The First Clash

Riven stared at the egg, disbelief flickering across his features. The weight of what had just happened—the revelation, the vision, the trial of a dragon long sealed away—pressed heavily upon him, yet his focus was wholly consumed by the small, obsidian relic left behind.

It pulsed, almost imperceptibly, with a rhythm that felt eerily alive.

"So… Waunuk was a girl?" Nyx murmured absentmindedly, her wide-eyed gaze still locked on the egg.

Riven exhaled, steadying himself as he took a slow step forward. "It seems so." His voice was quiet, laced with something unreadable.

His legs felt unsteady as he approached the stand where Waunuk had once been. The sheer pressure of the mana radiating from the egg was overwhelming—thick, suffocating, ancient. Waves of raw energy rolled over him, curling around his skin like unseen tendrils, and a violent shudder ran down his spine in response.

He hesitated, his hands hovering mere inches from the darkened shell.

The shadows reacted before he did.

They rose from his fingertips, shifting and writhing like living things, drawn to the pulsing energy before them. They stretched forward, eager—hungry.

The egg pulsed again, its surface shimmering as if in recognition.

He carefully lifted the egg into his hands, surprised by the unexpected warmth radiating from its shell. Instead of the cold, lifeless texture he had anticipated, it pulsed with a gentle heat, as if something deep within was stirring—aware of his touch.

[[ Item Acquired! Analyzing… ]]

[[ Obsidian Dragon Egg ]]

[[ Rank: ??? ]]

[[ A relic from a land beyond human reach. Sustained for centuries by Waunuk of the Obsidian Realm, who sacrificed its own life force to keep this egg alive. ]]

[[ Status: Hatchable ]]

"It's really alive in there." Riven's voice was barely above a whisper as he held the egg closer, feeling the warmth pulsing beneath his fingertips. "A real baby dragon."

Nyx placed a hand over the egg, and for a brief moment, the shadows composing her form quivered, as if responding to its presence. "This could get complicated," she murmured. "The academy is no place for a dragon."

Riven exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "If it hasn't hatched after all this time, I doubt it'll do so anytime soon." Still, the weight of the situation pressed against him. The academy was already keeping him under strict watch—smuggling a dragon egg into his dorm would be reckless.

He frowned in thought before an idea surfaced. "System, is there a way to store this egg? Like in the inventory?"

[[ Adding 'Obsidian Dragon Egg' to inventory… ]]

A soft glow enveloped the egg, a brilliant blue light wrapping around it in cascading waves before it vanished from his hands.

Riven let out a slow breath of relief. "Well, that's convenient."

Nyx chuckled, stretching before letting herself drop onto the cold stone floor. "At least we found a place rich in dark mana." She closed her eyes, her body half-melded into the shadows.

Riven sat beside her, resting his elbows on his knees. His gaze flickered across the ruined chamber, the lingering traces of Waunuk's presence still heavy in the air.

"And the academy has no idea it exists," he muttered, his lips curving into a small smirk. "This place might just be the perfect escape from their watchful eyes."

"Exactly." Nyx grinned, settling into a relaxed position as she closed her eyes. "Let it be recorded in history that this was the place where the mighty King Riven's most powerful warrior finally forged her mortal shell."

Riven chuckled, shaking his head. "Is that so?" He mirrored her actions, shutting his eyes as he reached out with his senses, attuning himself to the mana-rich air. "Then I suppose I can't afford to fall behind."

Nyx's soft laughter drifted through his mind, light and fleeting, like chimes carried on a midnight breeze.

Then, the chamber fell into a deep, unbroken silence.

[[ Entering Meditation… ]]

[[ Would you like to begin mana absorption? ]]

[[ Yes / No ]]

Without hesitation, Riven selected 'Yes'—and the shift was immediate.

The dark mana coiling in the chamber responded instantly, swirling toward him in a spiraling vortex, thick and potent. As it seeped into his body, a deep exhale left his lips, the energy thrumming through his core like an awakening storm.

It was going to be a long night.

—x—

The dark night sky had begun its slow shift into violet, marking the arrival of dawn as Riven emerged from the mausoleum. The air was crisp, tinged with the lingering energy of the ancient chamber behind him.

