Shattered Sanity

(The next morning, enroute to morning training, Riven and Circuit’s POV)

The fallout from the Riven versus Gary fight did not end with Riven being confronted inside Argent’s common hall, as it was only the next morning when Circuit finally got a chance to speak with Riven that he realized the true scale of what had unfolded.

"Do you even know what you’ve started?" Circuit muttered with a flabbergasted expression, as he found himself questioning his own decision to seek Riven’s protection inside the Academy when Riven himself had somehow become a target for half the people around him.

"No. What did I do?" Riven asked innocently, causing Circuit’s left eye to twitch as he stared towards him in disbelief.

"There’s a bunch of Aureate students who are ready to mess with you every chance they get.

It’s not even been 24 hours since the fight has ended and I’ve already heard about a few who have resolved to trip you during the morning runs or elbow you hard whenever Professor Mike isn’t looking."

Circuit informed, as Riven listened without appearing particularly concerned.

"They’re ready to make your life hell for what you did to Gary, and unfortunately, Aureate isn’t even your only problem anymore, because there are people inside Argent who aren’t particularly happy with you either."

Riven raised an eyebrow at that, although Circuit continued before he could interrupt.

"Your confrontation with Milano didn’t go down well with several nobles. Gosh, how can you be so stupid? Openly threatening members of your own House after half the Academy already decided they hated you? Would it really have killed you to keep your mouth shut for once?" Circuit complained, as Riven merely smiled through the lecture.

"They won’t admit it publicly because none of them actually wants to challenge you after what happened yesterday, but they’re going to remember what you did.

During the course of this year, if another House approaches some of them and provides enough incentive to betray you, I’m certain a few of them will.

Whether it’s during Black Week, or some House Activity, I don’t know, but I swear there will be a time when one of our own house members sells you out."

Circuit warned, as Riven waved his hands in complete disregard.

"Well, I don’t particularly care about any of that...."

Riven replied, as Circuit stared towards him with an expression that suggested that this was precisely the answer he had been afraid of hearing.

"If someone from Aureate elbows me when Professor Mike isn’t looking, then I’ll throw a hard punch into their face when Mike isn’t looking either. It’s really quite simple."

Riven muttered while shrugging his shoulders, as Circuit felt his stomach roll in on itself.

"That’s your solution?" Circuit asked incredulously.

"Of course," Riven replied without hesitation.

"There can only be one bully above them all inside this Academy, Circuit, and I intend for that bully to be me.

Once everyone understands that they cannot afford to mess with me without receiving something worse in return, all of this will eventually subside."

Riven explained, as he seemed almost amused by the prospect of becoming the biggest bully.

"The solution to this mess seems simple enough to me.

I simply have to train hard and become the strongest.

Stronger than anyone around, and they can’t do anything about hating me, even if they do...."

Riven concluded, as Circuit released a tired sigh and followed him towards the physical training grounds.

However, the moment the two finally arrived, Riven immediately noticed that today’s atmosphere was considerably different from the previous morning, as conversations quietened throughout several sections of the training ground while dozens of students turned towards him almost simultaneously.

Some of those gazes contained curiosity, others unmistakable disgust, while several Aureate students made absolutely no effort to conceal the hostility within their expressions.

Yet before any of them could approach, three Argent students who had seemingly been waiting for Riven immediately began walking towards him.

"Young Lord," the largest amongst them greeted respectfully, as Riven stopped and looked towards the unfamiliar trio.

"My name is Orton, and these two are my friends, Batista and Flair. The three of us come from Eastern noble families sworn to House Dawnriver."

Riven’s expression softened slightly upon hearing that, while Orton briefly glanced towards the students watching them before continuing.

"There might be plenty of people inside this Academy who found the way you fought yesterday disgraceful, but the three of us personally found it fucking inspiring," Orton admitted, causing Batista and Flair to immediately nod beside him.

"The others can say whatever they want about you, but we’ve got your back until the end. And after hearing about how you handled that prick Milano yesterday, we became even more certain that you’re someone worth following."

Orton stepped closer, seemingly uncaring about how many students were watching the exchange.

"So I’d simply like to repeat what you told Milano yesterday.....

If you ever need us for a fight, at any time, at any place, the three of us will be there to support you, no matter what."

Orton swore, as a wide smile appeared on Riven’s face.

For the first time since Circuit began explaining the consequences of yesterday’s events, Riven found a bit of good news coming his way, as he reached forward and placed a hand firmly upon Orton’s shoulder.

"Your loyalty will not be forgotten, my friend," Riven replied, as he squeezed Orton’s shoulder before turning his attention towards Batista and Flair.

"And neither will yours."

Standing beside them, Circuit could only release another deep sigh as he watched the exchange unfold, realizing that perhaps the consequences of Riven’s actions were not going to be entirely negative after all.

Because for every dozen students who found Riven’s behavior repulsive, there were inevitably going to be a few who admired precisely the qualities everyone else despised, and it seemed Riven had just found the first members of that considerably smaller group.

’I guess, with a small but loyal group of followers, he can weather this storm....’

Circuit hoped, as taking a look around, he realized that this coming academy year was going to be a difficult one, with enemies both inside and outside the house.

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