NOVPUBThe Hall of Silver and Tin is quite far from the port; if Aiwass and the others decide to go to watch the spectacle, they will probably need to borrow a Gryphon to get there in time. But it’s very close to the Supervisory Court.
So Aiwass wasn’t in a hurry.
With the spare time, Aiwass even had the opportunity to take a bath and tidy up his hair.
The room Aiwass was staying in was a guest room, but it had ultimately been used by the deceased royalty — such vacant rooms were quite common in the Hall of Silver and Tin. The room even had a corner for bathing that could simply be concealed with a folding screen.
After changing into a bathrobe, Aiwass sat in front of the mirror while Lily helped him with his hair from behind.
Isabel sat on the sofa, watching from a distance.
Looking at his reflection in the mirror, Aiwass couldn’t help but frown slightly, "Maybe I should just cut it."
It wasn’t that it looked bad.
Actually, Aiwass was quite concerned about his appearance.
It wasn’t simply a matter of "looking good" or "not looking good" — to put it bluntly, Aiwass’s appearance was definitely striking. After all, he inherited the exceptional looks from his father, a commoner Priest who eloped with a noble Miss from the Iris Flower, and also had a blend of his mother’s gentle features that gave off a sense of warmth.
The importance Aiwass placed on his appearance was mainly due to "purposefulness." It was about the kind of impression his exterior could make on others.
His own temperament was like The Sun, akin to a warm fireplace. Although it conveyed warmth, it didn’t seem explosive or forceful, but more static — much like a good-natured teacher. It was already a neutral kind of vibe.
Aiwass had also been deliberately cultivating his image before.
To avoid being too sharp and aggressive, that’s why he kept the kind of fluffy, slightly curly hairstyle. Now that his hair had grown longer, it had straightened on its own.
With shoulder-length hair, he already appeared somewhat soft, and Aiwass tried placing his hands together, bowing his head and closing his eyes in a prayerful manner — but it no longer gave off the dazzling impression it once did. It was like the blazing Sun gradually shifting towards the moon.
At the moment, it’s still fine. But if it grew longer, extending to the back or even waist length... then Aiwass might begin to give off a cunning impression. Being too gentle could create a sense of dissonance and might indeed make others more wary.
Hearing this, Lily simply continued to calmly comb Aiwass’s hair.
She skillfully braided a strand of hair, letting it hang over Aiwass’s temple on one side.
"Doesn’t it look good, young master?"
Lily asked in return, "I know what you’re worried about... but I feel that at least for now, there’s no problem."
"For now, there’s no problem."
Aiwass pondered for a moment, feeling that it was okay, "Maybe I should change my hairstyle?"
Isabel also came over, examining closely, "I think it looks really nice. How about just leaving it like this, Aiwass? I want to see your hair a little longer... maybe take it as a change of mood?"
Her warm breath gently brushed against Aiwass’s temple with each exhale, causing his hair to sway slightly.
"Let’s go with that then."
Aiwass replied, resigned.
It was rare for Her Highness to proactively express her wishes — it probably took quite a lot of courage for someone of her introverted personality.
If he were to refuse, he might shatter the courage she had barely managed to build up.
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Anyway, he was already the Minister of the Department of Care of Magical Creatures and basically had nowhere higher to climb. He didn’t need to care too much about how others saw him.
Aiwass justified to himself internally.
Now that Isabel finally had the courage to clearly state her own thoughts, Aiwass was rather pleased. In all seriousness, he felt a joy akin to raising a child.
This showed that she was gradually overcoming her past depression, slowly returning to normal... and this was a product of Aiwass’s own nurturing.
The promotion ritual had been very effective in boosting her confidence — even though it was a test, it was also a lesson. Perhaps only Sherlock didn’t achieve any growth from it.
But that was normal since his own desire for promotion wasn’t strong enough. Naturally, he wouldn’t face the real challenges of the ritual.
But in the end, he did succeed in being promoted, which was also a good thing.
— In Aiwass’s view, this actually indicated that Sherlock also had an inner struggle.
Even though he had embarked on the Path of Wisdom, deep down he still doubted his choices. He was likely thinking, "Even if I fail this time, I could still get promoted with the Path of Authority," so he just let things slide.
