Brother Returns

The silence after Candace's death was deafening. The only sound remaining was the faint crackling of embers as the last of the flames flickered out, leaving behind a charred corpse. The air was thick with the stench of burnt flesh, and yet, Riven did not move. He stood there, blade still embedded in what remained of the woman who had tormented him, feeling the weight of his own satisfaction settle over him like a warm blanket.

He had expected to feel more—relief, triumph, perhaps even joy—but instead, all he felt was the dull embers of something deeper, something darker. This death seemed to stir something lying dormant within him - something that would soon crave more.

The Count clapped once, slowly, his sharp eyes locked onto Riven with something that resembled pride. "You've done well."

Riven turned his gaze to the Count, his expression carefully schooled back into neutrality. "Thank you for letting me seek my own justice." he replied evenly.

The Count gave nodded before gesturing to the knights, who immediately stepped forward to dispose of Candace's remains.

Riven watched over the scene in a daze. He was still absorbing everything—the sensation of magic coursing through his body, the sheer force of the spell and the way the fire had hunted Candace down. The skill book he had absorbed was powerful, but it was clear his body and mana heart had yet to catch up to its demands.

Across the room, Ember stood motionless.

Unlike the Count, she wasn't watching him with approval. No, her expression was unreadable, her hands gripping the edges of her dress tightly. Something in her gaze unsettled him—not fear, not disgust, but something far more complicated.

"Is something wrong, sister?" Riven asked, voice deliberately smooth.

Ember blinked, as if snapped out of a trance. "No," she murmured, before looking away. "I simply didn't expect you to… enjoy it so much."

Riven tilted his head, studying her. "Should I have hesitated?"

"No," Ember said quickly, her expression conflicted. "I just… never mind."

Interesting.

Before Riven could push further, the Count clapped his hands together. "Enough for today. You've proven your ability, Riven. Rest and recover your mana."

Riven inclined his head. "Thank you, my Lord."

The Count dismissed the knights and strode towards the exit, but Ember hesitated before following. She cast one last look at Riven, something flickering in her gaze, before she turned and walked away.

Riven watched her go, filing away his observations for later.

For now, there were much more pressing matters.

He looked down at his hands—at the faint glow of residual mana lingering beneath his skin. He had power now. Not enough, not yet, but soon.

And when that day came, no one—not the Count, not his stepmother, not this entire wretched household—would be able to stand in his way.

With one final glance at the bloodstained floor, Riven turned and walked out of the training hall.

Step by step, towards the future he would carve with his own hands.

Towards vengeance.

—x—

The week passed in a blur of magic, exhaustion, and relentless training.

Riven spent every waking moment in the fortified training room, pushing his magic to its limits. The first day had been brutal—his body still weak from the toll of the skill book. His mana reserves drained quickly, his control wavered, and more than once, his spells fizzled out before reaching their target.

But he refused to stop.

By the second day, he could summon the fireball faster. By the third day, he learned to control its speed. By the fourth day, he could make it curve mid-air, adjusting its trajectory with only a thought. By the fifth and sixth day, he started experimenting with rats caught from outside the manor, locking and targeting them with his fire ball. The rats moved a lot faster than Candace had and so it proved more strenuous to keep the fireball locked onto them.

Tomas came and went throughout the week, offering many different high energy snacks and foods and Riven was actually greatful for it. Even though it had been merely two weeks since he freed himself from that hellish room and began eating decently, his body was already starting to fill out.

The Count would also occasionally observe, nodding in approval but offering little instruction. Riven knew why—the man wanted to see what he was capable of without guidance.

Ember, however, was a different story.

She came to watch him every day, silent yet ever-present. At first, Riven ignored her, assuming it was curiosity. But as the days went by, her expression became harder to read. Was it concern? Hesitation? Something else?

He didn't care.

His only focus was growing stronger.

By the seventh day, he stood in the center of the training room, drenched in sweat, surrounded by the charred remains of countless rats. His mana was nearly depleted, his limbs ached, but satisfaction burned in his chest.

He was improving. Fast.

And just in time.

Because his brother had finally returned home.

"What has happened since I left for the academy, father?!" Riven heard his brother, Cole, shout from inside the office. "Mother has been locked in her room and now you're letting Riven execute maids in the training room?!"

Rivens eyes narrowed on the closed door in front of him as he hesitated. The servant was about to announce his arrival to the count but Riven held a hand up to stop him.

Let's hear what else he has to say first.

