When the plot-skips players into the game world

Sherlock furrowed his brow, seemingly convinced in his heart, but his words were still defiant, "What dream are you having? You think you can get a gold trait when you move from Level 2 to Level 3? Don't tell me you've been personally blessed by a Pillar God?"

"Hey, I really have been blessed by a Pillar God."

Aiwass smiled proudly, "Let me show you—do you have a mirror?"

He indeed wanted to try it out—having obtained a gold trait, he had to practice it, or else it felt like something was missing.

"Here."

Sherlock pulled out a small mirror from his ritual pouch strapped around his waist and handed it to Aiwass.

He casually asked back, "A ritual presided over by the Gemini Mirror?"

"Right."

"That's quite a pity then, Her Highness isn't here."

Sherlock felt somewhat regretful, "She holds a very devout faith in the Gemini Mirror."

"...I'm glad she's not here," Aiwass retorted.

Otherwise, that would be too embarrassing.

No, that's not right—it should be said—otherwise, she would be too dangerous.

"?" Sherlock looked puzzled at Aiwass.

"What I mean is... after all, it's the New Moon Ritual."

"I always feel that's not what you meant."

And at that moment, Aiwass, following the ritual knowledge granted by the Gemini Mirror, lifted the mirror and closed one eye.

He saw three blurry shadows in the mirror.

One was identical to himself, and another was identical to "Beyard."

The third was a little girl, about the same size as Sherlock.

Aiwass could freely reflect into any of these three forms.

... Three forms, huh.

Something clicked in Aiwass's mind.

—Could this be true?

He had thought he would only be able to transform into the Son of the Moon version of himself or maybe into number 14—judging by the Gemini Mirror's reaction, she seemed quite pleased with Aiwass's performance.

But it turned out he could choose from three forms.

Turning into the Son of the Moon version of himself must be the original effect of the ritual; transforming into Beyard was probably due to the close contract relationship with the Shadow Demon.

As for number 14... that could only be a gift from the Gemini Mirror.

She must have thought—"That's quite good, let's add a little more."

... Not to mention anything else, if managed reasonably, it's like having three more identities.

At least the identity of "Miss Aleister" seems like it could really be solidified... Beyard is perfect for playing such a "bad woman."

So, it would be most appropriate to meet a shrunken Sherlock for the first time under this identity—

Thus, with sincere gratitude for the Gemini Mirror, Aiwass murmured the prayer in a low voice:

"I implore the Gemini Mirror! Oh god of the sacred number two, the god without eyes, without self, the god of pure unblemished beauty—"

"I am you..."

As the mirror's surface shone forth a light, the Aiwass reflected in the mirror swapped places with the Aiwass outside the mirror.

Another voice that overlapped with his said, "You are me—"

It was as if some sort of confusion had occurred in reality.

His shadow became tangible, while his body turned into a mere shimmer.

Without any light effects or transformation process, as if everything remained unchanged and as if the previous Aiwass was but an illusion—Aiwass had unknowingly turned into another person.

Black hair that reached her waist, a slender figure with eyes as clear as emeralds, she was probably about as tall as the youthful-looking Sherlock now.

Her countenance was innocent and lovely, but she possessed a demonic mature charm. One glimpse into her eyes would reveal she was far from a naïve girl of her apparent age.

This was the Son of the Moon form of number 14.

She tilted her head slightly, looked at the astonished Sherlock with a pleased smile.

"—Surprised, Detective?"

14's cool voice said, "Why don't you give me a name now?"

Unlike the weak and vague tone that Aiwass used when playing as 14 in his dreams, her enunciation was clear, with a standard Glass Island accent. She sounded like an arrogant and calm noble lady.

"... What is this strange ability?"

Sherlock took a long time to recover, incredulous, "To transform into someone else? And a woman at that... Is this also a gold trait?"

"Of course."

Aiwass said with a smile.

Immediately after, those green pupils turned into a dangerous crimson.

——In that instant, Sherlock felt like prey under a hunter's gaze, his body suddenly drenched in a cold sweat, and he instinctively took a step back.

