The result was that the seats in the middle of the first row, from Princess Isabel to the left, were all empty.
Therefore, Mr. Aiwass took the initiative to arrange for his classmates to sit here. Even so, the seat to the left of Princess Isabel remained empty, with Angela next in line.
As Mr. Aiwass took his seat, the people who had been standing in the corners of the club chatting quietly also consciously found their seats and sat down. The person sitting one seat away to the right of Director Gordon was a middle-aged man in a white suit with neatly cut blonde hair.
Wearing a white suit meant he had graduated from the first division and was working in a legal profession. He was either a judge not in his robes or a lawyer.
He extended his hand to shake with Director Gordon, whispered a couple of sentences, and then sat down.
To his right, it became much more mixed, with people wearing all sorts of clothing. Mr. Aiwass's elder brother, Edward, sat in the seats on the left group, nodded at Mr. Aiwass from afar, and did not specifically come over to greet him.
Director Gordon also put his helmet alongside his chair next to the sword.
He looked hesitantly to the side and whispered a greeting, "Mr. Aiwass."
Mr. Aiwass nodded at him and replied with a soft chuckle, "Or should I now refer to you as Inspector Gordon?"
"Either is fine. It's just a job after all,"
The old Knight obviously did not take his promotion seriously, "Inspectors do what inspectors can do, and directors have their own duties. It's all about protecting Avalon, just with slightly different job content."
"I do have a question for you, Mr. Aiwass, if you could clear up some confusion for me. What exactly is your relationship with Princess Isabel..."
"Ah, we are friends,"
Mr. Aiwass answered with a smile.
Having said so, he turned back to exchange a glance with Princess Isabel.
Princess Isabel had also heard the topic and leaned forward to emphasize, "We are very good friends, Mr. Gordon."
Mr. Aiwass gently patted her arm, signaling Princess Isabel to sit back down.
For some reason, Princess Isabel seemed to be in a very good mood. She was not only bolder than usual but even appeared a bit giddy—if it weren't for the presence of so many people, she might have even begun humming a song.
"Yes, Your Highness. I understand,"
The old man with dark blue pupils answered without hesitation.
He looked at Princess Isabel, who had her hand on Mr. Aiwass's wheelchair, his firm and weathered face filled with unsaid words.
In the end, however, he swallowed whatever he was going to say and lowered his head, pretending he had seen nothing.
The club, which had been quite lively and even noisy, quieted down quickly after the arrival of Mr. Aiwass—or rather, Princess Isabel. In less than ten minutes, everyone had taken their seats.
Soon, other than the reporters and photographers who were still standing and Inspectors and Inspectors who were standing in corners, there were no more standing in the hall. The doors then closed tightly, and blue and white runes appeared on the walls.
Director Gordon was the only one in the room wearing armor, and even those in black suits were few. Those in white suits accounted for about a fifth of the gathering, and the rest were in suits of other colors or in entirely different attire.
Most of them were officials—aside from civil servants and officers, there were scholars, priests, professors, and high executives of large companies. Mr. Aiwass also saw his mentor, Professor Bard.
Even more people were gathered on the second floor.
They were onlookers who, without special invitations, could come to watch as long as they were adults dressed in decent formal attire.
Earlier, Aiden had found his father on the second floor of the club, excitedly waved at him, and pointed him out to Mr. Aiwass. He was a mild-mannered, pot-bellied, small-eyed businessman, white and chubby, which frightened the middle-aged man into waving back urgently, gesturing for him to be quiet.
At this moment, something stirred within Mr. Aiwass.
Because just now, the Shadow Demon had woken up.
The hoarse and malevolent voice arose from the depths of Mr. Aiwass's heart.
[I sense it, the little thief who stole the shadow power is nearby—]
Mr. Aiwass narrowed his eyes slightly.
"You really dare to come?"
The assassin from "Hawkeye" is pretty bold.
This time was completely unlike Monday's—there were plenty of high-ranking Transcendents present this time. And having learned from the last lesson, they had the Legal Mage on-site cast seals when the doors were closed.
Or was it that she just came to surveil him?
Mr. Aiwass touched the heavy key hanging at his waist, feeling calm.
He was not afraid of her in the slightest this time.
On the contrary, he was even somewhat eager—
...if you don't make a move, won't I have carried this key for nothing?
[My master... may I intervene this time? I mean, if your life is in danger...]
The voice of the Shadow Demon became anxious and agitated.
"First you tell me, where is she?"
Mr. Aiwass asked in his heart.
So the Shadow Demon marked its target—
It shared a portion of its power with Mr. Aiwass. Even a mere level one Shadow Affinity could accommodate a little bit of the Shadow Demon's characteristics.
So Mr. Aiwass gained the temporary ability of "shadow vision":
His pupils dimmed slightly, as if covered by a thin, translucent black veil.
In his sight, the entire space darkened. The once black shadows turned into transparent grey, and the colors of those hiding within the shadows deepened even more.
Mr. Aiwass could see quite clearly, the female assassin was hiding right under the massive camera in the first-floor lobby, as large as a handcart, quietly concealing herself within the shadows.
Mr. Aiwass discreetly withdrew his gaze and calmly responded in his heart, "There's no need for you this time, Shadow Demon. Just watch how I handle this."
[...Very well, master]
The voice of the Shadow Demon gradually became calm and cold but made its hoarse, mature female voice sound clearer, more like a human's.
[Then I shall lie in wait in silence... ready to observe]
It implied that if Mr. Aiwass found he couldn't beat them and then called for it, it might not be so obedient.
It craved the freely offered sacred flesh, but after all, demons are proud creatures.
Since he already said he didn't need it, the demon wouldn't rush forward to help.
Mr. Aiwass's mouth curled into a smile, "I won't disappoint you."
He knew that if he could handle the situation now, such as defeating an enemy more powerful than himself, or even merely surviving an encounter with an enemy... the Shadow Demon would actually respect him more. Solving problems without relying on the Shadow Demon's power would prove the strength of his spirit and his exceptional talents.
That was a recognition from the demons themselves, distinctly different from the nearly irresistible temptation wrought by the Nurturing Skill that targeted demons.
Just as Mr. Aiwass was willing to challenge the Evil Sorcerer Veronica in his frail form.
Through careful and detailed planning and schemes, to confront the strong with a weak body, and to emerge victorious or bite fiercely into the enemy's flesh... this was the core principle of The Path of Transcendence.
And this required him to have enough "talent" and "courage."
The principle of The Path of Transcendence was that of rebellion and victory.