Chapter 18: Three Years
The death of Scott and the mysterious disappearance of the entire Miller Family shook both the academy and the town for months. Rumors ran wild, theories flourished, and hushed whispers filled the air.
But as always, time dulled the edge of memory. Days turned to weeks, and life gradually returned to normal.
With Scott gone, the bullying at the academy ceased. For the first time in years, Raven and Dante could walk the halls without fear.
Surprisingly, Dante's progress in spearmanship soared in just two months. He rose from Rank 92 to 73 in the academy's practical exams—a feat that left many instructors stunned.
Raven also saw a glimmer of progress in his own training. After the kidnapping incident, something inside him had shifted. Before, his comprehension of spearmanship was frozen at 0%—no matter how much he practiced. But now, it had ticked up to 1.2%.
He knew exactly why.
It wasn't his effort that brought the breakthrough, but a lingering echo of Casper's memory—a single slash engraved in Raven's mind like a ghostly imprint. By mimicking the stance and movement again and again, his comprehension rose slowly but surely... until it hit a wall at 1.2%.
But that wasn't all. That breakthrough also allowed him to sense a latent spell sealed within his spear, Frozen Ender—an ice spell waiting to be unleashed.
Zera, however, had warned him firmly.
"Don't act recklessly. If you try to use it now, the backlash could cripple you."
That warning forced Raven to confront the truth: he could no longer improve through conventional means. His path would be different.
That's when he set his sights on a new ability—Past Finder.
It was the third recorded skill within the system. Given how he'd improved using Casper's memory, Raven believed this ability might offer a more direct way to advance his spear mastery.
So, for three full months, he abandoned traditional training and immersed himself in mastering the Past Finder skill. Using the system's fragments of experience, he endured searing pain and soul-deep torment.
In the end, he succeeded.
He reached full comprehension—100%.
But once again, Zera stopped him.
"You don't have enough spirit power or any Past-Time essence in your body. If you try to use it now, it might shatter your soul."
Though disappointed, Raven didn't regret it. Instead, he waited.
"Just three more years… Then I can start learning the Elemental Circlet Technique."
He buried his impatience and returned to studying.
…
Three Years Later
Rune Era 1420, August 19
Raven had turned fifteen.
Now standing at 165 cm, he had the lean build of a youth stepping into adulthood. He trained when he could, kept his studies sharp, and continued working on alchemy—but despite it all, his spearmanship experience remained locked at 1.2%.
Most of his classmates had already formed their third mana circle in the Knight Pathway. Geniuses like Mary had even begun to grasp basic combat skills unique to their element.
Raven, meanwhile, was the only one without a circle. No aura. No combat skills.
His aunt and sister had both pleaded with him to drop out of the Knight School and focus on alchemy. With his written scores, he could easily top the Imperial Exams, secure a government position, or even serve directly under a minor noble like Baron Alexander.
But Raven's dream wasn't to live under the shadow of his family.
He wanted to protect them.
Even if he ranked last in every practical exam. Even if everyone saw him as a failure. Even if the world laughed.
Only his family knew the truth.
His alchemical knowledge had already surpassed anyone in the entire town. And though he hadn't made a breakthrough in martial prowess, he refused to take shortcuts—even when tempted.
If I used mortal potions to boost my stats, no one would ever know… But no. That would be cheating.
He shook his head as he stirred from sleep, his mind already on the Low-Rank Strength Potion he was working on. If completed, it could permanently increase strength by 1.0 points—a massive boost.
I already have seven Dragonroots and a bottle of Moonlit Water. The last component is two drops of blood from either an Ogre or a Minotaur. I need fifteen drops total. Hopefully, Aunt Shirley can find something at the next auction…
Yawning, he checked his body condition:
…
[Status]
Name: Raven Sillalus JorvotAge: 14Title: 66th Prince of the Zenith EmpireClass: Acolyte Warlock (0th Circle)Soul Rank: Mortal (Soul damage: 83%)Health: NormalPathway: Beginner Alchemist
Attributes
Strength: 0.9Agility: 0.8Vitality: 0.9Luck: 1.5Spirit: 5.4
Spells & Skills
Bloodline Spell: Regeneration (Incomplete)Skills: Past Finder, Instant Memorize, Wonder SenseAffinity: Life (Low)
…
He stared at the numbers with a bitter expression.
"Everyone else is at second or third circle… and I'm still here."
Worse, the next exam wasn't just a test—it was a hunting assessment.
With his current stats, he'd be deadweight in the field.
"Even if I somehow pass this, the next test is the Affinity Exam. My Life Affinity's still too low… and I can't use the Ice potion with my soul in this state."
He clenched his fists, feeling the weight of reality crash over him.
