CHAPTER 120: 120 - THE ARTICLE

July 5, 2080.

Sunday, [8:00 PM].

Still at Ruby’s room.

...

...

*****

"Are you okay now?"

Keara asked Raven, her voice calm but with a faint trace of worry hidden under it.

"Yeah, it was no big deal to begin with."

Raven responded.

"I just lost consciousness because of mana exhaustion."

He took a small breath and added that.

And then, he followed a warm smile, the kind that was meant to reassure Keara even if he still felt the dull weight of fatigue pressing against his body.

Anyway— Raven is currently lying on Ruby’s bed as he’s still pretty tired, his arms resting limply on his sides, his legs stretched out like all the strength had been drained from them.

Meanwhile, at the corner of the room, Ruby is squinting her eyes while looking at him, her lips slightly pursed as if she was analyzing every detail of his current state.

Raven noticed her stare almost immediately.

"Haha..."

And all he could do is laugh awkwardly, the sound coming out softer than he intended.

Ruby knows to some extent that Raven is physically exhausted too, not just mana wise. She had seen the toll it took on him when he used that skill in his spar against Alec.

([Acceleration Thought])

Moving on, just then—

FWOOSH~

Levina flew in front of Raven’s face, she was glowing so bright that it made Raven frown immediately.

-While you were fighting against that kid earlier—

-I noticed that you got better at applying your electric attribute to your mana and body!

Then she exclaimed that, her tone was proud.

"Well, yeah, I’ve been practicing a lot and I have an outstanding teacher after all."

Raven responded to Levina without hesitation, his eyes softening as he spoke.

And hearing his words, Levina was genuinely happy, her small form practically glowing even more in satisfaction.

"Too bad I lost though."

But then, Raven suddenly added with a bitter smile, his gaze shifting to the ceiling as if the white plaster could give him answers.

’I already lost to Ruby twice when we were sparring.’

’But why does losing against Alec feel more impactful?’

Raven asked himself inwardly, his thoughts lingering on the sensation of defeat that stubbornly refused to fade.

"Hmm, losing does really make me feel shit."

Raven weakly mumbled, almost as if talking to himself.

"This is why I don’t like losing."

Then he stated, his tone neither angry nor pitiful— just plain and matter-of-fact.

Levina, Keara, and Ruby.

They all heard Raven’s words, but they didn’t say anything in response.

They don’t know what to say to him in the first place.

Because looking at Raven... he doesn’t look like he’s depressed about his loss.

It also doesn’t feel like he’s angry at himself, nor that he’s questioning his abilities.

It’s just that... Raven looks a bit disappointed, like someone who had aimed for just a little more and missed it by a hair’s breadth.

"Anyway, what’s Alec’s condition?"

It was then, Raven suddenly asked them that, breaking the silence.

"He’s still in the medical center."

And it was Ruby who answered him, her voice steady but her brows knitting together slightly.

Then, with a small frown, Ruby continued talking.

"Many of Alec’s ribs were shattered, he was already given a proper treatment..."

"But the doctors said that it would still take him two whole days to heal completely because his insides seem to be roasted as well by something hot."

Ruby explained to Raven, her tone betraying a mix of concern and disapproval.

And after hearing that news.

"Hehe..."

Raven chuckled, the sound low and almost mischievous.

Actually...

At his very last attack to Alec, Raven accumulated a ball of mana combined with his electric attribute on top of his knuckle, letting it hum faintly with unstable energy.

And when his fist made contact with Alec’s side, Raven made sure to blast the electric ball and scatter it inside Alec’s body, letting the current snake through him from the inside out!

’At least I didn’t lose one-sidedly against my protagonist.’

Raven thought before slowly getting up from the bed, his body still heavy but his mind already shifting to something else.

"What are you doing?"

Then Keara asked him, tilting her head slightly.

Raven looked at her, before glancing at Ruby and Levina too.

And after that, he shrugged his shoulders, letting out a small sigh before opening his mouth.

"I’m gonna make dinner for us."

Raven stated plainly.

"Anyone want something specific to eat?"

Then he followed with a question to the others, his tone casual but inviting.

