Shattered Sanity

(The Next Morning, House Argent Lord’s Room)

The next morning, Riven was finally approached by Cedric and officially informed about his upcoming bout with Gary Ironveil, as the House Lord summoned him shortly after breakfast and asked him to accompany him towards his private room.

Riven naturally understood that Cedric had something important to discuss, although he maintained a perfectly neutral expression as the House Lord opened the door and gestured for him to enter.

"Take a seat, Dawnriver."

Cedric instructed, as Riven calmly settled into one of the chairs positioned before his desk while Cedric closed the door behind them.

"I’ll get straight to the point because there isn’t much reason for me to waste your time."

Cedric began, as he lowered himself into the chair opposite Riven.

"Yesterday, when you refused to participate in the transfer negotiations, you made your position regarding your responsibilities within House Argent rather clear.

You told me that while you weren’t willing to run around negotiating over minor recruits, you would gladly contribute whenever Argent required someone to fight on its behalf, regardless of who stood opposite you."

Riven nodded.

"I remember."

"Good, because I told you I’d remember those words."

Cedric replied, as a faint smile appeared across his face.

"And as it happens, I’ve already found an opportunity for you to fulfill that promise.

Tomorrow evening, shortly after classes conclude, House Argent and House Aureate will be organizing an exhibition match between you and Gary Ironveil."

Riven’s expression changed slightly at the revelation, although he remained silent as Cedric continued.

"First overall against second overall.

Gary Ironveil against Riven Dawnriver.

Ironveil against Dawnriver, and Aureate against Argent.

Quite frankly, there isn’t another fight between incoming First Years that could attract anywhere near the same amount of attention."

Cedric leaned slightly forward.

"So we’re going to take advantage of it.

Anyone wishing to watch the fight will be required to surrender either a Book of Knowledge, one week’s worth of food rations or another resource that both Houses agree possesses approximately equivalent value.

Whatever we collect will then be divided equally between Argent and Aureate, allowing both Houses to profit from the attention already surrounding the two of you."

Riven slowly nodded.

He had already learned practically everything Cedric was revealing through Circuit yesterday, although naturally, he had no intention of revealing that particular fact.

"Since you promised to contribute towards Argent in any manner that doesn’t sully your honor, I believe representing this House against the first overall selection should fall comfortably within the responsibilities you had in mind."

"It does."

Riven replied simply.

"I’ll fight."

"Excellent."

Cedric said, appearing pleased by the lack of resistance.

"And don’t worry, your contribution won’t be forgotten.

House Argent will award you five Merit Seals simply for participating in the bout, regardless of whether you win or lose."

Cedric briefly opened one of the drawers beneath his desk before retrieving a small silver token and placing it upon the table.

"Merit Seals are considerably more valuable than they might initially appear, especially because every House receives only one thousand at the beginning of each academic year.

They’re one of the most important resources available to House leadership, and once competitions begin, you’ll quickly understand exactly how valuable they can become.

So for me to allocate five towards a single exhibition match is a considerably generous reward, especially before the academic year has even properly begun."

Riven glanced towards the silver token before nodding appreciatively.

"I understand. Thank you, House Lord."

Cedric nodded before beginning to gather several reports from his desk, although Riven remained seated.

"There is one thing I’d like clarified before I leave."

Riven said.

Cedric looked towards him.

"Go ahead."

"Under what rules will Gary and I be fighting?"

Riven asked.

"Standard Academy sparring rules."

Cedric replied.

"Unless either of you requests a modification and both parties agree beforehand, that’s what we’ll use."

Riven remained quiet for a moment.

"I haven’t participated in an Academy spar before, House Lord.

Could you explain exactly what standard Academy rules entail?"

"Of course."

Cedric replied, as he leaned backwards within his chair.

"First and most importantly, understand that this is an exhibition match rather than a genuine duel.

You’re allowed to injure Gary, and Gary is allowed to injure you, because expecting two Ascendants to fight seriously without causing injuries would be ridiculous.

However, there are strict limitations regarding where those injuries can occur."

Cedric raised one finger.

"Any attack that seriously damages a vital area results in an immediate match forfeit, regardless of whether the damage was intentional or accidental.

