Chapter 22: Time Skip one year later
It's been one year since Raven reincarnated into another world. Over that time, he's grown immensely, both in strength and experience. Battling monsters, completing challenging missions, and meeting new people have shaped his journey. Along the way, his connection with Mira has deepened. Their flirtations and shared moments have made their bond unmistakable, though neither has voiced their true feelings. Occasionally, jealousy would spark between them, but it only seemed to draw them closer.
Over the year, Raven's power has skyrocketed. He's leveled up significantly, acquired numerous new abilities, and sharpened his combat skills to the point where he's recognized not only within the city but across the world. Known as the top A-rank adventurer, Raven has earned a variety of nicknames—some terrifying, others revered—but all a testament to his prowess and growth.
Beyond his strength, Raven's personality has also evolved. Once stoic and distant, he now smiles more openly, showing his genuine emotions and connecting more easily with those around him.
The morning sun filtered through the curtains as Raven woke up in his bed. Stretching, he smiled to himself and said, "Another good day is coming." He touched his bracelet, the keepsake from his parents, and added softly, "Right, Mom and Dad?"
Getting up, he called out, "Status screen." The familiar blue panel appeared before him, displaying his updated details after a year of growth:
**Status Screen**
**Name:** Raven Cross
**Age:** 18
**Species:** Abyssal Phoenix (Evolved: Eternal Flame Sovereign)
**Gender:** Male
**Level:** 150
**Health Points (HP):** 180,000
**Magic Points (MP):** 200,000
**Strength:** 18,000
**Agility:** 20,000
**Attack:** 19,500
**Intelligence:** 21,000
**Titles:**
- Abyssal Flame Wielder
- Top A-Rank Adventurer
- The Phoenix Reborn
- Protector of the Guild
- The Unyielding Flame
- Slayer of the Wyvern
**Skills (Evolved and New):**
- Shadowflame Cataclysm (Evolved)
- Abyssal Devourer (Evolved: Abyssal Eternity)
- Phoenix Ascension (Evolved: Phoenix Rebirth Flare)
- Radiant Abyss Slash
- Void Step
- Eternal Wing Barrage
- Black Flame Assimilation
- Titan's Guard
- Infernal Wail
- Celestial Flame Spiral (New)
- Abyssal Chain Strike (New)
- Phoenix Rebirth Flare (New)
- Soulforge Dominion (New)
**Ultimate Form: Eternal Sovereign Form**
- **Form Name:** Eternal Sovereign Form
- **Description:** The evolved state of Abyssal Rebirth. Raven's body radiates with black and crimson flames that burn eternally, symbolizing his mastery over life and destruction. His wings expand into massive, feathered constructs of pure energy, and his entire form exudes an aura of invincibility.
- **Abilities in Form:**
- **Sovereign's Wrath:** Unleashes a catastrophic wave of destruction in all directions, sparing allies.
- **Eternal Flame Regeneration:** Instantly heals all wounds and replenishes energy over time.
- **Absolute Dominion:** Temporarily suppresses enemy abilities and weakens their resolve.
- **Abyssal Majesty:** Enhances all attacks with both abyssal and celestial flames, increasing range and power.
- **Immortal Phoenix Core:** Raven cannot die while this form is active; critical injuries are reversed, and he gains a massive power boost when near defeat.
**Unique Skill:** Abyssal Eternity (Final Evolution): Grants unlimited potential for absorbing, transforming, and creating energy from any source. Boosts all stats while active and unlocks hidden abilities within other skills.
**Abilities:**
- Regeneration Aura
- Combat Insight
- Elemental Mastery
- Empathic Bond
- Eternal Sovereignty
**Items:**
- Bracelet of Eternity: A keepsake from his parents, now imbued with protective enchantments.
- Guild Insignia (A-Rank): Proof of his status as a top-tier adventurer.
- Wyvern Scale Charm: Grants slight resistance to fire and dragon-type attacks.
