The Shepherds Are Dense

Chapter 152. Isabel’s Meeting Gift Ch 152. Isabel’s Meeting Gift

After Tuesday morning classes, Isabel, as usual, sought out Aiwass for lunch.From last Friday to today, they hadn’t seen each other for four days, and topics had piled up. Before, time meant little to Isabel—each day was an endless loop with no anticipation for the next. But now, she looked forward to ascending with Aiwass, adventuring in the Dream Realm, and sharing snippets of their lives.

Though they met daily, the content of their talks was always fresh.

Previously, Isabel cherished weekends, retreating to the Hall of Silver and Tin to sing, paint, or play instruments alone, time slipping by in serene isolation that soothed her weary spirit.

Now, as weekends approached, she grew anxious, knowing she’d miss Aiwass for days. Having grown accustomed to connection, she now understood loneliness. So, she kept a notebook, meticulously planning conversation topics. At the Royal Law University, they shared only three midday hours, with afternoons often interrupted by sudden obligations.

She’d sometimes forget to mention something interesting, only recalling it after parting, leaving it stale by the next day’s chat. Thus, she began jotting down questions and anecdotes to ensure nothing slipped through.

Last night, she heard Aiwass had brought his sister to school. Curious, as she knew Yulia was frail and rarely left home, Isabel assumed her recovery. Having heard much about “Yuli” from Aiwass, she felt a familiarity despite never meeting her.

Yulia’s personality seemed akin to her own—both friendless, close to Aiwass, perhaps sharing common ground. Could they become friends?

Isabel proposed meeting Yulia, and Aiwass readily agreed. After asking what Yulia liked, Isabel prepared accordingly.

Only then did she realize her privilege as Avalon’s princess. Items she thought difficult to obtain were ready before her afternoon classes ended with a single request.

Though she had a key to 14 Ronin Street, Isabel, mindful of first impressions, rang the doorbell to avoid startling Yulia. She imagined herself feeling uneasy if a stranger entered her room unannounced, regardless of their identity.

Fortunately, her residence in the Hall of Silver and Tin spared her such intrusions.

To her surprise, it wasn’t Lily who answered but a petite, adorable girl.

Isabel wasn’t tall, but Yulia was half a head shorter. Her white hair cascaded to her waist, with bangs framing her delicate face. Her ruby-red eyes reminded Isabel of her favorite candies—warm and vibrant.

Isabel thought.

“Sister…” Yulia’s soft, sweet voice asked, “Who are you looking for?”

Isabel’s face softened into a warm smile.

She wasn’t the youngest in her family. Besides her surviving two-year-old brother, she’d had other siblings, now gone.

“I’m here for Aiwass… and for you,” Isabel said, closing the door gently. She resisted the urge to touch Yulia’s hair, its warm, lively sheen evoking silk. She even wanted to pinch Yulia’s cheek—she was as cute as her grandmother’s cat—but Aiwass had warned that Yulia was shy and easily frightened.

“You’re Yulia, right?” Isabel said gently. “I brought you a gift…”

She handed Yulia her satchel.

Yulia tilted her head, puzzled, clutching the bag.

“Open it,” Isabel encouraged softly.

She felt a twinge of nervousness. Aiwass had assured her these were Yulia’s interests, but Isabel found them odd for a fifteen-year-old girl.

Yulia opened the bag, revealing three thick books: , , and .

“These are—” Yulia’s eyes lit up, her excitement palpable.

These were renowned alchemy texts, unobtainable in Avalon through normal means.

was a sacred text by Star Antimony’s founder, Valentin I. was an ancient alchemist’s treatise likening alchemy to “nether astronomy,” a counterpart to “upper astronomy.”

“Transmutation” referred to transforming one substance or element into another, like base metals into silver or gold, using a mystical catalyst called a “special agent.” These agents, varying by process, enabled large-scale transformations with minimal use. The legendary Philosopher’s Stone was the ultimate catalyst, transmuting vast amounts of base metal into gold with a speck— one of alchemy’s three ultimate goals, alongside “life creation” and the “universal solvent” that dissolved all matter to its primal state for alchemical use.

These books covered alchemy’s core domains—mind sublimation, material modification, and conceptual projection—forming the foundation of modern alchemy.

Not pop-science reads, they were for serious alchemical researchers. Mastering them could yield at least three mystical arts, enabling a transition to a true alchemist.

Yulia owned a Star Antimony edition of , part of the professor’s collection, nearly worn out from her repeated readings. But her limited Star Antimony vocabulary left some terms and passages unclear, often requiring Professor Moriarty’s help.

The other two books were absent even from his collection. was too basic for him but contained the essential mystical art of “Material Conversion” for aspiring alchemists. explored a field he hadn’t studied—mystical alchemy using divine names and concepts, akin to prayers and rituals.

