Chapter 101: Ophelia
When Raven returned to the rented mansion house, it was already around 9 P.M.
The assassination of the Prime Minister had caused the whole city to enter a state of emergency. Due to that, most of the main roads were blocked, and even the security of every street became tighter.
The Emperor also ordered all the city gates to be closed for one week and declared the 66th Prince a Rebel.
Police officers and Royal Guards stood on every corner of the streets, checking everyone's identity.
'Oh? He only branded me as a rebel, not a traitor, huh?' Raven walked out of the carriage, covering his head with a top hat, and entered the mansion compound gate.
"My Lord?!" "Are you okay?" As soon as he walked in, Jacob, Selene, and Stephaine ran towards him with a worried look.
"What happened?" Raven was surprised by their reaction and asked in confusion.
"We were worried you might have encountered some trouble, My Lord. The whole capital city is in uproar because of the Prime Minister's assassination!" Jacob said in anxiety.
"I heard the news along the way, too. And it seems we will stay here for over a week, too." Saying so, Raven took a leather bag and gave it to Jacob.
"There are around 500 gold coins in this pouch. Extend our stay for one more week. Also, book a return ticket to Giaris on October 1st."
"Yes, My Lord." Jacob didn't say anything and quietly took the bag.
Meanwhile, Raven entered the mansion house and walked upstairs through the split staircase.
"Hmm, it seems I can't go out anymore." While walking, he suddenly thought of something and spoke.
"I'll stay in the mansion for seven days and focus on closed training. Other than Stephaine, Selene, and Jacob, no one can come upstairs or to the underground basement."
Saying so, he continued to walk upstairs, reached the third floor, and soon arrived before his room.
He then opened the door and walked in.
"It will take a while for Judith to figure out my location due to the strict security." But he knew that once she learned that Thomas Holmes was staying beside her mansion all this time, she would barge in immediately.
'There is no help it. To get proper backing for Thomas Holmes, I at least need to do this much.'
[Can you tell me the reason now?] Zera asked.
A sigh leaked out of Raven's mouth.
'The relationship between Thomas and Raven will be exposed sooner once the intelligence department starts their investigation.' After all, he had left too many clues behind.
'The first clue is the date I arrived in the capital, which matches the day of my aunt's case hearing. The second clue is my teacher's name. Everyone in the city knows from the past vision that Charles Nightwind is Prince Raven's mentor. I also mentioned his name while registering at the Wizards' Guild. The third clue is how I used Thomas's identity to enter the Court during the hearing. Even though there's no solid proof linking me to Raven, they'll find excuses to pressure me. In the worst case, I could become a target of both the Wizard Alliance and the Emperor.'
[Oh? Explain how exposing Thomas's identity to Judith will help you.] Zera asked.
'When the intelligence department takes this case, they will investigate how Raven entered the courtroom without anyone noticing. That's where I left a big clue. Due to the hopeless situation, I changed my identity on the seat where Thomas was seated and revealed my identity to the people. As soon as they ask the policeman who guided me there, they will learn about my name as Thomas. Although finding a single person in this big city is difficult, they will first start with the Wizards' Guild and Mercenary Guild. Everyone named 'Thomas' will be the target of the investigation. Once they start investigating Thomas Holmes's identity, they will look into Wizard Guild's registry and realize I'm also the disciple of Charles Nightwind. Then, it will be a matter of time before they arrest me in the name of investigation. Before the investigation team starts digging for clues, I need someone's help to erase these clues.'
[Judith is the right person to do that, huh?] Zera finally understood.
'Yes.' After all, more than thousands of people stayed in the courtroom during the hearing. It would take more than a day to check the identity of every single person.
'And when that police officer asked my name, I didn't even reveal my surname and only showed him my identity certificate for a short moment.' He relaxed because they didn't write down his name or where he came from in any ledger and let him in after a simple check-up.
'As long as Judith intervenes and hides my information in the Wizard's Guild registry, I don't have to worry too much.' Saying so, he removed his formal clothes and changed into casual ones. After that, he lay on the bed and fell into deep sleep.
By the time he woke up, it was already early morning.
He first entered the illusionary world and practiced his Spearmanship until 7 A.M. After that, he moved to the training hall and reviewed everything he had learned in the illusionary world.
