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"What a weird way to welcome someone."

When everyone heard Raven\'s words, they became even more tense!

But then...

FWOOOSH~

A powerful wave of mana collided with Raven\'s dominating aura!

Which resulted in them canceling out each other!

Thus allowing the kneeling students to breathe properly again and stand up.

Though, they were all still shaking...

Just being subjected to Raven\'s overwhelming presence for only a few seconds made them use up a lot of stamina and also mentally exhausted them!

"Care to explain why you did that?"

Kendy then asked Raven after approaching him.

He was the one responsible for the powerful wave of mana earlier that freed the students from Raven\'s pressure.

Anyway, after noticing Kendy standing beside him, Raven glanced at him.

\'Creepy, when did he arrive beside me...\'

And he thought that while maintaining his calm demeanor as usual.

"What do you mean?"

Raven then calmly asked back.

And after hearing his question, Kendy frowned and pointed at the crowd.

"I\'m talking about that."

Raven\'s gaze followed where Kendy\'s finger is pointing...

And what entered his sight are some shaking students, gasping for air!

Some are even unconscious!

And with the help of <Calm Thinker> and <Understanding>...

"Oh."

It only took Raven a second to understand what happened!

\'It\'s the [Monarch\'s Presence]...\'

\'So that\'s why they were kneeling, I thought they were just being weird.\'

Anyway, after understanding the situation...

Raven brought his attention back to Kendy who was looking at him with annoyance.

He wants to voice out his defense...

"Well..."

But Raven doesn\'t know where to start.

\'I just can\'t say that my skill is too strong and I am unable to control it properly for the time being.\'

\'Sir Kendy wouldn\'t believe me that easily and it would seem like I\'m just making an excuse...\'

Raven thought while wearing a frown on his face.

Then as he was thinking about what to say to Kendy...

"He got a lot stronger after killing the final boss monster, and he still can\'t control his strength."

Someone suddenly spoke on his behalf!

Raven and Kendy looked behind them, where they heard the voice.

And there, they saw Eve wearing a serious face!

And standing behind her were Alec, Adelle, Curtis, Aoi, and Blake!

They aren\'t doing anything, but their presence was so strong, the students can\'t help but stare at them!

(Raven and the others are wearing proper and clean clothes, they\'re also clean themselves! Raven is the one responsible for that.)

But just seconds after being mesmerized by the group...

Everyone suddenly remembered what Eve just said!

\'Raven isn\'t intentionally releasing his dominating presence...?\'

\'Then what we felt was just his uncontrolled aura?!\'

They asked themselves, dumbfounded at that thought...

Anyway...

"Is that true?"

Kendy asked for Raven\'s confirmation after hearing Eve\'s words.

And without hesitation, Raven calmly nodded his head.

Kendy looked at Alec and the others next with questioning eyes, and they all just silently nodded their heads in response.

"Sorry for causing you guys trouble."

Then Raven suddenly apologized to everyone with a worried expression!

And seeing him like that...

"Listen... It\'s not your fault."

Kendy tried to console him!

But as soon as Kendy said that...

"Oh, I\'m off then."

Raven\'s face returned to normal!

"Wha–"

And before Kendy can even say a word, Raven nonchalantly walked away!

"..."

Leaving Kendy speechless with his mouth slightly open!

It didn\'t take Kendy that long to realize that Raven manipulated him to say that he wasn\'t at fault, so Raven wouldn\'t be held accountable for this situation in the future!

"What the hell... Sir Kendy just got tricked by that bastard."

Curtis, who\'s a few meters away from Kendy, mumbled in a rather surprised tone.

"Fufu... He\'s really good at shifting the blame away from him."

And Adelle spoke after him, she sounded really delighted.

"He\'s also really great at acting!"

Then Blake cheerfully followed.

Meanwhile...

"....."

Alec, Eve, and Aoi are remaining silent with complicated expressions on their faces.

The group watched Raven\'s interaction with Kendy, so they saw how Raven got away with the trouble he created by just using a few words!

And to be honest, they\'re all impressed!

*****

At the same time, after escaping from Kendy and the chaos he made...

Tap- Tap- Tap-

Raven straight up walked toward the crowd.

Everyone was still being protected by Kendy\'s mana from Raven\'s aura, so they can all now normally look at Raven in the face.

Though, they don\'t because they\'re kinda scared...

Tap- Tap- Tap-

But as Raven got near the crowd...

Tap- Tap- Tap-

His confident and elegant strides slowly attracted everyone\'s eyes!

And looking in the direction where Raven is heading, everyone understood what he wants!

And so, they all moved aside and created a path for him as if it were normal!

"....."

No one spoke and silence descended in the area again, but unlike before, the atmosphere isn\'t oppressing anymore but it was rather lukewarm.

But even with that...

Tap- Tap- Tap-

Raven didn\'t even bother to look around and he just walked in the path created for him!

The king-like treatment the others are giving him... He\'s just taking it for granted!

...

Then not long after...

Tap-

Raven reached the end of the path and he stopped walking.

And in front of him...

Two beautiful women are standing and looking at him endearingly!

It was Ruby and Keara!

So with a warm smile on his face...

"I\'m back."

Raven declared that and opened his arms wide.

And without missing a beat...

Fwish-

Keara jumped into Raven\'s embrace!

"I missed you a lot..."

Then she whispered those words in his ear!

Keara was tearing up a bit, but Raven used [Celestria] to discreetly wipe it off as he thinks Keara wouldn\'t want the others to see her cry.

(Also, Raven doesn\'t want the others to see Keara cry, it\'s just for his eyes.)

Then after hugging Keara for a good few seconds...

"The entire time I was in the labyrinth..."

"I\'ve been thinking of you."

Raven whispered that back to Keara!

Resulting in Keara\'s face turning red!

\'Ah, I missed this reaction of hers.\'

Raven thought.

Then after a few more seconds, they finally separated from each other...

Keara became silent as her mind cleared up and she realized what she just did in front of many people!

And that\'s when Ruby approached Raven.

"How about me?"

She teasingly asked him!

Though Ruby sounded mischievous, she was actually jealous!

But then, Raven looked at Ruby...

And while keeping a calm face, though he\'s blushing a little bit...

"Every piece of me missed you..."

Raven stated those words to Ruby!

"....."

Making Ruby shut up and blush!

She was so surprised, she became defenseless!

And that\'s when Levina, who\'s hiding in Ruby\'s top, forcefully flew toward Raven!

"Wha–?"

Dragging Ruby along with her, and making it look like she jumped into Raven\'s arms!

Thud-

"Got you."

Raven caught Ruby...

Which resulted in them hugging each other!

"Erm... It wasn\'t me."

Ruby explained.

"I know."

And Raven casually replied.

"You smell really nice, by the way."

Raven then gently whispered into Ruby\'s ear and he embraced her tighter!

Making Ruby close her eyes shut in embarrassment!

And that\'s when...

-I missed you so much, Raven!

Levina\'s words entered Raven\'s head!

She\'s being sandwiched between Raven and Ruby!

Though, she doesn\'t seem to mind it as she continues to bury herself in Raven\'s chest.

Raven, though surprised at hearing Levina\'s voice after a long time...

\'Levina, I can\'t wait to see your beautiful face again...\'

Replied telepathically to her!

-Heh, I\'ve become much prettier while you were away!\'

Which was answered by Levina\'s bragging!

(Levina is bragging to hide her embarrassment, she also feels so happy after being called beautiful by Raven.)

\'It\'s really nice to be back...\'

Raven thought after his pent-up stress from the labyrinth disappeared in a matter of seconds just by interacting with Keara, Ruby, and Levina.