Chapter 155: Senior Catcher Ruchir

The next day, the sun rose bright and early, casting its golden rays over the sprawling Mysterious Heaven Palace. Ruchir, his thoughts still heavy from the previous night's conversation with the Raven Master, made his way to the main hall.

The imposing structure, with its tall columns and intricate carvings, never failed to inspire a sense of awe in him. Today, however, Ruchir felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety as he approached the entrance.

As he stepped inside, he noticed a group of catchers gathered around a large notice board. Whispers and murmurs filled the air, and Ruchir could see that everyone's attention was focused on a new announcement.

Curious, he made his way through the crowd, his eyes scanning the list of names and ranks displayed on the board.

His heart skipped a beat when he saw his own name near the top, followed by a title he had only dreamed of achieving: Senior Catcher.

"Senior Catcher Ruchir?" he muttered to himself, barely believing what he was seeing. 

Before he could fully process the news, a familiar voice broke through his thoughts. "Well, well, well, look who's moving up in the world!" 

Ruchir turned to see Senior Catcher Ji, an older man with a grizzled beard and a perpetually tired expression, standing beside him. Ji's eyes twinkled with a mixture of amusement and resignation as he clapped Ruchir on the shoulder.

"Congratulations, young man," Ji said, his voice carrying a hint of irony. "You've done well. Solving that ghost case really made a mark, didn't it?"

Ruchir bowed slightly, still feeling a bit dazed. "Thank you, Senior Ji. But honestly, I didn't expect this so soon. I've only been a Catcher for a short time compared to you and the others."

Ji sighed deeply, the kind of sigh that came from years of experience and countless sleepless nights.

"Ah, young people these days."

"Always in such a hurry. Do you know how long it took me to get this title? Fifteen years. Fifteen long, hard years before both my cultivation and merits were finally enough."

Ruchir blinked in surprise. "Fifteen years? But, Senior Ji, you've always been so diligent in your work."

"I would've thought earning that much merit would've been easy for you, especially considering the number of cases you've handled."

"Even if cases like this ghost one are rare, shouldn't the quantity of work make up for the quality?"

Before Ji could respond, another voice cut in, sharp and authoritative. "Oh, Ruchir, you've still got a lot to learn."

Ruchir turned to see Lieutenant Kaiser approaching, his uniform pristine as always, and his demeanor exuding the confidence of a seasoned veteran. Kaiser was a tall man with broad shoulders, his presence commanding respect from everyone around him.

Kaiser crossed his arms over his chest and gave Ruchir a knowing look. "You see, these departments work differently from the Six Ministries and other officials you might be familiar with."

"Sure, in those places, merit is often just a matter of quantity. Push through enough paperwork, handle enough small tasks, and eventually, you'll climb the ranks."

Ji nodded in agreement, his expression serious now. "But here, in the Catcher Corps, things are different. We're responsible for protecting the public, for facing dangers that most people can't even imagine. And because of that, our strength needs to be on par with our position."

"It's not just about how many cases you've handled, but also about the difficulty of those cases, and how well you've been able to handle them."

Kaiser continued, his tone instructive. "That's why promotions in our line of work are slower, especially for those who don't push themselves beyond their limits. "

"You can't just rely on doing the bare minimum and expect to be rewarded for it. "

"The world we live in is brutal, and so are the challenges we face. The higher your rank, the more is expected of you, both in terms of cultivation and merit."

Ruchir nodded, finally beginning to understand. "So it's not just about solving cases, but about proving that you have the strength, the resolve, and the skill to handle anything that comes your way."

Kaiser gave a small smile, one that was more approving than Ruchir had ever seen from him. "Exactly. You've shown that you can handle yourself in tough situations, that you're capable of dealing with things that would have broken lesser men."

"That's why you've been promoted so quickly. But don't let it go to your head. There's still a long road ahead of you, and it's only going to get harder from here."

Ruchir took a deep breath, the weight of the responsibility settling on his shoulders. "I understand, Lieutenant. I'll do my best to live up to the title."

Ji chuckled, his earlier weariness giving way to a more lighthearted demeanor. "Well, you'd better, Ruchir. Otherwise, old men like me might start feeling insecure!"

Ruchir grinned, the tension in the air easing with Ji's humor. "I'll do my best to make sure that doesn't happen, Senior Ji."

Just then, a commotion broke out near the entrance. The trio turned to see Garret stumbling into the hall, his usual exuberance on full display as he tripped over his own feet and nearly crashed into a group of Catchers.

"Ruchir!" Garret called out, waving his arms frantically. "Did you hear? You got promoted! Senior Catcher! That's amazing!"

Ruchir couldn't help but laugh at Garret's enthusiasm. "Yes, Garret, I heard. Thanks for the reminder."

Garret bounded over, his eyes wide with excitement. "Does this mean you'll get to boss us around now? Or maybe you'll get some cool new perks, like a better uniform or... oh! Maybe you'll even get your own office!"