"I wanted to enter Crow's Misery Academy… to become a true wizard. But it's a pipe dream now."
Only three months remained before the final graduation.
"I at least need to pass this year. Or life will become ten times harder."
[Sigh… I hear the same thing every day. Just focus on today's test. Who knows? Maybe something good will happen.]
Zera's words echoed in his mind. Though comforting, they failed to stir any real hope.
She's repeated that same line more than a hundred times since I learned Wonder Sense…
Raven pushed off his blanket and dragged himself out of bed.
…
In the courtyard outside, his older sister Athena was already training beneath the soft morning light. Her movements were sharp, deliberate—each swing of her longsword humming with deadly grace.
She looked powerful. Commanding. Alive.
With her olive skin, reddish-orange eyes, and a figure honed by years of combat, she stood like a warrior queen. The linen top clung to her athletic frame, and the way she moved was like watching a painting come alive.
From the kitchen, another voice called out.
"You're up earlier than usual."
Raven turned to see a striking blonde woman leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, blue eyes sharp with concern.
Shirley—his aunt.
"Morning, Aunt. Today's the final practical exam at the Knight School."
Her expression immediately darkened.
"Is it today? Should I come with you?"
From outside, Athena's voice cut in.
"Don't pamper him, Aunt. I already checked the area—nothing abnormal. He'll be fine as long as he sticks with the group. Besides, he's got a few tricks up his sleeve."
Shirley chuckled but didn't look convinced.
"Still… if something feels off, run. Forget the test. Understood?"
"I will," Raven nodded before heading off to wash up.
…
A lot had changed in the last three years.
His aunt had become a Radiant Knight, increasing her lifespan by fifty years—thanks to the Knight Awakening Potion he'd brewed after months of effort and 600 gold worth of materials.
His sister had advanced even further, comprehending intermediate-ranked Sword Aura and becoming a Rank-2 Sword Dancer. Now, either of them could take down a Rank-1 Magical Beast solo.
If they fought the Orc Commander now… it'd be over in a single strike.
Zera kept pushing him to send them into the Mirage Woodlands to hunt magical beasts for him.
But Raven refused.
I won't endanger them for my own gain.
Instead, he chose another path.
He had already memorized every Adept Rank alchemy tome in their collection. Theoretically, he was already an adept-level alchemist.
He'd even learned Wonder Sense, a skill that subtly boosted his Luck stat by 0.5—but it came at a price.
The strain on his soul reduced his already damaged lifespan.
Now, he had just five years and six months left to live.
"I hope I didn't make a mistake choosing this skill… Zera keeps saying good opportunities will come, but nothing's happened yet."
Raven muttered to himself as he stepped into the bathroom, unbuttoning his shirt with a tired sigh.
[That's because you haven't left this town yet, fool.]
Zera's voice echoed in his mind.
Startled, Raven instinctively covered himself.
"Didn't I tell you not to appear when I'm bathing?!" he growled inwardly, cheeks flushing.
She didn't reply, but he could almost hear her smug laughter.
After a quick rinse in the cold water, he stepped out, towel slung low around his waist. The early morning breeze brushed against his skin as he walked to his bedroom. Neatly hung on the wall were several sets of identical dark grey shirts and pants. He grabbed one from the farther end—crisp, untouched.
Dressed and ready, Raven strapped the long spear leaning against the corner table onto his back.
"I've practiced the Wintermoon Spear Dance for months, yet I haven't improved at all… Will I really be okay in the exam?" he wondered, anxiety tightening his chest.
Still, he forced a calm expression and reminded himself, "As long as I use the potions I've brewed, I'll be fine."
He headed to the kitchen, where his sister, Athena, and Aunt Shirley were already having breakfast. The smell of toasted bread and herbs greeted him.
"Raven," Shirley said suddenly, setting her teacup down. "We'll be heading to the Royal Capital at the end of next week. Let your teachers and friends know—it might be over a month before we return."
Raven paused mid-bite, surprised. "The auction's already that close? Got it, Aunt."
Weeks ago, Shirley had received secretive intel from the black market: a rare Miracle Life Potion was set to appear in an upcoming auction. They'd been preparing for the trip ever since.
"How much gold do we have in total?" Athena asked, sipping her water.
"We've got 1,340 gold between us," Shirley answered, then turned to Raven. "But your earnings should be far higher. I've been selling your potions for fifteen gold coins a week, so it must be around two thousand by now."
Raven grinned. "Actually, I've saved up 3,250 gold coins."
The room went still.
"…Are you serious?" Athena stared at him, eyes wide. "All that work I've been doing—was I just playing around compared to you?!"
She groaned and clutched her head. "Ugh! My baby brother earns ten times my salary!"
Her eyes drifted toward the alchemy lab.