Ruby, Levina, and Keara looked at each other for a while, a silent conversation passing between them...

Then they all looked back at Raven.

"I want something roasted."

Ruby said to him without hesitation.

"Me, I want something super sweet for dessert..."

Then Keara shyly muttered after, her cheeks faintly pink.

-I’m fine with anything, anything you cook is delicious after all!

And lastly, Levina stated her opinion too, her wings fluttering cheerfully.

And after hearing their words, Raven smiled at them— a small, genuine smile.

"Then I should probably start."

He said before exiting the room and heading to the kitchen.

And the three ladies followed Raven like they were ducklings following their mother, their footsteps light against the floor.

*****

Anyway... While Raven is chilling with Keara, Levina, and Ruby...

=====

[Raven Obadiah: The Dark Angel!]

-A new desirable talent appeared to the world!

[Raven Obadiah] jumped from F- rank to E- rank in under 2 months!

He revealed the aristocracy of a student group in the [Lunar Academy] that has been abusing their parents powers!

That’s not all, [Raven] bravely faced them all even without a proper backing, and he emerged victorious!

[See more about the article?]

=====

An article about him was posted online!

And that article was gaining a crazy amount of attention from the public, spreading fast through forums and news feeds!

People started praising Raven’s achievements, some calling him a fresh hope for the younger generation.

Many high-ranking officials and guilds became interested in him, quietly discussing possible offers.

But it’s not just them...

Demons and evil organizations also started paying attention to Raven’s presence!

They think that Raven is a possible strong enemy to them, and that he might hinder their movements in the future.

But there are also some stupid idiots who think that Raven is a good candidate for them to recruit, blind to the reality of his personality.

Anyway, just a little while ago— Raven’s name was unknown to many.

But now he became known in many names!

’The Rising Star.’

’The Hidden Prodigy.’

’The Sleeping Dragon.’

’The Vigilante.’

’The Dark Hero.’

These are some of the nicknames that were granted by the people to Raven!

And the nickname that is really known to everyone is:

Raven, The Dark Angel!

...

...

...

"Hmm, people liked him more than I expected."

Leo, or the headmaster of [Lunar], mumbled while looking at the people’s reaction to the article about Raven online.

He was in his office and sitting behind his desk with an amused expression on his face, tapping his fingers against the polished wood.

"You have a way in your words, huh. You made the article pretty well."

The headmaster said, then he looked in front of him.

There... Kendy was sitting on a red sofa, looking far too relaxed for the time of day.

Kendy looked at the headmaster, then he smiled.

"Really, old man?"

Kendy asked, his tone teasing.

"Yes, you brat."

Then the headmaster replied without missing a beat.

Leo looked at the article about Raven one last time before standing up from his seat, straightening his jacket.

And after that, he walked toward the door of his office.

But when he grabbed the handle of the door...

Leo suddenly looked back at the still-sitting Kendy with a frown.

"What are you doing?"

He asked Kendy.

"It’s time to clean up the trash inside the academy."

And the headmaster followed, his voice turning sharp!

Kendy frowned too at him.

"It’s not like you need help."

Then he mumbled, though his tone carried no real protest.

"And because of that, you’re gonna slack off?"

The headmaster asked him, raising an eyebrow.

"Stupid old man, I’m paid to teach students."

Kendy rebutted, leaning back slightly.

"Stupid brat, you’re being paid by me."

But Leo rebutted back with a sly smile.

Knowing that he wouldn’t win against Leo...

"Whatever, let’s just do this quickly!"

Kendy stood up from his seat in the end, brushing imaginary dust from his clothes.

Leo smiled at his words.

Then...

SWOOSH-

He suddenly disappeared!

SWOOSH-

And not long, Kendy disappeared too!

*****

It’s not going to be noticeable from the public...

But the Lunar would lose some staff and professors this night.

Some of them would be fired for their wrongdoings, and the headmaster will make sure they can’t take a proper job anymore.

Like Pete...

While some, who’s corrupted to the core and who contracted with the demons or evil organizations.

Will silently vanish from the world without anyone knowing...