Then, he moved to the underground basement and focused on concocting the rest of the affinity potions.
For the next seven days, he spent most of his time in the basement, concocting four affinity potions: Poison affinity potion, Blood affinity potion, Darkness affinity potion, and Lightning affinity potion!
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Then, he also used the materials he brought and concocted four Rank-1 Strength Potions called 'Brew of Might' and Three Rank-1 Agility potions called 'Nectar of Agility.' Each potion would double the user's stats for 10 minutes, allowing them to gain extraordinary speed and strength.
'I can become a Beginner Rank Radiant Walker for a short time.'
Of course, consuming both at the same time would result in paralysis of the body for 1 day!
Not only that, he also increased his Spearmanship comprehension to 89%!
September 30th, 1420 Rune Era.
Raven awoke to the soft glow of morning light filtering through the curtains of his room. The air was crisp, and a faint chill lingered outside.
The first thing he did after waking up was check his status.
Although he wanted to check the changes for a long time, he was focused fully on concocting potions and completely forgot about them.
…
[Name: Raven Sillalus Jorvot,
Age: 15
Nationality: Zenith Empire
Title: 66th Prince of Zenith Empire, Rebel Prince.
Level: 9
Class: Acolyte Warlock (8th Circle)
Soul Rank: Mortal
Life Pathway: Beginner Alchemist
Health: Normal
Attributes:
Strength: 9.9
Agility: 9.9
Vitality: 9.9
Luck: 4
Spirit: 19.99
Bloodline Spells:
Iron Resilience, Poison Touch (Poison Immunity), Fortuitous Finder (Completed), Blood Control, Face Morph, Mind Eye, Cold Breath, Past Self, Eye of Destruction, Shadow Shift, Memory Seal.
Additional Skills: Basic Spearmanship (89%), Ruler's Dominance (Beginner).
Affinities:
Life: Low, Blood: Low, Poison: Low, Lightning: Low, Darkness: Low, Time: Low, Ice: Genius, Spear: Low.]
…
'4 points of Luck?' Raven couldn't believe his eyes.
[I think you must have got them from the death of the Prime Minister. But why only four points? Maybe that's the limit of the 'Luck' elemental Circlet?] Zera said in his mind.
Raven also thought the same and focused his attention on Mind Space.
Other than the 'Memory Seal' spell model and 'Face Morph,' all other spell models had assimilated into the Arcanum Circlets of Destiny.
'Except for the 'Light' element, I have spell models of all other elements. And what should I do with the 10th empty Circlet?' Raven couldn't help but ask.
[Those two spell models don't need any elemental energies. You can replace the 'Light' elemental and empty circle with other elements. I suggest you create a circlet for the 'Time' element and another circlet for the 'Darkness' or 'Lightning.']
'Hmm, I think Time and Darkness seems a must for now. Although an attack spell is important, I needed an escape-type spell most of the time.'
Rising from his bed, he stretched briefly before heading to the en-suite bathroom.
The steam filled the room as he sank into the water, letting the heat soothe his muscles. After bathing, he dried off with a plush towel and donned his chosen attire.
His outfit consisted of a charcoal-gray frock coat with silver embroidery along the lapels and matching trousers. A crisp white shirt peeked from beneath the coat, its high collar framing his neck. He fastened a dark red cravat, the fabric tied into a neat knot with a small sapphire pin at its center. His polished black leather boots clicked against the wooden floor as he moved about, completing the ensemble with black gloves and his top hat.
As he looked at the mirror and put the monocle on his left eye, a knocking came from outside, causing him to raise his eyebrows.
"A guest has arrived, My Lord." Jacob's voice came from outside.
"Guest?" Raven made his way towards the oak door and opened it.
"Who is it?"
Jacob showed a forced smile and answered anxiously.
"Dayley Findlay, My Lord. And he also brought a Wizard."
"A Wizard?" Raven furrowed his brows and continued.
"Let's go and meet them."
Saying so, Raven and Jacob made their way downstairs.
When they reached the main hall, Raven's sharp eyes scanned the group waiting for him.
