Way of the Knights

---

"...you're going to leave right away?"

"Yes." Raven nodded and replied to Tiger. "Oh come on, you know that this going to happen. Don't feel so surprised." 

Inside his consciousness, Raven and this body's original consciousness - Tiger, conversed. Raven was about to depart thus world since his work here was done. 

"You've been watching since the very beginning." Raven stated, "You've seen everything that I did.. Don't doubt your capabilities. Even if I leave, all the things I've done in your stead will continue to have its effects. Your cultivation will remain and I gave you the things you will be needing to lead your people towards a better tomorrow."

"You're friends are with you. You're strong enough to guard this world. There's practically nothing that can go against you here. If you want, you can start a family and live life to the fullest or you're seeking for more adventure, you know where to go."

"From here on out, you live according to how you like. But no matter what, always remember this." Raven placed his hand on Tiger's shoulders and advised him solemnly. "Freedom has a price. Always think before you act. With your status and power, you have to be responsible for every decision you make. Get it?" 

Tiger nodded. 

He's truly feeling reluctant. He didn't know what to feel. On one hand, he felt like enjoying the aftermath of Raven's actions was just wrong. It was Raven who worked so hard to achieve this, yet the guy didn't even want any of it, he just wanted to move on.

On the other hand, Tiger was envious. Like what Raven said, he's been watching from the very beginning. His soul never left, it was just sealed within the corners of Raven's consciousness, unable to communicate with him until now. 

He saw how Raven assumed his identity and ran with it. He was at awe of how capable Raven was. How he managed to become strong in a lightning speed manner. It only took him a little over 6-7 years in order to reach the peak of this world. Not even in Tiger's wildest dreams did he think that something like this was possible. 

Raven also did so much for the tribe, so much that he practically changed their lives. He opened-up so many options for them that really, anything is possible at this point. He established the foundations for the Golden Age of humanity, yet he isn't even staying to experience any of it. 

"In the end, this isn't my world." Raven told him, "This is yours. In addition to that, I have some more responsibilities left back there. I need to return as swiftly as I could so I can't stay."

"I see." Tiger nodded. "Thank you. For everything." 

"Don't sweat it. It's what I had to do." Raven smiled. "Well, it's about time for me to leave. Good luck and enjoy this new life of yours." 

After saying this, Raven's consciousness turned blurry and Tiger felt a force pulling him back to his body. 

When he opened his eyes, he saw the devastated Central Continent below him which is also at the verge of transforming. He paid this no mind and looked at his hands. He clenched his fist and felt the explosive power coursing through his veins. He can see the layers of scales covering his body and pair of wings flapping behind his back. 

Tiger was drowned by this feeling but he remained clear headed. 

He thought about many things and eventually came back to reality. This is his world. This is him. Raven's work might be done here but his wasn't yet. 

"Thank you." He whispered, "For bestowing me a name. I'll make sure to not sully its honor." 

Keeping the name 'Vendrick' as his name for the rest of time, he eventually returned to the Blue Mountain Tribe and reunited with his friends. He kept Raven's identity as a secret since Raven himself decided not reveal it. 

With all the foundation set for humanity to take over the next era, Vendrick stood as their leader and had everyone migrate to the Eastern Continent where their Empire will rise. 

He used the knowledge and tactics that Raven left to him to make sure that humanity will prosper. He also followed his advise, to live his life to the fullest. He got married and raised his children all while making sure to always be there as humanity's guardian. 

Eventually, Vendrick Rogers will change the world and whether he remained in that world or seek out another adventure, is a story for some other time. 

---

Meanwhile, Raven woke up to the familiar place of the Celestial Ascension Platform. 

"That was fast." He heard the voice of the Trial Administration behind him. 

"How fast are we talking about?" Raven asked inquisitively.

"Well, you took somewhere around 6-7 years in there. Change the years into months, you'll have an answer." 

Raven sighed as he heard this. Good thing he only spent that much time, he thought that the time ratio within the trials and the real world was 1:1.

"Congratulations on clearing the 1st Trial." The Trial Administrator smiled and caught the stone steele that's being kept at Raven's consciousness. "You got the highest rating for this mission which is very impressive. It's been a while since a challenger managed to do that." 

"Your rewards won't be revealed for now. You'll eventually know it when you finished all the trials or used-up all of your chances. Of course, in the off-chance that you died, don't expect me to give you anything. Don't tell me I didn't warn you." 

"I understand. When can I go for the next trial?" 

"Relax, son." The Trial Administrator told him. "Don't be in so much of a hurry. Technically you can go onto the nest trial right away but I would seriously ask you to reconsider. You're dead tired despite what you look. Also, you just returned from your body. You might want to re-adjust for a while."

When the Trial Administrator said this, Raven started inspecting his state and that made his smile wryly. It is indeed as the administrator said, he needs some rest. 

He unknowingly neglected his personal health because of the high. He really needs some rest.

"Let me reiterate this again, son." The administrator told him, "Don't be in a hurry. Despite what the 1st Trial was like for you, it has another purpose. And that is to measure you're truly capabilities."

"From the 2nd Trial onwards, things will get significantly harder since the Celestials have already discovered your potential. Prepare yourself physically, mentally and emotionally. Get cocky and the following trials might just break your spirit or worse, be your graveyard." 

"I understand, thank you for the reminder." Raven really appreciated that. 

"You're welcome. Anyways, I'll leave you to your own. Do what you have to do. When you feel like your completely ready, just call for me an I'll appear to give you your next mission and send you to the next trials waiting for you." 

Raven nodded. As he was about to set-up some tents and enjoy a long sleep, he heard another reminder from the Trial Administrator.

"Oh and by the way, despite what it looks like, Time actually doesn't flow in this place while you're around. It resumes whenever you are inside a trial. Do what you want with that information."

After saying this, the administrator disappeared and left Raven to marinate on his own thoughts. 

"How about that?" Raven raised a brow and shrugged. 

For now, he didn't think too much about it. What he must focus on is having a good rest. 

In order to get the most out of this little vacation, Raven decided to pretty much turn off his brain for a while. 

He didn't plan on cultivating, training, analyzing laws, integrating with memories or worrying about what's happening outside, he can't get out of here anyways. Because of this, Vendrick is now moving out of pure instinct. He was hibernating inside his consciousness and recovering. 

Whenever he felt hungry, he will eat. If he feels dirty, he'll take a bath. And if he ever felt lazy, he'd just stay in bed. Most of time though, he was just sleeping. 

Thanks to this, he was recovering and getting back to his top shape. He has no worries or complaints, he's neither happy nor sad either, just...existing. 

Since time was frozen in this place, he didn't feel any sort of urgency. He could literally stay like this and just continue whenever he feel like it. 

But of course, he didn't plan on staying like for a very long time. As soon as he woke up from his hibernation, he continued slowly re-familiarized himself with own body. 

He trained for a bit, visited the crown space to integrate with the Law Insights of his Avatars. He also consulted them about what's happening to the other side and he learned that so far, everything was still going according to plan. 

After he got used to his body once more and stabilized everything back to normal, he called the administrator to send him to the 2nd Trial. 

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