Chapter 7: Birthday
"What time is it?" Raven asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
[It's 2:45 A.M. You should rest now and start writing tomorrow,] Zera suggested gently.
But Raven shook his head.
"No. I want to write the first page before going to sleep."
He flicked on the aether lamp and placed it carefully on the wooden floor. The pale blue flame sputtered to life, casting a soft glow around the room. It was an odd contraption—an aether-based lamp powered by a mysterious gas. Unlike the Aether Rifles used by city guards, the lamp was cheap, easy to mass-produce, and could burn continuously for two days. Yet despite its humble design, it still felt magical in the silence of the night.
With slow, deliberate steps, Raven tiptoed out of the bedroom. He retrieved his school bag from the living room, careful not to wake Aunt Shirley or Athena, then returned and shut the door behind him.
He knelt beside the lamp and took out the items: a blank notebook with thick parchment pages, the silver pen given to him by his teacher, and a small black ink bottle.
Uncorking the bottle, he filled the pen with ink and flipped open the first page of the notebook. Then, gripping the pen with practiced fingers, he began to write—his strokes curved and elegant, guided by Zera's teaching from the past few days.
"The ink dries fast... The paper's quality is excellent," he murmured. "If it's like this, I can write much more quickly."
Though the aether lamp's glow was dim, it provided just enough light for Raven to write comfortably. Time passed unnoticed as he focused wholly on the page, scribbling each letter with care and precision. His world shrank to the soft scratch of the pen and the slow, unfolding story in his mind.
After an hour and several pages, fatigue finally caught up with him. His eyelids drooped, and his hand slowed. With a sigh, he placed the pen, ink bottle, and notebook into his inventory and climbed into bed. He drifted into sleep around 4 A.M., content.
For the next few days, Raven became obsessed with finishing the notebook. He skipped playtime, ignored lessons in his elementary class, and meticulously copied all the content.
At last, on September 2nd, he sealed the final page and let out a breath of relief.
"Tomorrow is my sister's birthday," he whispered to Zera. "How should I give her the notebook?"
He had carefully wrapped the book in brown sheets, folding the edges to make it look like a gift box—plain on the outside, mysterious within.
[Even though you changed the handwriting and disguised the cover to look older, we still need to be careful. It would be more believable if Athena found it by chance rather than receiving it from you,] Zera mused, pausing thoughtfully before chuckling.
[Wait… maybe we're overthinking. You're just a five-year-old kid. No one would believe you wrote a Knight Technique manuscript, right? So instead of telling her the truth, just tell Aunt Shirley you mysteriously found the book in your bag.]
Raven blinked in surprise.
"Will Aunt Shirley believe that?"
[Of course. Now, get some sleep. Tomorrow is a special day.]
He nodded solemnly, lay back, and let sleep claim him.
…
The next morning arrived with a breeze of excitement. It was Athena's birthday.
Raven could barely contain his nerves. His chest fluttered with a mix of anticipation and dread. He had never given a gift like this before—one that could change her life.
The tiny house was alive with celebration. Shirley had somehow managed to hide a beautiful birthday dress and other small gifts. Laughter filled the air, and the scent of sweetbread baking in the oven wafted through the rooms.
Yet Raven remained distracted.
During breakfast, Shirley noticed his silence.
"What's bothering you, Raven?" she asked gently, offering him a smile.
He hesitated, then spoke, trying to sound casual.
"Aunt Shirley… I found something in my school bag two days ago. A notebook. It has… strange writing. I think it might be a Knight Technique. I wanted to give it to Athena as a present."
Shirley raised an eyebrow.
"A Knight Technique? Are you sure it's not just something you picked up from the school library? How could a notebook like that end up in your bag?"
She watched Raven fidget, then smiled inwardly.
He must have found one of the old training journals and wants to surprise his sister. That's sweet. I'll let him give it—then we'll return it later.
She ruffled his hair.
"You're a thoughtful little one. Don't worry—we'll figure out the perfect moment."
…
Evening arrived, bringing with it a modest celebration.
The birthday cake was small but lovingly made, and the three of them gathered at the table in warm candlelight. Athena lit up with joy when she saw her new dress and gifts. Laughter rang out in the tiny house.
But Raven held onto one last surprise.
"Wait! There's one more thing," he blurted. "It's not much, but I hope you like it."
Athena raised an eyebrow curiously as he handed her the box. She tore the wrapping, revealing a black-covered book. Strange characters shimmered faintly on the surface.
"This…" she murmured. "It says Harmony."
"Just read it," Raven said, trying his best to sound mysterious. "You'll understand."
"Oh? Let me see what my cute little brother's written," she teased.
She opened the cover.
"Chapter 1: Knight's Awakening."
As she read, her playful smile faded. Her brow furrowed. Her eyes widened.
The book detailed a Knight's training regime—daily practices, meditations, and battle philosophy. But it wasn't child's play. It was profound. Technical. Advanced.
"Raven… where did you find this?" she asked, her voice laced with awe and unease.
"In my bag," Raven repeated softly, eyes wide.
