Chapter 85: Daley Findlay
7:00 A.M.
A black-curtained Brougham rolled down Garden Street, halting before a four-story building crowned with an iron gate. The carriage door opened, and a young man with jet-black hair stepped out first, adjusting his bowler hat and securing a monocle.
"Is this the Inn?" he asked.
Behind him, a middle-aged man, a maid, and a young woman in a black robe emerged, all staring at the dome-shaped building.
"The whole Garden Street is part of this Inn," Selene explained, eyes tracing the structure. "The front is just the entrance. Each guest gets a private house—small or mansion-sized—depending on their booking. Wizards like Johnathan and Judith stayed here for decades. Privacy is the main attraction."
Jacob tossed a gold coin to the driver, sending the carriage on its way, while Raven flipped his pocket watch open and stepped closer to the gate.
"Welcome to the Crown's Tavern, esteemed guests!" Two young guards in red uniforms bowed, rifles in hand. One stepped forward.
"Please show your identity certificate, sir. Only Royals, nobles, and Wizards may enter."
Raven produced the Warrant of Precedence. The guard scanned it, brow rising.
"Lord of Holmes? Knight Household?"
Raven's voice was calm. "Even Knights count as nobles. My family once held the title."
Recognition dawned in the guard's eyes. "Forgive my rudeness, Sir Thomas. Even barons hesitate to come here due to the cost."
Raven nodded and stepped inside. Ivy draped the tall entrance, archways curved elegantly, and embroidered curtains framed tall windows. Servants scurried, guiding guests, carrying luggage. A pale-skinned youth with long, snowy hair and blue eyes passed by, flanked by an entourage.
Raven squinted through his monocle. Prodigy rank? Only a few exist per generation. And yet… he's only an Acolyte Wizard?
"Who is that young man?" he asked.
"Daley Findlay," Jacob murmured. "Once a rumored genius, now a disappointment to his family. Still, respect him if you cross paths, My Lord."
Selene added, "He's the great-grandson of Viola Findlay. Fourth child of her third son's first son. The family rose quickly but isn't fully recognized by ancient families."
Raven's interest piqued. "Tell me more."
"He's a fifth-year at Crows Misery Academy. High-rank Ice affinity got him in, but he stalled after the first year. Rumors say he may be expelled."
Raven's brow arched. "Shall we recruit him after expulsion?"
Selene and Jacob exchanged worried glances. "Even expelled, he's from a Margrave family. His assets exceed yours. Two knights escort him—peak Radiant Rank. Don't even consider it."
"His cousin aims for the upcoming Sage candidate selection. Aligning with him could be advantageous," Selene suggested.
Raven nodded absently, glancing at the pale youth. "Sage and Serpent competition, huh?"
Jacob stepped aside. "I'll book the rooms."
As Jacob moved toward the reception, Selene whispered, "Serpents excel in battle, and they are bound to become legendary walkers over centuries. Seven exist now: The current seven Serpents are Jose from the Maddis Family, Tibris from the Gavenstone Family, Gylan from the Warfield Family, Isaac from the Heart Family, Joshua from the Arcturus Family, Presley from the Harrowmont Family, and Amy from the Thornevale Family. All six Serpent members, except for Amy, became patriarchs more than two centuries ago, holding the highest status in the Empire." Selene paused for a moment to take a breath and continued.
"Unlike Serpents, Sages are people who contributed to the growth of the Empire through knowledge and other skills. The first Sage is Judith, the vice-president of the Crows Misery; the second Sage is Johnathan, the Alchemy Sage; the third Sage is Annie from the Blackwater Family; the fourth Sage is Derek from the Ravenshield Family; and the fifth Sage is Marcus from the Sterlinghart Family."
Raven studied Daley from the sofa. "The Findlay family is excluded because of its origin, huh? Not ancient enough."
Whispers hushed the hall. Silver-armored guards stiffened, hands brushing sword hilts.
[Why provoke a noble child?] Zera warned.
Raven touched his monocle. He's different.
Daley's gaze sharpened at him. Raven smiled.
"I apologize for the rudeness. I am Thomas Holmes, Young Master."