At the heart of this idea was his wish for someone to negate the path he had chosen in Wisdom. Or conversely, he hoped that his path would gain the affirmation and support of others.
This might have been because Aiwass had become the Minister of the Department of Care of Magical Creatures.
Because Sherlock is a rather proud and confident person. Yet, now he is ultimately still too young, experiencing the kind of anxiety unique to the young.
He has always admired his brother, Mycroft. And now, his close friend Aiwass has also become the Minister of the Department of Care of Magical Creatures, at the same level as his brother… Isabel is almost certainly set to become the next queen of Avalon. Add to that Edward as the Chief Inspector…
All of Sherlock’s friends and close ones have become genuine "big shots".
And he alone remains an "Advisor to the Supervisory Bureau".
This would make him feel somewhat lost.
Aiwass actually quite understands him. n𝚘𝚟pub.𝚌o𝚖
Because Aiwass once knew a friend like that.
Like a top-tier university graduate who resolutely chose a career he loved but was completely unrelated to his major and didn’t have much future prospects—such as an idol or a host, or let’s say a game company’s scriptwriter.
Then, relying on his excellent talent and full enthusiasm, he becomes quite a good and famous figure in the industry.
But one day, suddenly hearing that his former classmates, his roommates, his close brothers, either became Yangtze Scholars, representatives of the NPC, associate professors, or became chairmen, general managers... At that time, one would inevitably doubt the choices made.
It’s human nature.
——Could it be that I am the one who is wrong? Could it be that what I gave up is the correct path?
Sherlock is currently at this stage.
Because his talent for the Path of Authority is quite good, so much so that Department Head Meg even took the initiative to offer him mentorship—if he grows step by step, without any accidents, he would be able to reach the fifth energy level. By then, as Meg’s disciple, he would become the new Grand Arbitrator, the Deputy Director of the Arbitration Hall.
But he actively rejected that future.
Because Sherlock truly has no interest in the Path of Authority.
——If Aiwass understands it from this angle, then Sherlock’s mindset becomes very clear.
He is proud, head held high. He doesn’t want to give up, but he feels lost. So, he wants to abandon himself and opts to give up the initiative for promotion, to pave the way for Aiwass and others—essentially, he is actually craving a true failure.
At this point, an appropriate failure could "wake" him up. Let him pick up the Path of Authority that he put aside. In that case, his Path of Wisdom would probably become an "extracurricular activity," a "personal hobby" that is unlikely to affect the promotion of the Path of Authority.
But Aiwass would not allow for such a thing to happen.
Because that can’t be considered as "waking" him up.
——Rather than looking for a reason to give up, he is in search of a motivation to keep going. Like riding alone in a violent storm... Even if soaked by the rain, even if unable to see the path ahead, he does not want to stop.
A person who truly wants to give up wouldn’t be so proud and stubborn. To protect themselves, they would find reasons for their failure in advance.
This time, Aiwass helped him advance, but that did not resolve the issue. Sherlock still harbored hesitation in his heart.
Hopefully, this journey will untie the knot in his heart. Aiwass sighed inwardly.
Your Highness has begun to grow, it wouldn’t do for you, as her senior, to regress…
Aiwass snapped back to reality, touched a small braid that Lily had made on the left side of his hair near his ear and smiled helplessly—You might as well have just tied me a side ponytail.
After the bath, Aiwass changed into his official ministerial robes for the first time and, putting on his top hat, followed Isabel out.
——This time, Aiwass did not use a wheelchair.
Just like Isabel and Sherlock—He too must gradually give up things that he found convenient.
Perhaps the self that relied too much on a wheelchair and styling was also lacking.
What am I lacking... Is it confidence?
Walking slowly behind an exuberantly jumping and excited Isabel, Aiwass lowered his eyes slightly, lost in thought.
He had always thought of himself as a fully matured completed being.
But now it seems... is that really the case?
Before this affair, Sherlock also believed himself to be complete.
Or perhaps, I simply haven’t reached the moment of change and awakening…
And following behind Aiwass, Lily watched him and also revealed a smile of relief.
