Chapter 37: Guest
"I hope I didn't make a mistake choosing this skill… Zera keeps saying good opportunities will come, but nothing's happened yet."
Raven muttered to himself as he stepped into the bathroom, unbuttoning his shirt with a tired sigh.
[That's because you haven't left this town yet, fool.]
Zera's voice echoed in his mind.
Startled, Raven instinctively covered himself.
"Didn't I tell you not to appear when I'm bathing?!" he growled inwardly, cheeks flushing.
She didn't reply, but he could almost hear her smug laughter.
After a quick rinse in the cold water, he stepped out, towel slung low around his waist. The early morning breeze brushed against his skin as he walked to his bedroom. Neatly hung on the wall were several sets of identical dark grey shirts and pants. He grabbed one from the farther end—crisp, untouched.
Dressed and ready, Raven strapped the long spear leaning against the corner table onto his back.
"I've practiced the Wintermoon Spear Dance for months, yet I haven't improved at all… Will I really be okay in the exam?" he wondered, anxiety tightening his chest.
Still, he forced a calm expression and reminded himself, "As long as I use the potions I've brewed, I'll be fine."
He headed to the kitchen, where his sister, Athena, and Aunt Shirley were already having breakfast. The smell of toasted bread and herbs greeted him.
"Raven," Shirley said suddenly, setting her teacup down. "We'll be heading to the Royal Capital at the end of next week. Let your teachers and friends know—it might be over a month before we return."
Raven paused mid-bite, surprised. "The auction's already that close? Got it, Aunt."
Weeks ago, Shirley had received secretive intel from the black market: a rare Miracle Life Potion was set to appear in an upcoming auction. They'd been preparing for the trip ever since.
"How much gold do we have in total?" Athena asked, sipping her water.
"We've got 1,340 gold between us," Shirley answered, then turned to Raven. "But your earnings should be far higher. I've been selling your potions for fifteen gold coins a week, so it must be around two thousand by now."
Raven grinned. "Actually, I've saved up 3,250 gold coins."
The room went still.
"…Are you serious?" Athena stared at him, eyes wide. "All that work I've been doing—was I just playing around compared to you?!"
She groaned and clutched her head. "Ugh! My baby brother earns ten times my salary!"
Her eyes drifted toward the alchemy lab.
"Don't even think about raiding his lab," Shirley warned, chuckling.
Still smirking, Raven said, "This time, I'm putting two items into the auction."
"That magic stone and the Orc Commander's eye crystals?" Shirley asked. "Wait—you used one last week to make a Night Vision potion, didn't you?"
"I did. In fact, I made two," Raven replied thoughtfully. "Still deciding if I should use them or sell them."
"Use one," Athena cut in. "Mirage Woodlands may be safer now, but nightfall there is still deadly. Last time, goblins ambushed a group and crippled three students. Having Night Vision might save your life during the exam."
Shirley nodded. "She's right."
Raven agreed with a nod. "Then I'll keep one and sell the other, along with the Hybrid Elemental Crystal. According to my teacher, a Night Vision potion could fetch over 2,000 gold coins at auction due to its rarity. With the crystal, we might bring in 4,500 to 5,000."
"You sure it'll sell that well?" Shirley asked, arching an eyebrow.
"You'll see," Raven replied smugly.
Athena rolled her eyes. "Look at him—so smug all of a sudden! What happened to my cute little brother? Now he's acting like a show-off."
Raven smirked. "I'm also wondering what happened to my loving sister—now she's turned into a bitter, jealous villain."
"Haaa… You two." Shirley smiled at the back-and-forth, then glanced at the ceiling. Her smile faded.
'Jeanne… How are you these days?' she thought. 'Ever since we left the palace, I haven't heard a word from you… But I know you're still alive.'
She clenched her fist beneath the table, then looked at Athena.
"Athena… Don't you want to see your mother?"
The mood shifted in an instant. Athena's face darkened.
Since they arrived in this quiet town, Athena had never once spoken of her parents. She always played the strong, protective sister. But Shirley knew—deep down, Athena missed her mother terribly.
"I do want to see her, Aunt," Athena said quietly. Her voice was flat, but her fists trembled. "But there's someone else I never want to meet again. If I see him, I might kill him… for trying to murder Raven."
Shirley's face grew somber. "Don't forget—he's still the Emperor of Zenith. We don't even have the strength to face a Baron's household, let alone him. If we want Jeanne back, we'll need power—or politics."
Her eyes moved to Raven. "Why not raise the banner of a Royal Crown Challenge? The founder of the Zenith Empire made a decree—every royal descendant, even from concubines, has a right to the throne. These days, the succession fights aren't as bloody. If you gain the support of two Dukes, four Margraves, and seven Counts, the Guardian himself will recognize you as Crown Prince."
"No, Aunt Shirley," Athena said, her voice resolute. "After experiencing the strength Raven's teacher lent me, I've decided to focus on swordsmanship and knighthood. I don't want politics. I just want to be strong enough to protect him."
She reached to ruffle Raven's hair, but he ducked away.
"…If I become Emperor, will we get better access to alchemy ingredients?" he asked, only half-joking.
"Stop dreaming, Raven." Athena's tone turned cold. "Those people tried to kill you the day you were born. If I hadn't seen that future vision—whatever it was—you would've died. That place is rotten to the core."
Seeing her deadly serious expression, Raven wisely shut up.
'Yup, one more word and she'll blow up on me.'
He finished breakfast in silence.
…
Later, Raven gathered supplies for the upcoming practical exam: a matchbox, candles, knives, spare clothes, a small pouch of dried fruits, a pocket watch, and a compact mat. He stored most of it in his inventory and kept only a leather bag for appearances.
Inside the alchemy lab, he studied nine potion vials laid in precise rows.
Two were green, two deep blue, three pale yellow, and the last two pitch black.
"Two Strength Potions, two Agility Potions, three Paralysis Potions… and two Night Vision Potions," he murmured.
He picked up the green ones first.
"Strength Potion: doubles strength for 30 minutes, but causes fatigue for an hour. Combine it with Agility Potion and I might be paralyzed for two or three hours…"
Among all of them, only the Night Vision potion offered permanent effects. It was rare, powerful, and potentially life-saving.
He carefully packed the potions, placed the bag on his shoulder, and said farewell to Shirley and Athena before heading toward the northern gate.
Back at the house, Athena lingered at the doorway, watching Raven disappear down the street. She remained there until he vanished into the crowds, then turned to get ready for work.
Less than two minutes later, there was a knock at the door.
"Did Raven forget something?" Shirley called from the kitchen.
Athena walked to the door, combing her hair with her fingers as she opened it casually—
—and froze.
Standing before her was a man in his late fifties. Rough-faced and straight-backed, he wore a tailored black frock coat and a polished top hat. His long golden hair framed a pair of cold silver eyes that glinted with familiarity.
Athena's heart sank.
"…Prime Minister Gavin?!"