Pin-drop silence. Daley blinked twice, then spoke.
"I'm Daley Findlay. Serpents come from ancient families, but Sages like Judith and Johnathan rise through knowledge. We lost before—not privilege, but talent. Our family prepares the best candidate for the Sage competition."
Raven tilted his head. "The best candidate? You, though, could achieve more than just a title."
A blonde guard drew her sword. "You bastard—!"
"Maisie, stop." Daley raised a hand. "I've spent five years here. Not even my third spell model is complete. I'll be expelled this December. Don't assume I can achieve what I cannot." His voice carried weariness, not arrogance.
Raven adjusted his monocle. He scanned Daley's stats:
Daley Findlay – 20
Class: Acolyte Wizard, Second CircleHealth: Abnormal (Curse of Frost)Traits: Calm, noble pride, archeologist, classical knowledge, political acumen, horsemanship, musicianSpells: Ice Heart (Unstable), Chill Touch (Unstable)Affinities: Space – Prodigy, Ice – Low
…
Zera's voice echoed softly in Raven's mind.
[This young man… bad luck. Prodigy in Spatial, yet the best he's managed is two unstable Ice spells. Obsessed with Ice, nothing else.]
Raven furrowed his brow, the question forming in his mind. 'Why does this curse appear in his status? Should I help him?'
Raven decided to give him a push.
"That's because you haven't found your hidden talent yet, Young Master Daley," he said aloud, his tone calm.
'Zera, tell me about curses.'
[They're spells affecting a person's body or astral form, permanently or temporarily. Mostly the work of necromancers or Dark Mages. But his… seems like a bloodline curse. Too much condensed Ice elemental energy, or some external factor affecting the bloodline, triggered it.]
'Condensed Ice elemental energy?' Raven frowned.
Daley let out a bitter chuckle, shaking his head. "We've tried everything—weekly treatments by an Expert-rank Alchemist. Every method failed. My condition only worsens."
Raven's eyes narrowed as Zera's voice flared urgently in his mind.
[That's it! Pregnant nobles sometimes consume magical beast meat for a trace of elemental energy. Too much? Soul-body link collapses. Baby dies. Common sense says no more than two or three portions a month. And no proof it boosts affinity.]
"Does that mean he's been recklessly consuming elemental meat or potions?" Raven asked, frowning.
[No. A descendant of a legendary Ice Wizard wouldn't be naïve. My guesses: one, someone close to him casts bloodline curse spells occasionally. Two, he consumes a food or potion affecting his bloodline—perhaps the Alchemist himself is experimenting under the guise of treatment. Ivory Continent Wizards don't know how to make an affinity potion… but they might have tried.]
Raven's eyes widened. Ingredients that affect bloodline… Instantly, a mental list of formulas and reagents appeared.
Wizards study pure magic. No bloodline magic. Warlocks? They devour strong bloodlines, mutate, and gain supernatural traits. Bloodline is crucial for elemental affinity.
He recalled Viola Findlay's descendants—all Ice affinity, all exceptional in Ice magic. She may not have been a Wizard… but a Bloodline Warlock.
Raven's fingers traced through the records, highlighting all bloodline potion formulas linked to Ice. Some amplified the elemental surge violently, some awakened the will hidden in the bloodline, and some suppressed dangerous side effects.
Within moments, the solution emerged.
Sun Lotus Petals, Lava Essence Crystal, Feather Flame Berry, Sun Heart Herb, Scorching Flower Nectar…
His gaze sharpened. Even if cured, his Ice rank is already low. Nothing will change. But why no Spatial spells? He may not even know his own ranks yet.
Raven leaned closer, voice low but firm, carrying weight beyond explanation. "A piece of advice, Young Master. Discard the coldness in your heart. Seek the right path in the void. When you find it… Come and look for me."
The words settled in Daley's mind like etched runes, cryptic and magnetic.
Jacob approached, whispering, "You need to see the booking list yourself, My Lord. The cost… too high for a single-storied house."
Raven inclined his head gracefully. "Excuse my rudeness, Young Master. I will select the room myself." He bowed elegantly to Daley before turning toward the reception desk.