"Some things have occurred since your departure," the count sighed. "Candace fully confessed to your brother's torment and it was revealed that your mother was behind everything. She even kept his allowance to herself."

"What does that matter?" Cole's tone was harsh and cold as he spoke. "Mother is still heart broken by the fact that you had a child to that woman. She is your wife after all - don't let something like this ruin mother's life."

"Ha! You knew about what she was doing, didn't you?" The counts voice grew angrier and a resounded thud sounded in the room followed by a grunt. "It seems that all my family is sneaking around behind my back!"

"I-I apologise father. I've crossed the line." Coles voice was quieter. "I've just seen how much mother has suffered since that child was born."

Rivens hands fisted and his jaw clenched, the air growing thick around him as darkness unfurled in his chest.

She has suffered? Ha!

Riven wanted to explode with anger at the words uttered by his so called brother. The previous owner of this body had been the one to suffer all his life - and because of what? Because the count had an affair? How could he be responsible for that?

How dare he so casually play off the fact that his stepmother had him tortured and tormented every singled day!

"Ha…" the count sighed. "I'm just keeping her in her room until this all settles down. Your little brother is very understanding after all."

"Is that so." Cole grumbled. "I still think this is all a mistake. Our reputation will suffer once everyone discovers there's an illegitimate child in the family."

"Our reputation might suffer at first, but it will soon sore." The count said, excitement leaking into his tone. "He has learned the first trial of Ignis."

"What?!" Cole yelled and that's when Riven motioned for the servant to announce his arrival. Riven took a deep breath and schooled his expression back to neutrality.

"Ah, Riven, come on in and take a seat." The count said with a smile as he motioned for Riven to take a seat opposite Cole. "Cole has just arrived from the academy with your acceptance letter. You'll need to do a small exam once you get there so they can determine your rank, but from what I've seen you will do just fine."

Riven could feel Cole's glare but ignored him as he continued to look at the count. 

"That's fine." Riven nodded. "When do I leave?"

"The new term starts in two weeks." The count explained. "You'll leave with your siblings - they'll help you get settled."

Somehow Riven felt like that wouldn't be the case.

"You," Cole said to Riven. "Did you really learn the first trial of Ignis?"

"Do you not believe your father?" Riven chuckled and Cole's jaw clenched. "Yes, I did."

"I saw it with my own eyes," The count confirmed with a chuckle. "It was unlike any fireball skill I'd ever seen!"

"How?" Cole asked through clenched teeth. "Generations have passed and no one has been able to understand that skill book! So why you of all people-!"

"Cole," the count warned in a low tone and Riven tried to hide the smirk on his face by looking downwards.

"But it doesn't make any sense!" Cole yelled, "He hasn't even started the academy yet! Not even taking into account that he's not a pure descendant of the Drakar line!"

"COLE!" The counts yell rumbled through the office and Cole paled a little.

"It's fine, my lord." Riven said softly, still not looking up. "It's natural for brother to feel this way. I don't take his words to heart."

"Still Cole, you should know when to hold your tongue!" The count yelled and then sighed. "You're both dismissed. Cole go cool off somewhere."

They both left the office and Riven began to make his way towards the training room - eager to release some of this anger that was rising inside of him.

"Stop." Cole ordered from behind him but Riven pretended not to hear as he continued forward.

"I said stop!" Cole shouted and grabbed Rivens arm, pulling him to a stop. "When I tell you to do something - you should listen."

"What do you want?" Riven asked, his eyes focusing on the hand that still was gripping his arm.

"I know you feel on top of the world at the minute, but don't forget that you are nothing." Cole said cruelly in a low tone. "Once you get to the academy, your life is going to be over. I will make sure of it."

"Ah, your true colours are finally coming out." Riven grinned, letting the mask slip from his face. "You're making me excited to get to the academy and see what you can do."

"You-!" Cole fumed, his face turning red as his hand squeezed tighter around Rivens arm.

Although he desperately wanted to get into a fight with Cole, he knew that Cole was more powerful than he was at the moment. From the memories he got from the previous owner of his body, he knew that both Cole and Ember were both just about to reach their second circles - he was no match for them at his current strength.

"If you hurt me now, how will the Count react? You've seen what's happened to your mother." Riven smirked. "Save it for the academy."

Riven yanked his arm out of Cole's grip and continued walking towards the training room.

"You're dead Riven! Do you hear me?!" Cole yelled as Riven turned the corner. "As soon as you get to the academy, you're finished!"

Riven smirked, a dark glow appearing in his gaze as he muttered the words, "I look forward to it."