After the chaotic night of squawking and forehead-pecking, the boy woke up groggy but curious. He returned to the carriage, ready to continue the journey to the Continent of Wisdom.
Just as he was about to climb aboard, the knight stopped him.
"Young lord, it seems your holy power has grown significantly overnight. I don't mean to pry, but… did something happen?"
The boy, sensing genuine concern, nodded and told the knight about the mysterious raven he had summoned the night before through his divine seal.
Sir Arthur's eyes narrowed in interest.
"Would you mind… summoning it again? Not that I doubt you, but I'd like to see the spirit animal for myself."
The boy nodded. Remembering the raven's words—"If you want to summon me, just think of me. No special action is needed."—he lifted his wrist and gave a low whistle. Not because it was necessary, but because, in his head, it looked cool.
Moments later, a black figure descended from the sky like a shadow cast by the sun itself. With a graceful flap of its wings, the raven landed neatly on the boy's outstretched wrist.
Though the boy felt nothing unusual, the surrounding knights and soldiers immediately sensed something divine. The sheer presence of the bird sent chills down their spines.
Sir Arthur, astonished, took a step back before composing himself.
"Truly remarkable. Please, my lord, step into the carriage. We'll talk more inside."
Once they resumed the journey, Arthur couldn't help but glance at the raven perched on the windowsill, watching the landscape pass by.
"Young lord," Arthur began, "your spirit… it radiates power equivalent to that of a mid-tier Holy Knight. What is its name?"
The boy looked at the raven, who was still peering out at the trees with bored indifference.
"His name is Hugin," he said.
Arthur smiled thoughtfully.
"A fitting name. 'Hugin' means 'memory.' It aligns with how you summoned him—born of your thoughts and desires. Ravens, in ancient lore, are known as soul carriers of the battlefield. They consume the flesh of the fallen, bearing their sins and deeds as they carry the soul to the beyond. It's rare… but for a spirit raven to appear—especially one this powerful—it must be more than coincidence."
The boy stared at the raven in awe, and just as he was processing everything, Hugin flew from the window and settled himself on top of the boy's head like a feathery crown.
Before the boy could say anything, the carriage suddenly stopped.
Peeking outside, they saw two armored knights—clad in white robes, holding spears and shields—approaching.
Upon recognizing Arthur, the knights quickly knelt and declared,
"We, the patrol guards, greet the Holy Knight, Sir Arthur!"
Arthur stepped out silently, nodding in acknowledgment.
"We're nearing the Holy Empire's inner sanctum. Inform the Archbishop that the proxy of the new god is arriving. I'll accompany you."
He turned to the boy.
"Young lord, we've already entered the outer territory of the continent. It won't be long now."
Mounting his horse, he added,
"I'll lead from here for formal verification. Please remain in the carriage."
The boy gave a quiet nod and sat back down. But with Arthur gone and no one else to talk to, boredom quickly crept in again.
As he rested his chin against the window, watching trees blur past, the raven—still comfortably seated on his head—spoke up.
"Boy… would you like to learn something?"
The boy perked up instantly.
"Absolutely."
"Good. Then sit down, cross your legs."
The boy followed instructions. Hugin adjusted himself slightly, still perched like a smug teacher atop the boy's head.
"Now breathe in through your nose… and out through your mouth. Deep breaths. Slowly."
As the boy followed Hugin's instructions, he began to feel a strange sensation. An energy—gentle, yet all-encompassing—flowed through him. He could feel the warmth in his fingertips, the strength in his muscles, the rhythm of his heartbeat. Every nerve, every cell seemed to come alive.
Then something deeper happened. He could feel the raven—not just on his head, but within him. Their connection deepened until they felt like one being—two minds, one soul.
Over the next several days, they continued this practice during the journey. Meditation, breathing, eating, resting. Day after day. Power and clarity quietly built within him.
On the fourth day, just as the sun began to rise, the towering gates of the Continent of Wisdom came into view.
The boy stared in awe.
'Continent of Wisdom… the name truly fits.'
The massive stone walls were as high as hills, engraved with holy glyphs and emanating a divine aura so strong it felt like standing in sunlight.
After a brief verification process by the guards, the gates opened.
As their carriage rolled forward, a golden ray of light passed through the clouds—and the streets erupted with cheers. Bells rang from the tall spires of nearby temples, and crowds gathered to welcome their arrival.
The boy sat frozen, overwhelmed by the grandeur, unaware that this would mark the beginning of a new chapter—one that would test every fiber of his being.