Way of the Knights

---

Bewildered by the sudden intonation of Raven's voice, Erica looked back and realized what she had just said. Her face immediately turned crimson as she repeatedly shook his hands in a flustered manner.

"N-no, no! Not like that! I mean like your upper garments! I-I need to extract the light orb that was given to you by Elder Libro!" 

Hearing her words caused Raven to sigh in relief and say: "So that's what you meant. You got me all nervous there."

Raven then proceed to follow her instructions while Erica calmed down her heart while telling to herself: 'What's wrong with me today? Gosh, this is so embarrassing! I was nearly mistaken as a pervert! This is why I need to get out of this place as soon as possible.'

"Alright, do your thing." Raven said, waking Erica from her inner monologue. 

"R-right!" She said as she carefully placed some sort of a metal device on Raven's chest. The metal device was like rectangular plate with several carvings on its surface.

As Raven saw this, he couldn't help but ask: "What is this thing?"

"Nothing much…" Erica replied, "Its something that we use to accurately inscribe records with. This plate will absorb the orb planted inside of you and it will automatically create a record which we could later then use as reference should any disputes occur."

After saying this, Erica removed the plate on Raven's chest and showed it to him, saying: "See? Your profile is recorded in here as well as the current date and time. The item that was handed to you will also be recorded here."

Raven inspected the plate and just like Erica said, every information about this event were truly recorded in the plate. He couldn't help but applaud whoever created this idea. 

"How many times can this plate be used?" He asked.

"At least ten times." Erica replied as she fumbled with other things within the room. "This plate in particular could hold ten records of yours. We can't use this to plate for another disciple. We do that in order to avoid confusion. Additionally, since you wanted to keep this specific record private, aside from me and other staff members of the Repository Hall as well as some Elders out there, no one would be able to see this. If it helps, then just think that we won't carelessly reveal it since we signed Lifeblood Oaths."

Erica's explanation really comforted Raven a lot. It's obvious that she really knows her stuff and doesn't hesitate to educate him about matters so that he won't feel anxious. 

Raven watched her sign through several documents and fumble with things here and there. After doing all of that, she turned around and approached him while holding a scroll carefully. She handed it over to him and said:

"Here you go, the first half of the [Forbidden Scarlet Seal Art]. Transaction complete. Do remember that under in no circumstances will you be allowed to reveal the contents of this art to someone else, not even your own kin. Upon opening this scroll, the technique will be imparted to you via spiritual connection. After that, burn this scroll thoroughly."

"I understand." Raven nodded and placed the scroll back inside his spatial ring. 

Erica smiled at him and asked: "Alright, is there anything else?"

"Ooh! Right, I almost forgot! Wait, how many are you guys in your Unit?" Erica asked.

"12." He answered. 

She then pulled something out from a nearby drawer and handed it to him. 

Raven received a couple of stacked bamboo slips, he then heard Erica said: "Sink your perception onto those bamboo slips and you'll see the multitude of things available here as well as their prices and/or pre-requisites. I gave you twelve, one for each person on your Unit. I'll trouble you to hand to it them."

Hearing all of that caused Raven to frown, he couldn't help but ask: "Wasn't there already something like this in our badges?"

Erica chuckled and said: "That's just a fourth of what we have, silly." 

Raven's eyes widened, he stuttered saying: "But - but…" 

What he truly wanted to say is that 'How can that be?' And no one could really blame him for reacting this way. Raven had repeatedly glanced over the items listed on the badge during his free time. Back then, the amount of available resources he saw as well as the techniques were already shocking. All the items as well as ingredients that are categorized as rare that he's aware of, are all available there. As for techniques, he had seen thousands of them, he doesn't even know where to begin!

And now here's Erica informing him that, the things he saw listed on the badge, were just 'a fourth' of what the sect could offer. How could he not be shocked by this? 

"The items listed on the badge are just a preview per se. Now that you're here, then there's no need to hide things from you." Erica giggled as she looked at Raven's disbelieving expression. "Remember this Junior Apprentice Brother, so long as you render meritorious services for the sect, we won't hesitate to provide you with everything that you need. So long as you can afford it - if I may add."

"Alright, away with you now. I need to clock in or my superiors will give me an earful for being late. Now shoo!" Erica playfully waved her hands as she turned around and went back on to fumbling things on the table. 

Raven woke up from her stupor and decided to no longer impose on her time. He bowed before he left and exited the room. 

On his way out, he once again saw 'Athena the 1st'. He briefly looked at it and couldn't help but inwardly say: 'All-knowing huh…'

Raven sighed and looked around him. Seeing that there are no other places within the Repository Hall that interests him, he exited the hall and was once again back on the streets of Tartarus. Looking around him, he thought to himself:

'I can go visit the Merit Exchange Market, but there's nothing I need buy right now so I won't. I could to the Hall of Enlightenment, but I'm afraid I'll get carried away and spend the ticket Senior Brother gave to me. I can't do that since will be hunting three days from now.'

He continued looking around and saw several signs with directions. 

'Fighting Arena? Interesting, but no. Not yet at least. Mission Hall? Nah, maybe next time - actually…hmm. Yeah no, next time. Hall of Knowledge? Sound like a Library to me. I'll check it out once we returned from the first hunt. Organizations? There's something like this in here too? I'll go some other time.'

'Ugh. So many places! So many things to visit, yet I don't feel like going right now.' Raven sighed at himself, 'Talk about being indecisive, I'm starting to think that it's my middle name. I'll return to the base for now I guess.'

Raven had already got what he wanted and he doesn't really feel like visiting other places for now, specially after knowing that they'll be having their first hunt soon. With all of that in mind, he retraced the path he took before and arrived at their base. 

He passed by his room for a brief moment before heading deeper, he wanted to find someone - more specifically Jason.

Thankfully, he didn't need to go that far before spotting him, the problem is - he's with the annoying twins. Raven released a helpless sigh and eventually decided to approach him. 

"Hey." He called out. 

Jason snapped his attention towards him with a questioning gaze, the twins too were looking at him. Raven didn't pay attention to the twins. Instead, he took the other bamboo slips out of his spatial ring and handed it over to Jason. 

"You're acquainted with everyone right? Do me a favor and give one of those to each of them. It contains the entire repository of the sect."

Jason was surprised and said: "Did you compile this? You know you didn't have to right? That's where our badges comes in." 

"No, dummy." Raven then explained his general encounter with Erica, and just like how he reacted before, Jason as well as twins were also extremely surprised after knowing that what's listed on their badge is just a fourth of what the sect can actually offer. 

"A-a fourth…" Jason stuttered. "And this is just the collection of all the techniques available. The whole list of other resources must be absolutely insane! Damn, what a sect!" 

The Crawford Twins can't even say a word, both were staring at the bamboo slip on their hands, treating it like some sort of treasure. 

"Alright, I did my part. Later." Raven waved his hands and left the three who's still reeling in shock.

Jason immediately stood up and was headed somewhere. He's probably going to call everyone out to hand over the bamboo slips. 

Meanwhile, Raven returned to his room. Originally, he was planning on opening the scroll he received earlier but now, his plans have changed…

That's because he wasn't alone in his room.