Way of the Knights

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By the time that Jacob finished explaining what happened, he was already on the verge of crying. On the other hand, Raven's expression was stoic, but the aura he's releasing is so shrill that it could make corpses jump on their graves.

"Well done, Mort Family. Your filthy paws dare to touch my property? It seems that I need to teach you a lesson." He whispered as a thick aura of killing intent was released on his body.

He knew for a fact that the Mort Family had been poisoning the previous Chief Director of the Pill Saint Pavilion, unable to resist the temptation of greed, his feeble mind caved in and joined their side, not even minding the potential consequences of his actions. It would've been fine if it was anyone except the Mort Family. Raven won't go after them and allow them to claim the profit since it would be better for the circulation of wealth overall. But this is the Mort Family who received it, and may the heaven strike him down if he allowed any of them to take advantage of him.

"Where is Richard?" Raven asked.

"He's in there, probably drinking." Jacob said while wiping away the tears that threaten to fall.

"Stand up and follow me, I need to talk to him." Raven's eyes flashed coldly and the tone of his voice offered no refusal. Jacob shivered and immediately followed him towards the Pill Saint Pavilion.

It didn't take them a long time before they arrived, and upon seeing the current situation of the Pavilion, Raven's face became even darker.The previously bustling surroundings of the Pavilion could no longer be seen. Dark clouds seemingly loomed over the whole building, giving it a sad and depressing aura. There is no one guarding the entrance, he could even see some people packing up their things and leaving the building without turning back. Raven could also see some people flocking on the side, eyeing the building with illusions of grandeur on their minds. From the clothes they wear, it seems that these people came from impressive backgrounds and was trying to see if it's worth buying this building.

Raven showed no changes in his expression as he took this all in. However, the same can't be said inside his mind. There a hundred percent certainty that if anyone pisses him of at this moment, they will feel his anger of a disturbed beast.

Along with Jacob, both of them entered the pavilion, locking the gates and doors behind them, Raven walked towards Richard's office.As soon as he opened the door, he found the old man. His head was lowered, staring blankly at his table. There is a liquor in front of him and he's holding an empty wine glass, he wasn't even aware that someone came in to his office.

Jacob stood by the door, feeling his heart being poked by thousands of needles as he stared at his teacher. He find it unbelievable that the previously confident and unbending old man he used to idolize was now drowning himself in liquor and completely lost all sense of direction.

Richard had faced many challenges before, but never one like this. It could be said that this is the lowest point of his life. He had no idea where to go from here, he had invested far too much time and effort in this. He was unwilling to be defeated like this but what can he do? Richard even thought that dying doesn't sound so bad right now.

It was then that Raven pulled off a chair in front of him and sat in front of him with his arms and legs crossed.Richard woke up from his stupor and was surprised to see a teenager looking at him with his brows pressed together. It was also now that he saw Jacob as well, and for some reason he can't bring himself to look at him.

"Have you ever imagined this scenario happening before?" Raven asked to the old man, his voice was like a placid lake, extremely calm and unperturbed. But for some reason, Richard could feel the simmering anger beneath this.

"I apologize, Young Friend." Richard bowed his head down in shame, he can't even bring himself to meet this kid's gaze.

"I failed you, I failed everyone and myself. If there's anyway this old man could repay what you lost, don't hesitate to speak, I'll try to comply to the best of my abilities." Despair, shame, guilt, sadness. All of this was present in the old man's voice. Judging from his tone alone, Raven could feel that he doesn't have any hope left in his heart anymore. This made him sigh, for some reason, he felt sympathy for the old man simply because of the fact that he was like this too when he lost everything.

"I did not come here to hear you apologize, Old Man." Raven sighed and spoke, Richard looked up and looked at him with a shocked face. Raven however averted his eyes and looked at Jacob, he signalled him sit with them, to which the young man complied.

There was a profound silence after Jacob sat with them, Raven took this time to analyze this people's face. Afterwards, he sighed once more as said:

"Don't worry about the Mort Family. I will take care of them." He said with an unbelievable confidence in his voice. "But I need you to answer one question from me."

"How desperate are you?"Richard and Jacob were stunned, they glanced at each other, trying to check if they truly understand what Raven was implying here. But deep down in their hearts, is there really any need to ask? They both know what Raven was trying to say here, in fact they also knew that answer to his question.After a period of silence, Richard was the first to say:

"It's been 30 years since I walked down the path of Alchemy. Many people frowned upon my choice since at this current day and age, killing beasts and venturing past the walls is the most honorable vocation one could have. But I know better than those idiots that they simply don't have any chances of making it back alive without medicine, and I absolutely didn't want it to die."

"I worked tirelessly, I've read thick and old books, studied to my hearts contents, stayed up until my eyes turned bloodshot, ceased every moment to arrive where I currently am. I invested far too many things, and I am just unwilling to let it all go to waste."

"How desperate I am you ask?" Richard wore a ferocious smile in face, but it is also filled with heroic air and unbending resolve. "I have no qualms sacrificing anything that doesn't have anything to contribute towards my path. That's how desperate I am."

Raven listened, not expressing anything nor anything at all. Instead, he turned his gaze towards Jacob and asked the similar question.

"How about you? How desperate are you?"

Jacob looked straight onto his eyes and said: "This place everything that I'm aware of. I'm an orphan and it was teacher who gave me everything that I have right now. With this the way it is, I have no means of ever repaying his graciousness. But if I could contribute anything to help him achieve his grand goal, then I wouldn't mind paying any price."

Jacob said, which somehow surprised Raven since from the very start, Jacob had always been the amicable one. He is soft spoken and gentle, he didn't expect him to have this much of a backbone really.

Raven once again stared at this two, with one final sigh he shook his head and flared his spiritual strength to life.

He opened his palms and to the two's astonishment, they saw myriad lights converging into a symbol which they have never seen before. This symbol is full of complexity and beauty but at the same time, this frail appearance also radiates a profound sense of formidability. Looking at the symbol, it's just hard to tell what's its purpose.

"Words are nice and all, but I want proof." Raven said in an icy tone, "If you truly mean what you said. Go on and touch this symbol. Remember that I am not forcing you but only confirming what uttered earlier. If you're not afraid, then touch it."

Raven's ethereal voice was like an enchantment to the both of them, though his words contain a slightly frightening meaning behind him, they knew that if they truly want him to believe their words then there's only one way of proving that, and it's by touching the glowing symbols on Raven's palms.

Hearing his words only caused them to be slightly deterred, but it seems that even Raven himself underestimated their resolve. Both of them radiated a profound confidence as they both touched the symbols on his palm.It was then that the symbols flash a brilliant light and invaded their body. The two unknowingly closed their eyes for a long while and Raven just silently observed. After a few moments, they opened their eyes, stood up and knelt down on knee in front of Raven.

"Disciple Richard/Jacob, greets Master."