When the plot-skips players into the game world

Woken by the nightmare conjured by Bear Celestial Marshal, Aiwass noticed the sky was slightly brightened outside the window and simply decided not to sleep anymore. He changed out of his pajamas into a shirt and a sleeveless woolen vest before leaving the bedroom, wandering aimlessly within the Hall of Silver and Tin. The Flame Butterfly settled neatly on Aiwass's shoulder, looking like a flame in the still dim corridors. As Aiwass walked, he faintly heard the sound of piano music, flowing like a spring. Following the sound, he found it was coming from Isabel's bedroom. He smiled and nodded at the two Queen's Guard stationed at the door, then gently knocked. Though the elf guards were Papal Guard, they looked like beautiful young women in their twenties. They appeared much livelier than Bioswald's batch of Elf Butlers. While they stood solemn and almost sacred in front of Isabel's door, the atmosphere turned lighthearted and broke immediately when they saw Aiwass approaching to knock, unable to suppress their smiles. Their posture also relaxed. Compared to the staid and composed Elf Butlers, they seemed more like fresh university graduates. Although they were probably about the same age as Ligeia, they had a purity and naivety of those who hadn't yet been touched by society. As the piano music inside stopped, a voice of curiosity flowed out, "Aiwass?" "Ah..." "Your Majesty guessed it right," they whispered, giggling softly to each other. Aiwass paid no mind to them, just smiled, held a finger to his lips, and cleared his throat, "It's me." Without waiting for Isabel's response, Aiwass pushed open the door. Inside Isabel's room, another two Papal Guard stood quietly in the corner. Appearing slightly older, likely in their thirties, they resembled younger teachers. Their demeanor was clearly much more composed; upon seeing Aiwass enter, they nodded slightly in greeting without any expression or words. Isabel was sitting upright at the piano in a simple goose-yellow nightgown. Upon seeing Aiwass enter, the corners of her mouth lifted unconsciously, "Aren't you curious how I knew it was you?" "I could be a little curious," Aiwass laughed, lounging on the sofa facing Isabel's piano, lazily stretching. Isabel, meanwhile, gently played the piano with one hand, emitting a melodious and peaceful sound—reminiscent of summer waves. "Actually, it's because of the rhythm of your knocking," Isabel said with a laugh, "Knocking is also a form of music. From it, I can hear your mood and sense who is at the door." Aiwass tilted his head, squinting his eyes. He propped his chin with one hand, resting his arm on the armrest of the sofa, looking at Isabel. At this moment, the morning sun rose outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting golden light on Isabel's profile. She looked as beautiful as an illusion. But what Aiwass focused on most were Isabel's bright eyes. They shone with light, and her face bore a light and confident smile. It was an expression and gaze that would have been impossible for Isabel to show half a year ago. Aiwass might not see distant Star Antimony, nor was he aware of the current state of the war at the border of Narcissus and Black Hawk, but Isabel's transformation and rebirth were within his reach. "So, what do you think I'm thinking about now?" Aiwass curiously asked Isabel. He wasn't quite clear himself, feeling as if his thoughts were nothing at all, transparent like an overly subtle sound. Yet Isabel always seemed sensitive enough to hear the faintest of vibrations in others' hearts. She replied with a smile, "Aiwass, your question is like a child seeking divination... I'm not referring to a true divination with soothsayers and Prophets but like students without the power of Adaptation playing Tarot Cards for fun after class. That kind of self-entertaining divination. "You're seeking understanding and comfort, right!" "And what is the result of the divination, my dear diviner?" Aiwass asked smilingly. Seeing Isabel's easy response, he knew the outcome would be positive. Still, Isabel's answer surprised him a bit, "You're eagerly seeking reassurance. Like someone who just finished a final exam, feeling it went well but still slightly nervous, waiting for the grades to come out." "Indeed," Aiwass nodded, acknowledging Isabel's "divination." Isabel didn't understand divination, but she did understand the human heart. As she gradually comprehended and digested the third Energy Level ability "Path of Beauty," she finally began to master the Transcendent power of a "Prodigy." Isabel had advanced too quickly before, so much so that her application couldn't keep up with the pace of her advancement. Aiwass was actually quite familiar with this feeling. It was like a new player opting for a power level, with a "ding," instantly elevating some Path's career level to just ten levels shy of full... then looking at all the suddenly gained skills, all the unlocked new functions feeling overwhelmed, not knowing where to start. Even as a third Energy Level Transcendent, whether in mindset, experience, or application, she wasn't much different from an ordinary person.