Athena glanced at Shirley.
"Aunt… do you know something about this? This isn't just a book. It's… refined. Like something from a Knight Academy."
Shirley took the book, flipped through the first few pages, then grew quiet. Her expression darkened with realization.
"T-This… this might've been written by an Expert. The techniques are too accurate. Too deep. Even the first chapter outlines a Radiant Knight's training regimen…"
She looked toward Raven, concern growing.
"Could this be from him?" Athena whispered, tense.
"It's possible," Shirley said gravely. "He had the power to kill us that day, but didn't. Maybe he's watching."
"Who's he?" Raven asked, looking between them in confusion.
"You don't need to worry," Athena said quickly, masking her concern with a gentle smile. "Thank you, Raven. This is the best gift I've ever received."
She hugged him tightly, and Raven buried his face in her shoulder, heart pounding. At the same time, the mystery behind their family origin made him ponder deeply. He couldn't help but wonder about the person Shirley and Athena talked about.
…
In the days that followed, Athena devoted herself to the notebook. The training method was demanding but rewarding. She began with the body strengthening techniques, practicing each movement with care.
Then, something changed.
Her body responded with a sharp rise in strength. Her affinity with the element of darkness intensified. Soon, she felt something inside her shift—click into place.
Her fourth circle formed.
"I've entered the realm of an Official Knight," she whispered in disbelief one morning, standing in the yard under a rising sun.
As she turned to the next page, her eyes gleamed.
"Next up… 'Eclipse Fury.' A real Knight Skill. Aunt once said only Elite Knights can awaken such techniques."
She smiled and flipped the page.
"I'll master this. No matter what."
While Athena focused on honing her Knight Technique, Raven didn't slack off either. Each day after school, he endured the grueling process of memory integration—a mental burden no ordinary child could bear.
But the results were staggering.
His [Instant Memorize] skill had reached an astounding 98% completion.
…
October 28th.
After returning home from elementary school, Raven completed his writing homework, then bounced in place with barely contained excitement. He was so close to finishing his very first skill.
'Zera, what should I do once I fully master the [Instant Memorize] skill?' he asked eagerly in his mind.
Zera's calm voice responded almost instantly.
[To begin practicing the Knight Technique, your body must mature, and you need an elemental affinity. You lack both. Even though you possess the Ice Affinity Potion, its grade is far too high. Using it now could severely damage your soul. So instead, I plan to teach you Alchemy—a path rooted in the ancient Mage tradition. Alchemy can turn simple water into miraculous healing elixirs. If we manage to craft even low-grade potions, we could extend your lifespan by up to ten years.]
[But know this: Alchemy isn't easy. It demands rare materials, steady practice, and immense focus.]
As they conversed, Shirley returned home from work and joined Athena in the kitchen. The scent of spices and warmth soon filled the house. After a short while, the three of them sat down to share a hearty dinner.
Their conversation flowed easily, mostly centered around Athena's progress.
"I've completely mastered the Physical Training and Meditation techniques," Athena said with pride. "In terms of raw strength, I've already surpassed most Official Knights. Now, I'm focusing on my first Knight Skill."
Shirley froze mid-bite.
"That soon?" she asked, eyebrows arching in surprise. "Has anyone noticed your sudden growth? Inspector Henry, maybe?"
Athena shook her head. "Not really. Everyone at the station thinks I've been stuck at the same level for years. No one suspects a thing."
"That's good," Shirley said, her tone turning serious. "But keep your strength hidden until you can fight on par with an Elite Knight. Once you reach that level, you'll qualify for the inspector exam. If you pass and become a high-ranking official, Baron Alexander might finally notice you."
She paused, locking eyes with Athena.
"Accumulate as many achievements as you can. Earn the title of 'Honorary Knight.' Once you do, no one will dare to interfere with how you protect Raven."
The words sank deep.
Honorary Knight.
A title granted only to a chosen few in the entire town. Even someone like Inspector Henry—dedicated, seasoned, and respected—had yet to receive it.
It was one step closer to becoming a true noble.
But Athena knew the truth. Merit alone wasn't enough.
It required something else.
Strength.
'If I want that title… I have to reach the peak of Elite Knight. If I become a Radiant Knight, the Baron might come to my door himself.'
But the path to that level was steep. Dangerous.
Suddenly, Raven looked up.
"Aunt Shirley, do you know what 'Alchemy' is?"
Shirley's face stiffened at once.
"Alchemy?" she repeated, her voice low. "Where did you hear that word?"
[Haa… I've told you not to mention Wizard-related things in front of your aunt or sister,] Zera warned, her voice a frustrated sigh in Raven's mind.
Realizing his mistake, Raven forced a smile and lied quickly, "Teacher Elizabeth mentioned it during class today, while talking to the arts teacher."
"Her again?" Shirley's expression darkened. "What is she thinking, mentioning words like that to children? Raven, listen carefully—never speak of things like Alchemy or Magical Beasts again. Those words aren't meant for commoners like us."
