Empror Eren, now impressed but what he views as Raven loyalty was now all cheers. "Continuing were we left off, since sir Raven as not here, I'll repeat myself. Next week we have the annual graduation exams. Young graduating knights from our Imperial school will be given the chance to get selected by a single family and swear their loyalty to. All those not chosen by the dukes will be given to get the chance to be chosen by other nobles of lower status." The Empror shifted his attention to Raven. "Sir Raven, I know you don't like these type of events. But, I hope you'll make a appearance this time around. I know that you're strong, but you're house only has 10 people guaring it amd most of the time their out with you and it's nit being guarded. Not that anyone will be foolish enoughto enteryou're house, but to save face infront of the other kingdoms we cant have your strongest warriesrs house unguarded."
Raven, who had resumed his pose on his cheer just nodded Eren.
Erens thoughts. "A nod? Does this mean he acknowledges my concern? Man, I really thought he'd oppose...Wait...does this mean he knows there are spies from the neighboring kingdoms here? Yes, that must be it. So, that means the stunt he pulled earlier was his waring to them. A warning to either get in line or face him as the Shield and sword of the Empire." Eren looks at Raven as he continues to think. "Really, how far ahead do you think? It's scary. I'm glad you're on my side, I'd hate to think what would happen if you were an enemy."
Ravens thoughts : "Man, I was never a fan of meeting. Even in my past life, so for now I'll just agree to whatever the Emperor says...man this damn mosquito is really bothering me. If i stand still I'm sure"
Eren now full of confidencespoke. "Now,moving on to the third agenda. Who's going to be in charge of the security that day? Last year it was Arch-Duchess Helia,so think this year it should be Arch-Duke Maye-" However, before Eren finished his sentence, Raven raised his hand. The Emperor quickly read into this. "Oh my, it seems Sir Raven has volunteered to take on the role of security. Is there any objections?"
The room fell silent yet again, one dared to oppose Ravens will. But in reality, Raven, who had enough of the mosquito sucking his blood on his left hand him raised up his right hand so he could kill it.
Now, with everyone convinced that this ment he wanted to be in charge of security, all they can do is clap and cheer him on.
Baron McCall:
"If that is what he wishes, there's no one here who will oppose."
Countess Valverde:
"I agree, this is a big honor for us. To think the strongest man alive will personally volunteer to guard the future generation on that day. They should feel honored."
Raven's who lost sight of tge misquote
finally snapoed back to reality as ge thinks "Damn it, it moved. I missed. And now everyone is looking at me. Okay, play it cool. Act like the hand raise was intentional. But why are they clapping? And 'big honor?' I just wanted to smush a blood-sucking bug. Why do I feel like I just accidentally signed up for a double shift?" he quickly lowered his right hand, giving a slow, deliberate nod that he hoped conveyed profound acceptance of a difficult but necessary task, rather than acknowledging applause for accidentally signing up for security duty.
Now, the stage had been set. Raven was now in charge of security of the Graduation ceremony and all the nobles there had one thought in mind. "If only my child can get his attention, then we'll form some kind of relationship with him. Just then Raven spotted the mosquito again. It had landed innocuously on the polished marble floor near his boot. He shifted his weight slightly on the throne, slowly moving his left foot.
"Got you now, tiny menace. No more blood for you, you fuzzy little vampire. Just a quick squish and then maybe I can get out of here before they force me to join a knitting circle." He thought to himself as he brought the heel of his boot down with a calculated, precise motion, a quick, silent tap that was perfectly contained and directed.
However, to the nobles there it was more than that. Him causing an invisible object was more like a warning. "I will not tolerate any nonsense. I will do everything in my power to cleanse all those who try to sabotage this moment."
Now with the silence even more heavy, Eren clappedhis hands in awe."Bravo, Sir Raven. I trust that you will do well, and the to ensure that you do just that, All dukes are instructed to send at least 500 men to support you on that day. Duchess Helia, you will also send 50,000 gold in hopes of support for this project."
