When the plot-skips players into the game world

On Monday morning, Aiwass arrived at the classroom over half an hour early.

To his surprise, Professor Bard had arrived even earlier than he had.

"Our teaching assistant has arrived,"

Professor Bard turned around with a smile as he heard the sound of the wheelchair rolling across the wooden floor and greeted Aiwass, "You're here so early. Have you had breakfast?"

Even though Aiwass was in a wheelchair, Professor Bard was not much taller than him.

This professor, with thinning hair and a short stature but a pleasant personality, only had a stern face in the classroom. When not teaching, he was cheerful every day, exuding a kind of optimism and vitality that is quite rare among the elderly.

"I have, Professor,"

Aiwass replied warmly, "It's not that early… See, quite a few people have already arrived, haven't they?"
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As he said this, he looked toward the students sitting in their seats.

Although class was still half an hour away, the students had already arrived in dribs and drabs, filling nearly half of the seats.

However, Professor Bard only shook his head, "It's because you are here that they come this early.

"Usually, even if there are just ten minutes before class, not many would show up. They either come just in time or simply arrive late. Those who come early usually don't do so for the sake of learning. They either read novels in class or come here to sleep. There are even those who come here to catch up on homework from other classes…

"Although I don't micromanage them, this doesn't mean I'm too old to see what's happening."

As he said this, the old professor also seemed somewhat nostalgic.

But before Aiwass could offer any consolation, the elder had already cheered himself up, saying optimistically, "But who can blame me for not being a very good lecturer? It can't be helped. I can't exactly expect students to listen attentively if I know I'm not doing well, can I?"

"Not many instructors have that kind of self-awareness," Aiwass said with a smile.

This was not flattery, but the truth.

For these professors, the role of "mentor" is generally more important than that of "lecturer."

What is taught in class is merely the basics needed. To truly develop their abilities, students need to go to the library on their own to study more advanced knowledge, or get an introduction letter from their mentor to learn one-on-one from other professors.

Knowing that such lectures aren't very significant, few professors take them very seriously. Yet, those who reach the "professor" level are usually important figures who, even if they don't put their hearts into teaching, will not tolerate any disrespect from students.

But Bard simply waved his hand, "There was a time when I had a bad temper, just like them. But now that I look back, I realize that it was because they felt anxious about their own research. It was because they were young enough to still have the potential and desire to advance further.

"I am good-natured now because I have reached the pinnacle in the field of archaeology and historical research. I don't have any goals to surpass above my head, nor are there any resources I need to strive for. I'm also not interested in the position of technical officer or a seat in the Round Table Hall.

"All I think about every day is to take advantage of my old bones while they can still move, to quickly inspect a few ancient relics that are difficult to date, and then use the rest of my life to discern and document these lost histories."

"'With no desires, one is steadfast and firm,'" Aiwass nodded, "Without the desire to compete or surpass others, one can naturally be strong, unyielding, and peace of mind."

Bard was somewhat surprised, "You understand the Primordial Language?"

"A bit, but not much," Aiwass replied modestly.

"That's already quite remarkable,"

Professor Bard exclaimed.

He grew increasingly fond of Aiwass, who was knowledgeable, eager to learn, and humble.

Although initially becoming Aiwass's mentor was something of a transaction, Bard now felt more and more that his decision was the right one.

Then, Professor Bard and Aiwass discussed the events of the previous Thursday.

"That Holy Sword you were holding..."

The old man sobered up and asked quietly, "If I'm not mistaken, was it the 'Red-Handled Sword'?"

"You could recognize that?"

Aiwass was somewhat surprised.

In the pictures left in the newspapers, the flames on the sword blade that Aiwass was holding had not yet dissipated. With the blade completely wrapped in flames and the hilt in his hand, Professor Bard was able to distinguish the name of the Holy Sword?

"That's a sword of ill omen," Professor Bard expressed concern, "You should be careful. According to historical records, that sword was once used by the Paladin Galahad, a cursed blade."

Wasn't it a Holy Sword?

Aiwass's mind stirred.

"...I remember, wasn't Galahad the child of Lancelot I?" Aiwass asked indirectly.

"Where did you hear that, some strange apocrypha?"

The old professor scratched his head, his expression a bit odd, "Galahad and Lancelot I knew each other when Lancelot I hadn't yet married Queen Guinevere. At that time, Knight Galahad was already of age.

"The original Knights of the Round Table numbered twenty-two, of whom one's name was hidden and not proclaimed. The remaining twenty-one were Lancelot I and his twenty Founding Knights. To this day, the Galahad family still continues their legacy, known as the Camelot family. Apparently, they're not of the same line as the 'Du Lac' family..."

Professor Bard glanced at Aiwass as he said this, "It was only because Galahad became an Angel Envoy that his name was changed. Just like Morgan's son Mordred, whose lineage today has been renamed 'Moriarty'.

"The name of Mordred's mother, Morgan, means 'born of the sea,' and Mordred himself was a knight who came from overseas, a highly active and brave member of the Round Table. Thus, the descendants at the time changed their surname to Moriarty after Mordred ascended to become an Angel Envoy... The meaning of this surname is 'warrior of the sea,' which is exactly the avoidance of the name of the Angel Envoy Mordred by the Moriarty family."

