145: leave

Chapter 145: Departure

The Raven continued speaking on its own, completely unaware that the gazes and expressions of everyone present had grown somewhat peculiar.

Thinking she had found a backer, she never expected what happened next would completely shatter her composure.

Time, whom she regarded as her backer, ignored her words and instead said to Locke with a smile, "This one's called Little Seven. She's been mischievous since childhood, completely unlike her parents' steady temperament. She's always been like this, chattering away like a little girl. You'd better be prepared for her noise."

As he spoke, he handed the Raven Little Seven over to Locke.

Little Seven, who had been chattering nonstop, froze mid-sentence, her beak hanging in the air. She couldn't believe her eyes, staring incredulously at Locke, then at Time.

"Master, don't you want me anymore? Why are you giving me to him?"

Time shook his head with a smile and explained gently, "Locke is my new student. From now on, you'll follow him properly and not cause him any trouble. I'm sure he'll treat you well too."

"Right, Locke?"

Faced with Time's inquiry, Locke revealed an innocent, flawless smile, then reached out toward the reluctant Little Seven. "Don't worry, Teacher. Look how well I've raised my own bat. I definitely won't mistreat her."

His words, paired with that innocent smile, made Little Seven shiver all over, reminding her of that unpleasant memory from that night.

So she dug her claws tightly into Time's hand and said urgently, "Master, our personalities just don't mesh! I think Little Eight and Little Nine would be perfect—they're so well-behaved. Why not send them instead?"

"Locke and I really aren't a good match. He's too steady, and I'm too flighty. It just won't work."

Her expression was frantic, her speech rapid, but no matter what she said, Time remained unmoved.

Instead, Locke grinned as he reached out to pat her head, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. "No can do. I only want you, Little Seven. No one else suits me."

"Nooo!" Little Seven flapped her wings, looking at Time with reluctance, a hint of pleading in her eyes.

Time shrugged calmly. "My student has spoken. Just follow him obediently. In the future, I'll still need you to relay messages between us."

Knowing the situation was irreversible, Little Seven drooped her eyes, her expression instantly downcast.

Locke didn't hesitate either, directly reaching out to take her and placing her on his shoulder. Then, in a tone that gritted its teeth, he spoke the warmest words.

"Little Seven, don't worry. I'll treat you just as Teacher did. As long as you obediently do your work for me, I promise you'll live as well as the bat I raise."

Perched on his shoulder, Little Seven buried her bird head in her wings, refusing to speak further, hiding away.

It was clear that falling into the hands of her enemy had left her in very low spirits.

Locke spoke in that tone mainly to tease her and scare her a bit, of course, with the added intention of establishing authority.

And the reason he wanted this Raven wasn't solely for revenge or on a whim—it was mainly because he coveted her two Extraordinary Abilities.

One was an incredibly strong auxiliary ability to carry things, and the other was the illusion skill similar to pupil techniques that he coveted most. If Little Seven were nurtured in the future and followed him to assist in battles, she'd definitely be a great helper—at least much better than someone like Alfred, who for now can only gather information.

Even when facing tricky enemies, he could use Little Seven's Extraordinary Ability to catch them off guard.

After all, even he had been hard-controlled by that illusion for several seconds when caught off guard.

If not for the lacrosse mask, who knows how long he might have been trapped in that illusion.

So, if this were used on enemies without the ability to resist mental attacks, once hit by this move, they'd be left standing still, at his mercy.

"Oh, and take this too." Time then pulled out a black ring and handed it over. "This is Little Seven's Contract Ring. Just put it on and infuse it with your own Extraordinary Power, and the contract ritual will be complete. After that, she'll obey you completely."

"Thank you, Teacher." Without hesitation, Locke took it and slipped it onto his finger.

Contract Artifacts weren't unfamiliar to him.

Anyone who's played games basically knows about these.

But after putting it on, he didn't immediately choose to infuse it with Extraordinary Factor, planning to have a good talk with the Raven first.

Time waved his hand, indicating it was nothing.

"Alright, I've told you everything that needs to be said. Let me send you off first."

After speaking, he formed hand seals, preparing to teleport Locke's group away. But just before finishing, he added a reminder, "Oh, and by the way, you'd better be careful during this Time. I might be away from New York for six months to a year. If you run into problems, you'll have to solve them yourself."

With two pets on his shoulders and Serena by his side, Locke stepped into the circle, then nodded solemnly at Time. "I understand, Teacher. I'll definitely be careful."

"Alright, off you go."

"Wait, Teacher, before we go, can I ask one more question?"

Just as Time was about to channel Extraordinary Factor to teleport them away, Locke spoke up again with curiosity, interrupting his action.

But Time wasn't angry, though he sounded a bit exasperated. "Kid, why do you have so many questions? Go ahead."

"Uh—" Locke pointed at the mask on Time's face. "Is it that all believers of the Cult of the Goddess of Night have to wear masks or veils to cover their faces?"

This question wasn't impulsive—mainly, seeing Time wear a mask, plus the mysterious figure in that pink space also covering their face, had made him curious.

"Ah, getting old. If you hadn't asked, I almost forgot." Hearing this, Time patted his head and smiled. "That's right. When you go to the Tavern later, remember to wear a mask too. It's a decree passed down by the Goddess."

"Any mask will do—"

Locke was somewhat puzzled and even more curious, about to ask something more, but Time immediately mobilized Extraordinary Factor, waved his hand lightly, Not give him a chance to speak, and teleported the two humans and two creatures from the island to the Coast hundreds of miles away.

With Locke's group gone, only Time remained in the room. But he didn't leave either, instead sitting cross-legged, closing his eyes, and murmuring incantations, as if preparing to perform some ritual.