Chapter 50: Ophelia
By the time Raven returned to the rented mansion, the sky had already darkened into deep violet. It was nearly 9 P.M.
The assassination of the Prime Minister had plunged the Capital into a state of absolute lockdown. Main roads were barricaded, checkpoints doubled, and every street bristled with armed officers and Royal Guards.
The Emperor's decree spread like wildfire:
The 66th Prince was officially branded a Rebel.
City gates sealed. No entry. No exit. For one full week.
Raven stepped out of the carriage, top hat pulled low.
'Oh? Only a rebel? Not a traitor?'
He almost laughed.
The moment he entered the mansion gate, three familiar figures rushed toward him.
"My Lord?!"
"Where were you?"
"Are you hurt?"
Jacob, Selene, and Stephanie nearly collided with him, faces pale with worry.
"What's wrong?" Raven blinked. "Why are you three reacting like this?"
Jacob spoke first, voice tight.
"The whole Capital is in chaos, My Lord! The Prime Minister was assassinated!"
"We heard it on the streets. The city's shut down," Selene added.
Raven nodded and handed Jacob a leather pouch.
"There are five hundred gold coins. Extend our stay for one more week. And book the return ticket to Giaris for October first."
"Yes, My Lord." Jacob bowed and left immediately.
Raven climbed the stairs, his voice drifting behind him.
"I'll stay inside for the next seven days. Closed training. No one comes upstairs or into the basement except Selene, Stephanie, or Jacob."
He reached the third floor, entered his room, and shut the door.
"It will take a while for Judith to track me," he murmured. "Security is too tight."
But once she learned he lived right next to her mansion the entire time?
She would barge in without knocking.
'No help for it… To secure backing for Thomas Holmes, I need to do this.'
[Can you tell me the reason now?] Zera asked.
Raven sighed and sat on the bed.
'Because the link between Thomas and Raven will surface eventually. The intelligence department will investigate everything.'
He began listing the clues.
'One: I arrived on the exact day of Aunt Shirley's hearing.
Two: Everyone knows Charles Nightwind is Raven's mentor. I used his name during my registration as Thomas.
Three: I used Thomas's identity to enter the courtroom.'
[Ah. That's enough to tie the identities together eventually.]
'Exactly. Even without proof, they'll fabricate reasons to arrest me. The Wizard Alliance and the Emperor both will.'
[Then why expose Thomas to Judith?]
Raven leaned back.
'Because when the investigation begins, they'll ask how Raven slipped into the courtroom. The policeman who led me inside knows only my first name: Thomas.'
He continued:
'Thomas will become a prime target. They'll check the Wizards' Guild, the Mercenary Guild. They'll find Thomas Holmes, Charles Nightwind's disciple… and arrest me.'
He smirked darkly.
'Before they dig too deep, I need Judith to erase those traces.'
[Judith is perfect for that.]
'Yes.'
Satisfied, Raven changed out of his formal attire, lay down, and let sleep take him.
…
After seven days of Isolation.
Morning came gently. Raven entered the illusionary world, practicing spearmanship until 7 A.M. Then he headed to the training hall to mirror real movements.
After that, he descended into the basement.
He worked non-stop for seven days, concocting:
Poison Affinity PotionBlood Affinity PotionDarkness Affinity PotionLightning Affinity Potion
And using rare materials, he brewed:
Four Rank-1 Strength Potions — Brew of MightThree Rank-1 Agility Potions — Nectar of Agility
Each temporary doubling stats for ten full minutes.
Beginner Radiant Walker strength… for ten minutes.
Dangerous, but priceless.
Simultaneously, his Spearmanship comprehension soared to 89%.
…
September 30th, 1420 Rune Era
Morning sunlight warmed his room as Raven sat up, refreshed.
He summoned his status panel.
…
[Status Window]
Name: Raven Sillalus Jorvot
Age: 15
Nationality: Zenith Empire
Titles: 66th Prince, Rebel Prince
Level: 9
Class: Acolyte Warlock (8th Circle)
Soul Rank: Mortal
Life Pathway: Beginner Alchemist
Health: Normal
Attributes
Strength: 9.9
Agility: 9.9
Vitality: 9.9
Luck: 4
Spirit: 19.99
Bloodline Spells:
Iron Resilience, Poison Touch, Fortuitous Finder (Completed), Blood Control, Face Morph, Mind Eye, Cold Breath, Past Self, Eye of Destruction, Shadow Shift, Memory Seal
Additional Skills:
Basic Spearmanship (89%), Ruler's Dominance (Beginner)
Affinities:
Life—Low
Blood—Low
Poison—Low
Lightning—Low
Darkness—Low
Time—Low
Ice—Genius
Spear—Low
…
Raven blinked.
