Way of the Knights

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Time passed like a blur. In a blink of an eye, one year already passed. 

Aside from spending time on his own training and with his family, Raven spent most of his time guiding Kyle and transforming him into something incredible. And due to his unwavering determination and the quality of Raven's teachings, Kyle stepped into the Knight Stage quickly. 

His transformation greatly shocked everyone who knew him. The matter of him obtaining the apprenticeship ticket wasn't really known, all of Kyle's friends knew that he just stopped attending class altogether. They thought that he dropped out and decided to live as a normal civilian yet who would've thought that during the Annual Tournament, he would show up and exude a dazzling brilliance. 

No one could match up to him. Kyle was simply too strong, his strength was tyrannical, even most defenses cannot do anything against the sheer strength of his. 

In just one day, he became a superstar. Many people tried getting close to him, girl suddenly started fawning on him, many of his old 'friends' came up to him with obvious intentions, of course many also have dark thoughts. 

In light of this, Raven allowed Kyle naturally handle it and make his own decisions. This could be considered as tempering his own nature and will. Kyle is still too green, he needs to experience some setbacks in order to forge his own character. Naturally, his training with Raven continued. 

As for Raven, of course he didn't neglect his own training. Upon stepping onto Hero Realm, it is natural that the transition towards the next realm would be tougher. He mostly spent time consolidating his foundations and searching for inspirations for his own laws. 

With the peaceful environment of the kingdom, it is naturally harder for him to gain more insights about the Breaking Concept, so he decided to take his eyes off of it for now and focus on his Time and Space insights. 

Speaking of Time and Space insights, Raven already learned Time Skin long before this. The reason why he could stop the attack of the Giant Golems before is due to this. The layer of time compression that he made was worth a month. Which means that regular attacks was more or less useless to him since they wouldn't even touch his skin. 

With his idle time here in the Kingdom, he already improved upon this and added another month of compressed time. Unfortunately, without Time Laws, any law-based attack could ignore this Time Skin of his.

As for his Space insights, he could effectively use Spatial Folding to some extent. He could use it to hide between the fabrics of space and warp on short distances, if he really wanted to he could also suspend the space on a small area, completely preventing anyone from moving. 

Although it is a pity that he hadn't been baptized by Time and Space Laws, he's already satisfied with this. 

***

A few more months passed and one by one, his friends started to return. 

The one who came back the fastest was Luna since she didn't really need to go very far. The location of her smelting trial is just one the Royal Sacred Grounds, the ancestral place of the Lightshield Clan. 

Upon her return, Luna became even more beautiful. Although she was already looked upon as a goddess for many, her radiance became even more dazzling. It was as if she's releasing a warm and gentle glow that brings calm and peace to everyone who gazed at her. 

Luna became a disciple of Heavenly Anthem Palace. Though she doesn't know what kind of place is that, she could tell that it is an impressive place. 

Paul, Mark, Anne and Ellen returned as well, their bearings were more reserved but one couldn't deny the sharpness on their eyes. The journey outside really expanded their horizons, danger was their only company throughout their way towards their destinations. In the end, they manage to raise their strengths and come back safely. 

Of course, just like Luna, they too gained recognition from certain sects. Paul was accepted by the Boundless Azure Sect. Ellen was accepted by the Divine Sun Sect. As for Anne, she became a disciple of Paradise Pure Lands. And as for Mark, he was accepted by the Storm Dragon Tyrant Sect.

Right now, all of them are gathered in one place, resting and enjoying food and drinks. After returning, none of them really discussed about the matter of ascension but they really can't avoid it anymore. 

"Alright, guys." Raven placed his teacup down looked at them intently. "I think it's time to talk about the elephant in the room."

As soon as he said this, a bizarre atmosphere descended. No one spoke and just lowered their heads a bit. 

"Sigh, why must ruin the mood?" Paul groaned after a while, scratching his head in annoyance. 

"Well, some way or another, we're going to talk about this eventually. This is something that we must face, and we already postpones it for quite some time." Raven said with a bit of a helpless tone.

The room was silent. They felt torn deep down. 

"Since you guys appointed me as your Leader, I guess I'll say my piece first." Raven stated, he glanced a Luna for a bit before he said: "I'm ascending."

There was silence yet again. They just looked at him with serious expressions, many thoughts were going off their minds. 

"Why?" Luna asked. 

She wasn't asking this because of reluctance, guilt or anything. She's just purely curious. 

"The Kingdom no longer needs me." Raven wore a satisfied smile. "Our major enemies had been dealt with, the growth of the next generation is already determined."

He paused for a bit, then he continued:

"Remember the time when I proposed the Knightly System Reform?" This question earned nods from them. "Even since that was passed, the future of the Kingdom is already set. Back then, I told everyone that I don't just want a Final Haven Kingdom."

"I want a Final Haven Empire." These words gained a few sharp inhales from his friends. 

Raven smiled and continued: "Now that there's virtually no one that could threaten our home. Evolution is set. While you guys are away, Uncle already talked to me about this. And while we speak, some of our men are headed towards the centermost part of the Grand Ancestral Plane to build the foundations of the Empire. Shortly after that, relocation will occur and if things go smoothly, Prince Balmung will assume the title of the Founding Emperor."

"Wow." Luna reacted in an amused manner, "Founding Emperor? The guy dislikes responsibilities, can he even handle it? If he someone told him that, I'm afraid that he'll faint in terror."

"Oh trust me, he did." Raven's face twitched as he recalled some events. "He legitimately smacked his head on his desk when Uncle told him about it so that he'll lose consciousness."

The room was filled with laughter as he said that. Raven's face regained its seriousness as he continued. 

"But like I said, from this point on, the Kingdom doesn't need me anymore. The preparations are complete and my heart is already set on roaming the Divine Realm, searching for new heights and glory."

"Ultimately, the decision is yours to make. It's fine if you don't want to ascend. With your strengths, you'll hardly find anyone or anything that can threaten your life here. But if you seek to breakthrough the Champion Realm, I'm afraid that it's not possible for a quite sometime. I believe you guys can feel it too right?"

Everyone nodded. Ever since stepping onto Hero Realm. There is a mystical force that's preventing them from raising their strength. This was the ban that the Old Consciousness formed before due to the state of the plane. Right now, Hero Realm is the absolute pinnacle of this world. If they want to breakthrough to the Champion Realm, they could only do so by waiting for at least a century until the ban lifts itself or by ascending to the Divine Realm. 

"You guys are no longer ignorant about the existence of the Divine Realm, after all you've gained recognition from the sects that left their inheritance here. As for the matters of ascending, you guys decided. Don't let anyone's opinion sway your mind. If you want to ascend, do so with an open heart. If not, it will turn into a shackle that would prevent you from advancing and making a name in the Divine Realm."

After saying that, Raven looked towards Luna and left with her in order to give them time to decide. As they walked back home, the two were silent. Raven didn't disturb Luna and just embraced her while they sat under a tree, enjoying the peace and calm of the atmosphere. 

A while later, Luna sighed and shook her head. She rested her head on Raven's chest and said: "I can't decide yet."

"Hmm, that's fine." Raven chuckled and nodded, a faint smile appeared on his face as he said: "We still have time, don't rush it and stress yourself out."

Luna smiled and nodded. She then closed her eyes and listened to Raven's heartbeat. She couldn't help but notice that his heart was beating fast as if he was nervous. Before she could ask him anything, she felt him lifting her head and saw him looking straight onto her eyes. Unknowingly, her heart started beating fast as well. At the same time, Raven's next words caused her entire being to descend in a lovely chaos.

"Will you marry me?"