——What?

Aiwass was also surprised.

He knew the surnames of the twenty Founding Families had completely changed from what they were originally.

Even many descendants of the Founding Families couldn't directly trace their roots. Not to mention Aiwass was an adopted child and hadn't received much of an education on his "family's ancient glory," and Old Moriarty had never told him which knight corresponded to the Moriarty name.

Aiwass had assumed it was some knight he wasn't familiar with. But Mordred?

...Well, that was unexpectedly fitting.

And Professor Bard continued to expound on the history of the Red-Handled Sword without pause: "The Red-Handled Sword looks just like a giant cross, wrapped in a dark red gem on the handle. It was discovered resting in a marble block that drifted ashore, engraved with the words 'Only the greatest knight can move me.'

"Galahad was not the first bearer of the Red-Handled Sword, but neither was Lancelot I. The strongest knight among the Round Table at the time was named Balin... Only he could draw the sword and immediately gained immense strength.

"But the sword harbored the curse of the Eternal Self; only the firmest and most pure of heart could wield it. If one's thoughts turned to evil while using the sword, desiring to kill someone or commit some wicked deed, those desires would be magnified permanently, leading to madness and obsession.

"Balin's personality visibly shifted at an alarming pace, becoming arrogant and irritated, ultimately meeting his death due to the dangerous situation brought on by the sword.

"After Balin's death, no one else dared to take the sword, and later it became known as 'the Cursed' among the knights and fell into Galahad's hands.

"After Galahad's ascension to Angel Envoy, the sword was left to Lancelot I, but even he seldom used it. In the end, it came into the hands of St. Genvieve. As it was too dangerous and could potentially lead to the fall of noble Paladins, the mage, Merlin, personally shattered and sealed it away. The sword's hilt is now the key to St. Genvieve Chapel... What you're holding should be that very key."

"...You actually have such a profound understanding of Avalon's founding history?"

Aiwass was somewhat astounded.

This was the first time he had seen this history professor showcase his expertise. All this referred to knowledge that was transcendent and even secretive, and yet this ordinary professor seemed to know more than Aiwass...

At least Aiwass did not know what specific curse the sword contained. Nor did he know that the curse belonged to the Eternal Self, rather than the Serpent Father.

"Quite simple,"

Upon hearing the question, Professor Bard chuckled, his words revealing a strong sense of confidence: "Because I once collected a fragment of the 'Red-Handled Sword' at a maritime ruin. There, I found a message left by Merlin himself, explaining why this sword was sealed there... It's the only broken sword fragment that Avalon has acquired to date and is now stored in the Edward Museum. I wrote all the historical records regarding this sword."

"According to my research, the birth of this Sword was influenced by both the Eternal Self and amber, and that red handle is very likely the concept of 'amber.' Therefore, I believe there should be a powerful Phantom Demon sealed within the Sword—it's highly likely to be a rebellious Celestial Marshal or Angel Envoy, belonging to the Path of Dusk or the Path of Love. The latter might be more probable,"

"Is it possible that the Phantom Demon sealed inside belongs to the Path of Devotion?"

Aiwass suggested a possibility.

Professor Bard stroked his chin, pondering for a while, "It's not impossible. Galahad has an affinity for the Path of Devotion, and his ability to safely wield it might be due to this reason... but there seems to be no reason for the Eternal Self and amber to jointly seal a Phantom Demon of the Path of Devotion, should they? That should be something for the Candle Master to handle himself.

"—In any case, you should use this Sword as little as possible. Although its curse is stored in the shattered blades, its hilt will make one more susceptible to harm from curses. Even the strongest Transcendent would be as vulnerable as an infant when wielding this Sword and facing a curse,"

the old professor warned, "It's entirely possible that a curse which normally wouldn't affect you could become effective because of the existence of this Sword."

"I understand,"

said Aiwass, nodding obediently.

But his heart stirred slightly, as he found a crucial clue from the words inadvertently revealed by Professor Bard.

...So one of the pieces of the Red-Handled Sword is now in the Edward Museum.

The Edward Museum... that was precisely the museum built by Old James in the name of Edward. In other words, it was property of Aiwass's own family.

Given the chance, he could consider retrieving it.

Even if he didn't reforge the Holy Sword, it could serve as a medium for a curse.

—Moreover, if Aiwass himself had one of the pieces, it also meant that Bishop Mathers could not possibly reforge the Holy Sword. Because no matter what, he would not be able to gather all the pieces... much like always missing one card in a collection.

As long as Mathers couldn't reforge the Red-Handled Sword, he would not fall into madness due to the Sword's curse and become a Cursed Holy Knight.

However...

A powerful Phantom Demon... a fallen Celestial Marshal or Angel Envoy, isn't that a Superior Phantom?

Aiwass narrowed his eyes, his lips curling slightly.

Does that mean, by gathering the pieces of the Red-Handled Sword, he could awaken a Light-attribute Superior Phantom sealed within the Holy Sword?

How convenient.

He was just wondering which "Great Beast" of the Light attribute he should capture, and now one was delivered to his doorstep?