The Shepherds Are Dense – Chapter 119

Chapter 120
Isabel Walks Into the Rain
Isabel had not appeared in her seat by the time Eivass began his lecture.
She had previously mentioned wanting to observe Eivass’s lecture and even paint his portrait.
Therefore, Eivass felt a bit disappointed at not seeing her in the classroom.
However, Eivass composed himself and diligently began his lecture on behalf of Professor Bard. The process of lecturing also deepened his own understanding.
The content of this lecture was still related to the Star Antimony Kingdom, focusing on the many influences of Valentin I on Star Antimony. Eivass interspersed this with some personal anecdotes of Valentin I as a diversion.
This was not some secret information from the past life game—Valentin I had no secrets to speak of. As a founding monarch who came from humble beginnings, there would only be more, not less, stories circulating about him in the folk tales than in actual history.
This was Eivass’s own study for the week. He used the biography of Valentin I as reading material to review Star Antimony Language. Although Eivass’s grasp of Star Antimony Language was sufficient to read the Alchemical Cipher, his reading speed was still somewhat slower. Language required constant review, otherwise, it would be easily forgotten.
Fortunately, Eivass’s learning speed was fast enough.
He had already finished the entire Ordinary Ritual Studies, and he was nearing the end of Valentin I.
He planned to borrow and finish Six Classics Commentary and Demonic Liberation Discourse this week.
Both of these were works from the Imperial era, respectively occult books on the Path Adaptation and Twilight Path. Star Antimony Language was essentially the Imperial Language. Except for a few connecting words, they were basically interchangeable.
The former provided an overview of the main skills of the Path Adaptation in six areas: traps, assassination, poisons, medicine, lies, and divination. The latter was an introductory book for Necromancer profession.
Although these books were not Grimoires, they also contained occult knowledge.
The best way to hide one’s true Path inclination was to borrow books from all Paths. After all, as long as one read fast enough, no time would be wasted.
But halfway through Eivass’s lecture, he suddenly realized that some students’ gazes were not directed correctly… they seemed to be constantly looking towards the entrance?
He turned his head twice but saw nothing. However, a suspicion arose in his heart. While drinking water during a break, he secretly looked back and finally discovered Isabel’s little head peeking out from the front door of the classroom, silently.
—From this angle, Professor Bard could clearly see her, but he kept pretending not to. After Eivass noticed Isabel, the old man couldn’t help but laugh beside him, amused.
During the break, Eivass had Lily push him out.
“Why aren’t you coming in? Isn’t it tiring to stand outside and paint?”
As Eivass spoke, he intended to turn and look at Isabel’s canvas to see how her painting was progressing.
“W-wait! Don’t look yet!”
Isabel quickly reached out, trying to cover the canvas. But her hands were too small to cover it effectively. The paint on the canvas was still wet, making it inconvenient to pull down a shield.
So, she simply reached out and covered Eivass’s eyes.
She whispered, “Wait until I’m finished before you look… Magic paintings look very ugly halfway through.”
“Alright.”
Eivass answered readily.
He didn’t have an overwhelming curiosity—since Isabel didn’t want him to see it early, he wouldn’t.
After confirming multiple times that Eivass had no intention of peeking, Isabel slowly lowered her hand.
As soon as Eivass opened his eyes, he saw a slight blush on her cheeks.
Perhaps she was unaccustomed to such intimate contact with others, or perhaps she was cold.
“Not coming in? It’s so cold outside?”
Eivass asked softly for the second time, “Didn’t you say you were coming to audit my lecture? You can’t hear anything from outside the classroom.”
“…The canvas is too large, and I’m carrying paints and potions.”
Isabel said with some distress, “If I sat in the classroom, one person would take up the space of several others. The paints could also stain other people’s clothes… causing trouble for others.
“Also, I was worried that someone in the front row might bump my desk, causing me to accidentally misstep. After thinking about it, I decided it would be better to paint outside—the sunlight is quite good here.”
“Then you can stay by the podium,” Eivass suggested. “Regardless, it’s too cold outside. Getting sick would be bad.”
It had rained all day yesterday, and it was still a bit damp outside today. It was late November now, and being outside where it was damp and cold made Isabel’s fingers turn red.
*Even if I catch a cold, you can still treat me*—
Isabel subconsciously wanted to say this.
Now that she knew Mr. “Fox” was Eivass, she had immense faith in his Illuminate Spell. Even before Eivass enrolled, he had trained his Illuminate Spell to the point where he could cast it continuously with his right hand, possessing a Priest-level healing proficiency. A minor ailment like a cold could be easily dispelled.
…But these thoughts remained only in her mind.
This was because Isabel was afraid of appearing too willful and overly dependent, like a child who hadn’t grown up.
She knew very well that if she said or did this, she would certainly be indulged and loved by others.
But she would eventually grow up and wouldn’t be as cute as she was when she was young. By then, if she still harbored a childlike mindset, she would become a burden and be disliked. As a member of the royal family, she might even inherit the throne. In that case, she might incur the resentment of her people, not just one or two individuals.
Isabel’s ideal self was mature, strong, decisive, dependable, cheerful, and eloquent, someone who could naturally be trusted and loved by people… just like Eivass and Senior Haina, and like her grandmother, someone who could undoubtedly be the center of attention.
When Eivass faced reporters on those occasions, he could speak eloquently and give perfect answers regardless of how tricky the questions were. His eyes seemed to perpetually shine with confidence, and others’ envy and hatred could not shake him in the slightest.
She was trying hard to become that kind of person, but she truly felt she was too far from it. This made her feel somewhat dispirited.
And this time, she finally saw Eivass lecture.
—It was exactly as she had imagined.