"...Dracula?"

He subconsciously uttered the word from the strange tale.

The next moment, Aiwass's entire body disintegrated into bats, each one with pitch-black wings and crimson eyes. They screeched and swooped down on Sherlock——Sherlock should have remained composed, but ever since he saw those crimson pupils, he couldn't help shivering, a strong sense of fear continually surged in his heart, making his brain numb.

The flock of bats rushing at him made his knees go weak, almost causing him to fall to the ground.

Just then, a hand appeared behind him, steadying Sherlock's body. Then it gently patted Sherlock on the shoulder, helping him to stand firm.

"Stay steady, Detective."

The voice suddenly changed back to male——turning back into Aiwass's voice: "It was just the 'Gaze of Fear' after all."

Only, compared to the usual gentle, polite, and clear tone of Aiwass, his voice had become deeper and more magnetic, with an undeniable arrogance and a faint madness.

Sherlock resonated with the Path in an instant.

His pupils burst into a deep blue flame for a moment, and he instantly calmed down.

But even so, the fine sweat on his forehead couldn't disappear instantly.

Fear still lingered in Sherlock's eyes as he turned his head back, only to find that the bats had merged back into form, not as the beautiful girl from before, but as the usual blond-haired Aiwass.

At this moment, Aiwass had already walked to the window. Standing in front of a window wrapped in red paper, filtering through the crimson moonlight, he had his back to Sherlock.

Aiwass glanced back slightly——when he returned the look, his pupils were not the usual deep blue, but the same dangerous crimson.

He revealed a smile, and the tips of a pair of fangs shone at the corner of his lips.

"...Son of the Moon?"

Sherlock racked his brains and finally thought of the race that was merely a legend in Avalon.

He asked with some nervousness, "Have you been transformed into a Son of the Moon?"

His first reaction was to wonder if, should a minister become a Son of the Moon, would the entire Round Table Hall eventually become infected?

"How could that be, I don't have the adaptability of the Path of Love."

Aiwass laughed, his voice smooth and deep: "Novels are just novels. The Sons of the Moon in reality aren't like the vampires in fiction, who can increase their numbers simply by lifedraining."

This time Sherlock was assured——in this form, Aiwass's voice was indeed deeper than usual.

"Your way of thinking has changed, have you realized it?"

Sherlock couldn't help walking over to remind him.

But in the next moment, Aiwass suddenly grabbed him by the collar.

"I'm well aware."

The Son of the Moon form of Aiwass held little Sherlock, squinting as he sized him up closely for a while, feeling the desire swelling within him like the tide, and spoke softly, "I'm actually having a lifedrain urge... this form is quite comprehensive. And I suppose I could really lifedrain, though I didn't learn the spell directly.

"...Heh, think it through. This urge is just so-so. Those Sons of the Moon are really pathetic, not even able to suppress such a basic instinct."

He gently set Sherlock down, then raised his right hand in front of his eyes.

His right hand transformed into a crimson dagger in the blink of an eye. It was as smooth as a mirror and even reflected Aiwass's pleased expression.

Then the dagger turned back into a hand. He clenched his fist, feeling the abundant life force and strong scent of blood emerging continuously from the depths of this body.

——Apart from being as fragile as glass, unable to take any injury... this is basically like getting a free part-time job as a third energy level Son of the Moon, huh?

The Gemini Mirror is quite generous.

I'll pay homage tomorrow.

Having said that...

"It's about time to change back."

Aiwass clicked his tongue and picked up the mirror. He had no attachment to the power of the Son of the Moon.

——Fake is fake, he saw that clearly.

But even if this form is fake... its power is real. The things it can do are also real.

Just like Aiwass himself.

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No matter whether he himself is genuine or not, he is alive here. He can change the destinies of many people, and with his own, twist the fate of the world——@@novelbin@@

That is enough.

"——Thanks, Gemini Mirror."

Aiwass picked up the small mirror and once again softly expressed his gratitude.