Advice

As the sun gradually dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the training grounds, Elder Thorne finally dismissed the class.

True to his word, he had spent time with each of them, placing a firm hand on their backs, assessing the flow of mana as they absorbed it. His sharp gaze and precise corrections left no room for error, ensuring they refined their technique under his scrutiny.

Riven had been careful—intentionally lowering the efficiency of his mana absorption when it was his turn to be assessed by Elder Thorne. There was no way he was about to let the elder get a proper read on his true abilities.

Just as Riven was about to leave, the elder's voice cut through the quiet.

"Riven. Stay behind."

Suppressing the sigh that threatened to escape, Riven simply nodded, remaining where he stood as the rest of the class dispersed.

Valis shot him a venomous glare on his way out, his expression a mixture of barely concealed rage and bruised pride. He rubbed his slightly swollen face, his scowl deepening before he finally turned and disappeared through the exit.

Riven barely had time to enjoy the moment before Elder Thorne spoke again.

"I know you received a necromancy skill book during the third trial." The words were calm, almost casual—but the weight behind them was anything but.

Riven stiffened, his head snapping toward Thorne in surprise.

"But," Thorne continued, his piercing golden gaze fixed on him, "I can't sense even the slightest trace of dark mana in you."

Riven silently thanked the system for concealing any traces of dark mana within him.

Riven forced a nervous chuckle, scratching the back of his head as he feigned unease. "Oh, that skill book." He let out an exaggerated sigh. "Honestly? The whole necromancy thing freaks me out. I mean, raising the dead? Manipulating corpses?" He shuddered dramatically. "Not exactly something I ever planned on learning. If it weren't for the third trial, I wouldn't have even touched it."

Silence stretched between them.

Elder Thorne didn't move, didn't blink—his glowing eyes seemed to dissect Riven, as though searching for something beneath the surface.

Riven held his ground, keeping his expression just the right mix of casual and uneasy.

"Is that so?" Thorne finally murmured, his voice unreadable.

Riven merely nodded, feigning ignorance.

"You know…" Elder Thorne hesitated for a brief moment, as if weighing his words. "There was a meeting held among the academy's higher-ups while you were unconscious—when you were learning the skill book."

Riven blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected admission. "Really? What was it about?"

Thorne let out a measured sigh, his gaze drifting toward the horizon. "I assume you're aware of the recent undead attacks plaguing the kingdom."

Riven nodded slowly, curiosity piqued.

"There's a dark history to this world, one the kingdom has deliberately buried," Thorne continued, his voice heavy with something close to regret. "A history tied to necromancers."

Riven stilled. "Necromancers?"

"Mages who wield dark mana." Thorne's expression darkened. "They were practitioners of the undead skills - mages who had no regard for human life. Their only goal was power, no matter the cost."

His hands clenched briefly before he exhaled, composing himself. "Yes, power is everything in this world, but there are lines that should never be crossed. Lines that separate us from monsters."

Riven remained silent, feigning shock as Elder Thorne turned his piercing gaze back to him.

"I won't delve into the full history now, but you need to understand this - what you learned during the third trial was necromancy."

Riven widened his eyes, playing the part of the bewildered student. "Necromancy?"

Thorne nodded. "No one has successfully learned a necromantic skill in over two hundred years. That alone has drawn attention to you - attention that may not always be in your favor. Fear is a powerful force, Riven, and there are those who still remember the horrors of the past."

Riven schooled his features into a look of rising panic. "But I didn't choose the skill! It was selected for me—I never wanted to learn it!"

"I know," Thorne said, his golden eyes scrutinizing every flicker of Riven's expression. "And I believe you. But others may not be so understanding."

Riven hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding, his voice quieter. "What… what should I do?"

Thorne placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "If you wish to survive, you must do exactly what you've done here today. Tell them the truth - that it was not your choice. That you have no intention of ever using it."

Riven inwardly scoffed but kept his face appropriately somber. "I promise I won't."

Thorne studied him for a moment longer, then nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Stick to that, and you may avoid the worst of it."

He turned, guiding Riven toward the exit of the training grounds. "You may be summoned for questioning in the coming days. When that happens, remember what I've told you, and you'll be fine."

"Thank you, Elder Thorne." Riven bowed slightly before turning toward the academy.

