Shattered Sanity

After memorizing Lightning Step, Riven continued browsing through the other abilities within the Movement section when another interesting technique caught his attention.

[Rainwalk] (Tier 2)

Although fundamentally similar to Lightning Step in the sense that both movement techniques relied upon Storm Aether as fuel, the manner in which Rainwalk utilized that Aether was completely different.

While Lightning Step concentrated Aether throughout the lower body to produce explosive acceleration over short distances, Rainwalk maintained a steady circulation designed for sustained movement across considerably greater distances.

According to the manual, a proficient user could increase their ordinary walking speed by nearly two hundred percent while simultaneously reducing the physical effort required for every step by approximately fifty percent.

The result was a technique designed almost entirely for travel, allowing its user to cover enormous distances on foot without exhausting themselves nearly as quickly as they ordinarily would.

’Huh. So Storm isn’t all about lightning, eh?’

Riven thought, as he opened the manual and quickly began committing its contents to memory before examining several of the techniques stored around it.

The more manuals Riven studied, the more he realized that his understanding of Storm Aether had been considerably narrower than the element itself.

Until now, whenever Riven imagined Storm, he instinctively thought of lightning and thunder, largely because those were the most obvious manifestations associated with his affinity.

Yet Storm encompassed considerably more.

There were movement techniques that manipulated powerful currents of wind around the body, spells that incorporated moisture suspended throughout the atmosphere, and even techniques combining both principles simultaneously.

Storm did not grant its users true mastery over either Water or Wind individually, but when those forces interacted in ways resembling the natural formation of storms, Storm Aether could apparently reproduce portions of both.

One particular movement technique used compressed wind behind the caster to provide continuous acceleration, while another created a thin layer of moisture beneath the feet to better grip the surface underneath.

Neither interested Riven enough to replace Lightning Step, although he memorized their manuals regardless before continuing deeper through the shelves.

By the time Riven finally left the Movement section, he had committed several Tier Two techniques to memory despite still carrying Lightning Step beneath his arm as his intended official selection.

’That should be enough movement techniques for now.’

Riven thought, as he finally entered the fourth and final section of the Storm archives labelled ’Versatile’.

Unlike the previous three sections, the purpose of the techniques stored here was considerably less obvious at first glance.

There were spells designed for detection, concealment, communication and battlefield manipulation, alongside several strange techniques whose usefulness seemed entirely dependent upon the creativity of whoever wielded them.

The first manual Riven picked up immediately demonstrated that difference.

[Stormsense] (Tier 2)

Release an extremely thin layer of Storm Aether throughout the surrounding atmosphere, allowing the caster to detect disturbances created by movement within its effective radius.

Riven’s eyes remained on the description for several seconds.

Unlike Lightning Bolt or Static Guard, Stormsense provided no direct offensive or defensive benefit whatsoever.

However, Riven could immediately imagine circumstances where detecting movement around himself without relying entirely upon his eyes would prove invaluable.

’Useful.’

Riven thought, as he opened the manual and memorized its contents before returning it to the shelf.

The next technique was even stranger.

[Mist Veil] (Tier 2)

Manipulate moisture within the surrounding atmosphere to generate a localized layer of mist, reducing visibility throughout the affected area.

Riven immediately imagined using it alongside Sky-Cleaver.

An opponent unable to properly judge the distance between themselves and the halberd’s blade would have considerably more difficulty defending against its reach, although the mist would naturally interfere with Riven’s vision as well.

Still, it was another option worth possessing.

Riven memorized the manual before moving onwards.

[Thunder Voice] (Tier 2)

Infuse the caster’s voice with controlled Storm Aether, dramatically increasing its volume and allowing spoken words to travel across enormous distances.

At first, Riven struggled to imagine why anyone would waste months learning something that essentially allowed them to shout louder.

However, the military applications became obvious after he read further.

Commanders could issue orders across battlefields without relying upon messengers, while separated groups could communicate across distances where ordinary voices would never reach.

Riven memorized it as well.

The next manual appeared considerably more practical for his immediate circumstances.

[Static Field] (Tier 2)

Spread Storm Aether across a limited area surrounding the caster, creating an electrical field capable of producing minor shocks against anyone entering its range.

The shocks themselves were unlikely to seriously injure another Ascendant, but according to the manual, their purpose was disruption rather than damage.

A sudden electrical discharge at the correct moment could interfere with muscle movement, disturb concentration or provide the caster with immediate warning that someone had entered the affected area.

Riven studied the manual carefully before committing that one to memory as well.

By then, however, the amount of information he had accumulated throughout the afternoon was becoming almost ridiculous.

Lightning Bolt.

Thunderclap.

Static Guard.

Lightning Step.

Rainwalk.

Stormsense.

Mist Veil.

Thunder Voice.

Static Field.

Alongside several other Tier Two techniques whose manuals he had studied throughout the Offensive, Defensive and Movement sections.

Riven could remember every single one.

The circulation diagrams, instructions, warnings and theoretical principles remained preserved within his memory with the same clarity they had possessed while sitting directly before him.

However, while memorizing them was easy, actually mastering them was an entirely different matter.

’I probably have enough spells to keep myself busy for years.’

Riven thought, as he returned the final manual to its place and looked down towards the copy of Lightning Step still tucked beneath his arm.

His decision had not changed.

Of everything he had examined, Lightning Step addressed the greatest number of weaknesses in his current fighting style while remaining simple enough that he realistically believed he could master it within his first semester.

More importantly, selecting Lightning Step officially did not prevent him from practicing everything else he had memorized.

Professor Jean would evaluate him based upon his registered spell, but nothing prevented Riven from attempting the others at his own pace whenever he possessed enough time.

That realization made his photographic memory considerably more valuable than he had initially appreciated.

As while nost students entering these archives would choose one technique and spend the following months studying the accompanying manual until they understood it well enough to perform.

Riven could walk out carrying only one manual while retaining the contents of dozens.

His problem was no longer access to techniques.

It was finding enough time to actually master them.

’Lightning Step first.’

Riven decided, as he began walking towards the archive exit with the manual still tucked beneath his arm.

After that, he could gradually work through the others according to whichever weakness demanded attention most urgently.

Lightning Bolt could provide range.

Static Guard could provide defense.

Rainwalk could improve long-distance travel.

Stormsense and Mist Veil could offer options that brute force alone never would.

None of them were individually spectacular, especially compared with the devastating Tier Four spells sitting several shelves above.

But Riven did not need spectacular right now.

He needed a foundation.

And if he could gradually master even a fraction of what he had memorized today, then perhaps by the time his first semester ended, the enormous gaps within that foundation would finally begin disappearing.

With his decision settled, Riven registered his choice and left the Storm archives, knowing full well that the exhibition bout would now start soon.

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