When the plot-skips players into the game world

```

Isabel imagined herself as mature and strong, decisive and reliable, cheerful and easy to converse with, someone who could be naturally trusted and loved by others... just like Aiwass and Senior Hayna, just like her grandmother, someone who could without a doubt become the center of attention in any crowd.

During those few times when Aiwass faced reporters, no matter how tricky the questions were, he could always speak confidently and provide perfect answers. His eyes seemed to forever sparkle with confidence, and the envy and hatred of others could not shake him in the slightest.

She was working hard to become that kind of person, but she truly felt that she was still far from it. This made her appear somewhat dispirited.

And this time, she finally saw Aiwass teaching a class.

——It was exactly as she had imagined.

His lips were always slightly raised, giving others a pleasurable feeling, and making him seem relaxed and natural; his voice was clear, pleasant, and powerful. Even while sitting still, his hands had rich body language, and his rhythm of speech, which was relaxed yet taut, also kept the students' attention on him, occasionally eliciting gasps of amazement or laughter.

He taught classes that made students wish they could continue — she had never heard of such a strange thing before. Aiwass's lectures were like some sort of performance or a powerful speech.

The last time she witnessed such a scene was at the Guardian's speech. The twenty-minute speech kept all listeners excited and their blood boiling throughout.

But that was the result of an enhancement from Mystical Skills. The exclusive Mystical Skill for the Path of Authority is "Leadership Art." It includes various purposes such as ruling, inciting, and pacifying. However, Aiwass achieved this effect simply with his words...

Perhaps he too had a talent for the Path of Authority.

...Could Aiwass be convinced to pursue a career in the Path of Authority part-time?

A thought suddenly sprung up in Isabel's mind: she might not be suited for the Path of Authority, but she could perhaps trust someone who also held the Path of Authority to hand over the kingdom's power to him.

Wait, wouldn't that be...

While she was lost in her thoughts, Isabel suddenly felt Aiwass lean over and place his hand on her forehead. A warm strength seeped through the contact, making her forehead, which had been frozen for an hour outside, feel warm and relaxed.

Feeling the touch of the Light-attributed mana, she snapped out of her daydreams instantly, her expression immediately tightened.

"You're not sick, are you... Why the dazed look?"

Aiwass said somewhat helplessly, "If you keep standing at the door, you really will get sick."

"I know, you're afraid of being observed by the students. But don't you want to become someone like me? To speak to people without fear — if so, you should come closer and learn, shouldn't you?

"Observe me as well as them, put yourself within the picture. Just like actors observe life to extract concepts... You need to carefully observe me to gain the courage you want, right?"

He whispered encouragement to Isabel.

If he had simply said "If you're watched by people for a long time, you'll gradually get used to it," she might subconsciously feel that she wasn't up to par.

But if Aiwass tempted her by saying, "If you watch me closely, you'll slowly gain courage," she would focus on watching Aiwass, and in the process, gradually adapt to people's gaze, whether hot or sharp, and realize that being watched isn't a big deal after all.

Before Isabel could respond to him, Aiwass suddenly leaned in a little closer, adding mysteriously in a low voice, "By the way, you should know... Sherlock is alright, isn't he?" Your next journey awaits at empire

"...I know."

Isabel unconsciously replied, "The teacher told me, but wouldn't let me get involved. He said it would be sorted out at next month's advancement ceremony... So, you knew as well?"

"That's good," Aiwass's lips slightly lifted, "Next week, if I end up like him, don't you worry about me."

"You too...?"

Isabel was a little surprised.

After thinking for a moment, she suddenly spoke earnestly, "Do you need my help?"

"...What help do you want to offer?"

```

Her Highness the princess's reaction was something Aiwass had not anticipated at all.

Gathering her courage, Isabel ventured, "I can help you with the disguise... to make your plan seem more real? You know, I am a [Prodigy]... Since returning from the last ceremony, I have started to delve into performance."

But she hesitated for a moment, then lowered her head and whispered, "Or maybe not, I am a bit worried about botching it..."

"—No."

Aiwass interrupted, "I do need you, Isabel. I need you very much."

Isabel looked up in surprise and saw Aiwass's eyes shining with the brilliance of the morning sun.

Aiwass smiled encouragingly and said earnestly, "I really do need you. If you can perform well, it will be a great help to me. If everything goes smoothly this time, then when we advance together again next month, you'll be able to fully exert your strength."

...Does that mean I won't become a burden then?

She didn't want to be just a vase, a protected one, a hindrance. Isabel wanted to be a reliable teammate... just like Aiwass.

Isabel's determination solidified: "I can do it."

A clear thought arose in her heart: she would complete this task no matter what.

"Then come in, Isabel."

Aiwass signaled to Lily to open the door as he encouraged in a low voice, "The gaze and doubts you'll face then will be more than these. This is not a practice, but a learning; not exercise, but a trial. Learn to bear the scrutiny in my way—can you do it, Isabel?"

"I can do it."

Isabel answered without a moment's hesitation.

She followed Aiwass into the classroom. This time, she painted in the classroom until the very end.

Even as the juniors and seniors eyed her with curiosity, ambiguity, and excitement... this time Isabel's hands did not tremble at all, each stroke she made was performed perfectly.

She was amazed at her own performance.

It felt like waking up from a dream for the first time, when the entire world became clear.

The moment she first thought, "I must do this no matter what," those once sharp glares like swords suddenly couldn't hurt her any longer.

—Those malicious gazes and scrutiny from others were at best nothing more than a heavy rain.

Before, she was like struggling to block the rain with her hands, but no matter what, she couldn't keep it off. Thus she appeared even more embarrassed, fragile, and helpless.

But now that Isabel truly had something she wanted to do, she immediately realized—that rain was simply just rain. Compared to real crises and difficulties, it was nothing. It was so insignificant that it could be scoffed at by the strong.

It was her own heart that was too fragile, her spirit too delicate, which had made her believe that it was something terrifying.

Heavy rain can cause flowers to wilt, but she could also be something other than a flower.

As the hourglass ran out for the second time, Isabel's final stroke was finally laid down.

In the painting, Aiwass stood with his hand raised, a confident smile on his profile, exuding elevation and a dazzling gaze. His background was not in the classroom, but seemed to be in a sunset... amidst the fiery glow of red and purple.

Isabel stared deeply at the Aiwass in her painting, making a resolve to herself.

—Someday, I too will walk into the rain with laughter, like him.