'Sure, do whatever you want.'

Raven's last words before leaving rang inside Jeanna's head, repeating over and over like an echo she couldn't silence even if she wanted to.

Her lips curved slowly into a beautiful smile, trembling slightly as the realization sank in. Raven— Raven himself— had given her permission.

Not just a vague acknowledgment, but a direct allowance to run his fan club!

For Jeanna, that was something beyond her wildest dreams.

She hugged her phone tightly against her chest for a moment, almost as if she were afraid the words might vanish if she didn't hold onto them.

'Well, not yet...'

Her rational mind quickly stepped in, pulling her back to reality. She wasn't careless. Not someone who jumped into things recklessly.

There was still something she needed to do for Raven first. A task. A condition.

'But after I finish the task he gave me...'

Her chest thumped rapidly as her excitement surged again. The thought of it alone was enough to make her shake with anticipation.

'We can finally say we're Raven's official fan club!'

Her thoughts screamed joyfully inside her head, almost too loud to contain. The image of their group standing proudly, openly, beside Raven's name filled her imagination.

She couldn't hold it back anymore. She clenched her fists tight, a radiant expression plastered across her face.

"I need to tell the other members and ask for their cooperation."

Jeanna mumbled, her voice trembling from the adrenaline rushing through her body.

With determination, she pulled her phone out, her fingers already moving before her eyes even adjusted to the screen. She opened the group chat of [Black Feathers], her second family, her pride, her people who shared the same devotion.

And then she typed with urgency, her thumbs flying across the screen.

=====

[Jeanna]: Raven said if we can convince every freshman in Lunar to attend the incoming field trip, he'll let us openly operate the fan club!

=====

The moment she pressed send, her heart skipped a beat.

For a single breath, there was nothing.

Then suddenly—

Ting- Ting- Ting- Ting-!

Ting- Ting- Ting- Ting-!

Ting- Ting- Ting-!

Her phone vibrated furiously in her hands as the group chat exploded. Dozens, then hundreds of messages came pouring in, the notifications drowning out every other sound around her!

She opened the chat and her eyes widened. The members were practically screaming through their keyboards.

Messages of excitement, loyalty, and determination filled the feed.

Some said they'd join the field trip without question. Others swore to persuade every freshman they knew. A few even joked about bribing or dragging their classmates along if necessary. The chat was overflowing with energy, with support, with passion that only the [Black Feathers] could muster.

Jeanna couldn't stop smiling.

"Looks like this would be easy."

She murmured happily, scrolling through the storm of messages. Her chest felt warm, her heart lighter than ever. She was proud of them. Proud to be part of them. Proud that they all shared the same goal.

This was their moment, and they would seize it.

...

...

...

*****

Tap- Tap- Tap-

Meanwhile, Raven was walking calmly toward the sophomore's building. His footsteps were steady, unhurried, yet full of quiet intent.

"..."

Behind him, Lana followed silently, keeping her usual distance. Her presence was almost ghostlike, but Raven knew she was there. She always was.

[Wow... Over half of the freshmen already declared their participation in the incoming field trip.]

Sariel's voice sounded in his head, tinged with awe and surprise.

Raven allowed himself a small smile. His plan was unfolding exactly as he predicted.

"I knew it was a good idea to let them be."

He muttered softly, a whisper meant only for himself.

'He's talking to himself... Weirdo.'

Lana's thoughts lingered with mild curiosity as she glanced at him. To her, Raven looked like an idiot— smiling faintly and muttering under his breath like a lunatic.

But Raven's mind was elsewhere...

He was already aware of the [Black Feathers].

He'd discovered their existence a day after returning from the [Labyrinth of the Nurturer].

Back then, instead of confronting them outright, he made Sariel infiltrate their group. He needed to know what they were about.

The results? Almost laughably harmless. They weren't scheming, they weren't plotting, they weren't dangerous. They were just fans— his fans.

A community that adored him, rallied around him, and occasionally had to boot out the occasional hater who slipped in.

So he ignored them.

They weren't hurting him. In fact, they were benefiting him. The constant attention, the conversations, the spreading of his name— it all boosted the effect of his trait, <I like the spotlight>. In other words, the more they gushed over him, the stronger his presence became.

"We're getting near the sophomore's building."

Lana's calm voice pulled him out of his thoughts.

Raven glanced at her briefly. Their eyes met, and just like that, the air shifted.

The awkwardness faded. The atmosphere sharpened. They switched seamlessly into their professional selves.

"I will handle the job of convincing the sophomores."

Lana declared firmly. Her tone wasn't loud, but it was filled with quiet confidence.

"..."

Raven stared at her for a few seconds before nodding.

"Sure, I know it'll be a piece of cake for you."

He said it casually, without hesitation, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"You got too much faith in me."

Lana countered softly, though her eyes never wavered.

"It's because I know what you can do."

Raven's words came easily, unbothered, as if stating a simple truth.