Following Nyx's advice, he wrapped himself in shadows once more, his presence blending seamlessly into the dim light. Moving swiftly and silently, he crept back to where his fake double remained, still seated in perfect meditation.

'Dismiss copy, System.'

At his silent command, a ripple of distortion passed through the air. The illusion flickered once—then vanished, leaving only Riven in its place.

Stretching lazily, he feigned the motions of someone who had spent the entire night in quiet meditation, yawning loudly before casually rising to his feet. With an unhurried pace, he made his way back toward the academy, his thoughts already shifting toward what lay ahead.

As he crossed the threshold of the academy, a smirk tugged at his lips. The hidden mages—his silent observers—were finally dispersing, slipping back into the shadows to await another time when Riven would go off on his own.

Riven exhaled sharply, shaking his head as he strode down the corridor leading to the first-year dormitories. Time was tight, but he had just enough to wash up and prepare before facing Elder Thorne for their first lesson.

—x—

The morning air was crisp and unyielding, carrying the quiet promise of a grueling day ahead. The west courtyard, reserved for elite training, stretched wide before them—an open space bordered by towering stone pillars, enchanted runes flickering faintly along their surfaces.

The moment Riven stepped onto the training grounds, he felt it—the pressure of expectation.

Elder Thorne stood in the center of the field, arms crossed, his golden eyes sharp and assessing. He radiated an undeniable authority, his presence alone enough to demand silence without a word.

The others had already arrived.

Valis Dain stood with his usual arrogant poise, arms clasped behind his back, his expression carefully neutral—but Riven didn't miss the flicker of irritation in his gaze when he spotted him. Lucenya, by contrast, lounged with a lazy smirk, her hands resting behind her head as if this were nothing more than a casual meeting. Jerrik Talvain stood apart, his sharp gaze assessing, silent as ever.

Riven slowed his stride, stopping a few paces away from them.

"Good," Thorne said finally, his voice even, yet somehow cutting through the stillness. "You're all here."

He let his gaze sweep over them, as if weighing their worth in a single glance.

"You four were chosen for a reason. You represent the strongest of your year, the ones who have the most potential—and the most to prove."

Valis straightened at that, his jaw tightening. Lucenya merely grinned, unbothered.

Thorne continued, stepping closer. "But raw talent means nothing here. What matters is discipline. Strength. Growth. If you cannot adapt, if you cannot push yourselves beyond your limits—you will be left behind."

His golden eyes locked onto Riven's, lingering for a beat too long.

Riven smirked, unbothered.

He wasn't planning on being left behind.

Thorne turned away, striding toward the far end of the courtyard. "Your training begins now. This session will test your mana control, endurance, and combat adaptability. Follow me."

They were led to the edge of a massive stone platform, embedded with ancient runes. A barrier shimmered above it, casting a faint golden glow across the training field.

"This is a Gravity Chamber," Thorne stated, his tone measured yet firm. "Once you step inside, the gravitational force will triple, pressing down on your body with unrelenting weight. Your task is to circulate your mana throughout your form—maintaining control and precision despite the strain. The better your mastery, the more efficient you will become in mana control."

Lucenya whistled. "This sounds like it's going to be very unpleasant."

Thorne didn't acknowledge the remark. "Step in."

Without hesitation, Valis was the first to move, stepping onto the platform. The moment his foot crossed the threshold, a pulse of energy rippled through the space. His muscles tensed, but he clenched his jaw, forcing himself to remain standing.

Lucenya was next, rolling her shoulders before stepping in. She staggered—just slightly—before catching herself, a grin still plastered across her face.

Jerrik followed, his expression unreadable. His stance barely faltered, but Riven could see the strain in the way his fingers curled into fists.

Riven took his turn last.

The moment he entered, the weight slammed into him. It felt like thick chains had been wrapped around his entire body, dragging him toward the ground. His knees buckled slightly before he forced them to lock in place.

He exhaled slowly.

It was uncomfortable, yes. But not unbearable.

"Your task is simple," Thorne said, watching them from the outside. "Last as long as you can. The longer you endure, the easier your mana circulation will become. Use your energy wisely."

Riven adjusted his stance, letting his mana flow through his limbs, reinforcing his muscles. It helped… somewhat.

Valis had closed his eyes, regulating his breathing, his expression blank. Lucenya was humming under her breath as if this was an easy task. Jerrik, as expected, remained eerily composed, his arms crossed over his broad chest.