But then she paused, seeing the curiosity on both Raven's and Athena's faces. Her shoulders slumped as she sighed.
"…To understand Alchemy, you first need to understand Wizards," she began.
"Athena, do you remember who was present when Raven was born?"
"Prime Minister Gavin," Athena murmured.
"Yes. He's one of the few Wizards who came from the mainland centuries ago. He rose in fame, first as the headmaster of Crow's Misery School, and then entered politics through the public election system. At first, he failed to win a single seat… but slowly, he gained traction in rural towns. As his influence grew, so did his reputation."
Shirley's voice dropped slightly.
"Twenty-four years ago, he became the Empire's Prime Minister. Since then, he and his fellow Wizards have spread their influence throughout the Empire—many of them occupying high government positions."
She looked toward Athena.
"But do you know why they're still loved by the masses?"
Athena tilted her head. "Because they're powerful? Mysterious?"
"Wrong," Shirley said with a soft chuckle. "People fear the mysterious. The real reason Wizards earned the people's trust is that they brought something tangible. Something that saved lives."
"Alchemy," Athena whispered.
Shirley nodded.
"Yes. One of their main trades is potion-making. Alchemy. That vial you used on Raven, which Goren's shop got from a certified Alchemist. The Alchemist can turn an ordinary herb into a life-saving miracle. Their skills are so valuable that even the Empire has two major merchant companies that mass-produce potions."
She gestured to the lamp above them.
"Even that light above us, crafted by Rune Wizards. Unlike Alchemists, they specialize in creating magical artifacts that improve everyday life. From lights to heating to self-cooking pots, they're behind most of it."
Both Raven and Athena stared, awestruck by the implications.
"Is it possible for commoners like us to become Wizards?" Athena asked softly, a note of longing in her voice.
"Technically… yes," Shirley said after a pause. "That's why every town on Ivory Island has a school. They're looking for talent. But to stand out, your talent needs to be exceptional."
She turned to Athena.
"You have a genius-level Sword Affinity… and a High Affinity in Darkness. But if you expose that, you won't just be noticed—you'll be targeted. If they find out who Raven truly is…"
She fell silent, her eyes hardening.
Athena clenched her fists under the table.
'No. If the palace finds him, they won't stop at capturing him. They'll erase him—completely.'
The thought made her stomach twist. She couldn't eat another bite.
Raven, however, asked one last question.
"Can Wizards create potions that increase affinity?"
Shirley looked uncertain, then slowly shook her head.
"Wizards aren't gods, Raven. Even the legendary ones in the Capital can't do that. If such potions existed…" Her voice caught, trembling with unspoken pain. "That man wouldn't have thrown you away like trash."
She fell silent.
No one spoke after that. They finished the rest of dinner quietly and went to their rooms.
…
Back in his room, Raven sat cross-legged on the bed.
'Zera, is what Aunt said true? What about the potion in my inventory? You said I could create potions through Alchemy…'
Zera responded slowly, her voice thoughtful.
[The world your aunt knows is but a grain of sand in a vast desert. Just because this realm hasn't connected with others doesn't mean the truth doesn't exist.]
[Yes, it's possible to increase one's affinity with potions. For instance, the Dawn Potion can raise it to Low Rank without risking severe soul damage. But such potions require rare magical ingredients—things you won't find in any regular market.]
[Right now, your focus should be on surviving—on extending your lifespan. Once that's secured, we'll pursue higher goals.]
Raven nodded slowly.
'Let me finish mastering [Instant Memorize] tonight. Then… I want to begin Alchemy tomorrow.'
For the first time, his voice carried resolve far beyond his years. The skill had matured him—sharpened him.
A heartbeat later, that familiar suction force returned.
…
Raven found himself standing once again in the grand hall of the Library, surrounded by infinite bookshelves under a starlit dome. Zera appeared beside him, her silver hair flowing like moonlight.
[Are you ready?] she asked, holding out a black-covered book.
Raven nodded and took it. As he flipped to the final pages, the book disintegrated into golden light and seeped into his body.
Like before, waves of foreign memories and understanding crashed into him—but this time, there was no pain.
Two hours passed.
Then, Raven's eyes snapped open. No migraine. No dizziness.
Only clarity.
Two blue notifications appeared in front of him.
[Congratulations! You have fully mastered the [Historian] class's [Instant Memorize] skill.]
[Spirit Power has increased by +0.5!]
More importantly, there was no mental backlash this time.
"I feel… clear-headed."
[Congratulations, Raven. I suspected this would happen. By completing even one Mind Skill, your soul has stabilized. Now, let's see how much longer you can live.]
Raven nodded.
A soft blue glow surrounded his real-world body. The system began its scan.
[Scanning complete.]
[Soul Damage reduced from 86% → 84.7%.]
[Calculating estimated lifespan…]
[Host's lifespan increased from 5 years 3 months → 6 years 1 month and 23 days.]
Raven stared at the numbers.
"…Only six years left?"
Then he asked, almost afraid of the answer.
"If I learn the other two mind skills… will my lifespan increase by two more years?"