Daley Findlay stood at the forefront, wearing a well-tailored navy blue suit with golden embroidery. His hair was neatly combed back, and his youthful face showed a trace of happiness.
Raven adjusted his monocle and checked his status.
'There is no change in his body status?' After a swift look, Raven turned his gaze towards the others.
Beside him was a dignified older woman with a stern expression. She wore a deep azure robe adorned with frost-like patterns, and her silver hair was pinned back in an elegant style. Her ice-blue eyes seemed to pierce through everything they gazed upon. Behind them stood two attendants—Maisie, a blonde-haired woman with a poised elegance, and Kingston, a broad-shouldered young man.
As Stephanie placed a tray of fruit juices on the table and stepped back, Raven inclined his head politely and spoke.
"Young Master Daley, what a surprise. I hadn't expected guests at this hour, especially considering the city's state."
Daley smiled. "I apologize for the intrusion. I came here under the constant pressure of my teacher."
Raven's brows lifted slightly, and he gestured toward the chairs by the fireplace.
"Please, take a seat."
Daley nodded, and both he and his teacher took their places. Maisie and Kingston stood silently behind them.
Jacob quietly moved to stand near the door, ready to intervene if needed.
Meanwhile, Raven sat on the opposite chair, gazing at the silver-haired woman.
"I'm Thomas Holmes, Ma'am. Could you tell me why you want to meet me?"
The silver-haired woman didn't say a word all this time and kept observing his every movement. Even though she was sitting on the opposite chair, everyone in the hall felt suffocated.
'Her spirit power is no joke!'
Raven also used the chance to activate the monocle artifact and checked her stats.
…
[Name: Ophelia Nas Ritter
Age: 548
Race: Human
Nationality: Arcane Mist Empire
Affiliation: Professor of Crows' Misery (Elite Member of the Velvet Circlet)
Title: Winter Witch
Class: Expert Wizard (8th Circle)
Health: Normal
Traits: Cold Hearted, Adaptability, Practicality, Selfish, Narrow-Minded, Greedy, Arrogance, Impulsiveness…
Past History: ????
Current Status: Disappointed, Angry, and Regret.
Attributes:
Strength: 794.5
Agility: 820.00
Vitality: 810.5
Luck: ??
Spirit: ????
Spells:
?????, ?????, ??????, ???????, ??????, ???????, ??????.
Additional Skills:
??????. ???????, ??????.
Affinities:
Ice: Extraordinary, Earth: Intermediate.]
...
'Oh? A member of Velvet Circlet, huh? They are deeply rooted even in the Crows' Misery academy, huh?' Raven felt this organization might be more powerful than he had thought.
'The reason she took Daley as her disciple must be because of his talent.'
"I'm Ophelia, Ice Wizard, and working as a Teacher in Crows' Misery." She introduced herself and soon asked.
"How did you know my disciple is facing bottleneck because of the ice affinity?"
'I expected this question. But Daley didn't say anything about 'Spatial' affinity to her? Could it be he hid it from her?' He furrowed his brows.
"I can't answer you that, Ma'am," Raven said apologetically and then added.
"But it is true that your disciple faced bottleneck due to 'Low' Rank Ice affinity."
"When we checked his affinity during admission, the affinity orb shone brightly, indicating he has 'High' or above rank Ice affinity. If I had known this earlier, I would've chosen Talia as my disciple." Ophelia shook her head in disappointment.
Meanwhile, Daley could only lower his head in shame and mutter silently.
"I'm sorry for disappointing you, Master,"
Raven furrowed his brows.
'She must have taken him as her disciple because of his family background and 'High' ice affinity. But she regrets choosing him, huh?'
"You should've already double-checked his ice affinity rank, right?" Raven asked.
Meanwhile, the woman went silent for a few seconds and sighed.
In truth, she had a total of twenty-two disciples in the academy. Among them, only a few showed true potential. Meanwhile, the rest were barely improved due to their low spirit powers or lack of understanding. That’s why she never checked the average disciple’s progression.
"I never checked his affinity rank until yesterday. But I came here for a different reason." She paused for a moment and soon added.
"I came here to find out how you managed to find out his low affinity even though I failed to notice." Her eyes sharpened as she looked at him like he was her next prey.