The moment he was out of sight, his expression darkened, his lips curling into a scowl.

Nosy old man. He sighed internally. At least he told me the truth. That might be useful later.

He flexed his sore knuckles, wincing slightly at the dried blood still crusted across them.

His smirk returned as he recalled the sensation of his fist colliding with Valis's face over and over again.

All things considered, not a bad day.

—x—

After grabbing a quick bite and washing up, Riven stepped into the small adjoining training room. Earlier, he had skimmed through his inventory and noticed two small mana potions still in his possession.

Settling himself in the center of the room, he extended his hand, watching with fascination as the two potions materialized from thin air.

He popped the lid off one and took a cautious sniff. A strong medicinal scent wafted up, making him grimace. Without dwelling on it, he uncapped the second vial and downed both potions in one swift motion.

[[ Mana Potion Detected ]]

[[ Beginning Extraction ]]

[[ Please Brace Yourself ]]

Riven barely had time to wonder why bracing was necessary before a sudden explosion of energy erupted in his stomach. A low hum filled the air as mana surged from his core, circulating forcefully through his body.

Gritting his teeth, he focused on guiding the flow, ensuring it reached his mana heart. It felt like a raging torrent coursing through his veins, an overwhelming tide crashing through him. Slowly, the energy began to trickle into his mana heart—one drop at a time.

[[ Absorbing… ]]

[[ 1%… ]]

[[ 2%… ]]

[[ 3%… ]]

The surge of mana tore through Riven's body, a force both exhilarating and overwhelming. He clenched his fists, his breathing steady but controlled as he guided the volatile energy toward his mana heart.

Slow. Steady.

His muscles tensed as the sheer density of the absorbed energy pressed against his internal reserves, threatening to spill over. He had never refined mana at this intensity before—it was like trying to contain a raging storm within a fragile vessel.

[[ 7%… 8%… 9%… ]]

A sharp jolt of heat shot through his chest, his body instinctively rejecting the excess energy. Beads of sweat formed at his temple as he willed himself to remain composed. This was a test of endurance as much as control.

[[ 20%… 21%… 22%… ]]

The mana infusion continued, his body adjusting to the strain with each passing moment. The pain dulled slightly, replaced by a deeper awareness of the energy coursing through him.

After several minutes, the system chimed again.

[[ Absorption Complete. ]]

[[ Mana Heart: Abyss Mana Heart (+1 Circle) progress towards second circle - 38% ]]

Riven exhaled sharply, his pulse gradually steadying. He flexed his fingers, feeling the lingering effects of the mana rush - his body felt lighter, his magic more responsive.

It wasn't much, but it was progress.

He closed his eyes for a moment, allowing himself a brief respite before standing.

Now… time to prepare for what comes next.

—x—

The night stretched deep and quiet as Riven slipped out of the dormitory, his movements masked by the comforting embrace of shadows.

Moving silently through the corridors, he reached the secluded exit leading toward the hidden mausoleum. He must've been hidden so deep into the shadows that he didn't even attract the attention of academy guards this time.

He moved soundlessly through the long corridor, his steps barely disturbing the stillness as he made his way back to the large circular chamber - the same one he had stood in just the night before.

As expected, Nyx was waiting for him.

The moment he stepped into the cavernous chamber, she grinned, her form appearing more solid as she studied him. "I didn't think you'd be so eager," she mused.

Riven cracked his knuckles. "Things are moving faster than I expected, I need my body to be strong - not just my mana."

Nyx's violet eyes gleamed in the dim light. "Then let's begin."

She stepped forward, and for the first time since they had met, Riven felt something shift in the air.

A deep, thrumming pulse resonated through the chamber - a call to something ancient.

Shadows writhed around Nyx, thickening and solidifying until her form became something more than just a specter of darkness. For the first time, she exuded something raw, something truly menacing. The teasing, snarky Nyx was gone.

She wasn't playing anymore.

And then - without warning - she moved.

Riven barely had time to register the shift before she was upon him, her speed blurring the space between them. Instinct kicked in, and he twisted, narrowly evading her initial strike. But even as he dodged, a chill ran down his spine.

Her presence alone was suffocating.

This is different.

Nyx wasn't just testing him anymore.

She was going to break him.

And Riven welcomed the challenge.