These were outright banned in Avalon. The university library held copies, but they had to be returned after reading, which Yulia disliked. She also avoided using Aiwass’s borrowing quota for her own interests.

Flipping through, Yulia gasped—they were handwritten in Avalon’s language, with vigorous script, annotations, corrections, and conjectures.

These were the original translated drafts for Avalon’s editions.

“…You must be Princess Isabel, right?” Yulia said, dropping her pretense of ignorance, hesitant. “Can I really accept something so precious?”

She adored them but felt their value too immense to take, almost as if accepting them meant indebting Aiwass.

“It’s fine,” Isabel smiled. “These were a gift to my grandmother from Milton University’s president for her educational reforms that destigmatized alchemy. He sent eleven translated alchemy texts to form the basis of Avalon Law University’s curriculum.

“After the textbooks were compiled, they became her private collection. When my Authority Path talent proved lacking, she gave them to me. I considered studying alchemy, but it was too complex. Aiwass said you love alchemy, so I’m thrilled you like them. Knowledge wasting away unused is the real tragedy. Keep them, Yulia.”

She added warmly, “Become a remarkable alchemist.”

“Thank you, Sister!” Yulia exclaimed, carefully placing the books back in the bag, overjoyed.

Seeing Yulia’s genuine delight, Isabel sighed in relief.

Aiwass was right—Yulia did love alchemy books.

The Moriartys weren’t poor; gifting store-bought items lacked sincerity. Library books were no good either—borrowing from the royal collection felt like regifting. Aiwass’s suggestions—mechanics, electronics, chemistry, paleontology, and alchemy—were bizarre for a girl her age.

Isabel had even considered butterfly specimens, fitting paleontology and prettier than books. But she respected Yulia’s tastes, choosing these unique translated manuscripts.

Even uninterested in alchemy, Isabel had treasured them, nearly forgetting they existed. Now, they’d found a worthy owner who appreciated their value.

Beyond currying favor, Isabel was genuinely happy. Yulia was adorable.

Watching her beam like a child clutching the books, Isabel smiled warmly.

As expected, they’d get along wonderfully.

“Where’s Aiwass?” Isabel asked.

“Brother’s reading,” Yulia said, trailing her with the bag. “He said he’s preparing for his next ascension.”

Yulia’s fondness for Isabel grew. Not only had she gifted cherished items, but her respect for knowledge impressed Yulia, who’d assumed a Beauty Path transcendent would dismiss alchemy. To her surprise, Isabel had studied these books, recalling parts with Yulia’s prompting despite forgetting much.

Even Yulia hadn’t read all of the professor’s collection—some were uninteresting, too obscure, or overly specialized. While her foster father gifted her foreign books, she hadn’t finished them but brought them along.

Isabel, though uninterested, had dutifully read her gifted books, her earnestness almost pitiable.

Yulia thought.

In this warm mutual admiration, Lily pushed Aiwass’s wheelchair over.

Learning what Yulia held, Aiwass thanked Isabel on her behalf, stunned by the gift’s value. He’d expected a few fancy books, not such a thoughtful first-meeting gift.

He needed to plan a return gift, but what could a princess lack?

Pondering, Aiwass casually mentioned Yulia’s enrollment.

“No problem,” Isabel replied promptly. “I’ll handle it, but Yulia may need a separate exam.

“If she can’t keep up, it’ll stress her out. Her scores will determine her faculty placement. If her alchemy’s not advanced, she could start in the Second Faculty for foundational courses, transferring to the Arcane Faculty next year.”

She offered the advice kindly.

No longer timid with Aiwass, Isabel was learning to wield her authority thoughtfully, considering others’ perspectives and preempting issues—a skill she found she excelled at.

Though lacking Authority Path talents for controlling minds or loyalty, her Beauty Path gift let her sense hidden intentions in others’ words.

Not everyone spoke their truth—some couldn’t, others wouldn’t.

As an “all-rounder,” Isabel’s empathy grew with every interaction. Reading hearts and desires was part of Beauty’s domain.

As her talk with Yulia deepened, Isabel glimpsed her essence.

Yulia wasn’t the fragile, soft girl Aiwass described. Beneath her surface lay a calm, even coldly ruthless core.

Strong and competitive, Yulia outshone Isabel in many ways. Her softness and attachment weren’t weakness but affection for Isabel and Aiwass, masking her aggression.

What would Yulia do with someone she despised?

Aiwass had urged her to act aloof at school to protect herself, assuming her fragility. But Isabel saw otherwise.

Yulia might not need to pretend. Her true feelings could suffice.

Intrigued, Isabel wanted to see Yulia at school, revealing her icy core.

(Chapter End)