the house.
“I just went and checked it out. It’s beautiful, right by the river... also quite close to the Law Departnt. You can even take a boat right outside. And it’s only about four hundred steps from the Second Dining Hall. Lily, if you want to audit any classes at the Law Departnt while Aiwass is resting, you’ll get there in the sa number of steps — even closer than the student dormitories.”
Seeing Lily’s eyes go wide, Edward imdiately explained, “I didn’t buy it. It’s a short-term gift from Her Highness the Princess.
“Houses on Ronin Street aren’t sothing money can buy — typically, they’re royal benefits granted by the Queen to professors.”
Absurd.
Aiwass thought.
So this “detached dormitory” Master Yanis ntioned wasn’t a student dormitory building at all — it was a standalone villa ant for university faculty?!
Good grief, what kind of setup is this?
Edward added, “As I understand, this villa was originally intended for Master Yanis. Though she turned down the university’s offer to beco a guest professor, the house was still gifted to her. Then, she returned it in her own na as a personal gift to Princess Isabel.
“And according to Her Highness… this villa is yours until you graduate.”
There was a trace of suppressed curiosity and astonishnt in Edward’s gaze as he looked at Aiwass.
After they’d resealed and treated Yulia yesterday, neither of them had the energy to talk about Aiwass’ eting with the Princess. Edward had no idea what happened.
Aiwass figured, You’re only holding back your curiosity now because the painting from Master Yanis hasn’t been delivered yet.
Once [Golden Dawn] gets dropped off at the house, you’ll probably co straight over and ask , “What exactly happened that night...?”
Just as Aiwass smiled politely, hiding his own questions behind a cordial expression—
Edward suddenly leaned in and gave him a slightly awkward hug.
Yulia was tiny, so hugging her felt natural. But Edward, who stood at a towering 189 cm, now looked like a giant awkwardly bending down to face the ground. Aiwass felt uncomfortable just watching it — Edward’s back must’ve been killing him.
Bro, this affectionate act is a bit much...
Aiwass muttered internally — and then suddenly noticed Edward stealthily slipping sothing into his chest.
His instincts tingled. He slipped his hand into his outer coat pocket and felt around the shape of the object.
Just two touches, and he knew instantly what it was—
—A handgun.
More precisely, it was the Elven-crafted pistol, “Lady’s Grasp,” that Aiwass had turned over after killing the wicked warlock Veronica!
“…Is school really that dangerous?”
He leaned in and whispered by Edward’s ear, “Doesn’t Royal Law University have governnt-level security? Why bring a murder weapon to the first day of class?”
Just imagining the scene — starting the new sester two and a half months in, ard with a gun that had already killed soone — made Aiwass feel rather complicated.
But he didn’t turn it down.
Right now, he only had one [Enchanted Card: Shadow Blade] and the cathedral key for his ultimate move. He was lacking in ans of self-defense and intimidation. A conventional weapon was still useful — after all, being threatened with a gun was much more convincing than being threatened with a key.
“I don’t know.”
Edward’s voice was low and grim. “But the mont I walked in today, my instincts told ... sothing feels wrong about the campus atmosphere.”
Aiwass raised an eyebrow and accepted the explanation.
As a high-level transcendent, Edward’s spiritual senses and vision were far sharper than his. Even if it was just a baseless “bad feeling,” it was likely still a valuable warning.
...Man, my luck really is cursed.
He truly just wanted to attend school in peace.
Please, whatever’s about to happen, don’t let it land on …
“If sothing does go wrong at Royal Law University, it’s definitely a professor.”
Edward straightened up, paused for a few seconds, and said in a low voice, “In any case, carry it with you. Your safety cos first. If anyone discovers the gun, just say I gave it to you and tell them to contact the Inspectorate.
“No matter who it is, don’t hand over the weapon — say I told you not to. Got it? Unless I personally show up, you’re not to surrender the gun to anyone.”
“Got it.”
Aiwass nodded decisively.
Pleased with his decisiveness, Edward nodded slightly in approval.
He stepped aside, revealing a disheveled Haena running up from afar: “I found you a senpai to show you around… You’ve t a couple tis before, so you should be familiar. From now on, stick with her. If you need anything, ask your senpai. If soone gives you trouble, go find her.”
“Sorry, Inspector-General, sir!”
Haena squeaked in fear and anxiety as she ran up. “I think I… might’ve been just a tiny bit late… How long did you wait?”
“No, you’re not late. Aiwass only just arrived.”
Edward spoke calmly. When he looked up at Haena, his face went completely expressionless — like a pale tal mask had been slapped onto it: “Haena Dain, Junior Inspector. I leave my brother in your care.”
Haena let out a long breath.
She had just been sure she’d arrived late and her heart had nearly stopped from panic.
“Yes, sir!”
But at the sa ti, she stood at attention without hesitation, her face full of determination.
She hadn’t known who the Inspector-General was before.
Though he’d seed vaguely familiar, like she’d seen him sowhere before… that had to be a mistake.
No way she’d ever et soone this high up…
—This man was the head of the entire Inspectorate on Glass Island! Easily the most powerful person she’d ever t!
Even higher ranked than Director Kent by at least a tier and a half!
The Inspectorate also oversaw anti-corruption investigations and disciplinary enforcent. Which ant, basically, he was the boss of her boss’s boss’s boss’s boss...
So it wasn’t the professor, but the Inspector-General of the Moriarty family who was the true monster?
She’d originally planned to spend today reading in the dorm, since Director Kent had given her the day off.
And then—out of nowhere—the Inspector-General showed up with a cold expression and his credentials in hand. Haena nearly peed herself — no exaggeration.
Her legs had actually given out from fright.
At first, Haena thought she’d made so huge mistake and was about to be fired or executed by the Inspectorate!
? A junior inspector who doesn’t even have a griffin yet? Just barely promoted from probation?
Would the Inspector-General really co personally for soone like her?!
Only after hearing that it was because “she’s helpful, kind, and well-liked by classmates,” and being asked to help Aiwass around campus and introduce him to classmates, did Haena finally breathe again.
Even her fingertips and jaw had gone numb.
Once Edward finally left, it took her a while before she even felt her heartbeat return. Her neck, back, and cheeks had all been drenched in sweat.
She didn’t have ti to heat any water to wash up — she just changed clothes, wiped herself off, and ran.
Halfway there, she realized she’d forgotten her shoes and coat, so she had to run back again.
Fortunately, she was fast. She hadn’t kept Aiwass and Edward waiting long.
In fact, Edward had tid everything precisely to give her just enough ti to wash and get dressed…
If she hadn’t turned back, she probably would’ve arrived early — and that would’ve ant Edward couldn’t sneak the gun to Aiwass, and might’ve ended up annoyed.
From that perspective, Senpai Haena was actually quite lucky...
“——Good morning, Senpai.”
Seated in his wheelchair, Aiwass subtly adjusted the position of the handgun in his coat, and with great interest, looked at the senpai whose brain had gone completely blank upon eting a big shot.
He flashed a bright and friendly smile:
“It’s been a while… we haven’t seen each other in what, two days?”
(End of Chapter)
Reviews
All reviews (0)