Way of the Knights

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Victor didn't need any replies from the people in front of him, he could already tell from their eyes that his words made it's way to them.

After the brief meeting, Victor sent them away and the group parted after a brief talk. While the rest went on other parts of the Institute, Raven made his towards the Organization Section to with something in mind.

Having seen the place once, the sheer density activity in this location still surprises him, the bustle here could almost rival that of the common market place. He could hear the calls and invitations of various students looking for prospective members for their organizations.

Strength Club, Athletics Club, Joyous Collaboration Club, Star Gazers Club and many more types of smaller organizations were looking for people to join them.

There are also some decent sized organizations who were also recruiting such as: Grand Mountaineer's Society, Tribunal Law Association, Saint's Smith Soceity and a bunch of other else.

Unknowingly, this place brought a serene smile to Raven's face. He wasn't aware of it, but seeing this place intact and lively really made him grateful that he got the chance to see them again.

Though there are a bunch of small and medium sized organizations that are recruiting right now, Raven's attention wasn't focused on them, instead he walked towards the five tall buildings which everyone revered in this section. The Big Five.

As soon as he arrived in front of the Big Five buildings, he went straight towards the one that has a emblem of a hand grasping a pill, which is the hub of the Pill Saint Pavillion.

According to his knowledge, the Pill Saint Pavillion had been around for at least 100 years now. It started as a small business but due to the owner receiving some inheritance, it rose to fame and became one of the behemoths of the kingdom. Due to their strength and influence, it became the main supplier of medicine for the kingdom.

During his past life, this organization experienced a sharp decline. He suspected that it was due to infighting alongside the temptation from the Black Curtain Guild, but all of this are just suspicions, he didn't have much authority back then to investigate further.

The Pill Saint Pavillion's building followed the shape of a dome, the surface is made out of special glass that filters the sunlight in order to make sure that it's not going to be harmful towards the plants, herbs and other alchemical ingredients inside. Raven pushed the glass doors and was immediately greeted by a refreshing scent of medicine.

He arrived at a room with purple painted walls, there is a desk long table in the middle of the room and a lone stranger quietly grinding something using a mortar, it seems that he was too focused at the task at hand causing him to not be aware of Raven's presence.

"Ah, excuse me." Raven said softly in order to not startle the boy too badly but it seems that it didn't matter anyway since as soon as he spoke, the boy jumped like he was electrocuted.

"W-wha…who?" The boy asked absentmindedly, it seems that he was confused about what happened causing him to turn over his head left and right to search for the source of the voice.

Finally, he caught sight of Raven who seemed to be restraining himself not to laugh at his predicament, the boy's eyes widened and immediately said: "O-oh! A visitor!"

He swiftly stood up from his seat and performed a curt bow to greet Raven, it seems that he wasn't aware that the contents of whatever he was preparing earlier was all over his pants.

"Welcome to the Pill Saint Pavillion! H-how may I help you?"

"Uh…" Raven placed a weirded expression on his face and said: "You might wanna clean yourself first, I don't know what you're preparing earlier but you might get infected if you let it make contact to your skin for a long time."

The boy was stunned, he hurriedly checked himself out and saw his dirtied pants. He blushed from embarrasment but also heeded Raven's warning, he apologized and excused himself out for a bit in order to clean himself. Raven patiently waited at the table for the boy's return, after a couple of minutes, he was back wearing a new set of uniform. The boy once again gave a curt bow and thanked Raven for saving from potential infection.

"How may I help you Sir?" The boy's tone was more respectful and polite this time around.

"Are you recruiting right now?" Raven asked back, which made the boy slightly surprised. In his mind, he thought: 'He wants to become a member? Makes sense, he looks like he knows something about alchemy.'

The boy didn't answer right away, Raven saw his expression change, like he was making a difficult decision. In the end, he heard the boy sigh and said: "Y-yes, yes we are recruiting…only…"

"Only what?" Raven raised his brow and asked.

"Nevermind, it would be better if you talk with my superiors. Please follow me." The boy smiled helplessly and gestured Raven to follow him.

Even so, Raven couldn't help but to ask questions to himself, these questions are based from what he observed from the reactions of the boy earlier.

'What's the current deal about this organization? Why does it seem like the situation is more serious than what I thought? First of all, this guy didn't even noticed me when I entered, it was like he wasn't expecting anyone to come so he didn't pay attention at all. Upon asking him a question, this guy seriously considered whether to tell me the truth or lie about it, why is that? Asking him would be useless since he might not even have the authority to divulge informations…'

Raven's intuitive nature surfaced once more, he made a special note in his mind to investigate this further should the chance arrives.

The pair walked through a door that lead to long and narrow passage, Raven saw several doors leading to some other locations on the facility. The boy lead Raven towards the door at the end of the passage.

When they arrived in front of the door, the boy flashed a badge on the doorknob which lit up upon sensing someone. Raven saw a light scanning the badge on the boy's hand, after the scan both of them heard several clicking sounds from the door as it automatically opened.action

The boy gestured at the Raven to follow him once more. After stepping inside the room, they were both greeted with an intense waft of medicine. Raven, being more sensitive than most people, also founf out that air inside the room is humid. He could also sense some energy pulses not to far away from their location.

He ventured his gaze inside the room. There were several chairs and a medium sized desk in front of them. The walls of the room are made out special type of metal that helps to conduct heat in a more efficient manner. Beside the desk, there's also a board filled with pinned documents and several images. He also noticed that there are a stack of papers on top of the desk which made it a little messy.

At the right corner of the room, Raven saw someone sitting cross-legged in front of a blazing cauldron. It was a man with a broad shoulders, judging from his ash colored hair, Raven thought that this man should be old.

"How many times do I have to tell you, Jacob? Don't disturb me while I'm refining!"

Despite not turning around, the old man still took notice of their intrusion and reprimanded the young Jacob.

Jacob hurriedly bowed and explained himself, "My apologies Chief, however my visit here isn't to disturb your refinement."

"What's it for then?" There was a noticeable irritation from the tone of the old man, Jacod couldn't help but smile wryly upon hearing this, thinking that he might receive an earful of sermons after this, but he threw his worries on the back of his mind and instead introduced the man behind him.

"I brought someone who wishes to join our pavillion." Jacod stated.

Surprisingly, this caused a reaction from the old man as he slightly turned his head towards them. After a brief silence, a deep sigh came out from his mouth and he said:

"Why did you bring him here for? Didn't I tell you that we aren't recruiting anymore? See the guest out…" the old man then returned his attention to the blazing cauldron in front of him after saying this.

"B-but…" Jacob was stunned to hear this, he wanted to say something but judging from the Chief's attitude, it seems that this matter isn't negotiable. He heaved a deep and sorrowful sigh and bowed towards Raven. "It seems that I was mistaken, it turns out that we aren't recruiting anymore. Please follow me, I lead you back to the entrance."

But instead of following Jacob, Raven had other plans in his mind…

"Uh, Sir? If you don't stop the refinement as soon as possible, you will be gravely injured."