Minutes stretched into what felt like hours.

The gravity was unrelenting. Sweat dripped from Riven's brow, but he gritted his teeth, refusing to yield.

Then - Valis moved.

A flicker of mana crackled around his form, and in the next breath, he attacked.

Riven dodged just in time, stepping aside as Valis's strike cut through the air where he had been standing.

"Oh?" Lucenya's grin widened. "Guess we're fighting now."

Jerrik shifted slightly, muscles tensing, but he did not move—yet.

Elder Thorne watched, unmoving. Silent approval.

So that's how it was going to be.

Riven turned, shadows curling at his fingertips as he met Valis's gaze.

Just as he was about to strike, Riven exhaled sharply, forcing the shadows to retreat beneath his skin. Revealing his dark abilities now would only complicate things—drawing too much attention, making it far more difficult to strengthen himself in secret.

He needed to be smart. He couldn't let anger dictate his actions.

Besides, he had other options.

With a flick of his wrist, he launched a fireball, its trajectory shifting mid-flight, curving sharply toward Valis's retreating form.

The fireball twisted through the air like a serpent, its trajectory shifting mid-flight as it barreled toward Valis's retreating form. The golden-haired noble barely had time to react - his eyes flickered with surprise before he raised a hand, summoning a shimmering barrier of mana just in time.

Boom.

The explosion sent a ripple of force outward, scattering dust across the Gravity Chamber. Valis skidded back a step, his shield holding firm but flickering under the strain. His expression hardened as he shot Riven a look of pure disdain.

Riven smirked. Predictable.

He had no intention of making this easy.

Before Valis could recover, Riven moved. Despite the crushing weight of the chamber, he pushed forward, weaving mana through his limbs, reinforcing his muscles to adapt to the intense gravity.

One step. Two.

His body protested against the strain, but he adjusted. Faster. More controlled.

Valis barely had time to reorient himself before Riven was upon him.

Their first clash was fast and brutal.

Riven aimed low, forcing Valis to parry downward—just as he anticipated. The moment their arms made contact, Riven twisted, shifting his stance, using the gravity against Valis rather than fighting it. He forced Valis's balance off, sending him lurching backward.

Valis's eyes flashed, but he reacted quickly, spinning on his heel to reset his footing. He retaliated immediately, mana surging around him like a sharp gust of wind.

Lightning.

A thin arc of golden electricity crackled along Valis's palm before he thrust it forward.

Riven cursed under his breath, twisting his body just in time to avoid a direct hit. The lightning strike barely missed his ribs, grazing his sleeve instead. He could feel the static heat lingering in the air.

He needed to be careful. Lightning magic was fast.

Valis smirked. "You're quick, I'll give you that."

"And you're still predictable," Riven shot back, rolling his shoulders as the gravity pressed down harder.

Lucenya's amused voice rang from behind them. "You boys sure are eager to kill each other first thing in the morning."

Riven didn't respond. His focus was entirely on Valis.

Jerrik remained silent, observing, arms crossed as he analyzed their movements.

Elder Thorne, still standing at the edge of the chamber, watched with sharp golden eyes—but made no move to stop them.

This was part of the test.

Fine. Then let's see how much we can push this.

Riven inhaled slowly, rolling his neck as he prepared his next move. He couldn't use his shadows—not yet. But that didn't mean he was out of options.

Valis shifted his stance slightly, adjusting, his muscles tensed in preparation.

Riven smirked.

And then he vanished.

—or at least, that's what it seemed like.

A feint. He used the intense gravity to alter his movement speed, shifting his weight in a sudden burst that made it seem like he had disappeared from Valis's line of sight.

Valis's eyes widened, caught off guard for just a fraction of a second.

And that was all Riven needed.

He struck.

His fist connected solidly against Valis's side. The force wasn't just from the impact—it was the gravity, the increased weight behind his movements that made it feel like being hit by a hammer.

Valis staggered.

For the first time, his composure cracked.

Riven couldn't help the grin spreading across his face as he lifted his fist up high before bringing it down over and over again on Valis's face. The gravity was piling up on Riven and he found it harder and harder to move, the adrenaline becoming the only thing left powering his muscles.