'Four points of Luck?'
[I assume it came from the Prime Minister's death. Maybe that's the limit of the Luck Circlet.]
'Maybe…'
He shifted his focus inward—into Mind Space. Most spell models had already merged into their respective elemental circlets.
Only two models remained separate: Memory Seal and Face Morph.
'All circlets are filled except Light… and the tenth slot.'
[Those two spells don't need elemental energy. Replace the Light circlet with another element. I recommend Time and either Darkness or Lightning.]
'Time and Darkness… good for escaping. I'll do that soon.'
He rose, bathed in hot water, and changed into clean attire—a charcoal-gray frock coat with silver embroidery, a crisp shirt, a red cravat with a sapphire pin, polished boots, gloves, and his top hat.
He adjusted his monocle—
A knock.
"My Lord, a guest has arrived," Jacob called.
Raven opened the door. "Who?"
Jacob's face tensed.
"Daley Findlay, My Lord. And… he brought a Wizard."
"A Wizard?" Raven narrowed his eyes. "Let's meet them."
…
The main hall was bright with lamplight as Raven descended.
Daley stood at the front—dressed in a navy blue suit with golden embroidery, smiling nervously.
Behind him stood a woman.
And the temperature in the room dropped instantly.
She was older—silver hair pinned elegantly, wearing a deep azure robe etched with frost-like patterns. Ice-blue eyes scanned the room like frozen blades. Two attendants stood behind her: Maisie and Kingston.
Raven's monocle glinted as he inspected her.
…
[Ophelia Nas Ritter]
Age: 548
Race: Human
Affiliation: Crows' Misery — Velvet Circlet Elite
Title: Winter Witch
Class: Expert Wizard (8th Circle)
Traits: Cold-Hearted, Practical, Selfish, Greedy, Narrow-Minded, Impulsive…
Current Status: Disappointed, Angry, Regretful
Affinities: Ice—Extraordinary, Earth—Intermediate
(Other stats hidden)
…
'Velvet Circlet… deep roots in Crows' Misery. Far more than I expected.'
Raven bowed politely and sat across from her.
"I'm Thomas Holmes, Ma'am. How can I help you?"
Ophelia finally spoke—her voice cold and sharp.
"I'm Ophelia, Ice Wizard, teacher at Crows' Misery. Tell me—how did you know my disciple hit a bottleneck due to low Ice affinity?"
Raven's thoughts raced.
Daley didn't tell her about the Spatial affinity? Did he hide it?
"I can't answer that, Ma'am," he said calmly. "But it's true—your disciple's bottleneck comes from Low-Rank Ice affinity."
Ophelia scoffed.
"We checked his affinity during admission. It showed High—maybe higher. If I'd known otherwise, I would've chosen Talia."
Daley lowered his head, trembling.
"I'm sorry, Master…"
Raven frowned inwardly.
She took him because of family background and affinity… and now regrets it.
"You didn't recheck his affinity?" Raven asked.
Silence. A hint of shame passed through her eyes.
She had twenty-two disciples. Most were average. Checking their growth frequently wasn't worth her time.
"I didn't check until yesterday," she admitted. "But that isn't why I came."
Her gaze sharpened—predatory, probing.
"I came to find out how you discovered his low affinity when I couldn't."
The temperature in the hall dropped further, frost creeping across the edges of her aura.
Raven met her gaze calmly.
He had expected this.
'She's dangerous. One wrong word and she'll become an enemy.'
Raven lifted the fruit juice to his lips, took a slow sip, and then spoke:
"Lady Judith said Affinity Potions are possible to concoct. Why not ask her to help your disciple, Ma'am?"
Ophelia's frown deepened.
"That is not an answer to my question." Her voice dropped several degrees—sharp, cold, suffocating. Frost crept through the air.
Raven didn't flinch.
"I advise you not to act recklessly, Ma'am. This isn't an ordinary house—it's the Crown's Tavern."
He turned his head to the left.
Two blue-uniformed guards stood a few steps from the entrance, rifles raised and pointed directly at Ophelia.
Annoyance flashed across her face.
