Chapter 70: Visit
Raven's fingers traced the spines of countless memory tomes in the library, each one humming faintly as if eager to impart knowledge. Four hours passed in a blur of symbols and sounds, and by the end, he could read basic rune words and even form a simple sentence.
I never thought learning a language could feel this natural, he mused, stepping into the study.
[You still need a week to master the basics, lad. Don't get cocky.] Zera's voice whispered in his mind.
A soft knock echoed from the study door.
"Who is it? Come in," Raven called.
The door creaked open to reveal a black-haired woman with a triangular face and warm brown eyes. She bowed gracefully. "It's me, Stephanie, My Lord. Lunch is ready. Will you have it now, or later?"
"Oh, now. Also, invite the mercenaries in like this morning—I need to discuss something with them," Raven instructed.
"Yes, My Lord." Stephanie bowed again and left quickly.
Raven scanned the shelves, locating an empty notebook and placing it on the table.
Which Knight Technique should I assign to the mercenaries? he thought.
[Jacob and Felicity are Rangers—they already share techniques. Marcellus doesn't rely on Knight techniques. Selene's a Wizard, Reece a Beastmaster. Only Leona and Quincy remain. Quincy may need it, but it's better for Leona. She's a Pugilist, uses her body in combat, and has the highest risk of injury.] Zera analyzed.
[Planning to make them subordinates someday? If they knew your identity, they'd never refuse.]
Not the right time. Their affinities aren't strong enough.
[Affinity potions could boost them. Loyal, good-charactered candidates could be recruited immediately.]
Raven's brow furrowed. I'll decide after I recapture the town. He left the study, heading to the dining room.
…
Four mercenaries—Marcellus, Selene, Reece, and Felicity—sat at the long wooden table. Their eyes lifted as Raven entered, bows subtle but precise.
"Sit, sit," he waved them down, claiming the head of the table.
Two young girls, Briana and Kate, brought a hearty lunch of roasted meats, fresh bread, and vegetables, placing it before Raven and the mercenaries. They moved silently, then stepped back once Raven cleared his throat.
The room fell quiet. Every gaze locked on him.
"Once Emanuel returns, I plan to visit an inn in the Northern Borough. Who will join?"
"Why go to such a poor district, My Lord?" Marcellus asked, adjusting his bowler hat. "If you command, we'll handle it."
"I need to go personally," Raven replied, eyes sweeping the table. "Though there's little danger, I want a close-combat specialist nearby."
"Then Selene and I will suffice, My Lord," Marcellus added with a nod.
Raven inclined his head, then returned to his meal. The quiet murmurs of a focused lunch continued, everyone savoring the food while thinking ahead.
As the plates cleared, mercenaries exchanged brief words before rising. Marcellus and Selene gave a nod—silent confirmation of readiness.
"We'll be ready to leave once Emanuel returns, My Lord," Marcellus assured.
Raven nodded. "I trust you. Prepare for departure when the carriage is ready."
The group dispersed. Raven called after Stephanie.
"Yes, My Lord?" she appeared instantly, bowing.
"Hire a girl named Rebecca immediately if she seeks employment. She's from Claw Ville and works in a factory. Train her and Ronald in basic etiquette and groom them personally," Raven instructed.
"Understood, My Lord."
"And keep an eye on Emanuel. If anything seems odd, report to me immediately."
Stephanie's eyebrows lifted slightly at the name, but she stayed silent. "Yes, My Lord."
Raven walked past her toward the study. Thirty minutes later, a knock sounded.
Is it time already? He slipped on his monocle, donned his boots artifact, and covered his face with a top hat.
Emanuel waited patiently. "The carriage is ready outside, My Lord. Marcellus and Selene await."
"Good. Let's not waste time."
Outside, a sleek black Clarence carriage gleamed under the afternoon sun. Its understated design spoke of nobility without ostentation. Marcellus checked the harnesses while Selene leaned against the carriage, arms crossed, eyes scanning the street.
Marcellus opened the door. "Everything is set, My Lord. Ready to depart."
Raven climbed in, the interior plush with dark wood paneling. Selene sat across from him. Marcellus mounted outside beside the coachman.
"Let's go," Raven ordered.
The horses' hooves clattered over cobblestones, and the carriage lurched forward. The roads were smooth here, but Raven knew the Northern Borough awaited with rougher terrain.
He peeked through the curtain and touched the monocle, activating a status scan on Selene.
…
[Name: Selene
Age: 35
Race: Human
Nationality: Zenith Empire
Title: None
Rank: Acolyte Wizard (Seventh Circle)
Pathway:
Level: 7
Attributes:
Strength: 7.4
Agility: 7.2
Vitality: 7.1
Luck: 4
Spirit: 16
Class Spells: Shadow Bind, Wrath Form, Blink
Affinities: Shadow – High, Space – Intermediate, Dream – High]
Among all members, she's the only one with two high-level affinities.
"How did you become a Wizard, Miss Selene?" Raven asked.
Her hesitant glance faded. "I don't deserve the title. Expelled five years ago for interfering in mortal affairs… rogue Wizard now. I had to save my family from bandits."
"Tell me about the academy's rules. How did you know your family was in danger?"
"I dreamt it for a week straight—my village burned by men in black. I left secretly, killed the bandits, but my teacher revoked my certification."
[It's her Dream affinity, lad. Dream connects past, present, and future. The Chaos Scroll you have is from a Dream Walker.] Zera added.
Raven raised an eyebrow. "Chaos Scroll?"
[The Nightmare Loop Spell. One of the Chaos Scrolls.]
Selene continued. "The Crow's Misery Academy's rules are strict. Once enrolled, you can't leave without permission for five years. You also can't engage in mortal affairs until becoming an Official Wizard."
Raven nodded silently. Reasonable rules, yet she broke them to protect her family.
The carriage slowed. Northern Borough's streets grew uneven, factories cropping up, life rougher and more industrial.
"Red Apple Inn, Albert Street," Raven instructed.
"Yes, My Lord."
The modest inn appeared, faded red paint flaking from the walls, its wooden sign swaying. The coachman parked, and Marcellus opened the door. Raven and Selene entered.
Inside, the lobby bustled with over ten patrons, tables arranged neatly, and four servants scurrying.
A young blonde-haired man with russet eyes rushed forward. "How may I help you, sir?"
Palmer… Raven smirked. He passed him and approached a middle-aged man with a chevron mustache.
"Mr. Franco. Nice to see you. Remember me?" He displayed a badge painted with a cockscomb flower.
Franco's eyes widened.
'He can change his face… an artifact?' He hesitated, sensing the power emanating from two people behind Raven—a Radiant Knight and an Acolyte Wizard.
Politeness overtook surprise. "I didn't expect to see you again so soon, Mr. Holmes."