Everyone in the room had no objection. Well except one guy. "What the hack? 500 men each, that's like 2,500 man. And 50,000 gold? That's too much responsibility for me. All I just wanted to do was seat in a corner and Aura farm like I'm piccolo or something....nah I gotta set this right." He thought to himself. With a simple shake of his head he made it clear. "No, I will do this with my Shadows." Although their egos were hurt, they couldn't complain.
The 9 shadows consisted of 9 warriors who were exiled from their home lands and came to Emor in hopes of fighting the world's "Strongest" man, Raven Kincaid. The bottom seven were all Rank 3 Swordsmen and the last two were Swordsmen who reached Rank 2. This means they were no push overs, and when push comes to shove they'll stand their ground. Plus what made them even more dangerous was the "abnormal techniques" Raven had thought them.
Kyle, the ninth shadow had the the element of lighting. So as a reward for his loyalty Raven had thought him the "thousand humming birds" technique and all it's differentvariations. (Iykyk, thank you Sasuke)
Tiana, the 8th Shadow had the element of water. So, Raven thought her the "Water Dragon, Water clone, and other water type techniques he had learned from his 'studies' (watching Anime)
Morris, the 7th Shadow had the Element of Earth. So the first thing he was thought was how to communicate with the earth, as such he had developed the sub elements of sand and Metal.
Noir, The 6th Sahdow had the "evil" element of darkness. So, as a result Raven thought her how to bland in with darkness, how to blind people with her ability, how to travel through shadows and how to control people through their shadows.
Carlos. The 5th Shadow who has control over fire
Elliot, the 4th and the one who has the Elements of Fire and Earth . One of the things that Raven thought him was to combine the two and make a new element. The element of magma.
Jacy, The 3rd shadow who had control over water and wind. By combining the two she made a new Element, ice.
The last two are hardly ever scene In the eyes of the public, but it is said they both have control over 3-4 of the original elements, plus 2 sub elements each. They are regarded as Raves right and left hand men. The two swords of Kincaid. It's said the reason why no one ever see their face is because once you see them you'll never see anything gain.
Back to the story*
Raven who had now grown tired of the meeting couldn't hold it in anymore with one unplanned loud sigh he officially called the end of the meeting.afraud if boring him any longer, Eren officially brought an end to the meeting.
Later. Eren finally made his way back to his room. As he laid down on his bed, a knock came from the door. His fiancée, Lady Alya, the daughter of Arch-Duke Valerius came.
"My lord, how was the meeting?" She asked with concern on her face.
Eren let's out a small laugh before he speaks. "It went...well...Guess who finally decided to attend the meeting this time around."
Alya instantly replied. "No, you dint mean him hy any chance, do you?"
Eren:
"Yeah, Raven Kincaid. He was late, but he showed up.Honestly, you should've seen the way he sang the meeting. If an outsider came to visit, they mistake him for the Emperor instead of me."
Alya:
"What did he want? He's not one to attend this social gathering so there must be something wrong."
Eren:
"I think so too. He volunteered to be in charge of security next week at the graduation exams of the junior knights. What's even more interesting is that he said that he and his shadows are enough for the security of the whole event."
Alya:
"Do you doubt him thou?"
Eren:
"Now, I just feel more sorry for the people who'll foolish enough to try anything on that day. That's all."
The next morning. The news that Raven was coming to the academy of Knoghthood Pendragon spread like wildfire, the students to teachers were all on the feet preparing for the event. The school was never this full of life, not even when Eren was coming to visit. Everyone had one thought on their mind, "I have to be the first ever cadet to be acknowledged by Raven Kincaid."
Somewhere in a cave, 5 men all stood at the at the round table. "Is it true? That Kincaid will be present at this year's graduation exams?" One if them said.
