By the time the academy lamps dimmed to night mode, Rin had fallen asleep curled slightly
toward the wall, breathing soft and steady. Riven remained awake. Sitting on the edge of his bed. Staring at nothing.
Moonlight spilled through the window, painting pale silver across his hair, making it glow faintly in the dark.
"…I can't stay like this."
His voice was barely sound. If he wanted to change the future. If he wanted to protect her… If he wanted control over fate itself— He needed certainty. One question remained unanswered since his return. Did he still possess everything he once had? Or had time stripped him down to nothing?
He stood silently. Moved without sound. Opened the window. And slipped into the night. Beyond the
dormitories, near the outer defensive wall, layed an abandoned practice field rarely used by students. The ground was uneven, scattered with old impact marks and cracked stone pillars. Riven stepped into the center. Cold night air filled his lungs. His posture shifted. Subtle at first. Then completely.
Gone was the tired student. Gone was the distant boy.
His spine straightened. His breathing changed rhythm. His weight settled perfectly through his feet. A warrior stood there now. He closed his eyes. "Let's see… what remained." He focused inward. Not summoning power. Just listening. Deep beneath muscle and bone… Something answered.
Faint.
Dormant. But alive. His Aura.
Relief washed through him — sharp and sudden.
"…Good."
He raised one hand slowly.
"Reinforcement."
A whisper of pressure spread through his arm. Muscle fibers tightened — not by tension, but
by compression from within. His skin tingled. Strength gathered, controlled and precise. Weaker than before. Much weaker. But present.
He stepped forward— And punched the air. A dull shockwave rippled outward, scattering dust
from the ground. Not even a fraction of his former output. But clean. Stable. His lips curved slightly. He shifted stance. Lowered his guard. Then-
He moved.
One step.
Pivot.
Turn.
Acceleration burst forward like a released spring — stopping instantly without imbalance. Footwork drills followed. Angles. Recovery steps. Direction changes. Balance transitions. Every motion sharp. Every motion efficient. Every motion remembered perfectly. His body… was slower. But his skill remained untouched.
Thirty yearsof combat experience still lived inside him. This time… he hesitated. Aura Blade was different. Not reinforcement. Manifestation. Condensing life force into structure. Extremely taxing. Dangerous with an immature body.
But he needed to know. Riven extended his hand slowly. Focused. Compressed. Guided energy toward his palm. A faint silver shimmer flickered-
Then vanished . Pain shot up his arm instantly, nerves protesting violently.
He exhaled sharply and released the attempt. "…Too soon." His body couldn't handle that level yet. Good to know. Important limit established. He stood still for a long moment under the moonlight. Aura intact. Skill intact. Control intact.
Only his physical vessel needed rebuilding. That…he could fix. Slowly. Carefully. Without attracting attention.
For the first time since arriving at the academy-Riven felt something close to calm.
The future was still uncertain.
But he was not powerless within it.
High above the outer wall, hidden behind layered observation barriers-
A figure stood in silence.
Watching.
Just observing the faint traces of pressure that briefly disturbed the night air… then vanished completely.
"…Interesting," the old voice murmured quietly.
Very interesting indeed.
Riven slipped back into the dormitory before dawn. Rin was still asleep. Curled the same way.
Unaware his quiet roommate had just confirmed the existence of power that could one day shake the world.
Riven layed down. Closed his eyes. And for the first time since seeing Qiyana— Sleep came without memories clawing at him.