Way of the Knights

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"God damn, I'm tired."

Raven sighed exasperatedly after seeing the last visitors of his leave his room.

He massaged his temples and sat cross-legged. He closed his eyes after a while and fell into a state of deep meditation. Considering that he just woke up from a brief coma, this day had rather been fruitful.

He did what he could to help out the adults. And his help allowed them to be acknowledged by their respective Spirit Entities.

Like what was stablished earlier, it would be impossible for them to restart their cultivations, and it's not advisable for them do so anyway. That being said, it's not entirely impossible for them to receive a boost of strength even if it was too late.

All he needed to do is to rouse their Souls while they were under the influence of the Starry Skies of the Spirit World, which was the sole reason why he summoned it in the first place. Once Raven started the process, their respective Spirit Entities were revealed.

***

For Luis, his Spirit Entity is 'Regulus of the Golden Sun'. An entity that is considered as the Beast King of Heavenly Bodies.

When Raven initiated the connection, the Regulus Constellation seemed to have come alive and formed a link with his father. Then a sun-like mark that has a carved image of a lion, appeared on Luis' forehead while he himself felt that his affinity towards Fire was raised by an impressive margin. Even the mysteries of Fire Laws that was unreachable for him before became crystal clear to the point that it made him restless.

Unable to compose himself, he immediately excused himself and went into a closed-door cultivation. As for how long his enlightenment will last, that depends on luck.

Next was Jackson. His Spirit Entity is called 'Night Monarch's Sword'. An intelligent weapon that reaped countless of lives under many holders. When the connection was made, a sword mark appeared on Jackson's forehead and similar to Luis, he had to excuse himself and enter a closed-door cultivation. Good thing that he had already informed the Hawk Forces to prepare a room for them since he knew that this is going to happen.

Bradley was next. Raven started the connection and his Spirit Entity was revealed. It's the 'Full-Moon Beheader'. A sword that became famous due to it's unparalleled elegance under the moonlight and perpetual sharpness. A sword-like mark appeared on Bradley's forehead, causing him to be restless and excuse himself as well.

As for Victor, his Spirit Entity is a surprising one. It is the 'Lightning God's War Drum', an spiritual artifact that was personally crafted by a person who was dubbed as the Lightning God. It is said that with the help of his drum, the Lightning God could call upon the clouds of Tribulation Lightning.

And just like the previous two, after the mark which appeared to be a drum, appeared. Victor also excused himself.

Next came Morel, who initially wanted to have a private conversation with Raven but decided to postpone it due to the current situation. His was named 'Zephyr, God of the West Wind'. A green colored bird mark appeared on his forehead and he similarly excused himself as well.

It was then Leona's turn. Hers was named 'Cruel Sun', a heavenly body which is said to exist in the 2nd layer of Purgatory, the heat it emanated was harsh enough to perpetually burn the souls of sinners. A sun-like mark appeared on Leona's forehead. She too excused herself from the room.

Then it was Old Lee's turn. His Spirit Entity is named 'Primal Lightning Bracers', an item that was personally crafted by someone who was dubbed as the Smith God. It is a Heavenly Treasure that allows its user to freely control lightning as they wish. It became a Spirit Entity later on due to it gaining consciousness and because of its formidability.

Instead of forming a mark on his forehead. A tattoo appeared on his wrists instead, what's even more surprising is that the tattoo looked like the bracers themselves. Old Lee felt a buzz on his head which made him light-headed, it was like the door of countless mysteries opened for him, beckoning him to explore what's on the other side. He didn't even properly excused himself as he just disappeared from the room like a thin smoke.

And of course, it was finally the Prince's turn.

Raven nodded to him and initiated the connection. Balmung felt something inside him stir, he couldn't help but let out a groan. The constellation belonged to him moved and shifted behind him. Raven paid close attention and when the silhouette of the constellation materialized, his eyes shone brightly.

"Dawn Bringer Falcon." He whispered, somewhat impressed by the sight manifesting behind the Prince's back.

Balmung sharply opened his eyes and brilliant light shone in them. He felt agitated, his blood was pumping hard, making it somewhat difficult to breathe. His mind cleared up and countless realizations were dawning upon him. He forced himself to remain calm but it was proving difficult to do so. He shot a complication gaze towards Raven and said€¦

"You really want to become my Brother-in-law, huh?"