Ji smirked, shaking his head. "Office? What do you think this is, a bureaucracy? No, Garret, being a Senior Catcher just means more work, more responsibility, and a bigger target on your back."

Garret's expression faltered for a moment, then he brightened up again. "Well, that's okay! I'll just have to work harder so I can get promoted too! Then we can both have more work and more targets on our backs!"

Kaiser rolled his eyes, but there was a hint of amusement in his gaze. "Just make sure you don't get yourself killed in the process, Garret. We're not exactly short on troublemakers to deal with."

Garret puffed out his chest, trying to look as confident as possible. "Don't worry, Lieutenant! I've got this. Ruchir can count on me to be his right-hand man!"

Ruchir shook his head, chuckling. "I appreciate the enthusiasm, Garret. Just try not to cause too much chaos while you're at it."

Garret grinned, giving Ruchir a thumbs-up. "No promises!"

The group shared a moment of laughter, the camaraderie between them palpable.

Despite the challenges that lay ahead, Ruchir felt a sense of warmth and belonging.

He knew that the road would be tough, but with friends like Garret, mentors like Ji and Kaiser, and the unwavering support of his master, he was confident that he could face whatever came his way.

As they continued to banter and joke, the weight of his new responsibilities seemed a little lighter, the future a little less daunting. After all, with friends by his side, what was there to fear?

Still, as Ruchir looked around at his companions, a small voice in the back of his mind reminded him of the lessons he had learned.

The world was indeed a harsh place, and strength, both physical and emotional, was necessary to survive in it. But with resolve, with the will to protect what he held dear, Ruchir knew he could forge his own path, one step at a time.

___

Ruchir arrived at the grand entrance of the Heavenly Artisan Pavilion, a towering structure that exuded elegance and craftsmanship.

The Pavilion was renowned throughout the capital for its exquisite garments, intricate jewelry, and masterful artisans who could create wonders out of the most mundane materials. Today, Ruchir had been invited by Alice, a friend and skilled tailor, to visit her workplace.

As he stepped inside, Ruchir was immediately struck by the vibrant atmosphere.

The main hall was filled with the sound of bustling activity, as artisans moved about, attending to their various tasks with precision and care.

The walls were adorned with beautiful tapestries, and the air was filled with the scent of freshly cut fabric and exotic perfumes.

"Ruchir! Over here!" Alice's voice called out, breaking him out of his reverie.

Ruchir turned to see Alice waving at him from across the hall, her usual cheerful expression lighting up her face.

She was dressed in the elegant robes of the Pavilion, her hair tied up in a neat bun, giving her a professional yet approachable look. He made his way over to her, smiling as he did.

"Alice, it's good to see you," Ruchir greeted her warmly.

Alice nodded, her eyes twinkling. "Likewise! Welcome to the Heavenly Artisan Pavilion. I'm so glad you could make it."

Ruchir glanced around the bustling hall once more. "This place is incredible. It's even more impressive than I imagined."

Alice grinned, clearly proud of her workplace. "It really is, isn't it? Come on, let me show you around. There's so much to see!"

With that, Alice led Ruchir through the Pavilion, pointing out various departments and explaining the intricacies of each.

They passed through the jewelry section, where artisans were meticulously setting precious stones into intricate designs.

The air shimmered with the light reflecting off the countless gems.

"This is where the magic happens," Alice said, her voice filled with admiration for her colleagues. "These jewelers can create pieces that not only look stunning but also have unique properties. Some of them are even enchanted with special abilities!"

Ruchir raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Enchanted jewelry? That sounds like something out of a legend."

Alice nodded. "It's all real here. The Heavenly Artisan Pavilion is known for blending beauty with functionality. Whether it's a necklace that can enhance your mental clarity or a ring that can protect you from harm, we do it all."

They continued on, passing by the textile department where weavers worked tirelessly at their looms, creating fabrics with patterns so intricate they seemed almost alive.

Alice explained how the Pavilion was structured, with each department focusing on a specific aspect of the trade, yet all working together to create masterpieces.

Finally, they arrived at the tailor department, where Alice herself worked. The room was filled with rows of mannequins draped in various stages of completion.

Bolts of fabric were stacked high, and tailors moved about, cutting, sewing, and fitting garments with practiced ease.

Alice led Ruchir to her workspace, a neat little corner where several half-finished robes and dresses were displayed. "This is where I spend most of my time," she said, her tone a mix of pride and contentment.

"Tailoring has always been my passion, and working here has been a dream come true."

Ruchir admired the garments she had been working on. "You're really talented, Alice. These are amazing."

Alice blushed slightly, waving off the compliment. "Oh, stop it. You're just being nice."

Ruchir chuckled, shaking his head. "No, I mean it. This is impressive work. But..." he trailed off, giving her a mischievous smile, "I get the feeling sightseeing isn't the only reason you invited me here, is it?"

Alice sighed dramatically, her shoulders slumping. "There's no fooling you, is there, Ruchir?"