The heart, throat, lungs, kidneys and other major internal organs are completely forbidden targets, and you’re responsible for controlling your weapon well enough to avoid striking them."

His eyes briefly moved towards the retractable halberd attached beside Riven’s waist.

"Limbs, shoulders and most non-vital portions of the torso or back are acceptable targets within reasonable limits.

Cuts, bruises, fractures and similar injuries are considered ordinary consequences of combat because Academy healers can repair them relatively easily.

Permanent mutilation, however, is prohibited.

You can break Gary’s arm if the circumstances of the fight require it, but you cannot deliberately chop that arm off.

The same applies to fingers, hands, feet or anything else that would result in unnecessary permanent damage."

Riven listened carefully without interrupting.

"The match lasts for a maximum of fifteen minutes."

Cedric continued.

"If either fighter surrenders before then, the fight ends immediately.

The same applies if one of you becomes unconscious, physically incapable of continuing or the presiding officials determine that continuing would place either fighter in unreasonable danger.

If neither of you achieves a conclusive victory before fifteen minutes expire, the result will be decided by three neutral judges."

Cedric folded his hands together.

"They’ll evaluate effective attacks, successful defense, control of the engagement, meaningful damage and overall performance before determining the victor.

So while you don’t necessarily need to incapacitate Gary to win, I’d strongly recommend establishing a clear enough advantage that you don’t leave your result entirely within someone else’s hands."

Riven nodded before finally asking the only other question that mattered to him.

"What about weapons, spells and movement techniques?"

"All permitted."

Cedric replied immediately.

"At Ember Rank, neither of you possesses enough Aether to continuously throw spells around for fifteen minutes anyway.

Most individuals when they enter the academy can manage one or two serious applications before substantially draining their reserves, so placing restrictions upon Aether usage would accomplish very little.

Use whatever spells or movement techniques you possess, provided they don’t violate the rules regarding vital attacks."

Cedric gestured towards Riven’s waist.

"Weapons are similarly unrestricted within reason.

Gary will almost certainly use his sword, while I assume you’ll be carrying that halberd.

Both are perfectly acceptable."

Riven nodded once more.

That was everything he needed to know.

Cedric could seemingly tell the same thing from his expression, because his tone became considerably more serious as he moved towards the final portion of the conversation.

"Like I already informed you, the fight will take place tomorrow evening after classes conclude.

And although we haven’t finalized the venue yet, that will be settled before tonight, alongside the identities of the three neutral judges, which will most likely be academy professors.

Argent and Aureate will also begin advertising the match throughout the Academy this morning, which means by tomorrow evening, there will probably be a lot of buzz around this event."

Cedric paused.

"So you have today to prepare, alongside whatever time you can reasonably find tomorrow before the fight.

Nobody from House leadership will disturb your training for the remainder of today, and if you require equipment, resources, a private training ground or anything else that could reasonably improve your chances, come directly to me."

His expression hardened slightly.

"Because although this is technically an exhibition match, don’t underestimate what winning could mean for Argent.

You’re our highest selection, while Gary is Aureate’s highest selection, and whether it’s reasonable or not, the First Years will interpret the result as an early indication of which House acquired the superior recruit."

Cedric leaned forward.

"If you defeat Gary tomorrow, Argent gains a massive morale boost.

And it sets the tone for the rest of the year, so.....

Don’t disappoint us, Dawnriver."

Riven remained silent as Cedric finished.

"I’ll do my best."

He said eventually as he rose from his chair.

"I don’t know enough about Gary’s capabilities to promise you victory, House Lord, and I won’t make promises regarding something I cannot guarantee.

However, I can promise that I won’t walk into that arena unprepared, and regardless of the result, I don’t intend to embarrass House Argent."

Cedric smiled.

"That’s realistically all I can ask from you.

Go train now. I won’t hold you up anymore."

Riven offered him a respectful nod before leaving the House Lord’s room, closing the door quietly behind himself as his expression immediately became considerably more serious.

Turns out, Circuit was right all along, which meant that he had about 24 hours to figure out as to how he could achieve the impossible.

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