"Haa… You think concocting an affinity potion is easy, kid?"
Her voice rose sharply.
"I don't know how Judith got her hands on such a potion, but she must be bluffing. Only a handful of powerhouses in the Main Continent possess Affinity Potion formulas! Even in the Arcane Mist Empire, a High-Rank potion costs ten thousand Arcane Coins—around ten million gold! Do you think someone like me can afford that? If I had that money, would I be running errands in this barbaric land?!"
Her breath steamed in the cold air.
"Now answer me—how did you know his Ice affinity was low?"
Raven set the glass down.
He had been prepared for this.
"I discovered it because I have a deep understanding of the Ice element," Raven said calmly. "My teacher said those with 'Extraordinary' or 'Genius' affinity can sense another's elemental rank at a glance. I sensed his unstable Ice spell models the moment I saw him. I'm simply… surprised you didn't."
Ophelia froze.
For a moment—pure silence.
Then she exhaled sharply.
"I–I sensed something irregular long ago. I assumed it was a bloodline trait," she muttered, waving the topic away before it damaged her pride further.
Her gaze sharpened again.
"And you claim you already have a teacher. Who is it?"
Raven reached into his coat and produced a peculiar badge engraved with a cockscomb flower.
"My teacher is someone you might recognize."
Ophelia's eyes widened the instant she saw it.
Then they narrowed.
"Haa… so you've already been taken." Her tone dripped with disappointment. She rose abruptly. "I'm returning to the Academy. Daley—come to my office when you return. I will draft your expulsion papers."
"T-Teacher?!" Daley jumped to his feet, panic spreading across his face.
But Ophelia didn't spare him a second glance.
Her body dissolved into a swirl of frost-mist and vanished.
Raven blinked.
'Teleportation?'
[More like she moved faster than you could perceive.]
The guards lowered their rifles and quietly left the hall.
Daley slumped into a chair, face buried in his hands.
"My life is… over…"
Raven took another sip of juice.
"Can we talk now?"
Daley's voice cracked. "What is there to talk about? I failed my Master… my family… everything…"
Raven set the glass down.
"I am gifted in both Ice and Spatial elements."
Daley froze. Maisie and Kingston, too.
Raven glanced at them.
"Can we talk privately?"
"They've been with me since I joined the Academy," Daley said. "They're trustworthy."
"I don't doubt their loyalty," Raven said gently, "but this is information that cannot be shared with anyone."
Daley hesitated… then nodded.
"Both of you—please wait outside."
Maisie and Kingston bowed and left.
Raven looked at his own attendants.
"Jacob, Selene, Stephanie, Harold—everyone. Please step out."
Soon, only Raven and Daley remained.
The air grew quiet.
Raven's expression hardened.
"In truth… I came to the Crown's Tavern under someone's order, Young Master Daley."
Daley frowned. "What are you talking about? Who?"
"We call him 'Prince.' He told me to save a soul from falling into despair."
Daley's heartbeat quickened.
Prince? Which prince? There are many…
"Is it the 66th Prince? Raven?" he asked, voice trembling.
Raven nodded.
"Although I've never met him personally, I know one thing: he wishes to prevent foreign powers from seizing influence in this Empire. He needs reliable aides. He sent an invitation… for you to join his Organization."
"Organization?" Daley leaned forward.
Zera's voice erupted inside Raven's mind:
[An organization?? When did you create that?!]
'Just now.'
Raven smiled.
"Golden Wheel."
Daley's brows knit. "What kind of organization is that?"
"An organization created by the Prince," Raven said smoothly, "to spread Wizardry knowledge to commoners and restore Zenith's glory. But entry isn't simple. Prince must observe you, assign tasks, and test your loyalty."
"So… it's to help him fight for the throne."
Daley paused.
"Why me? Not my cousin brothers?"
"Only the Prince knows. But he prophesized you have a Prodigy level Spatial affinity. A Serpent born once in a billion."
A new robotic voice—NOT Zera's—echoed in Raven's mind:
[You have acquired 'Bullshitting' Skill.]
Raven did not react.
Daley stared, stunned.
"Prodigy level…? Above Genius?"
"Yes."
Daley swallowed hard. "What are the conditions to join?"
"There are three," Raven said firmly.
"First: swear never to expose Golden Wheel's existence. You must sign a Magic Contract.
Second: you must prioritize the Organization's goals above your own.
Third: never harm or reveal fellow members."