The corners of his mouth were always upturned, making him appear pleasant, relaxed, and natural; his voice was clear, pleasant, and powerful. Although he sat in place, his hands had rich body language, and his dynamic speech rhythm kept the students’ attention focused on him, occasionally eliciting exclamations or laughter.
A lecture that left students wanting more—she had never heard of such a bizarre thing. Eivass’s teaching was like a performance, or a powerful speech.
The last time she witnessed such a scene was during the Grand Guardian’s speech. A twenty-minute speech kept all the listeners mentally stimulated and full of passion throughout.
But that was the result of a Mystical Art. The exclusive Mystical Art of the Path of Authority was “Leadership,” which included various purposes such as ruling, inciting, and pacifying. But Eivass achieved this purpose solely through his words…
He might have a talent for the Path of Authority.
…Could Eivass concurrently take on the profession of the Path of Authority?
This thought suddenly popped into Isabel’s mind: she didn’t have the adaptability for the Path of Authority, but perhaps she could have someone she could trust, someone who held the Path of Authority, to whom she could entrust the kingdom’s power.
Wait, wouldn’t that be…
As she was lost in thought, Isabel suddenly felt Eivass lean over and place his hand on her forehead. A warm power seeped through with the contact, warming and relaxing her forehead, which had been cold for an hour outside.
Feeling the contact of light-attribute mana, she instantly snapped out of her thoughts, her expression instantly tightening.
“You’re not sick either… What are you spacing out for?”
Eivass said with some helplessness, “If you keep standing by the door, you’ll really get sick.
“I know you’re afraid of being watched by the students. But don’t you want to become like me? To speak fearlessly to people—if you want to do that, you have to come closer and learn, don’t you?
“Observe me, observe them, and immerse yourself in the painting. Just as actors observe life to extract concepts… You need to observe me carefully to gain the courage you desire, don’t you?”
He whispered, trying to encourage Isabel.
If he had directly said, “Once you’re stared at by people for a while, you’ll gradually get used to it,” she might have subconsciously felt incapable.
But if Eivass tempted her by saying that by watching him intently, she could gradually gain courage, she would focus on Eivass. During this process, she would gradually adapt to people’s scorching or sharp gazes and realize that being stared at wasn’t a problem.
Before Isabel could reply, Eivass suddenly leaned in mysteriously again and whispered, “By the way, you should know… Sherlock is okay, right?”
“…I know.”
Isabel replied subconsciously, “The teacher told me, but asked me not to inquire. He said I would encounter him in next month’s Advancement Ritual anyway… You knew too?”
“That’s good,” Eivass’s lips curved slightly. “Then if I’m the same as him next week, don’t worry about me.”
“You too…?”
Isabel was somewhat surprised.
She thought for a moment, then suddenly said seriously, “Do you need my help?”
“…What help do you want to offer?”
Eivass had not expected this reaction from Princess Isabel at all.
Isabel mustered her courage and tentatively asked, “I can help you with the disguise… to make your plan seem more real? You know, I’m a [Prodigy]… Since returning from the last ritual, I’ve already started to get into acting.”
But she hesitated, then lowered her head and whispered, “Perhaps it’s better not to, I’m a bit worried about backfiring…”
“—No.”
Eivass interrupted, “I do need you, Isabel. I need you very much.”
Isabel looked up in surprise and saw Eivass’s eyes shining with a brilliant radiance like the morning sun.
Eivass smiled encouragingly and said earnestly, “I really need you. If you can act well, it will be a great help to me. If everything goes smoothly this time, then when we advance together again next month, you will also be able to fully display your own strength.”
*In other words, I won’t be a burden then, right?*
She didn’t want to be a mere decoration, a protected individual, or a burden. Isabel wanted to be a reliable teammate… just like Eivass.
Isabel’s gaze became firm, “I will definitely be able to do it.”
A clear thought arose in her mind: no matter what, she would complete this mission.
“Then come in, Isabel.”
Eivass signaled Lily to open the door and encouraged her in a low voice, “At that time, you will face more gazes and doubts than these. This is not a practice, but a lesson; not a training, but a trial. Learn from my example and endure this scrutiny—can you do it, Isabel?”
“I can do it.”
Isabel replied without hesitation.
She followed Eivass into the classroom. This time, she stayed in the classroom and painted until the very end.
Even when being looked at by her juniors with curious, ambiguous, and gossipy glances… Isabel’s hands did not tremble this time, and every stroke was a perfect performance.
She was also amazed by her own performance.
It was as if she had woken up from a dream for the first time, and the entire world had become clear.
The moment she first had the thought, “I must do it no matter what,” those gazes, sharp as swords, suddenly could no longer hurt her.
—Those malicious intentions and scrutiny from others were, at most, just a heavy rain.
Before, she was like stubbornly trying to block the rain with her hands, but it was impossible. As a result, she appeared even more flustered, fragile, and helpless.
Now that Isabel truly had something she wanted to do, she immediately realized—that rain was, after all, just rain. Compared to real crises and difficulties, it was nothing. So weak that it was not even worth mentioning, only to be scorned by the strong.
It was her own heart that was too fragile, her spirit too delicate, that made her believe it was something to fear.
Heavy rain could only make flowers wither, but she could be something other than a flower.
As the hourglass ran out for the second time, Isabel’s final stroke finally fell.
In the painting, Eivass raised his hand, his profile adorned with a confident smile, spirited and with burning eyes. His background was not in the classroom, but rather in the sunset… in a fiery, intense red-purple radiance.
Isabel gazed deeply at the Eivass in her painting and secretly made a resolution.
—One day, I will be like him, able to laugh as I walk into the rain.
A seven-thousand-word update!
Tomorrow we prepare for advancement~