Way of the Knights

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"Law of Ripples!?" Albert exclaimed in a dumbfounded manner, "Hey, hey! Are you sure? That's a very rare Law to gain enlightenment from!"

Albert was not be blamed for behaving this way. In fact, even Raul, who had the idea even before articulated it, still couldn't help but feel stunned. This goes similarly to the veteran warriors within the room, they too were too shocked for words by the sudden revelation. 

"I'm sure of it." Raven remained calm while he explained, "He might be able to fool most people but not me. I'm a very sensitive person. Therefore I am confident that I'm not wrong in this."

"That's so unfair." Albert grumbled as his face warped in despair. "Man, Law of Ripples? Really? Of all people, why him? I'm so jealous!"

Albert was really vexed at this moment. It was already a blow for him to see this many talented people gaining a very valuable experience and luck to enter a prestigious sect, and yet here comes this Jason guy with his enviable luck to gain enlightenment from Ripple Law. 

There are reasons why they feel this way. On top of the fact that Law of Ripples were a very rare, it is also incredibly powerful. 

The Law of Ripples allows one to harness the power of Ripples. This might sound incredibly underwhelming but in reality, it applications are seemingly endless. 

Ripples per se, takes on many forms, few of which are: fluctuations, vibrations, echoes, resonance, and so on. Such forms of ripples happens almost every time. When someone walks, their footsteps releases a form of resonance on the ground beneath them. When someone talks, the sound they produce cause vibrations and echoes in the air. When someone releases even the tiniest bit of their energy, it will still cause fluctuations. All of the above represents Ripples and happens on a daily basis. 

And someone who has the ability to control ripples, had the authority to use them however they like. 

"That's why I said before that Jason didn't really do anything on that fight but he also did a lot." Raven added. "During the battle, the moment they clashed weapons, Jason was already gathering the ripples around him in a very discrete manner. During Juniper's transformation, the force behind his attacks got stronger and he became faster too."

"Echoes, vibrations, fluctuations, resonance…Juniper released a lot of this. And with Jason's ability to see and observe ripples, he could tell how exactly Juniper is going to attack, therefore evading his attacks were a cinch to him. Additionally, since his enemy was already releasing many ripples, he didn't have to add anything at all. He just simply has to gather them and release him at any given moment, still he waited until Juniper was exhausted to release his gathered momentum."

"What's commendable is that, Jason on release a tenth of the Ripples that he collected during that short battle. But it was still enough to directly render Juniper unconscious. The flash of white light was fake. Him appearing behind Juniper was just him blending his presence with the surrounding ripple and running very fast behind Juniper before showing himself again."

"And since not many people was aware he could use Law of Ripples, it turned into a illusion that he moved beyond everyone's senses and gave him a cloak of mysteriousness, making him look awesome, which pisses me off." Raven chuckled with how everything played out but nevertheless he's impressed. 

He then looked at Albert and said: "See? Isn't it very simple?"

"Yeah. And knowing everything, more specifically the whole faking and blending thing, really pisses me off. " Albert released a sigh of frustration, but his eyes were bright as he looked at Raven, saying: "But what surprises me the most, is that you knowing all of this."

"Heck, you're observation skills are way too freaky man! We're at least fifteen miles away from the arena, yet it's as if you could see the match in person. Almost everyone, including people outside, might very well still be wondering about what happened, yet here you are, knowing everything and might as well being able to predict what exactly will happen next. That's creepy you know?"

"Damn, between you and him. I think I would rather fight him instead. I get this feeling that if I fight you, then you'll just make dance on the top of your palms. That would be humiliating." 

Albert's barrage of honest description caused Raven to laugh as he replied: "Perks of being sensitive I guess?"

"Perk my ass!" Albert grumbled, "If you're capable, then you are capable. No need to be humble and shit, that's corny!"

Raven chuckled beside him and sipped on his tea. Raul, who's watching them bicker with each other, just smiled and returned his attention back at the arena. 

There really wasn't much for him to watch as the arena was being fixed for the next match. The truth is, his thoughts are in a different place. 

The comments of his son about Raven's 'creepiness' constantly rang on Raul's mind. Although he was aware that his son might not be aware of the true weight behind his unconscious revelation of Raven's abilities, it doesn't mean that he too, was similarly clueless. 

He had to agree, he would rather have his son fight that child Jason instead of Raven. Actually, he would rather have his son fight him (Raul) instead of Raven. 

Even though Raven appears harmless and did nothing but kindness for not only him but also his clan. He couldn't really prevent himself from being careful with how he interact with this child. Albert voiced it out but Raul already felt it, even before they accompanied Raven here. 

For some reason, he always get this sneaking suspicion that everything is going Raven's way. And like how Albert articulated it, the feeling was truly creepy. Raven always gave him the impression that, not even the sky falling would surprise him. For all he know, it would either be Raven himself who caused that to happen or he was already expecting it to happen. 

Either way, he could feel that Raven wasn't an enemy. The kindness that the child expressed was genuine, therefore there's no reason for him to hate him to cut connections with him. 

***

Due to how short the last match were, the arena was fixed rather quickly. After re-activating the protective array around the arena, the referee announced that the third match of the day will begin shortly. 

The previously awkward atmosphere within the stadium were gone and was replaced by heated discussions and excitement yet again. And compared to the previous matches, it would seem that many people were actually looking forward to this match the most.

This inevitably caught Raven's attention, causing him turn to Albert and ask him: "Do you know who will be fighting next?" 

"Pyra Crawford and Mira Crawford." Albert replied, causing Raven to raise an eyebrow. 

"Oh, so it's the twins eh?" Raven sighed and shook his head softly. There was an expression of melancholy on his eyes. Something that Albert noticed. 

"What's with the sudden gloom?" Albert asked.

"Oh! Uh, nothing much really." Raven replied, "I just thought about somethings. Don't mind me." 

Seeing the sudden shift on his friend's mood, caused Albert to be reminded about a few things. 

"Oh, right. I remember you telling me that you have twin sisters. Pyra and Mira must've caused you to remember your family in the lower realms." 

Raven simply nodded and didn't say anything. Albert was right, the Crawford Twins caused him to be reminded of Venina and Victoria, those two cute little buggers that kept pulling his face and skin whenever he's playing with them. 

Having thought about his sisters also caused him to think about his parents, in-laws and the people he left behind in the lower realms. 

Raven knew that they were safe, he was confident about it since if they weren't then the arrangements he left before departing would've been triggered by now. Additionally, he also left Venus behind and ordered her solemnly to protect them behind the shadows. All of this, just to make sure that they live their lives in peace and for him to press on without worries. 

Still, he couldn't help but miss home. But right now he can't. 

There's just too much for him to do. Before he's able to secure a decent foundation within the Divine Realm, he can't return nor bring them here. Right now, he doesn't know how long it's going to take for him to achieve his goals but there's no other way and no room for failure. Therefore he had to endure and remain strong. 

Lost on his musings, Raven was late to realize that the match was almost beginning. If it weren't for the loud announcement of the referee, he wouldn't notice it. 

"Left side, Mira Crawford!" The referee pointed at the girl who wore the maroon uniform and has a purple hair. 

"Right side, Pyra Crawford." The only difference about her, is that this girl's hair is red. 

"Same rules apply! The match with start in three! Two! One! Begin!"

"Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!"

"I win!"action

"I lost!"

The crowd: "…"