**Weapons:**
- Eternal Fang (Evolved: Eternal Inferno Blade): A sword forged from the essence of eternal flames, now enhanced to emit waves of fire capable of incinerating entire battlefields. It strengthens with each swing, absorbing ambient heat and converting it into destructive energy.
- Shadowfang (Evolved: Duskshadow Blade): A blade reimagined from pure shadow energy, now capable of phasing through physical and magical barriers. It releases waves of shadow energy that disorient enemies and weaken their defenses.
Satisfied with his progress, Raven nodded to himself. "Let's make today even better," he said confidently, stepping forward into another day of adventure and growth.
Raven got dressed and made his way to the adventuring guild. Over the past year, he had become well-known not just within the guild but also across the city. His reputation as one of the top A-rank adventurers had solidified since earning the rank months ago. As he walked, he reflected on the countless missions he had undertaken, the challenges he faced, and the victories he earned. Flashbacks of some of his most notable missions filled his mind—the wyvern hunts, the perilous expeditions, and the daring rescues. But one thing stuck out: he had never taken on a bodyguard job for the royal family. He shrugged off the thought for now and stepped inside the guild.
The familiar hum of chatter and activity greeted him. His eyes immediately found Mira behind the receptionist desk, sorting through paperwork. When she looked up and saw him, her cheeks flushed, and a radiant smile lit up her face. Raven couldn't help but smile back.
**Flashback to a Year Ago**
Raven leaned casually against the counter, watching Mira organize a pile of reports. "You know, Mira," he teased, "you might be the hardest-working person in this whole guild."
Mira glanced up, raising an eyebrow. "And you might be the laziest, lounging around as usual."
He smirked. "Hey, I'm conserving energy. You wouldn't understand."
"Conserving energy? Is that what we're calling it now?" she replied, a hint of amusement in her tone.
"Absolutely. It's all part of my grand strategy," he said with a mock-serious expression.
Mira rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress her smile. "You're impossible."
"And yet, here you are, putting up with me," Raven countered, leaning a little closer.
Nearby adventurers whispered among themselves, "Look at those two. They're definitely flirting." Another added, "You think they'll ever admit it?"
Raven's sharp hearing caught the comments, and he turned slightly. "Feel free to place your bets," he said with a smirk, earning laughs from the onlookers and a pink flush from Mira.
**Flashback to Mira's Jealousy**
One afternoon, Raven was at the guild when a confident adventurer woman approached him. She flipped her hair and smiled coyly. "So, Raven, I hear you're the best around here. Maybe you'd like to team up with me on a mission sometime?"
Raven blinked, caught off guard. "Uh... well... I usually work solo, so..."
Before he could finish, Mira's voice cut through the air. "Raven doesn't need any new partners," she said sweetly, though her sharp tone betrayed her irritation.
The woman turned to Mira with a smug grin. "Oh, is that so? Are you his manager or something?"
Mira's eyes narrowed, her smile becoming strained. "I'm the guild receptionist. It's my job to keep track of his missions and ensure he's focused."
The adventurer raised an eyebrow. "Focused, huh? Sounds like you're more interested in keeping him to yourself."
Raven, sensing the tension, raised his hands. "Okay, let's all calm down—"
"Stay out of this, Raven!" Mira snapped, her emerald eyes glaring daggers at him. Raven froze, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "Y-Yes, ma'am," he stammered, mentally noting never to anger Mira again.
**Flashback to Raven's Jealousy**
Another time, Raven returned from a mission to find Mira talking animatedly with a male adventurer. The man leaned casually on the counter, grinning at her as she laughed at something he said. Raven's eyes narrowed as he walked over.
"Hey, Mira," he said, his tone deceptively light. "Busy?"
Mira looked up, surprised but pleased to see him. "Raven! You're back. How did the mission go?"
"Fine," he said curtly, his gaze shifting to the other man. "Who's this?"
The adventurer extended a hand. "Name's Daren. Just talking with Mira about some guild matters."