He wasn't very good and close combat fighting because he hadn't trained in it yet. But, he used his anger to fuel his movements - and god did it feel good pummelling Valis's stupid face.

Valis let out an annoyed yell and a crackle filled the air as he shot out a streak of lightning and it hit Riven squarely in the chest, shooting him backwards.

Silence filled the small chamber as both Riven and Valis gasping for air.

Riven's chest heaved, his muscles screaming under the pressure, but a crooked smirk still tugged at his lips. Across from him, Valis was in no better condition, a trickle of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth where Riven's fist had landed. His golden eyes were ablaze with unrestrained fury.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Then -

A slow, deliberate clap echoed through the chamber.

Lucenya's laughter followed immediately after. "Now that was entertaining," she mused, stepping forward with an easy grin. "But I'd say you boys are about two seconds away from killing each other."

Jerrik, who had been silent throughout the exchange, finally exhaled, shaking his head. "Impressive. Stupid—but impressive."

Riven groaned as he sat up, feeling the residual ache where Valis's lightning had struck him. He had underestimated the impact of it. Even with his mana reinforcing his body, the electrical burn still tingled across his ribs.

Valis pushed himself up from the ground, wiping the blood from his lip. His jaw was clenched so tightly Riven was half-convinced he'd crack a tooth.

"This isn't over," Valis muttered, low and dangerous.

Riven sighed as he pulled himself up. "Yeah, yeah, whatever."

A flicker of unrestrained anger flashed across Valis's features before he turned away sharply, stalking to the edge of the chamber. He knew better than to lash out further—not under Elder Thorne's watchful gaze.

Speaking of which—

"Enough." Thorne's voice was like steel, cold and unyielding.

The moment he spoke, the gravity in the chamber vanished.

Riven exhaled in relief, rolling his shoulders as the suffocating weight lifted from his body. His limbs still ached, but the worst of the strain faded now that the rune's effect had dissipated.

Thorne strode forward, his golden eyes sharp as they swept over them all.

"You lack control," he stated, gaze locked onto Valis. "You let emotion dictate your actions. A true warrior remains disciplined, no matter the opponent."

Valis's fists curled at his sides, but he didn't respond.

Then, Thorne turned to Riven.

"And you…" His gaze lingered a fraction too long. "You fight as if you have something to prove. Reckless. Unrefined. You may have have landed a good few hits, but if this had been a real battle, you would be dead."

Riven's jaw tightened, but he held his tongue.

Because Thorne wasn't wrong.

He had relied too much on instinct, allowing his frustration with Valis to push him into direct combat rather than strategizing. The rush of anger had been useful—but dangerous. If Valis had been stronger, or faster, that last attack would have ended him.

Lesson learned.

Thorne let the silence stretch before speaking again. "This exercise was to test your adaptability. To see how well you handle stress and exhaustion. What I've witnessed today…" His lips pressed into a thin line. "Is far from impressive."

Lucenya groaned. "Oh come on, Jerrik and I didn't even do anything!"

Thorne turned his gaze to her, and she immediately shut up.

Elder Thorne exhaled sharply, his golden gaze sweeping over the group with clear disapproval. "Take a seat on the stone platform," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Demonstrate how you absorb mana." His eyes flicked between Riven and Valis before he added dryly, "I trust you can manage that without attempting to kill each other?"

Riven all but collapsed onto the stone platform, grateful for the brief reprieve from the grueling gravity training. His muscles ached, the residual strain still weighing heavily on his limbs, but at least now he had a moment to breathe.

"I'll assess each of you individually," Elder Thorne announced, his arms crossed as he surveyed them. "Show me how you absorb mana. I'll observe your technique and provide guidance on how to refine it."

Riven let out a quiet exhale of relief. Good. This would give him a few moments to do what he needed.

Nyx, can you hear me? Are you still training in the mausoleum? he asked through their link.

A notification window flickered into existence.

[[ Yes. Is everything alright? ]]

Remember how you said you had that hellish workout plan for me?

[[ …Yes. ]]

We start tonight.

Silence stretched for half a second before another notification appeared.

[[ You won't regret it. ]]

Riven could practically feel the smug satisfaction radiating from her words.

He exhaled slowly, a sense of impending doom settling in his gut. The more he thought about it, the more certain he became—this was a decision he was definitely going to regret.