---
"Hurghh…" Paul stood up stretched his numbing legs. "Finally, class is over. I almost lost consciousness with how much he talked."
Mark and Raven did the same thing as well. The triplets watched as the students left and the classroom became empty, they eventually left as well and went back to the stone house.
"So, did you guys have any luck with your cultivation during winter break?" Mark decided to check as they walked back.
Paul heaved a sad sigh and said: "Nothing, still at the early stages of Skin Toughening."
Mark similarly sighed, he didn't need to tell them anything as this was a universal sign.
"No luck for me as well. I just finished curing the hidden injuries of my body and I was just thinking of continuing my training later when we come home." Raven non-chalantly said, his expression changed as he noticed something ahead of them which caused him to frown.
It wasn't only him but his brothers also frowned. The reason was because there are some 'fans' blocking the way. Nevertheless they still marched forward until they met them face to face.
"Well, well, look who it is." A very bulky person appeared before them. "If it isn't the 'very impressive' young masters! I'm such a huge fan. Can we please have a moment to talk?" He snickered, clearly disdaining the triplets.
"Let us through." Paul's voice were frosty, he narrowed his eyes and met the bulky guy's disdaining eyes. They were too familiar with this since it wasn't the first time that something like this happened.
"Oh, scary, I am so scared." The bulky guy faked a shiver and snickered once more, the guys behind him laughed coldly while cracking their knuckles. "What do I do? Will this young master help me move? I'm afraid, so afraid that I can't seem to move." The bulky guy grinned maliciously.
"You-" Mark was about to charge towards them but he was startled when he saw Raven's hands before him. Paul was shocked as well, but he allowed his bother to speak on their behalf.
"Tell me your name." Raven's question was cold and sharp, like a venomous dagger aimed at everyone's throats. Everyone who heard him felt their hearts stop for a split second. This was specially true for the bulky guy who received it.
Seeing Raven's gaze towards him ignited fury in his heart. That gaze was like that of someone who was looking at an ant.
"You want to know who I am!?" The bulky guy was furious as he puffed out his chest and introduced himself, "Listen carefully! My name is Randy Nevill! I hailed from the Bright Jewel Clan! You better remember me!" He roared in exasperation.
Raven's face was still showing an expression of disinterest but he still replied: "Oh? A son of a merchant right? I see." A mocking smile appeared on Raven's face.
A paper and a brush appeared on his hand, he started writing while still looking coldly at Randy.
For some reason, Randy and his lackeys felt a chill when they saw his smile. They have no clue as to what's about to happen but their instincts are telling them that it won't end up good.
"Didn't you want me to remember you?" A sneer formed on Raven's face. He placed a two fingers on his mouth and blew a whistle. Not even a second later, a large bird appeared out of nowhere and landed on his shoulders. This was no ordinary bird, but a domesticated demonic beast known as the Mirage Hawk!
Everybody's eyes widened, some of the more knowledgable one's showed traces of fear when this bird arrived. They silently backed away, clearly indicating that they didn't want to be involved in this. Raven slowly rolled up the paper into a scroll without breaking any eye contact from the ant before him.
No one spoke, everyone watched each of his movements, it felt like he was the only one that exists at this current moment. Once he was done placing the rolled up paper on the compartment that was attached on the hawk's feet. He threw a treat on it's beak and everyone saw how swiftly the hawk caught it a swallowed it.
It let out a keening cry before disappearing before everyone's sight. Everyone's eyes constricted, time seemingly resumed as an idea suddenly surfaced on their brains. Upon realizing what happened, all of them began sweating from head to toe as they looked at Raven with a visible fear in their eyes.
This goes specially true for Randy and his lackeys. As part of a merchant clan, they were aware of many things, specially when it comes to dealing with influential people.
"Y-you…" Randy visibly shook, his face turned incredibly pale as he pointed his shaking finger at Raven.
"What's wrong?" Raven sneered, "Weren't you proud of your background earlier? Where did that go?"
Randy wanted to slap himself so bad until his family can't recognize him. He never hated himself so much like this in the past. He couldn't say anything since he knew that it won't change anything. He was doomed. His clan was doomed. His knees softened, and with a loud thud, he knelt on the floor with a pale face.
Raven looked down at him and said: "How does it feel being marked by the Hawk?"
"And for the record…" Raven waved his hand and a dart flew towards the wall on his left. Everyone jumped fright as they saw the wall shifted and reveal a pale faced instructor who did not dare to even move a muscle, the dart that Raven threw flew just a few centimeters away from his face that's why. "You have been watching since the beginning. Do you honestly think that you can escape my gaze?"
The instructor's body shook, his face became paler and paler, he too felt his knees go weak and Raven's next words almost sapped the life out of him.
"Prepare your speech well and come up with a solid excuse. I'd like to see if you still have the audacity to test my patience." Raven snorted and left. Paul and Mark woke up from their stupor and hurriedly caught up with him.
The whole hallway became silent to the point that even a pin's drop could be heard. Everyone else that weren't included in the fray heaved a sigh of relief when they saw his silhouette disappear.
"What the hell was that all about!?" A random student exclaimed all of a sudden.
"Shh!" One of his friends placed a cover on his mouth and said: "Tone it down, and remember. Do. Not. Provoke. That. Guy. Or those two who were following him."
"Who is he?" That random student asked in hushed tone.
"Have you heard about the Kingdom's Hawk?" His friend solemnly asked.
"Of course! He was the most talented person in the entire Intelligence Department of the Army! His cultivation might be low but when he rose to position, he uprooted the camps of Black Curtain Guild that managed to infiltrate the kingdom in less than a week! He also uprooted many evildoers in the Outer Ring, causing the mortality rate to go down. 'Evil shall tremble when they are marked by the Hawk' that is how he does things. But what's the connection?"
"God you're dumb!" His friend facepalmed and explained and decided to give him more clues, "Do you remember what that guy said to that bulky guy over there when the bird on his shoulder disappeared?"
"He said 'How does it feel…' oh shit…" that student's eyes constricted as he realized something when he was repeating Raven's words.
"Got it!? And for the record. The one his left is the son of the Institute's Dean while the one on his left is the son of a general." His friend cautiously said as he pulled him out there.
Since they were talking as they walked, the remaining students overheard their conversation. All of them shook and swore in their minds. This goes specially well to the kneeling people that previously crossed Raven.
They really kicked an iron board this time around.
***
"Hah…" When Raven stepped outside of the building, he lifted both of his arms and stretched out. There was a playful smile on his lips. He glanced at his sworn brothers and saw that their heads down and there was a shameful expression on their faces.
"What's wrong you two?" Raven asked.
"We just…" Paul wanted to say something but he could only sigh in defeat, "Sorry, we're useless."
Mark clenched his fist hard and gritted his teeth, he didn't say anything, he too feel the same way but it's not so easy to admit it.
"Don't mind it. They started it anyway." Raven wore a carefree smile on his face. On normal times, they would totally accept this as it is but today's a bit different.
"But Raven, you can only use that once a year!"