Way of the Knights

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"What!?" Raven exclaimed as he heard Sect Master Lucas' words. 

"You didn't hear me wrong." The Sect Master said, "I want you to be my successor. Would you be willing to do it?" 

"B-but…" Raven stammered. He was caught completely off-guard by this sudden offer. "I bear the mark of Ancestor Zeus instead, how - "

"It's not the only one…" Lucas smiled and informed him. 

"Eh!?" Raven tilted his head in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"When Henry handed you the token and you went to the Chalice Room, tell me how many Chalice was present?" The Sect Master didn't answer him yet and instead asked this question.

"Three. The Chalice of Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus." Raven reported. 

The sect master nodded and asked once more, "How many chalices retreated underground when you interacted with them?"

Raven thought for a bit and said: "All of them." 

"Then are you aware, that unless the Ancestors acknowledged you, their chalice won't react to you at all?" The Sect Master raised a brow and looked at Raven in amusement. 

Raven's eyes widened as he realized what he was trying to say. 

"B-but, if that's the case then why did Kyrie receive me instead? She's the Battle Maid of the 9th Chosen of Zeus right?" Raven asked. 

"I can't be helped…" The Sect Master sighed. "It should originally be me who's going to do that, or at least someone under me. However when you accepted the Baptism, I wasn't around the sect. It's due to that Kyrie sensed your presence and mistook you for the 9th Chosen of Zeus."

"What's more is that, only the Thunderbolt Mark which represents Zeus was visible to everyone including you. In truth however, you bore all three…"

The Sect Master snapped and Raven suddenly felt some ripples rising from his body. He felt the mark on his forehead tingling. He felt the same ripples on the depths of his soul and his core. 

It was then that he noticed that his palms were emitting a faint brilliance. His left hand were covered in a faint curtain of black colored light, meanwhile his right hand was emitting a navy blue colored light. In addition to the Thunderbolt Mark on his forehead which is now emitting a faint yellow glow, Raven finally understood what the Sect Master meant. 

He looked at his palms. On his left palm he had a mark of a skull, on his right palm was a mark of the rippling water. 

Raven truly had all three marks of the Ancestors. 

"Bearing the mark of the Ancestors is a great honor." Sect Master Lucas stated, "There are times when a disciple could receive more than one mark. If that happens, then that disciples will be considered the Chosen of whoever's mark was higher in terms of responsibility." 

"Take Celestine - the Dominatrix War Goddess for example…" The Sect Master said, "During her baptism, she received the good graces of Ancestor Aphrodite and Ancestor Ares at the same time. Since the War Gods bore more responsibilities in the sect matters, she was acknowledged as the Chosen of Ares, becoming a War Goddess."

"Although disciples bearing the mark of two or more Ancestors are rare, it still happens from time to time. However, even with how many marks they receive, they'll never be able to be considered as the Chosen of Chronos since that requires a specific requirement…"

"You're smart. You should know what I'm trying to say here." The Sect Master calmly said. 

"To become considered as the next Chosen of Chronos, one must acquire the marks of the brothers' Hades, Poseidon and Zeus." He said. 

Sect Master Lucas smiled and said: "Correct."

Although he said that, Raven remained reeling from the sudden news.

"Like I said earlier. Had I been on the sect during your Baptism, I should've been the one to personally receive you." The Sect Master stated, "Unlike the other Ancestor Mantles where there could be more than one Chosen, the position of Chronos is one of those who would only acknowledge one per generation. The mantles of Gaia, Hera, Hermes, Aphrodite, Demeter and others are included in this categories."

"I only realized that you've met these requirements during our first meeting. However, since we are about to go on a pretty risky mission, I decided to not inform you yet in order to not distract you from the task at hand." 

"However, now that that's settled and we are planning to confront the Devils, I figured that it's best for you to know this. Especially before you enter the Celestial Ascension Platform." The Sect Master stated, causing Raven to think deeply. 

"What will happen to my subordinates then? Kyrie and the soldiers, I mean. I've gotten used to Kyrie's presence you see, and she'd been a really helpful aide to me. As for the soldiers well, due to my unorthodox cultivator identity, they experienced some sort of changes when I imparted my power to them. What will happen to them?"

"Additionally, if I leave then there will only 8 Chosen of Zeus, the battle to inherit the mantle won't happen unless there are 9 chosen, wouldn't me leaving means that it's going to get delayed again?"

"More importantly, this…" Raven summoned the Brush of Wisdom and held it firmly on his hand. "I would hate to part with this." 

The Sect Master looked at Raven with a smile on his face. Raven didn't know why he's smiling but it should be because he said something funny or ridiculous. 

The Sect Master was smiling precisely because of Raven's inquiries just now. It wasn't because he find it funny, no. It's because he was inwardly impressed. 

Raven's dedication to the role convinced the Sect Master that offering Raven the chance to be his successor isn't a mistake. The fact that he considered the well being of his people, even though he hadn't been with them for long, was already good enough to testify for his character. 

Additionally, Raven was incredibly talented. He have a great potential and if he continued growing at this rate, then his future achievements are almost unfathomable. 

"Don't worry. If you want, Kyrie and your soldiers can remain with you even after you become my successor. As for the competition for the title of Zeus well, if I hadn't make the decision to open the Celestial Ascension Platform then it'd truly be a problem. However, that's not the case anymore. You'll understand once you read the contents of the scroll that I gave to all of you earlier." The Sect Master replied. 

"As for the Brush of Wisdom, that can't even be considered as a problem." The Sect Master chuckled. "So long as you officially become my successor, even if the Brush of Wisdom is considered as the Treasures of Zeus, no one would say a thing even if you use it, specially considering that if it weren't for Ancestor Chronos, the sect wouldn't exist in the first place." 

Raven turned silent for a bit before asking: "What are my responsibilities as you successor then?"

"That can be summarized with a simple sentence." Sect Master Lucas said, "The well being of the sect." 

Raven inhaled sharply as he felt a little bit overwhelmed by all of this. 

Truth to be told, whether it's position of the Grand Elder or the Sect Master, both had been a goal of his since coming here. 

The Ancient Elysium Sect's fame and reputation spans throughout the Divine Realm. If he could earn a respectable position here, then he'd be able to walk anywhere without fear since he'd have backing of a giant. 

Of course he understood the responsibilities included with it. Nothing's free after all. He's ready to shoulder heavy responsibilities in order to make sure that his reputation wouldn't be low at all. It's an equal exchange. 

However, Raven understood many things upon experiencing what it's like within the sect. The responsibilities he would face are at least 10 times heavier compared to what it would be had he went on a regular sect. 

They are dealing with abominations who seek the thorough destruction of their home. Taking up the mantle of the one leading army is an intimidating and difficult task to clear. 

'But…so what?'

'Hadn't I taken up a more challenging role before I experienced my second life?'

'If I was brave enough to do it during that time when my foundations aren't deep as they are compared to now, then what do I have to fear this time?'

Raven clenched his hands and sighed, he then stared at Sect Master's Lucas' eyes and said:

"The Grand Elder wouldn't resent me for this, right?" He asked warily, causing the Sect Master to laugh. 

"Oh no, he wouldn't dare to do so." 

"Then I'll do it." Raven stated, feeling his heartbeat racing in his chest. 

The smile of Sect Master widened as he said: "Excellent. Then you may go back for now. Inform your subordinates about your decision and prepared. The next time I summon you, is when your coronation as my official successor will happen. Be sure to be on your best state, alright?"

"I understand, Sect Master."

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