Shattered Sanity

(White Castle, Riven’s POV)

After finishing his spar with Ronan, Riven headed straight towards the library, where he requested the latest edition of Popular Ascendants from one of the assistants.

The cover featured portraits of several distinguished Ascendants beneath an elaborate golden title.

POPULAR ASCENDANTS

The Valdrak Empire’s Most Influential Masters, Annual Edition.

The opening pages featured Grand Elder Bruno Mars of the Crimson Sun Sect, a renowned Fire Ascendant who had recently incinerated a fearsome serpent beast that had been terrorizing a village in the southern provinces for several months.

Next came Lady Ariana Grande of the Moonlit Lotus Sect, a Light Ascendant whose miraculous healing abilities had earned her the title of the Saintess of a Thousand Miracles.

Her latest achievement involved restoring the eyesight of an elderly man who had been blind for sixty years, allowing him to finally witness the faces of his children and grandchildren, whom he had only ever known through their voices.

Another section introduced Grandmaster Post Malone of the Iron Mountain Sect, an Earth Ascendant who had recently shattered the Imperial weightlifting record by hoisting an enormous slab of enchanted stone weighing over ten thousand tons above his head, holding it there for an astonishing thirty seconds before lowering it without so much as bending his knees.

’There really are some incredible people in this world.’

Riven thought, feeling increasingly fascinated as he flipped through the pages, although none of these legendary figures were the reason he had sought out the publication.

However, after turning another few pages, his attention was suddenly captured by a magnificent portrait occupying almost an entire page.

A handsome young man dressed in flowing blue robes stood atop a mountain, his long silver hair fluttering in the wind while enormous spirals of storm clouds gathered behind him.

His right fist was raised towards the heavens, and despite the terrifying spectacle surrounding him, his expression remained utterly indifferent.

Beneath the portrait, several titles had been printed in bold golden lettering.

KREMETH

The Untameable Storm.

The Lightning Dragon of the Eastern Heavens.

The Unstoppable Bullet.

First Elder of the Heavenly Ascendancy Sect.

Ascendancy Rank: Radiant.

Riven stared at the portrait in astonishment.

’He looks incredibly young...’

He thought, finding it difficult to believe that someone who appeared barely thirty years old could have already reached such an extraordinary level of Ascension.

Curious, he lowered his gaze and began reading the accompanying article.

Among the countless extraordinary Ascendants who have emerged throughout the glorious history of the Valdrak Empire, few have inspired such universal admiration as First Elder Kremeth.

Widely regarded as the strongest living Storm practitioner within Imperial territory, his undefeated record and unparalleled mastery over the Storm Element have earned him a reputation that few dare challenge.

However, it is his most recent accomplishment that has once again left the Ascendant community speechless.

Three months ago, during the annual gathering of the Eastern Sects, an ancient Storm Beast emerged from beneath the Thunderfall Mountains, unleashing a devastating tempest that threatened hundreds of disciples.

Even several distinguished Sect Elders were unable to approach the creature, as its violent winds tore apart everything that entered its territory.

Yet when all hope appeared lost, First Elder Kremeth stepped forward.

According to eyewitnesses, the legendary Ascendant calmly approached the raging beast without drawing a weapon, his expression remaining completely unchanged despite the terrifying pressure surrounding him.

He then raised a single fist.

What followed was described by those present as a demonstration of power beyond mortal comprehension.

With one devastating strike, Kremeth unleashed an invisible projectile that pierced through the creature’s enormous body, sending the ancient beast crashing into the mountainside.

The impact triggered a thunderous explosion, after which the creature never rose again.

When questioned about his extraordinary achievement, First Elder Kremeth reportedly offered only four words.

”It was nothing special.”

Riven’s eyes widened as he finished reading the account.

’He defeated an ancient Storm Beast with a single punch?’

He wondered, struggling to imagine the sheer destructive power required to accomplish such a feat.

Even Ronan, whose abilities had seemed completely overwhelming during their earlier sparring session, had never demonstrated anything remotely comparable.

And yet, according to the article, Kremeth had treated the entire incident as though it were hardly worth mentioning.

’Just how powerful is this man?’

Riven wondered, feeling his excitement grow as he continued reading the final section of the profile.

Despite his extraordinary accomplishments, First Elder Kremeth remains one of the Empire’s most elusive masters, rarely accepting invitations to public gatherings or competitive events.

Most frustratingly, when questioned about his future plans, the legendary Ascendant once again refused to participate in the upcoming Dragon and Phoenix Tournament’s Masters Category.

When pressed to explain his continued absence from the prestigious competition, Kremeth reportedly offered the following response:

”What would be the point? It wouldn’t even be a competition if I joined.”

Riven slowly lowered the magazine.

For several moments, he remained completely silent, staring at the magnificent portrait of the silver-haired Ascendant.

Then, almost involuntarily, a broad smile spread across his face.

’He really said that?’

The sheer confidence behind those words was astonishing, especially considering that the Dragon and Phoenix Tournament attracted the most accomplished Ascendants from across the Empire.

Yet Kremeth apparently considered participating in such a prestigious competition beneath his dignity.

And soon, that very same man would become his teacher.

’Father really has arranged something extraordinary for me.’

Riven thought, feeling a genuine sense of gratitude towards Duke Drew as he glanced at the portrait once more.

For someone who had spent much of his life struggling simply to survive, the prospect of receiving personal guidance from such an accomplished master seemed almost too good to be true.

And although the upcoming Imperial hearing continued to cast an ominous shadow over his future, Riven found himself feeling considerably more optimistic than he had in recent days.

’Master Kremeth...’

He thought, carefully committing the man’s appearance to memory.

’I really can’t wait to meet you.’