Shattered Sanity

For a while after Professor Hall finished his explanation, Riven remained mesmerized by everything he had just learned, as while Garron had only introduced the first three ranks of Ascension to everyone back at Ashfang, Professor Hall had now laid out the entire path ahead and explained what reaching each major milestone roughly meant.

’I wonder what rank father is....’

Riven thought, as based upon Professor Hall’s explanation, he felt that Drew Dawnriver had to be at least Inferno Rank, if not Radiant.

The Duke had always carried himself with the confidence of someone who rarely encountered anything capable of threatening him, although Riven had never actually witnessed his father fight.

Unfortunately, before Riven could think much further about the matter, his thoughts were dragged back towards reality by the sight of Gary Ironveil approaching him inside the lecture hall.

”Dawnriver, what a pleasant morning this is, no?”

Gary said, as he stopped beside Riven’s seat with a broad smile plastered across his face.

”Yeah, you could say so.”

Riven replied, as he looked towards him with a raised eyebrow, his tone remaining measured despite already suspecting exactly why Gary had approached him.

”I heard you’ve been training quite hard for the past couple of days in anticipation of our fight.”

Gary said, as his smile widened.

”Is that how much I dominate you psychologically already?”

Several students who had been preparing to leave immediately slowed upon hearing those words, as conversations around them gradually quietened while increasingly more people began eavesdropping.

Riven glanced around briefly and immediately understood what was happening.

This was already part of the show.

Gary knew perfectly well how much attention their exhibition had attracted, and with so many students surrounding them, practically anything either of them said would spread throughout the Academy before their next lecture even began.

”Don’t flatter yourself, Ironveil. I train regardless of whether a fight is approaching or not. It’s simply my nature, and it has absolutely nothing to do with you.”

Riven replied, as he rose from his seat and began making his way towards the exit without giving Gary the satisfaction of continuing their little confrontation.

Gary merely chuckled before following after him.

”Well, if you won’t admit it, then I will. I’m nervous about this fight too, although I suppose that nervousness stems more from excitement than anything else.”

Gary admitted, sounding considerably more genuine than he had only moments earlier.

”I’m excited to see you in battle, my rival. It’s been a while since I’ve had an opponent as interesting as you.”

Riven glanced towards him but said nothing.

”We still have two more classes before the day is over, but once they’re finished...”

Gary smiled.

”Oh boy, am I pumped for this fight.”

Gary said as Riven merely snorted before continuing towards the exit, refusing to respond to Gary’s surprisingly genuine admission.

There was little point digging himself any deeper by putting on some grand display of false bravado, especially when there remained a very real possibility that he would be forced to eat every word later that evening.

—-----------------

(Imperial Academy Training Grounds)

The second lecture of the day was called ’Physical Conditioning and Foundation’, and it was overseen by one professor Mike.

The man was enormous.

His shoulders appeared almost comically broad, while thick muscles covered his arms and upper body to such an extent that even several of the larger First Years, including Riven, appeared tiny standing anywhere near him.

Yet despite his appearance making him resemble the stereotypical muscle-headed warrior, Professor Mike was apparently one of the Academy’s foremost experts in research of the body, and had authored four books.

The subject itself was mandatory for every incoming First Year throughout their first semester, regardless of which Discipline they intended to pursue afterward.

As before the Academy began pushing their bodies towards increasingly demanding applications of Aether, it wanted to ensure those bodies possessed the strongest possible physical foundation upon which everything else could subsequently develop.

”Listen to me, children, and listen well, because I’m only going to explain this once.”

Professor Mike said, as he flexed his biceps underneath his sleeveless shirt.

”Technically, according to the schedule all of you received, I have three lectures with you every week. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, all three during the afternoon.”

He raised three fingers before lowering them again.

”But that is not how we’re going to conduct this course.”

A few confused expressions appeared amongst the students.

”After today, I will never conduct another afternoon lecture for this class.”

For a moment, several students appeared pleasantly surprised by the announcement, although Professor Mike’s expression made it abundantly clear that whatever came next was unlikely to improve their lives.

”Starting tomorrow morning, every single one of you will report to this training ground two hours before sunrise.”

The pleasant expressions vanished almost immediately.

”You will train from the moment you arrive until sunrise, at which point I will dismiss you in time to attend your first scheduled lecture of the day.

In return, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon period currently assigned to this course will become completely free, and you may spend that time doing whatever you please.”

A mixture of groans and quiet conversations immediately spread through the gathered students, as Riven heard more than one noble child complaining about the absurdity of waking several hours before sunrise.

However, Professor Mike appeared entirely unconcerned.

”You can complain as loud as you want. I don’t mind, but remember..... the more you complain, the more difficult I’ll make your life, until either your bones break, or your spirit....”

He said, as he folded his enormous arms across his chest.

”A strong body is a blessing, children, and over the next semester, we’re going to work towards giving every one of you the strongest physical foundation your talent allows.”

Professor Mike explained, as his gaze travelled across the hundreds of students standing before him.

”It doesn’t matter whether you intend to become a Warden, Arcanist, Forger or Binder. Strength, stamina, coordination and endurance will benefit you regardless of which Discipline you eventually pursue, because Aether can only strengthen what already exists.”

He paused briefly.

”The stronger the foundation you build now, the further that body will carry you throughout your journey as an Ascendant.”

Riven found that particular statement interesting, especially considering how extensively his own body had already been altered, although he remained curious about exactly what Professor Mike considered a strong foundation.

”Anyway, that’s enough talking.”

Professor Mike said, as he looked across the gathered First Years with a smile.

”Let’s find out what all of you are already made of.

Start running laps. After every lap, the last five students across the line are eliminated. We’ll continue until only one of you remains.

Let’s see who is the best amongst this incoming lot on day one....”

He instructed, as he clapped his hands and asked the students to fall into a single file before starting their runs.