Chapter 46: Identity
When Raven regained consciousness, the first thing he noticed was the softness beneath him. The bed felt far more luxurious than anything he'd ever slept on—warm sheets, faint lavender scent, and enough space for two.
He blinked and looked around.
Velvet curtains draped the windows, the floor gleamed under a woven mat, and crystal lamps bathed the room in golden light. A chandelier glittered above, scattering fragments of brightness across polished furniture.
"Am I... in a noble's mansion?" he murmured.
"You're not," a calm voice replied from his left.
Raven's muscles tensed. He turned—and saw Elizabeth sitting on a chair near the table, her sharp eyes fixed on him.
"You really made quite a mess," she said with a sigh. "When I found you, you were half-dead under that tree. Your aunt and sister are gone, and even Baron Alexander has gone strangely quiet about it. No search notice, no uproar. It's as if he already knew who you really were."
She crossed her legs, studying him. "I don't want to pry. But Raven—whatever you've gotten yourself into, you can't face it alone. Someone wants you dead. So tell me… what's your plan now?"
Raven looked down at his hands. His thoughts raced.
'She tried to dig into my background… but she found nothing. As expected.'
After a moment of silence, he spoke.
"I need a new identity, Teacher. A complete one. If I'm to save my aunt and sister, I have to disappear and grow strong without the Empire knowing who I am."
Elizabeth's gaze softened—just a little.
'So, he's hiding his lineage. Smart boy… and determined.'
"So your goal is to earn a noble title under a false name?" she asked.
"Something like that," he answered vaguely.
Elizabeth leaned back, tapping her finger against the chair arm. "That's… ambitious. But not impossible."
She paused, gathering her thoughts.
"Normally, there are only two ways to rise in the Empire. The first is by military merit—serving under a noble lord, climbing ranks, and earning the title of Knight. That can take decades. And even then, you'd only receive a non-hereditary title, without land or legacy. Hundreds of such nobles already exist—decorated, but powerless."
Raven frowned. "Is there no faster path?"
"There are two alternatives," Elizabeth said, raising two fingers. "First, politics. Every fifty years, the Empire holds elections for Parliament. Seventy members, one puppet Prime Minister, all under the Mage Council's shadow. It's power, but not true power. The next election is in twenty-two years."
Raven's eyes widened. "Twenty-two years? I don't have that long. My aunt will be taken to the Iron Prison before then."
Elizabeth nodded knowingly. "Then there's the second path. Riskier, but… if you succeed, even the Emperor will notice you."
Raven leaned forward, interest burning in his eyes. "Tell me."
"Have you heard of the Pioneer Knights?"
Raven's breath hitched. Of course, he had.
"They're the ones who lead expeditions into uncharted regions. They tame the wild lands, slay magical beasts, and establish territories under their names. The Whitbard Family's founder became a hereditary noble that way."
"Exactly." Elizabeth smiled faintly. "But it's a bloody path. Only nobles—or those with noble blood—can apply for recognition. Many try; most die. Monsters devour them, or nearby lords seize whatever little land they claim. It's dangerous, but… if you succeed, it's the fastest route to true nobility."
Zera's voice echoed in his mind.
[This idea isn't bad, lad. The borderlands are full of magical beasts. You could grow stronger there faster than anywhere else.]
Raven nodded, determination flashing across his eyes. "Then I'll do it. Teacher, can you help me with a new identity?"
Elizabeth took out a small badge from her ring—a cockscomb flower engraved in silver.
"If you stay in Baron Alexander's territory, your true name will leak sooner or later. You'll leave the city tonight."
She flipped the badge. "Go to Count Spade's territory. In Giaris City, find a man named Franco at the Red Apple Inn. Show him this badge and tell him I sent you. He's greedy, but not treacherous."
Raven sat up slowly and accepted the badge with both hands. "Thank you, Teacher. I'll never forget this."
Elizabeth gave a faint smile. "We'll see. Rest until evening. I'll smuggle you out when night falls. After that, you're on your own. Stay hidden. Stay alive."
As she left the room, her footsteps faded into silence. For a long time, Raven stared at the badge, his thoughts heavy.
'She's risking herself for me… I can't waste this chance.'
He exhaled softly, then asked in his mind, 'Zera, tell me more about the system's hidden functions.'
[Hidden? You already know most of them, don't you?] Zera's tone carried mild confusion.
'I mean that feather—the one that revived me. I didn't know such a skill existed.'
[Ah. That was one of the One-Time Skill Slots. When the system awakened, most of the backup functions were destroyed. I managed to keep a few: Eldritch Analysis, Wisdom Link, and five one-time skills. I used Rebirth to save you when I sensed danger in the Mirage Woods.]
Zera paused, then continued.
[The remaining four are Erase Existence, Destiny Change, Nightmare Loop, and Meteorite Descend. Each can alter fate itself. Use them only when there's no other choice.]
Raven's jaw tightened. "Even those might not be enough to save them."
He closed his eyes, mind racing. After a long silence, he whispered,
"Zera, I have a plan. It's dangerous, but… I need a bloodline spell that can change my appearance. Is that possible?"