Shattered Sanity

(House Argent Training Grounds)

After leaving Cedric’s office, Riven returned to the training grounds where Circuit was already waiting for him, having apparently arrived considerably earlier and prepared everything they might require for another long day of training.

The moment Circuit noticed him approaching, he looked up expectantly, although Riven’s expression already told him practically everything he needed to know.

"It turned out exactly like you predicted."

Riven acknowledged, as he offered Circuit an appreciative nod before stopping beside him.

"Your information was true after all. Cedric summoned me shortly after breakfast and officially informed me that I’ll be fighting Gary tomorrow evening, which means I suppose I owe you one for warning me in advance."

Circuit smiled before casually waving away the suggestion.

"You don’t owe me anything, Young Lord."

He replied.

"I fully expect you to repay me by ensuring nobody inside this Academy decides that bullying the frail and unfortunate Circuit Miles is a particularly intelligent decision.

Meanwhile, I’ll continue bringing you valuable information before you’re supposed to know about it, and hopefully both of us remain satisfied with the arrangement."

"Fair enough."

Riven replied, as he smiled faintly before moving towards the center of the training ground.

Circuit followed closely behind him.

"So, did you clarify the match rules?"

He asked.

"Oh yes."

Riven replied, as a considerably more excited expression appeared across his face.

"Apparently.... it turns out that standard academy rules don’t explicitly prohibit either participant from bringing their own weapon into an exhibition match.

So the only question I have is....

Are you absolutely certain Gary Ironveil entered the Academy without a personal sword from his family?"

Riven asked, as Circuit nodded confidently

"Almost completely certain."

Circuit replied.

"Unlike you, most noble children don’t choose the weapon they’re probably going to use for the rest of their lives before graduating from the Academy.

Naturally, they might develop preferences beforehand, but weapons of genuinely exceptional quality are traditionally given after graduation, once the family knows exactly what fighting style their heir developed and what weapon best complements their abilities."

Circuit folded his arms.

"Gary is the third son of Duke Ironveil, so when he graduates, I have absolutely no doubt that his father will commission one of the finest swords money can purchase.

But until then, there isn’t much reason to give a growing thirteen-year-old some priceless Aether weapon when his fighting style could change completely during the next several years."

Riven nodded slowly.

"So tomorrow..."

"Gary will almost certainly use an Academy-issued sword."

Circuit finished.

"The same kind of sword he’ll use during lessons, sparring sessions and practically every other activity requiring one.

The Academy possesses different lengths, weights and designs, so he’ll still be able to choose something reasonably comfortable for him, but the quality of the weapon itself should remain approximately the same."

Riven’s smile gradually widened.

"And you’re certain my halberd can damage one?"

Circuit did not answer immediately.

Instead, he turned towards the edge of the training ground, where Riven finally noticed a heap of common academy training swords resting beside several pieces of equipment.

"Why ask me?"

Circuit replied, as he retrieved one sword.

"Let’s find out."

He carried it towards a thick wooden training support before carefully fastening the weapon horizontally across it, ensuring that the blade remained firmly positioned without requiring either of them to hold it.

Circuit stepped backwards.

"Go ahead, Young Lord."

He said.

"Hit it."

Riven needed no further encouragement.

His hand immediately moved towards his waist before removing Sky-Cleaver and pouring a small quantity of Aether into the weapon.

CLICK!

The shaft rapidly extended outward as the interconnected sections locked together, while Riven adjusted his grip and approached the suspended sword.

He positioned himself carefully.

Then swung.

CLANG!

The metallic impact echoed across the training ground.

Riven immediately looked towards both weapons.

Sky-Cleaver appeared completely unharmed.

The Academy sword did not.

A noticeable chip had appeared along the edge where the halberd struck it, removing enough material that both Riven and Circuit could clearly identify the damaged section from several feet away.

Circuit’s smile widened.

"Again."

Riven happily obliged.

CLANG!

Another impact.

The existing damage deepened considerably.

Riven repositioned himself before striking a third time, deliberately attempting to land Sky-Cleaver against approximately the same portion of the sword.

CLANG!

A crack appeared.

Riven’s eyes sharpened.

"Interesting..."

He muttered.

One final swing followed.

CLANG!

CRACK!

The Academy-issued blade snapped.

Half the sword struck the ground several feet away, while the remaining section stayed firmly attached to the wooden support as silence briefly returned to the training field.

Riven lowered Sky-Cleaver and inspected its blade.

Nothing.

Not even a visible chip.

"I see..."

He muttered, as a confident smile slowly appeared across his face.

Circuit returned that smile.

"This could be our way forward."

He said, as he approached the broken sword.

"Because I’ve spent most of yesterday trying to figure out how you’re supposed to overcome the difference in experience between yourself and Gary, and every conventional solution ends with the same problem.

If you try matching his swordsmanship, you lose.

If you try competing with his experience, you lose.

And if you allow the fight to become a complicated exchange of techniques, you’re giving Gary exactly the sort of battle he’s spent years learning how to fight."

Circuit picked up the broken portion of the blade.

"So we don’t do any of that."

Riven listened carefully.

"We attack the one thing Gary probably hasn’t spent years preparing to lose."

Circuit continued.

"His weapon."

He held the broken sword before Riven.

"Sky-Cleaver doesn’t necessarily need to snap his sword immediately.

In fact, I’d prefer that it doesn’t, because what we really need is enough damage for your halberd to bite into the blade during one of your exchanges."

Riven’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

"The disarming technique."

He muttered.

"Exactly."

Circuit replied immediately.

"You already learned how to perform it yesterday, and considering your physical strength, if you can successfully catch Gary’s sword within the hook of your halberd, I don’t believe he’s going to win a contest of strength against you."

Riven slowly began imagining the sequence.

Gary most likely possessed better technique and footwork than him.

However, unfortunately for him, none of those advantages changed the fact that if he suddenly found himself standing opposite an armed opponent without a weapon of his own, the entire nature of the fight could change.

"Interesting...."

Riven muttered, as he too began to see the vision that could potentially lead to his victory.

Gary might have been superior to him in practically every other aspect, but Riven possessed one advantage that Gary could not easily overcome: an ancient Aether weapon considerably stronger than anything the Academy routinely issued its students.

"All right."

Riven eventually said, as he rested Sky-Cleaver against his shoulder.

"Then I suppose we’re practicing blade chipping and disarmament today."

Circuit’s smile widened.

"That was approximately what I had in mind, hence the heap of swords I have collected for you to damage."

He gestured towards the far side of the training ground, as Riven followed his finger and laughed.

"Where did you even get all of those?"

He asked, as Circuit appeared almost offended by the question.

"Get?"

He replied.

"Young Lord, we’ve already established that I borrow things I can’t get.....

So let’s just say, I borrowed them from House Argent’s training resource hall before most people woke up."

Riven immediately laughed louder.

"I suppose they’ll never know where they went, will they?"

He asked, as Circuit shook his head and said—

"I suppose not."

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