"I find that hard to believe, it's been five years since he beat the 7th general, if that's even true. But he's only making a appearance now? The Emor Empire must be losing the publics trust. Besides, I find it hard to believe there's a human who can match a Demon in turns of power. Even the first Hero who was Saud to be a Rank one 1 swordsman couldn't defeat the Demon lord Luciffero's and ended up only sealing him." One of them said.
"It doesn't matter if you ask me. We all know his nothing but a false rumore created by the Emperor to gain the people's trust, and on the day of the Graduation we will expose him and the lies of the Empror in one swoop. That is the way our master has chosen"
Six days later, the Arena was full. With no guard in sight, however the people never felt much safer. They knew raised on the rumors that he will be watching them from the shadows. As the 300 Cadets who were graduating that year stood in the center, the Empror finally made his way to the center stage. Beside him was the other 4 Arch-Dukes. And then it happened, he was last to make his appearance. His steps slow, but with every step he took everyone felt a huge pressure being put on them.
The cadets thinking*
Cadet one:
"So, that's him? The strongest man in Emor...no, in the world? He doesn't look like much, but what's with this pressure his giving. Are you telling me a single human is able to unleash this much Prana?"
Cadet 2:
"I can't breath properly. Man, thank God that I mastered by families breathing technique. Who would've known if I didn't?"
Cadet 3:
"No way, that's not a human being. That's a monster in human flash."
As he reaches the thrones, he turns to the Emperor's throne and kneels to show his respects after that he gets up and turn to the cadets. He takes a deep breath as he is handed the vocal enhancer crystal. "Welcome, proud Cadets of the Emor Empire. My name is Raven Kincaid, the Arch-Duke of the newly founded Kincaid Dukedom north of here. My job today is to ensure you're protection. I vow on my name as Raven Kincaid, that no one shall point a swords at you and should they do, I will personally crush them." After giving his speech, he turns and moves towards his throne and sits yet again in his "Itachi pose". As the crowd cheers heavily.
"Pheww. I think that was a good enough speech. Man I hope no one Saw through my shenanigans."
One by one the Cadets stepped up to demonstrate what they they were capable of.
They all had hoped that Raven would pick them, but he just stood there without even flinching. The Cadets had massive skills, however as long as Raven didn't raise his hands it was all meaningless. The 170th Child made his way to the stage, although he understood the basics pretty well, he demonstrated a poor Swordsmanship. His Prana was the only thing decent about him.
As he concluded his presentation, he looked at the Arch-Duke's. And just as he foresaw, no one was interested in brining him into their house. Just as the kids dreams were about to be broken of serving a great household. Raven, who had been asleep with his eyes open this whole time finally woke up. His first instinct after waking was to stretch out his right hand and that when it happened, another misunderstanding.
His hand went up and the crowed gasped at the sight of it. Their minds were racing with nothing but questions. Like
"Why this kid?"
"What makes him special?"
"There was nothing spectacular about his movements, so why is the "Swift Judgement" picking him?"
"Is he serious? There were more people with better talent than this kid, why chose him?"
The boy, a youn men in his 17s couldn't hold in his tears. He had been the first to get acknowledged by Raven.
The grandmaster, who couldn'thold in her curiosityfinallyspoke. "Urm, sir Raven. Is there a specific reason you chose Cadet number 170, Erick?"
Raven who had finally reached his sense thought to himself what the hell did I just do? Curse you stupid hand raising habit...wait, did she say number 170? That means I fell asleep through more than half of the show? Damn it, damn it...wait, now I gonna think of something cool to say or else I'll look like a dum." He thought long and hard until he spoke.
"The boy isn't all impressive, but that's what makes him unique too." He takes looks straight at Erick and speaks." Your names Erick. A commoner much like myself. I see deep potential in you. You have the ability to reach new heights. And I'll be the one to help you reach those heights. Come, join me and lets reach new heights together. From this day you're a knight of Kincaid. My will is now yours." He said. Leaving the crowed in utter silence.