Daley hesitated. "And if I tell someone now and then join?"
"Prince sees past, present, and future," Raven replied calmly. "Speaking to you now is only a formal invitation. To truly join, you must earn his trust."
Daley took a deep breath.
"What benefits will I get?"
Raven leaned forward.
"The Organization will cure the Frost Curse placed upon you."
Daley's eyes widened.
"Frost… Curse? Does that mean I actually have High Ice Affinity but it was weakened by—"
"If you want answers," Raven interrupted, "prove your loyalty. Become an official member."
Daley clenched his fists.
A family member… cursing him? Weakening him?
The possibility shattered him.
"What must I do?"
"Quit the Academy voluntarily," Raven said. "Cut ties with your family's main house. To outsiders, it must look like you've given up your successor position. Also—stop taking Ice affinity medicine."
"That's all?"
"Yes. If you do so, the Prince will visit you personally, give you a code name, and reveal the gathering date."
"Gathering date?"
"A meeting of Golden Wheel members. There, you can purchase rare spell models, top-tier techniques, recipes—even Elemental Circlet techniques."
Daley inhaled sharply.
"…Alright. I'll wait for the Prince."
He stood and walked toward the exit. Before leaving, he turned.
"One last question. Your code name?"
Raven smiled faintly.
"I'm not a member—only a messenger. But I do have a nickname."
He paused dramatically.
"Devil."
Daley stiffened.
"Ominous… but fitting. I like it."
He left the mansion.
…
A few minutes later, Jacob and the others returned, puzzled.
Raven stood up.
"When do we leave?"
"Today. Five P.M., My Lord."
"Good."
He walked toward the dining hall.
The table was covered in a lavish spread—fresh scones and croissants, smoked fish, fruit platters, honeyed porridge, and steaming tea.
Raven ate calmly while Jacob asked,
"Is there anything else you require before departure?"
"Our train leaves at 11 A.M., yes?"
Jacob nodded.
"Prepare the carriage for the station. Selene and Stephanie—come with me."
…
Mystic Cauldron
The streets buzzed as Raven, Selene, and Stephanie took a black carriage to their first stop: the Mystic Cauldron.
Anastasia bowed as soon as Raven walked in.
'She did a background check… I never told her my name.'
"Good morning, Mr. Holmes," she greeted.
"Good to see you again, Miss Anastasia." Raven smiled. "I want to sell a few potions."
He placed four vials—two Strength, two Agility—onto the counter.
"Freshly brewed."
Anastasia inspected them carefully, her fingers moving with practiced grace.
'The ingredients don't match the standard recipes. Did he invent a new type?'
"May I test them?"
"Yes."
She extracted a few drops and diluted them with a bluish liquid.
"Lila!"
A blonde young woman hurried in.
"Yes, My Lady?"
"Drink this."
Lila obeyed, and a moment later, Anastasia raised her palm.
"Punch my hand every ten seconds."
Lila punched. Then again. And again.
By the fifteenth punch, she had the strength of a Peak Official Realm Walker.
"Amazing…" Anastasia whispered.
At the thirtieth punch, Lila collapsed—weak, drained—but unharmed.
Anastasia caught her gently.
After stabilizing her, she turned back.
"Impressive quality. Not top-tier expert level, but certainly high-grade. Three thousand gold coins each."
She packed platinum coins into a pouch and handed it over.
"Accepted," Raven replied.
He then scanned the ingredients behind her.
"Can I get forty milliliters of Owl Feather Oil, thirty milliliters of Elder Treant Leaf Nectar, one hundred milliliters of Starlight Dewdrops, ten drops of Rank-2 Unicorn Tears, one liter of Crystal Spring Water, thirty milliliters of Snow Wyvern blood?"
Anastasia stared.
"…Are you attempting an Adept Rank potion?"
"My senior asked me to buy them."
She frowned.
"Can you afford it? Owl Feather Oil is four thousand gold… Elder Treant Nectar is seven thousand… Starlight Dewdrops—"
"I'll buy them next time," Raven cut her off.
'Thirty thousand gold just for materials…'
[You're only an Adept Alchemist theoretically. Your success rate is 1–1.5%.]
'…So I'd need a hundred sets to succeed once?'
He took a deep breath.
"I'll buy thirty sets of 'Mind of Insight' instead."
"That will be three thousand gold."
Raven paid without hesitation and left the shop with Selene and Stephanie.