Raven ignored the hand, his expression darkening. "Well, Mira's got a lot on her plate. Maybe you should take your business elsewhere."
Daren raised an eyebrow but stepped back. "Sure, no problem."
As Daren walked away, Mira crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at Raven. "Jealous much?"
Raven avoided her gaze, scratching the back of his neck. "I'm just looking out for you."
Mira smirked. "Uh-huh. Sure you are."
**Present Day**
Raven approached the counter, and Mira's smile widened. "Welcome back, Raven," she said warmly.
"Morning, Mira," he replied, his voice softer than usual. "Busy day so far?"
"Not too bad. Just the usual," she said, tucking a strand of white hair behind her ear. "What about you? Planning another mission?"
"Yeah, maybe. Depends on what looks interesting," he said, leaning casually against the counter.
As they talked, the rest of the guild watched, exchanging knowing glances and whispers. "Those two are practically a couple already," one adventurer said. "If only they'd admit it," another added.
Raven and Mira, lost in their conversation, remained blissfully unaware of the attention they were drawing. For now, they were content in their little world, where nothing else seemed to matter.
Raven and Mira eventually snapped out of their flirtatious state, laughing together at how easily they got carried away. Raven smiled at her and said, "Well, I'm going to grab another mission. See you in a little bit."
Mira smiled back, her cheeks still slightly pink. "Okay, good luck out there," she said, her voice warm. She added, "Don't go too hard on yourself this time, alright?"
Raven chuckled, nodding as he turned to walk toward the mission board.
As he approached, he scanned through the missions posted for A-rank adventurers. His eyes moved over the titles, and he read them aloud to himself, noting the details:
1. **Mission: Escort the Royal Envoy** - Protect a high-ranking envoy on their journey to the neighboring kingdom. Requires high-level combat and strategic planning skills.
2. **Mission: Subjugate the Shadow Drake** - A rogue Shadow Drake has been terrorizing villages near the western mountains. Eliminate the threat and bring proof of the kill.
3. **Mission: Investigate the Sunken Temple** - Strange phenomena have been reported near the ruins of the Sunken Temple. Discover the source and eliminate any danger.
4. **Mission: Defend the Northern Outpost** - A horde of monsters is threatening the Northern Outpost. Reinforce the guards and drive back the assault.
Raven crossed his arms, carefully considering his options. "Hmm," he muttered, "These all sound interesting, but which one should I take?"
After a moment, he said to himself, "How about Mission: Escort the Royal Envoy?" He took the mission off the board, and as he did, other adventurers glanced his way, murmuring their opinions. Over the past year, Raven's reputation had grown significantly. While many respected his strength, others couldn't help but feel a twinge of fear at his power and presence.
He walked back to Mira, holding the mission. "I'll take this one," he said simply.
Mira glanced at the mission and smiled warmly. "Alright, Raven. Let me explain the details."
She began outlining the mission specifics. "You'll be escorting Lady Evelyn, a high-ranking envoy, to the neighboring kingdom of Arlindor. She's a member of the royal council, so her safety is absolutely critical. The journey will take about four days, and there have been reports of potential bandit activity along the route. You'll need to stay vigilant."
Raven nodded, absorbing the information. "Got it."
Then he paused, tilting his head slightly. "What exactly is the royal council?"
Mira blinked, then smiled, happy to explain. "The royal council is a governing body that advises the king and queen. They're composed of influential nobles, high-ranking officials, and trusted advisors who oversee the kingdom's major affairs. Each member has their own area of expertise, like diplomacy, military strategy, trade, or internal security. Lady Evelyn, for instance, is the head diplomat for the kingdom. She's one of the most important figures in ensuring peaceful relations with other nations."
Raven nodded thoughtfully. "So basically, she's a big deal."
Mira chuckled. "Exactly. That's why her safety is so important. If anything happens to her, it could cause major problems between our kingdom and Arlindor."
Raven smirked. "No pressure, right?"
Mira's smile softened. "Be careful out there, okay?"
Raven smirked back. "When am I not?"