"Phantom Rebirth: The Last White Raven’s Path to the Ultimate Assassin"

Chapter 101: The Last White Raven

Seraphis leaned against the grand wooden table in the center of the war room, her fingers idly tracing the lines of the massive map spread across its surface. The map depicted the entire continent in breathtaking detail—mountains carved like jagged scars, forests that bled into the edges of civilization, rivers twisting like veins through the land. Candles flickered in their iron sconces, casting shadows that danced across the ancient stone walls. The air was heavy with silence, save for the occasional crackle of fire and the distant echo of footsteps in the fortress corridors.

Across from her, the legendary assassin sat with a curious yet wary gaze, her arms crossed as she took in the atmosphere. The war room was a place of command, of strategy, and of power. The long wooden table, lined with iron-bound chairs, was something one might see in the royal capital—where kings and queens convened with their highest generals to discuss the fate of empires. And yet, here it stood, deep within Seraphis’s fortress, untouched by the arrogance of nobility.

Breaking the silence, Seraphis asked, "What do you know about legendary beasts?"

The assassin raised an eyebrow, caught off guard by the question. "Not much," she admitted, her voice carrying a hint of curiosity. "I've heard stories, but nothing solid. They’re supposed to be powerful creatures, right? Rare and nearly impossible to kill?"

Seraphis chuckled, shaking her head. "They are more than that. A normal animal can evolve into a magic beast after absorbing enough mana. But if it continues to grow, surpassing the limits of its own existence, it becomes something greater—something beyond mortality. A legendary beast is not bound by the rules of the world. They can take any form they desire—human, elf, beast, or something entirely unknown."

The assassin leaned forward slightly. "You're saying they have intelligence on par with us?"

Seraphis smirked. "Far beyond that. A legendary beast isn’t just strong—it possesses knowledge that transcends time itself. They do not merely think as we do. They remember in ways we cannot comprehend. They see the world in layers, understanding things that humans or elves never could. Their power is not just in their form, but in their very existence."

The assassin tilted her head, intrigued. "And you’re telling me this because…?"

Seraphis straightened, her piercing white eyes locking onto the assassin’s. "Because I am one of them. Or rather… something close."

A flicker of uncertainty crossed the assassin’s face. "Close?"

Seraphis placed both hands flat on the table. "Tell me something—when you see a raven, what do you think of?"

The assassin shrugged. "I don’t know. They’re just birds. Smart, maybe, but nothing special."

Seraphis let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head. "Most people think that way. But ravens are far more than just birds. Even without magic, they possess intelligence greater than most creatures. They remember faces. They solve puzzles. They pass knowledge down through generations. A single raven can recall events from decades ago and teach its offspring." Her gaze darkened slightly. "But when a raven becomes a magic beast, its intelligence grows exponentially. And when one reaches the level of a legendary beast…"

The assassin’s eyes narrowed. "They become something beyond comprehension."

Seraphis nodded. "Exactly. Their memories become limitless. Their knowledge stretches beyond time itself. And they never forget—not a single face, not a single betrayal, not a single kindness." She gestured toward the twin assassins standing near the doorway. "When I found them, they were ordinary ravens. But I gave them power. And with that power, they retained every memory they ever had—even before they could take human form."

The assassin turned to look at the twins, something flickering in her gaze—respect, perhaps, or the beginnings of understanding. "And you?" she asked, turning back to Seraphis.

Seraphis took a step forward, her presence almost suffocating. "I am not just any raven," she said, voice low and firm. "I am the White Raven—the mother of all ravens."

The assassin inhaled sharply, her fingers unconsciously tightening around the edge of the table. There was something in Seraphis’s tone that made it clear—this wasn’t just a title. It was an undeniable truth.

The assassin’s voice was quieter now. "The mother of all ravens… what does that mean?"

Seraphis lifted her gaze to the ceiling, as if looking beyond it. "It means I am the last of my kind. There is always only one White Raven in existence at a time. When the current one dies, another is born to take their place." Her white eyes gleamed in the dim candlelight. "But there are no others left. When I die, my daughters may inherit my title. But until that day comes, I am the final White Raven."

The assassin swallowed, her expression unreadable. "So… you’re saying you’re not human?"

Seraphis exhaled softly. "I was born in this world as something more than human, but I lived my life as one. It was only later that I learned what I truly was."

The assassin sat back, exhaling slowly. "And what now?"

Seraphis smiled slightly. "Now? You’re one of us. And soon, you’ll understand what that truly means."

The assassin remained silent, absorbing the weight of the revelation. The atmosphere in the war room felt different now—thicker, heavier, as if the very air had shifted. She had entered this room as an outsider, but now, she was bound to something ancient, something beyond her comprehension.

Seraphis reached into her dimensional bag and pulled out a set of folded clothing—a uniform as black as the night sky, with crimson accents along the sleeves. A matching black mask lay atop the fabric. She placed it in front of the assassin. "Put it on," she said simply.

The assassin hesitated before picking up the uniform. "What’s with the red?"

Seraphis smirked. "You have an affinity for fire. It suits you. And when you transform… your feathers will carry that color."

The assassin’s breath caught in her throat. "Transform?"

Seraphis nodded. "You are one of us now. A raven. You can take human form, but your true nature will reveal itself when the time comes."

The assassin clenched the uniform tightly, staring at Seraphis with a mixture of awe and trepidation. For the first time in her life, she wasn’t sure if she was afraid… or excited.

Seraphis’s smile widened. "Welcome to the family."