Lana frowned at that. His arrogance irritated her. The way he assumed he knew her limits— knew her— felt overbearing. She wanted to argue, but she knew it would spiral into something pointless.

"..."

So she stayed silent, though her expression gave away her displeasure.

*****

[7:19 PM]

Lana had finished convincing the sophomores.

About 80% were now joining, 11% remained undecided, and the last stubborn 9% outright refused.

It wasn't perfect, but considering there were roughly 5000 sophomores and she only had around two hours, it was a remarkable outcome.

"See, I told you it'll be a piece of cake for you."

Raven teased lightly as he walked beside her.

"..."

Lana said nothing. She didn't need to. The numbers spoke for themselves.

All the while, Raven had merely shadowed her steps, observing as she persuaded, explained, and negotiated with countless students.

Now they were making their way to the tertiary's building.

(Classes go from 10:30 AM to 8:30 PM in Lunar.)

They had decided to finish the mission today, no matter how late it got.

"Are you not tired?"

Raven asked suddenly, breaking the silence.

"No."

Lana's reply was short and clipped, but firm.

Yet Raven, being Raven, didn't stop there.

Swish–

He pulled something from his spatial storage, holding it out to her.

"Here."

Lana halted, as did Raven. Her eyes shifted to his hand.

"..."

'It's a chocolate bar.'

It was so simple. So ordinary. And yet, she blinked at it like it was foreign.

"What's that?"

"A chocolate bar."

"I know. Why are you giving it to me?"

"Chocolate has caffeine and sugar. It also contains nutrients that boost your energy."

"..."

Lana stared at him, her expression conflicted. His reasoning was logical, but his action was puzzling.

"Just take it, eating chocolate isn't a bad thing either way."

His tone left no room for argument. He practically forced the bar into her hand.

Then—

Swish–

He casually pulled out another one for himself.

(The truth was, Raven simply wanted to eat chocolate and thought it would feel awkward doing it alone.)

"You said eating chocolate isn't a bad thing. What if I'm allergic to it?"

Lana tested him with a question.

Raven's eyes flicked to her, calm and steady.

"But you're not."

"How can you be sure?"

This time he smiled faintly.

"It's because I'm not stupid."

He answered without hesitation.

'I wouldn't put a stupid allergy to my characters. That's just pointless. Especially in a world where magic and mana exist.'

He thought to himself.

"???"

Lana tilted her head in confusion. She had no idea what he was rambling about, but she decided not to press further.

Raven simply resumed walking, unbothered.

"..."

In the end, Lana unwrapped the chocolate bar.

"Well, I like chocolates."

She muttered softly before taking a bite.

'Sweet.'

The flavor lingered on her tongue as she followed Raven's pace.

*****

In Lunar, there were only around 2000 tertiary students.

The smallest number among all years. And the reason was simple— most students failed to progress past sophomore.

At first glance, convincing just 2000 should have been easy compared to the thousands they had already swayed.

But tertiaries were different. They weren't scattered. They weren't random. They were organized. Structured.

They had a hierarchy.

And at the very top stood Branwen Asterope— the king of tertiaries.

And beside him, always, was his queen, Darci Haux.

(Check Chapter 84 for more details about them.)

And the problem was obvious.

"You basically declared a war against them the first time you saw them."

Lana reminded him flatly.

"..."

Raven kept his mouth shut, guilt— or annoyance— written faintly on his face.

"He will probably make our job harder."

Lana added, her tone calm but sharp.

"..."

Raven frowned, irritated.

"And here I was hoping to finish the job in a day."

Lana's words dripped with sarcasm, though her face remained as unreadable as ever.

"What should we do?"

She asked, pressing him.

"... I'll take care of it."

Raven finally spoke.

"How?"

"Just trust me."

He replied shortly, picking up his pace.

Lana followed closely, still poking at him with sharp remarks meant to sting.

But Raven wasn't guilty. He was just getting more and more annoyed.

...

...

...

After several minutes, the two reached the classroom of [CLASS A-3].

"You ready?"

Lana asked, standing beside him at the door.

Raven's jaw tightened. His irritation simmered beneath the surface.

"I am."

He said firmly, gripping the handle.

Then—

A!

The door slammed open with force, making Lana's eyes widen in shock!

"!!!"

Before she could even comment, Raven stepped in without hesitation.

'Shit...'

She cursed inwardly, quickly slipping in after him.

*****

(Raven's POV)

The moment I entered [CLASS A-3], dozens of gazes locked onto me.

"Huh?"

"...?"

"What was that?"

I ignored them all.

Instead, I scanned the room, searching for the only two people that mattered here.

And I found them almost immediately.

'Branwen and Darci.'

Sitting in the back row, side by side. Branwen's arm draped around Darci's shoulder.

Their eyes widened at the sight of me.

I didn't care.

Then, with a frown, I spoke bluntly.

"Come here, we need to talk."

I commanded them.

=====

[Drei05]: We've caught up.

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