"Don't even think about raiding his lab," Shirley warned, chuckling.
Still smirking, Raven said, "This time, I'm putting two items into the auction."
"That magic stone and the Orc Commander's eye crystals?" Shirley asked. "Wait—you used one last week to make a Night Vision potion, didn't you?"
"I did. In fact, I made two," Raven replied thoughtfully. "Still deciding if I should use them or sell them."
"Use one," Athena cut in. "Mirage Woodlands may be safer now, but nightfall there is still deadly. Last time, goblins ambushed a group and crippled three students. Having Night Vision might save your life during the exam."
Shirley nodded. "She's right."
Raven agreed with a nod. "Then I'll keep one and sell the other, along with the Hybrid Elemental Crystal. According to my teacher, a Night Vision potion could fetch over 2,000 gold coins at auction due to its rarity. With the crystal, we might bring in 4,500 to 5,000."
"You sure it'll sell that well?" Shirley asked, arching an eyebrow.
"You'll see," Raven replied smugly.
Athena rolled her eyes. "Look at him—so smug all of a sudden! What happened to my cute little brother? Now he's acting like a show-off."
Raven smirked. "I'm also wondering what happened to my loving sister—now she's turned into a bitter, jealous villain."
"Haaa… You two." Shirley smiled at the back-and-forth, then glanced at the ceiling. Her smile faded.
'Jeanne… How are you these days?' she thought. 'Ever since we left the palace, I haven't heard a word from you… But I know you're still alive.'
She clenched her fist beneath the table, then looked at Athena.
"Athena… Don't you want to see your mother?"
The mood shifted in an instant. Athena's face darkened.
Since they arrived in this quiet town, Athena had never once spoken of her parents. She always played the strong, protective sister. But Shirley knew—deep down, Athena missed her mother terribly.
"I do want to see her, Aunt," Athena said quietly. Her voice was flat, but her fists trembled. "But there's someone else I never want to meet again. If I see him, I might kill him… for trying to murder Raven."
Shirley's face grew somber. "Don't forget—he's still the Emperor of Zenith. We don't even have the strength to face a Baron's household, let alone him. If we want Jeanne back, we'll need power—or politics."
Her eyes moved to Raven. "Why not raise the banner of a Royal Crown Challenge? The founder of the Zenith Empire made a decree—every royal descendant, even from concubines, has a right to the throne. These days, the succession fights aren't as bloody. If you gain the support of two Dukes, four Margraves, and seven Counts, the Guardian himself will recognize you as Crown Prince."
"No, Aunt Shirley," Athena said, her voice resolute. "After experiencing the strength Raven's teacher lent me, I've decided to focus on swordsmanship and knighthood. I don't want politics. I just want to be strong enough to protect him."
She reached to ruffle Raven's hair, but he ducked away.
"…If I become Emperor, will we get better access to alchemy ingredients?" he asked, only half-joking.
"Stop dreaming, Raven." Athena's tone turned cold. "Those people tried to kill you the day you were born. If I hadn't seen that future vision—whatever it was—you would've died. That place is rotten to the core."
Seeing her deadly serious expression, Raven wisely shut up.
'Yup, one more word and she'll blow up on me.'
He finished breakfast in silence.
…
Later, Raven gathered supplies for the upcoming practical exam: a matchbox, candles, knives, spare clothes, a small pouch of dried fruits, a pocket watch, and a compact mat. He stored most of it in his inventory and kept only a leather bag for appearances.
Inside the alchemy lab, he studied nine potion vials laid in precise rows.
Two were green, two deep blue, three pale yellow, and the last two pitch black.
"Two Strength Potions, two Agility Potions, three Paralysis Potions… and two Night Vision Potions," he murmured.
He picked up the green ones first.
"Strength Potion: doubles strength for 30 minutes, but causes fatigue for an hour. Combine it with Agility Potion and I might be paralyzed for two or three hours…"
Among all of them, only the Night Vision potion offered permanent effects. It was rare, powerful, and potentially life-saving.
He carefully packed the potions, placed the bag on his shoulder, and said farewell to Shirley and Athena before heading toward the northern gate.
…
Back at the house, Athena lingered at the doorway, watching Raven disappear down the street. She remained there until he vanished into the crowds, then turned to get ready for work.
Less than two minutes later, there was a knock at the door.
"Did Raven forget something?" Shirley called from the kitchen.
Athena walked to the door, combing her hair with her fingers as she opened it casually—
—and froze.
Standing before her was a man in his late fifties. Rough-faced and straight-backed, he wore a tailored black frock coat and a polished top hat. His long golden hair framed a pair of cold silver eyes that glinted with familiarity.
Athena's heart sank.
"…Prime Minister Gavin?!"