*Cough* *Cough* *Cough*

Raven was once again caught off-guard by the prince's playful words. Luna on the other hand, immediately blushed and smacked Balmung on his arm. The prince only chuckled, after sending them some meaningful gaze, he too excused himself to enter a closed-door cultivation.

"What was that all about?" Paul scratched his head in confusion.

"You dummy!" Ellen smacked him in turn, "It means that he was giving them the 'Go' signal!" She laughed and faced Raven who's ears were turning red. "I'm rooting for you by the way. Hihi."

"Oh my, oh my. Dear Princess, it seems that you've been keeping things from us, eh?" Anne went beside Luna and teased her by pushing her slightly using her elbows, she was also followed by Ellen.

"Oh you! Shut it! It's nothing like that!" Luna's face flushed in an even deeper shade of red.

"Really?" Ellen smiled mischievously and continued, "Why do you sound disappointed?"

"I'm not disappointed!" Luna huffed as she glared at Anne, though to the latter it looked more like an adorable tantrum.

"Is that so?" Anne asked, flashing her cunning smile she then said: "Such a bummer then. You know, people like Big Bro won't stay single forever right? He's so dashing and heroic, many girls in my clan wanted to meet him. Some of our Elders even wanted to introduce their daughters to him in hopes of reeling him in. They asked for my help you know? I was just hesitant since I thought you guys had a thing, but it appears that you don't so I might as well help them."

Anne turned around and sighed in a fake manner, sounding truly disappointed. All of a sudden, she felt a pinch on her sides, a victorious smile appeared on her face as she turned around to see Luna biting her lip while giving her a pleading look.

"Hahahaha." Anne and Ellen burst into a cheerful laughter, Anne tapped Luna's hands and said: "Alright, alright I get it." Her behavior caused Luna to blush even harder.

Meanwhile on Raven's side. Paul just realized what Ellen meant so he immediately ran towards Raven and swung his arm around him.

"Good! Good Brother! Formidable indeed, just like me! Hahahaha!" Paul laughed merrily like a little child. Raven shook his head but there was a noticeable smirk on his face.

"Indeed, very formidable." Mark commented on the side, smirking as he swung his arm around Raven as well. "With how busy our schedules are, you wouldn't think that he would find time to chase after someone but nope, he just did."

Mark looked at the blushing Luna and added: "And it seems that he's making a considerable process. Our Dear Princess is rendered into a hot mess with just a comment from the Prince." He looked at Raven and continued, "Very formidable indeed."

Raven raised his brow and his elbows found their way onto the stomach of the two. Mark and Paul reeled in pain.

Raven shook his head and chuckled, he then said: "Get out of here. I need to rest."

Paul and Mark's expression changed as they just remember that Raven just actually woke up. They shook their heads and stood up.

"Make sure to rest well." Mark added, before leaving.

Paul caught the attention of the girls and told them that Raven needed rest. They too just remembered that and hurriedly excused themselves. Raven told them to relax as he wasn't offended by their visit even in the slightest, he was just spent and needed to rest. He escorted them to the door but something happened.

Anne gave Ellen a peculiar look, the latter got the message and went into action.

"Oops!" Ellen said before swaying her hips and bumping onto Luna causing her to stumble, a pair of firm and strong arms caught her. She looked up and saw that it was Raven who prevented her from falling.

They heard laughter in front of them but before they could say anything, they already left.

Luna blushed fiercely, she regained her balance and said: "Thank you."

"It's nothing." Raven chuckled.

There was a period of awkward silence before Luna broke it.

"M-make sure you rest well, okay? I-I'm leaving now!" She was about to go out when she felt Raven hold her hand. She looked back and saw him staring at her with a peculiar expression.

"S-so uh..." Raven stuttered, "You busy tomorrow?"

Luna was caught off guard by his sudden question. She shook her head as a response.

Raven scratched his head and said: "Good. Want to have lunch with me?"

Luna felt her heartbeat quicken, she blushed hard but managed to nod her head in response.

"Alright, I'll pick you up."

"Okay." Luna replied in a almost a whisper.

"Okay."

"Bye."

"Bye."

Luna exited his room, leaving Raven somewhat lost. He returned to his bed and laid down.

"God damn, I'm tired."

He sighed exasperatingly but there was a smile that came along with it.