Way of the Knights

Chapter 844: Elite Students

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With the announcement of Kyle being Divine Realm's first Grand Youth Meet Champion, the event concluded at it's finest. 

The Dawn Council didn't bother extending it even further, they didn't even give any closing remarks, they just ended the broadcast and expected everyone to go back to their regular routines. 

Within the headquarters though, there are still some people around. The finalists remained and are now being granted offers from one expert to the other. They've been a chance to choose what kind of blessing to receive, it's up to them what to pick. 

Majority of the visitors left as soon as the event was over, of course they bid farewell to Raven personally before they did in order to pay respects. 

Right now, most of the people working on the Dawn Council are busy cleaning up after the quests. Meanwhile, Raven's still has something to do. 

He's currently facing the final fifty participants, they are gathered at the Main Hall of the Central Island – Raven's personal office. These kids, minus his twin sisters and Kyle, just got done collecting their invitations from peak experts who left a few moments ago. 

Suffice to say, everyone's nervous. Nina and Tori didn't but the Kyle certainly did. He's still sulking but he also feel quite alarmed since he could feel the lingering gaze of his master on his body. Nobody else noticed this though. 

"…by now, majority of you should've received the offers from peak experts all over Divine Realm as a result of this event." Raven stated, causing everyone to pay close attention to him. "Congratulations to you all for making it this far in the grand event. It is because od your abilities that this event became successful so give yourselves a pat in the back and a 'I did well' for good measure."

"…"

"…oh, who am I kidding right?" Raven grinned as he looked at them one by one. 

Yeah, that's more or less what most of them actually thought. Who was Raven kidding when he said those words? How can they feel good after all that when they clearly saw the wide chasm between them and the top three? 

Receiving the offers from the experts were nice, indeed. But remembering how outclassed they were compared to three in front of them, the offers felt humiliating. It surely isn't the intention of the experts, they are well aware of that, however they can't help it since it felt that way. 

"The final clash must've been enlightening to the rest of you." Raven smiled, his words were more like a statement rather than a suggestion. "What you saw basically made you question everything that you've been doing up until now."

"…"

"I'm not your parent, not I would act as one. I won't console any of you." Raven stated, "The gap is too huge, isn't it? It wouldn't be a mistake if we say that the three of them can wipe out the rest of you in no time since they're just that strong." 

They winced upon hearing that, but they can't really deny it. Indeed, what Raven said was true. Nina, Tori and Kyle would demolish them in no time flat without even going all-out, that's how absurdly strong these three were.

"It is true that I personally known these three." Raven mentioned, "The girls are my sisters and Kyle has been my disciple even before I left our home world."

"This information isn't a secret. I never intended to keep this a secret. I'm guessing most of you knew this by now and are currently thinking that they've got the advantage because of their connection to me but…you're dead wrong." 

Raven smirked and continued: "I don't owe you any explanation, but for the sake of context here, I'll explain." 

"I'll admit. I do own a seemingly endless supply of resources to give. I do own numerous inheritances that I can give. I do know things that could've seriously helped their cultivation and so on. But see, the truth is I've barely given them anything." 

Most of the kids were shocked upon hearing this. 

"Mhm. You heard me right. In fact, I barely paid attention to them once they got here. I was busy you see. Got my hands full of things I need to accomplish in order to run a sect and the Dawn Council at the same time. I don't have the time to babysit my sisters nor my own disciple." 

"Which, takes us to my next point…" Raven tilted his head, "Because I don't have the time to look after them, I can't really say that their achievements stemmed from my guidance. It hardly does actually. They did most of the efforts on their own." 

"All I managed to do for them, was to prepare them for what they will experience once they arrive at the Divine Realm. I placed them under a torturous training program that will ensure that their skills are up to the level where I don't have to constantly worry about their well being."

"I also gave them pointers every once in a while and that's mostly it." Raven stated, "The rest of what they accomplished were something that they worked for by themselves. When they arrived here, they decided to roam Divine Realm as a group to gather as much experience as they could. I didn't give them any resources nor any pointers from that point onwards."

"I didn't even tell them about the Grand Youth Meet now that I've thought about it." Raven chuckled. 

Now, everyone was reeling from this information. They couldn't help but look at the top three and had many thoughts running through their mind. 

"What's my purpose of me telling you all of this? Well, it's simple really." Raven stood up front his seat and started walking towards them, "Us, the older generation, can only point you towards a direction and give you certain instructions. What comes next depends on you." 

"I'm sure you've heard those words in one form or another multiple times in your lives now and are sick of hearing it, but it's the truth." Raven looked at them one by one again, "All we can give you is guidance, we won't walk the path for you, that is up to you to do."

"The Dawn Council will follow this virtue, especially when it comes to you." Raven solemnly said, "All you need will be available to you if you worked hard for it. We won't hesitate to bathe you with precious resources so long as you're showing us results."

"Therefore I announce that all of you under our tutelage." He stated, "You are free to come here and learn or go out there and explore. Your group will now be referred to as Dawn Council's Elite Students from now on."

"For the course of a year, we will give you a crash course about your shortcomings. We will give you pointers and suggestions in order for you to fix all of that and hopefully reach the level of the top three in the near future." 

"After the said year, you can either stay or venture out to explore more of what Divine Realm could offer. You can always return here to search for solace and work as out agents. Our door will always be open for you. So long as you remain loyal to Divine Realm and Humanity, then we won't hesitate to foster your growth." 

"Kyle will be the Leader of your batch." Raven stated, "Feel free to challenge him for the title. After all, his position grants of the position of Dawn Council's Envoy."

Raven waved his hand and a few bundles of items flew towards them. 

"Those will be your new uniforms including Dawn Council's Identification Badge. It comes with a booklet that states the rules and regulations of the council. Make sure to read it carefully and practice it so that we won't have problems."

"Laughing Dragon will be waiting for you at the other side of that door. Nina, Tori and Kyle, you three remain, the rest of you can go." 

Raven turned around and walked back to his seat. The rest of the participants started to leave with the top three remaining within the hall. 

When Raven sat back down, his eyes instantly focused on his disciple. Kyle started sweating nervously. His head was down, refusing to meet his Master's gaze. 

"So…" 

He barely said anything yet the three of them felt chills running down their spine. Even the twins started feeling nervous for themselves. 

"…who decided that it was wise to not tell me or our family what's going on between the three of you?"

'Shit! We're going to die.' 

That's what the three of them collectively thought at the same time. 

Under Raven's sharp gaze, they felt small. He was so intimidating that they could feel a formless pressure pressing down on them, making them feel uncomfortable. 

"…anyone wants to answer me or I'll have to squeeze it out myself? Pick." 

"I-it's…it's uh…umm…" Kyle started stuttering, barely meeting his own Master's gaze. 

"Straighten you back and stuttering, boy! I didn't raise you that way!" Raven stressed on each word.

"Sir! Yes, Sir! We got carried away and totally forgot about it, Sir!!"

"Oh?"